Your Why?

When people make the decision to get in shape, I can often tell who will seriously get in shape just by their reasons. The people who come into my office and tell me that they want to tone up their belly fat and lose some of the "by-by" arms (the part of the triceps that keeps waving after the arm stops waving) as if I am a plastic surgeon, these folks I know don't have a deep enough reason for getting in shape. Getting in shape, for many people, will need to takes some fairly deep conviction. In order to be successful, you have to consistently put yourself through pain!

Valid Reasons for Getting in Shape

• To Feel Better

When I first started exercising consistently, I realized I felt so much better when I was working out on a regular basis than when I wasn't. I had tons of energy, I slept better, I was able to concentrate better and actually did better with some of my school work. When I made a habit of waking up early and exercising first thing in the morning, I reminded myself that I will feel so much better once I am done and I will actually accomplish a lot more today than if I decided to sleep in. And you know what, I was right! The energy I created by pushing my body more, I was able to check a lot off each day in comparison to how I used to function.

• To Prove it to Yourself

Exercise can be such a confidence booster! For a very long time, I struggled with a very low self-esteem until God made it very clear that I needed to keep myself more active. Once I became more active, I realized that I could accomplish quite a bit. I was able to see in practical ways accomplishments that I could be proud of. I made strength gains that I didn't think I could make. I was able to run faster than I thought I could run. When you make a habit of consistently exercising, you will see positive changes that you can make about yourself which really builds self-confidence.

• To Improve your Health

People who come to me and tell me that it is time to get serious because of potential future health complications, have some very solid reasons to get into shape. Unfortunately, many of these people tend not to follow through so well since they have decades of poorly made choices about eating and exercise. I would venture to say that half of them quit within the first 2 weeks of trying to follow a plan to improve their health. However, the other half blow the socks off everyone else around them! These are the folks who realized that NOW is the time to take control of their health! They tend to set big goals and actually meet them!

For instance, a lady I know who was morbidly obese (350+lbs) and diagnosed with breast cancer, decided enough was enough and set a goal of running a marathon! The funny thing was, after one year focusing on this goal and training for it, she did it! In addition to that, she lost approximately 150lbs in the process!

Another gentleman who had severely high cholesterol (over 350!), with a family history of heart disease (father who died at 49 years due to 3 clogged arteries!) and weighed over 300lbs, decided that he wasn't going to be another statistic in his family! He set a goal of completing a half-iron man competition, which for those of you who don't know, is a LONG distance! It is a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike ride and a 13 mile run (1/2 marathon)!! This man accomplished his task and dropped his cholesterol over 200pts and he weighed approximately 180lbs when he completed the race!

I, and I am sure you, can find countless stories like these of people who have had enough of it all! There are many other valid reasons, the point is to find a reason that is deep enough to move you even when it hurts, because that is what's necessary!

Invalid Reasons to Get in Shape

• To "tone up"
• To look good for the beach
• To satisfy my spouse
• To find a boyfriend/girlfriend
• To fit into those old jeans

All of these reasons are way too superficial! Most people need deeper reasons. If these reasons are enough, than more than likely you have self-esteem problems. Seeking some type of counseling may be a good idea. Superficial reasons should not be a consistent driving force. You are better than that! God has a greater plan for you than just looking good in a pair of jeans!

My Reasons Today

Many people ask me, where do I find the energy to work out so intensely and consistently? The real reason (not caffeine) is Jesus Christ! Bodybuilding is a sport that creates the impression that vanity is of the utmost importance. For me, nothing could be further from the truth! In order to get your body into the condition that is necessary to be successful in the bodybuilding arena, you have to consistently and intensely push yourself hard! In order to do that, I pray often. I pray that God will give me the strength to meet the next challenge, not for my glory but for His! I pray that God uses me to be an example to others that you don't have to be vain and self-centered in order to be in great shape. I believe God has called me to bodybuilding for now because it attracts attention and He wants me to show others that I am not here to take all the attention unto myself but to give it back to Him. I cannot rely on my own perfection to make it! God gives me the strength everyday. That's why I bodybuild and why I continue to push myself!

I honestly don't have the strength to keep pushing myself day in and day out. I pray and reflect on Jesus and the cross. Realizing that Jesus carried that cross to Golgotha after He was whipped, beat up, torn, and dehydrated helps me realize how I can make it! God wants the best for me (and you too!)! God sent His Son for us so that He could be one of us and experience the troubles that we all face. He died asking for forgiveness of us after he was beaten and crucified! If anyone is in need of a strong hero to look up to, it's Jesus!

"When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him..." Luke 23:33-35 (New International Version)