About This Site. This site is the website of motivational speaker Craig
Harper. A constantly updated, one-stop
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station. Unlike many similar sites, it is a totally
free resource for anyone who is serious about moving
from mediocre to amazing in any area of their
personal or professional life. With hundreds of
articles covering a wide range of subject matter,
great interviews with cool people and inspirational
video posts, there's more than enough brain-food to
keep you busy for hours. Okay, days!!
Enjoy.
DVD
- Renovate Your Body
In this entertaining presentation, Craig discusses the
notion of Renovating Your Body - once and for all. (Also
available on CD).
Fattitude.
While many books focus on food,
Craig Harper teaches that creating life-long change is more about the
dieter, than the actual diet. This book is perfect for people who have a
history of 'almost' getting in shape.
Food
for thought.
In this book, Craig Harper walks the reader through his 21 rules to
Permanent Weight Loss.
So
you've decided you want to get in shape (again).
Imagine a pocket-sized fitness book that takes just twenty
minutes to read. Craig Harper addresses the REAL
getting-in-shape issues.
Craig
Harper - Food, Exercise, and Lifestyle Diary.
If you're serious about your training,
nutrition, and lifestyle - Craig Harper's training diary is an invaluable tool.
Craig Harper is a leading
motivational speaker
and educator. He is a highly
sought-after corporate coach and is considered to be
a leader and pioneer in the areas of personal and
professional development. Working with hundreds of
teams, companies and a wide variety of organisations
on numerous continents over the last twenty years
has given Craig a unique insight into, and
understanding of, human performance and all its
variables. Craig has an ability to educate, inspire,
challenge and make people laugh all at the same
time!
Good morning (afternoon, evening) Team. Yeah I know, the title is a little blunt but hey, maybe that's what we need today. If not you personally, then perhaps someone you know. You might wanna anonymously slip this post into their pigeon hole or letter box. Or be brave and simply put it in their hand. Staple it to their forehead maybe. Anyway, try not to use the words "hereyago Fatty" as you hand it over. I was gonna come up with some wacky, clever, creative name for today's installment on me-dot-com but sometimes blunt and clear is more effective and productive than witty and amusing.
So why this post? To be honest, I have written way too many posts (magazine articles etc.) over the years on this topic or similar but the truth is:
1. We (the society) still miss the point. 2. We still make the same stupid mistakes. 3. We're still frickin' fat (take a look around). 4. I still get asked (emailed) all the same questions. Constantly.
While I would prefer to be writing something a little more philosophical and thought-provoking today, I thought it timely and appropriate for me to share the top ten reasons why we don't get in shape and stay that way (according to me). My observations and recent experiences tell me that plenty of us still need this lesson. Each of the following ten points will be self-explanatory and brief. There should be no need for lengthy discussion or further explanation. Just compliance. The whole fat thing ain't that complex but we seem to have made it that way. It's in some people's best (financial) interest to do so.
It amuses and amazes me that with the wealth of information, education, inspiration and research we all have available at our finger tips, we still find new and creative ways to be fat. As I've said many times, the difference between fat and fit ain't information or education (not a popular thing for an educator to say!) - it's you. You're the answer and the problem. Always have been, always will be. Your attitude, your behaviour and your choices will determine your results.
Here we go:
1. We start things we won't maintain. Yep, we are models of inconsistency. We have almost been doing things for years. We have an amazing ability to start and stop fifteen new programs/diets (etc.) every year. For many of us the biggest barrier to permanent results is simply the reality that we don't finish what we start. It's that complex. Gyms owners can rely on the fact that the vast majority of people who sign up for a twelve month membership won't turn up too often, if at all.
2. We react emotionally rather than plan and behave logically. When it comes to exercise, diet, lifestyle and our body in general, we are reactive, emotional creatures. But you know that. If only we'd throw a little logic into the picture, we might see some better results.
3. Generic exercise programs. If we all had the same genetics, the same goals, the same medical issues, the same (current) fitness level and were all the same age, then generic exercise programs would be fabbo. Fortunately we're all different. Our exercise programs should be too. The program you ripped out of the fitness mag ain't gonna be your best chance of success - no matter what the beefcake or the bimbo in the advertisement said.
