“Whether you think that you can, or that you can’t, you are usually right.” - Henry Ford
Every day I hear people say that they can’t lose weight. They are right. If you tell yourself something enough times, eventually you believe it as truth, and your perception becomes your reality. So, if you keep telling yourself you cannot lose weight, you will be right.
Of course, this works both ways. How about telling yourself every day that you can lose weight and get fit? Maybe tell yourself that you will fit into those pants in the back of your closet that you haven’t been able to wear for a year? Better yet, actually picture yourself in those pants. Make that your goal, keep a clear picture of it in your head every day, and you will start performing behaviors congruent with your goal. Behaviors like eating right and exercising.
Still think you can’t? Well, here is a story of what you can do when you change can’t to can. Back in 1977, Rick Hoyt asked his father Dick to participate in a 5k race to benefit a local athlete who had been paralyzed in an accident. Dick was no runner, but agreed to do it with his son. Oh, and by the way, Rick was born as a spastic quadraplegic, non-speaking person with cerebral palsy, so that meant Dick would be pushing him in his wheelchair. It meant a lot to his son, so Dick said “I can”. (Side note, if you don’t think your health means much to your family, you might actually want to ask them.)
Since that day in 1977 when Dick Hoyt said “I can”, he and Rick have not only competed in countless 5k races, but this non-runner has pushed his son in marathons around the world. Then, Dick, who couldn’t swim, said “I can learn,” and in 1985 they started competing in triathlons. According to Dick, he “sank like a stone” at first. But he kept thinking “I can”, and of course, he was right.
So, next time you think you can’t, just watch this video and remember that the person swimming past you is a 65 year old man pulling his son in a dinghy tied to his waist. At one time, he couldn’t swim either.
So, do you still think something as simple as eating right and exercising is too big of a sacrifice to make? Yeah, didn’t think so.
Learn more about the amazing Hoyts at www.teamhoyt.com.
Dave Soucy is an entrepreneur, coach, trainer, motivator, husband, dad, and former fat guy. Learn more about him here.
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This story gets the point across in a very clear way! Just get out and do it. You CAN!
I participated myself in this same Ironman event in Kona along with the Hoyt's. It was an honor to be there, it was an accomplishment to train for this event and make it to the Big One in Kona, and it was a real honor to have the Hoyt's on the same course with all the dedication it took to get them there.
You CAN Too.