It's been a long day and your legs are tired from being on your feet for many hours.

Maybe you are coming home from the office or perhaps you were out visiting family and friends.

Upon entering the house you call out to your better half, "Honey, I'm home."

You drop your car keys on the kitchen counter, open the refrigerator, and warm up a plate of food in the microwave.

You take the piping-hot meal over to your favorite chair and turn on the television, in an attempt to turn off your racing mind.

Sound familiar?

There is comfort in routine. Things like "relaxing" with food in front of the TV.

But the opposite of routine is change. And a lot of people hate change.

I'm hardwired to seek the comfort of an old routine, just like you; however, I actually crave change.

Focused change usually means better, and I do my best to get a tiny bit better every week.

Most over-40 men and women spend a lot of time talking about change, and I think that's good, but I also think you can get caught up in the details.

What I mean by that is you're very quick to want to know how many grams of protein you should get or what "diet" is best.

But you haven't even asked the most important question...

Are You Willing to Change?

It's easy to set lofty goals and envision the life you want, but achieving those dreams often requires significant changes. The key here is aligning your desires with the actions you're truly willing to take.

Let's break it down.

Imagine you're determined to shed excess body fat, boost your energy, and regain your health. You've seen incredible success stories from others who've adopted the Arangio way of life, and you're inspired to experience the same. You envision yourself lean, strong, and brimming with vitality. 

That vision is fantastic, and it's the first step in the process. But here's where the magic happens: you need to ask yourself, "What changes am I willing to make to achieve that vision?"

Are you ready to embrace a low-carb, high-fat diet? Can you commit to regular, enjoyable exercise that includes functional movements and low-level aerobic activity? Will you prioritize quality sleep, stress management, and mindful connection with the great outdoors?

See, it's in this intersection between your dreams and your willingness to change that transformation truly takes shape. Your desired result should be a reflection of the changes you're wholeheartedly prepared to make. If you're not ready or willing to adapt your dietary habits, commit to physical activity, and prioritize recovery, then that stunning vision of health may remain a distant dream.

It's about sustainable changes. You must emphasize flexibility and personalization because one-size-fits-all solutions rarely work. But it's crucial to align your goals with the actions you're willing to take. You don't have to dive headfirst into a healthy lifestyle; you can start with manageable, gradual changes.

For instance, if you're keen to improve your nutrition, perhaps start by cutting back on processed foods and sugar. Transition to whole, nutrient-dense foods, and gradually reduce your carbohydrate intake. Experiment with intermittent fasting to kickstart fat burning. These are small steps that can lead to significant results over time.

The same principle applies to exercise. If you're not a fitness enthusiast, don't commit to weekly resistance training workouts right off the bat. Begin with enjoyable activities that you love, such as hiking, dancing, or cycling. Incorporate strength training sessions at your own pace, and let your fitness journey evolve naturally.

The beauty of the Arangio approach is that it's not about restriction and sacrifice. It's about embracing a lifestyle that makes you feel vibrant and alive. It's about aligning your actions with your desires, so your desired result becomes an inevitable outcome.

This principle also extends to other areas of life. Whether you're aiming to advance your career, nurture meaningful relationships, or pursue a personal passion, the change you're willing to make should match your desired outcome.

If you want to climb the corporate ladder, you may need to invest time in professional development and networking. If you desire stronger bonds with your loved ones, dedicate quality time and effort to nurturing those relationships.

Ask yourself: How much are you willing to change?

Just like anything else, the bigger the change, the bigger the result.

There is no right answer. Some people are only willing to change a few things. On the other hand, some people want to overhaul everything.

I think it's important to reflect on what you are willing to change. Here's why.

Your results are a direct reflection of the changes that you make.

Sure, we all want results, but what have you changed?

The same input will always equal the same output.

You have the desire to be lean, but are you willing to make the necessary changes and sacrifices to get there?

I don't know. That's up to you.

Think of it as a spectrum. On one side of the spectrum is no change at all.

No change equals zero results. Pretty simple.

On the other side is extreme, let's say a bodybuilder or a triathlete with extreme workouts and nutrition. Some may want to win a physique competition or a triathlon, but they're not willing to make the necessary sacrifices. Let's look at a few examples of extreme habits of bodybuilders:

• Are you willing to have zero alcohol?
• Are you willing to have zero sweets?
• Are you willing to eat three square meals a day, no snacking at all, and each of those meals is just some white fish and a low-starch vegetable?

Will you follow this plan 7 days a week, 365 days a year, without exceptions? Well, that's what it takes, not including the exercise portion, to get as dangerously lean (4% bodyfat) as a bodybuilder or figure competitor.

Not to mention it probably took 10 years of doing that 7 days a week, 365 days a year, and heaps of illegal drugs too. That's that extreme side of the spectrum.

I'm not recommending you "dance with the devil" and take illegal drugs because it's never worth it.

Personally that's never been my goal, and I think there's more to life than boiled chicken and alfalfa sprouts; however, with that mentality, I also can't expect to win a bodybuilding contest. Simply put, I'm not willing to make that much change.

Most of us probably fall somewhere in the middle of "no change" and the extreme example above.

For example, if you want to drop 50+ pounds you're going to have to make a lot more changes than the person that just wants to "tone up."

If you like your nightly glass of beer or wine, and that calorie-dense twice-weekly dinner out with friends, that's awesome. But you can't expect to safely drop eight pounds a month living that lifestyle.

Your desired result should match the change you’re willing to make.

That's always the biggest disconnect I've seen over my coaching career.

People want these grand results but their actions don't match. And they are not willing to change as much as they need to.

So, the big question will always be:

How much are you willing to change?

Stay true to yourself, and make the change that's right for you.

Whenever your ready, I've got the proven plan to create the absolute best version of you.

To your success,

Coach Joe

Summary:

The path to a thriving life is a journey, not a sprint. Your desired result should be a reflection of the changes you're willing to make, and those changes should align with your values, preferences, and lifestyle. Start small, stay consistent, and let your vision guide your actions. With patience and determination, you'll find yourself living the life you've always dreamed of – one that's rich in health, happiness, and vitality.

Joseph Arangio helps 40+ men and women lose weight, gain strength, and slow aging. He's delivered over 100,000 transformation programs to satisfied clients around the globe. If you want to increase longevity with the best online age-management program, or you want to visit the best age-management program in the Lehigh Valley, you can take a free 14-day trial.