First off, writing a bestselling book has nothing to do with writing. In fact, I can confidently say my writing is better than 99% of the health and fitness books out there.
Not because I’m such a great writer but because they’re all co-written. And co-written books (famous person’s name with…) are products. Not books!
They are created quickly to take advantage of the popularity of that ‘famous’ person.
Smart move indeed, as that’s obviously what people want.
See, most people want to talk about being healthy and fit, how they’re going to start exercising next Monday, about the ‘latest’ fad diet or exercise contraption, and how they’re going to really stick with it this time and finally lose that weight!
But, sadly and unfortunately, most people don’t want to actually do any of those things!
Talking about it with your friends and family makes you feel better. It creates a sense of forward motion. We’ve all done it. We do it with all the things we don’t want to do.
I’ve read countless ‘diet’ books. And I still go to Border’s and spend hours reading, all while shaking my head in amazement. I’m not amazed at the ‘famous’ people for putting their names on a book and selling it. I’m amazed at all of the people who constantly fool themselves by buying these books!
And although I get a kick out of reading the same book over and over in between different covers, I get the biggest kick out of reading the reviews.
In my opinion, the measurement of a good book is if it changes you for good. Who cares if you ‘see the world differently’ for the 5 hours after you’re finished reading it? The real question is if it changes how do you things indefinitely.
Like I tell my clients, I couldn’t care less if someone loses weight and then gains it all back. My goal is to help change my clients. I want to help them get and stay fit!
But most people are searching for that hidden secret and don’t want to work for it.
You want the secret? Here it is! Free of charge for the entire world to read and share: Eat right. Exercise and do those two things consistently!
If you can do those 3 things you’ll be in great shape. No question about it. Of course, that’s so much easier said than done and exactly why I started my company.
Do we really need more tactics? Do you really not know that fast food isn’t good for you? I’m sick and tired of all of these books telling you what you already know. We all know what to do (for the most part)!
That’s not the problem! The problem is that we don’t do it! Or, we don’t stick with it! And that’s the key to successful ‘dieting’!
And even though I hate the word diet, because that means it’s not permanent, it’s the truth. If you start something and feel you won’t be able to do it in 6 months, 1, 3, 5 years from now IT WON’T WORK!
It will not be sustainable. And you’ll find yourself being one of the 95% of people that quit.
The trick is of course to let go of your ego and admit you might need help, start something that is sustainable…and…wait for it…keep going!
And that’s exactly what my book would be mostly about. To nudge, push, and persuade you on why you should keep going! (Because if your thoughts don’t change, you’ll never change!) It would also be about why it’s so hard to keep on going! Without the right mindset and psychology, it’s impossible to make a “diet” a permanent lifestyle.
Not so much the tactics.
I’m also the first one to say that the only way to change how you look and feel is to change what you do. However, many people don’t want to actually change.
They want to talk about changing. And make themselves feel like they’re changing.
But not actually change.
Great read, one of the best since I started visiting this site a few months ago. I’m surprised no comments at least agreeing with what you wrote yet.
Thanks, Dan! Yea, ya never know. This was one of my favorite blog posts to write. I appreciate it! -A
Great read Adam. It’s in tune with my latest Blog – Fixintas at “My Secret Vocabulary.” I linked your Tiger-Snooze story. With your business, do you offer a set-up-one-time service? i.e. propose a diet and workout plan.
Keep Doing More,
– Josh
So so true…. Never realized this before you said it. I;d always get frustrated with people saying they wanted something, but then doing nothing about it. Now I get it.
“However, many people don’t want to actually change.
They want to talk about changing. And make themselves feel like they’re changing.
But not actually change.”