Howdy..

Long time no see here in the land of blogosphere.

Had a rather long conversation with a buddy of mine about de-cluttering my world and starting to focus on shit that matters- my own personal health, well being, supporting my family, and systemizing business activities to do the things I enjoy the most.

Even though this can be a painful process, it forces you to analyze and critique what’s really important in this world and to keep a check on why you do what you do when you grow up.

Six months ago, I decided to start making some changes.

And it was with everything – the way I ran my businesses, health, relationships….

I’d just gotten caught up in the rut of the day to day shit that comes along with owning multiple businesses, having too many projects in linger mode and as George Carlin once said, I became an ‘old fuck’ in the process.

Anyway…

It was just that I was physically and mentally exhausted from wearing so many hats with so many projects that were just in lingering mode.

You remember what it feels like trying to finish that term paper your senior year when all you could think about was that new car smell once you stepped inside that new Mustang just hoping that would catch the head cheerleader’s eye.

Hormones kicked into overdrive…

And remember the dread that come with that term paper.

It was messy, extremely frustrating, but there was no getting out of it. It was just something you had to.

Back to the story…

Anyway, I started to notice a little pudge beginning to form around the ole’ waistline. All my older friends kept telling me once I hit 30, I’d start to notice that I could pack on the weight with amazing speeds.

Back in the day, I was a hard gainer- I’d eat the nastiest shit to gain weight (everything from drinking powders to drinking whole eggs) but to no avail. After I graduated I was 135 lbs soaking wet at 6′1″.

And once I started noticing my little addition to my belly, I decide to take the first step by stepping on the scales.

178lbs – holy shit!

That’s the most I’d ever weighed.

Now, at the same time I’m going through sort of a mid life crisis, my wife was going through something very similar.

When we met, I remember thinking she was an angel that was smoking hot.

Literally, she’d walk into the room and instantly become the center of attention.

And now, after a couple of kids, she’d packed on some weight and come to the point of complete disgust.

But instead of looking for a diet- We both we’re looking for a lifestyle change.

Looking at my new gut, I knew it wasn’t a desire any longer to just get rid of it- it was a must have.

So…

She began her new lifestyle sometime mid January by working out and eating healthier and within 4 months dropped 40 lbs.

And at the same time she’s kicking ass and looking better than ever, I’ve attempted my own change by starting at a gym.
However, even though I was in better shape after 4 months of working out – I still had my spare tire starring me right in the face every time I peaked in the mirror.

That left me feeling frustrated not just because I hadn’t got the results I was after, but here my wife was looking the best she’d ever looked since I’d met her while I felt I was in a slow decline.

It was time stop bitching about it and get hardcore.

So, I call up Jerry to enlist his service as a personal trainer to get me into shape. (after all I can’t have my wife out doing me…)

And he told me on that first meeting that if I didn’t change the way I ate – “It’s pointless to come to the gym”.

He pointed out several folks at the gym and said – “you see these people-you don’t want to look like the do- do you?” he continued…”they’ve been coming to the gym for years and still look the same as they always have. And it’s because they eat whatever the hell they want to eat. Eating is the secret that most people will never know- it equates to 80% of your success.”

Next, we took some measurements of where I stood from that first day.

And finally he fine tuned my nutrition program and then we began training 3 days per week with 3-4 days of cardio.

It’s been roughly 5 weeks since I began this journey and I’m happy to say, I’ve done a complete 180 on what I’m eating.

For the first time in my life, I’m eating veggies, buying the lean meat, and constantly watching my protein intake.

And I’m training harder every day.

And I’m down to 171lbs, losing my spare tire, my arms are growing in size, and my pants aren’t so snug any more.

And even though, I’m not anywhere close to where I want to be- I feel I’ve succeeded so far.

But this process consisted of 5 major factors that I want to address and these 5 factors can create lasting change whether it be for investing in real estate, getting into your best shape, or whatever your goal may be.

First- I had to get sick and tired of my lifestyle.

Next, I realize I was over my head and I decided to hire a coach (this isn’t cheap). I knew I needed someone not only to show me the ropes, but also to hold me accountable for the nutrition program.

Third, I had to reprogram my entire eating patterns, starting with the proper foundation. This was our second discussion (first was about goals) in that first long closed door meeting. And if I didn’t have this solid foundation in place, I’d never achieve the results I was after.

Next, as Jerry said “You are what you eat and you are who you hang around”. My wife’s success was a strong influence on me to get going. Once you hang out with other people that are already successfully – you’ll naturally do everything you can to step up your game. This applies to real estate investing and everything you’re going after.

Finally, we’re tracking my results. First, you’ve got to have a starting point. Fact is if you don’t look at where you’re at and take that bold look at yourself in the mirror, then you have no way of knowing what you need to change. I’ve seen people that refuse to look at their weight, their bank statement, their credit card statements, all because they don’t want to take accountability to change their situation. Sometimes, it can be scary, so we rationalize to put it off until tomorrow. You’ve heard every marketer and business person repeatedly say those dreaded words – “test”.

Today is the day to start to suck all the juice you can out of this life. Enjoy the journey.
And that is why I’ve been MIA over the last couple of months – refocusing, restructuring, getting rid of the lingering stuff, and delegating like hell.

For me, I’ve had several of these gut check moments like I’ve described here.

I’ve been fortunate enough to ‘flip the switch’ on several occasions to say no more.

But that’s me.

I want to know about you…

I’d love to hear your story about overcoming an obstacle, reaching a goal, really anything where you took the bull by the horns…

Don’t waster another minute- today is the day…

Derek Pierce