Step One
The most important step you can make on the way to your journey to becoming a Placid Athlete is to make a commitment to yourself that you are going to do it. This step sounds simple in theory but in practice it seems difficult for many. How many people have great intentions January 1 each year to lose weight, eat better, start going to the gym, quit smoking, or whatever? They go to the gym for a few weeks and workout like demons, but then regular life gets in the way, they lose steam, and fade back to the old habits.
That’s not real commitment.
Real commitment means you are going to make becoming a Placid Athlete a very high priority. Now I am not saying that you should change your world to center on you and only you. What I am saying is that you need to make it a real priority. If that means scheduling workouts on your work calendar, then do it. If it means getting up an hour earlier every day, then do it. If it means quitting watching TV every night, then by all means do that!
Even if it means changing (or even ending) relationships with people who influence you in a way that is adverse to a Placid life, then yes, you need to do it.
Making a real commitment means you need to engage those around you in your journey. You need to talk to your family about how important it is for you to be fit and healthy (both physically and emotionally) and that you will need their support. Tell your friends you are making changes and ask for their support, too.
Some people worry about whether making health and fitness a priority is being selfish. You might even be accused by others of being selfish, but I think it’s a matter of perspective. If you are a Placid Athlete, you will be better at everything you do. Besides being a better athlete, you will be a better parent, a better son or daughter, a better friend or coworker.
Take that first step, and commit to the journey!
