Here's a family picture of myself, baby Harvey, and my wife Patricia :-)
This
past year has been a very productive one for me, as I've renewed my
passion and consistency for serious bodybuilding training again.
After
the birth of our son Harvey in 2016 I got a bit slack with my workouts,
totally fell off the bandwagon with my nutrition, and it didn't take
long before it started to show in my physique.
Even your "muscle
building coach" has ups and downs. I know all to well about the
challenges and struggles of trying to stick to a fitness and nutrition
program while raising a family and working hard to earn a living... It's
not easy, but it can be done if you are committed and follow the right
approach.
The big thing that has helped me turn things around
this year is to focus on making progress - even small progress - and not
trying to be perfect.
A big mistake a lot of people make is
falling into the "All or Nothing" trap.
A lot of people think that: If I
can't do it perfectly, then I won't do it at all.
I've been
guilty of doing this during my bodybuilding competition days, I was
either "ON my diet" or totally "OFF my diet"... There was no in between!
But
when it comes to maintaining your health and fitness over the long
term, this is the worst thing you can do... Because NO ONE can be perfect
all the time.
Even professional athletes, fitness models, celebrities, and coaches get off track from time to time.
What
I focus on doing now is simply sticking to my plan "most of the
time". As long as I'm on track with my training and nutrition at least
80% of the time, I'm still able to move in the right direction towards
my fitness goals.
Focus on making progress, not perfection!
When
you have a slip up in your program (i.e. miss a meal, miss a workout,
cheat on your diet, etc.) just accept it and move on. Get back on track
again for your very next meal or your very next workout.
The faster you can recover from your mistakes and get get back on track, the faster you'll move towards your fitness goals.
And
to show you a prime example of this, right after I send this e-mail
we're heading out for Christmas dinner with our family and I have full
intentions of enjoying all the tasty food being served... The turkey,
mashed potatoes, dressing, gravy, plum pudding, sweets, desserts, you
name it... I'm going to enjoy it all without an ounce of guilt or shame
:-)
But tomorrow morning you'll find me in the gym getting a
massive muscle pump from all the glycogen that will be stored in the
muscles from the food I'm about to eat. And I'll be back to my normal
eating plan as well.
There's nothing wrong with having a "Cheat Meal", as long as you get back on track right after that meal is over.
Problems only come about when 'cheat meals' turn into a 'cheat days'
and 'cheat days' turn into 'cheat weeks' - by that time everything
is gone to crap and you're just eating anything.
So, if I can share one piece of advice with you for this
Christmas... It's to enjoy the holiday goodies and have fun with your family and friends. But as soon as the dinner is done,
get back on track for your very next meal. If you can do that, you'll
minimize the damage and move yourself closer to reaching your personal
bodybuilding and fitness goals.
Again, Merry Christmas and here's to a successful 2019.
|
