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Transformation Assignment #4 2009
The Power of Purpose
What’s the point?
I remember catching a reflection of myself sitting on an exercise bench back in 1992, trying to get motivated for another workout. I looked in the mirror, shook my head, and mumbled, “What’s the point?” I was totally indifferent about the whole thing. I realized I didn’t even know why I was in the gym that day, or any day for that matter. I didn’t have any focus, no reason for being there really, no powerful purpose… no drive, no motivation.
Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation? Whether it was a workout, your job, a relationship, or even getting out of bed in the morning. If so, make no mistake, you’re not alone. Far too many people in America today are just dragging themselves along from one meaningless task to another with no passion, no purpose. No oomph! That’s not so good... makes day-to-day living kind of uninteresting, to say the least. When I was feeling that way back in 1992, I was in the worst shape of my life physically; I was unchallenged intellectually; unfulfilled in my relationships and unsuccessful in my work. I was also pretty much disconnected from “all things spiritual.”
Looking back now, I can see that was all exactly the way it needed to be at the time… it was all the prelude for my first “transformation breakthrough” which totally changed my life by Christmas of that year. One of the things I learned through that experience is that without a powerful purpose which motivates and inspires me, my true capabilities and potential remain unrealized. It didn’t matter what exercise and nutrition program I followed or didn’t follow; it didn’t matter what kind of work I did or who I had a relationship with, it wasn’t going to work. Until I snapped out of it and stopped living accidentally and started living intentionally – until I started pursuing a purpose that I was passionate about, the chances of me changing were between slim and none. I’m going out on a limb here and guessing that the same is true for you too.
Identifying Your Transformation Purpose
It’s really not hard at all to find meaningful reasons for making healthy changes in our lives. The reasons are already there. In fact, they’re all around us; the unfortunate thing is, rarely do we ever stop and take a look at them and bring them to our conscious awareness and attention. When we do, it’s only then we see all these extraordinary and inspiring reasons for making a change. For example, when we really look at the fact that how we’re showing up in the world each day is affecting the people around us for the better or for worse, it’s a real awakening. See, we can’t live an unhealthy life without hurting others in the process. And when we live a healthy, positive life, we are always lifting others up along with us!
America must make a transformation in its health and well being, and for that to happen, each one of us has to Be the Change – we have to transform our health and our well being. That is a huge aspect of my driving purpose and it’s something that’s easy for me to get passionate about. And so the reason I work hard at staying in shape by eating healthy and exercising consistently, and the reason I continue to do the work to grow along spiritual lines, is because I know that when I’m making healthy changes, I’m making a positive difference in the lives of others. Is that something that you might feel is part of your purpose as well?
Also, another very meaningful reason why I’m committed to constantly making changes for the better is because I believe that we’re each meant to realize our full God-given potential in every aspect of our lives – our physical health, our emotional well being, our intellectual development, and our spiritual enlightenment. And so this is always part of my purpose and it’s something that I have a great passion for. What about you? Could that also be one of your reasons for making the transformation?
Of course, you can clearly see that the true transformation is not about weight loss. Instead of saying that my Transformation Purpose is to lose weight, put the "Why" question to the weight loss… Why? What is the reason for improving the health of your body? It’s not about winning a prize or money either. Those things are nice, but they’re really the frosting on the cake. At a deeper level, you’ll find your real reasons. Think with your heart, not your brain.
“The greatest purpose in life is to live it for something that outlasts it.”
-- William James
So now here’s your assignment: Get a pen and piece of paper and write down your purpose for making the Transformation. Be clear and bold. Look beyond the body – into your heart and soul. Find your reasons that answer the question, “Why?” You can get started by writing your Transformation Purpose in the comments section below. When you do, you’ll be taking another important step in your Transformation journey.
Once you’ve written your Transformation Purpose, read it every morning as you begin to start your day and every evening before you go to sleep. Print it out, fold it up and keep it with you throughout the day. When you have an extra minute, read it. Keep it in mind and hold it in your heart. Memorize it. Know it inside and out. When you do this, you’ll be giving yourself a powerful advantage. You see, more than anything else, having a sense of purpose will keep you going strong throughout this journey. When your transformation becomes a purpose-driven process, it will allow you to tap into your inner strength better than anything I’ve ever discovered. Likewise, when people dive into the transformation process without knowing what their true purpose is, the process becomes empty and meaningless in a matter of weeks. (Let’s not let this happen to you!) It is your Transformation Purpose that will keep you moving forward in the right direction, no matter what adversity comes up. It is your purpose for making the Transformation that will help you make this a priority each and every day. And it is that purpose which will feed your passion and help you succeed!
Until next time…
Bill Phillips
P.S. Watch for Assignment #5 by the end of the week!
By making this transformation I hope to serve as an example to my family and friends that anything you want to accomplish is possible. I want to live a long time. I want to see my children grow up and have grandchildren. There are many things I must accomplish and the only way to do it is to remain healthy. It is a way to give back for so much that has been given to me. I have witnessed so much pain and suffering and I do not want to travel down that path again, the path that so many have not returned from. I will never give up on my dreams or desires. I will constantly be on point to improve and transform myself in all areas of my life. It is my quest, a noble cause that serves me and in return I will serve others. When I will it, it will be so. The power of the WILL is my ultimate driving force to complete this transformation.
My transformation purpose is to free myself to be all that God intended and created me to be, and in the process to discover who that person is. It is not our abilities which define us - but our decisions. And the decisions I make in this process will help me discover my character. And in discovering my character, discover that purpose.
Really meaningful assignment. From my HHC: My purpose is to inspire my family and myself into greater ability of integrity and health. My purpose is to surprise myself with accomplishing what I have admired in others--physical stamina in running. My purpose is to give to my community which the Lord has placed me in. From my 18 week Challenge I started on Oct.19 personally: I want to make the change so I can develop the integrity for keeping commitments to myself, my kids, my husband, and to my Father. The fruits of this change will be phenomenal and in line with what I want from life and from the life to come. Without the change, I will not live a fully satisfying life and could lose my family ultimately. Above this, being able to keep commitments will help me meet my mission in life with success, my missions for my family and in my contribution to the world. Also, I want the whole soul feeling of having my phisique sparkle. Making the change will not only give me emotional confidence, but confidence and happiness with my physical half.
Wow! I had to stop and think about this one again. Why am I here? I know that I want to be in better shape and health, but I guess it is more than that. I haven't really liked myself for years. I haven't like who I've become. I have such a low self esteem that I worry about what others would think of me. For me this will be my greatest transformation, getting over those fears and just loving who I am! I am God's masterpiece! I have to remember that. I have to love what He created. I was created in His image. I need to get rid of all the negative junk in my head and put the positive in there! God doesn't make junk! I am going to become the best me that I can be! Inside and out! I was created for a purpose and I already know what that purpose is, I just need to act upon it and do it! Life is full of absolutes and variables. I know all the absolutes to doing this, but the down side is that there is only one variable. It's me. I need to fix me. Transform me to who I need to become for Him! This is my why.
The purpose for my transformation is to reclaim who I once was. Somewhere inside me there is this funny person who laughs a lot, loves to have a good time, loves to travel, roller blade, ski, swim, go to water parks, amusement parks. She's curious, giving, happy, friendly and accepting of others. I will not allow my two little girls to never know who their mom really is, and I refuse to accept that I will never again be the person I once was. My transformation is all about saying goodbye to the person who is sad, angry, tired, self pitying, slow and fat. It's all about gaining my real self back -- for me, my girls, my husband, my family and anyone who I have yet to meet.
I have written an entire page in a notebook full of my reasons, my purpose for the transformation. I need this so badly, and very much so on the outside, but probably more so on the inside. I am not going to post all my reasons here, but will say that I truly NEED a purpose for living and for getting up in the morning. I HAVE to find that, I have to find myself again and I have to love myself again. For as Bill said once in a text (or something similiar), "you cannot give love if you don't have any to give." I don't have the ability to love myself, let alone anyone else and it is a very lonely, sad, miserable and scary time for me right now. I can't stand myself, not on the inside, nor on the outside. I am really struggling with going out in public (this includes going to work). I feel like I am in a cocoon. I can't look in the mirrior and I am closing myself off to everyone in the world by becoming isolated, angry and just, "closed". This HAS to change and I am ready to commit to whatever it takes. Thank you Bill for what you are giving me. You will never know the power of your gift!
Why do I want to transform? I'm tired of being average. I have a good job, wife, and kids. We live an average live; kids go to school, wife and I go to work. We come home, do our own things, and before you know it, it's time to do it all again. I want more out of my life. I want my life to mean something. I want to get involved. I want to be the example for my wife and children. I have some physical challenges (elbow and knees) that have kept me from working out for the last few years and I have let myself go. I remember how good I felt when I was in shape, and I want that again. I want to feel good, I want to have the energy to take on more in my life and do it with zest.
Why change? I want to live and walk daily in freedom. Using food as an emotional crutch leads me nowhere except to the mall to buy a larger size pair of jeans. No! This is not what I was created for. "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened by a yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1 Lasting change... one day at a time.
Summed up: Reasons for Making the Decision to Change I want to make the change so I can develop the integrity for keeping commitments to myself, my kids, my husband, and to my Father. The fruits of this change will be phenomenal and in line with what I want from life and from the life to come. Without the change, I will not live a fully satisfying life and could lose my family ultimately. Above this, being able to keep commitments will help me meet my mission in life with success, my missions for my family and in my contribution to the world. Also, I want the whole soul feeling of having my phisique sparkle. Making the change will not only give me emotional confidence, but confidence and happiness with my physical half.
Ok Bill, here's what I've got for my reasons; my purpose for working through this transformation process: 1. I want to take my shirt off at a public pool and go swimming with my family (e.g.Glenwood Springs) 2. I want to stop the obesity trend in my family 3. I want to give my children and wife a great example of what taking care of God's greatest gift looks like. 4. I want to show them that discipline is a valuable tool that enables us options, freedom, joy 5. My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, I want to treat it as such! 6. I matter, I have tremendous value. I am not the scared, abused, misled and neglected young little boy any longer 7. My wife deserves so much more than I’ve given her. I want to give her the very best me for the remainder of our time together in this physical world
My purpose for transforming is: to ease suffering (personal and others), to be responsible for my life, to live in harmony with all life, to project strength of character, to live life properly, to rid myself of old limits.
My purpose for my transformation is first and foremost to get control of my body and mind so I can prove to myself, that I am capable of working hard and staying dedicated to achieve my goals. All my life, my accomplishments (i.e. getting good grades in school, getting a 4.0 gpa all throughout college, excelling in my job) has all really come easy for me. Really. I never had to think and work at those things, they all came naturally for me. I have never really had a true challenge that presented itself to me, other than getting fit and healthy. My second purpose is for my family. My husband and son. I want to be an inspiration and a shining example of health for them. They deserve to have a wife and a mother who is in a state of inner peace so she can focus on them rather than on self-pity and negative emotions.
My purpose is to be a "walking billboard" for the "wellness lifestyle". I will accomplish this by exercising, meditating, staying adjusted, fueling my body with the right fuel at the right time and doing yoga on a regular basis. My intention is to change peoples lives offering them more vitality, improved nervous system and immune function and teaching them that "health and true power" comes from within. It really is a matter of choice.
To get in shape, get sober, get connected, and clean house, so I have a solid foundation from which I offer my authentic gifts to the world.
Wow I like this! My short answer is: When people talk behind my back, I want them to say good things about me!
Ok, this is where we get into the real heavy stuff. My why? Why am I doing this.....again? Well when I started the first time I though it was about my physical changes, but in reality I know all that stuff. I know how to exercise and what and when to eat. My why's became more evident the first time around yet when I look back and even at the initial start of this round I can see that still many of my why's revolved around other people. So today, as of this moment what is my why? Because I need it. My soul needs it. My spirit needs to smile and be happy. I caught a glimpse of the bliss that we can experience each and everyday if we live our lives from a place of gratitude and of service to others. I spend so much of my time everyday giving to others but I never take to time to get real and love and take care of me. I preach it all the time to clients that "you can't give from a dry well" yet my own wellspring has been dry for most of my life. Taking the time to nourish my own spirit will strengthen the light within me which I know in the end WILL inspire others along the way. And a part of strengtheniny my own light is supporting and helping others by sharing myself - truly, honestly, sincerely which is scary for someone like me. I want to live my life as an example of what is possible. I want to be an example of health and fitness, and light and love for my children and husband as well as the rest of my family and friends. Taking care of the body is an extension of the soul. It speaks about what is important to you, and what you truly feel about yourself. If I take care of myself it is a reflection of my spirit's health. And honestly my spirit has been unhealthy for a long time because it depended on someone else to affirm it and make me feel good about myself. My purpose of being here is to learn to love myself, as I am, feeling my emotions, let go of the pain and know that I am ok just as I am. Once I can honestly say that I love and forgive myself then I can share that part of me that I have kept hidden for so long and allow my "story" to inspire others to live their best life too. It is my purpose to live a healthy, active life and educate others, especially my children, about the power of good nutrition, exercise and spiritual attention and growth - Transformation is helping guide me on that path which I struggle the most, and allowing to be myself, honest and true and grow my spirit in a safe place. And for that I am oh so grateful. I am here to grow into the person that God created me to be in all aspects of my being. And thats the clincher.....the find out who that is. How can I be the best me that I can be unless I know who I am? I do not know who I am. I do not know anything besides fear. The only emotion that I have ever really felt in my life is fear because I have stuffed all of the others one away for fear that expressing them might hurt or upset someone important to me. So fear has ruled my life and has tainted my view of the world and myself. Fear has kept me from dreaming and growing. Fear has prevented me from loving with my whole self. So I am here to learn who I am and what I want from my life. I am here to forgive and more importantly to let go. I am more than a wife and mother and daughter and sister, daighter in law, sister in law friend, I am a child of God and I have never acknowledged that child within and let her feel and grow. It is my Transformation purpose to find my true authentic self and purposefully live my life governed by love, honesty and forgiveness.
Ok, this is where we get into the real heavy stuff. My why? Why am I doing this.....again? Well when I started the first time I though it was about my physical changes, but in reality I know all that stuff. I know how to exercise and what and when to eat. My why's became more evident the first time around yet when I look back and even at the initial start of this round I can see that still many of my why's revolved around other people. So today, as of this moment what is my why? Because I need it. My soul needs it. My spirit needs to smile and be happy. I caught a glimpse of the bliss that we can experience each and everyday if we live our lives from a place of gratitude and of service to others. I spend so much of my time everyday giving to others but I never take to time to get real and love and take care of me. I preach it all the time to clients that "you can't give from a dry well" yet my own wellspring has been dry for most of my life. Taking the time to nourish my own spirit will strengthen the light within me which I know in the end WILL inspire others along the way. And a part of strengtheniny my own light is supporting and helping others by sharing myself - truly, honestly, sincerely which is scary for someone like me. I want to live my life as an example of what is possible. I want to be an example of health and fitness, and light and love for my children and husband as well as the rest of my family and friends. Taking care of the body is an extension of the soul. It speaks about what is important to you, and what you truly feel about yourself. If I take care of myself it is a reflection of my spirit's health. And honestly my spirit has been unhealthy for a long time because it depended on someone else to affirm it and make me feel good about myself. So my purpose of being here is to learn to love myself, as I am, feeling my emotions, let go of the pain and know that I am ok just as I am. Once I can honestly say that I love and forgive myself then I can share that part of me that I have kept hidden for so long and allow my "story" to inspire others to live their best life too. It is my purpose to live a healthy, active life and educate others, especially my children, about the power of good nutrition, exercise and spiritual attention and growth - Transformation is helping guide me on that path which I struggle the most, and allowing to be myself, honest and true and grow my spirit in a safe place. And for that I am oh so grateful. I am here to grow into the person that God created me to be in all aspects of my being.
Why: My reasons are so I can feel healty, strong, confident, and be a good roll model for my children. I want to be able to be ready to go at the drop of a hat, hiking, skiing, biking and enjoy it. To be able to have my picture taken and not dread it. To actually like a picture of me. I want to be confident to meet new folks and feel good in my skin. To be less stressed and have more energy. To be up for any challenge and take on life. TO LIVE LIFE.
I want to lose weight and get into shape so I can be a good role model for my 2-year-old son and 1-year-old daughter. I also want to be able to care for my 3 year old daughter who has severe CP and is 100% dependent upon me. I want to be a happy and confident wife and mother. I once read that the question is not whether or not we will make a difference, but WHAT KIND of difference will we make? I want to make a positive difference in the lives of others. I want my hope, faith, love, and joy to be inspirational and contagious. It's time to be the change and start living!
Bill, this is a mind expanding assignment! So here goes: My Transformation purpose is to improve the health of my body, mind, and soul so that I #1 Know what to do #2 Know how to do it #3 Truely accomplish it, so that I can #1 make continually better goals for myself # 2help others make and achieve their goals so that #1 we all reach knowledge of self and the God who fearfully and wonderfully made us So that #1 we all can be completely free to Love. And if we really want to distill that down, I want to have a hot body burning with a love of God, others and self. Cuz remember Fat Chicks don't like to be poked, but ripped chicks are always up for some good old fashion ticklefests. This is totally doable! Thanks for the life lesson in "what to do and how to do it!" ~ Fat Chick for Now~
Thank you for this awesome assignment, Bill. I have procrastinated on this assignment for a month! Once I started typing my purpose tonight, it just flowed out. Here it is: I want to be a happy, positive force in my household. I want to be an inspiration to everyone around me. I want to rediscover a zest and joy for life. I want to feel good and have the energy to keep up with being a wife, mother and teacher. I want to be a strong motivator to others in my life to make positive changes for themselves as well. I want to be a shining light to my husband. I want to be a healthy role model and influence to my son. I want to prove to myself and those around me that no matter what the past held as true for me, I can and will change my future. I want to discover my TRUE potential. I want to BE THE CHANGE!
I am going to keep this post short - I am about to publish a blog on this. So My reason can be summed up as, "to live and to enjoy my life, with the people that I love, to the absolute maximum every day and in every way". All else is puff pastry, for me. If something does not get me to a better, more transformed, deeper and loving life with the people that you love (God, family, friends yourself!) then what is the value? I took me a very long time to realise this and now I base every decision I make from this tennant!
Hi Bill, Am going thru the lessons again and my purpose is now totally different than when i first came here and the focus is not a 54 year old after photo..lol Happens to be i do believe in reaching out to people and one thing i can do is ..support and encourage folks...which may be our most important role..as you have said. Started this year getting big at the Powerhouse gym...then later took most of the bb photos off my profile.. This round is focused on the inside job and yes, all lessons will be learned.. Thanks, Tom
Yikes Bill you sure hit some emotional cords on me. To think of how I show up in the world everyday effects everyone, especially my babies kills me. I know I am a loving and wonderful mother and wife, but I want to be THE VERY BEST SELF I CAN BE. I want my daughter to see a truely happy healthy woman who can and will deal with anything that comes her way in a graceful healthy way. I want my son to see a woman who loves herself in all ways and then pursue a woman like that one day. I want to be the best life partner for my husband that I can possibly be. I want to inspire all but especially women and children. I want to shine God's bright light of love and happiness. I want to reinvent me. No more thinking of what I used to be or what I did wrong. I want to focus on positive love filled changes in all aspects of my life. Thank you Bill for this assignment. Very tough at first, but very rewarding to have these goals in front of me.
Bill, Thank you for this opportunity--you are amazing!! I am taking this out of my Journal from week 4 (currently in T2 week 14). My "Why" has not changed much from the first challenge which was to be a better Husband and Father for my family and to be the Role model I was intended to be for my family. The one thing that has been added though is the belief. The belief that I WILL do this and be the best person the lord has put me on this earth to be. I realize that I have so much more to offer, and I had some doubts and some limiting beliefs that I am doing this, but never really could be a Champ in a chalenge like this. But I realize now that I am already a Champ because I "Make a Difference" every day I am on this site and I truly Love it!! This community is nothing like I have ever experienced before, and it is life changing for me and I am blessed with the people in this community, and I thank the lord daily for what it has done for me and my family!!! Bill, Coach Stoney, Clarissa, Spencer, Marty, Shane, Mellie, my accountability group and every champion, and member of this team has been an integral part of my current success, and my future success. I know that I WILL run the Denver Marathon (1/2 Marathon) and I will run it for the kids of Make-A-Wish foundation because I know I Will make a difference in the lives of others in this round and in the future. I want to THANK YOU Bill again for giving me this oppportunity!! I am so grateful for this community. Thank you, Brian
Assignment #4: "My purpose for making this Transformation are many. The main one has to be because I feel this is probably my last chance to change anything. If you are twenty years old … you can do it again. Perhaps not so easy at 48. I can be physically fit and also mentally fit. Fit for my wife, active for my children, energetic for the books that I must write. Having a healthy body will give me a healthy mind. And I have to stop the ageing process - turn back the clock (a little). When our children are out of the house - in about 8 - 10 years - I want to drive from one end of Australia to the other and to explore New Zealand. To do that I need stamina! I want to continue doing karate and at least achieve a Green or Blue belt. I am what I eat …I have an excellent body! I am healthy! I am fit! I am an excellent father. I am a good husband. I am a powerful creative person - and I can achieve all this with this positive transformation. This man is not for turning!!
