Hey guys, Nate here. I'm proud to announce that I'm now the Program Director of Scrawny To Brawny. From now on all of my blogs and articles will be posted on the brand-new Scrawny To Brawny Blog. So if you enjoyed what you read here, please go check it out. (It's awesome, if I say so myself.) I'm keeping the NGE website alive for resource reasons, but will no longer be actively updating it. The best way to get in touch with me is through leaving a comment on the Scrawny To Brawny blog or by posting on the S2B Facebook page. See you guys over at the new blog!
Buckle Down and Stop Bitching (A Rant)
Craig Welch, Month 1 and Month 3
"I just can't find a job, man."
He was on his third whiskey, and because I happened to sit a couple chairs down from him at the bar, he thought we were instant friends. Bars are like that.
Normally I enjoy the small talk, but this guy was complaining about everything.
"I've put in applications everywhere, but I haven't had a single call back," he said.
This guy, I could tell, wasn't in dire need of a "big time" job. All he needed was a position folding jeans or making burritos. And that's what made it insulting. A job like that in a town like this should be simple to find.
I nodded, sipped my drink, and offered the friendly bullshit conversational gem, "Good luck."
Later, when I was walking to meet my friends at another bar, I thought about what I would've said had I known him better:
"Listen, man, what are you accomplishing right now by complaining to me? You say you're broke and can't find a job? Why are you in the bar drinking top-shelf whiskey? You need a PBR. No, actually, you need to get out of the bar and get your ass home and get to work. You haven't had a call back yet? Well, what have you done to deserve a call back? How did you stand out from the group, from all the other dozens of applications?
In fact, fuck "dropping off an application." Walk into the business and introduce yourself to somebody. I don't care if it's the receptionist—at least someone would know you're there. Find the manager and hand him your application. Hang out there if you need to. It won't be pretty, but you'll get yourself a damn job."
Really, what this guy needs to do is buckle down.
He reminds me of the guys who say they want to build a badass body but don't know what to do. Don't know what to do? Ever hear of the Internet? Most of these guys jump from program to program but don't finish a damn thing. And they still have shitty bodies.
Starting something is not enough. Anyone can start something. You can start getting in shape right now by getting up and running around your house. It's not impressive. And it doesn't get you anywhere except for off your ass and perhaps into the kitchen. What I need to see is that you can keep your ass in motion. Consistency.
My client Craig Welch knows that. Look at his pictures up there at the top. That's three months of consistent effort to see some noticeable changes. Most guys bitch and moan for three months. Craig just followed his program and diet consistently. He buckled down and got things done.
In his application to work with me he wrote, "I don’t look like I lift weights at all."
Well, three months is all he needed to change that.
By the way, Craig trains at home. All he has is a barbell, a few pairs of dumbbells, a pull-up bar and an adjustable bench.
"To cover for a dip belt I put weight plates in a rucksack and wore that on my back," he wrote to me in a recent e-mail. Now that's dedication.
Craig knows the difference between the illusion of progress and actual progress. The illusion is "putting in applications" and waiting. The actual progress comes when you take responsibility and actually do something about your situation.
And since I'd be remiss to make this entire post a rant and not offer any solid take-away's let's quickly go over a few ways to stay consistent.
1. Get a piece of paper and a pen (or pull up a Word Document), write down your goal, and write down three action steps: one you should be able to do immediately, one for tomorrow, and one for the day after tomorrow.
Goal: Have a Great Body
Action Step 1 – Today – Go grocery shopping and find a workout program.
Action Step 2 – Tomorrow – Cook meals for the day, actually eat them, and go to the gym for Day 1.
Action Step 3 – Day After Tomorrow – Recruit a friend to train with to stay accountable.
2. Do it even if you don't "feel like it."
Let me fill you in on a little secret: I don't always feel like training. I don't always want to write. Sometimes I don't even want to leave my house. But I do it any way. Because once you get in motion, your mood will improve, and you'll follow through. At the very least you'll be able to scratch one more day off your calendar.
++++
What have you "buckled down" on lately? Got any tips to share for staying consistent while working toward a goal? Let me know in the comments!
Comments for This Entry
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Great stuff, Nate!
