Do Your Best, Forget the Rest: Tony Horton Book Review

Last Updated on October 26, 2022 by Amanda Brooks

“I’m a guy who got tired of being out of shape, miserable, stressed out and broke. I saw my Big Picture, I put together a plan, and I acted on that plan.”

Time for another Cliff Notes edition of a new health book – previously I gave you the highlights of The Start Here Diet and Running on Air.

This time the book might surprise you…Tony Horton.

Yes, the very same man you see on infomercials every morning for P90X {dying to try P90X3 by the way}. I admit my expectations weren’t very high, after reading life books by a few other trainers, but it turns out Tony Horton puts together a pretty decent book.

It’s a quick read full of snack bite words of wisdom for life and of course fitness.

I love that he treats life like a research project {hmm sounds like something I said in recent podcast!} believing we all need to find what drives us and then follow 11 basic principles to enjoy life.

The Big Picture: 11 laws that will change your life
by Tony Horton

Tony uses the 11 laws as a guide through a lot of great life lessons and stories. Not knowing much about his background I was shocked to hear of his less than stellar start to adulthood and unhealthy habits. I also appreciated his upbeat approach to creating the life you want {no scare tactics here}.

Do your best and forget the rest
Find your purpose
Have a plan
Variety is the spice of…everything
Consistency reigns supreme
Crank up the intensity
Love it or leave it
Get real
Find balance
Stay flexible
Recharge, recover, relax

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HIGHLIGHTS

Think outside the box: “It’s about seeing problems from different angels in pursuit of a solution.”
No one size fits all, so if something isn’t working be willing to try other things! “Figure out what keeps you in the game, even if it’s very different from what others think you need.”
Gradualism “It’s the notion that several small, key shifts effect permanent, positive change better than one, sweeping one.”
There are all times we don’t feel like doing what we should, do it anyways. Follow through on your Plan.
So you found something you’re great at and you’ve continued doing it the same way for years…is that really putting your best self forward? “It’s only your best if you continue to progress.”
Stop using supplements to handle problems – sleep more, eat better, stress less…after that supplement.
Prioritize fun
Choose activities and things you enjoy that will make committing easier. But know “Loving it can be about a means to an end – putting in the hours doing something you don’t love, for a result that you do love.”
At the same time if you don’t love it and it doesn’t serve a higher goal, STOP DOING IT.
Deal with obstacles from a positive mind-set {Functional Optimism}.
Fix what’s broken, even if it means slowing down your grand Plan. “If you don’t repair any aspect of your life, you stand to derail your Big Picture plans completely.”