I read a post from super-entrepreneur Jason Calacanis today that reminded me of my own struggles with the balance between the intense and arduous task of starting a company and maintaining my health.
On my 23rd birthday, I was a rock-solid 192 and competed in the light-heavyweight division of the Mr. Kentucky bodybuilding show (taking a respectable third place). I always tried to keep in shape and by age 30, I weighed 185 with a darn-low body fat percentage.
Age?
Something happened around 34, and I jumped to an unacceptable 205 lbs. I was working a lot, not getting out of my chair for 12 hours at a time, and thought I could eat the same number of calories that I did when I was more active.
That was a big mistake.
Some will blame their weight gain on just getting older, or the metabolism slowing down. But I believe it's a matter of choice. And beginning of July, I chose to get things under control.
Habits I've Changed
First thing I did was make a commitment to get up and walk around during the day. I'm still working just as hard, but find myself with more energy and a better focus when I take some time to get out and walk.
Second, I hired a cook. She makes every meal and snack before-hand. This way I find that I don't cheat. Basically, I'll eat whatever is set in front of me, so this REALLY helps! I consume between 1,300 - 1,600 calories a day.
Third, I normally get up at 5:15 am, and we're in the office by 6:20 or so. Three days a week, instead of going into the office, I'll go to the gym, watch CNBC, catch up on what's moving the market for 45 minutes while I do cardio. This is burning 450-500 calories a day.
Results I'm Seeing
As of this week, I'm down to 196 - a drop of 9 lbs. I have another 11 lbs to go. It's taken me a good 5-6 weeks to break my old habits and get in a groove, but I feel like I'm there.
As Tony Robbins says, we're all motivated by pleasure and pain. So I remind myself of my back that hurts when I weigh too much, I remind myself of all the in-shape guys there are in San Diego and how they're probably hitting on my fiance when I'm not around. I remind myself that I'm BETTER than 205 - and I expect to excel and succeed in all I do. Weight is not exempted.
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