I’ve been asked at least a hundred times how I lost all my weight.  I’ve been giving the wrong answer every time.  My standard answer is something along the lines of, “I found a love for running while working out and started eating right.”

Sure, that is technically how I lost weight.  But that isn’t the primary reason I shed almost 100 pounds.  It came down to one thing:  Wanting it bad enough that I was never going to quit.

I did the yo-yo dieting thing for a decade.  I could drop 35-40 pounds and pat myself on the back when others would notice and compliment.  I’d feel good about it…yeah I conquered some fad diet (usually Atkins) and went to the gym for a season.  Yay me.  Once I felt good about my progress, I’d go back to being the same old Matt.  And gain the weight back.  But it’s not like I ever remotely achieved my potential.  I settled and did a disservice to myself.

One day, it changed.  My daughter would be born soon and I had to buy 40 inch pants.  I had to change things.  I was tired of being fat.  I was tired of being out of shape.  On this day, I wanted it bad enough for the first time ever.  I’ve had this same attitude for over 8 years and I’ll never let it change.  Wanting it bad enough isn’t easy.

Wanting it bad enough meant I went several months without a cheat day.  I don’t understand the term “cheat day” for someone trying to lose weight.  Reward yourself with cheat days when you are in maintain mode.  You ever see Michael Jordan make a U-turn on the court and run the opposite direction while trying to score?  Neither have I.

Wanting it bad enough means passing on happy hour with the guys.  You know how many calories there are in booze?  Not to mention, the late night snacking when inhibitions are down?  And the words, “I had a phenomenal workout while hungover” were said by no-one ever.  Forget that noise, I went to bed early to get up for a killer workout.

Wanting it bad enough meant eating salads and boring meals when on work travel or company dinners while everyone enjoys appetizers and a fancy meal.  It also meant that my plate was bare at family dinners and get togethers.

I used to hate mornings.  I was a snooze guy.  I could go on and on about all the changes I made.  The point is, people who yo-yo diet or never lose weight do not want it bad enough.  It’s a lifestyle change that is needed.  Yet we spend so much money and effort trying to figure out quick and easy ways to lose weight.  There aren’t quick and easy ways.

I’ve been tired of feeling pain every day for a long time.  The only way I can feel better is to make the rest of my body as strong as possible.  I’ve passed on all the pain pills that doctors tried to get me to take.  My back is busted up, but I can make everything else stronger.  I plan to do so many crunches that I get a six pack so my abs protect my back.  I’ve learned to work squats into my routine which resulted in rock hard glutes.  My core is strong than ever.  But it’s not enough.  I am going to keep pushing.  I will keep doing new things that build that strength, such as swimming.  It means going to bed early so I can get up at 4:30 in the morning to keep the process going.  Rebuilding my back is why I worked out for 51 hours in October when including rehab work, running, yoga, swimming and 8 sessions at Orangetheory fitness.  I push myself knowing that as my back gets better, I’ll eventually get strong and fast enough to qualify for the Boston Marathon.  This work will take away pain and position me to run in an Ultra-marathon one day and complete my first triathlon.  I want to feel better, that bad.

Wanting it bad enough doesn’t just apply to fitness and weight loss.  What do you want?  Do you want a promotion at work?  How about a new skill or learn to play a musical instrument?  How bad do you want it?