We’ve all been through failure at some point of our lives. I’m not an exception. When we set a goal, let’s say to lose 10lbs in 3 months but we only lose 5lbs – is that still a failure? Not really, as I would call that a partial success. If we lose 10lbs? I call it a success. What if we don’t lose any weight? Now that’s a failure. Or worse still – we put on a couple of pounds.. what then? Well, you’re a total failure and I’d say you need help! Now to the more serious bit.
I’ve come to know of a really easy way to increase your chances of success in any fitness goal you set – be it to shed a couple of pounds, or to be able to increase your running distance on the treadmill, increase your bench press by 10lbs, or even to include a change to your diet such as cutting down on sugar. How much will this investment cost you? Nothing.
The next time you set a goal, for example, “to lose all the unsightly flab on my waist in 3 months!” – tell somebody about it. No, your pet dog won’t do. Tell your husband/wife, boyfriend/girlfriend, tell your colleague, your gym buddy, your kids, heck – tell everyone! Okay, maybe even your pet dog.
Now why would this help you ask? When you share your goals with those around you, you indirectly put pressure on yourself to achieve those goals. Imagine facing them again in 3 months time looking exactly the same. What would you have to say then? What kind of an impression would you like to leave on people? You may get away with it a couple of times.. but any more, and you’ll be labelled as the person who’s on a ‘perpetual diet’, or the person who wastes his/her time at the gym. Now, I dont know about you but I would certainly hate that as I’m someone who is terrified of failure and being ridiculed – and I know I’m not alone.
When you keep your goals to yourself and not tell it to anyone, the tendency for you to give up is much greater as you could always set the same goal again and again and nobody would know of your failure. Nobody would poke fun at you or tease you. You get away with every blunder you make. But who is the one losing out at the end of the day?
Even Arnold Schwarzenegger used to cut his pants just below the knee so that he would be forced to expose his underdeveloped calves. Did it help? Did the embarrassment push Arnold to go the extra mile? Lets just say that Arnold created one of the best pairs of calves ever.
So, set a realistic goal – tell somebody – and make it happen!
If you enjoyed this article, join 5,000+ other readers like you who get email updates (it's free)
This post was written by...
Noel Chelliah, ACE-CPT, ACE-LWMC, has been recognized as one of the Top Transformation Experts in Malaysia. No stranger to being overweight himself, Noel has gone through a life-changing transformation himself, from fat, to fit. In 2010, Noel founded the DailyMuscle Body Transformation Camp, which today helps hundreds of individuals exercise and practice healthier habits. In his spare time, Noel serves the community with various programs that promote a healthier lifestyle, and enjoys playing with his dogs.
My name is Noel Chelliah, and I’m a Transformation Specialist and founder of the 
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Everytime I tell someone that I want to lose weight, they’re exclaim:
“WHY? You look as if you could PUT ON a few more pounds”
but when I busy scoffing something, they’re like:
“Wei .. fat adi la …”
Well… are you really overweight? At the end of the day – you know your body better. Friends dont get to see the inches of fat hidden beneath our clothes sometimes. When I was a little overweight.. I faced the same problem you did – they say I’m fine and don’t need to lose any. So, I normally invite them to take a poke at my stomach and feel it for themselves… that normally works for me.
i love people gives their comments on me
eg. a fren of mine told me that i should reduce my hips’s size, coz i’m a petite person. all i need almost 6 months to reduce it. for me, discipline is my main priority, good food, good training & good rest ;)
let’s say my target focus at abs area, i will cut down my carbo a bit. wah laio happy in one month after that, wakakaka =))
mihun: well done. You’re definitely on the right track. It’s always a powerful feeling when you are 100% in control of your body and are able to shape it and achieve your goals without a problem.
I love it when people comment on my physique too. It motivates me to push myself further. ;)
I’m a girl yo. It’s not nice asking friends to poke and feel me up ..
Haha.. then do a pinch test and show them how much fat you can pinch. See only – no touch. ;)
Telling a friend does work. I do the same thing to push myself when I want to accomplish a goal. From past experience, though, I’ve learned to be ‘well on my way’ before I tell a friend. I don’t tell them in the beginning stages of trying to achieve my goal. So tell a friend, say, 2 weeks into trying to accomplish your goal. The main person you need to convince and hold you accountable is yourself.
sonyak: I couldnt agree more – I just shared some goals with a couple of friends just recently, and it is certainly more ‘fun’ and I’m more motivated to stick to it!