Let’s get tactical, tactical, I wanna get tactical, let’s get into tactical…

Today, as you might have guessed, I want to get tactical.

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First off, a note on why you don’t always get “tactical” posts from me.

I HATE articles that say, “Eat these 10 amazing foods!” Or, “Do these 5 magical exercises!” Why? Because 2/3 of America is not overweight because we don’t know what to do. A lack of knowledge is not the real problem. (If anything there is TOO MUCH info out there – which causes people to feel confused  = do nothing.)

It’s not about a lack of knowledge. It’s about a lack of consistent action.

When someone says, “Just eat less and move more!” it makes my blood boil. Sure, “Just eat less and move more” sounds good but that doesn’t address the psychology of weight loss, at all.

Tactics without the right mindset is like getting bariatric surgery without understanding WHY we’re overeating in the first place. If we don’t understand the root cause, we’re just delaying the inevitable —> gaining the weight back.

Without a foundation, people’s efforts are a waste of time. This isn’t even taking into account all of the unsustainable diets people follow (the could I see myself doing this in 5 years type of diet. If yes = good! If no “Um, I can’t see myself drinking shakes 3x a day in 5 years from now” – that = bad.).

I can write a whole book on this so I’ll get into the tactics now.

But I encourage you to check out this post I wrote a while back, “Why I’ll probably never write a bestselling health and fitness book“.

Onward.

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Many of you tell me that you always feel hungry. I hear ya!

Let’s explore:

First off, let’s ask ourselves this question while we’re thinking rationally:  Is it possible to be hungry all the time?

Rationally, we know that it’s not possible to be hungry all the time. So what gives?

Well, most of the time it’s EMOTIONAL hunger NOT physical.

Physical hunger comes on gradually. Emotional hunger comes on suddenly. Real hunger can be satisfied with any food. Yes, that’s right – if an apple doesn’t satisfy our hunger, we’re not really physically hungry.

Tip: Many times we just finish the food in front of us simply because it’s, well, in front of us. Try asking yourself this question mid-meal, “Would I eat an apple right now?” If the answer is no, you’re not physically hungry anymore.

Tip: That’s why the easiest way to eat less is to serve ourselves less. We can’t eat what’s not there. And if we serve ourselves less, we don’t have to bother asking ourselves questions mid-meal!

Emotional hunger comes with a craving for a specific food. And unfortunately, it’s usually not for apples.

When we get ‘hungry’ it’s worth asking ourselves a few questions:

1. How long has it been since I’ve eaten?

2. What was the last thing I ate?

3. Was it something nutritious?

If you suspect your hunger might be emotional, ask yourself what you might be really hungry for?

Perhaps, it’s affection, assistance, rest, excitement, peace of mind…

Is it possible to have the need met by someone? How about by yourself?

Here’s the challenge: Many times we feel like our needs can’t or won’t get met so food becomes our escape.

When we’re ‘hungry’ that is one need we feel like we CAN control.

ABOUT TO EMOTIONALLY EAT?

As you know, I’m a big fan of asking ourselves questions. Questions change our perspective. And that’s what it’s all about.

If you’re about to emotionally eat, ask yourself:

1. What’s really bothering me? Or what am I really hungry for?

2. What can I do about it?

3. Why don’t I do anything about it? —-> This is the kicker. Because while it might be “easier” in the short run to choose to be powerLESS in the moment rather than be powerFUL in the moment, it’s like the annoying door to door salesmen. If we don’t answer the door, they’ll keep knocking. Why not answer it sooner rather than later.

Unless you ANSWER the door you’ll just keep suppressing emotions.

Can’t be powerFUL, no matter what?

Sometimes, it can be very helpful to explore what it feels like to have the need go unmet by simply writing about it, and many clients have reported that this eases the discomfort tremendously, and of course, like all discomfort (and pleasure) it subsides.

This is also how to find out what you might really want out of your life because typically we’d shovel food into our mouth so we don’t have to experience or face the feelings.

When we’re not suppressing those feelings, they’ll come to the surface, and we’ll be able to see what it is we really want.

Food is ONLY love when it is used to feed our true physical hunger and we actually enjoy and relish and savor the experience. Otherwise, we’re using food to cover up feelings.

Feelings that might be preventing us from becoming the person we really want to be.

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Learn more about the proven program that has helped people just like you get (and keep!) the body they want, and deserve. To read through some of our amazing success stories (before and after pics included) click here.

Wednesday was the beginning of Lent. A Christian tradition in which through prayer, penitence, almsgiving and self-denial – believers prepare for Easter.

For those who celebrate Easter many of you have told me what you intend on giving up for Lent.

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Let’s talk about how to be happier for a second…

There are two ways to make ourselves happier:

1. Stop doing things that make us feel bad

2. Start doing things that make us feel great

It turns out, the best way to stop doing things that make us feel bad is to replace them with things that make us feel great.

For example:

1. What if you went for a quick walk every time you wanted junk food?

2. What if you drank tea every time you wanted wine?

3. What if you exercised instead of sitting on the couch?

It’s very hard to quit behaviors and habits.

