By Dan Remon
For a long time, running a mile in under 4 minutes was thought to be impossible. No one had ever done it.
Until someone did. After Roger Bannister broke the 4-minute barrier, it has officially been broken more than 1,400 times.
When we think something isn’t possible, it stops us from acting. When we see someone else achieve what we want, we move, because now we know it can be done. Those are limiting beliefs, and they hold us back from what we’re capable of.
Health and fitness work the same way. We tell ourselves we’re too busy, we don’t have time, or nothing ever works for us. One of my clients, Niels, used to think the same.
How Niels got lean, fit and focused
Niels spent years working 7am to 11pm, 7 days a week, chasing the next promotion. Then he decided that wasn’t the life he wanted anymore and took control. He took responsibility, just like in his work, and made himself his own project of success. Over 10 months, with fasting, regular eating patterns and close coaching, he lost 30 kilos without counting calories. His plan was built on nutrition, power, strength, conditioning and rest, with attainable goals set one step at a time. He slept better, got more work done in less time, and “I don’t have time” dropped out of his vocabulary.
Niels worked with me on METABODI, my coaching program at the time.
Niels’ story, in his own words
Here is some of what he wrote:
For as long as I can remember, my goal was to be successful in the corporate world. Working 7/11 (7am to 11pm, 7 days a week), setting personal goals to pursue the next promotion, acknowledgement or ticking off the next must-have box to take that additional step on the corporate ladder. My business life was my private life.
The realisation that a goal change has to start from a personal point of view in getting a more work smart methodology was needed.
I looked around to prioritise my personal goals. Fitness scored high as a means to get back on track. But like in my own line of business, I needed professional guidance. It was a leap of faith of Armageddon proportions for me. Simply ‘going to the gym’ was not what I was after, as this lacked the motivational push and professional guidance I needed so desperately.
Dan Remon has exceeded expectations in setting new, sustainable and measurable goals in my private life. They have even made a positive impact on working smarter on the work floor. By using a strategic plan based on nutrition, power, strength, conditioning and rest, my life has really turned upside down. Pumping iron as hard and fast as one can is not their priority. Setting attainable goals, one step at a time, assures a path of measurable success and with a responsible way to grow further.
What changed for Niels
His list, in his words:
- Sleeping much better (sleep is so important)
- Do more work in less amount of time, beneficial for my own corporate goals
- Lost 30 kilos by fasting, regulating eating patterns, and being carefully coached for a period of 10 months
- No calorie counting, standing on scales to see the progression (or getting depressed by not seeing progression)
- Being appreciated for taking that step in becoming a better, healthier me
- The excuse of ‘I don’t have time / no energy’ to work on my health is no longer in my vocabulary
Our clients speak for us. Niels wrote up his full story on LinkedIn. For another client story, read how Colin lost 45 kilograms.
How to start
Niels’ plan worked one attainable goal at a time. Here’s how to start yours.
- The 1% Scorecard. 8 questions, 2 minutes, free. You get a score out of 100 and the one thing to install first.
- The Quest. My performance membership, run in 28-day cycles. Each cycle installs one change, the Monthly Lever, so you build one step at a time with a structure that holds when work gets heavy. Cancel anytime.
If you take medication or have a medical condition, talk to your doctor before you start fasting or change how you eat or train.
Stop starting over. Start compounding.
Related reading: 10 reasons you need a personal trainer, and when you don’t, 30-day executive fitness challenge: a plan for a full calendar and 17 reasons you’re not achieving your fitness goals.
FAQ
How did Niels lose 30 kilos?
Over 10 months, with fasting, regular eating patterns and close coaching. His plan was built on nutrition, power, strength, conditioning and rest, with attainable goals set one step at a time.
Can you lose weight without counting calories?
Niels did. He lost 30 kilos in 10 months without counting calories or standing on the scales to check his progress. He did it by fasting, regulating his eating patterns and being carefully coached.
How can a busy executive make time to get fit?
Niels worked 7am to 11pm, 7 days a week, before he made himself his own project and set attainable goals one step at a time. I build it the same way: one change per 28-day cycle, held until it runs without a second thought. The 1% Scorecard shows you which change to install first.
What was METABODI?
METABODI was the name of my coaching program when Niels worked with me. Today I coach through The Quest, my performance membership, and Stealth Coaching, my private 1:1 coaching.
This article is general information, not medical advice.
