MOTIVATION 101: When the Student is Ready, Progress will Appear

Good Friday Afternoon FITTWorld!
Another day of abnormal not-so-winter-like weather is upon us and it’s looking like the forecast will be this way until (so I’ve heard but dare I say it) January?
Hmmm…better take advantage of that outdoor fresh air while we can right? Besides, most of us aren’t ready for winter yet. Change is about to happen and yet every year we are not prepared for the physical and mental adjustments we have to make.
What does weather change have to do with our fitness? EVERYTHING. Allow me to explain.
I had a conversation with a mentor of mine a couple of years ago as I was lambasting him with my weight issues. I kept asking, “Why is this not working? Why haven’t I seen much change happen? I’m eating well (common answer) and I’m training (the easiest part of the process)…what the heck? This doesn’t make any sense.”
That person turned to me, and with very few words, he hit me right in the head – “Kareem, when the student is ready, the teacher will appear.”
One short sentence with a powerful effect. Damn – words can be really striking!
I thought about it for a moment and I realized something – he was right. As much as I was all for doing what I was assigned to do, I wasn’t giving it my best. I still had lingering habits that…well…hindered my progress, essentially lying to myself about my efforts.
Now he wasn’t accusing me or pointing the finger in an “its your fault” way, but he was simply highlighting a point, a very VERY important point when it comes to change: in order for change to happen, it must start and end with you.
Take that in for a moment and let it marinate, penetrate, and BAM! Almost seems mind-blowing right? What if I told you it’s the honest truth? Would you be willing to accept that?
For those who are seeking a blow to the head like I received, this is what you would have to do. Because friends, let’s face fact: if you do not commit to change now, you will be in the same place when 2016 rolls in. Is that what you want? I would assume no, considering that you probably feel how I felt a couple of years ago – frustrated, fatigued, and confused.
So what actions do you need to take in order to get the process going? Remember that “why” I spoke about last time? Yeah, you know that 3-letter word that has so much force behind your efforts if it is as solid as you say it is. This is where your “why” is going to be tested. How much are you willing to give in order to get what you want and to be where you want?
Again, let’s be realistic here – good ol’ coach K is not telling you to go all in at once because that move, like in poker, is a gamble. And since I’m not into gambling, I’m not going to promote that idea. But, I will promote a couple of questions that I think will help you out:


ARE YOU REALLY READY?
Why do we sometimes find it difficult to change habits? Maybe it’s because we like our habits. Maybe it’s because it requires work and effort to change. Maybe it’s because you just don’t want to…or that you’re just not ready. But ask yourself this question: When will I be ready?
If your answer is “well (insert reason) has to be in place first and then (insert reason) has to be like this…then it will be easy! Then I’ll be ready,” I have breaking news for you: if you wait for the perfect scenario, you are just delaying the process of change even more.
No situation will be perfect because we are not perfect people; nor will your environment be perfect. But you have the power to change your environment in order to make change happen. You also have the power of choice – which at the end of the day puts the ball in your court and not anyone else.


FIND A NEW PATH – EMBRACE CHANGE OF ROUTINE
If your current M.O. has not been producing the results you hope to have, ask yourself this question: How has that been working for you?
Analyze where you are at and answer yourself honestly. Sure, doing what you are doing now is easy, but how will you get better? How will you experience change? Let’s use a training program for example. You have an established number of reps and sets that you work with every day. The first time you did the program, it was challenging, but now it has gotten easier. Great! What do you do next? Stay at the same number of reps and sets? Or do you increase the weight load, add more reps, or increase the number of sets you perform?
The same applies to change – you won’t experience change if you don’t take the opportunity to change. Evaluate your current path and consider where you can make adjustments. It doesn’t have to be all in one shot, but one step at a time. Focus on one habit and once you’ve tackled that successfully, add another.


CHANGE YOUR VOCABULARY – CHANGE YOUR MIND 
I bet you didn’t know that your vocabulary plays a major role in changes to your health and wellness. The words we use can have such impact, even if used in a subtle manner. I am a huge advocate of positive thinking and positive vocab because words have the ability to affect us in a large way. This is one adjustment of course that comes with time, but if you make slight changes now, it will prove to be beneficial going forward. That’s right – ditch the “can’t” talk and ask yourself “how can you?” One word terminates the possibilities whereas the other allows for options.
See the difference?
IN CONCLUSION…
Friends I had a lot to say today about this because it’s essential to your progress. The process is one that takes time. But if you are ready, you’ll learn a lot about yourself along the way. And if you’re not ready, no worries! I won’t judge you and neither would anyone else. You just have to be honest with yourself and accept that.
But when you are, the coach will be waiting for you.