This assignment has taken me so long to put into words this time around. I think it did last time too lol During this round I have struggled with many demons, one of them being depression. I struggled with depression last round too, but I was surprised when it reared its ugly head this time around because I thought, "Hey, I went through the 18 weeks, I'm supposed to be transformed!" I have been focusing hard on the physical aspects of transformation (diet and exercise), but I've neglected the things that helped me the most during the last round. Staying connected and doing the assignments. I have a friend that is going through recovery for alcoholism. We discuss the changes that we're going through frequently. She's witnessed my emotional backslide. We went over the program, and she wanted to know about the assignments that I'm supposed to be doing so I read them to her. She helped me to see that the assignments are something I really need to take care with, to really focus on. Then she said something that resonated with me so deeply. She said that people like us (she and I) aren't like those people who good things just come to. Just like some women are born with supermodel figures that come easy to them, I have to work at having a good body. So it is with having a healthy mind and spirit. We call the negativity and bad habits "The Darkness". The darkness is something that I have lived with all of my life. Some people have a shiny, happy home base that their mind goes to naturally. My home base has always been the darkness. Happiness is not something that is just going to come to me, it is something that I have to actively seek. I am not at a point (and I'm not sure that I ever will be) where I can sit back and happiness will come to me, I have to seek it out, I have to nurture positivity, and I have to cultivate the conditions for a good life. When I am not doing those things, I fall back into old thought patterns.SO, my purpose for transformation. Because this is the only way I've found that helps me to flood the darkness with light. Last round I stated: "My purpose for this Transformation is that I cannot handle the pain of life living the way I was living. " That statement is still true. The reason I'm here isn't really glamorous, fabulous, or earth moving. I simply want to live a happy, healthy, passionate life that enriches my life experience and the lives of the people who come into contact with me. It's that simple and that difficult. At my core I have never been a person that leans towards happiness. Misery was a comfort, and when more misery was heaped upon me it was an evil that I knew. I could thought I could handle it. For a while. Negative self talk was something that I dealt with constantly. A minute my minute toxic burrito in my head filled with fear, self loathing, contempt, bitterness, anger, hostility, apathy, and futility constantly pulling me down.I could appreciate beauty when it was placed before me, but I didn't really seek it out or try to see it in others. I didn't realize how many different kinds of beauty there are. I didn't realize that for me happiness is something that is chosen, not something that just knocks on the door with a pizza and some hot wings with ranch dressing in its hands. Going through the last transformation, it was all about survival. It still is in a way, but I'm able to look at the bigger picture too... to see what I want my life to be like. I spend a lot of time alone these days, so I have time to think about the things that make me happy. I have learned that if I do my best every day, it makes me feel good in a way that is so far superior to anything I ever ate that I wonder how I didn't come across it earlier. The things that make me feel good now are to connect and reach out to people, to go out for a walk, to move forward, to read a good book, to laugh with a friend, to do something with my life that has quality. I'm still very much in a state of self discovery, of finding out who this new person is. I know that my old life didn't cut it for me or for anyone else around me.I am rebuilding myself from the ground up. I feel like t.com presents a kind of road map with the support and assignments. I've been through the BFL process, and it was great, but when I was challenged I lost my focus and went back to my old eating habits. I need this program to keep me focused, I need this map that transformation provides to get me to my goals, to help me discover who I want to become, and to keep me away from the darkness and into the light. I just want to be happy and healthy and to share it.
Bill, here is my purpose for Transforming: To be the best that I can be; the best mother, the best partner, the best daughter and sister, the best role model and the best employee. To live up to my full potential physically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually. To find joy and happiness in every day life. The be the change! - Lisa
This is a portion of my previous Assignment 4, "My purpose is to find the real me...not the one that is always trying to pacify Hombre, not the person always trying to make him look like the "bad guy," not the person who is always the victim. I am strong, and I can change these things about myself, and in the process, these changes will touch my kids, and maybe even Hombre. I want to be ME!!! I want to be a positive spirit, a loving person, a great friend, and a good example for my kids. This is my purpose! " To date, I think I'm still progressing to being the change. My eldest daughter runs with me as I train for the half marathon in Denver. My son and his girlfriend have recently joined tcom to begin their own journey of transformation. So being the change in that respect is coming along. But with challenge, there is a major difference - The Denver Marathon. Knowing that I am running for a cause...to help others has fueled my efforts like no other. The thought of hundreds of transformers going out everyday, sweating, pushing past the pain, day after day just overwhelms my heart! To see such a massive effort by so many to help others, to give so selflessly is fuel for the soul! Yes, I must admit that in the beginning I wanted to be a part of this event because I didn't want to be left out. But now that I'm doing the work, and am up to running for sixty minutes straight, the thought that keeps my legs moving is the thought of all those children whose dreams we are all going to make come true! My purpose this round is to finish the half marathon in order to collect all the pledges I have recruited in order to bring a smile to a childs face! This is the best way I can be the change!
Well, I have totally stalled on the program and it wasn't until today that I realized why. I printed out assignment #4 a few weeks ago and never read it. I put it aside and thought that when I got a quiet momment I would sit down with a cup of coffee and read and do the assignment. Well....having 3 children under the age of 5 can make that a difficult task. I also think that I subconsciencly knew that the real work begin in week four. So, a couple of weeks have gone by and I now realized...after reading the assignment.....why I have stalled on the program. I have given myself no purpose until now. So here it is...it's old and I'm sure you've heard it before, but to me it is the axis point to a lot of my issues...LOVE AND RESPECT I want to love and respect everything in my life... Love my body at whatever stage it is at and respect the choices that I made to get it there and know that those choices have made me the person I am at this momment. I want to stop living in fear and gain clarity and know that when I give myself these things that they can't be taken away. I want to feel passion and fire in my heart and be a healthy example for my children. I want them to be excited about life and live everyday to the fullest and if I am unable to lead by example to my children they will also fall into going through the motions day in and day out. I also want to love and respect all those who are a big part of my life like my husband and family. I want to respect their choices and to stop trying to fit them into my program. I want to give my husband the freedom to make his own healthy choices and respect the fact that he might not always make the right choice but it is his to make. Love and respect the process.....this is my life, the only one I've got to live...LIVE IN THE NOW.
My purpose for my first Transformation Challenge is to strengthen my mind, body, and connection with the God Force so that I am better equipped for universal service. Doing this makes me feel happy.
My transformation reason is so one morning I can wake up and walk by a mirror and not cringe at the reflection. To learn to not be so critical of myself. And to just be healthy.
The purpose of my transformation is simple. I can no longer exist, physically, emotionally, and spiritually, the way I have for the last 46 years. The purpose is to transform my thinking from “I’ll never change” to “I will change for the betterment of myself and those around me.” I will transform physically to enable myself to be active in life; to play with my kids, to enjoy outside activities with friends, and to run for the sheer pleasure of being able to run! I will transform emotionally from a fear-based 13 year old boy to a mature 46 year old man. I will forgive those who have hurt me. I will ask forgiveness from those I have wronged, especially my wife and children. I will acknowledge and let go of resentments and addictive patterns, which are poison to my body and soul. I will transform spiritually, from a religion based knowledge of God, to a real, living, and active experience with the God of the universe. I will transform…. and my transformation will inspire other towards their own transformation. God has placed me here to facilitate change in others. May I “Be the Change” now and until I am no longer.
Why-such a simple question but many complex responses. My simple answer to why is to be at peace with myself. I want to feel good about my body, my mind, my spirit. I always have good intetnions on the inside but have a diffficult time expressing them on the outside. I realize that if I am not peace with myself then I can't be at peace with anyone else. I want to let go of many things from the past and learn to trust again. I want to see the good in everyone because ultimately we ARE all good people. I want to surround myself with positive people - what a great place to start!
If I am negative and speaking negative words, I am having a negative impact on those around me.If I live a sloppy haphazard life, I have the sloppy haphazard impact on those around me. If My friends and family see a positive, loving, self controlled fit woman, who loves God and loves others and who is self disciplined and unafraid of the future, then I believe they will believe that they too can do this and it will have a major impact on their lives. In our small community, Our band played in the park last night. Around a thousand people showed up on the hillside(I have pictures) to eat dinner and enjoy the music we provided. Many of them came up and spoke to me. I was constantly turning around and hugging someone.I run sound for the band and I was down in front at the sound board. A person sitting next to me ...said..".Geeze...do you know EVERYONE in this town??" That got me to thinking. What if next time this year in the park, everyone I encountered noticed a big difference in my appearance (what people notice first)and my confidence and my smile? (It is already happening)....I would have be a credible person for the change. I could impact my whole town. They have seen me for 12 years in this band. We play benefits all over town all year. We are very popular in our little town because we play for free. We have lots of fun and we do it for others. I have an incredible opportunity. If I don't succeed and don't believe I can do this,I am wasting the opportunity.I will simply succeed.
I can never convince other people that the sky is the limit, that they can do anything they put their mind to that they can believe in themselves, that they matter in this world and that they matter to God who loves them with an infinite love and incredible mercy until I believe that in my core. I can never convince anyone of any of that unless they see me living out my life day to day like that. Until they see something they want in me. How I think and feel and act can have an incredible impact on the everyone around me even the world. That is my purpose for transforming.
My purpose for transforming I want to live with intention I want to be a rolemodell I want to inspire, motivate and help others to transform theire lifes I want to lead by examlpe I want my children to learn a healthy lifestyle I want to feel good and love my self I want to be selfconfident and strong I want to live a long life I want to learn new things I want a healthy future for me and my family
My purpose for transformation is simply to be better than I was, better than I am when I am not conciously striving for improvement. My first thoughts when I read Body For Life were inspired and excited. I wanted to keep feeling like that. But immediately I knew that what I needed has more to do with my frame of mind and spirit than my body. I want to lighter in spirit as well as my body. I am focusing on positives and working towards the ideal me. Hopefully that creates a positive effect for everyone around me, if I can be a brighter person . I am better for the experience even now, it is a blessing to be here.
my purpose is to better myself. As people we have so many things that bring fear to us so we don't go for it. Well I decided to go for it. and guess what? I am doing it. I have taken my purpose and now given my family, friends and others around me a purpose. I have now made my purpose not only about me but about others and my family and helping them in anyway I can to live a healthier life. No better purpose. "BE THE CHANGE" It is a great thing, and as long as a person is trying to "BE THE CHANGE" and it includes nutrition and exercise and taking the plung to a make a better them It is all worth getting threw the fears of unsureness, etc and finding a tunnel at the end and getting through it. It makes the purpose that much powerful. That is the way I feel right now. I have come a long way and like what I have done what changes I have made and not scared to share it and use it to change others around me. My purpose: making a better me and the ones around me. What more can you ask.
My purpose for the next 11 weeks of this challenge I COMMIT TO BE THE CHANGE SO I CAN BE THE BEST I CAN BE AND THEREFORE POSITIVELY INFLUENCE OTHERS TO BE THE BEST THEY CAN BE. sandra
"When your transformation becomes a purpose-driven process, it will allow you to tap into your inner strength better than anything I’ve ever discovered" This hit home for me and is the reason why I NEED to continuously give my self a purpose and challenge in life. I did BFL and completed it. Then without any other goals I went on bumbling through life for a few years...ended up heavier than when I did my first BFL challenge. I have thought long and hard about my purpose this time around and I'm going to document it now.
Thank you for this opportunity Bill. I want to Be the Change... my purpose is a mixture of spiritual and physical reasoning. Without doing this, I can see myself becoming a more miserable person who lacks focus and bumbles through life. Im the guy who spends money to improve his own self esteem. My purpose is to maintain consistency in this program, to live a healthier life, to look great, to regain some control of my life, to lower my weight so that my BMI returns to acceptable limits and to make clearer decisions through mental alertness. Thanks for this opportunity. Andy
My Transformation Purpose: To transform my life to help others by making a lifestyle and lifetime commitment to health. This main "mission statement" for health speaks broadly for all my specific reasons below: -Learn life skills in overcoming adversity. -Release my mind, body and spirit of the toxic garbage that prevents me from loving and living life. -Rid myself of high blood pressure, sleep apnea, numbness in my leg due to weight, procrastination, control issues, anxiety and my lowest self habits. -Honor my self promises and love myself to in turn love others. -Find a direction and plan for my life.
My Transformation Purpose can be found in the Book of Ephesians in the New Testament of the Holy Bible: "...to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. It is everything I want and desire. It is all that I am. My purpose is to pursue a life of such passion and such zealous FREEDOM that it becomes contagious and frees even the tiniest portion of those I come into contact with!
Why Transformation?.. i want to be passionate again about everything I do, who I am and who I hope to inspire today and in the future. Is that too much? I wrote it on my page weeks ago, but knew that it might be coming that we dive deeper into why we are all here. Thanks for reminding me that it takes more than a "challenge" to really change in life.. when we want it to last forever.
My purpose is to live deeply and intentionally, positively affecting every interaction (mind, body, and spirit) I have in every moment...including myself. In referring to a favorite art print of a popcorn box brimming with popcorn, "The future is a collection of successive nows."
Making Peace With God!
Hi Bill. I am strongly sensing the need to update my "Transformation Purpose" from that which I wrote about in the second week. Here's what THAT said...and I will follow it with my current perspective: Anticipating the dream coming true inspires me, but imagining the nightmare coming true really energizes me to change. While my dream includes things like "optimal health," I have never done anything about that, in any long-term sort of way. While I know what I need to do, I haven't done it for the positive feelings that will surely appear, the feelings that may arrive, the attitudes which probably will change. I haven't done what I needed to do for the dream. Even the dream of riding my own Fresian horse...which is a huge dream...pales, in comparison to the level of focus I have when I consider the pending nightmare. While I would like to swim at the beach with my children, feel athletic again, and revel in the self-worth that would surely follow an accomplishment like this transformation, I know that I have tried it all before, for all sorts of very good dreams. I have been able to externally justify every compromise and failure, blaming it on circumstances, injuries, people, or God. However, I know the truth internally, and the self-loathing simply increases. Here's the nightmare: crushing obesity, self-loathing, gasping for air at the mercy of a preventable disease, bitterness, an overwhelming sense of inadequacy, a desperate need for affirmations from others, the feeling of being hopelesly defeated by my own choices, chronic pain from over-burdened joints, continually covering up and hiding rolls of fat, horrible attitude problems, unrealized potential, and a life of mediocrity, ending in premature death. But that's not even the WORST part of the nightmare. The WORST part is the conscious choice to take others down with me. Bill's blog says, "We can't live an unhealthy life without hurting others in the process." I believe that is a completely true statement. I am hurting my children by the poor example I set. I am hurting everyone with whom I come into contact with my anger, my negativity, my poor witness. My unrealized potential is negatively influencing countless numbers of people, and I am not bringing any glory to God this way. I am taking others out because I have been too weak to change. That stops today. The nightmare does NOT get to exist anymore. It cannot be fed anymore, by denial, excuses, and weakness. If I starve the nightmare, then the dream has room to unfold, day by day. Back to today, in week 7.... I have a completely different perspective. Everything in that "why" statement was about me. My purpose now is so much bigger than that. How sad to think that I was the one I thought about. Yes, the selfishness of remaining the center-of-attention got me started, but it is not enough anymore. The part of that assignment 4 that I still resonate with is the idea of not bringing any glory to God...and not setting a good example. Those two statements are where I will be going with my purpose. I not longer feel isolated from the world, and from my impact in the world. In just a few short weeks, I have seen how what I do makes a huge difference in the lives of others, including my immediate family, and those with whom I come into contact. When I talk about the kids from Make-A-Wish Foundation, for example, I tear up. When I realize how close I was to cutting off hope and imploding my life, it frightens me. Everything is different today, because my focus is no longer on me. I transform because of others. I transform to give...to give back, to give ahead of receiving, to give because I can, to give glory to God. It's not about me at all. Fear only got me so far. Thinking of others, and what I can give, carries me today. Getting out of myself, and into the serving of others, has made all the difference in the last month, and I imagine that will continue. I have stopped looking in the mirror, ad started reaching out to others. I now believe I truly CAN make a difference in others' lives, and to refuse that calling is to truly embody selfishness. I don't care to live that way anymore. So, thanks for everything. This has been life-changing.
Wow.....My Purpose! It is really hard for me to look deep inside myself sometimes. It almost feels like I shouldn't be paying so much attention to "me"...it seems so narcissistic, but it is my time..... and I will be focusing on myself exclusively for the next remaining 14 weeks. "Waking Up is not a matter of Chance.....It it a matter of Choice! - Rose Blackham and I am beginning to Wake Up. To be asleep is to: -Feel like a Victim, Have Resentment and to Blame, Feel Fragmented and Distracted, Have low energy and inner conflict, Feel depressed and have low energy, Be Disorganized, Have Self Doubt and think " I'm not enough, Feel Out of Balance, and Not living "in the now" but the mind is living in the past and worrying about the future. To be awake is to: -Feel gratitude and love, Be Centered, Be Focused, Have High Energy, Be Enthusiastic, Be Organized, Think "I am beautiful", Have Self Confident, Be In Balance, Be Living "In the now", After much thought, My Purpose is to: Have an inner beauty and glow that resinates from my inner-self, and to help others understand that a healthy mind, body and soul is much more fun than one that is asleep. I will encourage my mind to absorb only positive things, I will encourage my body to eat healthy and nourish it's muscles with exercise and rest (thank you Body for Life) and I will encourage my soul to relax, observe, and to forgive. I am 48 years old and I want to live the remaining 52 years of my life with peace in my heart. ...........Amanda
I have beeen way behind on my assignments so I am taking this opportunity to try and catch up a little. My reason for this Transformation is simple yet so complex. There isn't just one answer. I am just going to let it flow here so excuse any repetition here but ..... I started in my first round back in january and I am not done - I will never be done. The ongoing quest to learn more and to love more will never be over so I will always be seeking and transforming. Each day will be a new start and I will hopefully be wiser than the day before. To be a light in the world for others to identify with and for God to use me to help guide them in areas where I am strong. And for me to reach out to others who are strong in areas where I am weak. To simplify life and deepen my relationship with God. To perfect both my body and my mind and use my health to inspire others to seek out balance and wellness. To be an example of what is possible. My purpose is to be the best that God created me to be, to use the talents that I was blessed with to bless others. To be a servant to others and a light to those in darkness. Physically it is my purpose to sculpt my best body and therefore to help inspire others to seek balance and wellness in their own lives. Spiritually it is my purpose to continue to transform into the light of Christ and let His light live in me so that all of my words, thoughts and actions are from Him. So that I may inspire others to also deepen their relationship with God. To allow God to speak through me. To surrender and to trust. Mentally I will always be seeking to grow and learn new things especially in the arena of health, fitness, stress management and nutrition. I will be working towards expanding my career to include "Health and Wellness Coaching". Emotionally I am always growing. Learning to surrender and trust. So my overall answer is that........... I am just not there...... and hopefully I never will be!
A very tough question to answer - I will have to work on the answer. I keep coming back to "progress not perfection" and trying to accept that transformation is a on-going process and not something you engage in for 12-18 weeks then you don't ever have to work at it ever again.
You said "how we’re showing up in the world each day is affecting the people around us." I have received this message of responsibility all my life as the child of a violent alcoholic...except in that context it has always meant intense shame and blame and serious fear, with no possibility of ever getting it right, no matter what I did or did not do. The truth I grew up with was that it would be better for everyone if I didn't show up at all and so that has been the way I have lived. As invisibly as possible. It just hurt too much to do otherwise, because how could I possibly go boldly into each day if I believed that all I had to offer was darkness? I have let that poison define me. Therefore, my foundational purpose now has to be that I find a way to believe I deserve to be here in this life, that the blessings I have – like my husband and my child – aren't miraculous accidents in spite of who I am, but are somehow, incredibly, because of who I am…that the love they and others offer me is real and I can safely accept it into myself and let it glow inside me without constant fear of manipulations or reprisals, without that old voice that says the closer love gets to me, the more it will want to go away. I can let that love finally warm away the loneliness and be the strength by which I live. Most importantly, this then redefines my responsibility, my showing up. I need to do everything in my power to stop hiding and avoiding my life and instead start reflecting and amplifying that love, firmly planting myself in an abundance of thanksgiving and an awareness of grace. I need to balance out the evil I have known with as much light as I can possibly generate. I am so thankful I have finally taken a step onto the other side of the teeter-totter and can begin learning how to live every moment with clear sight and joyful intention. I now believe this vision has been mine all along, keeping me intact, not allowing me to go away, waiting for me to be brave enough, waiting for me to see...a true knowing that despite everything, because of everything, I have a light inside me that refuses to go out. Let it shine.
I should have done this assignment long before now. I was dragging my feet for so long. My Transformation Purpose....Why? I want to stop letting myself and others down. Because I want to be happy, strong, both inside and out. I want to be a happy, compassionate, strong, forgiving, sefless person. I want to positively influence those whom I care for and love. Inner peace is something that I want to and need to find...to grow spiritually and live a healthy life with my family is what I want. I want people to want to be around me. ..because I make them feel good about themselves. And if I can feel good about myself...who I am inside and out, I can live the life God has always intended for me to live, and I will have brought my transformation to fruition.
Bill, for the longest time, I like you, was sort of stale, or stuck; without intention. I could hear others talk about how amazing life is or how happy they were. I knew I wasn't totally unhappy, but I also knew I wasn't totally happy. I am completing this transformation because I want to realize my full potential! I am also completing this transformation so that I can inspire others around me to see their full potential as well.
My purpose - to find happiness o fmy own and to share it with my husband. to be his rock and helpmate as god intended. to stay healthy and fit in the pursuit of the best life possible. to gain self fullfillment and self reliance. to find a way out of debt and dependence. to find a happy medium between work and my life. to be the best at what i do and what I can do. to call god my friend and mean it .
I want to transform inside and out because I know that the body I have been living in for the last 7 years is not "me". I want to be healthy, happy, positive and energetic for my son and my husband. I want to have the self confidence again that I once had and know once again that I can do anything I put my mind to. I know that I will be a better mother, wife, daughter, sister, and friend because of the awesome joy, confidence, positive outlook, strength and energy I gain from this transformation!
