Health Journey for Men Over 50: A Roadmap to Success

Human beings tend to love the status quo; we are hardwired to resist or even hate change.

Whenever you begin a “voluntary change” there is a predictable pattern for what you will experience along the way. Understanding this pattern and recognizing where you are on the journey can help you achieve the change you are seeking.

We will delve into the insightful framework of Don Kelly and Darrell Connor's Cycle of Change and how it applies to your journey towards improved health and well-being.

Understanding the Cycle of Change

The Cycle of Change highlights the various emotional phases individuals typically go through during a transformation. These phases include: uninformed optimism, informed pessimism and the challenging valley of despair. While it may seem daunting, the valley of despair is actually a positive indicator of your proximity to success. Let's explore each phase in detail.

Uninformed Optimism: Embracing a New Beginning

In the early stages of your health transformation, you may find yourself filled with a sense of uninformed optimism. This is a time of excitement and hope, where you envision positive outcomes without fully comprehending the challenges that lie ahead.

I clearly remember this feeling as a kid reading comic books and seeing a Charles Atlas ad and the promise of not being the skinny kid. Years later, that same feeling returned when I watched Tony Horton’s P90X infomercial (“Do your best and forget the rest”).

Embrace this optimistic mindset, as it provides the initial fuel for your journey. But get ready for what comes next.

Informed Pessimism: Navigating Obstacles

As you progress on your health transformation journey, you may (will) encounter setbacks and challenges that bring about a shift in your mindset. Informed pessimism sets in as you become more aware of the difficulties involved and start questioning your ability to overcome them. It's important to recognize that this phase is a natural part of the process and an opportunity for growth. It’s counterintuitive but it’s an indicator you are on the right path.

The Valley of Despair: Overcoming the Toughest Hurdles

The valley of despair represents the most challenging phase of the Cycle of Change. It's a period marked by self-doubt, frustration, and a strong urge to give up.

This is the point where most people quit and chase the next bright shiny object and return to uninformed optimism. All of the effort put forth to this point goes to waste and they start over.

When you hear comments like “I’ve tried every diet and exercise program and none of them work” it means that person hit the valley of despair, quit and started something else. It becomes Groundhog Day.

However, it is during this valley that true transformation takes place…if you keep going. 

Remember, the valley of despair is often an indicator that you are closer to success than you realize.

When you are in the valley of despair you are actually on the right track…it just doesn’t feel like it.

The image below captures this perfectly:

Navigating the Valley of Despair

1. Maintain Perspective: Remind yourself of the progress you have made and the reasons why you embarked on this transformation in the first place. Reframe challenges as opportunities for growth. Stay in the GAIN (see issue #033 for more on staying in the Gain).

2. Seek Support: Surround yourself with a supportive network of friends, family, or professionals who can provide guidance, feedback, encouragement, and accountability.

3. Small Steps and Celebrations: Break down your goals into smaller, achievable milestones. Celebrate every small victory along the way to boost your motivation and reinforce your progress.

4. Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself during this challenging phase. Understand that setbacks are normal, and treat yourself with patience and understanding.

Informed Optimism: A Shift in Perspective

After navigating the valley of despair, you begin to experience informed optimism. This phase signifies a shift in your perspective and renewed confidence. Armed with a greater understanding of the obstacles you've overcome, you approach your health transformation with determination, knowledge, and the belief that success is within reach.

The Road to Success

With informed optimism guiding your journey, you are well-equipped to achieve your health transformation goals. Maintain a growth mindset and remember the lessons learned along the way. Celebrate each milestone, no matter how small, and let them fuel your continued progress. Remember, success is not a destination but a lifelong commitment to your health and well-being. When you fall in love with the process, you are on the right track.

Argent Alpha is designed with the Cycle of Change in mind. When Men realize and understand that the lowest and toughest parts of the journey are actually indicators of how close they are to success, they keep going and achieve their goals.

We have a number of resources to help Men get through the valley of despair, including:

Accountability: Our unique R.A.D. process (recurring accountability drivers) keeps Men on track and focused on staying in the GAIN and moving towards their goals.

Community: Our community is comprised solely of high performing Men over 50 all seeking to live better. When you are surrounded by others on the same journey, you raise your expectations of yourself and each other. You make each other better. Iron sharpens iron.

Coaching: Our coaches provide 1:1 and group coaching to help Men not only keep going but also help them learn, grow and push themselves.

If you are somewhere in your own cycle of change, keep going.

If you are considering making a change in your life, use this information to prepare yourself for what’s ahead.

Knowledge, when applied, is power.

There are no benefits to being overweight, obese or weak.

If you are a Man over 50 which path do you want to be on?

The easier to kill path or the HARDER TO KILL path?

Everyday your actions indicate the path you have chosen.

If you want structure, accountability, a proven process and a band of brothers all focused on RESULTS, then the Argent Alpha path might be for you.

Go to our website or accelerate the process and complete this form and I’ll follow up directly with you on next steps.

Don’t get old, get better.

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