What I learned pursing a really hard goal

At the start of this year, I set an ambitious goal: to achieve 10% body fat by the end of 2024. It was a significant challenge because, at the beginning of the previous quarter, I was sitting at 20% body fat. The goal wasn’t tied to a deep personal "why" beyond wanting to see if I could do it—to challenge myself to achieve something extremely hard. This article reflects on my progress, what I learned throughout the journey, and how these lessons can help both me and others pursue and achieve difficult goals.

A Long Journey that was Ready for the Next Step

This project was part of a larger three-year journey to get back in shape. Three years ago, I started training with my coach, TJ, and my body fat was closer to 30%. Over time, I made steady progress by following most of his advice, but this year was about taking it to the next level—reaching 10% body fat.

To achieve this, we set the following objectives:

- Daily food tracking in MyFitnessPal, with a target of 2,400 calories and 200g of protein.

- Daily weigh-ins to monitor my progress.

- Weekly check-ins with TJ to discuss adjustments and results.

While TJ was my main support, my family also played an indirect but important role by sharing their lives with me during this process.

The Challenges I Anticipated and the One that I Couldn’t

The journey was filled with more obstacles than I anticipated. Some were practical, like figuring out what to eat at restaurants. I eat out frequently due to work and family obligations, and it was hard to align meals with my calorie and protein goals. Similarly, my love for dessert and ice cream—especially as a weekly family ritual to spend time with each other—proved to be a major hurdle.

Consistency was another challenge. I’ve noticed that I’m really focused for about two-and-a-half weeks, but this was a 90-day goal, and after that initial burst, I struggled to stay on track. TJ’s own fitness level made me realize that reaching 10% body fat would require more dedication than I had initially expected.

Other obstacles included learning how to manage food on vacation, adjusting to higher-calorie proteins, and managing my calorie intake on a weekly basis rather than just daily.

The biggest challenge, however, was mental. I found myself stressed, frustrated, and even hiding my lack of progress from myself by avoiding tracking and weighing in. Ultimately, I discovered that my motivation wasn’t strong enough. I hadn’t connected my goal to a deeper purpose.

The obvious solution that I could never see at the beginning

To overcome these challenges, I had to learn several new skills. TJ helped me understand how to navigate restaurant menus by modifying dishes to fit my goals. He also taught me the importance of balance—allowing for occasional breaks from restrictions, but ensuring they were rare.

The key strategy, however, was finding my real "why." Toward the end of the quarter, when my motivation was slipping, TJ encouraged me to reconnect with my purpose. The goal of simply doing something difficult or getting compliments wasn’t enough. I needed to align my goal with a desire for peak performance, a purpose I could believe in long-term. Additionally, I had to confront the truth: there is no lying when it comes to personal progress. Hiding from the facts only delayed my growth.

How I’m adjusting and applying the lessons

The results of this project are mixed. On one hand, I learned a lot about building a nutritional system to reach 10% body fat. I now know exactly what I need to eat and the level of consistency required. As of this morning, my body fat is at 19.5%, which is progress, but the fluctuations throughout the quarter highlighted the amount of dedication still required.

I realized that while I have the knowledge, I don’t yet have the discipline—or more importantly, the deep "why"—to push through the hardest parts of this challenge. However, this journey gave me clarity about what’s needed to succeed. I’ve come to understand that my goal isn’t just about appearance anymore—it’s about peak performance in all areas of my life. This mindset shift is essential for the next phase of growth.

Here are the most important lessons I took away from this experience:

1. Your "why" needs to be strong to achieve hard things. But you may only discover your true "why" by pursuing those difficult goals.

2. Big goals are harder than you think—you need to learn from those who have already accomplished what you’re aiming for.

3. Hiding from your progress is a red flag. When you stop holding yourself accountable, it’s time to reassess your motivation. Avoiding the truth is a clear indicator that your "why" isn’t strong enough.

4. Stress is part of the process. Both the goal and the journey will introduce stress, and you need to manage it through deliberate relaxation.

For anyone looking to tackle their own big goals, here are a few recommendations based on my experience:

- Write out your "why" as you understand it right now. Revisit and refine it as you progress.

- Track your progress daily. Metrics and consistent reflection help you stay aligned with your goals.

- Find someone who has done what you’re aiming to do, and learn from their experience on how to navigate the inevitable challenges.

Pursuing hard goals reveals everything you are looking for

Pursuing big goals is difficult, and because of that, your purpose needs to be equally strong. This quarter taught me that I need to refine my "why" and continue aligning my goals with a larger sense of purpose. The discipline required to reach 10% body fat doesn’t just come from a desire for external validation—it has to be connected to a deeper drive for personal growth and peak performance.

Ultimately, the pursuit of hard goals reveals what truly matters to you, and that clarity is invaluable for achieving any future success.