My purpose: to be all that I can be, to enjoy each and every moment of life with a healthy mind and body, strong self-esteem, high energy. To be a better role model for my kids. To feel in control, of my own body, of my life. Pam
I just want to be the man that God created me to be. So far I have fallen short. I want to be a better husband, father and friend. I want God's love to shine through me and most of all I want to make a difference on this earth. Davis
Bill, I wrote a ton in my blog but, here it is in a capsule: What need did I sense within myself that motivated me to begin this whole Transformation process? What is my purpose for making the Transformation? My heart deeply longs to: Become fit in body, mind and spirit. Why? So that I can love, as fully as I am able, God -- others -- and myself... even in my brokeness. Fully LIVE. Why? So that I with every breath -- and every motion - can give expression of thanks to the One who has given me this life. And to not just love Him, others, and myself in thought -- but in word and deed. ~ Elizabeth ~
Bill - my purpose in round 2 has evolved a bit but essentially the same. My purpose is to stand for what I believe every one of my loved ones, family, friend and community should enjoy in life. Peace, joy, excellent health and freedom. I am here to exemplify the benefits and live the message. Thanks for all you are doing to support my journey!~Debra~
My round 2 4th step has gone way beyond what I had in the first round. I'll post my thoughtsin my won section of this site.
Great assignment. You would never know it, no one has a clue, I cover it up well but I have been very insecure with myself for a long time. I have been through some really emotionally, challenging times in my life. I want to have a better well being. I want to become emotionally and physically stronger. I want to be happy!
Okay this time I looked into my heart and took some time to reflect on...................."WHY"..... 1.) I will become a role model of a healthy life style for my daughter. 2.) My wife will join this Transformation adventure with me one day. 3.) I will become a more spiritual person in my life. 4.) I will become a more giving human being. 5.) I will accomplish one of the greatest goals in my life....10% body fat.
i don't want to regret my life!!! And up to now, I kinda have. I've taken a back seat in all things "ME" and blamed the world for my life not turning out the way I'd once hoped. It's no one's fault but my own, or should I say, no one's responsibility but my own (to have my life "turn out"). I've blamed the world around me for my dreams not being fulfilled, for not being happy, joyful, passionate and inspired. Even in the midst of this transformation, I still find myself shirking responsibility. But the purpose of my Transformation is to take responsibility, to heal the shame that has kept me stuck in the self-destructive behaviors that lead me to the place I am now. My deepest desire is to be of service, to make a difference in the lives of those I encounter, to inspire and be inspired, passionate and joyful. If I can't make a difference in my own life, how can I do so for others? I want the healthy mind, body and spirit of someone who loves and honors herself. Some days are bound to be hard because transformation is confronting. Shedding light on the darkness may be uncomfortable, painful even, but it is the way to freedom. Most of all - and hardest to "get" , is that I deserve this. The people in my life deserve this.
Assignment #4 My purpose in this transformation is to become physically & emotionally healthy and strong. I plan to be an inspiration to others through my ability to "Lead by Example". The idea that we, as a community and as a nation, can all help each other be fit and lead more productive lives is really exciting to me. I now want to help not only the people who are near and dear to me, but even strangers who may benefit in any way from a photo I share, or maybe a story about some life experience of mine that may touch their hearts and lives in some positive way (in the same way I have been touched by so many stories in T.com !) I want to get myself to a place where I am constantly learning, evolving, and developing as a person. I want to be consistently filled with so much positive energy that it's something other people notice and ask about, which then gives me the opportunity to share this wonderful secret that I feel I've been so fortunate to "stumble upon". I hope to send many others on a journey of self love, self discovery & self improvement so that we may all enjoy a healthy and happy life.
What does this transformation mean to me?? Let me start off with this, I had a really bad day yesterday. Was feeling stressed, depressed, just completely off. I forced myself to do my LBWO because I do not want to quit! For once, I want to finish what I have started. In times past, this would have been a good excuse to just quit. I realize that if I quit now, I am never going to transform myself in this or any other area of my life. How does that saying go? “If nothing changes, nothing changes!” I want to change!!! I did not have a great workout, and I was angry at myself for letting “life” get in the way of what I am trying to accomplish. This transformation challenge is crucial to me. I want to turn my life around. I want to get healthy physically AND I want to grow spiritually. I want to be all that God intended me to be, full of life, healthy, happiness and success. I feel as though I am looking for something, not sure what exactly, and that somehow this transformation is the road to that something. The beginning of many good things. I read the many posts here and I get so encouraged. I want to be able to do that for people. I want to help people and encourage them. But how can I do that if up until now I have not been able to help myself?? So to quote Bill “What IS the point? I think the point for me begins at being proactive in getting myself healthy. In enjoying the satisfaction of finally doing for me, for my health. I have to do this for me first. I know that sounds selfish, but I really don’t think it is. How can I help anyone if I can’t help myself? It’s funny, you see those infomercials in late night TV and the people in the testimonials always say the same thing, “If I can do it, anyone can!” I want to believe them, but quite frankly I don’t. And yet, I want to be that person that says “If I can do it, you can and you will! I want to be able to say that to people and know in my heart that is it true! Be able to help people know with the confidence and conviction that it can be done. And not just this challenge, but anything that you put your mind to. As I am writing this, a thought just came to mind and maybe the first point for me in this transformation is to learn to believe in myself.
As I made my way to the gym this morning at 5:30 am I pondered the reason or reasons I am continuing my journey of transformation. I discovered my reasons this time are much different than in my first round. I was much more desperate to save my life at the beginning of round one. I was 80 pounds over weight and in the worse shape of my life and had a host of other mental and physical problems that were slowly killing me. Now after a successful round one, I am 58 pounds lighter and feel great physically but there still seems to be some parts of the puzzle missing. As good as I feel and look I still have those occasional days where I allow myself to fall back into old habits like when I dwell on old age, remind myself of how poor I am financially and a host of other problems that can mount up to the clouds if you let them. As hard as I try to keep my thoughts clean, positive and healthy, I never fail to eventually let these old habits creep back in. So on my way to the gym this morning I asked myself "why do I allow myself to do this". I felt it may be worth investigating before continuing on further into round two and could possible supply a more sound answer to Bill's assignment #4 question "WHY"?. A phrase I use often and especially when I have a slip up in attitude is "I'm only human, give me a break", but I don't really believe I mean it. It's just an easy out until I can regain my composure. I believe I am still dealing with the issue of control. Most of the time I pleasantly glide through life accepting things as they are and appear happy to most. But let something effect me personally and the battle is on. I like to be in control of my situation and surroundings. I guess that's one reason I never found drug use appealing. I did not like the feeling of being out of control. Now being in control of one's situation can be a good thing as I found out during round one but when you allow it to control your emotions it can be a detriment to one's total success. I have found on occasion I will still allow external things to control my attitude and emotions. In a recent conversation with a close friend I discovered that most of the things I allow to affect my attitude I have no control over anyway. If money is one of my concerns and there's really nothing I can do about it, why waste time and energy trying to control it. This "control" thing is one area of my transformation that I really want to let go of. So with that said, lets return to Bill's question. I am continuing my transformation journey because I want to continue growing internally and freeing myself of old habits like my addiction to control. On the outside I have made great progress, but on the inside I need much more work. I must trust the transformation process and know that a life time of old habits can't be eliminated in just 18 weeks, it takes patience and time. I must accept and forgive myself but at the same time be aware of the things that are holding me back from total freedom. Below are a list of things I will concentrate my efforts on during the next sixteen weeks. I will read this list each morning before starting my day. • Be proud of what I have accomplished • Stay persistent and trust the process • Let go of the things I can't control • Reach out and help others in need • Be grateful for the many blessing in my life • Live life one day at a time • Love unconditionally • Slow down and enjoy the ride • Love who and what I am • Appreciate my body • Hardships help us grow and be stronger and wiser spirits • Be patient with my growth Greg :)
My Transformation Purpose: The purpose of my transformation, is to live. I took the time to really take an inside look at myself. And to say the least I did not like what I saw. Over many years… Personally, I have been an excellent planner, but not the best the the worst implementer. This has lead me to years of self imposed failure and excuses. Because of this… I have hurt those around me (specifically my family) w/ inability to take control of my life. This step in my life will take the largest amount of honestly and selflessness I have ever given. If someone were to meet me… they would think that I was an outgoing and overall happy person. But when I look in the mirror I don’t like what I see. I suffer from a poor self image (although one wouldn’t think so if they met me personally). This is because I have been conditioned at an early age to “mask”. Subsequently I have learned to “cover-up” what ever was bothering me (to a certain extent). My family (specifically my wife) has dealt with me in this for 15yrs. She has stood by me and encouraged me through it all. I think in all… we have both silently suffered. Things have reached a breaking point! Sometimes I don’t know which direction I am heading in…So I ask myself… “what is my purpose” with some trepidation, I take a look back inside. (taking a deep breath)…. My purpose is to LIVE…and not DIE !! Yeah… that sounds all fine, but what does it really mean? Well I see it like this… for a long time I have lived using the following formula. (Plan + No Action) = Failure / (Action +No Plan)= Lost .So for a long time I have lived is a state of being a lost failure. Now I just have to be real! The only way I can fulfill my God given purpose and live a transformed life is to live by the following formula (Plan + Deliberate Action) = Transformation. My purpose is to positively impact the life of my family and those I interact with. My Purpose is to like what I see when I look in the mirror. My purpose is to see the light of happiness to beam off my families face. How will I know when I have arrived …? It will be something that will be known with out having to speak a word or ask any questions. Just like when you know you are in love… “You just know it”!! it’s validity can never be questioned. It will be like seeing a pregnant woman… it is unmistakable. That is my purpose… to be unmistakably transformed. I will finally speak loudest by keeping my mouth shut. It is then when all things shall fall inline. Physical-Spiritual-Mental. I can do this! Regardless what happens past this point, I will continue to make strides toward transformation. I know I will have times of difficulty. (anything worth having will be difficult at times). I will remind myself… by not moving forward will only move me closer to a place where I no longer want to be. I want to be around for my children. I want to be around to grow old with my wife. I want to live! I want to thrive… not just survive. ~Duane
I started ANOTHER (I've probably lost 200lbs in my lifetime, but gained 210) challenge in late June, so guess it's time to post my purpose. In a nutshell, I want to thrive....CONTINUOUSLY! I'm sick of this up and down stuff every year. It takes a toll. And leaves me lacking in confidence and belief in myself. When you fail at something so often, how can you have any confidence at all? So, my purpose is to make a lasting change that motivates my family and friend to do the same. I want to be an inspiration to friends and family alike. But most importantly, I want to lose bodyfat and keep it off; the rest of my life. By doing so, my quality of life and hopefully, length of life, will improve dramatically!
I've been thinking about this assignment all week and I think I've got it I have always been a very goal oriented person (with the exception of exercise and health). I have set one academic or professional goal after another and truly believed that those results ARE equal self-worth. Recently, I completed a major academic and professional goal and I was chosen to move to Napa, CA and do a 6 month internship all expenses paid. I began to become nostalgic and reminisce all the people that I have had good times with and it made me a little sad. Feeling like I didn't take full advantage of their friendship and love that they were offering me because I was to busy with myself. Point is, I am either planning for the future or remembering past events but I am never enjoying my life while it is actually happening. I don't feel like I can enjoy my life or be a good person until I lose weight, get my masters, get a really good job, meet the right person start a family buy a house etc. As I write these words it seems to me that I'm really need to let go of my perception of success to actually succeed. These things are holding me back. My purpose for doing this transformation is to love and enjoy my life. Jeremy
When I read Bill’s latest blog the other day which contained the story of the Native American who speaks of the “wolves” within, I realized the one wolf that represents “fear, anger envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and apathy”, is still the wolf that has a hold over my progress. I have learned much about myself from Challenge #1 but I have also learned I have a long way to go. And that is ok. I didn’t learn all the negative patterns overnight, and I don’t feel I can shed them overnight either. What I have learned is I can recognize them and learn to overcome them. I can learn to listen to my “good wolf” and let her guide me along my new path. My new purpose is to suppress the “bad wolf” and embrace the “good wolf”. I am driven to become everything the good wolf stands for; “joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, friendship, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.” I have a lot of these traits naturally already. My purpose is to learn to use them in my day to day life and begin living a life with more spiritually and positivity. I know once I embrace my new purpose whole heartedly, my health and well being will follow.
This one is not as hard as some of the others. I am usually pretty goal oriented so I have already defined my purpose! I want to be all that God made me to be:)
My Transformation Purpose....I want to like myself. I want to become well physically, mentally, and spiritually. Physically - to lose weight, get my cholesteral levels stabilized and avoid diabetes. I want to be able to look at myself in the mirror and love what I see. Mentally - to improve my short term memory and feel at peace with who I am. Spiritually - I want to reconnect with my Lord and Savior on a deeper level and to feel that "peace that surpasses all understanding. I am on day 19 and feel stronger and more commited to my challenge each and every day. God Bless you Bill and everyone else.
For too long I have been coasting. In a rut. Taking a healthy life for granted. Neglecting myself - and as an ugly fringe benefit, those around me. I thought myself healthy because I was never sick, but “sick” is narrowly defined here. I’m in very poor shape and it is beginning to manifest itself. I have also lost touch with my spirituality and so I have been relying on the arm of flesh (my own) to serve and help others – not a good formula. I have been getting “hints” from myriad sources that I need to change. Finally upon hitting 304 lbs. I began to ponder whether to just let’r go or do something about it. Almost miraculously an email from Bill Phillips popped up with this Transformation Challenge. I was in the right place at the right time. A still small voice told me to do it. Here’s why: • By accomplishing this transformation I will be able to realize my full potential. • I will be able to genuinely lift others. • I will be able to find true well-being. • I will be able to experience life fully: physically, emotionally, and spiritually. • It will show respect for my Maker and Connie. • I will be able to say that I am living life intentionally, not accidentally. • I will be able to say that I set a goal and I accomplished it. • I will be able to correct and maximize my relationships (God, Connie, Family) • It will cure my selfishness • I will be able to be a force for good.
I AM GOING TO TRANFORM BECAUSE I AM TIRED OF BEING INSUCURE DEPRESSED EMBARRASSED ANGRY I AM TIRED OF WORRING WHAT OTHERS THINK OF ME AND THINKING NEGATIVLY ABOUT OTHERS I AM TIRED OF NOT FEELING GOOD ENOUGH AND HAVING FEAR AS MY #1 EMMOTION I AM TIRED OF FEELING LIKE A FAILURE
Thanks for the meaningful trip you are taking us on, Bill. What is the power of my purpose: And, What is my purpose. To be lifted out of the dark pit that was swallowing me whole as I added year upon year to my life until I felt I was on the vortex of my last years of existence. I could go down that long difficult unrewarding path of my ancestors who didn't know better, or I could jump into the flame that special members of my family had shown me really can work-- a flame that continues to spread and warm many hearts both in my family and friends. The Power of my purpose is my Heavenly Family...who would not let me rest in my "rocking chair" and let me slip through the black hole of depression and indifference. Hallalujah!
Its very simple for me right now why I am making a transformation. I have a lifetime of work ahead of me and right now is better than ever to make the change. My purpose is focused into three goals over the next 18 weeks: 1. I Spencer Cassler will begin my Second Transformation Challenge on May 25th, 2009, and in 18 weeks I will become 20 lbs. lighter in fat, a fat percentage of 8%, gain 15 lbs. of muscle and finish my Challenge on September 27th, 2009. 2. I Spencer Cassler will train and compete in various races over the next 18 weeks to prepare myself to run the full 26 miles in the Make-A-Wish Denver Marathon scheduled October 18th, 2009 and raise $1000.00. 3. I Spencer Cassler will create a new Accountability Group that is designed to support, encourage, and mentor Transformation.com Members, Challengers, Level 2 Transformers, and Champions through a successful 18 week Transformation Challenge in the 2nd and 3rd Rounds of 2009. The goal in mind is to mentor a least three Challengers and (or) Level 2 Transformers in the Accountability Group to a Transformation Championship in 18 weeks which will be announced by January 4, 2010.
The Power of Purpose My purpose for this round is to obtain balance in all areas of my life so that I can be a better steward in helping others and have some fun at the same time. -----Anita
Purpose: (Webster’s)” An action in course of execution.” Why am I taking this particular course of action? Going to the gym? Eating healthy? Working on cleaning up my personal environment? Although I make light of it now, remembering how my life used to be before I decided to get my act together, I know good and well how easy it would be to slip back into that comfy pair of size 16 tent-pants. By living in a state of constant execution of this alternate course, I hold my ground on top of the pile I clawed and climbed up tooth and nail, body and soul, in order to leave the past behind and taste what so many had promised awaits us if we just try. I had this ponderism last weekend as we unloaded a truck-full of trash to the dump (and yes, the 29+ Filter Queen vacuum went). All this accumulated garbage is going to be here in the earth long after I’ve moved on, my kids, grandkids, and so on, and it benefits no one. It takes up space and has no value other it is no longer takes up space in my immediate surroundings. Well, if I go through life without a passionate purpose, have no zest for life, existing instead of living, accumulating nothing of value, what am I creating around me for myself and others? Would it be anything anyone wants passed on from generation to generation? What am I leaving behind to fill the earth with? (I have a lot of these ‘chasing a rabbit’ moments. LOL) Now, if each one of us chooses to live with intention, find a passionate purpose for our life, are committed to growing and learning in a constant state of humble improvement, we create value for others who come onto our path. When we are healthy and whole, it no longer becomes a burden to create time for others. It’s no longer uncomfortable to feel unconditional love for others. We nurture a desire to listen and offer compassion be it through words, a touch or a look in our eyes. By offering them a glimpse of hope; of what awaits them if they try. In doing that, our purpose is not only reflected from us, it becomes us and we end up continually enriching our lives. Why do I want to say in a state of action in course of execution and how does that keep me queen of the pile? :0) It all works together. By being healthy in all aspects, I help others and I help myself, not in a selfish way, mind you. I want to stay positive. I want to remain out of guilt debt and in gratitude reserve. I want the images of a life not well lived, the painful chapters on loss and guilt and shame that have been burned into my memory, to stay turned around to the light. Before we know it, what we worked so hard to turn around, will be consumed in darkness. And the walk back will become that much longer. I don’t ever want to take that path again. How's that for purpose?
Geez...first I have to pull myself together and stop tearing up so that I can see what I'm writing. This really digs deep within me..... It first starts with my sobriety. Having alcohol as your only source of calories and the only way that you can function on a day to day basis (takes away the shakes and anxiety) is one of the worst feelings and the lowest I have EVER felt. And when you get to the point where you can't even keep that down...you know you're going to be in a world of hurt until you stabilize again. Then usually you start up the vicious cycle just once more. Why? I'm clueless. But when you get past that week or so of hell detoxing and actually choose to stop drinking and eat healthy and get back into the gym slowly the feelings of accomplishment are overwhelming. You actually start to feel "human" again. And then you come to a site like this and get so fired up about transforming to yet another level. My purpose....I want to feel human at a much higher yet deeper level. The fire that I feel inside about this transformation gets me so excited and giddy. I already feel strong, healthy, motivated and inspired in so many ways. My outer body has yet to catch up with how I feel on the inside. And I someday wish to help thousands who desire to come out of their addictions and achieve that level of happiness within. To love the skin your in!! And of course I will do this by setting an example and showing them it can be done!!!!! Thanks Bill....D
My Transformation Purpose is to be an example and model to others (especially my family and friends) who are struggling to improve their lives, mentally, physically, materially, and spiritually. I am also one of those people and I need to see myself achieving this goal, so that I can believe that I can achieve all the other goals I have set out for my life.
My purpose is to find my true self and to love her. To give my two beautiful girls that demonstration and example in life. That is not something I can give to them 15 years from now - this is my chance. So it can guide them as they each grow and create their own self-image.
Nice thoughts that I can identify with, I mean long after we're gone the ones remembered and talked about in our familiy trees are those that lived with purpose, integrity and character. In an instant we always leaf through time find their page and go right to them. The rest are just forgotten fluttering pages. Given that, the logical outcome is to choose living with purpose. lets go!
WOW,Bill. I LOVE this! Pondering this - after reading your writing about it - got me into some real good stuff. It is real solid power that comes from passion. No Passion, No Power for this gal. More on this in my assignment blogs. Thanks for the insight, Bill Your eloquent wording along with my ties to the word 'harness' brought some real amazing thoughts to mind. LPJ, Cat
As I am trying to live my life with new habits and a new mindset toward myself I am confronted yet again with assignment #4. This assignment is difficult for me this round for some reason.....I am having a frustrating time finding that true purpose FOR healthy living. I have many "wants" and "desires" that I can think of but they are all vanity and empty to the real reason why I need to keep working out and maintaining that healthy lifestyle. As I search within myself I hope to ask the right questions in which to uncover the why for this next part of my journey. The first round I was seeking happiness and contentment with self and I believe God has led me to find the answers for that....now.....the next level of mental and spiritual discovery awaits. WHY? WHY? I seek this answer daily.....My mind, body and soul desires to resolve this question quickly and wholeheartedly so I can move on through to the "other side" of great health. Having said that....I know that my life's purpose is to help others - spiritually, physically, emotionally and mentally. How that "shows up in the world" on a daily basis, I'm not quite sure yet and wait in stillness to have that revealed by the Lord. If I don't take care of myself -- I can't serve others the way God intended.....plain and simple.
I've destroyed too many good relationships by being selfish or undependable. No more! My purpose in this transformation is to grow up and be ready to start a family, if that's what the future holds. It's to be the words on the right side of my Assignment #1 -- Selfless, Self-controlled, Worthy and Dependable.
I completed this assignment on July 2. It was easy for me because I'm always thinking in these terms; But, this is particularly special to me because I've been awaiting this season of "rapid transformation" for over 10 years. This time in my life is THE most strategically transformational time in my personal history. I literally need RAPID transformation in EVERY arena of my life -- ALL AT ONCE it seems! So for me, I AM taking this more seriously than I've ever taken anything -- and I've really had to take some things seriously in my past! I'm sure 100s of us, even thousands, have waaaaaaaaaaaay more severe circumstances than I have, but it's all in the perception, isn't it? It's how much we individually REALLY value this process, knowing what it could mean to us (and many others) for the rest of our lives! I believe God has an ideal time-table for me to experience the most dramatic changes of my entire life -- and it's all for higher purposes. This is WHY I am so "fully present" in this journey - with or without others - even if it was just me alone. I MUST give the effort to transform that my life deserves -- and more importantly, that God Himself, my Creator, deserves. I posted my Assignment #4 in my ASSIGNMENT Blog.
