So I have to admit a complete guilty pleasure of mine to you and then the subject line will make sense when I explain…

I was brought up in the Catholic church and in fact I was an alter boy for several years. No matter your opinions on religion, I’m pretty sure it’s common knowledge that the Catholic church is disciplined and strict.

As I’ve grown and been able to form my own thoughts, make my own choices and forge my own path I’ve found myself more and more looking forward to watching Joel Osteen on Sunday mornings. (my grandfather wouldn’t consider this an acceptable replacement!)

But the reason why I enjoy my 30 minutes of Joel most Sunday mornings is because he teaches his lessons through stories. He makes parallel comparisons to modern day examples which makes it very easy to distill, digest and implement what you learn.

So why am I telling you this? Because this is EXACTLY how I try and teach you fitness and nutrition every day!

His lesson today is that no matter how good your seed is, you can’t just plant it and expect it to grow…

Even a great seed will not grow in bad soil!

You have to remove the weeds in your life: unsupportive people, the tv playing in the background all day, talk radio that makes you feel tumultuous, the negative people at your office and any other bad influences.

You have to move the rocks in your life: your seed will not grow and flourish with obstacles in the way, you need to have a plan and strategy to overcome obstacles. It won’t ‘just happen’.

You need to nourish your seed: surround yourself with positive people, positive groups, positive charities/causes and like minded people.

If you’ve been stuck in the same situations, same struggles and same disappointments for too long it might be a good idea to look around at the weeds you’ve surrounded yourself with.

It’s time to pull the weeds out of your life. It’s time to protect your soil.

Focus on your surroundings, your exterior influences and the opinions/voices you’re allowing into your soil.

So…go soil yourself! 🙂 🙂 🙂

Committed to your fitness success,

Derek