Spring is finally here. After a snowy spring break for us in the Canadian Prairies, the snow is slowly starting to melt. I’ve heard that days 50-60 are the toughest because that is when complacency sets in. It’s important to maintain your ‘Day 1’ mentality.

Regardless of what you’re focusing on, this is a reminder to have a Day 1 Mindset. Treat your wife how you did on day 1 of marriage. Work as hard at work when it was your first day. Reflect and remember the excitement you had on Day 1 of the project you are working on. Be grateful. Have a Day 1 Mentality.

Morning Cardio – During my morning 6am walks with my dog, Otto, I now carry a backpack with a 15 pound dumbbell inside. The walks started to feel a bit too easy, which is the opposite goal of this program. We’re looking to build mental toughness here, not seek comfort. I started with ten pounds and will add five pounds every week or so.

Books – A requirement of the program is to read 10 pages per day, which I do first thing in the morning, while sipping on a cup of coffee. It has to be a physical book or ebook on some aspect of personal development. Aside from this, I have also listened to audiobooks while walking. I don’t count my audiobooks towards my 10 pages. Here is the list of books I’ve read in the 56 days. I will bold my favorites.

• The Wealthy Gardener by John Soforic
• $100M Leads by Alex Hormozi (audiobook)
• Your First 1000 Copies by Tim Grahl
• The One Minute Manager by Kenneth Blanchard (audiobook)
• Iron Hope by James Lawrence (audio book)
• Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guardara
• No More Mr Nice Guy by Robert Glover (audiobook)
• Walking Disaster by Deryck Whibley (audiobook)
• Stronger Than Yesterday by Mike Matthews
• The Little Black Book of Workout Motivation by Mike Matthews
• Dare to Lead by Brene Brown (audiobook) (currently listening)
• Influence by Robert Cialdini (currently reading)

Progress – As you can see from the progress picture, things are going quite well. My diet is on point and my workouts are getting done. I’m eating a 2100 calorie diet right now at 5’8, 155 lbs. I started at 166 lbs.

The mental progress is amazing. The removal of alcohol from my life has impacted me quite a bit. I have way more energy, despite work being an all time high stressor, due to an sharp increase in responsibility. I am not missing alcohol at all. At some point, I will re-introduce it but I’m not missing it. This is a very busy time in my life, the busiest I’ve ever been and I need to stay focused and have a clear, rested mind and body.

Ideas are flowing on a daily basis. I quite often find myself thinking about what else I am capable of, beyond this program. Multiple ideas are coming to me, including starting my own fitness business. But one thing at a time. I’m currently writing a book on sustainable fat loss. The goal of the book is to solve the problems that pop up along the way that prevent us from achieving our health and fitness goals. I am about halfway done the first draft.

Hang in there. Whatever you’re working on. Keep going.