As your friendly neighborhood fitness consultant I have a confession to make. It’s a terrible one but it’s also a sign that I know how to solve a problem once I discover that I have it.

Just yesterday I woke up, put my cold feet on the floor, and then on the scale. To my great horror I discovered that I weighed in at 267 fat (not phat but fat) pounds. I decided right then and there that this would be the end of it. Knowing that my goal weight is 220 pounds I made a goal for myself. By July 4th of next year I would be 220 pounds, and not just any old 220. I mean a in-shape muscular 220.

So how to do it you ask? Simple. Commitment. Be willing to bust your ass every day to get better. For me that means eating better (and less). Exercising more often.

Also, have a tangible goal. Maybe it’s a physique you want to have for your own. That way, when you’re laboring over your 12th set of smith-machine squats, the knowledge that you are building legs on par with your dreams will push you to keep going. My role model is at the top of the page. Maybe for you it’s being able to see etched abs, or a new personal best time in the pool. Whatever it is push for it. Don’t be worried about what others say. Do your work. Put your time in.

Keep the heat on. Dig down deep. Push yourself to be the man (or woman) you always wanted to be. And by all means, figure out what works for you.

There I’m done. Now go out, get thee to a gym, and start digging. Summer will be here before you know it.