WHY??? This is going to take some time to dig deep inside my heart.
My Why/Purpose was originally this: You know when you go into a store to buy clothes? Well there must be something wrong with that mirror in the changing room, right? When I saw myself in that mirror, that was the initial spark needed to get me going. I was out of shape and unattractive to myself. The belly flab must had been distorted, I didn`t look like that at home, did I? Yes I did! I just posted about having a Moment of Doubt at the gym 2 days ago. Then I decided to start the assignments. Now at #4, this is spot on what happened to me the other day, I was asking "why". Now after assignment #1 my reason expanded to include my inner self too. So basically, Assignment #1 gave me more reasons to continue, making any excuses to stop meaningless. I cannot stop. I`ve been given knowledge that I have the power to change. Thank you Bill Mike
My purpose: I want to be balanced, to have peace of mind, to love myself, to give it a shot and try to fulfill on what I think my purpose on this earth is: making movies, delivering stories. Being who I was destined to be: someone who will stop hiding and pretending, and will shine and inspire others to live their dreams.
Why do I want to lose weight, quit smoking, and be happy? Be Healthier Be Happier Be able to do things easier Be pain-free Make positive changes in Mark’s life Make positive changes in Pam’s (my) life Gain self-respect and self-esteem To care about myself To be a positive person To learn to receive and give unconditionally To love myself and others unconditionally
my PURPOSE: To be a positive role model to others who may not know where to go, to become strong enough to carry others through difficult times, and to live long enough to accomplish both.
I know that assignment number 1 was supposed to be difficult, but this one was WAY more challenging for me. I made my "rough draft" today and I'll be revising it through the rest of this week. If this is to be my compass, my guide and my motivation, it has to inspire me. I am so busy taking care of everyone else, that it's easy to put myself last. This assignment will help me stay on track!
Life is too short to be ordinary. I want to shine for those around me. I will reach my true potential spiritually, emotionally and that will manifest its self physically.
To peel all of the layers both physically and spiritually that have weighed me down and hidden my true self. I want to be my old me again...always happy, feeling no pain, energetic, passionate, and living life. This will allow me to live life to the fullest with my kids and my husband.
Round 2 - my purpose this round is to work on being focused and determined. I've registered for the 1/2 marathon in Denver, and need to keep working and raising the bar so I'm prepared - physically, mentally and spiritually to cross the finish line. Part of the focus is to work towards losing as much weight as possible before October, as every pound lost is one less to carry 13.1 miles. Margaret
Today is my 30th day in this transformation journey and I have been pondering Assignment #4 for quite a while - not because it was difficult, but because I realized my focus has changed just in this first month. This has been a great assignment for me ! "My Transformation Purpose" : My purpose in this transformation is to become physically & emotionally healthy and strong. I plan to be an inspiration to others through my ability to “Lead by Example”. The idea that we as a community & as a nation, can all help each other be fit and lead more productive lives is really exciting to me. I now want to help not only the people near and dear to me, but even strangers who may benefit in any way from a photo I share, or maybe a story I share about some life experience of mine that may touch their hearts and their lives in some positive way (in the same way I have been touched by so many stories in T.com) ! I want to get myself to a place where I am constantly learning, evolving, and developing as a person. I want to be consistently filled with so much positive energy that it's something other people notice and ask about, which then gives me the opportunity to share this wonderful secret that I feel I’ve been so fortunate to “stumble upon”. I hope to send many others on a journey of self love, self discovery, self improvement so that we may all enjoy a healthy and happy life.
I have been thinking about this assignment for about a week. Why? I want my old body back. My youngest is 3 and I'm tired of having a "Mom body" and a "frazzled Mom" attidude. I choose T.com because I'm also starting to know my self again. T. com and the assignments I believe will help me work toward acheiving both at the same time. I am already reaping the benefits in just 3 weeks
New Mantra: “Stop living accidentally and start living intentionally”. I want to live life without teh crutch of being fat. I want my self image to be positive and knowing, that I can do what needs to be done to accomplish my goals and make my life a healthy and long one. I am not a quitter. When I let myself down, I let others down. I like living with a purpose. I love me.
My purpose is to live intentionally in stead of accidentally. i NEED this challenge to show myself i can accually finish something that takes intentional thinking.
When I first thought of this, my first thoughts were that my purpose was to get stronger, feel better about myself and try to be a good example for my kids. That seemed so shallow to me. Too easy. When I stopped thinking about it, at least consciously, it hit me. I always stop when I start to succeed. Always. I started the challenge in Jan. and when I started to lose the weight and be successful, I stopped. No real reason, not a conscious decision. I tried weight watchers a year ago. Lost about 15 - 20 pounds and then stopped. I even have a small business and even with that, when I start to get successful, I step back almost like I am looking for the "norm" for me. It is like I don't think I can be successful so why try or I don't deserve to be that successful. Same with finances, whenever things start to get smooth, I make bad choices. I remember that movie "He's Just Not That Into You" the guy says to the girl that she likes drama, so always creates drama in her life. So do I set myself up for failure because I like the drama or because I don't think I deserve to be strong, healthy and successful? So my purpose to to work at telling myself that I am strong, I am worthy of being a success and I can and will complete a goal I have set for myself!
My entire life I've heard ... "She has such potential" only to be afraid of living up to it. Athletically, academically. Now is the time to live up to My potential for me, not for what others "see". So I can be the best person I can be... WHY? Ultimately, to do what I believe we are here to do... to serve others.
Last challenge I did not finish. this is the assignment that stopped me. I thought long and hard on this and struggled to where I never even finished, I went deep and got my self too worked up. My purpose at this time is to enjoy my 18 weeks and beyond. Enjoy the energy I get after working out, enjoy the clean water I put in my body. Enjoy the taste of food for how it is supposed to taste. Enjoy my new positive attitude towards myself and others around me. Enjoy the nights I sleep better , enjoy how others notice the difference in me. Even if they think its a new hair cut..they just know its something and it (I) attracted them to approach me with a positve comment. I will enjoy the abundance of attention from my husband. and yes clothes fitting a little better.
I want to live a Purposeful life. The drive and motivation are there but, for some time now, something has been holding me back. I want to dig deep inside and realize my potential in life. I have so much to live for and bringing my health to the forefront of everyday makes me important enough to save. I want to feel good, look good and do good.
I am in round two and I have had my purpose renewed. 26 years ago my mother died of cancer at a young age of 46. It was then I started to study nutrition and health. I was living clean and telling all who cared to know there was a way to prevent sickness and disease. I received many mockings in college but that was ok. I slowly got busy with life and did not really recognize this was a part of my destiny. Now my health has been renewed and suddenly people are asking me for help. In just the last two weeks I have had at least 12 people wanting me to work them out. 8 of them have already started with me. The flood gates of health have opened up and now I am trying to train people so they can train others. My desire is to see my friends and people I come in contact with transformed body, soul and spirit. I am in the process of planning a new building for our church that will have a fitness center in it and I am getting ready to get certified to be a trainer. Much has changed fast as I am 7 weeks into round two.....Peace Jeff
My transformation purpose continues to evolve and take shape. Today, it is twofold: 1) to love myself so fully that i joyfully open to love with a man 2) to love myself so fully that i can embolden, support and inspire women all over the country to live from a place of self love- in mind, body and spirit - and to take our lived commitments to ourselves fully into our communities to Be the Change and inspire others... one person at a time.
I remember when I was healthy, I didn't give daily tasks a second thought. I just did them because they had to be done. Since my weight gain, I noticed how much I was having to force myself to do the simple things in life, like dishes and laundry. Putting it bluntly, I was pretty pathetic. My motivation was near none. My purpose is to re-acquire that zest for life that I once had. I want those simple tasks to become simple again. I want energy. I want motivation. Weight loss is a big part of this. To be visually appealing would be nice, but I want to be able to bend over and tie my shoes without feeling like my guts are in a vise grip. I want to go jogging again, without having to carry an extra 45 pounds of loose weight bouncing on my body. I have to show my kids that there is more to the world than computers and video games. My oldest son, now 12yo, is overweight. He never really has been athletic, or very active. It scares me. I am doing this for him. I think about what his life will be like when he moves out on his own, when he has no one controlling what he eats or encouraging him to exercise. It scares me. I must show him what life could be. I want to improve my intimate relationship with my husband. We just don't make time for each other any more. We are both very unhappy with our present condition. I guess that's it in a nut shell. There is so much I want to do. So much I want to see. I should be grateful I have my mind and all extremities intact, so many people out there wish they did. But no. I have abused my body for several years now. Some people don't know what they've got, until it's gone.
My purpose is to improve my relationship with my wife and to maintain my physical well being and to improve my golf game and extend my life expectancy and eliminate my mental stress and try to regain my self respect.
My Purpose. "To always be remembered" I remember first setting this goal for myself back in middle school. At that time I didn't know what I would end up doing, but here I am: a teacher, a husband, a father. My purpose is to live a life intentionally, rather than accidentally (as Bill puts it). I desire a long lasting life full of love; in family, in friends, and more importantly in God. I wish to be remembered for "The Dash" at my funeral. I need my children to know and understand how I lived for them. This transformation will prepare me fore the Long Haul, physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually. If I am lucky enough, I will inspire my children to truly live life along side my beautiful bride and I. And lastly, my purpose is to complete this transformation for, and with, my wife. If not for her I would not have found this new purpose in life. I will be remembered, I love you Jessica, I love you Hannah, I love you Landon, I live for you all.
My pupose is to be happy and content with myself, comfortable in my own skin. I want to enjoy the life that God has given to me and I want to live it to the fullest.
Assignmnet # 4 Assignment #4 MY TRANSFORMATION PURPOSE My transformation purpose involves so many things that it is difficult to choose where to start. I want to find real balance in my Body/Mind/Spirit. Just as God is expressed in a trinity....so are we, His creations. We are so much more than his physical body. We were created by God in his image to be made up of a Body (Jesus), Mind (God) and a Spirit (Holy Spirit). All three of these things are God's precious gifts to us. With that being said...which of these three aspects of our lives do you think it would be okay with God for us to abuse, neglect or disrespect? When your body is disordered and neglected.....that is a sign that your spirit is disordered and neglected. I want to begin to see myself as God sees me. I want to see myself as the person he created me to be. I know that I have so much more to offer than I am currently giving. In order for me to do this, I am going to have to focus on the four following factors. 1. MY SELF SABOTAGING BELIEFS: I have to change my beliefs from self destructive ones to self supportive ones. "As a man thinketh in his heart, so he is." Proverbs 23:7 I need to live deliberately and with full consciousness instead of accidently and unconsciously. 2. MY SELF IMAGE: I need to see myself in a positive image. "We were made in God's image and likeness." Genesis 1:26 Wow....what an awesome priviledge. "Know ye not that your body is the temple of God which is in you? Glorify God in your body." 1 Cor 6:19,20 You treat a temple with reverance, you hold it in high regard and you see it in a positive image. Therefore if my body is a temple.....I should hold it in high regard and treat it with respect. 3. SELF ESTEEM AND DESERVABILITY: Psalm 82:6 "I have said you are Gods, and all of you are children of the most high." God made me in his image. That makes me a child of God and a Godly creation. Therefore I am worthy of love. So I love me too!!! 4. MY SENSE OF SELF EMPOWERMENT: I was given the ability as an adult to free myself of my toxic childhood influences. I can only do what God has empowered me to do....but that is much more than I can even imagine. "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." Phil 4:13 This is my favorite scripture. I say it to myself all of the time.
Purpose: living a value centered life. Restructure my habits -learn to be consistent, persistent-to stay with something important until I achieve success. Making a commitment to taking control of my future through implementation of the things I’ve read that were great ideas. Persistence is the key to success (or failure) in our lives. I want to take control of my life, identify what’s important then set out to achieve it until I reach success—until it becomes a habit—a part of me. I value health and fitness--have all my life. It’s on the top of my list top 10 list. Is that vane? I have never been seriously overweight or obese but struggle to this day with bulimia–food is my drug of choice. I want to face the issues instead of hiding them in a binge. My purpose is to find the purpose which God intended me to fulfill--one that fills me with passion. I want to be transformed; I want to identify my values; create a personal mission statement, define what’s important and achieve it. How does one learn what’s important to them. I am confused and sound like a raving maniac. Other people are key to our happiness they can bring the answers to questions you didn’t know to ask. I hope to find those answers and in so doing, bring joy and fulfillment to other people’s lives. That has always been the best.
I posted this on my blog but figured I'd place it here as well as those who have posted before me helped me come up with a lot of it... My purpose is to live my life abundantly. The reason I chose this purpose is that for too long I have allowed my weight and insecurities to keep me basically hiding from the world and life. I can tell my lack of participation in life has caused a negative impact on my wife and children and this is no longer acceptable. This has to change and I believe through a total transformation grounded in Jesus and that includes a healthy diet and exercise regime that I can begin to live my life abundantly and bring my family along with me. In Christine's response to assignment #4 she posted a scripture verse (John 10:10) where Jesus talks about the reason he came was so that we may have an abundant life and this caused me to do some looking at different translations of that verse and I found this verbage from The Message Bible translation... (it is Jesus speaking) "I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of." Now that's what I'm talking about! Peace, David
This assignment is so far the best. I will be blogging this on my page as I have been on the others. Blessings, Melinda
Defining my purpose for transforming.....HEALING has driven me to this transformation....and going on my third round, HEALING is still at the forefront. What complete healing of my body will lead to is another story. What anxieties I have dreaming about all the possibilities that this could lead me too, is another story. Where I choose to keep my focus is on total healing and learning what my body has been trying to tell me for years. I could not stand another year of feeling like a VICTIM instead of the VICTOR I was created to be! I could not stand allowing my poor health to take me deeper into despair, depression, pain, hopelessness, and lifelessness as these past years. I had to pull through it, turn my life around and allow my purpose and destiny guide me! That is what this round is still about....total healing...I am still on the path to recovering from all the damage my virus has created, physically, mentally and spiritually. I am looking forward to feeling complete, whole, pure, and ONE with my mind, body and spirit! Won't you join me on this journey??? It's no fun alone...we are here to love and support one another! What are you waiting for...reach out today and don't be afraid to tell me what you need to make your transformation complete. And don't be surprised if the reason why I am here this very moment is to help Y O U !!!!! Hugs from California...Demi
I am going to do this assignment on my blog, as I can edit it there. I am learning so much here, daily, and I am sure that I will change my "why" as I progress on this journey. Many blessings! ~Victory 09!
This assignment has been really emotional for me. My purpose in the first challenge drove me through the hard times when I wanted to quit, and I really did not know what I was going to discover as my purpose for this round. After writing I’ve uncovered feelings that help explain why I’m feeling so emotional…. I’m just SO GRATEFUL that I’m no longer dying and killing myself with food, alcohol, and drugs! I’ve been given a second chance at life, and I’m so unbelievably grateful for this, and I just want to spread and share this gift with others who are struggling and killing themselves with addictions like I used to. I know I can’t do this alone, and I know I can use tcom, the people on the site, all of the assignments and the tools provided here to go even further into my recovery. I want to build my faith and trust in others…let go of more of my past….look into more ways to allow my highest, truest, most authentic self to shine through and spread to others. I’m at a point in my life where I’m SO grateful for all of the progress I’ve made and opportunity I’ve been given, but I know I still have some major breakthroughs to reach. I feel like I just want to face all of my fears, take risks and shine through to release all of my goodness without being held back by self imposed limitations by my physical self. By shining through and allowing my truest self to be uncovered, I will be able to reach and serve others in the best, most optimal ways possible…..and the possibilities are infinite and limitless. I really want to help people struggling with an eating disorder or other addiction. In order to do this I need to maintain, improve and go further in my recovery, transformation, and inner awareness. So that is my purpose for this round…….I will become stronger, more present, more aware, more loving, more compassionate, more trusting and more fearless!!
~Round Two~ Purpose this round. I see my purpose of digger deeper into the level of WORTH that I AM and continuing to Embrace VALUING MY BODY ...MY BEING ...MY WORKOUTS and MY eating RIGHT daily! TO Embrace the athelete within me so that I can shed another forty pounds. I want to be the healthiest momma and wife and Shari I can be and to share my story of finding my WORTH and the wonderful unconditional Lavish love of GOD thats available for All~ I desire to really kick this round up five gears and get the rest of the weight I need to get off. I am healthy but I want to be even healthier! I want to shine even Brighter the pearl of Worth that I am abiding IN inside! GOD is the change that I desire to see in the world and I HOPE and PRAY that HIS LOVE is being seen and radiated through me! Thats my purpose and desire! My message is that you have WORTH ...your worth is not based on the scale or a tape measure but the belovedness of BEING GODS CHILD and that period. When you know your WORTH you can VALUE YOUR BEING and value your eating and value your workouts and your spiritual growth. It all starts with this Lavish unconditional LOVE OF GOD! I hope to share this message and to continue to inspire and encourage others to embrace there WORTH and find value in who they are as GODS Child! Thats my hearts desire and Prayer! Love YOU Shari
What is my purpose for making this transformation? To help inspire others, which in turn inspires me To feel confident and proud of myself To know, without a doubt, that I can achieve my goals as long as I am willing to do the work For my mother to see me at a healthy weight before she is finally lost to Alzheimers To LIVE life again - with purpose, passion and excitement To socialize more and reach out to make new friendships and deepen current ones To fall in love and share my life with someone special To deepen my faith and spirituality To become healthy and fit To be able to wear clothes I love and feel good in them To become the person I was born to be...before I learned to hide behind the layers of fat and the walls that I've built up over the years
It's so simple. I am becoming healthy and balanced so that i can be the best i can be for everyone else. I want to be healthy for my own personal reasons, but really when my focus is on how it affects those around me, it is so much more serious and pressing the importance of getting healthy. Healthy spiritually, emotionally, mentaly, and physically. I want to influence people just by being who I am. And by becoming healthy and being the change i'm able to do this! <3 Angela
Assignment 4- The Purpose Driven Challenge This assignment REALLY CHALLENGED me. Finally, during my devotional time last night, I got some inspiration that helped pull together all of my miscellaneous thoughts. Jesus said in John 10:10: "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." I am seeking an abundant life: a life full of energy, enthusiasm and a zest for living; a life overflowing with opportunities to give and receive love; a life in which I reach my full potential by pushing beyond perceived limits; a life that is authentic; a life that glorifies God and makes God smile; a life that is fun and enjoyable, challenging, stimulating and balanced. I no longer want to be ashamed about how I look or held back by the curable diseases of obesity and depression! I want to create a positive self-image, inside and out. I want to Be The Change so I that fulfill my calling to help college students develop their God-given potential. P.S. When I have lost 100 lbs., I want to challenge Bill Phillips to a basketball free-throw shooting contest.
I no longer care to be known as 'the swimmer (or ex-swimmer) or one of the "kent girls"...because that's all I've ever been known as growing up....by what was written in the papers back in high school and college for athletic achievements. I'm 33 now so to me, those things are here today...gone tomorrow. Even the body changes aren't top priority (but always feel incredible). I'm looking forward to the changes that create a lifetime of achievement in not just myself, but those around me. I want to be someone that people remember and say "Wow, that gal made a difference--she showed us the way by her life and her choices." I want my daughter to grow up spiritually strong and not rely on relationships or the tangible things to make her happy. I hope my son grows up continuing to make us smile with his crazy food concoctions (what other 7-year old wants grilled shrimp, cucumbers and yogurt for his birthday party?!?!) and his contagious joy. Most of all, I want to be grateful for Bill's ideas and give all thanks to his creation, his vision, his efforts and his willpower to see this all through. And of course, all the glory to God for allowing it all to happen!!!!
This was a hard assignment as I have never really thought about this. I have always only wanted to lose weight to look good. But now that I had to think about it... Why I want to lose weight is; a) to experience complete acceptance b) to feel more attractive and loved c) to be healthy, strong, and fit d) to reach a goal I have worked on for years e) to inspire my sister and others around me when I have success f) to become more spiritually connected on this journey and more aware of why I am addicted to food and what I am using it for Thanks Bill.
My transformation purpose is to become the teacher I was always meant to be - to inspire the children who, like me, don't fit the mold, who are lost and need my light to show them the way. Who the hell do I think I am? I Know who I am. I am Elizabeth Candice McKenna, and I am AMAZING!!
I had such a hard time with this assignment last challenge (which I never finished) this time around...my purpose is clear cut...to live authentically. The way I am living now is merely existing and I know in my heart and soul I have so much to offer. I am literally wasting God's gift...ME...by not changing. No more! My answer may appear ambiguous...but I know without a doubt, as the layers are shed...the true me will emerge...and I can't wait to get to know and share her! Thank you for being the blessing that you are,Bill! -Karyl
The reason for my transformation is for living. At any second God can call us home. What a wonderful day that will be! Praise God! While God allows me to have another second here on earth, I need to live my life. I want to be here 100% for my kids and husband, family and friends. I want to achieve my purpose that God has planned. And I will!
The reason for my transformation is clear. I want to be around for my children. Over the years things have come up that made me think 'Wow, this is it, I've got to get healty!', but nothing compared to my husband coming close to death last January. He somehow caught a deadly virus called Legionnaire's Disease. We thought he had the flu so by the time we got him to the hospital, it was almost too late. He was on life support for 11 days. Thinking about how fast someone's life can be gone scared me enough to make changes to become healthy. I know things can still happen, but hopefully if I take care of myself I will be around to watch my kids grow and become adults and have families of their own. I'm going to be the best grandmother! Not too soon I hope with my son who is 16!!!
