“There are two mistakes one can make along the road to truth. Not going all the way, and not starting.” – Siddartha Guatama

Starting is certainly hard. It requires a lot of courage. But starting isn’t nearly as hard as keeping on going is.

Anyone can start a “diet.”

We all know people like this…

One month they’re eating ONLY xyz. “Nope, I can’t eat any of that. It’s not a part of my plan!” The next month, they’re eating only what they were just
avoiding the month before. The next month, they’re only eating grapefruits.

“Adam this is working so well! I lost 2 pounds in the first 2 days! Can you believe this?!?!”

The next month, “The best part about this is that I can eat as much fat as I want AND lose weight?!” as they’re chomping down on a triple bacon cheeseburger.

The next month, “Ya know, I’ve decided I’m going to become a vegetarian. I’m never going to eat meat again!”

The next month…

I can keep going if you’d like??

We all know these people…

…they go from one shiny new fad diet to the next without ever sticking with ANYTHING.

Why?

Few reasons:

1. Consistency isn’t sexy (but it’s ridiculously effective). And because it’s not “sexy” or the “it” diet of the moment, people might feel bored or even left out while some of their friends are eating “cookies” for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Because of this, they’re always in search of the newest fad diet, instead of focusing on what actually works.

We all know deep down, the secret to success is —> doing the right things over and over and over and over again. And doing the right things over and over and over and over again.

No matter what diet we follow, or what ‘magic pill’ we take (they don’t exist!), if we want to be successful, eventually, we’re going to have to do the actual work.

And the actual work means eating right, eating less, and moving more…consistently.

There is no escaping this!

We can’t escape the work if we want results.While the majority of people are searching for the “latest and greatest fad diet” we’re doing the right things day in and day out. While the majority of people are searching for the “new and shiny diet” we’re losing weight week after week.

2. The temptation to quit is greatest right before the results happen.

Why? Because right before we see results, we have to push through some discomfort. (And our natural tendency is to remove that discomfort. How? We quit the program! “Eh, this isn’t working two weeks into a program,” we rationalize. But then we’re right back to square one, of course.)

Change by nature is uncomfortable.

If we’re doing the same things we used to do, we’re not changing and therefore we won’t feel any discomfort. Discomfort means we’re doing things DIFFERENTLY, and therefore getting closer to where we want to be.

Discomfort IS our compass.

We can’t escape the discomfort we have to endure, we just can’t. Nor can we escape the day to day consistency we have to stick to, which isn’t sexy whatsoever – even though, it’s ridiculously effective!

And because it’s so easy to avoid the inevitable – being consistent and sticking with a sensible eating and exercise plan – I know (in fact, I’m 1000% convinced – though I’m admittedly biased) daily and personal accountability and support is what makes ALL of the difference.

So let’s embrace the consistency for the rest of today and this week.

And when it feels a little boring, that’s our time to lean in even more and make more change happen. Because like our moods, we have ups and downs. And when we’re up, it feels easy.

I’ll remind you once again, “There are two mistakes one can make along the road to truth. Not going all the way, and not starting.”

Let’s have a great week!

Actually, don’t have a wonderful week…create one!

**
If you’re really good at starting diets (like so many of us are) but not very good at sticking with them (like so many of us are), MyBodyTutor is for you. We’ve helped 100’s and 100’s of people get the body they want with our proven methods and system.

The best part? There’s a 100% money back guarantee. So you can try the program for a full month, and get your money back, if you don’t feel or see results. It’s that simple. And I’d rather you try the program and get your money back, than not have tried it at all.

Learn more now!

As the world is mourning over Steve Jobs, it’s caused some people to say, “We’re all gonna die anyway so what’s the point?”

Sadly, I’ve heard a few people say something along those lines already, and a client just emailed me that too.

First off, I want to say Steve Jobs inspired me to “Think Different.” Thank you, Steve.

**

I talk and write a lot about our short term/irrational mind versus our long term/rational mind. Our long term/rational mind is where our true dreams and desires are. Our short term/irrational mind doesn’t care about the future. It wants pleasure…and it wants it NOW!

