Your "A-HA" moment?

Jay had his AHA moment and lost 41 pounds in 8 weeks, got first place in a transformation contest and won $1500!

A-HA!

A lot people sit on the fence with regards to getting their ass in shape. I've heard it, and seen it year after year. That same guy, who three times a year squarely looks me in the eye and says "this is the year I'm going to get in shape" and subsequently asks...

"Can you do me up one of your programs?"

At which point, I roll my eyes and remind him that I have given him a program a year, for the last 3 years free of charge. One which he would did for two weeks, lose 5 pounds and quit, apparently due to his massive successes. ( "Rolls Eyes", and yes Brian, I'm talking about you)

Fitness and the need to get off one's ass is usually brought on by an A-HA moment.. as examples:

Your doctor tells you that you need to lose weight
Your clothes don't fit
You see a horrible picture of yourself, sporting a new double chin and a 5 pound meat belt wrapped around your tummy.
You've had a health scare
You're dating again.
Someone says "Are you pregnant?"

You know...



When you have your A-HA moment, it needs to come from within, and it needs to drive you to succeed. These are the type of people I like to work with.


Two years ago, a guy I know, named Jason Girard stepped on the scale at the in-house competition, weighing an astonishing 239 pounds with 44% bodyfat... He had joined the competition for several years before that, and summarily backed out, much to the delight of everyone at the company, who ribbed him mercilessly for being a failure.

The contest, being 16 weeks in length, was well into the 8th week... And there was Jason, who had lost a total of 3 pounds, sitting at the cafeteria table, drinking a pepsi and eating a hot dog..

I said to him... "aren't you tired of everyone ribbing you? myself included?"

He stated "ah, I'll just go on atkins and lose wieght the last couple of weeks"

I rolled my eyes, made fun of him, and called him a "walking heart attack" and went off to my office.

Later that afternoon, Jason showed up to have the afternoon chat..

He was pale white and said he was having heart palpitations... He left, and went to the doctor.

A few days later he came into my office, we went on to discuss how he needs to be healthy for his family and that he was willing to take the last 8 weeks seriously, under one condition, that I train him.

I said no.

He begged, I said no.

He pleaded and offered to wash my car... I said no.

Finally I gave in.

I said fine, but I needed him to write me a cheque for $750 dollars. If he dropped out, I would donate the money to chairty. If he finished, I would rip it up. Now Jay, is world renowned in his frugality, so there was no way that he would give up that money.

Something happened after that talk, and his subsequent feeling of having a heart attack... the guy who used to walk on the treadmill for 6 minutes and call it a day was started training insatiably.

He started working out twice a day, running, sprinting, lifting weights, throwing kettlebells, dieting with absolute compliance... It was a joy to be around, as once you've been bitten really good by the bug, it's a sight to behold...

8 weeks later, Jay had lost over 41 pounds, ( 50 pounds of fat, and gained 10 pounds of FFM), he won the competition, the sweet $1500 bucks was only gravy.


Point being... What's it going to take to get you going?

For Jay: a health scare, fear of failing in front of his peers and cash drove him... Granted, he was a tough nut to crack.. :)



I personally had my AHA epiphany, spring of 1997... I remember it to this very day...

As I sat on my lazy boy, I flipped the channel changer and this commercial came on. (And this still gives me goosebumps to this very day)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZxQDAyFY6s

Here I was, a 308 pound behemoth, moved to tears.

Yes, that's me. 308, complete with a smoke! Oh brother!



What had I let myself become? Why am I sitting on my ass?

How could I let myself slip so far?

How can I ever get myself back?

How can I get off these painkillers from my accident..?



It was at that very moment, I was determined to change my life.


I started training that day. Ferociously. I devoured health information all day, every day.

I immersed myself in rehabbing my body, mind and spirit.

I read all I could about human health, exercise physiology and nutrition.

I was an animal and anytime I got a little lazy, that damn commercial would slap me in the face.

So I kept going and I lost 108 pounds in just over 8 months (and have kept it off for 11 years) ..

So here we are today...


Perhaps this is an "A-HA" moment for you?


Workout for Tuesday
45 8 second sprints/12 seconds rest ( 12mph )


3 inverted Rows
5 KB swings 50 lbs
7 balls slams
9 Floor wipers
20 rounds

Back

Row
Pulldown
Pullover + Face Pull Combo
Hammer Strength Row

4x12-15

Heavy week next week..