4. We're soft. Yep, we're big babies. Many of us simply don't train hard enough to get results. We go through the motions and have been for a long time. We're maintaining rather than progressing. The objective of exercise is to stimulate our body physically (stress it) so that it will need to adapt (get fitter, leaner, bigger, smaller, faster, more flexible). The problem is that we need to get uncomfortable to adapt and many of us have an aversion to discomfort. Bummer. Don't do what's comfortable, do what works. Look for effective not easy.
5. No variety in our workouts. If we always train the same, we'll always look the same. And we do. On both accounts. So many of us are creatures of habit. When it comes to our exercise program we should be creatures of variety if we want to keep our body changing and the results coming. Try a completely different workout and you'll discover how fit you aren't (if you know what I mean).
6. Too much fuel in the tank. I know we all know this but it would be remiss of me not too mention the fact that we simply eat too much. Waaaaaaaaaaay too much. We're fat because we eat food we don't need. Constantly. If the only piece of dietary advice we took any notice of was to reduce our food intake by 30%(ish) we'd have next to zero obesity. Sadly, that seems too complex for some people. Better try another five hundred-page diet book.
7. We get in shape for events. Yep, we get in shape for weddings, birthdays, parties, reunions and even seasons (summer), if only we'd get in shape for life. We're good at getting our head around behavioural change for four to six weeks, now we need to try four to six decades. How dare I be so practical.
8. We talk crap. When it comes to the state of our body, we talk crap. We just do. We constantly rationalise, justify, explain and blame away our fat selves. If only we'd be honest, responsible, accountable, proactive and consistent - then we'd get in shape and stay that way. Again, this stuff ain't rocket science.
9. Optional behaviours. As I said recently in TheNon-Optional Stuff as long as we make certain behaviours (optimal eating, exercising and living) optional then we'll never reach our goals and we'll forever be on and off the weight-loss merry-go-round.
10. Attitude. Yeah I know, this is a very Craig Harper thing to say but I can't help myself. It's a fact Jack - it is what it is. Some people simply make the getting-in-shape process a nightmare because they are nightmares themselves. When I talk to people in my role as an exercise science bloke, I'm actually more interested in their attitude than I am their genetics or their physical potential. Experience has taught me that when it comes to creating life-long change, psychology plays much more of a role than physiology.
See you (interested and willing) Sydneysiders at the Novotel (Darling Harbour) tonight at 7.30 for some chat, a few laughs and possibly some cheesecake. We'll meet in the foyer and figure it out from there. Too easy. Enjoy your day.
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24 comments
Hi Guys! Take a look at book review 20 The Diet Delusions (UK title) or Good Calorie Bad Calorie (USA title) by Kris Rollag here. Feel free to comment on the reviewed book, to encourage Kris, or just say hi and add your thoughts. Sydneysiders, don't forget I'm in town tomorrow night for a casual catch-up on Darling Harbour (see yesterdays post). Enjoy your day Groovers.
2 comments
Hi Guys. I will be in Sydney this Thursday speaking at the MFAA Convention and then up to the Central Coast on Friday to speak at a Conference for Westpac. I will be staying at the Novatel on Darling Harbour on Thursday night and as I have some free time, I thought that some of you might wanna hook up for a chat and a coffee. Possibly a feed. Maybe some arm wrestling. Anyway, I will be in the foyer of the Novatel at 7.30 sharp this Thursday night (15th) if any of you would like to hang out with me for an hour or two. There could be twenty of us - or just you and me. Or maybe just me! I look forward to meeting you if you can make it along. I will be the tall, athletic, incredibly good looking, humble one in the corner.
Also... a few years ago I read a book called Catch Me If You Can - you've probably seen the film with Leonardo DiCaprio. I was so interested in the true story and the man who wrote it (Frank Abagnale) that I read the book four or five times. It's probably a boy thing but I found his experiences to be utterly fascinating.So anyway, guess who else is speaking at the MFAA gig I'm doing? Big Frank that's who! How excited am I?He probably doesn't wanna meet me but he's going to anyway! On with today's post..
I don't like you.
Four words we hate to hear. For some reason, we all like to be liked. No revelation there. It's how we're wired. We hate it when people don't like us - even people we don't really know. Some of us will do almost anything to be liked. We love to please, even at the expense of our own happiness, values, beliefs and standards. We compromise ourselves a hundred ways and turn ourselves inside-out trying to make others like us, but in that approval-seeking process we often forget who we are and wind up being disliked by the one person whose opinion should matter the most; us.
Newsflash 1: Some people aren't gonna like you. Newsflash 2: That's okay.
