To create an extraordinary concert experience requires a remarkable performer. Theirs a plethora of individuals involved in the execution of an awe-inspiring theater performance. It requires a cohesive small army to create a classical experience at the symphony.
But, what we all forget is that it takes a remarkable crew backstage to make the performers look good.
While the fundamentals for any type of art are essential to delivering a solid performance, the backstage crew is the glue that holds the ship together.
Yet, only when something goes wrong, is the backstage crew suddenly thrust into the spotlight in a negative manner.
Just as with any type of performance, fitness has a secret and powerful backstage influence that either propels you closer to succeeding or pulls you further away from your fitness goals. Without awareness of this secret backstage crew, you're playing a risky game with your fitness goals.
If you're struggling with your diet, workouts, motivation, or any other healthy habit -- assess these three important areas.
1. Yourself
Before looking outward, you must start inward.
Before blaming your diet, workout, or any other external source--have you audited yourself? Have you taken the time to judge whether your behavior and beliefs are an ally or a nemesis?
Is your mindset one of growth that views skills, challenges, and goals as mere obstacles that are achievable, acquired, or developed? Or, do you have a fixed mindset, where you use genetics, blame people, and random life excuses as to why you can't accomplish your fitness goals.
Your beliefs dictate your feelings, which dictate your actions.
When it comes to beliefs, are you letting pre-existing beliefs guide the everyday story arc of your life? Are you letting pre-existing beliefs create invisible scripts in your head about why you can't do something?
You have the option of choosing to accept these pre-existing beliefs or to acknowledge those beliefs, but take action, even if your mind is telling you otherwise.
Abandon your comfort zone -- only then will growth and transformation occur.
2. Your circle of network
You are who you hangout with and where you hangout. When you're evaluating your circle of influence, ask yourself this simple question: "Are my friends, family, peers, and environment inspiring and motivating me or are they uninspiring and deflating my spirits."
Anything that isn't a resounding yes needs to be released.
If you can't completely let go of someone for whatever reason, you can reduce your time around them. This at least minimizes the exposure of time and negative energy.
It's normal for some family members, co-workers, or friends to give you flack when you're attempting to make a fitness and lifestyle change. If you succeed, they lose all their excuses as to why they can't make a change. By changing, you force them to look themselves in the mirror and realize that the only thing stopping them from achieving their fitness goals are themselves (not anyone else).
3. Your consumption and value placed in media
Finely constructed pictures on Instagram; radical transformation stories on Facebook; flawless magazine portraits; curated depictions on television--our media consumption is our worst enemy. Our media consumption leads to unrealistic expectations for ourselves and paints a distorted image of what a successful transformation encompasses.
The perception of these radical weight loss stories only exposes a fraction of the story. For every few success stories that implements these results at any costs approach -- there's a multitude of individuals who have failed with this approach.
It's tempting to place your self-worth over the number on the scale, but don't forget the trade-offs for these instantaneous results: less than optimal metabolic rates, skewed eating behaviors, and a slew of other potential health problems. Most of those before and after photos are an illusion; it's easy to manipulate your body image on camera by lighting and body positioning.
Before you compare yourself to external sources, think about your specific situation.
Sure, some of these social media fitness heroes are perfectly sculpted, but they also have a schedule that allows them to train for multiple hours daily. Most of them don't have the various day-to-day responsibilities that you have. Remember, they're professionals that get paid to look ripped and be militant with their diets.
Question for you: Which of these three areas are you struggling with the most and what do you plan to do about it?
To learn more about Julian and how to build a world-class body while designing a lifestyle on your own terms, visit''The Art of Fitness and Life'and receive your free 5-day fat loss course on how to fail-proof fat loss.