The Answer Is In The Mirror (Part 2)

This time as I lose weight I have a new sense of relief. I feel that I have finally found the long-term solution. It is not too difficult, but there are difficult times. I have 90-100 pounds to get to my goal, but as of today, I have lost 125 pounds. The majority of this I have lost in the past 13 months. I stood on a cruise ship in the Caribbean last December (2008), realizing my Lap Band was not going to work. I weighed 405 pounds and I looked around me. I noticed that every person that was near or over 400 pounds on the cruise was in a wheelchair. This is going to be my future if I did not find a way to get off the yo-yo lifestyle. Losing weight is never a problem, well losing 40 pounds that is, keeping it off is. I needed to find a way that I could approach weight loss without feeling deprived. Without falling into the pity trap when facing such a huge amount of weight to lose that leads to failure.

I returned home from the cruise and started reading all types of self-improvement books and personal growth books. I noticed that I started to look at the world differently. I found myself seeing possibilities, instead of impossibilities. I learned that changing ones thought process takes sacrifice. I limited television to 3 hours per week. I no longer read negative stories, books, or messages. I read the news headlines so I am aware of what is happening in the world, but do not read the story unless it is positive. I make sure I read or listen to self-improvement books at least 30 minutes per day, preferably one-hour per day. As my attitude improved, I decided to limit my calories to 1200 per day and limit sodium intake to less that 1500mg. The more I read, the more I craved to become a better person. Food started to take a back seat and limiting my caloric intake seemed easier and almost natural. The secret I learned and it is true without a doubt is simple. “We Are What We Think!”

This secret will set you free and change the world you live in. You will feel energized, invigorated and positive. You will have more hope for the future. It will fill you with optimism and delete your pessimism. Be warned that once you learn this formula and apply it, you will not look at things the same ever again. You will feel empowered and want to pass that on to someone else. It will make you see your current life and all those in it that are holding you back. Many people you thought you loved and that they loved you suddenly have this extreme negative vibe and they drain you. You will laugh more, love more, feel more confident, smile more and fear less than ever before. As long as you keep applying this formula, you will achieve more then you ever thought possible in your remaining years. The more you apply it, the more you will succeed at whatever you desire. Despair will only be a term you use to point out an extra tire. I discovered it and I am using it. It is more powerful than weight loss surgery and it is the ultimate lifetime silver bullet. It is the most accurate thing I have ever learned in my life and it is the truth.

When you combine this with a powerful why, you become so committed and hopeful that it is nearly impossible to fail. It will awaken your dreams and I suggest you dream as big as the universe. Your why or goal should be huge. Visualize yourself already there and know exactly what you are going to look like, wear and act. Applying this formula and feeding the mind with so much positive personal growth input allows you to plow through negative moments and events. It almost becomes addictive, as you constantly want to feel uplifted and inspired. When you have a bad day and blow past your caloric goals, you just start over the next day with no guilt or remorse. You went out to dinner with friends and you laughed and allowed your light to shine brightly. You my friend are starting to live a full-life without food being at the center of all your issues for good or ill. Allow yourself to actually plan days off your reduced caloric program and make adjustments. I only drink a protein drink on the days I know I am going to go to a party or go out to eat.

The only way to overcome obesity for the rest of my life is to heal my mind. I have printed this and I see it on my mirror every morning. “If you heal the mind, you can heal the soul. If you heal the soul, you will heal the body.” This is my mantra and I believe it one-hundred percent. Constantly feeding the mind with this type of material can only lead in one direction. It will propel you to a more positive and successful life. I have become a better father, son, brother, friend, employee and neighbor. I look at a problem or a set back and see it as an opportunity for growth and improvement. It took me from a wounded, hurting and sad, anxiety filled person to a person of hope, faith, love and optimism.

Here is more of the harsh, stinging pain of reality. The fact is you will get hungry and you will feel hunger pangs at times. Sitting in the medical clinic as I was going through the Lap Band process, I met some wonderful people. Many have been successful with the Lap Band, but even they confessed that they struggle with hunger and really struggle to keep the weight off. I know five people that have received gastric bypass, four are no longer living, the fifth has gained 70 pounds back, and they are in full panic mode. Weight loss surgery does work, however until the mind is healed it is only a short-term band-aid at best. Our minds are the most powerful computer on the planet. Our minds created the most powerful computers on the planet. Your computer (mind) sits on top of your blank canvas (body) and it is waiting for you to boot it up and paint your picture. Paint the most fabulous and beautiful picture you desire and one that you feel comfortable and confident with. Along the way love, laugh, smile, dream, open-up and let your light shine. Then share it with others and assist others in doing the same. You will love your new life and attitude. I guarantee it.

"If you want to make the world a better place, then look at yourself and make a change." ---Michael Jackson (Man in the Mirror)

"Do or do not, there is no try." ---Yoda (Trying lacks commitment and resolve.)

“Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.” --- Harry S. Truman

Places to Start:
http://www.nightingale.com/
http://www.asamanthinketh.net/