How did I ever let myself get a beer belly? This is a question I have asked over the past few months. Before starting with the 3BG System I never made time for myself. That’s the real answer. With all the things going on in my life I never found time for me. Seems a bit crazy when I think about it now but I devoted a lot of time to my Beer Belly instead.
How much time did I need out of my day to take care of myself? Let me think… thirty minutes. Twenty-four hours in a day and all I had to do was find thirty minutes for me. You might be wondering what did these thirty minutes encompass? Well, here you go… I did fourteen, yes, only fourteen minutes of cardio. What about the other sixteen minutes? Well that was used to make sure I had food to eat throughout the day.
Yeah it’s pretty tough to stay fit these days (hopefully you got the hint of sarcasm). It’s actually not hard at all. In fact it’s easier than being lazy because now I have the energy to get things done. You might be sitting there, reading this and saying, “What a bunch of BS.” And if you have any doubt I encourage you to check out my before and after photos or my testimonial video. Those are 100% real and while we’re being honest- my cardio actually started out at only ten minutes, not fourteen. Don’t worry, if you want to see what the extra four minutes of cardio is doing for me- stay tuned. I’ll be sending BeerBellyBeGone.com a few updated photos shortly.
I like to think I’m a pretty busy guy and I know we all think the same way. I’m not going to sit here and tell you how to make time for yourself. You already know where the majority of your time is being spent and if you don’t I encourage you to think again (if you want some tips on finding time and staying active, check out Sean’s post Never Miss a Monday).
No More Beer Belly = More Time For Me
How I found time for me was quite simple. I made myself a priority instead of my beer gut. I made sure I had a pair of shorts and running shoes in my car so on the way home from work I could stop at the park or the gym and get in a quick workout. If by chance I forgot to do that, I had a skipping rope hanging on my bedroom door and dumbbells in the living room just so I wouldn’t forget about me. I didn’t sit on the couch until I had done what I needed to do.
The best part about it is, and I can say without a doubt- it gets easier as you go. After about two weeks I was hooked and actually looked forward to my workouts. Where you might lose some time is looking in the mirror each morning; well maybe not, but it sure feels good to see the progress staring back at you. An easy way to stay motivated when you start any routine is to take a few “before” pictures of yourself because for me, seeing a picture of my old friend “ the beer belly” is plenty motivation to continue living an enhanced lifestyle program like the 3BG System.
No more Beer Belly = Better Cook
That covers the working out part but how the heck did I manage to have all my meals ready in just sixteen minutes? Well you got me… It didn’t take me sixteen minutes to make all of my meals today; it took almost no time at all. I do what cooks refer to as prep or for us regular folk- I prepare my meals before hand. It’s simple. I come home with my groceries and divide up snacks into bags and containers. If I am going to cook chicken breasts I cook a few extra all at once, I cut up some vegetables and bam lunch is ready for tomorrow. Hey, it’s no slap chop; it’s just plain old planning ahead. I do however own a magic bullet that I have been known to use now and again… Soup, chili or anything else that can be divided up and frozen is a great trick too.
I spend slightly more time in the kitchen than I might spend waiting in line at a drive through but the rewards are well worth it. Don’t get sucked into commercial convenience. Create your own convenience and be way healthier because of it. This is something you will learn very quickly with the guys at 3BG. They work hard but most importantly they work SMART. Don’t let the big clowns of the world tell you what to eat. Take time for yourself whenever you have it and use it. At the very least, being smart enough to prep your meals at home will save you money in the long run, not to mention- save you from a beer belly as well.
No more Beer Belly = Better Beer
Now for the fun part… I drink a wider variety of beer than I ever have. I enjoy beer more now than ever before. The first thing to go when I wanted to “diet” was beer and I always missed it. I have learned to appreciate my favorite beverage more than ever and rather than buying the cheap stuff, I find myself searching for more unique beers with rich flavors. Whenever I am in a small town I seek out local breweries and craft beers. What does that have to do with being healthy? It’s simple- I deserve a good beer and I can afford a good beer because I’m not spending my money at the drive through. Think about it… a “cheap” meal these days costs about 10 bucks. Skip the drive through for a few days and you can enjoy a six-pack of a full-bodied beer. More beer and less beer belly is the life for me.
It’s so easy for me to say this today because I took the steps needed to get me here. I remember trying to get fit in the past and most of the time I would do something drastic like try to run up the Grouse Grind or spend an hour and a half at the gym. The next day I would try to get up and my body would be so sore it was a struggle to get the Fruit Loops out of the cupboard, say to myself, “Not doing that again.” And I wouldn’t.
The biggest thing that jumped out at me after joining Team 3BG is that moderation is the key to success. There are no quick fixes. Just consistency and having the ability to care about what you love. Most importantly, having the ability to care about you. I now know why I had a beer belly and with the knowledge I have gained with Team 3BG I can safely say good-bye beer belly, I know I won’t be seeing you again anytime soon.
In good health,
David Balback
Click Here and Start Earning Your Beer
With the Super Bowl this Sunday what better time to not only introduce the new series (Cooking with Beer) but also share my all-time favorite recipe- Beer Chili Con Carne.