Our short term mind is constantly sabotaging us in the form of thoughts like, “You deserve this cookie, go for it. You only live once!” “Why bother going to the gym?” “Don’t you want to be happy now?”

Here’s the thing we all wrestle with: Balancing living for tomorrow with living for today.

Let’s explore the difference between a drug addict and us for a second.

The reason why I’ve been able to stick with MBT since February of 2007 is because I truly believe in what I’m doing, and I know what I offer works. I believe in what I do 1000% and my belief only gets stronger each and every day.

Persistence isn’t about doing the same things over and over. It’s about wanting the same thing over and over. (I believe our short term/irrational mind is constantly trying to chip away at what we really want.)

And something I’ve wanted for as long as I can remember – and something I’ll always want – is to live the happiest life I can, and to help others do the same.

One fact remains constant and it’s what drives me: When I eat healthfully and exercise, I feel better. In other words, happier, than when I don’t.

BELIEVE ME! I love cookies. I love ice cream. I love hamburgers. I really do. It’s a constant battle. And I indulge. But, I try to only indulge for the right reasons.

Even when I do give myself permission, I still don’t feel as good as when I eat healthfully.

Which brings me to the question we always ask our selves, “Why am I not enjoying NOW?”

“We’re all gonna die anyway!” people say.

Which circles us back to the…

NOW versus later debate.

“Screw Adam, screw MBT, screw the Daily Feedback! I want to enjoy life now!”

That’s the devil on your shoulder talking to the Body Tutor. That’s our irrational, short term mind yelling at our rational, long term mind.

So try this thought on for size:

Why not enjoy life now, even if it means more health problems later?

Really.

Go for that cookie! Go for that burger! Go for that ice cream!

BUT! It seems to me, unless you are already doing heroin then you aren’t being true to your own philosophy. Why not enjoy a good high now? Who cares what happens later!?

Interestingly, all of us have always thought about later on, and not now.

Think about the first 20 or so years of your life. Everything we did in school was to set ourselves up for a better future.

The one downside of planning ahead is that we may enjoy today a tad less. The upside is that our future might be a bit better! Maybe, A LOT better!

I’m not saying my thinking here is the best, but I think you get my point.

I don’t think it’s fair to call the “live for today” approach any kind of philosophy unless you’re also quitting your job, doing heroin, living at McDonald’s and only doing what feels the best every minute of your life.

Junkies have a philosophy. We have rationalizations.

Now there’s always a twist:

1. It turns out, we actually enjoy today MORE when we eat and exercise for the future. We’ve all had days when do nothing but eat and watch TV – at least I have. Yet, I always feel better when I’m eating right and exercising. Always! I know you do too.

2. I’ve never done drugs. Had/have no desire. I’m not saying you should. It was just to make a point. Actually, as a public service announcement I’ll write it: don’t do drugs!

3. It turns out that when we live and plan for the future it’ll also make us happier TODAY!

Why not make it a happier week?

##

I’ve thought and written a lot about the subject of happiness because I think that’s our end goal. You can read all of my posts on happiness on my other blog here.

People always ask me what my favorite spice is so I figured I’d share it with you right here, right now.

But I’m not going to just tell it to you because that would be booooring.

Getting the body we want is about 3 things: Eating right. Exercising. And doing those two things consistently.

Unfortunately, it’s the consistency part that’s so hard.

Besides the usual culprits like rationalizing, procrastinating and justifying – consistency is even harder because it can get so booooring.

Variety is the spice of life, right?

Not in our case.

In our case, consistency is the spice of life!

And because consistency can get boring we tend to bounce from one fad diet to the next, always in search of the newest fad diet, instead of focusing on what actually works.

We all know deep down, the secret to success is —> doing the right things over and over and over and over again. And doing the right things over and over and over and over again. And doing the right things over and over and over again.

No matter what diet we follow, or what ‘magic pill’ we take (they don’t exist!), if we want to be successful, eventually, we’re going to have to do the actual work.

And the actual work means eating right, eating less, and moving more…consistently.

There is no escaping this! I repeat: We can’t escape the work if we want results.

While the majority of people are searching for the “latest and greatest fad diet” we’re doing the right things day in and day out. While the majority of people are searching for the “new and shiny diet” we’re losing weight week after week.