And great progress, Craig! Keep up the good work. -
Great article Nate, and it's great to see your client's progress as well.
"What have you buckled-down on lately?"
I've really buckled down on my online work. The personal training aspect of my job as been going well, which somehow led to the online aspect of my work slip a bit - human nature? Enjoying the summer weather at the expense of my work?
I'd say a bit of both; either way it's completely useless.
I've written up a new schedule to include article writing and the online stuff which has greatly upped my progress in the last few weeks and has brought me a lot closer to my online work goals a lot sooner than I expected. Even though I'm not working a typical 9-5 for a boss, I'm treating it like I am which has led to a lot more work getting done.
Thanks for the article Nate!
- Chad -
I'm rocking Chad Waterbury's news program and i'm actually going to stick with it and follow the nutrition guidelines to the letter. I'm totally guilty of bouncing from "cool new" program, to "the next cool new" program, not to mention inconsistant nutrition. That and working on plans for my new business.
I wrote out my body and business goals and put them up by my computer, as well as telling some friends my specific goal and action plan as opposed to "work out and maybe get some business going". Plus I printed out my nutrion plan and stuck it to the fridge. -
I've just stop smoking cigarette. I wrote down a list off all the good reasons to stay away of that shit and just remember them once i want to smoke. I never tought it would be so easy.
-
Nate,
I couldn't pass up on an opportunity to share a quote that has influenced me to take massive ACTION in my life.
So for any1 lacking motivation and can't find a way to get started or is too scared to fail, listen closely:
"Contrary to popular belief, you don't need to be motivated to act. If necessary, force yourself to take action and motivation will follow." - Robert Ringer
Congrats to Craig up there!
Just a little principle that holds true with everything before I sign off:
Nothing Happens Until Something Moves (---get off your arse!---)
Out,
Chris -
Nice post, Nate. Congratulations to Craig - that's a pretty awesome change.
I can really take something away from this blog. I often times let myself get bogged-down in negativity. It can really hinder, if not completely destroy, your motivational drive and results.
Sometimes you just have to keep your head down and power through.
-Tony -
I am digging the progress pictures of Craig. I think there should be an entire section dedicated to showing progress. Just finished Phase1 of the Fall Season of BFS and I would love to see what I can look forward to, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year down the line.
-BP -
Writing my goals down and then making to do lists for each goal has really helped a lot. I will put actionable steps towards each one of the goals but it will be a step that's achievable that day because that way when I get it done I cross it out and feel like I have achieved something - and that motivates me even more.
You may have heard that "doing" doesn't do shit for you. "Done" on the other hand pushes you forward in life, business, training, etc. Think about how many things you're doing right now and how many you actually get done.
So write out goals, then write out daily to do's that you can actually complete and get done. When you get it done cross it out and move to the next one. Rinse and repeat this day in and day out and tell me where you are 90 days from now.
My next actionable step: Get my ass to bed!!!
Luka Hocevar -
Great job, Craig! Thanks for the blog, Nate. Haven't been as prolific as I should be, so I'm writing a goal sheet now.
By the way, Nate, what are you doing in the gym nowadays? -
Two of my favorite thoughts to getting things done,now!
-Energy Creates Energy
-Error On the Side of Action -
Good Post Nate.
What have I buckled down on?
Well since October I started Nate's Built For Show and here I am all the way in Week 5 of the summer session. Two sets of 25 is not easy at all. But despite all the lack of motivation, I still go to the gym even though Im tired as heck getting home from work. Because of Nate's Built For Show program, I've stopped drinking and smoking. My body may not look like it changed much but it did significantly. Im a lot more mobile and stronger. My eating habits have gotten somewhat better. Cant really eat oatmeal because my body will rejected it pretty fast. Steak and Broccoli or corn works for me. Sometimes I like to go to the restaurant and have a big meal depending on if i dont feel like cooking. Regardless, I appreciate Nate and the T-Nation staff for helping me find a good program. Once im done with Nate's program, im thinking of doing it again or the 5/3/1 and this time im going to find someone that wants to workout with me for accountability purposes. Thanks for a good book Nate. -
That's good stuff Nate.
