Get a Ripped Body or Get Lost…a Random Rant by Brad Campbell

One of my business mentors once said:  “Show me your friends and I’ll tell you your future.”  I didn’t think much of the quote at first, but when I looked deeper and applied it to everyone around me, it started making sense.  Since I first heard that insight I’ve seen the same message written in several books as well.

You’re probably thinking…cool Brad, so how does this apply to me getting a ripped body?

Well, one of the biggest factors in your ability to lose fat, build muscle and remain true to your diet plan is your circle of influence.  Basically, you’re the average of your five closest friends and loved ones.

Think about it – successful people hang out with other successful people; druggies hang out with other druggies; super fit and ripped people hang out with other fitness enthusiasts who care a great deal about their appearance; and yes, overweight and out of shape people tend to be friends and spouses with others who are overweight, sedentary and could give a damn about being healthy or looking good naked.

“Show me your friends and I’ll tell you your future.”  Are you starting to see the significance?

If you want to get a ripped body and start living a totally new lifestyle that is filled with energy, confidence and a whole new meaning, I encourage you to give this theory some thought.  Now before you go psycho and tell me I’m a jerk for insinuating you never speak to your best friends or your lover again, let me clarify that I’m merely suggesting you make some changes that’ll allow you to become more successful with your body transformation goals.

For example, I’ve seen this case a thousand times – husband/boyfriend gets on a kick to lose fat and get ripped, but wife/girlfriend ridicules him the entire time, continues to bring unhealthy food into the house, is totally against the whole idea (because she’s content being 25 lbs overweight and spending every minute of her free time on the couch) and actually tries to make husband/boyfriend feel guilty when he does workout or opt for a healthier meal.

Guess who wins this battle 99 times out of 100?  Wifey/girlfriend does because it’s hard enough to change when you have a support system, but it’s damn near impossible to change when the cards are stacked against you.  No one is disciplined enough to pass on burgers, pizza, cookies and whatever other junk food is put in front of them, day after day.

Eventually even the most determined of people will fall off the “get a ripped body” wagon, hit their head on a “lazy rock” and slip back into the “I’m going to be no better than average-looking forever coma.”  (hmm, I’m not sure if those were clever analogies or if someone slipped some PCP into my green tea, lol)

P.S., ladies, don’t think that I meant anything by using you as the “bad GIRL” in the example…it definitely goes both ways.  The point is that we all know that scenario and we’ve probably all been in that scenario (on one side or the other) at some point in life…maybe even right now.

You have to be realistic and recognize if that’s the scenario you’re living in.  Because if it is, then it’s going to be a long, uphill battle for you.

Before you can lose fat and get a ripped body, you need to evaluate the relationships around you.  Are there any “friends” you hang with that aren’t bringing anything positive into your life?  Is your husband/wife/boyfriend/girlfriend/kids/relatives/dog/cat holding you back?

If it’s truly your burning desire to get a lean body, then I recommend you adopt the get a ripped body or get lost attitude when it comes to choosing your friends and hanging with your significant others.  The ideal situation would be for you to persuade them to join you in your quest to build a kick ass body.

Give them an ultimatum – if they value your friendship/love, then they’ll understand.  If not, then let them know you won’t be hanging out with them as much.  Let everyone around you know how important this is to you and demand their support or tell them to kick rocks.

Real friends and loved ones will be more than happy to genuinely support you; fake friends will give you static every step of the way…because they can’t stand anyone else with initiative to better themselves.

If it’s a husband or wife that’s making it hard for you to succeed, then obviously you can’t cut ties with them…but you can demand they make the changes right along with you.  Hell, turn the tables and make them feel guilty for not wanting to look better.  Speaking of which…

Why is it that it’s mean for me to get on someone’s case who’s overweight and lazy, but it’s fine for those same overweight people to give me crap for eating healthy?  Like I’m the weird one…

Man, that’s real messed up.  Anyways, where was I?

Oh yeah, if it’s your kids that are the problem, then I’d say your way of thinking is backwards…

After all, who buys the groceries?  Who said kids should eat the most delicious meals and snacks every day of their life?  Why do you think we all have such problems with overeating and giving in to bad food when we get older?  Don’t you think it would greatly benefit your kids to teach them how to eat healthy and get active at a young age?  God forbid a six year old chokes down a grilled chicken breast and some broccoli…you’d be the world’s worst parent, right?

Everyone is so damned concerned with being comfortable, not being the slightest bit hungry and having every last bite we take feel like fireworks in our mouth.  Whatever happened to eating to survive?  Now we just live to eat. 

It’s pathetic and it needs to stop.  And the only way you’ll be able to step out of the vicious cycle is to get the cooperation of those around you…or tell them to make like the late Michael Jackson (RIP) and just beat it.

Sorry for being so blunt, but there’s far too many sugar-coating pushovers out there that’ll fill your subconscious mind with a bunch of fluff that caters to a life of negativity and regrets.

Someone has to tell it like it is.  If  you want to get a ripped body, you’ll need to surround yourself with other people who already have a ripped body or who also have the burning desire to build a ripped body.  Otherwise, you’re sure to fail, as unfortunate as that is.

Life is way too short.  If you want to accomplish big things, now is your time to start being selfish and clearing your environment of negativity and unsupportive leaches that suck the life and energy out of you.

So look around you and if your closest friends and family members don’t have the body, the health or the lifestyle you desire…then it’s time to put the smack down.  You’re either with me or you’re against me.  Tell ‘em:  get a ripped body or get lost.

—> Okay, so if you aren’t that ruthless or it’s not a legitimate reality to give your friends da boot…then at least tell them you can only hang out on your cheat day…because everything they like to do is usually counterproductive to your lean body goals

Your Coach,

Brad Campbell

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