Once in a blue moon, a client will ask me if I get bored of what I do. “Don’t you get bored of replying to my Daily Feedbacks every day?”

It’s an honest question.

The answer is absolutely not! Because I know each Daily Feedback will lead us one step closer to where we want to be. Each Daily Feedback is a critical part of this journey. Every meal counts. Every workout counts.

And what really drives me, and what I really love, is the thrill I get when you email me and say “Damn! This is working!” “My pants feel so loose!” “I hate you because I have to buy new clothes!”

That’s what gets me out of bed every morning. That’s what keeps me up at night.

THIS is what I live for!

Because I know we can’t escape the discomfort we have to endure, we just can’t. (Here’s what I mean: change by nature is uncomfortable. And if we’re doing the same things we used to do, we’re not changing and therefore we won’t feel any discomfort. In other words, discomfort IS our compass. Discomfort means we’re doing things DIFFERENTLY, and therefore getting closer to where we want to be.) Nor can we escape the day to day consistency we have to stick to, which isn’t sexy whatsoever – even though, it’s ridiculously effective!

And because it’s so easy to avoid the inevitable – being consistent and sticking with a sensible eating and exercise plan – I know (in fact, I’m 1000% convinced – though I’m admittedly biased) daily and personal accountability and support is what makes ALL of the difference.

No one said it’s easy. Nor sexy. But ask anyone who’s pursued anything worth doing —> (usually, things that are hard to obtain or else it wouldn’t be worth all that much nor would it be inspiring) — and they’re certainly convinced it’s worth it.

So let’s embrace the consistency for the rest of today and this week.

And when it feels a little boring, that’s our time to lean in even more and make more change happen. Because like our moods, we have ups and downs. And when we’re up, it feels easy.

But when it’s easy, we quickly forget about the inevitable downs that 9.9 times out of 10 knock us off our tracks for good.

And that’s when most people go back to their old ways and then start something else and repeat the cycle over and over again.

But not on my watch. Oh no. Not on my watch.

**
If MBT was able to work for Danny, why can’t it work for you? (Awesome before and after picture included!)

On the top of my testimonials page, I wrote: I have hundreds of thank you emails and testimonials. I wish I could have them all on this website but my web developer told me no. “People aren’t going to read them all,” he said. He’s right.

The secret is – they are more for me because these testimonials are why I do what I do!

It’s true. That IS why I do what I do. I’ve written about it on my other blog here.

I haven’t updated that testimonials page in a long time, and I have hundreds more I could add.

I do have them all filed away. But what FUN is that? Some of them are just too good not to share.

So, I’m going to start sharing some of them here from time to time.

Here is one and it makes me smile ear to ear.

First, here’s the background of this testimonial – which makes it even cooler. My client came across an author who was looking for companies that use purpose to help connect with people for a new book he’s working on.

My client took it upon herself to write the following based on these three questions the author was asking. Her writing is in quotes.

1. Tell me a story about how this company uses purpose to help connect with people:

“This company doesn’t just USE purpose, its whole raison d’etre is one of purpose, and their purpose isn’t just to connect, but to HELP. Being a service organization, one directed at people who want to lose weight, their purpose is to do just that by frequent (daily or weekly) telephone contact, as well as daily detailed reciprocal feedback. In so doing, they provide not just support, but accountability. I am one of their satisfied customers, having lost 75 pounds and keeping it off (easily!) for two years.

I have dieted from the age of seven, trying everything under the sun, including going to expensive spas. My Body Tutor finally made a difference, not by presenting an arbitrary and untenable diet, but by teaching me how to eat. The best part is not the improved body, but the resulting peace of mind. I no longer obsess or agonize; I don’t jump from diet to diet. I just make good choices and enjoy my meals.”

2. Which word best describes how you think of this business:

“Valuable”

3. Tell me a story about why you chose the trait above:

“My weight says it all – I lost 75 pounds and, being a senior citizen, likely avoided a lot of medical problems and misery. What could be more valuable than that?”

The name of the client is Judy M.

**
Ugh, (and that’s a good ugh!) that makes me so happy! I have hundreds of success stories to my credit. I’d love to make you the next one. What are you waiting for?