How to transform your body forever
“How can I transform my body?”
On episode 187 of Barbell Shrugged, we introduced you to fitness legend and body transformation expert, Bill Phillips. Today, Bill is back on the DAILY with some amazing advice for those looking to build a strong, fit, better body.
1. First, know transformation doesn’t start with exercise.
What’s the first thought that comes to mind when you see an epic before and after body transformation picture?
That’s right, like most people you will ask, “How can I do that?” Next, you’ll probably search out a brand new and exciting training program with loads of secret exercises designed to incinerate the fat right off your ass!
But there’s just one problem with this strategy – It doesn’t work.
Here’s the thing. Bill’s book Body for Life is one of the most successful fitness books ever, without question. And guess what? You won’t find a ton of exercise physiology and training theory in those pages, precisely because all the stuff you do in the gym is just ONE small component of your total transformation strategy.
The same is true for nutrition. You could spend endless hours accumulating nutrition and biochemistry knowledge, which is awesome if that’s your passion and calling. However, together with your training plan, the transformation puzzle is still incomplete.
One of the most successful fitness books of all time.
2. Go back to “Before.”
No one – and I mean NOBODY – likes their before pictures. The gap between where we are and where we want to go is just too wide. But when it comes to changing your body and life permanently, this is the most important step. As Bill says, “Never underestimate how motivating a harsh before picture can be.”
Before you can go ANYWHERE, you have to first come to terms with where you are. How did you get here, and how long did that take? Do you want to stay in this place, or are you ready to make a change. And most importantly, you have think and ask yourself, “What do I really want my “after” picture to look like, and why?”
The more crystal clear you can make this vision up front, the more likely you will be to make it real. That flipped mindset is the key to EVERYTHING.
3. When will you start?
When are you going to make this change? Next month, or maybe after the weekend is over and the last of the cold pizza is eaten out of the fridge?
Here’s a tip that could potentially save you years of wasted effort and time – The perfect tomorrow will never come. All the best coaches and nutritional advice in the world can’t overcome the mindset of delay.
There is no perfect time to start, apart from right now.
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4. When in doubt, ask yourself these 5 questions.
The journey of transformation is very tough, there’s no doubt. But if you can build the habit of asking yourself great questions daily, you can overcome any challenge that comes along.
Right down these questions from Bill, and put in the work to come up with great answers. In the end, that will be FAR more valuable to you than anything you might learn while studying exercise physiology and nutrition.
This is what will deliver the before/after experience that you’ve been looking for, whether it be in sport, fitness, business or even your personal life.
The 5 Key Questions:
- This is where I am now – Is this where I want to stay?
- Where would I like to be? …What is my vision?
- When am I going to do this?
- Why am I doing this?
- How am I going to do this?
With this approach you can truly transform your entire life. Just give it a try and see for yourself. And when in doubt, ask yourself the questions again. That’s all the guide you need.
Take your action,
Chris
One Response to “How to transform your body forever”
As always (so far, I haven’t seen them all,) great article and video. I remember reading Sears’ “Body For Life” 15+ years ago. It was a good set of guidelines then and still is.
Thanks for going out, finding great people to talk with and sharing those conversations with us. I know that I really appreciate it.
P.S. In the second paragraph of “4. When in doubt…,” the first word should be “Write”, not “Right.”