One day, you look at the mirror, or a photograph of yourself – and you are unable to recognise the person you see. You see a person who is overweight, overstressed, overwhelmed – over-everything.
Of course, you never intended to be that way… but the weight just crept up incrementally. Yes, things change when you get older, when you get married and have kids, and when you have a business/career to take care of. But as your ‘world’ expands… you don’t have to let your waist follow.
Obesity and inactivity isn’t something that happens to you overnight. It is an accumulation of unhealthy eating habits, poor lifestyle choices – simply not taking care of yourself.
I’ve lost count of the number of people I met who are FORMER athletes, FORMER runners, FORMER military personnel… who have all lost control and allowed things to get too far. It saddens me.
It is very easy to get off track, and to pick up poor eating habits as we get so overwhelmed with our everyday life. What is the point of working so hard to earn all that money if you’re only going to end up using most of it to treat your diseases when you are older? Not to forget the inconvenience and the heartache for your loved ones.
Dear friends… I write today’s blog post with 3 words for you take home:
Do something now.
Do not wait until it is too late, or for your physician to tell you so. Don’t wait until you need medication/drugs to make up for your poor habits. It is time you stop giving excuses to YOURSELF – and take charge of your health.
For some of you, if this means going to the physician to get a full medical checkup (even if you FEEL fine) – then that is what you need to do.
If this means going for walks 3x/week or signing up for that gym membership you’ve been putting off since January this year – then that is what you need to do.
If this means reducing your salt intake because you have a family history of hypertension – then that is what you need to do.
If this means cutting down your sugar intake because your mom or dad is diabetic (and therefore you too have the risk) – then that is what you need to do.
If this means cutting down on your smoking – then that is what you need to do.
If this means you, a pregnant mother, having to not eat excessively and give in to all your cravings (sometimes you may only think they are cravings and use them as an excuse to overeat) so that you give birth to a child with a healthy body weight – then that is what you need to do.
If this means watching what you eat and getting more exercise because you have a family history of heart disease – then that is what you need to do.
It is EASIER for you to get started NOW and to make a healthier lifestyle become a habit NOW, then to attempt it when it is too late.
Do something now.
Your friend and coach,
DM
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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 
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
That might just be the best (and simplest) advice anyone’s ever given on fitness and nutrition. But it also applies to all other areas of our lives that may need tweaking or enhancing.
The timing is great for I had told myself last night that I was going to take one hour off from lunch today to list down my priorities and goals, to refresh them if necessary from the list(s) I have done before. One of the key areas I wanted to work on was my personal fitness and health.
So after listing those items down, I started surfing for more information and yours was the first site I thought of, having dropped by a few times before. Serendipity. So, great post, DM — and I’m gonna do exactly what you advised your readers, and do something now.
I’m going to commit to a healthier lifestyle through regular exercise and proper nutrition.
And one of the first steps I’m going to take towards this goal? I’m gonna email you to set up a session so I can get some proper coaching and support. :)
Catcha via email soon!
Hear! Hear!
Ehemmm.. DM, I look at my photos and don’t recognize myself either.
But it’s because I look and feel way better now!
Teeheehee….
What prompted this post? Something happened to somebody you know? But whatever the reason, it is good advise.
Life for Beginners: I got your email – will get back to you at the end of the day. :)
Aizan: Same here – now if only everyone around us too gets to experience that.
Bengbeng: Nothing in particular prompted this post…. was just sitting down, looking through the progress files for my clients, reflecting and recalling the things they share with me, etc – and I was moved to write this post. :)
Cool beans. Will be sure to check my email this evening then. Danke! :)
I can see your frustration.
But most of the time, it’s easier to move a mountain than change a person.
I have a friend who used to live an unhealthy lifestyle, excessive drinking, smoking and lack of exercise.
One day he was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. He was very regret and decided to change the way he lives after going through all the treatments. His therapy was successful, he stopped smoking and drinking, and he joined the gym together with me.
Sadly, things couldn’t last long. Less than 2 months, everything back to how it used to be.
I do not know what to say anymore but only to wish him good luck.
People won’t change until the critical moment. But a sustainable change must come from within rather than influence by external factors.
me myself half a year ago while in Singapore looked totally different than myself now back in Indonesia.
