SUCCESS STORIES
Dr. Michael Selders
Richardson, Texas
“I’m reminded of an old adage my parents often used in dealing with my siblings and I whenever we failed to accept personal responsibility, “Either you pay on the front end or the back end!” Then, I didn’t really understand the wisdom in what they were saying; neither did I grasp the fact that this was actually the biblical principle of seed time and harvest or sowing and reaping.
Throughout my formative years, I functioned by the principle of “doing just enough to get by.” This way of thinking was applied to things such as school, relationships, chores, work, and especially my health and nutrition. Eventually it became a habit, and before I knew it, it developed into a lifestyle. Several years ago after concluding and discussing the results of my routine physical and blood pressure check-up, the nurse asked me if other men in my family had been diagnosed with Hypertension, and immediately I quoted the famous question often asked by Arnold (Gary Coleman) on Different Strokes whenever he knew trouble was on the way, “What’chu talkin’ bout Willis?” After I made that comment she chuckled, but proceeded to explain that my results indicated Pre-Hypertension. On that day and in that moment the old adage my parents often used came alive, and I began to understand how it applied to so many areas in life, especially my health. It was then that I began to take more personal responsibility for my overall health and wellness.
I quickly eliminated a number of foods and SNACKS from my diet and began exercising more regularly. I spent nearly 1-2 hours in the gym at least 3-4 times per week doing the more conventional exercises and weight lifting. After doing so for approximately 1-1½ years, I saw minimal results, so I decided to have a “heart to heart” with my BIG brother, Robert, about my struggles to accomplish my fitness goals of losing 20-25 lbs., reducing my blood pressure to the normal range, increasing my energy and stamina levels, and best of all…COMFORTABLY getting back into a pair of slacks I wore 12 years ago. As Robert and I talked, he began to ask me specific questions which forced me to critically assess why those goals were important and what were the barriers to accomplishing them. We also spent a considerable amount of time talking about my overall approach to nutrition and food intake. To my surprise, this was the key barrier all along.
As a clinical psychologist, I am often called upon to diagnose and/or help people work through psychological, personal, and most of all, relational issues between families and couples. Never did it occur to me that along the way, I, like so many others developed a strange RELATIONSHIP with food…one that was more driven by the behavior of eating for taste and not EATING FOR LIFE.
Since joining the 3Q Fitness family, Robert has provided me with a personalized meal plan (one that actually works) and an intense workout regimen that focuses on strengthening my whole self. I have lost approximately 15 lbs, reduced my blood pressure to a normal range, increased in lean muscle mass, increased my energy and stamina level, and best of all…I can now at least “SQUEEZE” into those pair of slacks!
Taking PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY for my health and nutrition was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Paying on the front end works better for me and health! “
“I have lost approximately 15 lbs, reduced my blood pressure to a normal range, increased in lean muscle mass, increased my energy and stamina level…”
