garagegym107

I’ve read your thoughts become your actions a thousand times referring to a bunch of different topics.  For me, I learned the hard way that to truly change deep down, you much first change your mind.

If you allow doubt to creep in and steep, you will easily set yourself back a pace or two.

I’ve discovered more about myself by paying attention to my negative self-talk than anything else.  Negative self-talk can be so defeating if allowed to go unchecked.  Many, many times I’ve caught myself thinking a negative thought right before I try something new, a heavier weight, a new skill or an old skill I haven’t tried in a while (in most cases because I allowed it to defeat me the first time around).

In 2001 I told myself that I would become a Body-for-Life Champion.  In my mind I didn’t doubt that until week 10 of my first challenge, I had lost 35 pounds from my 328 pounds body.  No-one noticed.  I cried A LOT back then, but I kept going.  Back then I literally obsessed over the finest details and looking back, I’m glad I did.  It forced me to think of what I was doing instead of the negative thoughts whirling around.

After losing the initial 125 pounds, during the process also meeting my spousal unit, I started getting comfortable where I was.  I still wanted to be a Champion, but hadn’t submitted a single packet after having done 3 challenges. 

Then I got side tracked and all of the old issues that I had tamped down really deeply began bubbling up again.  I began backsliding in to the old habits of listening to negative self-talk and overeating.  This went on for years, from 2003 through 2008.  I would gain and lose the same 20 pounds over and over.  I had to start digging down deep in to the baggage chest to make lasting change. 

I realized that I was still listening to plenty of negative self-talk instead of focusing on actions that bring change.

Only then did I become successful and also became a Champion in 2009.

Most people like to sit around and talk about what they want, but only those who truly choose to change actually do.  When you make a choice to change, it becomes a true goal.   Set that goal as your vision and repeat that vision over and over in your mind.  Visualize exactly what you want and get after it.  No matter how long it takes, just keep going.

It’s not something you do because someone else is asking you to.

It’s not something you do because you think someone else will love you more for doing it.

It’s not something that anyone else can derail you from.

It’s about you, what you want for you, and what you are willing to do for yourself.  No crutches, no excuses, no whining.

Focused intent on doing.