That's right - life ain't fair and even though you may very well be a fantastic human being, some people will find a reason to dislike you no matter what you do or how fabulous you are. Chances are it's more about their issues than anything you have or haven't done. There are people who don't like me who have never actually met me or had a conversation with me. That's fine with me. I won't invest emotional energy into things I can't change. I will endeavour to be the best Craig Harper I can be and if my best still generates critics and people who find reason to dislike me (which it will), that's okay. The only person I can change is me, so I'll focus on improving, educating and developing myself rather than trying to create a fan club or convince people to like me.
While it's normal and very human to have the desire to be needed, liked, loved and important to others, it's also crucial for our development to get clear about who we are and what we stand for, and to live a life consistent with those values - to like ourselves. Otherwise we simply become frustrated People Pleasers.
Newsflash 3: It's okay to disagree with people. Even people you like and respect.
Newsflash 4: Some people's overwhelming need to be liked is the very thing that makes them hard to like (there's some irony for you).
Newsflash 5: For many people, their need to be liked is actually a significant barrier to their personal and professional growth.
When it comes to this issue, you might want to ask yourself these questions:
1. Do I speak the truth (while still exercising care, wisdom and understanding) even if it's not popular to do so? 2. Do I live a life which is consistent with my core values? 3. Do I operate with integrity? 4. Do I believe that my motives are good? 5. Is it my goal to be a positive influence in the lives of others? 6. Am I happy to disagree with people I like? 7. Do I (really) like me?
If you answered yes to all of the above then you're doing pretty well. If there were more crosses than ticks then you may want to make a few changes. Soon. Some short-term pain for some long-term gain.
If you really want to be liked, then stop trying to be liked and start being you.
*Don't forget, if you're in the vicinity of Darling Harbour this Thursday night come and have a weak, decaf, skim, soy latte with me. Or six beers and some pizza.
* Let us know your thoughts on this post by clicking on the comment thingy and sharing from your own experiences or thoughts. If you'd like to receive articles like this automatically, simply click on the 'subscribe to this feed' thingy at the bottom of this post and become a subscriber.
37 comments
Remember how much fun you had when you were a kid? Inventing cool stuff. Creating your own games. Decorating your bedroom like some weird-ass shrine to your fave singer/actor/band. Being a rock star in front of the mirror. Making up stupid songs with your stupid friends. Killing bad guys (maybe that was just me). Singing, dancing, drawing, painting, writing fantastical stories. Telling awesome lies to get out of stuff (me again). Generally being creative. You didn't need to worry about what your singing voice sounded like, whether or not your dancing looked silly or whether your stories made much sense at all. It didn't matter one bit because it was all about freedom of expression, developing your creative self, hanging out with your friends and of course, having fun. It was mostly about fun. And you had plenty. Because you were creating.
Early Retirement
You only learned to worry and be self-conscious about your creative self as you got older. And what a sad day it was when you learned that lesson. As you became more and more self-conscious, you became less and less creative and adventurous. You sang less, danced less, created less and took less chances. Had less fun too. Creative You became completely agoraphobic - never wanting to leave the house. Scared of public places and attention. Creative You went into semi-retirement. Looking out the window every day but rarely coming out to play.
You do remember Creative You don't you? And you do remember when you didn't care what people thought about your ability or talent? It was much easier then wasn't it? When was the last time you two spoke? It's probably been a while. Pity.
Let me out!
If you're like many people, then Creative You is still in there somewhere desperately waiting to be heard once again. Desperately wanting to play a part in your life. Or just play. Wanting to make you smile like you once did. Wanting to sing into that hairbrush, roll in the dirt, shoot the bad guy, write the fairytale, create the award-winning play and do fun stuff just because you can. Not because it's strategic or timely, not because it's what's expected and certainly not because it makes sense. No, simply because it's fun and being creative is part of who you are.
Or who you once were.
Sadly, logical and grown-up you has been running the show for too long. Creative You hasn't been seen or heard from for years. Sometimes he (she) tries to be heard but sensible, clever you simply talks louder. Sometimes sensible, clever you is an idiot.
Something from nothing
I believe passionately that many of us are happiest when we're creating. Taking an idea and turning it into a 'something'. A theory, a thought into a reality. Creating and innovating rather than duplicating and imitating. Very cool.
