Bodybuilding has helped improve many aspects of my life. One area that bodybuilding has affected greatly in a positive manner is my school life.
While I have always done pretty well in school, I never did anything that was extraordinary. I simply did what was required to get by and never went out of my way to do any better as I felt there was no need to so. However, completing three months of strict dieting and intense training for my first bodybuilding show, I literally felt that I could accomplish anything. From the day after my show to where I currently stand, I have carried over the discipline I received from bodybuilding and applied it to my studies. The 3-D’s to success that I learned from bodybuilding have helped me go from an average student to making all A’s with an occasional B every once in awhile.
What Are The 3-D's To Success?
In order for someone to be able to accomplish anything in life including their fitness goals, they must possess what I call the 3-D’s. Those 3-D’s stand for discipline, dedication, and determination.
- Discipline: Anybody who has ever achieved difficult things such as getting a college degree or achieving their fitness goals knows that it requires a lot of discipline. The way we bodybuilders look at things when we are getting ready for a bodybuilding show is that you have to go into a different "state of mind"; or as we like to phrase it, you need to “turn on the light switch.” This means that you must be willing to sacrifice many things in order to accomplish your goals. Such sacrifices may include (but are not limited to) as staying home and not going out so you can wake up early to exercise the next day and get the proper amount of rest. In a world full of fast food restaurants and junk food, it is rare to see someone who can diet and stay focused on their set goals; especially if your bodybuilding show happens right after Spring Break.
- Dedication: It requires an abundance of dedication to be successful and stick to your diet and fitness routines. After hanging around the gym and speaking to people who have dieted moderately, I've noticed that as soon as they get some results it becomes very easy for them to slip up and go right back to where they were before they started. On the other hand, I have seen those individuals who have dieted and stayed committed to their set goals no matter what and that makes all the difference in the world. They look absolutely amazing and have all the self-confidence in the world.
- Determination: Last, but not least, is determination. I truly believe that if you want to get into the best shape of your life, there is no other option other than to give it a 110% effort and have the determination required to accomplish your set goals.
If you cannot follow the 3-D’s, then half the battle is lost as you have already defeated yourself mentally. You cannot have your cake and eat it too.
Now that you have heard what the 3-D’s are and what they have done for me, I will give you some basic rules that can be applied to ensure better results in the class room.
