Better health habits. An injury got me thinking of how to do better.

At 42 years old I was playing basketball. I tried to make a move I used to be able to make (in my 20’s). At the end of the spin move, I found myself on the ground clutching my knee.

Luckily it wasn’t a terrible injury. Enough to scare me and remind me it was time to start paying more attention to my strength and health.

In one swift basketball move, I suddenly wanted to focus on some habits of living healthier!

I turned to a friend of mine, Alan Lazaros, who has been on a big fitness journey on his own. (check out the video on YouTube)

For a simple habit on how to get yourself started, check out what he does!

I asked Alan how to start a pattern of better health and fitness. His answer:

“A lot of people believe that life is about the journey, and I understand why that’s a belief, but it’s a shallow way to think and I’ll give an example.

If I’m driving from Boston to Los Angeles that’s a very different journey than if I’m driving 30 minutes away.

If life is about the journey, the destination or the destination you choose in advance dictates much of that journey, if not all of it.

So, if you’re in Wyoming it’s not because you wanted to go to Wyoming it’s because you’re headed to Los Angeles.

If you want to start a health journey, you have to choose a destination in advance.

It’s like going into the mall, you go to the kiosk and there’s a big map and there’s a big red arrow that says, you are here.

If you’re trying to go to the Apple Store because you want a new MAC book all you have to do is look at the map. The Apple Store is three floors up and on the other side of the mall.

Now you know where you are now: self-awareness. You know where do you want to go: the Apple Store.

Now you have to figure out how to get there. “Okay, am I going to take the stairs or the elevator or the escalator Okay, am I going to walk or am I going to drive around one of those little zoo animals in the mall.”

The point that I’m making in this analogy is that there’s three things that are critical for any journey and, if you want to start a health journey:

1. you have to know where you are now .
2. you have to know where you want to go.
3. You have to know how you want to get there.

I swear to you, this is how I start every day! We have this big full person mirror, and we have a skylight in our condo and it’s not the most flattering lighting.

And I purposely go and I look in the mirror naked after I shower, and the reason I do this is because I want the feedback.

Am I on track or off track?

And so, if you want to start a health journey, the first piece of self-awareness.

Where are you at?

And that’s hard for people.

Because if you’ve really let it go, just like I did, you’ve got to sit there like I did. I said to myself, “You know what Alan, you’re 160 pound skinny-fat six foot two. You drink too much and too often. You’ve let your health go.”

I’ve gone to the gym and literally cried alone in the bathroom before and then had to leave because I felt so bad about how much I let my health go.

Self-awareness is number one.

You’re in the kiosk in the mall.

You are here, red arrow.

You’ve got to figure out and start there.

Now where do you want to go?

Start small. My habit is to look at myself in the mirror. It’s important.

Human beings only change through pain, I know that’s hardcore, but it is true.”

My takeaway was to start a self-evaluation of where I was. Then I had to make a plan of what I wanted to do next.

For me, I knew I needed to build strength and stay consistent on cardio. I started a plan to get there (2-3 days of cardio and 2-3 days of strength training a week. I have my time and place all set out!)

Your Habit Assignment:

1. Spend 5 minutes identifying where you are in your health.
2. Spend 5 minutes deciding where you want to go.
3. Pick 1 thing that will get you closer to that end goal.
4. Start a small habit (know when and where!) to get there!