You want to go to the gym. But you don’t know where to start.

Maybe, you’re already going to the gym. But you don’t see results.

Or, you’re considering going to the gym. But are not sure yet.

It doesn’t really matter at what point you are right now.

What matters is that you invest in your health if you want to live your best life.

The gym is a very powerful tool in that regard, if used right.

In this newsletter I’m going to guide you on the right path to life changing results in the gym.

I’m going to give you 5 fundamental questions that, when answered honestly, give proper direction to anything you do in the gym from now on.

It will align your goals with your actions.

Succes will be inevitable.

If you’re ready, let’s dive in.

Where are you now?

Imagine a friend had to give you directions to go to New York.

What do they need to know first?

What your location is.

Where you are.

If you are in Amsterdam, you need different directions than if you are in Sidney.

That makes sense, right?

The same applies to success in the gym. You need to know your starting point.

Most people overlook this step. They go straight into what they want.

“I want to lose weight”

“I want to build muscle”

“I want more energy”

Before thinking about wanting anything, think about where you are. Ask yourself:

Question 1: What is my current situation?

Reflect on your current lifestyle. Take an honest look at how you live and describe:

• Your activity level
• Your dietary habits
• Your exercise regimen
• Your current bodyweight
• Possible complaints and injuries

Describe anything related to your overall health and conditioning.

Take your time for this step. The clearer you make this for yourself, the better you’ll understand your true needs.

This is the first step in creating awareness.

Without awareness, there can’t be meaningful change.

“Awareness precedes choice and choice precedes change.” — Robin S. Sharma

What do you truly want?

90% of people want 3 things in the gym:

• Lose weight
• Become stronger
• Have more energy

Nothing inherently wrong with that.

But this isn’t enough. These goals don’t say much at all.

Lose 1 pound → You lost weight

Do 1 strength workout → You got stronger

Exercise for 1 week → You have more energy

That doesn’t mean anything.

Losing weight doesn’t matter if you gain it all back. Strength gains don’t mean much without real-life application. Having more energy for a few weeks doesn’t improve your life.

In other words, if your goals don’t provide lifelong value, they’re a waste.

Let’s define your goals.

Question 2: What’s my desired future?

What problem do you want to solve?

What outcome do you want to achieve?

Answering this question goes beyond describing a superficial goal.

It’s your future you’re talking about.

Not just some shallow little goal.

The gym is a powerful tool to optimize your health, wellbeing, and performance.

So give this question some substance.

• Describe what health means to you.
• What abilities you want to have?
• How you want to live?
• How you want to feel?
• How you want to look?

Be specific. Be clear. Be realistic.

Define your why

Without purpose, you will never achieve meaningful results.

It might sound harsh, but it’s the truth.

Fact is, getting results is hard.

That’s why I can guarantee you that you’re absolutely not going to do hard things without any profound meaning.

So before you put any effort or resources into the gym, ask yourself why 5 times.

Question 3: Why do I want to achieve this?

Why?

Why?

Why?

Why?

Challenge yourself and ask why 5 times.

Don’t rush it. Don’t let yourself get away with some superficial answers.

Look for a deeper meaning. Look for real purpose here.

Go one layer deeper with every why.

Go as deep as possible— create your purpose.

Without deep purpose, you will stop when things get hard. You will lack the power to push through. You’ll give up on your goals, justify it, and hate yourself for doing so.

“The secret to success is constancy of purpose.”- Benjamin Disraeli

Consequences

It’s very important to write down your goals.

Writing them down gives you clarity, purpose, and probably a good feeling.

But you haven’t accomplished anything so far.

Before you’ll get any result, you have to work for it.

Believe it or not, this is where 90% of people fail.

People set goals that they will never achieve all the time.

A great way to prevent that, is anticipating the consequences of your inaction.

Just let that sink in.

This brings us to the next question.

Question 4: What are the consequences if I don’t change?

What will happen when you don’t chase these goals?

What are the consequences?

What will happen In 1 year, 5 years, 10 years?

What else?

Who’s impacted by this?

Who else?

Actions have consequences.

Positive and negative.

Being aware of the risks of inaction, can be a strong driver of intentional action.

Be honest with yourself here.

“No one can enjoy the benefits of great health without physical training”

Commitment

You can want all kind of stuff.

You can hope, wish, and dream about countless things.

Actually achieving your desires is something completely different.

That’s a whole other beast to tame.

It’s the beast that lives inside of you.

Inside of your head to be exact. I’m talking about your comfort-driven brain. If you don’t control it, it’ll try to talk out of anything that feels somewhat uncomfortable. Any setback, situation or event can be enough to make you rethink your goals.

Unless..

You truly commit to achieving it.

Question #5: Are you willing to truly commit to achieving your goals?

Not just saying you will.

Actually do everything in your power to achieve it.

No matter what happens. You push through.

That is true commitment. It’s your most powerful tool.

Pressing forward regardless of the circumstances, is a true superpower.

The only thing standing between you and your goal, is you.

If you fail, it’s on you.

If you give up, it’s on you.

If you quit, it’s on you.

All reasons and excuses you make, are on you.

So, are you sincerely going to commit to your goals?

“Commitment is an act, not a word” - Jean-Paul Sartre