If you’re a movie buff like me or you’re a red-blooded patriotic American lol, you’ve probably seen most of the Rocky movies (you can go without seeing Rocky V though in my opinion haha). In one of the most famous Rocky films, Rocky III, Rocky is faced with the difficulty of coming back after a loss to Clubber Lang aka Mr. T! Clubber destroyed Rocky in their first fight and now the enemy-turned-friend, Apollo Creed, offered to help Rocky get ready for his rematch against Clubber. However, during the fight camp, Rocky began to fatigue. He developed self-doubt. And he gave up. Instead of pushing through this particular workout, he hung his head and told Apollo one word, “tomorrow.” But Apollo screamed one of the most memorable lines in the history of the series…”THERE IS NO TOMORROW!” Apollo made it clear that if you quit now, you will quit the rest of your life. Sure, many people may look at that example as a little dramatic or overblown. Rocky was tired, he deserves a break. But just because you’re tired. Just because you’ve had a hard day. Just because you’re not doing as well as you thought you would…doesn’t mean you should give up!
I bring up this topic because I’ve heard a recurring theme lately and I personally don’t believe in coincidences. Many people need to hear this message. In fitness, nutrition and health, it is easy to make excuses or to delay the things that may appear difficult. I’ve heard people say, “I don’t want to start the plan for a few more weeks, I want to wait until my mind is ready.” “I’m going on vacation soon, I’ll get serious when I get back.” Or “I won’t workout today, it’s been a tough day. I’ll workout tomorrow.” Here’s the problem with that logic. If you wait until tomorrow, what is preventing you from making the same statement again tomorrow? Nothing! In fact, it will get easier to say the same thing again tomorrow because the longer you go without doing something, the less momentum you have, the easier it is to never start in the first place! Action precedes motivation, not the other way around!
Another issue with the belief that you can wait until tomorrow is that there is no guarantee of tomorrow. Let’s say for example, you had a heart attack but luckily you survived. You are sitting in the ER recovering in your bed when the doctor reveals to you that due to your years of overeating, excessive alcohol consumption, and generally bad health decisions, you are at risk of another heart attack unless you change your habits now. Your spouse and children are next to your bed, waiting for your reaction. What do you say? More importantly, what do you DO? Do you tell the doctor that tomorrow you will change your ways? No. You most likely make the decision to change your habits right then and there. Here’s the good news, for most of you, that situation has probably not happened yet. And here’s even better news, you can prevent that situation from ever occurring. You can start today!
I want you to think about your goals. Think about your family, your career, your dreams of retirement one day. Think about the most important people and goals in your life. Do you want to wait until tomorrow just because you’re not having a good day today? No! There is no tomorrow! Get up and start today!
Coach Rich
Richard Fitzgerald 