Change Your Behaviors Today and Transform Your Tomorrow!
Today I made a conscious decision to get out of my comfort zone and REALLY mix things up! Normally I train at an overcrowded, low-energy 24 hour fitness. It is just a gym to me and nothing special beyond that.
Golds Gym Venice is a 45 minute drive from my home so I decided to forgo the usual cardio at 24 Hour and take advantage of living so close to the Mecca. I could feel the difference the moment I walked in. The energy was so tangible you could slice it with a knife. The gym is frequented by bodybuilders, actors/actresses, athletes and normal folks who want to train at the most notable gym on the planet.
Today was just a cardio day. I warmed up for a few minutes on the treadmill and to my left was actor Ray Liotta! Cool! After warming up, I decided to do elliptical instead of treadmill and moved across the room, giving me a different vantage point. Right in front of me there is well known Bodybuilder Dennis James with legendary trainer Charles Glass pumping away. Then Stone Cold Steve Austin goes walking by! Is this place for real? I’m not star struck. It did feel strange though to be surrounded by so many well known folk’s all inside the same room. An old friend from college, and pro-bowler, Brendan Ayanbadejo came up and chatted for a few minutes. I hadn’t seen him in 5 years. The trip to Gold’s was worth it already! On the way out, I see Tito Raymond training a client and Shawn Ray and Lonnie Teper coming in to do a shoot for Ironman magazine’s preview of the upcoming Arnold Classic. What a start to the day!
The point of the story is not to name drop all my celebrity sitings. It was to show that when we do things out of the “ordinary,” “unordinary” things start happening to us! More on this topic in a second…
I walked to the famous Firehouse grill after leaving Golds Gym. The diner is famous for its bodybuilder friendly menu and great food. I kept the diet clean with egg whites and oatmeal. Before returning to my truck for the next adventure of the day, I stopped off at Max Muscle, owned by Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler, to purchase meal replacements and ensure that I wouldn’t miss a single one of my six meals for the day.
I headed for Hollywood next. Driving up sunset I pass Mel’s Diner, Saddleranch, the Standard and a host of other well-known Hollywood hotspots. Continuing up into the foothills, I arrived at the trail head for Hollywood sign. This is considered Hollywoods best-known landmark and certainly most photographed. I had never been!
I set out on an hour long hike to get up close and personal with the sign, carrying only a camera and bottle of water. I have only hiked a few times in my life and not for many years. I certainly do not claim to be a hiker. Wow did those hills feel amazing on my legs though. The weather was sunny and the sky was crisp and blue. The incredible weather seemed to warm me from the inside out. How thrilling it was to be up there! I even took my shirt off and worked on my tan since the weather was so nice. Keep in mind that this is February. How many places on earth can you feel warm enough to jog without a shirt at this time of the year?
After making it as close as legally possible to the sign, I snapped some pictures and turned back. I jogged all the way back to the bottom. Talk about tough. Trail running is no joke. It is not the treadmill. My legs are sore now!
I was reminded of an important lesson today. A seminar speaker once said, the habits that enabled him to become a multi-millionaire speaker worldwide, are the same habits holding him back from becoming a billionaire. I hope you guys caught that. He has a lot of “financial” success admittedly, but even he knows that his actions and behaviors which have brought him tremendous gain are holding him back from the next level! How is that for a re-frame!
I have never been a hiker nor would I have ever been interested in hiking in the past. What if the difference between an ultra-fit person and the average Joe was only one hike per month? I never would have known because it wasn’t my habit. The concept is lets look at all areas of our lives and see how we can shake them up even more.
Billionaire Bill Gates even goes through periods where he lacks creativity. One story tells of how he drove home a different route from work every day for a year! He never took the same route twice! All of this new activity literally created new synapses in his brain and sparked change in his life.
For you, this might mean a different running route, new foods or spices. Perhaps a new workout partner, new gym or fresh pair of running shoes. Refrain from eating the same food twice in a week. Force yourself to develop a taste for new and healthy foods deepen your menu of meal choices. This is a surefire way to guarantee ultimate transformation and long-term fitness success.
As the saying goes, a mind once expanded can never contract to its original size. The behaviors that got us where we are today are likely holding us back from what we really want. Successful entrepreneur and mega millionaire, Bill Phillips, spoke of his vision 10 years ago in Body of Work, when he explained how he materialized his dream of owning a red Lamborghini. At that point in time, Bill defined exactly what he wanted and went about changing his actions and behaviors in order to get the car and attain “success.” He has since far surpassed the red sports.
Everything begins in thought, for every single one of you. If you want a better body, more health, a partner in life, younger looks, you must define exactly what it is. With the information and strategies shared here, doesn’t the process seem all the more practical when you do things differently?
I wish you a life of abundance! Have an AWESOME DAY!
Dr. Shaun Stuto is a Missoula neck pain specialist and the founder of Transormation Chiropractic in Missoula, MT. Call TODAY and Schedule an appointment (406) 728-1250