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The title of this blog is from the movie "The Matrix". At one point during the movie Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) says this to Neo (Keanu Reeves) to try to get him to realize that no matter how much he teaches him, and no matter what the Oracle (Gloria Foster) says to him, everything that he can and will accomplish will be by his own beliefs......his own efforts, and nothing more.

In the world of health & fitness......more specifically Team Beachbody Coaches/personal training, the coach/trainer are playing the role of Morpheus while the clients are playing the role of Neo....so to speak. As a coach/trainer, i can create programs, make assessments, help define goals, make dietary recommendations, send motivational text messages and e-mails etc. But ultimately, the power to change comes from within. Making changes to improve a persons health, performance, physique, and self confidence doesn't happen by accident. It's a belief in yourself that you can be motivated to put in the work and the time necessary to make the changes you are striving for. And, it doesn't happen over night. For most of the population, becoming unhealthy and unhappy with themselves occurred slowly over a period of years......sometimes many years. So, to think that an individual is going to make drastic changes over the course of a few weeks isn't very realistic.

It takes hard work.......consistent hard work, discipline, and perseverance for sustained period of time.  To make change it takes EFFORT! It's black and white.....there is no gray area.

Even with the aid of a coach/trainer, it's still up to the client themselves to do the work necessary to achieve their goals. An individual trying to make major changes to their health & fitness has to be self reliant, and self resilient.

Once you have defined what your goals are, ask yourself this: Am i ready to open the door?

My hope is that your ready to break the door down!

Sincerely,
Scott Fleurant
ACE-CPT

My topic for this blog is based on my own personal experiences. With the holidays upon us, and with the many gatherings that take place this time of year, it's very easy to fall astray with our diet and exercise goals. I'm included in that group!

Growing up, I as about a skinny as you could get. My freshman football program had me listed at 5'9 120 lbs. Talk about frail! I went through the whole self esteem deal. Picked on, made fun of etc. By my junior year of high school I was full blown into bodybuilding. How big could I get, and how fast could I make it happen where my only concerns. I would lift in my dads cellar, walk over to McDonald's, and consume a Big-Mac meal, chocolate shake, 6 piece chicken nugget, and an apple pie (I did this often), doubles at lunch, sneak snacks into class, and always ate everything on my plate! I ate many healthy foods too, but I ate EVERYTHING, and a lot of it!!

Many people don't realize that the mental issues that go with losing weight, can be very similar to those trying to gain weight. I hated being skinny, and one way or another, I wasn't going to stay skinny!

This brings me to the present. Some of the habits I developed in my teen years while trying to gain weight still exist today. I usually keep them in check, but sometimes I let them get the best of me. Most of the year I have no issues maintaining healthy eating habits, and missing my workouts is never an issue anytime of year. That being said, the lulls I experience in my eating habits really limit the benefits of my exercise program. The holidays are tough for me, as is the summer. Bills Pizza, Pier Fries, and Huots haddock sandwiches find there way into my diet all to often between June and August.

I'm writing this because I'm in one of those funks right now. Writing about it may help me do something about it. I know it won't be a long term issue, but it is negatively effecting the goals I have set for my 40th birthday in April.

I'm also writing this to convey to you, that even though I'm a Beachbody Coach/personal trainer, I'm not without issues. Many coaches/trainers have had weight, health, self-esteem, and injury issues. I think that's how many of us got into this field. So, if you are having these issues......talk to us. More than likely, we will understand, and may be able to relate. Remember, falling off the wagon isn't permanent. Pick ourrselves up, dust ourselves off, leave the errors in our ways behind us, and focus on the goals that lay in front of us. You can do it!

I am writing my first Beachbody blog as I'm about to go to bed.  As I lay here reflecting on my day, I realize that the last 2.5 weeks of training, eating, and resting has been the best stretch I've had in a long time.  Usually, one......and sometimes two of these components is missing.  But, on Monday 9/28/09 I made a decision to be in the best shape of my life by my 40th birthday in April 2010. And, one way or another, that goal is going to become reality!

What sparked it was a flag football game.  I run a mens flag football league here in Saco, Maine.  10 teams with over 150 players.  I also play in it.  Well, on Sunday 9/27/09 I played heavily in a game we lost.  And, as much as i hated to admit it, I realized i lost a step.  Plays I used to make easily, I would be off of by a few inches.....and sometimes a few feet.  I'm 39 playing with a bunch of 20-30 year olds.  It happens.  We age. But, I'm competitive.  I'll be damned If I use that as an excuse.

Working as a personal trainer, I'm in much better condition than most men my age.  But, I had really slacked off on the diet, and became a night owl.......cutting my sleep down.  It became fully apparent in that game!

Well, no more!  The diet was kicked into high gear, as was the cardio (which I hate doing), more sleep + the occasional nap, and some heavy duty training.  As a trainer, and my background in training modalities & program design, I have combined aspects of the P90X workouts, with some power lifts, and variations of olympic lifts.

With the diet came supplements.  Beachbody whey protien, Beachbody creatine, P90x Results & Recovery, and Shakeology.

Well, I squated 365 x 3 reps, and 225 x 16 reps today. My strength is going up on all lifts (the strongest I've been in several years), my abs are becoming more visible, my aerobic capacity has improved, and I simply feel a whole lot better.......mentally, and physically.

I can't wait to see what the next 6 months hold on my way to the big 40!

I know my path.......do you know yours?

Peace