REASONS FOR TRANSFORMING I WANT TO BE ABLE TO TAKE MY TOP OFF AND BE PROUD OF WHATS UNDERNEATH. I REALLY WANT TO HAVE A FLAT STOMACH. I’M SICK OF HAVING A FLABBY BELLY AND MAN BOOBS. I WANT TO BE STRONG. FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE I WANT TO HAVE DEFINATION TO MY BODY. I WANT TO HAVE MUSCLES. I WANT TO LIVE A LONGER LIFE. I WANT TO BE FIT AND HEALTHY. I WANT TO BE ABLE TO HELP OTHERS WITHOUT CONTRADICTING MYSELF WITH THE STATE OF MY BODY. IN THE FUTURE MY END GOAL IN A COUPLE OF YEARS IS TO BE A PERSONAL TRAINER
My purpose for making a transformation is to be healthy,positive and have the energy to do those 14 hour days and still have some left. My main reason is for my dad,who passed away on christmas,he was my rock.Its also for the three kids who look up to me every day.:)
My transformation purpose is to live my life to glorify God and to take care of this body he has given me. To be happy and content with myself just the way I am.
My purpose: 1. To continually strengthen my relationship with God. 2. To continually strengthen my relationship with my children. 3. To actively seek inspiration in my life. 4. To find ways to continually inspire others through a life of service.
My purpose is to for once in my life start and finish something that very important to me Without procrastination,doubting my ability or just having all the excuses in the world why i can't do it
My purpose; To stop feeling like a failure of never reaching my potential to inspire and help other people!
My purpose is clear: I need to be the woman I want my baby girl to grow up to be - engaged, healthy and present, not burdened with a bad relationship with food and fitness.
I don't want to live behind these invisible walls anymore, only seeing life half way. I want to REALLY live, not just exist. I want to experience things in a real way - without hesitation, without guilt, but with true joy and happiness because I will have finally learned how to cherish my life and my body as the gifts they were meant to be when God put me on this earth FOR MY PURPOSE! I will look in the mirror every morning and know the person staring back at me inside and out. I will understand my priorities and take care of my family like I want too. I am desparate to know how it feels to truly accomplish something without doubting my reasons & abilities.
Purpose - My story in short, in February '08 I was depressed, wandering with no purpose, no direction, no clue. I stepped on the scale and it really didn't surprise me. 335 pounds, body fat measured at 46.1%. My reflection in the mirror was worse. How could anyone want to be with this or even around this. I wasn't pleasant to look at, I didn't even enjoy it. I couldn't stand my job, my body, me as a whole and life was pointless. Again, no purpose. I was fresh out of a relationship that had taken a turn for the worst, and at that moment, my lowest moment, I decided form that day forward, Charlie Wigington, is only moving forward. It is time to go up and elevate everything about me and everyone around me. It was time to live life to the fullest, to inspire, to motivate, to Elevate. As common as it is, I want to look better. Who doesn't, right? But I can already see past that. Which is where my heart is and the purpose lies. Ironically enough, I started a blog on blogger titled elevation and the entire blog is about anyone I come into contact with who wants to change. I want to be the person who lends the hand to help. While the changes within me are great, I know already that watching someone else grow is much more dynamic. As of right now I am helping my best friend do this as well and through 6 weeks he has lost 14 lbs and dropped his body fat by 4%, but that pales in comparison to the change in his attitude/spirit. I've been wandering in life for 28 years, but now I know what I have been called to do. I want to leave on a final note. Elevate 1. to move or raise to a higher place or position; lift up. 2. to raise something up to a higher level, position, or state :)
My Purpose My purpose for transformation is a lot of things really. I want the satisfaction that i did something for myself that will impact my life greatly. I want to use it as a tool to help others. I want the right to say "i did it and you can too!" I want to live my life the fullest it can be lived and use my God Given Potential as i know that we all have a gift we were meant to use! I want the simple things, like just going into a store and not worrying about if i can find something in my size. I want to go into the stores that seem like forgien countries to me because i have NEVER stepped foot in them! My purpose over all is to change everything from the inside out! Physical, Mental, and Spiritual
As I keep going back to the assignment of week one, I cannot help but hate it...but my this defining purpose has changed so much from what it was in week 1...everything has changed!
My purpose now is completely different than it was round 1. I have learned so much and continue to grow every day, but I have a real desire now to help others out of that dark place. I did not realize with support in place how much you can learn and grow in a relatively short time. I will continue to learn and grow and be a sponge that soaks up the opportunities to learn more and continue to strive to be a better person but Ican also give back because I have an abundance of love to share now along with an open heart. Thie time around the change is different, my goals are different and I have on a much larger pair of glasses toreally help me figure things out.
Round 2- Why? As of tonight, this Assignment has an entirely knew purpose for me. My son came over today and was so excited to be sending in his packet. His energy and light were incredible. I had not read his essay and had no idea what he had written. I picked it up, read the first paragraph, broke into tears and said You Won! Now, whether he wins the title or the prize, I have no idea, but he has won so much more then that. He get's it. He received the Gift! From the words in his first paragraph, he credited my Transformation for his inspiration and motivation to make positive changes in his life. He was living in that darkness also, because of me, my example and my Transformation changed that for him. Where I lead him to, I was also able to lead him away. Words can not express what this meant to me. My purpose now, in this continued Transformation is to continue on my journey and to hopefully, positively help others to "get it", to cross the abyss, blow the bridge and travel this Transformation journey with progress and success. I want to carry on the Transformation message in the best possible way so that others are able to Transform their lives. With those words that he wrote, he's already given back. He gave back to me. With those words, without saying it, he told me he forgave me for my dark time and lack of the showing of love and affection. With those words, he forgave me for not being capable of being the mom he deserved while I focused on my misery. Always, even in those times, I would have given my life for any of my children, I just wasn't able to show them the love I had for them. I had no love for myself, how could I? Now I do and my purpose is to share that love, not only with them, but with all of you. My deepest gratitude to all of you for being here with me. Much love, Carolynn
The purpose of my transformation is to rise above the thoughts and emotions that keep me from attaining my full potential. While the physical transformation is important, it is part of the journey to the spiritual and emotional freedom and peace that I desperately need. I have never been more committed to making something happen.
My purpose is to be the best that I can be and to be a good role model for others. I complained about my weight for so many years and every once in a while I would come across someone who was in a wheelchair or mentally challenged and I would think to myself these people physically can't do the things that I can so why am I complaining. I would tell myself that God made me healthy and whats stopping me from getting fit and healthy. There's no excuse. You know the old saying "Use it or lose it." I should be thanking God every moment for making me so healthy and think about that when I think I just can't do another rep or run anymore. I want to inspire anyone I can. I want people to look at me and think 'Look at how well she takes care of herself, I can do that." I also want to be in shape so I can have the energy to do things withmy children for many years to come and my grand-children as well.
I'm sure I will be thinking about this often and may change, but right now...My purpose besides weight loss and to improve my health is to feel good about myself all the time, to finish what I start.
I started this journey because my daughter told me to. I have needed to lose quite a bit of weight for several years, but I have a very difficult time staying committed for very long. So my initial purpose is weight loss. However, I am finding that I need to become committed to me and the things that I need. Not the things that my family needs or my friends need. Just me, taking time for myself to think and excercise and enjoy my life. Making me the best person I can be, so I can be all the things that everybody else needs me to be. Thanks for the opportunity to succeed. Deb
I feel that God has given me many gifts and talents but in order to fulfill my destiny and purpose i need to let go of fears that have been holding me back and release these gifts.So I made up my mind to do the transformation to let go the fears and go after my dream of accomplishing my goal of finishing the transformation,to finally meet Bill and to feel confident about myself and to be healthy in body, mind and soul.And to be a good example to my children and to help others and the community.
The purpose of my Transformation is to make a revolution; a revolution of my mind, body and spirit. My mind is cloudy, but getting better; my body is hurting, but getting better; and my spirit is broken, which is slowest to get better. Transformation, for me, is ultimately being able to love myself. I had been an overachiever while recently completing my college education. I had control of my grades, but I still can’t figure out why I didn’t have control of my mind, body and spirit. I strived to get that perfect grade on all my work, but at home I just didn’t care. I was angry, lazy, unorganized and unaccountable. The Transformation that I am shooting for will make me happy, energized, organized and accountable. I am also practicing the Universal Law of Reciprocation. I find that I am holding my head up, looking at people when I use to avoid eye contact for fear someone may see into my broken soul, and I am verbally conveying greetings…like “how you folks doing today” when I’m walking in the park. My husband even commented, “What’s gotten into you?” I told him it was my Transformation thing and it makes me feel energetic and happy. How can’t being kind be contagious? It is contagious! I get a smile every time I speak to a passerby. It may be the only smile they will get all day or week. I think this is the most recognizable part of my Transformation so far. Love. I feel so much Love from the other Transformers and I want to share it. I want to inspire others. I want to make a revolution to win my revolution and my personal war. My Transformation will show that I AM THE CHANGE! CHARGE!
The purpose of this challenge for me is the feeling that knowing feeling and confidence you get when you have done a great thing! I have had success with BFL, and when you make such a change on the inside and out, people around you notice and want a part of it. You are motivating to others just by being! While I am not where I once was, I am striving for consistency with this challenge. In the past, I have done well, and am still in relatively good shape having ran in two mini-marathons and several 5 and 10K's. But, I do tend to go all or nothing and am working to make this a lifestyle; I am striving to continually grow. I want to be a positive messenger and live the life God wants me to live!
A4 C2, My purpose is to continue daily to reach my unlimited potential that God has given me, and in turn make a difference in the lives of others. Constant and never ending improvement.
The reason for my Transformation - The only 'constant' I have had in my life has been wanting to be anyone different than who I am. I've never wanted for any external enemies because I have always been my own worst enemy. Oh my gosh, what a shame and what a waste. I have wasted so many precious years, months, weeks, days and minutes of my life obsessing about all the things about myself that I loathe...too fat, too tall, too pear shaped, too much cellulite. This was my automatic default mode. Ahhhhhhh, I finally get it. It's taken me my entire life up until this point but I finally figured it out. My self neglected body and depressed stat of mind are a mere reflection of my severely neglected soul. If I could turn back the clock of time I would appreciate every single second of life by celebrating the fact that I have been given the opportunity to live life in a human form - a life of endless possibilities. (How much better does it get??!!!) I literally created a life of agony for myself. No outside forces or parties are to blame. I've done this all on my own. Today, I accept full responsibility and promise that I will never let another day go bye without remembering to love and honor my life and my Creator. My life is going to be beautiful, happy and fulfilled because I am going to take positive and affirmative action to make it a reality! I think my transformation has just started with realizing (and truly believing) that I am a co-creator in my own life. I can help write the script of how my life is going to play out.. Who knew???.. WOW - the possibilities are endless. I want this not only for myself, but for everyone!!!!!
My assignment four is pretty simple What motivates me to change, really is I am simply fed up with how I have been showing up in the world. I am sick of NOT living my life & letting it pass me by. I think my 40th fast approaching made me really reflect on how I have chosen to live these past few years. I CLUNG to the grief of losing my daughter like it was a life line. Grief was all I had left of her (I thought) so if I let go of the grief, I let go of her. It is my own version of the butterfly effect. *MY* sadness & pain has caused others sadness & pain. It is time for me to turn that around. My purpose now is to move forward & LIVE my life, for my living children, for Isabella & for myself. In finding peace & happiness, I can pass that on to my family & those around me. I want to change the way I show up in the world. We all deserve better. To quote Ol' Blue Eyes himself: You gotta love livin', baby, 'cause dyin' is a pain in the ***.” (sorry)
My purpose it to wake up not worried that I’ll have a heart attack as a result of not GUOMA. I’ll decrease my risk factors for diabetes, stroke and maybe cancers. My purpose is to be more attractive for my wife; to be a head turner on the outside. My purpose is for my daughter to have a dad around (not in waist girth) at her high school graduation. As a result of fulfilling my purpose, people will be more attracted to me; they may see the glitter in my eye and ask me how I walk through life with an attitude of purpose- an attitude of gratitude. My purpose will free me to let go of the resentments and live happily and usefully whole.
I have lots of superficial 'reasons' for doing this, but my 'purpose'? To have no regrets. To be able to look back on my life and say "I lived every second of that to the fullest, and I'm not sorry for any of it."
I am my mothers daughter. She was my hero, and always will be, every thing good that I've become is because she saw it in me first. In her eyes I shined with a gift and light of life impossible for me to concieve, I just basked in it. I was loved in the most complete and total way possible. When she was alive, she didn't see the fat, she saw my pain and always wanted me to be happy. It's not because I want to do or be what she wanted, I want to do and be what she knew I could. She always told me "you are so much stronger than you know" and I think that is true about everyone. No one else see's in me what my mother did, but if I was free of this pain I could and would introduce myself to them, my loved ones. I want the clarity of thought that freedom from pain brings. I want my heart to be open instead of wrapped up with concern. I want the joy that is in my heart to shine in my eyes so that they know, that I love them as much as my mother loved me. PS I also want my clothes to fall off!
Okay - so you may think this is silly or corny or stupid - but I work well this way. If I am going to read my transformation purpose every day - and keep it in my memory - I have to make it rhyme. It's just something I know will keep me motivated throughout my transformation. Treat my body to a healthy life Remember who I was before Always keep my goals in mind Never give up wanting more Show myself I’m worth the effort Forget about my past mistakes Offer encouragement to others Repetition is all it takes Mind & body, heart & soul Are what I will change forever Transformation of my life I know it’s possible together Open up myself to change & be that change I want to be! Nothing is going to stop this change – because this change is ME! Thanks, Bill for this assignment. I enjoyed it a lot.
My transformation purpose is to live a healthy fulfilled active life. I want to feel the strength and energy and enjoy the motions of my body. I've been living too long "getting by". Why? I want to influence my daughter and someday grandchildren to live healthy active lives. I want to show them how to enjoy and respect food and their bodies. I want to give my soul a strong healthy body to live in. Thank you Bill for giving us this forum to share a piece of ourselves. Dawn
Why the transformation? First of all, I'm thankful that God gave me this body to use and to use it properly. Our bodies are temples! So we need to take care of it. I want to use this experience to train myself to eat clean on a regular basis. I'm focusing on healthy habits while throwing away the bad ones. My husband and I are newly weds and will some day be parents. It's important to me to be a good example to my future children. I also want to encourage family and friends to live a health life! Trust me, if I can do it.....anyone can! I want to prove to myself and everyone else, it is possible!!
My transformation purpose is to be the woman that God created me to be. He can only use me as much as I allow Him to, He is a gentleman. The fearful mindsets and insecurities paralyze me and keep me in a place of unbelief and bondange. I am not effective in what I do if I am not transformed into the woman who created me to be.
I want to understand and truly change my mind and heart that I deserve to be healthy, happy, alive and not just dreaming of a great life, but living it - For the rest of my life...
I'm on round 2 and this purpose defining has come a lot easier than the first time. My purpose for this challenge is to lose myself for my Heavenly Father's sake and I know if I do this I will find it, as promised.
I'm finishing this this week. I'm meditating on the difference between reason and purpose- ON initial thought, purpose has a much deeper and lasting sense to me. One definition of purpose is: A result or effect that is intended or desired Reason on the other hand is The basis or motive for an action, decision, or conviction. Given the above purpose seems so much more lasting. It is the by product of some action while reason is a precursor to action. Looking toward purpose, I believe, puts me in a place that active imagination of what will happen during this transformation is much easier and practical.
Why Transformation, because I don't think I have ever completed one fully in my life. I have been trying to change (my demeanor) as long as I can remember never quite making it permanent change. Harsh, brash, intolerant, impatient, addictive, I could go on. I do have the potential to really be an enlightened and loving person, but I let fear rule my life which has a tendency to spill out onto other people unfavorably (and being Irish is no excuse.) I’m almost 50 years old and I would like to think I could get it right before I leave this place. I need to love myself more so I can love others the way God wants me to. I need a true and lasting transformation and that’s why I want to thank Bill for giving us a place that could help to make this happen and where we can be transparent with each other. Mike
when i sit myself down and reflect on where i have been and what i have done so far in life, i am about 75-80% satisfied... i did a lot of things for me, to become who i am... and now, i know it's time to do for others, and that requires a polished up version of myself...i have let myself down many times and felt guilty, frustrated, physically ill, and just a feeling like my circuits were all fried out...i know deep inside that i am unable to fully help others if my own foundation, my building blocks for life are in disarray...so i start with my physique because i do believe that with a sound body, comes a sound mind...i don't just want to exist and die...i want to leave something that can help people live a more fulfilled life by finding an inner calm, a connectivity to everything around them and to slow down and enjoy life... i can accomplish this by first leading by example...right now, my circle of influence needs to be this community right here, a community full of good intentioned people who radiate at a higher level...thank you Bill and all who are here...
My transformation is very clear to me and has never changed my 4 year old son suffers from a rare stomach disease called gastroparesis we spend a lot of time in and out of hospitals as Dr's try patiently to figure out how to help him keep food down I became increasingly weak and struggled for a while with my own health and general weakness I need to be strong for my Cody he needs me more than ever if I were not here fighting for him no one else would my transformation is for my 4 year old but mostly for me to see Cody and Parker grow into healthy and active men.
Why the transformation? I have always been concerned with my weight. But even more so, the effect that being overweight was having on my heart and mind. I’ve battled with depression, with self-worth, with image. I’ve tried looking in the mirror and telling myself that it’s fine, that I’m ok, that I’m not “that” fat. The real reason why I joined the transformation is mainly weight loss. But I realize that being fit and looking and feeling good, are just by-products of being healthy. You don’t have to sell me on nutrition, or the benefits of exercise. I know. I just need help putting my beliefs into practice. I’ve always been a little wary of joining a weight loss program. I didn’t want to be a part of the next fad diet, and I wanted to be able to do it myself. By myself. That way, no one else would have to know if I failed. If no one but me knew that I was making goals, there would be no disappointment in me when I didn’t reach them. So why The Transformation? Simply put, I’m tired. I’m tired of failing. I’m tired of feeling ugly, unworthy, fat and repulsive. I’m tired of not feeling strong, of being embarrassed of being so out of shape. I’m tired of being a slave to food. I’m tired of knowing how bad something is for me, and then eating it anyways. Why the Transformation? Because it’s the only weight loss program that I’ve found that has the focus on being healthy, inside and out. I believe that God designed each part of me, and that He wants me to be healthy spiritually and mentally, as well as physically. I want to be happy. Truly happy with myself and the way I look. I want to feel good and strong. I want to be “that girl”. The one with the rockin’ bod, the infectious smile, and an energetic zest for life. That’s why.
My purpose is to reach my God given potential, to live an all around healthy life, to bring my whole being into balance. I want to live each day on purpose,not just going through the motions.
My Transformation purpose is to change my appearance. I’ve struggled with my weight for fifteen years. It has gotten worse with the birth of each of my four children. I didn’t ever lose the weight after having the baby. I’ve always been self-conscious. I’m worried that my children may become embarrassed of me. My children are young and love me for who I am. They want me to be at school and events to support them, but I am embarrassed of myself. I know that they will begin to feel this way about me if I continue on to feel this way about myself. I want to feel comfortable with my body image. I want to be a good example to my family. I want to teach my children to live a healthy life. I want to be happy and healthy.
I wanted to lose weight, but, more than anything I want to get off my medications. I want to feel better. I want in 20 years to be able to do things for mysel., not someone doing for me what I could be able to do for myself. I don't want to be a burden on my kids and my grandkids. I want to be able to enjoy my family and not needing them to do the simplest of tasks for me. To not be limited by pill schedules and physical problems. Maybe I will come up with more later. Frank
At first it was for additional weight loss. Answering the why, to live life to the fullest. Meaning, not living my life with a schedule of medications everyday. To be able to do whatever we would like to with no physical limitations. To truly enjoy my children, and grandchildren, and not be tired, or not in the mood. To live my life intentionally, and not accidentally. To inspire and encourage others around me. Carmen :~)
My Transformation Purpose: Well, I started my first one to I guess get "in shape" and get thinner like I was back in 2000. But after going through my first 18 weeks, I realized that the transformation is worth much more than the potential to get in the best shape of your life. The inner change is worth far more than what a scale can give you. So, my purpose is to improve my inner workings. I mean, I want to be able to express myself better, and with that be able to understand myself better. Does that make sense? I'm going to use this Round of the Challenge to make the leap into improving my relationship with the Big man Upstairs! I also plan on at least losing another 34 lbs, and dunking a basketball! I know it sounds like a daunting task for someone who started the new year 2009 at a not very health 283 lbs, But after being a part of this community and breaking down some barriers I thought were impenatrible, I know the sky's the limit!
