A Step in the Right Direction - How to Ensure You're on the Right Path to Achieve Your Goals: an Exclusive ABSolution Excerpt

by Shawn Phillips, ABSolution Success Coach

"Even the longest journey starts with a single step." I read those words of wisdom many years ago and often found myself repeating them for encouragement during times when I needed to be patient and persistent—to not give up.

But, more recently, I've revised this saying to include something I've learned along the way, specifically that most people who hold the aspiration of becoming extraordinarily healthy, fit, and strong don't see the pursuit of that objective as just a "journey." What they want to make is a successful journey. They want to get where they want to go as fast as possible. So do I. So the way I now see it is, "A successful journey starts not just with a step but with a step in the right direction, followed by another and another."

Unfortunately, in today's world of fitness, it's difficult to know what path to follow. Even a very intelligent person, with the best intent, can easily find him or herself arriving at one dead end after another, going around in circles, completely lost. That's the downside of health and fitness misinformation, disinformation, fads, and frauds. And, it's something we must all be cautious of.

So how do you know if you're taking a step in the right direction? How do you have a successful journey from Point A (where you are) to Point B (where you want to be: your destination)? That's a darn good question. One that needs to be answered before we move on to the specific nutrition and exercise components of my ABSolution Program. Answering that question is what this chapter's about. And to do that, I'd like to share with you five very important lessons I've learned about how to experience a successful "fitness journey."

1 | Get Clear on Your Goal

One of the many important lessons I've learned is that you have to know where you're going in order to get there. Makes sense, right? Unfortunately, I'm often reminded that many people overlook this fundamental point. I see them "jump in their car, turn on the engine, and take off," without even knowing where they're going. In no time, they're lost and unmotivated.

If you really want to get "there," first determine where your "there" is. Here's how: start by giving it some thought, then clearly state, in writing, where you want to end before you begin. This is an absolutely essential step in succeeding at anything, especially something as challenging as becoming so fit that you develop your best abs. Keep in mind that your "destination" is your "goal," and you need to be specific not only about where you're going but how much time you're going to give yourself to get there. For example, someone might decide that their destination—their goal—is to weigh 184 lbs with 8% bodyfat and "arrive" with a 32-inch waistline. That's how simple it is. That's a specific destination. Add a "timeline" to that, such as, "I will get 'there' within 12 weeks," and you'll be further along in your journey already than the vast majority of people who endeavor to become more fit.

2 | Assess Your Current Condition

Here's another important lesson: once you decide where you want to go, you need to become very clear about where you're starting from. You need to identify your "Point A." Keep in mind, if you don't know where you stand, it's hard to know where to step. And it's impossible to follow a map from one point to another if you don't know where you are beginning. That's where self-assessment and evaluation comes in, which can be as simple as taking a before photo and measuring your bodyfat, your scale weight, and your waistline.

For example, a man might determine, through these basic measurements, that he weighs 197 lbs with 16% bodyfat and a 36-inch waistline. He could take a "before" photo of himself, attach those "stats" to the photo, and, along the bottom, write, "As of this date (and list a specific date), I am here." Then he could attach his determined destination to that, and he will have complete clarity about his Points A and B. Sounds pretty simple, right? Well, it sounds that way because it is. It really is simple. But, if you don't do this, you'll find that succeeding at building a better body is downright difficult, if not impossible.

3 | Get the "Right" Tools

A third lesson I have to share is that after you determine your "Points A and B," you must make sure you select an accurate "map." You must have the right information. You must have a plan, and you must follow that plan. Your plan should be proven; otherwise you will be engaging in "guesswork" or "trial and error," which is not necessary when it comes to fitness. There is a science to this. The results you will experience from following a proven plan are predictable and can be replicated.

Without a proven plan, how can you know if you're exercising too much or too little; if you're over - or under-eating; if you're getting the right amount of rest and relaxation, etc.? The answer is... you won't know!

My advice: don't guess!

Rest assured, the ABSolution Program is an accurate, straightforward map—it is a proven fat-loss and muscle-defining plan. Follow it, and it will help you keep from getting lost and wasting time. That, you'll learn for yourself when you begin to apply the information you'll find throughout this book.

4 | Measure Your Progress

A fourth lesson I've learned is that progress is made where progress is measured. To have a successful journey, you need to watch for various "signposts" along the way to assure you that you are getting closer and closer to your destination. A simple way to do that is by measuring your bodyfat, scale weight, and waistline as well as taking photos every four weeks so you can actually see you're getting there—that you are a success in progress. For example, if you've decided to lose 17 lbs of bodyfat in 12 weeks, after 4 weeks, you should be able to measure that you've lost about 6 lbs of bodyfat and are well on your way to arriving at your destination on time.

When you do that, not only will your continual progress feed your inspiration and motivation, but you will also find that you're gaining energy and momentum the further along you go because you'll be able to measure that you're getting closer and closer to your destination.

5 | Focused-Intensity Is the Final Key

And finally, I've learned that even if you know where you're going, know where you're starting from, have accurate information and a proven plan, and even if you measure your progress along the way, you must stay focused to succeed!

Unfortunately, what often happens is that people begin their journey with laser-like focus and resolve, but along the way, all these interesting "alternative routes" pop up, and they start taking unnecessary detours. What many of these people discover, and one of the things that you might have learned also, is that once you go off course, it's hard to get back on track. You lose your momentum at least and may even get completely lost!

Consider this: the fastest way to get from Point A to Point B is with a straight line. That means we need to avoid detours and dead ends and do whatever we can to rise above the clutter (misinformation, myths, fitness frauds, and fads) and fly a direct route toward our destination.

I highly encourage you to have faith in the information in this book and allow it to be your guide—your treasure map—your plan and your path.

I encourage you to start with a step in the right direction, followed by another and another. Start strong and finish even stronger. Stay focused and do not give up! When you do that, you can make a remarkable transformation in your physique, faster than you might have even believed possible.

Editor's Note

ABSolution is Shawn Phillips' personal success story with the guidance to help you succeed. It's truly a unique combination of personality, inspiration, and guidance. There's never been a book like it. To preview other chapters or to order your copy of Shawn Phillips' ABSolution and start building your best abs TODAY, simply click here.

Attention: If you've already completed the ABSolution Program, please share your success with us. We may even highlight your story in a future edition of Real SOLUTIONS magazine (or online). Or, you might find yourself among the other "success stories" on Shawn Phillips' Bestabs.com website. Send your photos, stats, and 1-page story by email to editors@realsolutionsmag.com (please attach your pictures in digital format if you can), or mail them to Real SOLUTIONS, Attn: My BestAbs, P.O. Box 17172, Golden, CO 80402. We look forward to hearing from you!

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