New Year – Fittest You
Starting January 1st, we’ll kickoff our annual New Year – Fittest You. I want each and every one of you to really take the time and do a little self analysis. I promise you that it will not hurt that bad. Ask yourself some questions. Just don’t answer them out loud. People will wonder. “Am I happy with my current fitness level?” “Is my butt or my gut really as big as it looks in the mirror?” “Can I see my toes without bending over?” “Do I get out of breath walking to the refrigerator for another frozen pizza and beer?” Chances are that there are many of you out there that will not like the honest answers to these questions. Now is the time to do something about it. You are not getting any younger. Take the bull or the belly by the horns and turn your self around. You can follow the program that is in my book or that will be on my website or one of your own favorites. I don’t care. Find some legitimate fitness program that you like and try to incorporate it in to your life. It has to become a lifestyle and not a lose weight quick scheme. I want you to send me your progress, your updates and your frustrations too. I’ll try to post the most inspiring and entertaining to the website each month to keep us all motivated. Unlike the “Body for Life” craze, I do not want to see pictures of you in your bikini, speedo or spandex. Save that for your significant other. I do want to see photos of and hear stories about how much fun you’re having taking control of your life and really enjoying family, friends and this new accountable you.  You can do this. We’re all with you.

Work Hard and Play Harder

In the News –
You can catch Joe this Month in the latest edition of Men’s Fitness UK. The article is titled “The World’s Top Fitness Feats” and has a very interesting cast of characters.
Click HERE for the Article

Dear World's Fittest Man,

Every year I wait until Jan 1st to start a new fitness program. Unfortunately by February I fall off the program and I’m back to my same old bad habits. This annual losing battle is very frustrating and driving me nuts! How can I get a program started and really stick with it this time?

Going Nuts

Dear Going Nuts,

You're not alone. I get emails from thousands of people just like you. People that tell themselves that this is going to be the year for change. Inevitably most wind up in the same boat as you, frustrated and back to their old bad habits. Why is this? 
I’ve found that most New Year resolutions do not work. They’re generally made after too many cocktails and not enough serious thought. How many times have we all been guilty of making promises during Happy Hour that we do not keep?
To make real changes in our life we have to look in the mirror, decide if we are happy with our current state and then make serious commitment for change and improvement. You can do it, but you must be honest with yourself. 
Do not wait until the New Year. Put a plan of action in place now so that you are ready to hit the ground running when January rolls around. Here are a few tips to help you get started during the holiday season:

Getting Motivated
You have to look inside yourself and find that fire. Find that passion and zest for life. It is there. You probably are as fat as you think. You probably are as out of shape as you think. Now let’s do something about it. I don’t care what sport you played in high school or college. This is the here and now. What are you currently doing? It’s called “tough love.” Use it on yourself. Now let’s get fired up and make it happen. Here’s a little extra motivation. http://joe-decker.blogspot.com/2006/11/motivation.html  
 
Goal Setting
What is it that I want to do? Do I want to run a 5k, a marathon or do a strongman contest? Do I want to do the Badwater 135, Marathon des Sables or the Tough Guy challenge? You name it. Set a fun, healthy or even crazy goal and go for it. Do not focus on weight loss. Let it be a by-product of your fitness goal.  This may help.
http://joe-decker.blogspot.com/2006/11/goal.html

Find an Event
You’re motivated. You’re dedicated. Now it’s time to find a cool and fun event. Make up your mind. Commit to do that one thing that you’ve always thought about. There are thousands of exciting adventures out there for you to choose from. I’ve listed a bunch of cool places for you to start your search, just hit the link.              
http://joe-decker.blogspot.com/2006/11/event-locater.html

Now that you’ve got the tools and the determination the insanity stops here. No more going nuts this year. “A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.”

To send a question to Joe Decker, “The World’s Fittest Man,” send him an e-mail at worldsfittestman@aol.com

© Joe Decker 2006