When Your Ships are Burned You Cannot Retreat Your Only Choice is to Move Forward

This is my life right now. My time with the school district has most likely come to an end.  Let me back up a little bit first. I got certified. That's right I put my money where my mouth is, I studied and kicked that test's ass. I'm a personal trainer, and the next day I applied for a job and became a trainer at a gym. I'm an independent contractor which means I generate my own business. Without the income from the school. I'm diving in, no choice, I'm going to sink or swim. Excuse I'm going to swim, and I'm going to come out stronger than ever.

That's the way it's going to be, all or nothing. My bills might not get paid, my car could get repo'd, have to sell my gym for rent money, kiss my motorcycle goodbye, shoot my credit score to shit, and those are huge things to me. I have everything to lose, so there's no reason to worry about failing, I'm going to put all my effort into succeeding. Period.

Here's the funny part. I'm excited, I'm on cloud 9, I'm ready to do work. Sink or swim, that has always been my game, I'm going to come back stronger, and I will be living my dream of being a personal trainer.

See you on the other side

-BB Out

Break the Format. (GIF EDITION)

Real life can really suck. You work 40 hours a week at some job, you may or may not receive any satisfaction in and you come home with one thing on your mind. Relaxing. But wait! You wanted to work out today because you sincerely want to take a step towards being healthy, but you are understandably bushed and don't really want to go running. Hell, you might of planned on the morning but its day 3 of your work week and shit, you were tired even before heading to work.

Surprisingly Exhausting.

This is the part where sanctimonious assholes like Jim Wendler (RIP my respect for him) would tell you that your are some ineffectual weakling and you don’t' make things happen because you aren't dedicated. Which is, in short, FUCKING. BULLSHIT. There are people that beat themselves up daily (myself included) because we can't use all 24 hours in the day in a productive manner. When we miss those workouts, even though we were dead tired after work, we spend hours agonizing over how we fucked up. It's a vicious cycle, this curb-stomp routing on our self-esteem creates a feedback loop that really screws with being successful the next time around. Slippery slopes and shit. So, after running yourself into the same wall repeatedly blaming yourself for the wall being really sturdy and hard to break (this wall is a metaphor you see) what do you do? Seeing as you can't break it, you go around or you make the wall irrelevant, because this (metaphor) wall is the only thing standing in the way of your goals.

So close yet so far

This brings me to my point. Breaking the format, in which you find smart and great ways to pursue your goals without having to slog and grind your way through the wall. A really easy example of this is games like BandFuse and Rocksmith. Learning guitar can be a grind, memorizing chords, doing drills, and practicing scales over and over. Well, you've got video games that turn all that into fun games and activities. If you've played and enjoyed Rock Band and Guitar Hero this is infinitely more gratifying thanks to real world carryover. By making it fun, rewarding, and generally “addicting” you remove the willpower drain.

Diets on the other hand aren't so cut and dry. We tend to agonize and focus on them with such intensity that you can't help but get burned out on them. Plus, when you're having a trying day at work the last thing you want to do is slog through some fucking celery when what you really want is one of those donuts your coworkers picked up for everyone out of the kindness of their heart (and their unconfirmed hatred for your real heart). Situations like this repeat themselves for a month and suddenly you've ordered four full combos at your fast food eatery of choice, and have sent your diet packing with no hope of returning. There are ways to alleviate that stress however, a lot of people have done stuff as groups, always a good way to go, being part of a team is a very powerful motivator and can help alleviate some of the drain on your psyche. You aren't alone, you've people backing you up and going through the same stuff. This is a big reason why weight watcher is a thing. Also, just trying to be creative can be a huge piece make it more than just what you eat. Trying to make super tasty but healthy foods is a huge challenge to some, which helps fuel their dieting success. Make the food taste good and satisfying and suddenly dieting doesn't altogether suck anymore. Another simple way is to play it smart. IIFYM (If it fits your macros) is a diet protocol that basically states if at the end of the day your carbs, fat, and protein are in line then you are good to go. This diet works very well because it is very effective and hits all the right points. Start worrying about shit like “If its Paleo” after you've got down how much of each thing you should be ingesting.