Last year I was working for people and focus much more on my health and fitness. So, everyday after work, right at 6pm, I will leave the office the best I can. If I can leave earlier, the better. So I never skipped gym almost everyday, except some day that I give myself a break. And there goes my weight for 2 years hardwork from 84Kg down to 74Kg. All was doing weight and lots of Body Combat classes. I love Body Combat.
So, now I am back to Indonesia to do my own business. I took more time and attention to work instead of my fitness lifestyle and eating habit. Being back home, the foods are of course way much better and tempting. Its even harder to resist. Not much healthy choices though, except you cook your own or limit your craving. So, here I am now, perhaps weight over 86Kg. I am totally lost in this world. Not much motivation to work out. Even if I manage to work out 1 day, I will fail again the following days, and then its back to zero.
There is no such gym as what I used to visit while in Singapore. I am not used to the environment and I have no friends to go along. So, all I did was doing Body Combat at home, and it wont last me because I will get bored doing it alone in front of the laptop. So I tried cycling, and I got bored, and another thing is I got my ass pain due to the not so comfy saddle.
Perhaps few ways out for me now is to go swim with a friend, find companion for other exercise and tried to do at least 3 exercises a week. Hope it can work. That is my problem. Hope. There is always hope, but not much action. I opened my shop from 9am to 7.30pm. From this time frame, morning exercise is the best time I could use. But waking up early and moving the lazy ass is way harder. I am just lost.
Anyway, thanks for the advise. Definitely must act NOW!
I second that!!
I’m a lot more motivated now to see myself sweat it all out in the gym and ensure I don’t go back to my old self.
btw, I’m back in town/KL and waaa, so hard to resist all the good food. Was at Kayu Nasi Kandar with some friends and I ordered a drink and the number of times Roti Tissue walked past me was like ‘dammit!’ .. haha but I resisted from ordering :P
That is so true. I can relate. Even though we look at ourselves in the mirror every single day, there would be that one day when you take a 2nd look and then look at one of your older photos and then just flip out when you realize you’ve gone all fat and bluberry.
Definitely not a pretty or great feeling but we are very much in control of our own life and body and I say – do something now too!!! :p
nicely said…..
I don’t recognize myself nowadays when I look at the mirror … I need to remind myself when I used to go for marathons and was full of energy. Now I am so lethargic and down. Thanks for the reminder bro. All it takes is the first step. I take the first step and stumble … but I pick myself up and give going on and on … a bit wobbly but I am getting there slowly. Not joined a gym yet … still looking for someone to be accountable to … a workout partner … but of course it is just an excuse.
Take care man
Dear DM,
Now I really realized how important exercise to my body…. and I want to start now… not wait till 2010 resolution since this is actually my 2008 resolution…. FYI I lost 8kgs in 3 month due to attend aerobic class during weekends… the instructors are from NFC (National Fitness Council). They rotate each week so I’m not having the same instructors each week though…. But I really wanted to start now because now only i knew I can archive my goals of being fit and healthy…. so, I will regain my self confidence that I once had… Looking forward to your reply… Thanks DM
sbanboy: How are your workouts coming along? You must be seeing great progress by now…
As: 8 kgs in 3 months is good progress. :-) Besides aerobics, you should also do some form of strength training (working with weights/resistance). This will help accelerate your fat loss. And of course, watch what you eat.
Dear DM,
I know exactly what I need to do for me the problem lies in staying motivated. I always start off strong but can never stay motivated. I know that if I don’t get off my ass and do something that eventually this will take my life at an early age. I really am scared but for some odd reason that just doesn’t light a fire under me. Another thing is I hurt my knees are shot n I have a pretty bad hernia. I know they’re just excuses but it does detour me from exercise ( the pain ). I really don’t know what to do. I’m 28 going on 29 and am 350 lbs. I feel that if I don’t do this I’ll be dead before I reach the age of 30. I also get very dicourgedlooking here on the net bc I see all kinds of weight loss plans and things of that nature but everyone’s got their hands out. How do I know which plan or exercise is right for me . How do I know that whoever is selling if just doin it for tha loot. Sure I know people gotta make a living but I know there’s gotta be someone who’s making money helping people like me but that actully cares. I don’t know thanx for listening to me whine.
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