Literally few days ago I had a little conversation with my friends about this. What the f**k is wrong with men these days?
100, 200, 1000, 2000. 10k years ago they had to get their shit done to get food on the table to feed themselves and their families, but now most of them are just plain lazy. They just want someone else to do their job for them.
Not good. -
that is the real deal..nice job!!
-
I'm with ya, I see signs all over for open positions and then I have people in my neighborhood complain all the time about not being able to find a job. Granted they prob aren't the best jobs but it sure is better than taking $ from the gov't, your fam or local church. Get a job bust your @$$ and make it happen. Same goes for a body, quit complaining and get to work. It's yours to have so get it. I admit this economy is tough and it's not easy to have your ideal body but there are 2 major thingd you can control in LIFE.
1- Your Attitude
2- Work Ethic
So change your attitude and work hard and you'll accomplish a lot! -
And Craig, great work!
-
I just started eric cressey maximum strength now i'm starting to eat like a pig my goal is to pack on twenty pounds in one month so we will see what happens a week in now and roughly six pounds gained
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Funny you should write this because I was just in a gym this past week. It was one of those LCD (Lowest Common Denominator) gyms. You know, one of those everyone's welcome and no one will judge you kind of gyms.
The trainer in that gym - THE TRAINER in the gym looked me dead in the eye and said, "I only want to work out enough to have enough muscle to keep hiking." I was speechless. She was a young twenty something nice body and she said THAT. . . I was speechless.
People will find this particular post you wrote "offensive" and too in your face and unnecessary and I think its because somewhere in the last twenty years we have turned into a generation of 100% pussies where it is OK for the "fitness expert" of a gym to consider hiking something worthy of training for and something that muscle is actually needed for.
BTW, I know this gal so when she says hiking she doesn't mean a sprint up Mt. Washington or anything, she means a nature walk.
Anyway, Nate, great post and VERY NEEDED.
Sorry for the rant. Peace out. -
Your writing has grown consistantly better over time. It has always been interesting and informative, but your articles lately on here and t-nation have been quite enjoyable to read. You should think about starting to branch out your research and getting some top dollar spots, you certainly have the talent for it.
Either way, the reason I'm commenting.
The advice you would have told the gentleman down the bar from you is exactly correct. I'm a manager who hires all of the techs at my company. When the time comes and I send out a position notice, I receive a massive stack of resumes; especially in these times we find ourselves. However, the last time I did, I had one applicant who was almost forceful in his effort to aquire the job. It really made an impression and I only skimmed other resumes because I was...I don't want to say impressed, but almost conciliatory that the job was his for the taking. If you want something, take it I suppose.
Keep up the good work. -
Hey guys, thanks for the comments. Glad to see so many of you are kicking ass.
@Clement
I'll do another post about what I'm doing in the gym very soon.
@Rod A.
Thanks for the kind words! Glad you're enjoying the program (or not enjoying as the case may be!)
@ Brandon
Glad to see my advice wasn't totally off-base. :) Thanks for the compliment!
-Nate -
Great Stuff Nate!..
I havent started to lift yet but i finished the book and im waiting on my sprained hand to heal and by god im totally motivated to get my skinny ass into the gym and start lifting weights and changing my self for the better -
Nate you are in my eyes still the best bloger if it comes down to life-tips :)
but you are right... i turned 18 2 weeks ago and i had the decision to go to school or work and cause of my schooltime i allready had i said fuck that go and work but i had no idea what.... so i sat down took a pen and paper (just like you said) and wrote down where i wana go and how i wana go there.... now 2 weeks later i got a job in a big firm and do my fitnessstuff beside and i wrote myself down in a fitnesstrainer course...
and my friend who was in the same position is still sitting at home sleeping until 3pm and then?? yeah he is doing nothing yous complaining.....
so i guess i made something right or? ok maybe it would be better to stay in school and study but i can do this also next year if i see this way i go right now doesnt work or?
wishes from germany Björn :) -
great man
keep it in motion -
he looks even younger!!!!!
great -
Why don't people flex in their before pictures? Then you could see the progress. I'm not saying this guy didn't make progress, but that's just my 2 cents.
