I still receive questions such as "can I still get drunk while on a diet?", "can I still have my favorite takeaways while getting fit?" These are people who claim to be unhappy with their body, want to be slimmer, want to be fitter, want to look better in clothes, but they expect to be able to get their dream bodies without giving up their bad habits. To me, that means they're not happy with their bodies, but they aren't prepared to make any sacrifices in order to get in shape. That's what it takes, making sacrifices, could be large ones, or could be small ones, but you have to stop certain things you're currently doing, because if they were the right things, you wouldn't be wanting to get in shape. During my time at Essex CCC, I gave up alcohol during the season, I never went out the night before a game, I stopped eating bad foods (actually started seeing a nutritionist) I made quite a few changes to my diet, and a few other things. Those were all sacrifices, because I knew it would benefit me, and the positives outweighed the negatives. It's the same with myself now. I'm not someone who wants to get huge like Jay Cutler, never been attracted to that, not my thing. But the goals I have for myself, require me to make a few sacrifices, but again, the positives outweigh the negatives.
Before embarking on any fitness related journey, I would always advise the person to really figure out why they want to do it. Telling yourself why you want to make a change, why you want to get fit and healthy, will give you that motivation and reassurance. As mentioned at the start, fitness is not a game, it's not something you can 'half ass', it's a lifestyle, it's tough sometimes, but the rewards are huge. Cutting down from say, a size 20 to a 12, requires a lot of hard work and dedication. BUT when you get down the the size you want to be and are happy with, maintaining that is far easier than the journey of getting there. Many people quit because they find it too tough and think "how can I do this for the rest of my life??", well, you don't have to. It's the same with bodybuilding, to get to a size that you're happy with, my god it's hard! but maintaining a certain size is a lot easier.
If you don't want to put the effort and commitment into the fitness lifestyle, then stop moaning about not being in shape (harsh but true). What is more important, getting drunk? partying? clubbing? eating takeaways? OR getting in shape and being truly happy because you like what you see everyday? To me that is a no brainer, but clearly not to some people.
It all comes down to that one phrase that you should ask yourself - " how bad do you want it? "
Lee Gregory Fitness
