Revisiting past success

The Craig and Jane show

I was listenting to The Grandstanders (Craig Harper and Jane O'Brien) on Saturday morning on LightFM. It's amazing that someone like me, in Brisbane, can listen to a Melbourne radio show live online. Craig interviewed Bianca Chatfield - vice captain of the Melbourne Vixens netball team. One thing in particular jumped out at me and, this time, it has kicked me into first gear (again).

The Vixens have recently taken on Craig Harper as their conditioning coach and also to look after all the head stuff. The Vixens formed from two teams - the Melbourne Phoenix and another team that I cannot recall. Bianca said that Melbourne Phoenix had success with Craig in the past, and the team has decided to go back to what they know worked. It triggered me to think about what has worked for me in the past and to ask myself why I wasn't doing that stuff now.

What I thought I'd do is jot down some of my past success stories now for you. Okay, mainly for me. I'm mainly making reference to my body goals here, but also some other general life stuff.

1. Working with a trainer. I'm ashamed to reel out a list of half a dozen or so trainers I've worked with since the mid ninety's. Tash, Kathy (Melbourne) Dean, Mark (Sydney), Karen (Brisbane), Tony (Bathurst)... I had the most success with Kathy. We did 1-2 intense 30 min sessions a week, and I did heaps of cardio in between. It is important to note that having a trainer isn't 100% of the answer. They area resource and a part of your journey. But what you do outside the time you see your trainer is going to make the difference between creating lifelong change and living a life where you continue to sabotage yourself. (So, no swinging by the shops and inhaling a chocolate bar or two after you've worked hard at the gym... yep, I have done that in the past).

2. Keeping a diary. A food diary, but also a diary of my training and associated thoughts and feelings. Actually, just tonight I have been going through a diary of my PT sessions with Kathy and reading about the progress I was making with my strength and body shape has inspired me. I know what is possible for me. I need to get back to that, and then I can explore new, uncharted territory.

3. Training (exercising) early in the day. Call be weird, dysfunctional or just committed and determined... but I have been known to alarm self at the likes of 4 and 5 in the morning to head out the front door for a run, (bike) ride or to go to the pool. However, to make this work, it's imperative that you get an early night so you're getting enough hours sleep. Also, I have found that having something to get up for - be it a swim squad session, a scheduled training session on my program or just something I have made 'non-negotiable' sets me up to have a good day, food wise. Because, why would I want to undo all my hard work by eating crap?

4. Online communities. Being a part of a number of message boards has also helped me a lot in my journey. Interacting with others with similar goals, similar attitudes and people who don't just talk about it, but people who are creating their best body and their best life.

5. Having a mentor. This is a fairly new thing for me, but I'm enjoying the ride so far. It's been tough to hear someone else objectively point out my 'faults' (for the want of a better word), and what I need to work at changing. It's a privilege having someone who clearly does care about me, who wants to see me and do, think, be and create AMAZING in every area of my life. In other words, to create my-best-life. However, I need to apply what I learn to become the person I want to become and to be 'amazing.' Stop the over-thinking, toss out the self-doubts, and get busy Jules. Assignment 1 was due a long time ago. How many extensions do you want? You can't have any more. Choose to do, be, think and create amazing today and you will. Thanks Craig - you're an amazing bloke, teacher, mentor, coach and friend.

I'm interested in hearing what has worked for you in the past. Are you still doing it now? If not, why not? If something has worked for you before, why not get it going again?