Like Sir Ken Robinson, I believe that most of our educational systems actually beat the creative desire out of our kids. By the time they reach their teenage years they have learned that singing, dancing, inventing, painting, drawing and expressing their creativity is less than desirable out in the real world and should take a back seat to all things academic. Not that we all need to be performers or artists (as such), but we do all need to express our creativity because on some level, that's who we are. Without creativity and original thought we simply become boring, unfulfilled clones of each other.
"I'm not sure what I think, what do you think I should think?"
We're so worried about fitting in and not looking foolish that we get scared to let our creative self have a voice. If I didn't let my creative self have a voice this blog wouldn't exist and you wouldn't be reading this article. Your life would be craig-harper-less (stop it).
Okay, bad example.
Two years ago I didn't know what a blog was and all of my writing was for magazines and books. It was mostly academic-type, science-based articles about health and fitness - not always riveting stuff. For too long I had not let my creative self have a voice (when it came to my writing anyway). I worried - "what if I write something that I find hilarious, amusing and entertaining but nobody else does?"
The genesis of medotcom
So with Johnnie kicking my ass, I decided to take a chance, create a blog and write about whatever I wanted to, rather than what my editors wanted or what other people thought was appropriate to come from the keyboard of an exercise scientist dude. I have since learned to love the creative freedom of a blog. To love having no editors. No rules. To write about what I want, when I want and if I want.
No rules
If I want to write something funny, I can. Philosophical, I can do that too. Thought-provoking, yep. Controversial, no problem. If I want to be a motivator on Tuesday, a scientist on Wednesday and a story-teller on Thursday, that's okay - cause there ain't no rules on my blog. I can even use horrible grammar and misspell wurdz because this crap doesn't get marked!!! And I can say crap too!
There are probably lots of sensible reasons why I shouldn't be a creative writer and even more reasons why you shouldn't listen to me - you know I have issues right? But hey, I'm gonna keep doing it anyway 'cause it's kinda fun.
Besides, I like creative me the most.
If the last time you did something creative was in the eighties, then why don't you surprise yourself today. Do something different. Stop doing the same. Don't do it because it's sensible, mature, responsible or strategic, do it because it gives you pleasure and it's part of who you are.
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28 comments
You've decided you want to get in shape. Get a little fitter, healthier and stronger. Buff up and gain some muscle. Possibly even a six-pack. You head off to the local gym, sign on the dotted line, hand over some cash and then head straight home. You would have done a workout on the spot but it wasn't really a goodtime. So the following day you get up, put on your new gym outfit - the one you bought on credit - and head off to the club. You arrive looking resplendent in your new workout gear. You put your valuables in a locker, pin your key to your shirt and head out on to the gym floor.
You look at all the bods in the gym sweating, grunting, pushing, panting and generally getting uncomfortable and to be honest, it really doesn't look so appealing to you. The reality of exercise doesn't seem nearly as much fun as the idea of it all. And if there's one thing you like, it's fun.
Strange people on strange equipment
You move around the gym looking curiously at the strange people on the strange equipment and nothing looks particularly enticing or enjoyable. In fact, it all looks a little uncomfortable and if there's one thing you have an aversion to, it's discomfort. Finally you find something which appeals to you; a weird-looking bike, with a back rest, arm rests and a built-in TV. Giddyup. Now you're interested.
The first workout
You call over the gym dude with the big arms and little head and he shows you how to program a workout on the bike and more importantly, how to use the TV. You ignore the first part of the lesson but soak up the TV tutorial. While the multitudes sweat all around you, you stay focused on your wildlife documentary and use the pedals of the bike as nothing more than a lop-sided footstool. Literally. Not a single turn of the pedals, not a deviation of your heart rate and not a bead of sweat to be seen. Forty five minutes later your workout is done and you head back to the locker room. You return your key to reception, purchase a well-earned drink and wave goodbye to the staff at the front desk. You stride triumphantly to your car and wonder why you didn't join a gym years ago; "It ain't that hard", you think to yourself.
Getting into a routine
You enjoy your workout so much that you decide to go five days a week. You create a little ritual for yourself. Same bike, same corner of the gym, same rewarding drink at the end of each session, and of course that same triumphant power-walk to the car.
After three months of toil you're informed that you're due for your re-assessment. The dude with the little head takes you into a pokey room with a bunch of weird looking gadgets and a plethora of indecipherable charts and tables on the wall. He pokes, prods, measures and weighs you. He looks somewhat concerned. He informs you that you're fatter, heavier, weaker and less fit than when you started.