Original Assignment #4 (T1) Quoted: “I began this journey with several reasons for why I wanted to shed the unwanted body fat and unhealthy weight. Each of them is essential to ensuring a long HEALTHY life where I can interact and participate in my children's lives, and future grandchildren's lives.” (T2): My intentions for embarking on a life of health, wellness, balance, and spiritual guidance have only become more solidified throughout the past twenty weeks. I completed my first transformation challenge on May 11, 2009. I remember that more just two short weeks ago when I sat there at the computer staring in awe of my finish photos compared to my beginning photos. I was shocked at the physical progress that I am making in this journey. For so many years I relied on the scale to decide my health, and ignore the tight fitting clothing, comments by family members regarding my health. I was living a lie. I talked myself into thinking I was healthy every time the blood work from health exams would come back in the ‘normal’ range and I was told everything looked great. I used that as a tool to justify not exercising, eating clean, or being present. When is enough – enough? A Heart attack? Knee replacement? Death? These were all realistic circumstances I could have found myself facing in the not so distant future had I chosen to continue a life of abuse towards my soul, my spirit, my body. The reality that my health was declining and I had to take action. First I had to accept the damage I had caused to my body, my soul, my spirit, and FORGIVE me. For years the anger that harbored within me was what kept me safe from those who could potentially harm me physically or mentally. What I did not realize is that walking around life with a ‘what if’ mentality was the very source of what kept me from LIVING and BEING PRESENT. • What if I lose the weight how will people treat me? • What if I get a divorce (first marriage) will I be better off without being abused mentally/physically? • What if I got hit by a bus tomorrow and died who would miss me? • What if no one cared for Kelli? When people would ask me, “Is your glass half empty or half full?” I would always reply, “Half empty!” without even thinking about the question. It was not until years later that I realized in one conversation with my husband that I was a very negative person and that I attack people before I get to know them that I realized how much needed to change. It was painful to have someone you love tell you things about you that they don’t like, but in the same token it is a blessing. Bills says, “without a powerful purpose which motivates and inspires me, my true capabilities and potential remain unrealized.” My powerful purpose in life became discovering who Kelli is. What Kelli wants in life? How Kelli treats other? Why Kelli feels alone when she abundance and love around her (ie. Family, friends, husband, children)? Where is Kelli? He goes on to say, “Until I snapped out of it and stopped living accidentally and started living intentionally – until I started pursuing a purpose that I was passionate about, the chances of me changing were between slim and none.” Talk about an “A-HA” moment! I was living accidentally and without intention. I was just getting up each day getting dressed and going through the motions. There were no feelings, no intentions, no goals, no purpose to what I was doing or who I was doing it with. I was a lost soul in a huge ocean of nothingness looking for a raft or someone to cast me a line. My husband did just that when he shared with me the powerful words of , “You’re a very negative person, and it drains me.” I had jumped from one failed marriage into a relationship with the most amazing human being I’ve ever met and I was failing again at LIVING my AUTHENTIC SELF! In fact, I didn’t even know what or who that was at the time. The journey began and the pursuit of who I was became a passion of mine. In my first transformation I faced my fear of success. I learned it was not about the actual success but that I was afraid of the work I had to commit to in order to get across the abyss to the success I desired. Not an easy task. In fact I am willing to bet many of us here find that so many times before we’ve said, “I’ll start Monday,” and the Monday’s never seem to come. I found myself edging on jumping in full force and resist just enough to ‘get by’ in my first challenge. I was not present in my workouts I was there and lifting the weights and making the motions happen. Injuries occurred because I WAS NOT PRESENT in my mind, in my body. This was another point my husband made to me in a workout session one morning, “your getting hurt because your not here in the moment. You’re at the bus stop picking up the kids, or scheduling a session for study time. BE HERE!” Have you ever seen the V8 Commercial where everyone clunks themselves in the head as if to say, “A-HA!” I get it. Well, let me just say that having this wonderful superman by my side has been the catalyst to much of my success and growth. Transformation Round One was a contraction in my mind of the potential I have to be a champion and be the most authentic self I have ever known, ever! My purpose in this round is to embrace all that I have learned throughout my first transformation and really dig in and learn even more about me, and my potential in life. I am a full time college student in pursuit of my degree in Biology to move ahead into medical school. The conversations that took place BEFORE my transformation challenge were always, “Well if I…..” and now they are, “When we…..” It is no longer a question of “IF” but “When” and “I WILL…” I am so honored to be in this community and blessed by so many insightful and loving human beings. I am loved and support here, and love and supported at home. My purpose in this journey is to be my authentic self, and to lead by example, support and love unconditionally, and honor my own presence on this earth. BEING ME is a CELEBRATION OF LIFE and a BLESSING unlike any other. My purpose is to BE the best ME I can be
These "innocent assignments" are SO powerful and thought provoking. Reading this and pondering the question made me realize what an impact my mother's obesity had on me, and seeing her miss out on so much in life because of it. She mostly stayed in the house, doctors never took any of her ills seriously because of her weight, and even my dad made fun of her weight on occasion. More than anything, I want to reach out and help each and every person locked in that kind of flesh prison. But first, I have to find it within myself to transform before I can stand up as an example of what can be. Then I can reach out to others who are not experiencing the joy of life that they could be. I want to be the change, so I can say, "you can do this too - you deserve to feel good and have joy in life."
my reasons for transformation are I want to be the best person I can be everyday. With God,with my children,family,friends, everyone that I come in contact with. To be kind all the time, To not be lead by my ego.. To not let my emotions guide me... anger,jealously,stress etc....
My reason for entering the Challenge? So that I am at peak physical conditioning to live out my life's purpose. What is my life purpose? To grow, learn, love, and to enjoy and experience all that life has to offer, and to help others by becoming an example that they can look to for inspiration and guidance.
My reasons to change: Up to this point in my life I have been living to get through the day & not for the future because of low self esteem & lack of confidence & not following through with pretty much everything in my life because there is simply is no energy or motivation because of past & present failures. A mindset of “that’s not possible for me”. Right now I feel like there is gate that is blocking me from making any progress in my life. I simply can not longer stand that type of thinking & I am doing this to show myself that when I complete this challenge all things are within my reach. I’m doing this so I have the courage, determination, confidence, energy; focus to accomplish everything that I thought was impossible!! Number one priority is for my family, that we live a joyful & healthy fulfilling life. So for now I will leave you by saying I will see you at the finish line!! Jammin
"Why" the Transformation? I want to have a better life, my BEST life. My weight issues have caused me to give up on life. It has tore me down. I know my life is meant to be more than it is. I'm holding myself back from relationships, my ministry, my business, my finances, every aspect of my life. To conquer FEAR. To have a better perception of myself. To change my mindset. To live and be excited about what life has in store for me. To be a better me. To be a better daughter, grand-daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. To not hold back in my business. To be bold and compassionate and passionate in my ministry sharing the good news of Christ, to have a savings account, to buy a new car and a home, to travel. To fall in love and trust again. To be a mentor to a child or someone that's been where I have been. To live a life of purpose on purpose! As Bill wrote, "Loving my life and inspiring others in the process."
My definite major purpose in life is to become the best person I can possibly be in all key areas of my life, which are Financial, Career, Relationships, Health and Fitness, Personal Goals, Recreation, and Contributions, thereby becoming a "Center of Distribution" for all of God's infinite abundance!
I've tried BFL on a few occasions in the past, but looking back my reason for change was superficial and for lack of a better word, selfish. The first time was back in 1998 I was over 220lb and wanted to get a body like those on the Body of Work video. I read the book front to back and performed the exercises in them, had my cooler at work and ate 6 meals a day. My goal was the ripped body in those pictures, I got knocked off track for some reason and stopped in week 10 I think. I trimmed down to the mid 180's so I had a tremendous change but I didn't achieve my goal and therefore in my mind it was a failure. Fast forward to 2003ish. Our family had a weight loss contest 10 participants put in 50 bucks each and the winner took all the money. $500 bucks could buy some nice motorcycle gear I'll let you know. I started off on BFL about 2 weeks before the start of our contest at 217lbs. 2 weeks later when the family contest started I was down to 209. I ended up at 186, but lost the contest by one stinking pound. Once again, my goal was not met, so I failed. Then fast forward to 2007, the year I turned 40, I wanted a six pack of abbs by my birthday. We had just built a pool and I wanted to show off my 20 year old body to the world. I should have watched what I wished for because when I was 20 I was around 230lbs and very out of shape. Well I can't remember the start and ending numbers but it was something around 210 start and 190 high 180 ending. Good but the only six pack at the party was the six pack of Shiner Bock my friends got me for my birthday. I had a great time at the party but my goal wasn't met. Each time I was only worried about the physical change, period. I could care less about any emotional change or any feeling better or any of that other stuff. I wanted a buff body and anything else was icing on the cake. On to 3 weeks ago, I was looking for a way to lose weight again. Back up to around 205-210 depending on my beer, fajita, taco, double meat Jalapeno cheese burger intake. (Super size with a diet coke......I'm watching my weight). I tried Atkins(Fatkins)/South Beach and lost weight fast, but felt like cr*p. Looked into Medifast but way too much money and not convenient for me to eat all the time. So I decided to go back to the only weight loss program I have ever lost on BFL. I started BFL on Monday April 27th took my before pictures that morning. That night I typed in www.eatingforlife.com Bills website after he left EAS and up popped T.com. So I read and read and read till the wee hours of the morning. Got up and did my cardio on Tuesday morning, and decided to follow the T.com way of doing it. Completed assignment one, read 2 and 3 pretty much the same as BFL now on to assignment 4 the reason. Now looking back on my history I can see that I have not connected with the true value in my weight loss. Yes you will look better, but looks are not everything. Why did I want to look better??? Because I was embarrassed by how I looked. I lacked pride in myself with my outward appearance. So I really wanted to not only look better but also feel better about myself. Feel proud of myself, not ashamed to go out in public without my shirt on(which never happened even at a water park I had my trusty t-shirt on...because I sunburn easily....yeah that is the ticket). So reasons for change are as followes: 1) Better self esteem. To show true Joy to the world, so much so that others will want to say. "How did you become so Happy?" I'll show you....... Be a joyous person to all who you come in contact with. If I get cut off in traffic, instead of giving the All American One Fingered Salute, say a prayer for the person so they get to their destination safe and sound, so they can start a transformation one day also. 2) Become Healthier and live a longer life to be there for my children and wife for many years to come. I want to halt any damage I have done to my body with my unhealthy living and start to become younger by reversing damage and building a healthier body, one that will show other that they too can transform. All they have to do is start, and i'll and the T.com community will be there to help them every step of the way. 3) To develop true inner peace, to be happy and to show that happiness to my family(and the world) in a way to show them that they too can be happy. Our family has become a grumpy family as of late. Complaining about every little thing that goes wrong, not looking at all the blessings we have in our life. 4) To transform my family into a healthier/happier family. I'll start on myself and then go to someone else. Then branch out to the rest of the family. Transforming families one at a time. This will transform the country. I truly hope to change the younger generation in our family, to show them happiness and allow them to find it also. My daughter in particular I'd like to change her from being one who looks on the negative in life to one who focusus on the positive. That way if someone slights you, you won't let them steel you joy. In fact you will have so much joy that you could share it with them and be a change in their life. 5) Rededicate my life to what ever Gods mission is for me. I can say I truly don't know what God wants of me. Because I have not stopped to listen to him when I pray. I'll have to not only pray to ask for something or some blessing, but I'll have to pray for wisdom and the ability to see what it is that he has in store for me. Rededicate myself to daily quite time with the Lord, not just at bedtime, but a set time to listen to him. That is the list for now. I'm sure I'll find other reasons for change in the future. You life is ever evolving and to God you are a work in progress.
My purpose for this transformation. Is to be a role model to my family. I want to transform into a beautiful fun loving happy energetic person that I know I can be. I want to be a awesome parent. I want to be satisfied mentally and spiritually and physically with my life. I want to defy curiosity. I want to continue learning. I want to transform my life so I can transform others. I want to inspire those who suffer from depression. I want to see myself the way God sees me.
My purpose is to be the best me that I can be, live to my full potentential. I have overcome many things in my life, I lost a husband and gained a drug problem, I lost my kids because of the drug problem, and then I saw the light. I fought really hard to get over drugs and get my kids back, while I was doing this I learned to be grateful for the little things and the rest will come. I am now 3 years clean, I have my kids and I try to be the best mom possible, I found a great man who loves me with all of his heart, I now work really hard to take care of all the people that I love so much, and I am so grateful I am able to do that. However, some where along the way I forgot to be grateful for myself and to take care of myself. So my purpuse is not just to make everyone else but it is to make me happy!!! I want to be the best me I can and in the long run I hope that I can help others to be the best that they can as well.
My purpose for this challenge is summed up by a quote from Brian Tracy. "When you develop yourself to the point where your belief in yourself is so strong that you know you can accomplish anything you put your mind to, your future will be unlimited." — Brian Tracy: Pre-eminent sales and entrepreneurship expert.
I am thrilled to share my purpose of this transformation journey with you. I struggled for so long wondering what exactly was my purpose. I thought I knew, for so long I thought it was to help children (as a foster parent) others in fitness (as a fitness instructor) After 15 weeks into my 2nd challenge I realize my purpose in taking this transformation journey is to better myself so that I can help others. Yes I was helping but I see now that I had so many issues, so many hang-ups that I honestly don’t know how I was helping them when I was struggling to help myself. On April 26th I wrote this in my blog: I am really getting it, no I got it! After the 1st challenge I kept asking questions about the questions in the challenge and people said you would be in a different place so the questions will be answered differently. I wasn't in a different place and that's why I couldn't get it, I figured I would be answering the same questions and had the same old answers, what good would that do me? But I did the challenge and for the 1st 14 weeks I was on and off, feeling on top the world then out of this world, them bam like a ton of bricks fell from the sky and hit me on the head in my 15th week. I realized so much, it all dawned on me basically at one time. My mistakes, my anger my defensive mode, my hiding, my struggling and yes, MY EGO. I knew I had problems but an ego problem. Yes I do and that's what haunted me and held me down from progressing for so many years. I have a lot of work ahead of me, I am not the change yet, but I am becoming the change. I said things to my family and they say, duh, we have been trying to tell you that for years, I had an attitude that people would rather walk away then fight with me. I stood my ground never to give in that would be giving up. BOY OH BOY was I wrong I am free from anger, I'm no longer afraid, I feel fearless, I am a walking example, my mind is clear I can see past my own nose. WOW WHAT A Feeling! I end this challenge on May 10th, and start Round 2 on May 11th, this will be my 3rhd challenge and I realize now it's a lifetime journey not just for the body but for the mind to grow and become something greater then you ever expected. I am so excited I can't wait to see what the next 2 weeks and then the next challenge and the next bring. I see the big picture now and its clarity is awesome. I see how I came into this challenge last July not just reisting change and wondering why or what I needed to change but as Champion Shane told me I came in fighting and kicking and screaming. It’s almost a year and while I did make a lot of progress during the 1st challenge, the 2nd challenge began to unfold before my eyes and let me begin to see the changes. Now 15 weeks into this challenge I not only see but also feel the changes taking place deep within me. I feel re-newed, born again; complete yet I know I am not complete. I have a long way to go and I’m not there yet, but by the time I get to heaven I will be. I have finally begun to grow and I will continue my spiritual growth as long as I shall live. My purpose is to put others 1st and not be selfish, to give and not look to receive, to forgive when I said I would, not to go back and rehash things all over again. To see the beauty in everyone, even if they are critizeming me take it constructive not as a put down. Stop being so sensitive to words. Stop looking for approval in everyone for everything I do. God is the only one I need to answer to. I need to accept others as they are as they accept me. I need to overlook things sometimes, no one is perfect. Love thy neighbor as thy self and feel the spirit inside me to be obientant to God and help HIM spread HIS message. Love who I am and what God has created in me. Be grateful and thankful for what I have (I have so much more then others). Most of all use the tools HE gave me to chisel out the potential in myself to help others and help make this world a better place. In this process I need to be patient yet preserve. I realized it’s not about what or me accomplishments I have made, but who and how I can help someone else make their accomplishments. It feels good inside to know you helped someone. Mr. George is one of my 88-year-old Senior citizens in the seniorsneakers class I teach. It is giving me great joy to stay after class with him to help him do exercises to help strengthen his legs. Walking him to his car is so simple yet he appreciates the help so erenest. So what’s the point? The point is: I realized I am taking this Journey to really transform myself at my deepest most intense level.
Ok, this is hard to share with so many people and may be too detailed but for me this is "why?" I need to be here although I don't blame others for my issues I want to be free of them......The weight gain and (sometimes)depression come from a life of crape and living by accident with NO real meaning! I am here because I need to find purpose. This is my story & ultimately why I am overweight and un happy! My childhood until 8 years old (when adopted) was VERY difficult to say the least. My mom was on heroin and a stripper my little brother and I were taken from her! We had 2 foster families in which 1 we was abused. I looked for love threw sex after that and was pregnant @19. I dropped out of college and got married (he was on crack and abusive) but my parents had told me I couldnt live with them pregnant! Years later I married again and we both used cocaine and drank/fought a lot! I left him and paid for the divorce which was final in 2007. 2 months later he died in a car wreck (July 29 2007). I quit drugs but I got a DWI that summer and had DSS @ my door. In August 2008 I had an abortion (which I am not proud of). Then to top everything off I was laid-off in Jan 2009! My spirit is broken and change is necisary for me to change this pattern of living a CRAZY life! I have changed a lot in the past year (positively) but still it is only enough to scrape by! This is why I need transformation! Oh, I am friends with Elizabeth's dad and my birth mom now!!! This has made me cry so hard writting it down but - thanks : )
My purpose in life is to fully accept myself and others as they truly are, imperfect, quirky, and human. I want to live my life like I want to, not like everyone else. I want to be me. I want to be passionate about the things I enjoy and not have it matter if no one else feels the same way. I want to be open to the tears that flow at sad, sappy movies and not feel embarrassed. I want to be ok with the fact that I laugh the loudest in the movie theater and the longest at the funniest parts or be the only one who laughs at parts I think are funny. I want to extend permission to others to be who they are and not feel they have to hide that when they are around me. A quote from "The Veveteen Principles" I related to so much : "They spoke of feeling lost, invisible and unimportant. They didn't feel accepted and loved for who they were. And they felt both grief and the nagging sense that something vital was missing. Some described a physical sensation, saying they were "empty inside" or felt "like there's a pit in my stomach." " How many years I felt disconnected from myself and from you, my fellow man because of what had happened. I was too obssessed with the opinions of others what they thought of me and in my mind I always fell short. No more, I am a child of God and just as deserving as anyone else. So my purpose is to live in the now with respect for myself and for others and reach out and touch as many people who suffered as I have and HELP set them free, not only on this site but in the 3-D world. Freedom from my chains, my inner demons and so far I have broken quite a few of them with the help of many people here and in my real life. I will never walk this path again. FREE! FREE! FREE! Love You Guys, Mona
Bill~ This assignment really spoke to me. As I continually ponder my transformation goals, my purpose for Being the Change is clear in my head. I am ready to be healthy, happy, and inspire others to do the same. I am ready to prove myself wrong. I have been telling myself for years that I don't deserve to be happy, and it's too hard to be healthy. I will stop making excuses and start Living Strong!!! I definitely look forward to a stronger body. But, more importantly, I am ready to be strong spiritually and emotionally. I honestly see myself, one day, helping others through this Transformation process. I must first allow myself to be inspired by others in the Transformation community, do my best to set and achieve my goals, and truly Be the Change. Thank you for all you do!
My purpose for doing this transformation is for a few reasons that are said simply but have a lot of meaning behind them: I want to love myself completely, I want my son to want to reach his potential, and I want people to be excited to be around me.
The following line from this assignment really jumped of the page at me, “…how we’re showing up in the world each day is affecting the people around us for the better or for the worse… See, we can’t live an unhealthy life without hurting others in the process.” This relates to a huge aspect of my reason for wanting to make this transformation – one that I didn’t start off understanding fully, but have come to recognize as my transformation is evolving. I wasn’t simply not living up to my potential and harming myself in the process. The stakes are much higher than that for me. First, there’s my family. My wife and 2 small sons were taking the brunt of my irritability and dissatisfaction with how I was living. On top of that, I run a business with more than a dozen employees. How I show up in the world each day affects each of them too. And, when I’m Directing or Producing on the set, I’m in charge of dozens of crewmembers and actors, all of whom are affected by me and my actions. Now, truthfully, more distant associates and acquaintances never see the side my family sees. Unfortunately, it’s often those with whom we feel the most safe that we feel comfortable to do the most damage. But, of course, there’s a flip side to the level of responsibility I have in my life. I have the potential to have a great deal of positive influence on a lot of people. Each day that I both accept and take responsibility for my own health, each day that I follow through and honor my self promises, I get a little bit stronger. I get a little bit closer to being the change that I want to see and want to be. I’m already seeing the seeds I planted 8 weeks ago when I started the BFL challenge bearing fruit. A number of people including my wife, my kids, and my colleagues and associates are benefiting from the more positive, more radiant, more peaceful and joyous me. And, many of them are starting to inquire about how to get some of what I’ve got. Now, that’s cool!!! I’d be happy if my change could inspire one other person to be the change. If we could each do that, we would have a revolution on our hands and Bill’s goal of a million Transformers in this community is right around the corner. But, if I can inspire 10 – well, I’ll take it!!! I wrote at the top of a page, “Why do I want to make a transformation?” and allowed the answers to just flow. Here’s what I jotted down: To live up to my potential To stop running and hiding To be a leader – to provide a positive example for my wife, my kids, my friends, my employees, and everyone I can reach. To be healthy To look and feel great To be proud of myself for having the courage to change – the courage to go for it. To live out loud! To create self-confidence by honoring self-promises To live a life of honor and integrity where my actions match my beliefs and ideas To be the change in order to positively effect the lives of others
I am three years older today than my father was when he died in 1976 of a massive heart attack. I had just turned 16. I don’t dwell on it, but it occasionally makes me wonder if I am living on borrowed time. On the other hand, both of my grandfathers were blessed with long lives. One, a chain smoking alcoholic, lived to be 85; the other was 92. Like my father, I am overweight and have high blood pressure. Unlike him, apparently, I show no signs of coronary artery disease. I had a CAT scan of my heart done a year ago (EBCT) and it showed 0% calcium/plaque build-up. I remember being scared to death when the results came in the mail (never ask the question you don’t want to know the answer to, right?) and then feeling like I dodged a bullet when I opened the envelope and got the good news. Does the longevity gene skip a generation? Heck, my mother’s father probably would have lived to be 110 if he took even a little care of himself. Or… am I just whistling past the graveyard? I have accepted this challenge first for my family. I will no longer tempt fate. I will take control of my destiny, and God willing, be around for a very long time for my wife and kids. Second, I am doing this to be an example to my son. He turns 21 tomorrow and graduates from college later this month – after only three years - with his bachelor’s degree in cinematography and video production. He will be living in Los Angeles trying to make it in a very tough industry. I am so proud of him. He is smarter, more talented, more confident, and more passionate about his future than I could have ever dreamed of being when I was his age. In many ways, he’s not like me at all; in others – some good, some not so good - we’re practically clones. He has weight issues too. I think at least part of the reason why is that he sees my 49 year old self as his destiny. Can’t fight genetics, right? I’m doing this because I want to show him a different destiny ready for the taking. I know he will be successful in whatever he sets his mind to. I also know that when he puts the total package together – mind, body, and spirit – there will be absolutely no stopping him. Finally, I am doing this for me. I’m doing this to find genuine inner confidence that I have lost (or maybe never had) so I can go out into the world unafraid and live up to my potential. I’m not 21 anymore, but when I put the total package together, before my 50th birthday, there’ll be no stopping me either.
