This might be tough for you to read and you might not like everything I have to say. But if you accept this advice as a genuine solution, you will why you can\u00a0succeed where so many others fail.<\/p>\n
Goal setting is\u00a0the health equivalent of pressing the refresh button on your life.<\/p>\n
No matter what you did\u00a0in the past, setting new goals is an opportunity to change everything. The process is as basic as it is motivating: Learn from the past and plan for a better future.<\/p>\n
Have hope. Be an optimist. And believe that anything is possible.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
It\u2019s a safe and effective approach that allows you to reinvent yourself, set new standards, and become the person you want to be.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, if success was that easy and motivation was a given, you wouldn\u2019t repeatedly set the same goals year after year.<\/p>\n
As you might know, willpower is a limited reserve<\/a>. So really on it is far from a surefire way to accomplish way you want.<\/p>\n
So what really separates the successful from the unsuccessful? And why do so many people constantly need to reset goals\u00a0hoping for the best only to repeat the same failures?<\/p>\n
The goal-failure-success continuum\u00a0really boils down to one simple factor, and making an adjustment to your approach could be the difference between achievement and failure.<\/p>\n
The dirty little secret about goals\u00a0is not complex.<\/p>\n
Those who succeed are unwilling to quit. They want to taste success more than those who don\u2019t.<\/p>\n
More importantly, those who succeed understand realistic expectations and timelines of progress and change.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n
According to research published in the\u00a0Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutritionists<\/em>, a more effective\u00a0approach for long term fat loss is a plan that allows you to lose “only” about .5 to 1 percent of your body weight per week.<\/p>\n
For muscle gains, if you factor out “rapid beginner changes” you might be looking at a maximum (in the most perfect of scenarios) of 4 to 8 pounds of muscle gain in 12 weeks, and even less the more experience you have.<\/p>\n
This isn’t meant to be depressing. Instead, it should be just the opposite. It will allow you to set realistic goals that won’t drive you insane.<\/p>\n
Why Progress is Blind<\/h2>\n
We all have the desire to be better. In fact, that\u2019s what motivates most people to set goals in the first place.<\/p>\n
But after working with thousands of people and hearing countless stories\u2014both of successes and failures\u2014the most common reason for success<\/a> is the relentless drive to succeed.<\/p>\n
This is not a blame-game or a lack of respect for whatever hurdles stand in your way. I\u2019ve failed at plenty of my goals too.<\/p>\n
This is a reality check that everyone needs to accept, yet few ever mention.<\/p>\n
Changing your body, losing weight, gaining muscle, quitting smoking\u2014every goal you desire<\/a> will be difficult to achieve.<\/p>\n
At some point, you\u2019re going to hit a bump in the road, confronted with a challenge<\/a>, and begin to doubt your ability to make real, lasting change.<\/p>\n
Many view this as a bad thing. In reality, this is the inevitable situation you must confront if you want to have long-term success.<\/p>\n
Reaching this point is not the problem; it’s how you react after it occurs.<\/p>\n
Pulse Moments: The Gateway to Greatness<\/h2>\n
When situations become difficult and you anticipate trouble\u00a0on the horizon, do not ignore your frustration. That\u2019s the first step towards failure.<\/p>\n
Instead, acknowledge your anger and fear. Channel your frustration and ask yourself one simple question:\u00a0How badly do I want this?<\/em><\/p>\n
When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe that\u2019s when you\u2019ll achieve your goals.<\/p>\n
This isn\u2019t about six-pack dreams<\/a>, running a marathon, or building bigger biceps. Those are all great goals that are achievable by anyone. But it’s not the goal itself that matters; it’s your relentless mindset in its pursuit.<\/p>\n
I don\u2019t care how far your journey might appear. You\u00a0can make a change. And if you have any doubts,\u00a0read the stories<\/a>\u00a0of those who are just like you.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m inspired by these people because they do the “impossible.” And now it\u2019s our job to eliminate doubt and apathy so that you can join in on the success.<\/p>\n
This is a gut-check. Or as I call them:\u00a0Pulse Moments.<\/p>\n
Check your pulse and determine if you\u2019re ready for your own challenge.<\/p>\n
Are you willing to scratch, and claw and fight for your health? Are you willing to push harder, make yourself a little uncomfortable, and make the adjustments you need to succeed?<\/p>\n
Change is hard, and I understand every ounce of hurt you feel when it seems like you can\u2019t lose weight, you can\u2019t eliminate pain, or you can\u2019t become the version of yourself that you so desperately desire.<\/p>\n
Change starts by taking\u00a0the first step, looking in the mirror, and saying, \u201cI want to be better.\u201d<\/p>\n