My Summertime backyard workout 1985
Back in the day. And I mean way back in the day like the early 80’s when Summer hit it was time to turn the training dial all the way up! If you were going to run around half naked all day you might as well look good doing it. My idiot friends and I would ride our bikes to the Meadowbrook Recreation Center in East Arlington to workout. The Workout room was about the size of a large closet. The equipment was whatever had been donated over the years. Old 2 inch bars and rusty weights. Smelled like dust and sweat and dirty towels. Mostly like dirty,sweaty,dusty towels and B.O..
The only exercises we knew were what the Junior High coaches had taught us. Just the basics, so we did those, a lot of squats, power cleans from the floor, deadlifts, sit-ups on an old incline board, pull-ups and we’d do some bench presses. The basics and that was enough. It just felt good to be physical. It would be couple of years before I started to seriously realize how much the eating played a part in results. That summertime habit laid down the foundation for many many summers to come. In June and July I’d see how good of shape I could get myself into before August Football 2 a day practices kicked my butt.
Over the years it just became habit to set a goal to get really lean and mean in the summertime. I’d test a new exercise routine, switch my diet, book a trip to a beach. Just set up a deadline that forced me to act.
To get in top shape the last 3 Summers I’ve ran the infamous El Scorcho Ultramarathon in July. Knowing I’m signed on to run 31 miles overnight in July in Texas, gets me out the door and on the road.
I’m going to pass on this old school tradition to you. Announcing the first ever Your Best Summer Ever 8 week Better Your Best contest. The principle is how much progress, how many improvements can you make in just 8 weeks?
The contest will be judged on both the before and after photos(50%) as well as an essay(50%). I want you to compete against yourself and for yourself.
Contests work like when nothing else will for 3 big reasons–
1. You have a definite deadline.always say, You’ll do all kinds of things out of the ordinary to meet a deadline. Like I This thing isn’t going to last forever just 8 weeks. Whatever you decide to do. 2 a day training sessions. 6 days a week workouts. 1 cheat meal a week. Calorie counting. Aggressive action yields aggressive results. So the changes you make are temporary, but the results are yours to keep!
2. It’s a contest! You’re competing! But the great thing behind the Better your Best is it really doesn’t matter where you’re starting point is, or who else is competing. It doesn’t matter if you need to lose 5, 15, 30 or 100lbs. You’re striving for maximum improvement to YOUR body. And that’s what you’ll be judged on. Oh and just like a deadline, for a contest you’ll change all kinds of behavior. Like not eating that last piece of fried chicken or using the small funnel when you’re beer bonging at the lake(true story)!
3. Accountability, a whole new level of it. When you train with us you’re held accountable at various levels. This is one of the reasons our program succeeds while others fail. You’re accountable to yourself. You’re accountable to me. You’re accountable to your trainer/coach. And quite often to your training partners. This new level is to the public. You’re going to enter this contest and people are going to know. Just like The Biggest Loser people are watching. That’s accountability you don’t get anywhere else. This public accountability will drive you to reach for new levels of success.
One more thing. It’s Summer you’re supposed to look your best not fall off the wagon! You’re showing more skin than any other time of the year! In the Winter we call it underwear. In the Summer a swimsuit! So in reality you’re in public running around in your underwear! You may as well look good doing it!
I have had too many people show back up in September looking like like they hung out at an all-you -can-eat buffet every meal, every day for 3 months. Don’t let this be you. Have a good time but keep it in check!
Knowing you’re going to take those after photos and posting your progress will go a long way to keeping you on track. Heck we do this right you’re going to start your own Best Ever tradition. I hope you do.
Good luck to everyone that enters! This is going to be your Best Summer Ever!
Dedicated to Your Success,
Dave
P.S. Right now I’m confirming the Winners Prize. It looks like it will be an all expenses paid night on the town in Dallas/Fort Worth. Dinner, Entertainment, Nightlife and Overnight Accommodations will be included. The prize will be one thing. The experience of doing your absolute best and pushing yourself to see how good you can really be. That’s going to stay with you a long time past summer.
P.P.S. Oh yeah to enter email Shawn at admin@thebodyfirm.biz all you have to do is raise your hand and you’re in. If you have questions we have answers call the office(817.656.0801)