I keep noticing this really interesting trend. As I work with people, and I do Metabolism and Weight Loss Assessments with people, I ask people what their ideal weight is, and they tell me a weight which is usually 20-30-40 or sometimes more pounds above what their actual ideal weight is.
Now, obviously you could argue all day long, “Hey, Eric, there is so much more to ideal weight than just numbers on the scale. You have to take into account people’s bone structure, and muscle mass.” I get it, all those things are very valid.
What’s interesting is a lot of people tell me things like, “Eric, I am this height, and I was 150 lbs in college and I loved it.” Then I ask them, “What’s your ideal weight?” They reply, “180 lbs.” I say, “Oh, interesting. Where are you at right now?” They reply, “250.” My response, “Interesting, so 180 is your ideal weight? Why not 150 lbs?” They say, “Well, I’m just being realistic here.”
It’s fascinating because a lot of people sell themselves short when it comes to what they are actually capable of doing. They believe that if they say what their actual ideal is then they are somehow setting themselves up for failure.
Again, there is something to be said about having incremental goals. I get that. Having small goals that lead up to your big goals is definitely smart. That’s one of the reasons we teach about Vision Boards (short-term goals) vs. Dream Boards (long-term, life goals). However, how often are you doing this? How often are you selling yourself short.
I did a “rant” post last week about the tendency we have for settling for just being “good.” People ask, “How are you?” and most respond with, “I’m good.” Or they ask, “Hey, can I give you a hand with that?” and the response is, “No, I’m good.” Or, “Hey, would you like to feel better?” The common answer is, “No, I’m good.”
I think this is coming out in a lot of people’s weight goals. You can correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m wondering if you’ve done this with yourself. If you have a certain amount of pounds of body fat you can get rid of, and instead of going for your absolute ideal, you give yourself this 20-40 lb “buffer zone”.
My friend, it’s time to stop settling for mediocre. It’s time to stop settling for less than what you can actually achieve. You are capable of achieving so much more than what you are giving yourself credit for.
Now, I work with a lot of people within the personal training industry, and a lot of guys will start personal training because they want to finally get that shredded look, they want to get those six-pack abs, defined jawline. They want to finally look like that movie star they always wanted to look like.
They say, “Well, I’ve got maybe 40 lbs I can get rid of.” The trainer will look at them and say, “No, you actually have more like 70-80 lbs you can get rid of to really get down to your ideal weight.”
You might be thinking, “Well Eric, not everybody wants to look like a movie star.” OK I get it. This isn’t all about looks or vanity, but what we’re talking about is no longer settling for less than you are capable of.
If you are capable of achieving absolute greatness, your absolute ideal, why wouldn’t you go after that? “Well Eric, I’m just afraid.” I get it. Fear always comes right before the greatest reward. I get it, but my friends, let’s stop settling for less than we are capable of.
If we have 80 lbs we can get rid of, let’s actually set the bar for aiming for releasing those 80 lbs. Not 60 lbs, not 50 lbs, but aim for releasing those full 80 lbs.
If we have the capability of getting better, even if we already look amazing, even if we are already lean and muscular, we can still get better. Even if we are already doing 500 push-ups in a row, we can go to the next level and we can set our aims for 600 push-ups.
I’m gonna go spiritual for a second. I personally believe in a principle of “eternal progress.” That doesn’t start after this life, and it doesn’t stop after this life. Some belief systems, and I respect whatever your belief system is, but some believe that after this life eternity is spent living on a cloud playing a harp. I get it, if that’s your belief system, power to you, I respect that. However, that personally doesn’t resonate with me.
I believe in a process of eternal progress. Again, that starts now. That doesn’t start after we die, that doesn’t start after we’re 60 years old, eternal progress starts now.
Tony Robbins has an acronym CANI, which stands for Constant and Never-ending Improvement. If we have the capability of reaching for six-pack abs, why not do so? Does that mean it’s gonna be easy? Does that mean that we’re gonna get there in the time frame that we set? Maybe, maybe not. I don’t know. It just means focusing on those absolute ideals.
Does that mean going to the other extreme and being overly perfectionistic? No. “Eric, are you telling people and encouraging girls to be anorexic and to see the supermodel stuff and have these unhealthy views about themselves?” No. Of course not. I don’t mean taking it to the extreme.
I mean, finding what is the absolute best version of you. Not comparing yourself to other people. Not comparing yourself to a trainer. Not comparing yourself to fitness models. Not comparing yourself to whoever. Find the absolute best version of you! And reach for that ideal.
I believe it was T Harv Eker that said, “Reach for the stars, because you’ll at least hit the moon. Most people don’t even reach for the ceiling, and they wonder what the problem is.”
Are you settling for less than your ideal? Are you settling for mediocrity. Are you settling for less than your personal best is? If you have been, and you are ready to change, join my free group: Enjoy Yourself Thin. It’s not just for weight reduction.
It’s for being able to find ways to make transformation, whether it’s your weight, business, finances, relationships, extremely enjoyable. We give each other accountability. Again, it’s totally free.
If you want to discuss mentoring, then send me an email at eric@feelwelllivewell.com if you need additional support. Or send me a message on Facebook, and let me know what you are hoping for and what you are hoping to achieve.
I know that you are better than you’ve been giving yourself credit for. Stop settling for less. Love you! Let’s help each other, and let’s reach the best you and me possible. See you soon!
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