I actually find this activity fun

Exercise is the only thing that you can't break the format. There is no miracle pill, there are video game like things you can subscribe too but at the end of the day its the means to the same end. YOU. YES YOU. HAVE TO BECOME PASSIONATE ABOUT WHATEVER EXERCISE THING YOU END UP DOING. PERIOD. I love DDR, it's a video game where as white person I can feel like I have rhythm by stepping on arrows at the right time.



 I can do it on a consistent basis because I love the game, this translates into consistent cardio workouts that I wouldn't normally get. Here's why its not “breaking the format” so to say, because it is the same motivation that people train for Iron Man Triatholons, because they want to. The work never stops being hard when it comes to exercise. It does become manageable when its something your passionate about, enjoy doing, or brings immense gratification. You have to find those pieces that fit for you. If you have fond memories of sports in High School find the adult leagues in your area and recapture that fire because it probably isn't residing in that recumbent bike at the gym. By making something “play” you remove the bullshit real life piles on that weighs you down. Be creative.

BB Out

I'm bringing everyone with me

Priorities and perspective are a funny thing. They shape and skew are thoughts and experiences. Although I idolize the actions and philosophies of Arnold Schwarzenegger, a man who has conquered multiple disciplines and has resided on multiple mountaintops looking down on those who have fallen short. Hell, somebody, I looked up to, but in these moments: I stand, here: drunk, stoned, and blissful in the moments of a life well lived.

I can say with absolute certainty with a shit-eating grin on my face that success comes in many flavors. It's really the absurd, stupid, and frankly meaningless moments that bring me contentness and a feeling of satisfaction. Although I strive for a perfect body, a successful blog, and some sort of “perfectly satisfying job” those all fall short of the shared experiences with those I hold close. A culinary abomination will always be greater than a 700 pound deadlift. The praise and accolades will never equal something that can be shared. Despite my talk, I'll never be able to feed off the jealousy and admiration of others, I wish to share, I can't enjoy a purely selfish gesture. I guess Kindergarten won out, I just like to share too goddamn much, and that's the game breaker. That's what fucked everything up. Despite my hoo'ing, haw'ing, and posturing I don't want to hold the glory in only my hands. I am a part of a team. In the big metaphysical sense as a human being, as the small community sense as part of “Team Fuck Moderation,” it's only in the shared experiences do I feel truly satisfied.

This truth. The true north that I can find direction in will bring me home. I know that when I do something I want to do it together. I may want to prove a motherfucker wrong, but more so I want to share in the victories and unfortunately the defeats with those I call close.

It will take a change in attitude, I can't let my self be ashamed, I have to be unapologeticly myself. There is no more excuses, no more sheepish looks, no more social anxiety bullshit. I love things in an absolute and feverish way, crossing over the border of obsession, but that isn't a negative, that is the price of passion,.

No more discrediting. Excuses. Or other haphazard bullshit. I love a great many things, and that's what makes me, well, me. No more apologies, retreating isn't an option, it's a time for passion and giving the finger to those who would criticize your methods and values.

Life is what you make it. Make it the best on your terms and values.

I'm done with the what ifs, should-of's, and if-only's. The naysayers, dissenters, and trolls can pucker up and kiss my ass.

Seize Whatever the Hell you Want

I had a really large falling out with “gaming” as it were a few years ago. I just couldn't reconcile the things my favorite IP's and developers were going. I felt like cattle being constantly sold to in the most psychologically hemorrhaging ways possible. How many times did I have to watch micro transactions infiltrate my favorite triple A titles? Too many apparently.

So I gave it all up. I handed my steam account that retailed at over 1000 dollars to some random dude on Reddit I thought deserved it. (Here's hoping he's still enjoying all those games). In recent years I've become more and more enamored with things like Kickstarter and just the overall initiative of many people to create products that they themselves want. I look at the indie game scene and I become a little misty eyed because these people are pouring their hearts and souls into their projects and creating gorgeous and incredible experiences.

This is inspiring. This is fantastic. This is the pinnacle of fan ownership.

These are the things that inspire me and hopefully you as well. I have no plans to be a game dev but I am passionate about fitness and motivation, and I am sure you are passionate about something as well. Go out there and change things up, the old formulas aren't working anymore. Shake shit up at the roots. Make the experiences, places, things, products, videos, or websites you want, you are NOT alone. People will flock to you in droves.

