"Surround yourself with those who challenge you, push you, and motivate you." -Bob Molle

This is the #1 way to get better. As much as individuals may want to make themselves better, the task is close to impossible to accomplish alone. Here are 2 primary reasons:

Our Brain: Very few people can push themselves when they know the pain that awaits them. The brain reminds us of the sensations we have felt in the past and reminds us that there is always an easier way out. Someone must be there to reject our brain’s rationale to submit, to capitulate. Not just anyone, but someone the athlete trusts (and remember, weight loss is an athletic challenge). That person who is pushing you may have been through the same ordeal. They may have endured even more and reaped the rewards, and now want to pass on the knowledge and encouragement to push through that pain.

Our Body: Our body is the “betrayer”. Always asking to stop, even when it has plenty left in the tank. Surround yourself with people who know that the body can deliver more than what it says it’s able to. Regardless of your athletic challenge there will be pain associated with growth. The body will resist going through pain, sending signal after signal. Someone needs to be there – to push you past the pain and to a new level of fitness.