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Great post Nate, I just started dieting myself - or 'deffing' - So I'm buckeling down and getting it done NOW!
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It's always great to read success stories! Glad you mentioned the pre-workout 'slump'. I can't recall ever feeling worse after a work out than before it (except when I did my long runs marathon training..and even then it was only soreness - mentally I felt tip-top!)
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Great post, Nate. I'm happy to say I buckled down a year ago when I decided I was going to follow good programs instead of just doing whatever I felt like at the gym. I have not reached the physique I ideally would like to have yet, but I am happy to say I have dropped down to about 10% body fat, which is a significant improvement for me. I just have to keep hacking at it. I have decided I want to become a trainer and life coach, which is not what I went to school for at all. I have been bitching that it is a lot of work and it will be hard to find the time to study for these things, but this post has made me realize it is time to buckle down. Nothing good comes without hard work.
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With a body so challenged and so heavily grounded to the earth, he helped me to better understand what it means for a human being...to fly.
I think he can dance and, apparently, so do the judges.
Those who think they can and those who think that they cannot are both correct.
Luca "Lazylegz" Patuelli.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SrctFMGYQw
Talk about a reason to stop bitching.
(And he's from Montreal - go Canada!) -
Sometimes we need constant 'results' to maintain focus.
This remains true in EVERY aspect of our lives.
You can bust your balls in the gym, or bust them aiming to further your career, but if you don't see results along the way that you are progressing, it becomes easier to stop trying.
For myself, I'm aiming to post twice a week to my blog and this is proving a HUGE chore. But like you've pointed out Nate, sometimes things get to the point of annoyance times 10, but you NEED to persevere and suck it up. -
Great post, and amazing progress Craig!
Your blog continues to kick my arse. Much thanks.
~ Robby -
Here is one of my favorite quotes: Whether you think you can or you can't, you are probably right.
I always find it amazing how people over-estimate the time and energy needed to do things they are too lazy or intimidated to do. If you want to go somewhere, you tell your wife "it will only take a minute". But if you don't want to go somewhere, you say "why do we have to drive all over town!". The mind exaggerates on the side of your real motivation. If you think it is possible, it usually is. And you find a way to get it done. If you don't really have a passion or desire for it, you can come up with millions of excuses. -
Point #2 makes all the difference.
-
I feel like such a dolt for writing this, but Nate, I just got your BFS program and am gearing up to start it tomorow having never done any weightlifting program in my life. Just one [stupid] question, but in the workout template you have the numbers "1,4, and 7" written after each workout. What does that mean?
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Straight to the point Nate, sometimes you have to do what you don't want to achieve.
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Excellent post Nate!
Hopefully it will rid the world of a few excuses... they are like the plague! -
I just came across your health and fitness blog. Your article about buckling down was especially interesting. I especially liked your comments about getting up and doing something, whether that something is grandeur or not. I am adding you to my favorites. We're in the same industry, the business of encouraging health and fitness. We market a product called The AbStand: http://www.theabstand.net. We would love for you and your readers to check out our ab workout product. Any feedback would be appreciated as well. Thanks!
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Awesome post - and I agree, the biggest thing you can do to improve your body is to just buckle down and work your tail end off. Even if you're having a bad day or not feeling so great. You just have to push yourself to the limit and not give up, no matter what.
-
I once got an email from a dude in Russia who said he didn't have access to a gym or regular weights so he used a rail from a railroad track and parts of a tractor to train. How awesome is that? :)
Eric -
You've nailed it. It's true for fitness and almost everything else. People don't get down to what matters most because they don't feel like it and make all sorts of excuses to get out, then complain about lacklustre results. If they did buckle down, they'd be astounded at the difference of everything.
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Nate you are a legend!
We at Konkura.com would love to see you undertake a challenge or perhaps suggest one?
e.g. The Dumb Bell Challenge
http://www.konkura.com/challenge/?uid=7b0410d9-8540-4a08-9b72-af51bdf1ee81&t=The+Dumbell+Curl+Challenge
What do you think, Nate? -
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I just started eric cressey maximum strength now i'm starting to eat like a pig my goal is to pack on twenty pounds in one month so we will see what happens a week in now and roughly six pounds gained
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