The Impromptu Hiatus Ends!

Things have been pretty crazy for me this last month. Between enjoying the last month of the Washington summer and moving to a new place, everything has been a bit of a whirlwind and updating has been low on my priorities. Everything is back on track and some really great things are down the pipeline.

#1. The E-Book. That's right I've been sporadically working on an e-book that I'm hoping to have publishable in time for Emerald City Comic Con.

#2. Certified Personal Trainer. I've made another huge jump forward in my personal training certification and I am planning to have everything set up for January-February.

#3. Emerald City Comic-Con. My payment has been processed and I'm confirmed which means for at least half the con I will be there representing the Blog, my personal training, and most importantly my beard.  This might also include some purchasable Brilliant Bastard swag and a Con-Exclusive sweepstakes!

Stay tuned for a regular post for this Friday!

Legacy.

My mind wanders, and it wanders frequently. Most often during driving, on the john, and showering. This one was during my drive home from work, my mind wandered into the dangerous zone of hypothetically becoming a parent. This realm I rarely tread as I am 23 and am terrified of having a child, but never the less, the scenario was playing out.

I was defending my child's actions of fighting back against a bully. The principal accused me of being a hyper masculine role-model (that's as bad as it sounds, I was looking pretty sweet in my daydream and was probably day-dreaming pretty hard at this point) but I then rebuked saying the environment my son is being raised in was healthy and well-rounded. That's when the lightning bolt flashed, and I started cataloging all the values and traits I would want to pass on to my hypothetical offspring. Which was a very sobering experience because it puts those values and goals under a different lens. It shows you how important those things are to you, so much so that you would want to pass them to your child.

Hypothetical child. Really. Team no babies for the foreseeable future.

However, in my mind I preached the values of physical fitness, reading, and to pull the focus away from the TV. On the tangent I made special note that if my child grows up in a household with an obscenely large tv that 80 percent of any visual media he would be exposed through it, would involve giant robots.

This gives me new hope that I would possibly not right now make a pretty good dad.

What this also brought about was the fact that I would have to be an example for my kid. I would need to embody these ideals, and pass on that legacy. Couldn't just preach a healthy diet and exercise while sucking down quarter pounders.

Heavy Stuff.

-BB Out

The Gameplan. The comprehensive Step-by-Step Guide to Getting in Shape!

I've finally done it. I took the time and effort to provide to you, my faithful reader, my incredibly simple, easy, no-nonsense guide to lose weight and start getting in shape! You're probably wondering how long this program takes? 2 weeks? 6 weeks? 12 weeks to get blasted abs? No, this program is all value so this program can theoretically take the rest of your natural born life! That is some exciting as fuck shit right there.

That's how it works though, your body is the sum total of your LIFEstyle. As in the body you have now is the product of everything you've done and do in your LIFE. I understand if you feel like a very small person being towered over by Everest, it's damn difficult to avoid being completely overwhelmed when the scope is your WHOLE LIFE. The “Life” thing also means we're not in a race or praying for the end of a 12 week program we are going to produce significant long-lasting change that will really mean something in the long run.

The next thing I'm probably going to hear is: “I WANT ABS AND I WANT THEM NOW!”

TOO FUCKING BAD. When someone promises you an ideal body in an unreasonable amount of time they are not only setting you up for failure but they're lying to you. Cutting body fat and getting ripped takes time and consistency but you will see those results if you stick with it, and this framework is meant to provide you the foundation and stepping stones you need to get that ball rolling, keep it rolling, and turn you into the baddest ass version of yourself.

“A YEAR IS A LONG TIME THOUGH, I DON'T HAVE A YEAR TO GET HEALTHY”

LIKE HELL YOU DON'T. YOU HAVE YOUR WHOLE LIFE IN FRONT OF YOU, ASSHAT. Here's the deal, you can go fuck around on gimmicks, then fail, damage your body, and then when you're good and fucking hopeless come back to me and this post looking for the advice you should of took before.

OR

You could save yourself the trouble, realize there are no shortcuts in life, understand that you will earn that body you want if you keep at it, and I'm going to give you reasonable expectations and a way to make everything work. That second choice sure sounds nice. I really like it you know? Very down to earth and tough-lovey with all the grit and heart from somebody WHO HAS ALREADY MADE THOSE MISTAKES. You don't need too as well.