What? No results!
You're disgusted and disillusioned. You can't understand how going to the gym five days a week for three months can equate to such poor results. You tear up your membership card and you vow never to return to a gym. If only you had actually done something while you were there. If only you had got a little uncomfortable.
Now, I know watcha thinking: "as if anyone's gonna do that!"
It ain't just a silly story
Well you may (or may not) be surprised to learn that this story is a metaphor for way too many lives. Lives spent avoiding anything that looks like hard work or discomfort. Anything that might actually produce some quality results. Anything that might get people out of their secure, familiar little boxes. Anything that might cause them to learn, grow, adapt and change. Some people spend their life sitting on the comfy bike, resting their feet on the pedals (rather than turning them), watching the TV and wondering why they get zero results. Why they make no progress.
When it comes to achieving genuine personal growth and seeing real positive change in our world (as opposed to the all-too-common, short-term burst of motivation and temporary behavioural change), there's a bunch of potential hurdles and obstacles that we need to negotiate and navigate our way around in order to create the new and improved version of us. There is however one standout at the very top of most 'hurdles and obstacles' lists...
We are comfort junkies.
Yep, being addicted to comfort can be somewhat problematic, if not catastrophic, for the wanna-be, modern-day success story. The truth is, if you're not experiencing and dealing with pain, discomfort and fear on at least a semi-regular basis, you're probably not learning, growing, changing, adapting and exploring your potential as you should be. If you're all about personal growth, maximising your ability and positive change, then avoid the tough (uncomfortable, inconvenient, painful) stuff at your peril.
Life can be an amazing and incredible ride. It can also be a messy, unfair and uncomfortable place to be. It's our classroom. It's where we learn and grow - when we choose to pedal the bike. As I've said before, pain is one of our greatest teachers but we need to be willing students.
We don't learn, grow, adapt and improve by gravitating towards all things safe, comfortable, familiar and convenient. No, we actually begin to develop and change for the better when we get off the couch, roll up our sleeves and get our hands dirty. Some of us have been masters of avoidance for too long.
If you've been reclining on the comfy bike forever, then maybe it's time for you to start pedalling.
If you're serious about becoming the new-and-improved version of you, then stop looking for easy and start looking for effective. Don't do what's comfortable or convenient, do what works.
* Let us know your thoughts on this post by clicking on the comment thingy and sharing from your own experiences or thoughts. If you'd like to receive articles like this automatically, simply click on the 'subscribe to this feed' thingy at the bottom of this post and become a subscriber.
31 comments
Click play above
to
see motivational speaker Craig Harper in action.
Motivational
Speaker - Craig Harper Craig Harper is one of Australia's most respected
motivational speakers and educators. Some of Craig's recent clients include:
"We had our annual
conference over the weekend of the 23rd and 24th Feb, 2008 and we had
Craig Harper as one of our presenters. He was wonderful, funny and
professional, and he got our message through to the staff in a positive
and fun way. He was loved by all!"
DVD
- Renovate Your Body - Craig Harper
In this entertaining presentation, Craig discusses the
notion of Renovating Your Body - once and for all. (Also
available on CD).
Fattitude
- Craig Harper
While many books focus on food,
Craig Harper teaches that creating life long change is more about the
dieter than the actual diet.
Food for thought
- Craig Harper
In this book, Craig Harper
walks the reader through his 21 rules to Permanent Weight Loss.
So you've decided you want to get in shape (again)
- Craig Harper
Imagine a pocket-sized fitness book that takes just twenty minutes to
read. Craig Harper addresses the REAL getting-in-shape issues.
DVD
- Renovate Your Body - Craig Harper
So you've decided you want to get in shape (again)
- Craig Harper
Telstra
ANZ Bank
Commonwealth Bank of Australia
National Australia Bank
Corporate Express
Pricewaterhouse Coopers
Department of Infrastructure
Department Planning and Community Development
Simplot Australia
Porter Davis Homes
Rothschild Merchant Bank
Royal Children's Hospital
Fernwood Fitness Centres
Flour Daniel
Brivis
Sensis
Western Water
South East Water
For more information on booking Craig click
here.Some nice words about Craig:
"We had our annual conference over the weekend of the 23rd and 24th Feb, 2008 and we had Craig Harper as one of our presenters. He was wonderful, funny and professional, and he got our message through to the staff in a positive and fun way. He was loved by all!"
Ally Memic, IMCD, Australia