Is your NYR really just an ADS?

I've talked a bit before about why I generally find the whole "New Year, New You" thing bloody annoying. In case you missed it, in a nutshell it's because most people make the same "Resolutions" year after year, and have given up by Paddys day if not much sooner.  

Not so much of a New Years Resolution then, as an Annual Delusional Statement. It might sound harsh, but it's probably true. So, how can you tell if you're delusional in terms of your health, fitness and/or weightloss goals for this year? You start by asking yourself the following questions:

What's your goal?

Why are you doing this?

What does your plan look like? 

What are you gonna focus on first?

What are you missing?

What are you doing but shouldn't be?

What aren't you doing but should be?

If you haven't answered those questions, then your resolution is more of a delusion, at the moment.  The good news is that going through this process every few weeks will help you to focus on what's important to you so that you get better results, faster. 

If you'd like my help to make sure this year you really do achieve your goals, get in touch and we'll see what your next steps should be. 

Malachy.

How I stayed motivated while losing weight.

My weight loss journey took some time, during which I got rid of over 70lbs of fat, and at the same time put on enough muscle that i looked good rather than gaunt! It wasn't easy, of course. Nothing of significance ever came easy. This was back before hashtags and #fitspo, hell, you could be on the phone or the Internet but not both, and broadband didn't exist.

My motivation was the one and only Mr Arnold Schwarznegger, the skinny Austrian kid who went on to become the Austrian Oak, a mighty champion. While I had no interest in becoming a bodybuilder or champion of anything, his story inspired me, and in the space of about a year I transformed myself from very fat to very fit. 

This required making some changes to my lifestyle, some more dramatic than others. The one most fundamental to my success though, was a change in attitude, from I wish to I am. No more "I wish I could lose weight"; that became "I'm in control of my weight".

I took responsibility, and I took control; I made mistakes and I learned from all of them. I cooked all my own meals from scratch (except for pasta), nothing from jars or packets; I stopped eating in front of the tv; I introduced more physical activity as I became more able, using what I had (my bodyweight & some rocks). Eventually, I was cycling instead of taking the bus every Friday for my 11mile each-way commute. After a while I was just as quick cycling as taking the bus. 

Some of those early meals were bland, some were borderline poisonous, but with practice you learn what combinations of seasonings make a dish mouthwatering instead of eye watering (hint: use cayenne and chilli peppers sparingly until you know what you're at!).

20 years later and I'm still no bodybuilder, but then, I'm not trying to be. Annie inspired in me an attitude which allowed me to take responsibility for my actions, and to take control of my life to make it go in the direction I wanted. 

Hopefully this will inspire you to take more control of your own life. If you'd like some help along your journey, I'll happily be your guide. You have to take each step though, nobody else can do that for you.

If you are ready to take those steps, drop me a line mal@malkelly.com or pick up the phone 086 1945 040. If I can't answer, please leave a message and I'll call you back as soon as I'm free.