I want to start off by saying I'm not a fitness guru, nor do I have any fancy initials at the end of my name. I'm just the "average joe" working a 40+ hour a week job and trying to be a good parent and spouse. But when it's time to hit the gym, I am more. In the gym, my mental focus shifts to reach my fitness goals. Those goals are to be more than average.
In my pursuit of those goals, PASSION and GRIT have helped me to be more than average. Passion is defined as an intense desire or enthusiasm for something. Grit is a mental toughness, resolve or strength of character.
PASSION pushes me to get up when I'm exhausted and plan my meals for the next day. To be above average, you can't have an average diet of three meals a day. I strive for 1.5 grams of protein and 3 grams of carbs a day per pound of bodyweight. So that breaks down to about 300+ grams of protein and 600+ grams of carbs. This formula has helped me to add lean muscle mass.
It's all about GRIT for the times I don't feel like training. Do you want to be "skinny arms" Rob Lowe? If so, then take weeks off or lift nothing but light weights. You must have GRIT on that last set of heavy squats. If you're not pushing your limits each time in the gym, you're training to be average. In the gym, or in life, you're only going to get out of it what you are willing to put into it.
Ben Franklin said "If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail. Whether it's a goal to be a better parent, to lose weight, or gain muscle mass, be sure to plan. We should all have goals, and should plan to reach these goals.
Simply love what you're doing, look forward to training and envision yourself reaching your goals. Enjoy the journey and relish in the small steps along the way in meeting your fitness goals. This is what separates us from everyone else, and do you really want to be like everyone else?