Do you ever get stuck? Stuck thinking about the past and how things used to be?

I know I do. Maybe you're stuck in a relationship or in a job that you don't love.

Maybe you're stuck with having high bodyfat and low energy.

I talk to countless people that tell me, "Once I hit 40 everything changed."

I'm way past 40 years, so I get what you're saying.

Gravity takes its toll on everyone; however, successful folks follow the same fundamental rules in order to slow aging.

But what do you do when you feel like you're in a rut?

7 Ways to Get Unstuck

Get home. Hang up your keys. Flip on the television.

Go to the pantry and look for some snacks to eat in front of the TV.

Two hours later you're looking at your orange-stained fingers and wondering how you just ate an entire bag of cheese puffs.

Perhaps you have established some questionable habits that push you away from your goals.

Use these strategies to get out of your comfort zone.

1. Delete the past

First off, history repeats itself so you can't ignore it.

You can learn a lot from the past. Including your past mistakes.

However, if you find yourself revisiting all your previous screw-ups you should stop today.

There's little benefit in replaying your not-so-good choices on a continuous feedback loop.

Also, there are things from your past that were completely out of your control. Like when your house was destroyed in a tsunami or when that drunk driver totaled your new car.

So hit the delete button if you catch yourself reliving old trauma.

2. See into the future

You don't need a fortune teller to visualize your future. Just some paper and a pen.

Take out a sheet of paper and draw a line down the middle of it.

On one side you write down the things you have in your life that you DON'T want.

Here are a few:

• Too much body fat
• Debt
• Stress
• A career that doesn't inspire you
• Negative attitude
• Friends who are naysayers (isn't that an oxymoron?)

On the other side of the line make a list of things you don't have in your life that you WANT.

Some examples:

• Give more
• Leaner, stronger, higher energy levels
• Serve people better
• Career that inspires you
• Different house
• Vacation to ________________
• Run a 5k 

There's something powerful about writing things down, with an actual pen and paper.

For some reason they become more attainable.

Then you can focus on the top 2-3 in each list and go to work on them.

This gives you a vision for a different future and gets you unstuck.

That's the key. Being more excited about today and tomorrow than you were about yesterday.

Yes, be grateful for what you have now, but don't think this is the best it's ever going to get.

That's when you get stuck.

Know that today is a great day, but your best days are ahead.

3. Change your perspective

You are grilling chicken kabobs in your backyard.

The sun is shining as you turn the skewer packed tight with pieces of juicy chicken and a colorful stack of veggies.

All of a sudden the aroma of sizzling steak gets your attention.

"Where's that coming from?" you say.

Following the beefy aroma, you peer over the fence and into your neighbor's yard.

You're neighbor, Bob, is flipping a steak and sipping an adult beverage with a smile.

Bob's got steak and you only have this measly chicken. Life isn't fair, right?

Change your perspective.

Imagine if you had no chicken, no grill to cook it on, and no house?

Now pretend you are actually homeless and hungry.

If you take your delicious grilled chicken-and-veggie kabobs to the local homeless shelter, you will probably receive a standing ovation.

When you're wet and cold from sleeping in the elements, a warm bed and a hot meal are luxurious.

So next time you are feeling down-and-out, change your perspective.

4. Start with tiny changes

When a new online age-management personal training client gets started, it's critical for you to experience a quick win.

So maybe this is getting out of bed when the alarm goes off and not hitting the snooze button.

Really, what's the point of asking you to calculate your macronutrients if you can't muster up the discipline to jump out of bed right away.

Do the simple and small things first.

5. Explore your purpose

What were you born to do?

It's a question I ask my clients at the beginning of your journey to optimal health.

I believe I was born to help you get leaner, stronger, and happier. That's it.

My hope is that you achieve your ideal body and, as a result, live your best life.

Now you are more productive at work. More successful too.

And you create generational health and leave a rich legacy.

Ask yourself today: Why are you here?

6. Believe in yourself

I believe in you; however, you must believe in you too.

One of the many proven benefits of resistance training is improved self image.

Now don't get self confidence confused with vanity.

I'm not suggesting it's a good idea to be overly prideful in your appearance or accomplishments.

But when you have a proven plan and some grit, success is around the corner.

7. Invest in a coach

"Do you use kettlebells?" she asked.

I was on the phone with someone who desperately needed to lose 50 pounds; however, she was concerned with the wrong things.

"Why does this matter?" I replied.

Respectfully speaking, if you are 50 pounds overfat, and just starting on your journey to better health, it doesn't matter if you lift a dumbbell, barbell, or kettlebell.

What matters is that you have a proven plan.

The plan must include smart training, mindful nutrition, getting deep sleep, and expert accountability.

No, not accountability provided by your spouse. That's a conflict of interest.

Invest in someone who's delivered thousands of body-transformation programs.

Your coach should provide a clear plan-of-action and do routine check-ins to measure your progress.

You are tracking your weekly progress, aren't you?

If you are ready to get serious about your health, I can help.

Whether your doctor recommended you "lose weight" or you want to get in the best shape of your life, I can help.

Take a minute to apply and schedule a time for us to discuss your #1 goal.

You'll get a proven plan that's safe, fun, and effective too.

Here we go,

Coach Joe

Joseph Arangio helps 40+ men and women get leaner, stronger, and happier. He's delivered over 100,000 transformation programs to satisfied clients around the globe. If you want to lose weight from home, with the best age-management online personal trainer, or you want to visit the best longevity personal trainer in the Lehigh Valley, you can take a free 14-day trial.