3 Ways To Get Some Skin In The Game

I eventually had to put some skin in the game.

In early 2001 it was decision time, and this would change my life as I knew it.  Either take a low-level sports journalism in country Victoria or move to the United States to be with the women I love. 

After almost 20 years of marriage, two kids, one dog, one cat, one bird, a mortgage and eight chickens later, I think I made the right choice.  It hasn’t always been easy, but it has always been worth it.

Although this decision might have been easy for some, it was a tough one. To leave my friends, family, and the way of life I had known for 31 years was a difficult decision. There were lots of tears and a few lost friends because not everyone agreed with my decision.

But I followed my heart, put some skin in the game in this thing called life and here I stand. I might have been a good sports journalist, but I’ll never know as I choose love over a potential dream job.  Hopefully, your decision to stay fit or become fit is an easier one.

One Of The Problems I See Today

Those who are beginning their health and fitness journey start with the best of intentions with lofty goals of being leaner, sexier, stronger, and healthier. They start out with all guns blazing like a new year’s resolutioner wearing their favorite 80’s outfit to the gym.

Snazzy right? Sorry, I got sidetracked. Anyhow this gung-ho attitude usually lasts as long as the first barrier life puts up. Then, they’re retreating into old habits.  Now I’ve spoken before about goals, finding your why and how bad do you really want it as a way to stick with exercise.

But if you got all this and still quit, will it hurt enough? Probably not. But if you have some real skin in the game and then quit, will it hurt?  Yes, it will.

If you’re having trouble being consistent with being healthy, use the suggestions below to get some real skin in the game. It might hurt, but it will be worth it because you’ll be strong enough to handle it.

1. Hire A Coach

Like me. Hint hint.

Hiring a coach has a couple of advantages that will help you keep you on the straight and narrow and keep your skin in the game.

First, you make an investment when fork over your hard-earned cash and doing so makes it real. If you don’t make your best effort or if you quit and lose your money, this will hurt financially and emotionally.

Second, a good coach will give you accountability and pick you up when you’re feeling down. They will check in, be empathic and be flexible when life throws barriers in your way. Being held accountable and being financially invested in your outcome not only makes you less likely to quit and you guessed it, puts some real skin in the game.

Am I sounding like a cracked record yet?

Most importantly the coach will give you the expertise to work around discomfort, rejig your program when time is of the issue and help calm your fears when you think this is beyond you. The coach will be your guide by your side through the good, bad and the ugly. 

2. Tell Everybody

Not the President of the United States or Donald Trump but tell your friends, family or even your sworn enemies. Tell them of your plans for fitness domination and all the goals you wish to meet. It gives your goals power to say them out loud and hopefully the people you tell will hold you accountable.  

Heck, I’ve gone as far as to write about my goals and put them on social media for the world to see. Whatever holds you accountable to the world outside your door, do it if you are having trouble starting or quitting your fitness goals.

So, if you quit and you must tell others about it, it’s not just excuses you’ll feed yourself that will hurt, telling them will make you feel uncomfortable too. Making it real will help keep your skin in the game.

3. Bet On Yourself

Remember how you used to dare your friends to do something stupid or they dared you to do the same.

“I bet you all of my money that you can’t make this jump.”  Or something along those lines. Ahh, those were the days.

When I was 10, I was dared to jump on a cubby house roof to see if it would hold and it didn’t.  I wound up with a huge splinter piercing my forearm. This wasn’t pleasant and I think I lost that bet. Anyhow making a bet on yourself or with others may help you put some skin in the game.

For example, make a bet with your spouse that you will lose 10 pounds in 6 weeks. If you do, she or he will cook dinner for a whole week. If you don’t, you will cook for two weeks.

Or

Bet with a friend, spouse, or co-worker (if they are game) if you don’t make your fitness goal you will give $100 to your favorite charity. If you do make your goal, they will give $100. There are more ways you can bet on yourself to put skin in the game. Hopefully, these spark your imagination.

Wrapping Up

If you find yourself starting, stopping, and quitting exercise and you really need for it to stick, then put some skin in the game. Doing this will hold you accountable and make it harder to quit.

Hopefully, not as hard as a splinter hanging out of your arm. 

If you need a program to get back on track, click HERE.

Email-shanemcleantraining@gmail.com