Fitness Motivation: The Secrets of a Champion
One of the most deceiving things going on in the gyms today is belief that people can work off what they eat and drink. People show up day after day, working very hard in public to show the world they can be a champion in the gym. However, it’s what they do in private that is losing their fight with fat.
Muhammad Ali recognized the importance of what you do “far from witnesses”, and realized he could never win the fight in the ring if he didn’t win the fight with himself first. He had to fight laziness and mediocrity. He had to fight fear and doubt. He had to convince himself that he could be the champion he desired.
“I am the greatest, I said that even before I knew I was.”Muhammad Ali
In order to be the future champ, he had to be the champ in his workouts before he even faced his opponent. He had to go a few more reps and a few more steps past what his body wanted. He had to care for his body, which probably meant anything from a painful ice bath to getting the rest his body needed even when we didn’t want to take it.
“It isn’t the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it’s the pebble in your shoe.“ Muhammad Ali
He also recognized that it wasn’t always the big things in life that could bring a man down, it often was the small things that could trip a man up. The same goes with fitness. Your success can easily be tripped up by a few extra calories. The difference between getting thinner and seeing abs is the difference between stopping when you feel better, and continuing on past better to be your best. It is rarely the one hour workout (a mountain) that brings someone to quit, it’s the daily struggle to maintain a healthy diet, to keep showing up to the gym even when the results seem SO slow, that wears a person down.
“My only fault is that I don’t realize how great I really am.” Muhammad Ali
This quote may seem pompous, but it is a very true statement for most people. Most of our boot campers, and most of our members, do not realize how truly great they are. They often don’t believe in themselves as much as we believe in them. How can we believe in them? Because we have seen people JUST like them, who have the same set of excuses, fears, struggles and weaknesses, succeed. Once you realize how great you really are, you can do anything.
What I ask you today is this: Are you winning your fight far from witnesses, behind the lines, in your kitchen, in the gym and out there on the road? Or is you best effort what you want people see in the gym?
“There are no pleasures in a fight but some of my fights have been a pleasure to win.” Muhammad Ali
Inspire Someone:
Bonnie Pfiester
Owner of Lift Vero and motivational "pfitness, pfood and pfaith" blogger in Vero Beach, Florida.
8 Comments
home remodeling plans
Outstanding post however , I wwas wondering if you could write
a litte more on this subject? I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit further.
Many thanks!
stev brow
I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.
–Michael Jordan
Thank you
http://www.painandmuscle.com/category/motivation/
stev brow
I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.
–Michael Jordan
Thank you
Mtivation
chopstix2112c
posts like this, one of many gems, are yet another reason why this blog is one of THE BEST out there….bonnie i was plateauing for a bit and one of your posts got me right back on track (count your calories, in a nutshell) i o u.
Kat F
I’m WINNING !!!!!!!!!!! size 6 jeans this am :)))))) Go Team Walk the Beast 🙂
shoedooo
Thank you for this. I have gotten off track with my diet and I need to do better. It’s okay to fall off the wagon, this will not be my last time failling but if I work at it I am sure I can create and maintain healthier habits that match my motivation to stay fit! Thanks!
Alisha
Thank you so much for sharing this Bonnie! I began my morning by stepping on the scale even though I promised myself that I would only weigh myself once a week. I have been successfully adhering to my calorie requirements and working out daily for 52 days. However, the scale seems soooo slow to move. Your post was really encouraging. Thank you for all that you do!
Michelle
It is rarely the one hour workout (a mountain) that brings someone to quit, it’s the daily struggle to maintain a healthy diet, to keep showing up to the gym even when the results seem SO slow, that wears a person down.
– So True.