Do you have "Skin in the Game?"

 

Today is day one of the Three Day Refresh program (http://jodisluti.automaticceo.com/go14).  I purchased this a few months ago, and specifically planned to use it after our trip to Florida.  We've been home for a little over 2 weeks, and the time just slipped by.  I decided I couldn't wait any longer.  I gained about 2 pounds while I was in Florida, which was acceptable to me, but I've gained about 10 pounds since this time last year.  I'm not happy about this at all.  I've been exercising, but I  haven't really put any thought into what is going in to my mouth.  

So this morning, as I started this 3 Day journey, I was thinking, "This is not so bad.  I don't feel hungry.  I can definitely do this for 3 days."  As the day has gone on, though, the temptations have been significant.   I walked in to the pantry to get out something for one of my kids and I saw the Larabars.  Those are my favorite.  I wanted one....real bad.  Then I came out to the kitchen later, to find that the kids had left some tortilla chips open and on the kitchen table.  The first thing I thought was, "I can have just one...it won't hurt."  But then, an astounding thought passed through my head......."You spent a lot of money on that 3 Day Refresh...don't blow it!!!"  That was it.  That was all it took for me to say no.  I can assure you, I will say no for the rest of the 3 days, too.

You see, I have some "skin in the game."  I've heard that expression before, but I really wanted to dig deeper to see what it means.  To have "skin in the game" means that you have incurred monetary risk (a personal stake) by being invested in achieving a goal (the desired outcome).  I have invested a certain amount of money to lose some weight.  The amount of money is enough that I won't risk losing out on it for the sake of a quick snack.

As a Beachbody coach, I run lots of fitness accountability/challenge groups via facebook.  I can't tell you how many times people tell me they don't have the money to invest in Shakeology and/or a program.  They end up playing the game with no skin!  Many of them won't make it past the 2nd or 3rd week.  Why?  There's no risk when they cheat.  There's no risk when they don't want to exercise.  There's no risk when they're having a bad day and just want to quit.

If you want to reach your goals, I encourage you to put some "skin in the game."  This doesn't just apply to fitness and  nutritional goals, it applies to all areas in your life in which you have a particular goal.    Be invested in your goal and see what you can do!!  I bet you'll succeed!