weight loss is 80% mental

The first steps to any process or meaningful change is usually the hardest, but that's not always the case. I've always felt that many times this first step is difficult, especially when losing weight, because many guys want to lose weight without having a clearly defined plan of action. Fellas, I know many of us are the type who hate maps and don't even try to get us to ask for directions! I'm the same way, to a certain degree, and will drive around town learning from my many wrong turns; nevertheless, do yourself a favor and not make the same macho mistakes when you're trying to lose weight.

OK, so you need to lose weight, right? Well, what's the first thing that you should do?

Get a gym membership?

Nope.

Buy the latest fat burner you saw on TV?

No.

Pull out your old high school football shorts (which you probably can't wear anymore) and go for a run?

You're joking, right?

Start eating more salads?

Not quite.

Well, what should be the first step?

Go to the bathroom and strip to your birthday suit. Hopefully, you have a full size mirror in there so you can see the majority of your naked body. Look at yourself, analyze where your body stores the majority of your fat and trace your stretch marks with your finger to see where they start and end. I don't know about you, but I love my stretch marks!

Don't be disgusted with what you see because, fat or not, this is the only body you're going to have in this life, and you need to start getting to know it intimately. So, instead of the usual thoughts like "How did I let myself get this big?" or "What was I thinking to eat myself into this body?" look yourself in the eyes and ask yourself if you are ready to make a permanent change. Don't look away and fake it like you really mean it this time; be honest with yourself. You can lie to everyone else around you, but there has to be no more lying to yourself.

If you're not ready for the journey, be man enough to admit it and put your clothes back on. You'll be back in the mirror before you know it; it's just not your time right now. No, I'm not giving you an excuse to remain a fat ass, I'm just being realistic. Fellas, listen, if you're not mentally ready to start a weight loss program, then why waste your time and effort to diet for a little while, just to regain the weight?

When you're ready to make the change, you'll have to be mentally ready for the challenges and lessons ahead. Your body will do what you tell it to, so until you're ready to work that muscle in between your ears, go grab another cold one, plop back down on the couch, and see if Barry Bonds is going to extend his record. Cheers.