the admonition of my Training Coach, Justin Dees July 2016 after I competed in the Masters Nationals in Pittsburgh. At this point I was anticipating competing in the Uta Classic on 8 October 2016. He said you have to increase your cardio, youu cannot miss workouts, you have to stick to the diet he prescribed for me, and I could not change the supplementation regimen that I had been using. Justin was adamant that I get on with the process ASAP and not look back. Also, a part of these instructions was the not so obvious expectation that I listen to him and to him only.
My new goal for the October 8, 2016 show was to get as “Peeled” as possible. I had accomplised very dense musculature and size. Getting lean for the stage was the order of the day and the end goal for the next several weeks. The secret to getting first cut, then ripped, then shredded is discipline…..Tons of it! There is no margin for error and a total commitment to contest prep is required. With all this in mind I began the descent to showtime on 8 October. The net result is that I was in the best shape of my life and I placed high in the judging. I could not have asked for anything more.
Eachof us faces the dilemma regarding when to begin our quest to accomplish that for which we are called. Despite all the arguments to establish a starting date I am a severe advocate of beginning the journey to the top ASAP. Any delay pushes off the desire and ethusiasm that is requisite to making the journey and winning. Each time we adopt a new reason for not launcing our effort the more difficult it will be to elevate ourselves to the effort level that is demanded. The truth is, if we put off starting to a more convenient time the odds of us accomplishing our goals decreases. So, the advise to be dispensed at this point is, “Get Started.” I would add that you get started with a vengeance. Start and do not look back.
I would submit that if any of us puts off what’s required to accomplish that for which we are called, we will probably not win. Getting started is the one step that we can control but we too often don’t control it. We allow everything and anything to derail our effort. We have to move the project from the brain, to paper, to action in a very rapid manner or forget it. Iniating action is a real demonstration of our commitment to get the job done.
To win, “None of us has a minute to spare.” Start! Find the motivation to be on the trail to winning. The trophy will find you.
Until next time! This is our time!
Douglas E. Graham, Lt Col, USAF, (ret), MHSM
Six Pack and Senior 