DRUMROLL PLEASE

NOW PRESENTING

WHAT YOU'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR

THE BRILLIANT BASTARDS FRAMEWORK FOR GETTING YOUR SHIT ACCOMPLISHED BUT SPECIFICALLY DIET AND EXERCISE (T.B.B.F.F.G.Y.S.A.B.S.D.E. for short)

How this works is simple, you break down what you need to accomplish, give yourself plenty of time to accomplish each thing one-by-one to ensure sticking power, and move onto the next step. Which means, you can use this for anything. Not just diet and exercise, this specific template however will be devoted to diet and exercise.

Step 1 Break it Down. Place your goal (this one being, “Get Lean and Mean”) at the top of a page, and then work your way down adding every step and action becoming more and more granular.

GET LEAN AND MEAN

Clean up Diet                                                                  Start Working Out

-Stop Drinking Soda                                                 -Start Running/Or Lifting

-Stay within calorie goals                                          -Go to the Gym 1-3 days a week  

-Track Calories (That's right, I recommend tracking your calories without the added pressure of calorie restriction, just get you in the habit of tracking them, being aware of all the food you eat. If push comes to shove, set your calorie goal to something absurd like 7000 if you're feeling too pressure    

-Stay within calorie goals

-Stay within Macro goals

-No more Fast food

-Cook All my Meals

-Cut out processed foods

-Take Appropriate Supplements and Vitamins

Our goal “Get Lean and Mean” breaks cleanly into two portions: diet and exercise. Each category has its own set of tasks and actions to help you on your way to becoming lean and mean. Now the key to this program is to work on each portion individually and for an extended period of time (a good starting point being 4-6 weeks) so that each portion becomes habit and essentially effortless. This way you build up a large catalog of successes and when moving onto your next goal your attention won't be divided working on two things but you'll obviously be receiving the benefits of both.

Let me digress for just a moment, the cornerstone of this program is you being confident, using your best judgment, assessing your needs, and listening to yourself. The pieces I've put together are just things that I've come across as either universal or common goals. You can add or subtract as you see fit. Listen to yourself and be confident and this framework will do wonders for you.

Back on track. After you break down your list you're going to want to prioritize. You don't want a horse before the carriage situation where you try to make all your food by yourself when you still have an unbeatable hunger for the Taco Truck that's like 4 blocks from your house, so hard to say no. Here's how I prioritized the list.

-Quit drinking Soda

-No More Fast Food

-Start bringing lunch every day

-Track Calories (That's right, I recommend tracking your calories without the added pressure of calorie restriction, just get you in the habit of tracking them, being aware of all the food you eat. If push comes to shove, set your calorie goal to something absurd like 7000 if you're feeling too pressured)

-Stay within Calorie goals

-Start Running or Lifting/Going to Gym 1-3 days a week

-Stay within Macro Goals

-Take Appropriate Supplements

-Cut out Processed foods

Of course, change it however your like, whatever feels more important do first. Now for the last and final piece to this puzzle, TIME. The goal is to make these habits. Make them non-issues for your willpower. You don't want to be staving off cravings while you're working up the motivation to work out. I would give any one of these goals 4-6 weeks to settle, and of course if your having difficulty forging a new habit or kicking an old one don't be afraid to extend that time frame. Listen to your body and your mind, if you end up making excuses saying that you're too tired after work to exercise, try to fit it in to your schedule before work. I'm not going to sell this program as some wonder drug that is going to reprogram your mind and make you instantly awesome. This program requires thought and critical self-evaluation but will put your goals into realistic time frames that ensure success and staying power.

But seriously, that's it. All there is to it. Take it slow and patient, and work hard. I don't doubt that you can take more than just one task at a time, depending on how easy it comes to you or how close its to things you already do, you just might need a couple of weeks to retool, and your off and running. Its also reasonable to start taking supplements and cut fast food, and I won't tell you to avoid doing that, but a word of warning I have experience in that route and when you start two processes at the same time they tend to become linked, so when one goes down, both fall. It can become incredibly discouraging to see multiple habits go down at once so proceed with caution if you choose to go that route.

So give it a shot! Post your goals, and progress, and of course if you have any questions and need me to push you in the right direction just let me know!

-BB out