My purpose of this transformation is to prove everyone in my family as well as myself that I too can lose the weight with the proper excerise and eating the right foods. My dad says its in my genes to look like him and that what I am doing is not going to change. Well I got news for him,it has and there is no turning back for me. I haven't seen my dad since I started this and he is going to be very surprise when he does see me. I feel totally great . Terry
WOW, this question was WAY harder for me then I would have thought it to be...it took me MANY days to even have the mindset to sit down and actually tackle it....I don't know why this was so hard for me, but initially I really didn't know why I wanted to do this beyone the outer changes that I wanted to make, however, after the first few days of browsing I knew I wanted SO much more than just the outer appearance to change....I craved the inner changes even more! I am 42 and really don't know who I am...I know the basics that everyone else knows, but deep down I am not really sure of my purpose here. I see others and I want to be them...I've never really wanted to just be ME. When I first found T.com I saw Clarissa's page pretty early on and instantly that's who I wanted to be....RIGHT NOW.....well, now I realized I want to be the one who does the hard work and I want to be the one to make the changes inside and out and I just want to be me.......ONLY MUCH BETTER!! I am a caring, loving person, but I can also be very judgmental and I WILL conquer that in this challenge. I can already see those changes happening within. I will gain more self confidence and I will finally shake the worry I constantly have about what others think about me. I have lived for 42 years with the fear that I'm not liked, not pretty enough, not smart enough, etc....I was always looking for MORE and I have to be happy with what I've got and quit always thinking there is more....there is more, but it is IN me, not outside of me!! I am so glad I finally made this breakthrough on this assignment because I've been hanging back for the entire last week and not participating too much because I felt I had already failed and I had barely started. I will make these changes and I will learn who I am inside and I will better myself. I will finish this challenge strong and I will develop a stronger relationship with God. That is another thing I've not had much of in my life and I have to admit it makes me a bit uncomfortable to talk about it at all, but when I see others talking about it so freely I realize that He is the source from which we all come and there is no reason to feel discomfort AT ALL when realizing that is who I should be focusing on more in my life. OK, now that I've rambled I will condense this down in to a 'purpose statement' and write it down, post it on my home page and LIVE it.....now on to the transforming!! Thank You Bill for having us all here and helping us so much to realize our full potential in life!!!
I have to admit that I struggled with assignment 4. What is the purpose for making the transformation? I've spent time writing, thinking, and choosing my top goals, one of which was finishing the 18 week transformation. Why didn't I say "winning" the challenge? After all, this is a competition. Have I not reached that point of breaking through the fear of achievement and success. Why did I automatically discount the fact I wouldn't win? I wonder if other people think this way. I do want to win. I do want the prizes. I want the feelings that go along with not only accomplishing the task but being able to accept the feelings of winning the competition. This is my hurtle. Does this come from years of training myself to be apathetic towards achievement and settling for "seconds". What an absolute, crappy feeling. I'm beginning to understand that confidence starts at a base level with everybody. It has to start somewhere, right? This was me, daily equating the way my unfit body looked compared to thin people, compared to other fat people. Thats right I said the F word, fat people. A person I work with who is fat, spoke to me in the company of others that like him, I should get a CPAP machine (Continuous positive airway pressure), to prevent snoring at night. It wasn't the fact that he told me to get this machine. I'm sure the CPAP helps many people in wonderous ways. But Wow, could you call me a fatty any louder in the presence of others? Don't even tell me that accepting this transformation doesn't start at a base human level. I was PISSED! The feelings I had at that minute were of shame, embarrassment, I was an average, lazy slob. I know I can have better feelings. I understand my purpose for this transformation is the feelings that I will receive from building my physique, replacing old habits with new healthy ones, making great friendships, mastering confidence, and most importantly to me, overcoming fears of achievement and success. I want to win. -Round Justice
The purpose of this transformation for me is to uncover my potential. Deep down inside I know that I have an amazing body, curious mind, deep compassion, and a genuine spirit. Years of self doubt, addiction, lack of confidence, envy, and negativism have covered up my better self. I am here now to begin the process of peeling back those covers and unlocking my potential. Thank you Bill for providing me a forum to do so.
I have looked back over my life so many times and I recognise all the experiences that have kept me stuck...But that was then!I am accountable now! I just feel like somthing has changed inside me,,.what? I dont know?I am not particulary religous, but I have a great awareness, I hope you know what I mean, as I dont feel I am articulating my feelings to well, I find it very difficult to do written reflection. Over the past few years during my nurse training and through my own persinal experiences, I have become very aware of death and dieing. Just recently two woman, who I knew passed away, they were the same age as me, and they too had children! This makes me appreciate what I have even more. So to me, the purpose of this transformation means, to live, love, be happy and to be present and not waste another moment of my very blessed life.-Tonya
Honoring my mother's life in the way I manifest myelf in everyday's activities.... Honoring the knowledge of what it means to a role model to those that still suffer from the effects of bipolar disorder, osteoarthritis.... Honoring that inner voice iin me that is my spirtiual force guidng me to do my personal best....
My transformation purpose is..... to stop dreaming, and start living. With each new day God gives me I will live it to my full potential. I will become the best I possibly can. ~ Fiona
God (Lift Others) My Family Increase My Networth
My Transformation Purpose is to prove to myself that I can be a healthy, fit, kind hearted person. With out the use of pill, starvation, or some weird diet. I have know so many woman who have sacrificed there health for the sake of being skinny. They use shuly are still unhappy. And I just have to believe that I can do this. I can be a woman of great health, a woman who loves herself & others.I do this because I need to know I can trust myself &, my decisions. I am worth it! And the only way I can influence others to become the healthy them. Is I would have to be that for myself first.
Okay, yet another revision. My body is meant to be a temple for God. The shape I allowed myself to reach last year was an eye-sore, not a temple. Therefore, my purpose is: - to be a testament to God's glory in body and spirit - to show my kids that healthy and active bodies help them to live happy lives - to find inspiration in all areas of my life - and to inspire others in my life to lead happy and healthy lives.
I tried to write somthing off the top of my head... it aint that easy. What is my purpose?????Im going to find a pen and paper, I will get back to you soon-Tonya
AssignmentFour My purpose for this transformation is to truly love myself and to continue to grow in vibrant good health, beauty, and vitality. When I reach my goal : I honor the commitments and promises I make to myself and prove to myself that I can achieve whatever I believe and dream and that truly all things are possible. I accomplish things I only dreamed of for years. I leave behind, futility, pessimism, powerlessness and fear and take on my true power to make change and inspire others. I am not on a program that ends, but have incorporated the change into my lifestyle, as a fit, athletic Zumba instructor, dancer, and outdoor adventurer. I am an exemplar of healthy aging. This is how I choose to live and I love it! My calm, faith, determination and serenity radiate from me and I am open and loving to those around me. I continue to grow in my inner transformation, giving to myself as much as others. I say no when I need to, so that I am not overwhelmed by work and that I balance work with fun. I put my needs first and I have no lingering feelings of inadequacy and self-loathing to hinder my progress. My inner beauty is reflected in my outer looks and I have no handicaps to finding my life partner and true love. I am surrounded by loving friends, family, and colleagues and supported by my life partner in my journey of growth.
Acknowledging that my own motivations, my reasons for transforming can change, I have reviewed and revised my Assignment 4. Much simpler, much shorter than what I had before, but I think it's also more honest and heart-felt. I am sick of just surviving, existing day to day. I am ready to live my life and embrace my freedom in accordance with God's will. I wish to bring my daily life more in line with God's purpose for me. I need strength and courage to rediscover my calling, my purpose in life. I want to inspire my children, encourage healthy lives for them, and to be the best father I can possibly be.
Sounds like a deep thought, but if you really think about it... There was either one thing or a combination of things that brought you to.... I guess you would call it a breaking point and you decided you needed a change in the direction you were heading. Maybe it was a health reason, work related stress, all those forces out there that unwelcome stresses in our lives.... I'll post my experience in my blog ( I'm still not sure if I should be posting my assignments here in the comment section, or just blog each assignment, maybe it doesn't really matter how I do it...) Take care!
Sounds like a deep thought, but if you really think about it... There was either one thing or a combination of things that brought you to.... I guess you would call it a breaking point and you decided you needed a change in the direction you were heading. Maybe it was a health reason, work related stress, all those forces out there that unwelcome stresses in our lives.... I'll post my experience in my blog ( I'm still not sure if I should be posting my assignments here in the comment section, or just blog each assignment, maybe it doesn't really matter how I do it...) Take care!
I have a few very clear goals in life: to protect and improve the environment so generations to come can enjoy the world as I have; to provide access to education for women and girls in developing countries; to be a great friend, a champion and cheerleader for the people I love and the people who love me. I know I can't do anything of these things until I truly value and trust myself. So, my purpose is to feel strong and confident in who I am and what I can accomplish.
My purpose is to find myself.I've been lost for years,I really dont know who I am right now.I want to be healthy,happy,fufilled,beautiful,the possibilities are endless..More to come.... Always...Angela...Keep Smilin...
Why am I doing this challenge? If you would have gave me this assignment 2 weeks ago, my response would have been "to win $10,000 and lose weight". I have now come to the realization that even though this is what drew me to this website, the fact of the matter is that I was ashamed and completely dead inside. I had become a pessimistic introvert who had disconnected from all my friends and most of my family and who believed that all of my problems were everyone elses fault but my own. I seemed to be sleepwalking through life with no sense of direction or purpose and my spiritual connection with God had ceased to exist. Now, thanks to this dear community, I realize that I was searching. Searching to find my way back to God, Searching for myself. Searching for something to give me hope in this sometimes crazy world in which we live in. I now believe that the true reason I committed to this challenge is to find myself, my purpose, health, vitality, Oneness with my Higher Power....PEACE. I believe with all my heart that as I keep moving forward with my assignments and sharing with all of my T.Com family, I will get to know myself again, over come my fears, and discover my passion. My heart is bursting with gratitude for all that everyone of you has given me since I joined this loving community just a few weeks ago. And Bill Phillips....YOU ARE THE REAL DEAL. I am truly blessed to be touched by your amazing spirit. Thank you so much for taking us all under your wing and guiding us to the path to finding ourselves. All of our spirits, caring for each other and sharing in this human experience here on earth. Oneness, peace, love, happiness. YOU HAVE SAVED MY LIFE. MY SOUL IS SOARING!
My transformation purpose had been a long time in the making. I have grown spiritually in the last two years, but the negative aspects of my life kept haunting me. My purpose is to be confident, comfortable and proud of me in my skin and in every aspect of my life. I want to live a health life and inspire those around me to care as much about their lives and health as I do. This is a worth while jorney and I intend to see it through with gusto!!
I am going to think about this one. You are right, it needs to be more than just a physical change. It has to be mental as well. I was thinking about it. If I do not transform mentally as well as physically than I will shortly be back in the same boat I am now. I am already disgusted with myself for being in the place I am. This transformation has to be all encompassing. It needs to include my mentality, my physical changes, and a spititual change as well.
I thought if I completed another 12 week challenge maybe this time I will be happy. If I had the perfect body that would bring me happiness. My friends think I have it all together because I'm not overweight, if they only knew how I feel and that I was dying on the inside. This Transformation I want to learn to love myself. I'm tired of beating myself up for mistakes I've made in the past. I want to finally forgive myself. I'm a good person and deserve to be happy. I know if I heal on the inside and work on positive thinking the rest will all come together. I WANT TO BE THE CHANGE! Cheri
This assignment #4 will be on my blog April 2009. It is going to take me a while to think this through.
Transformation Challenge Assignment #4 The Power of Purpose Whew! What an awakening this exercise turned out to be for me. When Bill said in explaining this assignment that "we have to stop living accidentally and start living intentionally", it really hit home and I felt he was talking straight to me. I had to do some soul searching and look deeply into my life, past and present. I did not know where to start and I truly questioned myself. "Why am I here?" "What is the point of it all?" and "What purpose is it that I serve?" I don't know just when it happened, but somewhere along my journey....I got lost. The person I had one time known disappeared. I just lost myself. When I had my children..I found a little of myself again. So, then over my adult years, if you asked me the question, "What is your purpose?" I would answer..."my purpose is my kids." I felt as if I functioned primarily for them, minute to minute, hour to hour, day to day, week to week, month to month, year to year and so on....I was surviving for my boys, lost otherwise with the exception of them....or so I thought.... But then as I read on down in this assignment, I was very convicted and almost horrified when Bill said, "living an unhealthy, negative life not only hurts and affects ourselves, but it hurts the ones closest to us that we love the most." Ouch!! Here I was answering this question about my sole purpose in life just to be shot down in shame. In essence, I was hurting and scarring and abusing those gifts that I loved the most in my entire world.....my sweet, wonderful boys. Well, I started weeping...but there was no denying the absolute truth!! In that moment I vowed to myself that I NEVER want to live that way again.....I NEVER again want to be that person. So, I started to dig into the stores of my mind. My question became...."Who is the person I want and need to be?" "What will my transformation purpose be?" My answer....I WILL BE THE CHANGE!!! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ My Transformation Purpose Is: To Honor God - I will make it my purpose to honor my God by choosing to live each day to the fullest. I will embrace each moment I am given and I will be grateful for my blessings. I will bring positive energy into my life and allow it to flow from me making my life a witness of joy, peace and contentment. To Be My Greatest Self - I will make it my purpose to become the best Timberly I can be.....body, mind and spirit. I will diligently work towards health and vitality by treating myself as a temple knowing that the mirrored reflection I see is truth and wellness. I will focus on finding peace in my mind that has so long been held in captivity as a slave to depression. I will nurture my spirit by reading, writing, enjoying nature, being of service, and having an open mind to progress. To Love My Family & Friends - I will make it my purpose to be an excellent wife, mother, daughter, sister, family member and friend. I will do this by sharing unconditional love and support to the most important people in my life. I will strive to encourage and be a living example by choosing to be healthy, positive, and thankful for my abundant blessings. To Intentionally Help Others - I will make it my purpose to be a giver and helper. I will show others that with diligence. persistence and hard work that we can come through trials and tragedies to victory more than just survivors, but overcomers. I plan to become a counselor, motivator and mentor to those who have suffered childhood abuses, mental illness and obesity so we can journey together to personal triumph. I have been richly blessed with people who have and are walking this path with me, and I plan to pay it forward. I also plan to be a volunteer, giving of myself to improve my home, my school, my community, and my world. To Leave A Legacy of Love & Hope - I will make it my purpose to invest in things that will last longer and endure past the time when my physical body leaves this earth. I will invest in love and hope. I will invest in my children, my children's children, my extended family and friends, my written words, my poetry, my music, my art, and my animals....honoring, giving, living and loving. I promise myself that I will leave a legacy so my future generation of family and friends will have been proud to have known me. My greatest legacy will not be money or glory, but to have left this life making sure my husband and my children, my family and my friends know they were truly, undoubtedly and without question, loved by me. hugs 2 u all :) timberly
This is truly a thought provoking assignment, I could have written for pages but put the words down in the most provoking way to me. My Transformation purpose is to get healthy and live the life I am meant to live, to watch my kids grow up and become adults in a healthy environment and to grow old with my wife who has stood by me through thick and thin. In a deeper sense I am doing this to eliminate doubt in my life and to erase that nagging feeling that I will fail that follows me around when I set out to do something. To stop being embarrassed of who I am and accomplish what I know I can. I want to let the spiritual, loving energetic, fun and outgoing person who I keep trapped inside out.
So, after much reflection and thought, I believe I have developed my statement of purpose for assignment #4: “My life is a truly extraordinary gift, and my purpose is to be worthy of that gift by living an extraordinary life that inspires others to live extraordinary lives the same way that I have been inspired.” I think this encapsulates the principle of reciprocity and illustrates how I have been inspired by others and want to do the same. This purpose is stronger than I what I had before. My prior purpose had been one rooted deeply in defiance. I wanted to be better than those who teased me when I was younger. I wanted to be better than those who tried to control me now. The defiance was a lasting purpose – it has served me for 6 years and more, but it has taken me to dark places from time to time. The “prize” was one of domination. Always trying to dominate your fellow human beings is a shallow, shallow thing, and true self honesty indicates to me that it is a very fleeting and hollow thing. It has led me to places that are destructive, places I no longer wish to be. A course of defiance is not congruent with being truly confident. A truly confident person is able to look at the past, at those experiences where he/she was pushed down, and realize he/she was able to work through it, and forgive. A course of defiance is not congruent with being a forgiving, Christian person. I have allowed a strong judgmental streak to form in my psyche. This transformation will quash that streak. My purpose will help me leave such things far behind me. My purpose is a celebration of the greatest gift I have been given. I can best show my appreciation and gratitude for this gift by helping others to make the most out of their gift. Thank you Lord for the blessings in my life and for the clarity to find purpose.
Great question. My transformation purpose is to get healthy, incredibly healthy . Both of my parents were smokers - my father had his first heart attack when he was 45, and died when he was 56. My mother died of emphysema when she was 75. I so regret that I didn't have longer with them, that they hadn't made healthier choices so that they would be here now to see my kids grow up. I've never been a smoker, EVER, and I always encourage everyone I meet to quit. But sometimes in life I haven't made the healthiest choices either- too much couch time, too much junk food. Stupid. So, I want to do everything I can to insure that I will be around for my kids for a very long time.
My Transformation purpose is to start living the way I was meant to. To finally succeed at something I have been putting off for 10 years.
Transformation Purpose is to get healthy, stay healthy and to help others get healthy and stay healthy. I want to show my child how to live by living, not by telling; I want to show my husband I love him by the way I love myself; My purpose is to stay spiritually connected. The unhelathy food and unhealthy behavior are just a wall to keep me from connecting with my Higher Power and the people I love the most in my life. I once was in great shape, and had a great connection with my God, but over the years I have put my son and husband before myself, and we have ALL suffered. I have to replace my fear with Faith and know that if I do the footwork, and I reach for my goal by the deadline I will succeed with God's help. I hope I can stay strong and keep going even through adversaty.
To work hard at something and, not only succeed, but fulfill a goal I've wanted for a long time. To, also, realize that I am worth it! Bottom line, stop breaking promises to myself.
I decided that I wanted to be as concise as possible in my tranformation purpose, so I could use it like a mantra, to keep me focused. Here it is: Once transformed, I will be free of the limiting beliefs that prevent positive, lasting change. Once freed of these limiting beliefs, I will: Act based upon the idea that anything is possible; Lose my fixation on self, and focus that energy on others; Inspire others to transform, seeing what I have accomplished
True transformation is genuine, but something far different than what I have really wanted up to this point. For three years I have fought an internal war between what my spirit tells me to do and what my soul (emotional/mental self) wants to do. What “I” want is vain and selfish, but that constant gnawing within tells me there is more. This is a tough Assignment, because I feel that fight waging even as I type. Am I really ready to yield to the higher call or is this only about my body? Selfishness is deeply rooted within me, but I also realize my choices, guided by a defined purpose, can dictate whether that selfishness is in control or not. I want my spirit, that communication mechanism with God, to control me. I want my soul and body to yield to it. So, today, before I write my transformation purpose, I yield my life to God and His Kingdom, believing that is the better way. With that decided and said, below is my purpose: My purpose for transformation is to reflect God’s glory by spiritually living for the highest good of God and others, emotionally being authentic, transparent and unselfish, and physically being healthy, lean and fit.
As I began to think about my body, my mind and my spirit, the word squander came to mind. >You don't want to squander your wonderful life… – Prov. 5:7 (The Message) Mark a life of discipline and live wisely; don't squander your precious life. – Prov. 8:32 (The Message) We can't afford to waste a minute, must not squander these precious daylight hours in frivolity and indulgence. – Romans 13:11 (The Message) “…didn't you realize that your body is a sacred place, the place of the Holy Spirit? Don't you see that you can't live however you please, squandering what God paid such a high price for? The physical part of you is not some piece of property belonging to the spiritual part of you. God owns the whole works. So let people see God in and through your body. – 1 Corinth 6:16 (The Message) He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. – Isaiah 53:5 (NLT) Companions as we are in this work with you, we beg you, please don't squander one bit of this marvelous life God has given us. - 2 Corinth 6:1 (The Message) Although I considered myself pretty “whole & healthy” and I try to maintain a relatively disciplined life, I realized that there were areas in my life that I was not developing to their fullest potential. There were areas of my life that I was squandering away. Areas that God created to be strong, vibrant, healthy and purposeful and I wasn’t growing them and developing them as I should be. I realized that everyone around me “picks fruit” from the “Brian Tree”, whether I am intentional about it or not. So, I asked myself – what kind of “fruit” am I offering in each area of my life – mentally, spiritually and physically? Am I putting my best foot forward and presenting to those around me the best “fruit” that I possibly can? The answer was “No.” There was more to Brian Hetzer. I’ve got better “fruit” – I’ve just been holding back and that’s selfish. So, for me, Transformation means to grow and develop into the most healthy, whole and complete “Brian Tree” I can be in body, in mind and in spirit, so that when people come to pick the “fruit” from my tree, they walk away with a tasty morsel - one that is healthy, edible and enjoyable. I don’t like a piece of rotten fruit and neither does anyone else. I desire my “fruit” to be YUMMY - to be all that I wrote on my Assignment #1 After Picture – more confident in God’s love for me, strong, deeper in relationships, balanced life, strong encourager, be my “Original Design” and live fearlessly.