It’s less hard (not saying it’s easy but certainly very doable) to replace them though.

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In the spirit of Lent, let’s focus on something you’d feel comfortable giving up for the next 44 days.

But let’s say Lent wasn’t 44 days. Let’ say it was only a week. And let’s pretend for a second you could only focus on the benefits of giving that thing up – whatever it might be.

Thinking about the discomfort we must embrace isn’t an option right now.

Got that one thing?

Using it or eating it or doing it makes you feel bad after you’re done.

So, you’re giving up something that makes you feel bad. Just for a week though.

I got mine.

What’s yours?

Now what if I said it’ll be just for the next 24 hours instead of a week.

Less scary right?

Let’s try it just for the next 24 hours.

For the next 24 hours, starting right now, let’s have our own mini-lent. (For those already giving something up for Lent, pick something else.)

We’ll call it Disco.

Disco begins now…

…and I look forward to reading about what yours will be on your feedback tonight.

Today a new client asked me if change was really possible.

Let’s face it. If it were easy to change people would do it. (It’s the pushing and the coaching and the guidance and the inspiration and the daily expectations combined with our proven program and system that helps the change occur.) (BUT that means absolutely nothing to you right now!)

How about this…

Change is not only possible, it’s INEVITABLE!

The world is changing every day. And so are our bodies whether we want them to or not. (We’re either going forwards or backwards.)

I think what she really means is, is change really possible for HER – because she’s scared of not being able to put forth the EFFORT change requires.

Instead, of letting the thought of the word ‘change’ or ‘effort’ terrify us, why not focus on micro changes?

How about exercising for an extra 2 minutes? How about exercising for a TOTAL of 2 minutes? (Something IS always better than nothing!)

How about waiting 5 minutes before you give in to eating junk food as opposed to eating it right away? (It’s all about the pause. We all have a few moments before we act.)

How about cooking one extra meal per week?

How about waking up 10 minutes earlier?

How about making your lunch?

How about for just one day this week you exercise first thing or immediately after work?

How about drinking a glass of water with each meal?

How about going for a walk outside or around your house or office next time you have a relentless craving?

How about starting your meal with either salad or veggies?

How about for just one meal per day, you make your meal last more than 20 minutes?

How about for just one day this week you submit your feedback BEFORE dinner so you’re mentally committing to what you’ll eat?

How about you take the stairs instead of the elevator?

How about your brush your teeth or chew gum or use mouth wash next time you have a craving?

All of these are simple things that can and will lead to our success.

And best of all, change begets change. Small changes eventually turn into enormous changes.

Rome wasn’t built in a day, right?

The only way to get to where we want to be is to change.

We can’t just go from the person we are now, to the person we want to be without changing anything.

And when you’re feeling overwhelmed, think micro.

What micro changes can you make today? Tomorrow? This week?

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Learn more about the pushing and the coaching and the guidance and the inspiration and the daily expectations combined with our proven program and system by clicking right here.

For all you non-sports fans you may have been hearing A LOT about this Jeremy Lin guy. He is everywhere!

Who the heck is he?

Well, he’s the (now) starting point guard for the NY Knicks. He was unknown until his “superstar” teammates Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire were both out of the line up. And because their point guards Baron Davis and Mike Bibby were injured, and Iman Shumpert and Toney Douglas weren’t playing well, he got a chance.

Don’t worry about all of the names above, instead know this: a lot had to happen in order for Lin to even get a chance to play.

…and when he had the opportunity to play…he PLAYED!

So this doesn’t turn into a sports column, I’ll just say this: Lin scored 109 points in his four career starts, the most by any player in league history. After last night’s game, Lin, now holds the record for the most points in his first five games as a starter.

Most importantly, they’re winning! Tonight, they’re going for their seventh straight win.

So with all of this “Linsanity” how we can get some of it in our own lives?!

Well, Jeremy Lin became world-famous because he rose to the occasion when he had the opportunity.

For us, it’s a little different.

When the going is good, it’s…well, good.

It’s when we’re challenged. THAT is when the going gets tough. And THAT is when we could use a little Jeremy Lin in our lives.

One of my mentors once told me success happens when you don’t feel like doing anything.

Applying that to us – success happens when we’re feeling the discomfort.

Either we can give into it.

Or we can embrace it, and push through it.

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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.

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Most people spend their days looking forward to those extremely rare moments when everything goes right – when there is no discomfort at all.

When there are no temptations, the gym isn’t too crowded, it’s not too cold outside, they got 7.5 hours of sleep the night before, their shelves are fully stocked with healthy and nutritious foods, their kids are behaving, their boss is being nice…

But imagine how much of an advantage we’d have if we spent our time maximizing those moments when it doesn’t?

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Though I’m admittedly bias, it’s the daily support, and daily and personal accountability combined with our system to monitor and track your progress every single day – that makes the truly inevitable discomfort…dare I say, a lot more comfortable and a lot more tolerable. THAT is why we have the track record we do. And it’s why we get major results for our clients. It’s also why I believe so strongly in what I offer, and why I’m crazy enough to offer a 100% money back guarantee.