Start With Why

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I write this newsletter to help busy Over-50 Guys create lasting health and fitness transformations without crazy diets or grueling workouts. I call this approach the ThriveLife. 

One of the biggest challenges we face in our fitness journey is sustainability. Can we keep going? The truth is that most fitness programs end before they can deliver the results we need. Failure remains the #1 outcome of most fitness programs!

True transformation requires sustainability.

In this edition, we’ll explore some key questions that will help you build a fitness transformation strategy that is effective over the long term - which is what really matters!

Four Key Questions

When most guys decide they want to improve their health and fitness, they typically begin to explore the Whats and Hows of exercise. They search out topics like:

• What are the best arm exercises? 

• How can I quickly gain muscle or lose weight? 

These are important questions to ask. The Internet is full of information on these topics. But, I think there are more important questions to consider when guys are seeking to begin a fitness transformation. 

In his now-famous book, Start with Why, Simon Synek encouraged us to look beyond the obvious questions to find the deeper issues associated with success. It works in business, and it also works as we build our fitness transformations.

Instead of looking at What and How, I think it’s better to begin with Why and Who. 

Start With Why

When we ask ourselves the Why question, we’re opening ourselves up to our most authentic rationale for beginning the journey. The responses to the Why question might look like:

• I want to be more healthy for my family or a loved one

• I want to live longer

• I want to improve a medical condition I’m dealing with

• I want to look and feel stronger

• I just want to feel more comfortable in my clothes.

These are all legitimate reasons to start. The Why will look different for every guy.  

But, there’s a second question that is implied when we ask ourselves: “Why?”

That question is: “What am I willing to give to get this result?”

So, by asking: “Why?” we’re also forecasting how much effort we’re willing to put forth to achieve the outcome we want or need.

Here is the value of the Why question. There will be many times when the journey becomes difficult, or you just don’t feel like it. Your Why will be your North Star. The strength of your Why will be that force that moves you past the hesitation. 

Here is Len Denton’s Why: To be there for my family!

I come from a long line of men who died early. My dad and my younger brother both died from fatal heart attacks…in their 30s! 

My North Star is to live a long and healthy life for my family. What am I willing to give to achieve this? Almost anything I have. 

So, I encourage you to start with Why!  

Who’s Next

The next question to ask yourself is: Who? Or, who am I when it comes to fitness? There are two components to the Who question. 

First, consider your personal needs and preferences in creating a fitness strategy.  Consider things like:

• How much time do you have to commit?

• What activities do you enjoy? 

• What activities do you really dislike?

• Do you prefer to work alone or in groups?

It’s important to make choices that will fit your lifestyle, personal preferences, and schedule. Sustainability works best when your fitness strategy fits well into your lifestyle… instead of trying to fit your lifestyle into someone else’s predetermined fitness program. 

The second aspect of the Who question deals with our identity, our goals, and our actions. It is difficult to achieve a goal that doesn’t align with our identity (who we believe we are). I think of it like this:

If you can’t see it, you can’t be it!

However, we can choose to modify our identity (who we believe we are!) When we do this, it unleashes a powerful ability to attain new goals. (I learned this from James Clear in his excellent book, Atomic Habits.)

Fitness is actually behavior. And, we can modify our behavior to become more fit through adjusting our identity. I call it the Fit Len Approach, and it works like this:

1. I want to adopt a new set of healthier behaviors that lead to better health and fitness. I envision a Fit Len identity for myself. Fit Len is the type of person who manages his food and walks 10,000 steps every day. (UnFit Len didn’t do either of these things!)

2. Fit Len chooses to prioritize systems over goals. Rather than focusing on losing 50 pounds, Fit Len focuses on performing 5-6 small daily activities that drive him toward better fitness. (Check out my 6 Smart Moves ebook below for details on the real things I do daily.)

3. The completion of these small tasks is a daily vote in favor of the Fit Len identity I am seeking to create.

4. Over time, UnFit Len becomes Fit Len. The small activities become healthy daily habits. Repeated healthy habits build a sustainable, healthy lifestyle.

Now…On To What and How

Once you have clarity around your Why and Who questions, you have the foundation you need to begin to build a fitness strategy that can become your effective, sustainable lifestyle. You know what is important and what fits your life as you decide on the specifics of exercise, diet, and activities. Now, you’re ready to focus on the What and How questions.

If you’re an Over-50 Guy like me, you’re not interested in short-term fitness programs with short-term results that stop when the program stops. You want long-term health and fitness that fits your life.

If you want transformation over more information, consider the ThriveLife.

Smarter, not harder.

When you’re ready for your transformation, here are two ways I can help…

1. For the Do It Yourself approach, you can download your free copy of my new ebook: 6 Smart Moves To Your ThriveLife here.

2. When you’re ready to join a community of other busy Over-50 Guys building their ThriveLives together, check out my new ThriveLife Transformation course here. The ThriveLife Transformation guides you through a 30-day transformation process that includes online video training and daily support and assistance through our online community. Join alone or bring your friends. To learn more about the ThriveLife Transformation, click here.

Do You Know Somebody?

Do you know somebody that’s struggling with their weight and fitness? Please consider sharing this information with them. Just forward your copy of this email to them. It might change their life!

(Or…give them a copy of my new ebook!!!)

Thanks for reading this week.

I write this newsletter to make a positive impact on the lives of Over-50 Guys and their families. If you found this information useful, please consider subscribing to receive new editions each week.

If you’d like to share a thought, a question or comment with me, you can simply reply to this email. I’d love to hear from you!

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