When I started using Shape Up club under Maik’s guidance in early 2008, I had been training for about a year and a half with him, and we had decided to “get serious”. By “serious” we meant be focused, use discipline in BOTH my diet and workout regimen, and hope to take my physique to another level.
We succeeded, but it was not easy. Nor was every day smooth or without hiccups.
 
I have had a wonderful summer this year, and although I *somewhat* maintained my diet, I have now recommitted to it, and to my training regimen.
Allowing myself a break was really great for me on a number of levels, but I also slipped a bit . . .I look better than ever in many regards, but have a few areas I would like to improve upon . . this is where Shape Up Club really comes in handy.
 
As I began to reorganize and regroup entering this renewed phase, Maik and I realized that everyone has distractions and some setbacks, and our lives can be filled with business that makes the required daily focus on diet and excerise more difficult.
Therefore this week, we decided to list a few pointers that we feel outline more of the Basics for a successful program, as a follow-up to last week.
 
Part of beginning and evolving through a successful exercise and diet program involves taking the time and effort to:
1. Be Organized.

You have the tools! Take a few hours on your weekend to set up your favorite foods and a few of your standard “meals” on ShapeUp Club online and / or your iPhone. Realistically, you need to take control of your diet, so you also need a day or evening each week to devote to cooking. It will be time well spent.

 
2. Allow yourself the occassional flub, but then recommit to a better and more strict next meal or next day.

 
3. Know that encouragement of any kind, especially from a community, is very important. You can get that encouragement here at Shape Up Club on the online forums and by reading the blogs.

 
4. Finally, remember that encouragement must also come from within. You must give yourself a moment to dream about what you can be, and visualize it.  Be both a realist- for short term goals- but then also “dream big” for your longer range goals.

Many of you we know may be starting with less than ideal situations. Life can be tough. Curveballs come out of nowhere. Six months or a year of difficulties with bad eating habits, stressors you don’t expect, and in some cases disabilities or other issues can make it tough to make progress, but know that you CAN. 
 
You CAN, and you WILL. . . one day at a time.
 
So until next time . . .
 
Scott and Maik

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