The secret to fast weight loss

Here is the all powerful secret to weight loss. I promise that no matter who you are, or how much you weigh, or how active or inactive you are this will work. It is the easiest thing ever......you ready....here it is.....oh...wait....there is no secret...there is no easy way to do it.....I'm sorry if I upset you but its time for a reality check. If you are still reading this...I applaud you and thank you for your support. If you have read my first blog (The first of many) then you know that there is no secret. The best advice I can give is to remember that if it sounds too good to be true....IT IS!!!! I have found through observation and through story's of others that the faster you lose the weight, the faster you put it back on….and then some. I know that the idea of rapid weight loss sounds appealing but the fact of the matter is the slower it comes off, the longer it stays off. We all have our reasons for losing weight. If you have ever been over weight, under weight, or just different in any way you know that people like to point out those differences in the meanest way possible. Sometimes you have to lose weight because your doctor has instructed you too. What ever it may be, the slower you do it, the longer it will stay off. I promise! But how can I be so sure of this.....how, if I have not experienced this can I so strongly believe it. It’s as simple as this....the word habit. Let’s look at Webster’s definition of the word habit: An acquired mode of behavior that has become nearly or completely involuntary (locked the door through force of habit) (ADDICTION) was forced to steal to support his drug habit Now realistically I could end this blog right here and be 90% sure that you would all get it after reading the definition of the word…but I will continue on. Habits are the reason we do what we do, habits are the reason it is so hard to stop smoking (while there is a chemical addiction the majority of the struggle is the hand to mouth habits. Yes this is coming from personal experience), or the reason we drive a certain path to work, habits are built over a short period of time and take a lifetime to destroy. The habit of unhealthy eating and the habit of not working out are no different. You have to retrain the way you think and look at food. You have to retrain the way you look at the weight room and you have to overcome the “involuntary” actions or meals you normally have. This takes a LONG time to do. There are short cuts to losing weight and you can take those shortcuts, you may even be able to change your outer appearance, but without changing your habits, you will eventually finish right back where you started. Unfortunately we see this a lot in diets like weight watchers, and on shows like "The biggest loser." DONT GET ME WRONG if you are doing weight watchers and it's working for you then rock on, just remember that when you hit your goal you CAN NOT go back the way things were or your waist size will go back the way it was...and possibly more. I do believe that with proper research and time fat burners can be useful. Would I suggest taking fat burners right off the bat...NO....but I do believe that there is a proper time and use for them...but that is another blog for another time. When it comes down to it, the old adage "slow and steady wins the race" could never be truer. You WILL be discouraged, you WILL want to quit, and you WILL feel like no matter what nothing is working. Just remember that you are not alone. All I can tell you is KEEP GOING, KEEP PUSHING and KEEP FIGHTING for your goal. In the end you WILL NOT regret it. Disclaimer:

I am not a medical professional, I am not a certified nutritionist or personal trainer. I am just one person who enjoys helping others by sharing his life experiences. Results may vary.

The buddy system

Do you remember back in elementary school when you always had to have your buddy....whether it was in line going to lunch...or going to the bathroom...or even going to the library? Your buddy was there to keep you safe and to help you if you got lost...in the same way a buddy in the weight room is very important. A buddy in the weight room is there to push you...to keep you going when you have that day that no matter what you cant seem to get motivated...your buddy is there to tell you to get off your ass and get going.

In the past two years I have gone through about six different people for various reasons, some have moved away, some got new jobs, but most just quit on me because it was to hard. There is only one time that I would suggest working out alone....if you ever feel that you need to lower the intensity of your workout to compensate for someone else. You can workout with someone who is not on your level without sacrificing your intensity...but the second they start to pull you down....GET OUT!!!

I can not stress how important it is that to be able to explain to others what you want or need from something or someone you first have to be able to clearly define it within. To find the right workout partner you have to know what you want. What I look for is someone that knows my breaking point, someone that automatically know when they need to jump in to help me hit that last rep, and most of all...someone that will put themselves through hell in the weight room just to see me have to do the same. 

Its not one of those things that happens right away. Like any relationship it takes time to develop, I have found that  the relationship usually extends past the weight room once you find it. But the biggest thing to look for is someone that will continuously push you. Lets be honest...we all have those days where we will think of anything to avoid working out...your buddy has to be able to see through the bullshit and tell you to get going. Thankfully I have found someone who beats the crap out of me and someone I beat the crap out of every time we hit the weights...thanks Mikey!!!

But lets not forget the support outside of the weight room. The support for people you dont see everyday. My big brother Patrick "The Manimal" Barnes is a bodybuilder and a huge inspiration in my journey. As I stated before "my big brother" I look at him as if he were blood...but here is the kicker.......I have only met him in person once. He has been a constant flow of support and that is what everyone needs. Thanks bro! I am also lucky enough to be surrounded by an army of personal trainers at the Y that have helped me out every step of the way. Thanks guys!

So my goal for you is to define what you want in a workout buddy and find one.
Just remember....pain is only temporary, glory lasts for ever, and chicks dig scars.

Disclaimer: 

I am not a medical professional, I am not a certified nutritionist or personal trainer. I am just one person who enjoys helping others by sharing his life experiences. Results may vary.

The first of many

This may not be the beginning of my journey but this is the beginning of my blog. I invite you to follow along while I literally work my ass off to work my ass off. But please remember these are the things I've found that work for me...you are different listen to your body and finds what works for you.
My journey started about two years ago, about the same time I started working at the Y. I like to think that everything we do in life builds who we are. The Y was a huge building block in my life, I have learned much and I have met some awesome people...but the biggest impact the y has had on me was the start of my life as a weight lifter.
It is extremely important, in my opinion, to have a clearly defined goal when working out. That goal maybe building size, increasing strength, losing weight, improving speed or building power. Whatever  your goal may be you have to have it clearly defined in your mind and in your heart to reach it.
My goal in the beginning was weight loss, and now its weight loss and building muscle. After seeing my progress I've had many people come to me an ask me how I do it, many people asking for the cheat, asking for the magic pill that makes you lose weight, asking for the lose weight fast remedy... well here it is.....they don't exist. It takes a lot of hard work, a lot of strict dieting, and a LOT of time! You didn't put the weight on overnight.....so what makes you think you will be able to get rid of it overnight.
My goal for this blog is to help myself and to encourage others to do with they felt they could not do, just remember listen to your body and never give up!
Until next time remember don't follow the beaten path....make your own.

Disclaimer: 

I am not a medical professional, I am not a certified nutritionist or personal trainer. I am just one person who enjoys helping others by sharing his life experiences. Results may vary.