Exercise Struggle Story

Good morning! This is Carl's latest blog. He is the CEO of Beachbody. I can identify as I have had times in my past three years with Beachbody where I have slacked off workout and nutrition wise and had to work to get back to where I used to be. Several things have helped me to stay consistent the past few months. Accountability to friends and customers, events to work toward, goals to reach, and being a coach. Find what makes you consistent!

If you need some accountability or incentive, then please join the SIZZLING SUMMER CHALLENGE on Facebook where we chose our workouts, chose our goals and work together to encouage each other to reach them! As always let me know if you need anything!

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Struggle Story
Almost 6,000 people logged their workouts in the WOWY Super Gym yesterday. And I am impressed by every single person who manages to keep it up.

I say that because, despite my position as CEO of Beachbody, my focus on making a business out of ending the trend of obesity, and being married to one of the most disciplined and certified health and fitness experts in the world, I still struggle to "keep pushing play" as consistently as I expect of myself.

Yesterday I was in a meeting with Whitney Provost the editorial director of Team Beachbody, and as we were reviewing the calendar and general direction of celebrating success stories in our online videos and newsletters, an idea surfaced: "Let's start to investigate the other side of the success story. Let's look at real 'struggle stories' within our community. Let's show people that EVERYBODY struggles with consistency from time to time - even me!

One such struggle story we've all read about is not a person actually, but a concept; "Corporate Wellness".

Despite the health crisis in the US, even a company called Beachbody can't require people to live a healthy lifestyle (Otherwise, for months out of the year I'd be on probation!)

When Jon Congdon got back from the Top Coach trip in Mexico having launched a 90 day challenge with a bunch of the coaches on the trip, his enthusiasm spilled over into our People Department, which in turn launched a company-wide 90 Day challenge

So for the last few days we've had a dunk tank in the parking lot, measuring body fat percentages for anyone who wanted to know where they stood. The emphasis of this challenge is on health and fitness, not on a "Biggest Loser" type competition or weight loss alone. And over half the company is already participating, with more joining each day. That includes me.

My WOWY calendar for the last few months is below. I finally look like I will put together a week of some consistency after wavering between "weekend warrior" and "walk the baby" since the fall.

It's time to get consistent. Summer is approaching. My personal goal is to be fit and ready to plow into 60 days of Insanity when it launches.

But the point of my blog post is this; If you or someone you know is a "Struggle Story" like me, know that nobody is immune. That's why it's so hard to stay healthy and fit. Life today has not been designed to make a healthy lifestyle the norm. And I can complain along with all Beachbody customers about how difficult it is to stay consistent. But complaining never got anyone back into their favorite jeans.

While I have been lucky enough to have the tasty Shakeology to keep me healthy even though my fitness got inconsistent, if I want to keep up with my kids, I have to keep the body tuned. That's a choice.

I invite you to get on board, and get everyone you know on board. It's often hard. But it's important - especially if you are a coach, or the CEO of a health and fitness company.

I read a great quote from Jim Rohn today: "We must all suffer from one of two pains: The pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces, while regret weighs tons." (I would argue that some discipline weighs pounds, not ounces... but I get his point.)

So while the last few month's I have been a "struggle story", my "success story" starts again today.

Decide. Commit. Succeed.
Posted by Carl Daikeler