Half Assing it Is Fat Assing it.

Having spent the last several years teaching English in Asia, I've seen many children and adults progress from beginners to talkative and comfortable English speakers. Its an awesome feeling for them and me to see this transformation.

And do you know what is the number one factor that will determine language acquisition? Is it student-to-teacher ratio, better and brighter books, computers in the classroom, more or less homework, numbers of contact hours with the language or the teacher's style of teaching? No.

The one factor that will determine it all is this: motivation. If students sincerely want to learn and use the language, they will. If they don't--despite their intentions (or their parents' intentions), they won't; or at least as quickly and to the extent of their motivated peers. The other variables are important and can increase or decrease motivation, but the underlying variable is motivation.

The same applies to losing weight and getting fit. You have to be motivated. You have to really want it. Half assing it is Fat assing it. You can't just want it: you have to act on it.

I've been here about six months, and I've seen the difference between those who want to half their asses and those who are the half assers; those on a fitness vacation and those just on a vacation.

Having said that, I believe that most people here need a kick up the ass. If it were my camp, it would be Boot Camp style. Arguing that people are lazy--why are we here in the first place and not doing it at home on our own---I said there should be wake up calls, curfews, a strict diet and exercise plan for students' individual needs as well as continual reinforcement and meetings. It would be the West Point of Muay Thai (West Point, by the way, is a strict military university and its graduates have higher average incomes than graduates from any other American University, including Harvard, MIT, Yale, etc....)

But I believe Danny and Goong do a much better job than other gyms at catering to individual needs. Because of the small number of students, it is more quality than quanity. You aren't just a number. They'll sit with you and talk with and get to know you.

However, I've realized that its not just up to others. Here are some things you can do to motivate yourself:

1. Write down your goals on the first page of your fitness journal. Also, keep another copy of those goals above your bed.
2. Write down what you ate, how many cardio sessions you did, how many group sessions, and what you learned everyday
3. Spend time around Harley and Jom, and steal some of their enthusiasm.
4. Hire a Personal Trainer or do VIPs.
5. If you can't get out of the bed, find someone to wake you up.
6. Stay away from the bars during the week.
7. If you really need a morning or day off, take it.
8. Mix it up: Bike, run, swim, do yoga or go to the local gym for a session.
9. Fight Train. If you are training for a fight--here or back home, the trainers will really push you.