My purpose for Transformation is to grow internally for the better, producing stronger characteristics such as integrity, compassion and strength. To be healthy and fit so I can be active, energetic & enjoy life more. I so want to live intently and with purpose! To overcome wrong, abusive, negative hurtful thoughts. To become a genuine inspiration to enable me to truly inspire others. To be & live how God created me to live and be. To finally know the feeling of reaching my weight loss goals no matter what or where the journey takes me or how long. Not giving up on my goals regardless of the outside circumstances. To have a strong body to support my back, knees and spine. To feel good about myself knowing I did it and will continue to live healthy. And to be proud of myself. Thanks Bill that was an awesome Assignment. It took alot of thought and all didn't feel so great. But it certainly helps put things in the right perspective. I wrote out three pages of notes!
I have always lived my life in reaction to circumstances! Always in a panic to find a way out of the current crisis, never coming from a position of balance and readiness and purpose. I'm so happy to have landed here at T.com. In just the couple of weeks since I started the Challenge in earnest I feel the support of a whole community behind me. I feel myself becoming really grounded for the first time. I'm going to give this assignment my all. No more accidental living for me.
My transformation purpose is to finally treat my body like a temple. The last sermon that my Grandfather preached was about this subject. I have that sermon on tape and like to listen to it when I work out. I have been dishonering God by treating my body this way. I want to be as strong and beautiful on the outside as I am on the inside. I want to motivate others and make them stronger. My biggest purpose is to keep myself and family healthy in the future.
The purpose of my transformation is to help me feel good both on the outside and on the inside. I want my physical body to inspire others (especially my husband and kids), to have them ask questions, which will not only help them understand how the body changes were made, but to help them see that there are inside changes too! I want my inner spirit to shine through, even more than the new physical changes. I want to be a light for those who are struggling in and out. Of course, I'd also like to be smokin' hot in a bikini too!
The purpose of my transformation is finding my true self; the one God designed me to be. As my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, it is my duty to take care of it with proper diet, exercise and spiritual practice. Through this journey of transformation, I plan to enrich my relationship with God as I learn to embrace His plans for me and how I can most effectively serve Him, my family and my community. I plan to lose 15 pounds of body fat while gaining lean muscle and learning how to "Eat for Life." I would like to inspire my family and patients with my healthy lifestyle and better live out my faith life in my community exuding positive energy wherever I go!
The reason for my transformation is because I want to live a more positive lifestyle. I know I need to be happier for the sake of my family, friends and that special person in my life. What exactly will bring about this happiness is complicated. I think it is a combination of wanting more respect for accomplishments but I don’t feel like I have reached my goals in life the way I should. Something has stopped me from truly reaching down deep inside to really push myself forward. That is going to change.
Ok. My purpose is to heal my unhealthy mind set, to have the energy to live my best life instead of watching life from the sidelines, and to inspire my family to reach for the stars. I am making myself accountable by....taking my father to New Mexico at the end of April to ride horses on the Pecas River. I've also scheduled a mid-year Christmas event with my kids and grandbabies to go to wolf lodge July 31 to play at the water park. It's already planned now, which puts me in a bathing suit for the first time in 25 years in a public place. And finally I will start training for the Denver marathon on May 18 (my birthday) and see everyone there. I'm learning that to acheive something, I need to set a date and make it happen.
Bill thank you for this assignment. I feel like this a few times during my week. So I will write down my since of purpose and what this challenge is about to me on a piece of paper and it will go in my wallet and the next time I feel like no purpose why go on? I will read my since of purpose paper.I believe that if one seeks from the outside of oneself one might find the reasons why.But if one searches the soul one will find the answers to how. I am not in this for money, fame, or any type of unrealistic gain. I just want to be able to clean out the garbage in my life and help where I can. But it all starts here with oneself for another to others. Mahalo Brahdda man!
When I look beyond that I want to lose the weight and ask myself 'WHY' do I want to improve my health? WHY do I want to feel toned and strong, I get a glimps of what is in my heart and my leaky spirit. I am glad for this opportunity to have the courage and strength to open myself up and finally take a look at my "WHY".
This assignment has been a hard one for me. But I finally have my pupose. I wrote the whole thing in my blogs under Assignment #4 if your interested in reading it. Thank you Bill. The deeper I get into this transformation the more I believe.
Being overweight and out of shape has been such a challenge and distraction to me throughout most of my life. I've cheated myself from so many opportunities because of this distraction which has also had a negative impact on many of the people I love. It's time to be the change. My Transformation purpose is to literally transform my mind, body and spirit into a healthy, happy, balanced being so I can live free from those things that have distracted me from living life to the fullest. As I go through this journey, my hope and clear intention is to inspire others in their journey in life. I was really touched by your words Bill where you said, "We can't live an unhealthy life without hurting others in the process. And when we live a healthy, positive life, we are always lifting others up along with us!"
Well I've got those mirriors up!! I just jioned a week & 1/2 ago & I'm starting to enjoy lil extra energy I'm getting from my work outs also I'm tickled pink I've lost three lbs. & looking as, I go forward to shedding lots more!! Thanks again Bill for this site & nice people!! Chris
Purpose for BEING this Transformation: To come out of hiding. I've been running and hiding from my fears and success all of my life. I lived in the shadow of my father, a man I never felt I could please or make proud of me because he never chose time with me over anything else. Letting my fear of inadequacy run my life. Losing first my High School Sweetheart after a very short marriage, and then my 2nd wife after a long love less marriage, both I blamed totally on myself only deepened my sense of worthlessness. During those years I was actually enjoying a wonderful career as a Nurse. And was climbing a ladder of success and service to my patients. Spiritually I wasn't always clear but I was faithful and trusting. I loved God. I, however, held myself back in my career due to feelings of inadequacy. I was still climbing, but climbing slowly. Sometimes being pulled up the ladder by Administrators who thought more of my abilities than I did. I became a workaholic out of fear that I would let my bosses down and, because of my deteriorating home life. After my 2nd divorce I was alone for awhile. I hid behind my fat body to avoid getting close to anyone again. Finally, I found the greatest love of my life in my third wife. Wasn't looking, but we found each other. Everything was great for about three years then I had a series of strokes that took away my health, my income, and my career. With that too my primary means of service to others. I got angry with God over different things. One of which was, yes, I was thankful for him bringing me my wife, without her love, strength, and her advocacy for me I would never have survived. But so much I lost in exchange. Why, for once couldn't I have both sides of happiness? I've struggled getting my physical body back in shape for five years now. I've lost a net 70 lbs. from the time I got out of Rehab. 100 lbs. from the time of the stroke. I had lost 40 more lbs but recently gained them back over the last year and 1/2 of severe depression before joining T.com. (Math is Highest wt = 370, Lowest = 230, present wt = 270) Bottom line: My purpose is to come out from hiding from my fears of inadequacy, success, and failure by conquering those fears and growing emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually. To regain one of the most important missions of my Nursing career; through Transformation, giving of myself in a non-selfish, loving, caring way so others can find peace, love, and healing and the how to pass it on. And through them, continue to enrich my life so I can help even more people (Man serves God my serving man). What I expect will result is I will become a better Husband, father, servant of God, and friend. David
I am John Lucas, a member of the Transformation.com community, and I am here to grow my confidence, energy, and spirit to overwhelming levels - to grow in Faith, the living, daring confidence in God's grace - to grow into the healthy, giving, responsible man I have yet to become. The man that will overcome any anger or depression to be there for his wife, his three sons, his family, his friends, and his community. To be a living inspiration for, and living witness of their mental, spiritual, and physical successes, and triumphs - to share in their joy when the miracles of love, marriage, birth, and family happen in their lives, and to be the strong, caring, loving, shoulder to carry them, heart to uplift them, and voice to guide them in their times of need, failure, sorrow, sickness, or pain. Thank you Bill for this opportunity, and for your inspiration to grow and change my life.
Bill, I had many surface purposes, but digging deeper, they were shallow. I want my life to emulate God's love. I want to help others achieve their goals and God's will for their life. I want to be a role model to those trying to make their way through this world. I want to have passion in my life and stopping being the tired man sitting on the side lines.
My purpose for making the transformation is so I can start living, really living and to make sure I have a long happy life with my beautiful wife!
My purpose for making the Transformation is so that I can live life to the full. I want to BE THE CHANGE and I GET TO make this transformation for those that are unable to.
It was almost embarrassing how simple my purpose became once I could knock all the other stuff away that was distracting me. Sure I had the "good role model" "be healthy" goals. In fact still do. /but after some deep processing, I have a very simple purpose: I am a child of God, He has instilled in me all that I need to meet His expectations. I am committed to living my Life as God would have me. Thinking, writing, acknowledging this has freed me from so many burdens it is unbelieveable. I do have a lengthy description of who that person is and will post it in my blog. I read it multiple times a day.
This was a great assignment. I really thought the pupose would be for just the weight loss, but looking deeper into it my purpose for doing this transformation is to be a better person spiritually, mentally and phisically. To be able to take on tough challenges and accompish them and know that I gave them 110% of myself to do it. Thanks for the extra motivation with this assignment.
Assignment #4-This was a much needed thing for me to do. My transformation purpose is to fully live my life and to feel alive and no longer feel ashamed.
Assignment 4 ... this is going to take quite some thought & i plan to spend A LOT of time on this. I know all to well about going thru the motions - achieving the results but with no enthusiasm! i dont even get excited when the scale shifts closer to my target or when the tape measure needs tightening. I take my comparison photos but i dont really care if the results are visible or not .... i keep eating right, i keep exercising right, i'm even enthusiastically encouraging others to do the same .. but thats where the enthusiasm ends ... i guess i'm trudging on hoping and waiting for my life to improve like the shell is ... assignment 5 is going to have to wait - I have assignment 4 to master
The purpose for my transformation is… To stop settling for mediocrity and strive to be extraordinary. To no longer feel insignificant and restricted in life. To truly realize that anything is possible. To be a role model and positive influence to others. To be the natural born leader that I was meant to be.
My purpose is to live a life that makes God's heart smile! To live it to the full not watch it go by. To be all that He created me to be and not what my fears or the world around me tells me. To live a life outside my comfort zones. To inspire others to do the same. To be different. To finally be ME! To love and encourage the people around me. To inspire my kids to not settle but push themselves beyond their fears and insecurities, and use the gifts they have been given. To enjoy life with my incredible husband who makes life fun!
My purpose for a transformation is - this isn't the life I wanted or envisioned for myself. I promised my mother on her deathbed that I would gain control of my life and most especially my weight, then she left me a letter asking me to do that same thing. I want to live with no regrets and be able to meet her on the other side and say, I DID IT, MOM, I LIVED!
Thanks Bill, I completed this assigment just now, and it was amazing. I THINK MORE CLEARLY NOW. I now can understand more why i diceded to be part of t.com. I had noticed during this assigment that my mother and son are inspired as i am with the changes and ways of eating. Having their sopport is a motivational tool to me. Soon I will be posting my changes since assigment 1.
Several times now, I have made declarations to finish and post this assignment and each time that I did, I fully intended to do just that. As I took additional time to contemplate my reasons for change however, I found that, though they were well thought out, they were only the natural results of the exercise and assignments. In other words, my "whys" would come about without me really "going deep" into the water. Therefore, I realized that I was not capable of keeping those promises as I was clearly just not ready. I just thought I had to be ready due to my being consumed by unnecessary pressure of an imaginary dead line. That being said, now that I've had additional time, I've been able to be more specific in my reasons for change. My ultimate goal is to become a more productive person by learning to live purposefully. As long as I can remember I have always lived a reactionary lifestyle. What I mean by that is, I have learned to be very good at working under pressure. That sounds good until you evaluate the cause and effect of living that way. Unfortunately the pressure is only there because I created it. I continue to live that way because I'm not willing to put forth a little extra effort and prepare ahead of time. This has to change! Cause: Unwillingness to be prepared Effect: Living with continuous stress due to utter chaos Although I can - and do almost daily, but only under pressure and completely stressed out - manage to put together 6 balanced meals in less than 30 minutes, and am able to have the kids up, dressed, groomed, fed and out the door with lunch in hand and off to school in less than 30 minutes, I also know that it creates unnecessary stress that could have easily been avoided with just a little extra prep time. This has to change! This pattern of behavior has created an unhealthy environment for not only myself but for my husband and children as well. It carries over into the way I relate to my children. For example when I see my children making unwise choices that I know will create the same inevitable reactionary situations that I typically cause, I will get angry with them. As if they should know better. In other words I get mad at them because I see in them the very thing that I despise in myself. Crazy, I know! I'm the one who taught them to be that way! This has to change! I want to live a life with purpose, not because I want an easier, stress free life - sure that would be a bonus - but because I want more out of life. I want more for my children. I don't want my days to be filled with the insignificant things in life. I want them to be filled with the abundant joy I feel when I am able to help someone, whether it be a complete stranger or my own child. I honestly can't remember the last time I had fun with my children. It's always business. "Clean your room!", "Do your homework!", "Pick up your stuff!", "Do this!", "Don't do that!". The one thing that stands out for me is that I'm always saying to them "Hurry up!" thus creating an environment that teaches that stress is the norm. This has to change! I want my children to have a mom that doesn't say "In a Minute!" or "Not right now, I'm really busy!", cause like I said before, the busyness is born out of my choice to be lazy rather than purposeful. This has to change! I want my children to have a mom that smiles at them instead of barking orders at them. I want to be able to take the time to be engaged in what they have to say the very moment they want to share it with me. Not say "Wait a minute!" and then later forget to ask. This has to change! When my time in this world is at an end, I don't want to be the person that looks back on all the time spent here and says "I've wasted It!". I want to look back and know that I haven't wasted it cause I lived every day with a purpose! A life with purpose is why I want to change! Thanks Mr. Phillips! Without the transformation aspect of this challenge, I may not have ever understood my potential for inner change. BFL in itself is fool proof if it's followed just how it's written. The inner transformation is the hard work. There's no guideline or formula to follow and no directions pointing you to the answers. They can only be found within ourselves. We just have to be asked the right questions and be willing to put forth the effort it takes to look for and find the answers. Thanks for asking the right questions!
My Transformation purpose is simply "to be the best ME I can be", inside and out. I have to do this for me and my kids. I always tell my children all they can do is their "best". But Mom hasn't been doing her best. I've been going through the motions and not living life to the fullest for the past five years. I've buried a lot of pain and depression under a protective layer of fat. That was my way of hiding from the world. I'm tired of not living up to my potential. There is so much more to me inside and I know I can live a much more fulfilling life. Thanks Bill for the self reflection assignment. As hard as it was to verbalize, it was needed. Kelly :)
My Transformation Purpose I like the idea, Bill's mantra, I want to be part of The Change- for me, my family, my friends and those that I encounter along my way. I love to give, this is a great place for me. I do however, need to learn to give to myself- not superficially but deeply with purpose and spirit. I have done BFL once in the past with great success; what I love about this is that the focus in not entirely on changing the way you look but taking the transformation so much deeper. It is hard to put into text here but it just feels right to me. We all need to focus on the things we can control, this is one of them.
Why do I want to make a transformation: I want to be the passion filled person God intended me to be. I find I have lost my passion for just about anything in life, nothing excites me, nothing moves me in a forward direction. I feel stuck in a hole and I don't have the motivation to move forward, backwards or sideways. I just am. I can really relate to going to the gym and just going through the motions. No meaning or purpose. I want my life back, I want to laugh again. I want to get up every morning on fire with a desire to be the best person I can be today! Julia
This assignment was hard for me. I came up with alot of reasons to loose this weight that sounded just like everyone elses reasons. None of those reasons really touched my heart and moved me. Then I went out for a while and realized something important. I don't want to be invisible any more. No one notices me when I walk in the room. I am ordinary, average. I didn't use to be. I use to glow, ooze confidence and happiness. I am tired of not being seen, my light being covered up with all of this fat. I want to be seen, the real me, the one who can inspire others and bring others happiness. I don't want to be invisible anymore!
I have been a good example to friends and family throughout my life- and taking responsibility for my body is the "last frontier" of continuing to be the change to those people. Therefore my mantra and my purpose is: "I have always been- and will continue to be a good example to others no matter what."
When I started the Transformation I clearly set out to win the money. What I realize now as the weeks pass and through my previous BFL experience is that I really, really want to be a part of this global change. I've been on a spiritual journey for nearly 11 years now and somehow this seems to be a part of the bigger picture for me unless it is all in my head. BFL came to me- I wasn't shopping in a book store for a diet book. I haven't been on a "diet" in nearly 20 years because I know they don't work. I got rid of my scale a long time ago, and have been very healthy for the last 20 years. I'm not Covergirl material, but at 43 years old I have the stats of someone in their 20's. (I'm talking excellent blood pressure, cholesterol, etc. -that stuff- not the 36-24-36 20 something :)) I work in a school and I see so many overweight kids that it breaks my heart. The mainstream "food" is literally killing us and it never ceases to amaze me how many diet books still get published and how many people still buy them. So much I believe can be cured or prevented through proper nutrition and exercise. I will never not be an advocate for a healthy lifestyle. Recently, I joined the Wellness Committee at my company so that I can incorporate my passion into my job until I can somehow make a change to a more fitting career for myself. Sitting in with the committee felt like I had found my bedroom slippers! One of the committee members is a lifestyle coach so I've signed up for some coaching as well. I was something I had been thinking of doing and it just presented itself to me. During recent trainings at work (we have 800 employees) I've been either approached or emailed by at least 5 people who have said they were "moved" by the way I speak. I can't imagine what I could do if I shared what really gets me fired up. Love in light
My purpose for completing a Transformation is to fearlessly get to the heart of my authentic self. I would truly like to live the life that I envision living and somehow have not sustained. I am now looking back on the reasons for not getting here before, and I think fear has a lot to do with it, plus the denial and the lying you do with yourself. You make excuses for not being diligent in whatever endeavour you are on, and in the end, it's a lot like lying. Pretty soon you get worn down trying to get yourself out of emotional debt, when it would have been so much easier to stay the straight and narrow....however, you cannot appreciate the Transformation until you have seen what you don't want. The reason I changed my profile quote to Randy Pausch's "Never Leave Anything On The Table" is because that inspires me to be my whole self and to leave nothing untapped. I want to be the person who takes joy in taking care of herself, being of service to others, and do all the real and good things that I always want to do. I want to realize my potential and stop dreaming about it. I want to leave behind all the things I am "supposed to do" to stay happy and healthy, and make them "what I do". This will help me to be a much better mother, wife, role model, daughter, friend, and employee. And it will be a part of the change for everyone who thinks it is not possible to change your habits and lifestyle. Thank you Bill, and Coach, and my accountability group for being there for me while I take this journey.
My purpose is for many reasons, but the things that really come to my mind: life should be extraordinary and we should not feel as if we are going through the motions! We can never get back the day before, not even this very second so I feel that it's really my time to act! This is my life and I'm so grateful for MY life and really want to live it to the fullest and always progress both spiritually and physically and be an example of health and vitality for generations to follow in my family. There really is a purpose for everything and I'm grateful that I know what direction I want to move in starting today!!! Thanks Bill and the others here at t.com.
WHY, WHY, WHY?!?!?! Why am I having trouble with my focus in week 6-7? Why have I waited 6 weeks to answer this question when it is probably the easiest, yet most personal? To be a better Father and husband, by always starting with and finishing with my heart. To regain the passion for living and looking challenges straight in the eye! Because I want to see mygirls get married! To love the person I am!! DAN....thanx Bill
Transformation Purpose WHY? I want to get out of here…this hole I have fallen into. I no longer want to watch life happen as if watching it through a window…I want to be able to do it, to go, to experience it. I want to say YES! I want to go and then be able to have something appropriate to wear, have the energy, strength, and stamina to do whatever is involved. I want to be able to show others who are like me now… look you too can come out here and experience life. You can travel, go see relatives, go to a party, ride a horse, try out skiing, run a 3k fundraiser, or participate in a community effort such as cleaning up after a storm. I do not want to hold back my loved ones who want to go out and live, but they do not because they cannot take me along. I want the opposite to be true! I want to be the one who is pulling others into action, not pulling them down with me. I want to transform because in every area of my life… I am longing for more and I want to be walking toward that goal, not sliding into the compounding health problems and aloneness which waits if I do not act! I want everything that God has planned for me in this life…I want to reach my full potential and live an intentional life. Well there it is:) Elaine
Purpose! I am doing this because I am tired of coming home and wanting to lounge. I want to be up moving around. I want my kids to see me play. I want to interract with them in a fun playful way. I want to be able to chase them around the yard. I do these things already, but it might only be for a few minutes. I want to have people look at me and want my energy. I am doing this and am continuing to improve. "I am on my way to the new ME"!
Assignment #4 - Transformation is.... difficult to write something that hasn't already been said. Transformation is different to everyone, but one same goal that keeps coming up is CHANGE! Yes, tired of the way I've lived, the choices I've made and the 'just giving in' to the way I look and perceive myself. The way I feel, is there is SO many things that we can't change and we have to deal with and accept, yet weight and health and body image is something I CAN change. It's something that I can take control of - so way wouldn't I want to be the best I can be? Well, it involves me to make make choices that aren't going to just satisfy the 'now' - and make choices that will be good for me later and make me feel better, physically and mentally. The choices that will make me feel more in control, more confident and inspire those around me - renewed energy, a role model for my children and not an embarrasement. I think when I stop thinking I'm doing this for me - and am doing it for others - to inspire and provide renewed energy, I'll be successful. Thanks Bill - and thanks "T" community - you're awesome!!
My purpose..is to live each day to the fullest. To shine my light for others. To have health, better self-esteem, to be a beacon for others. I want my grandsons to see a grandma that can keep up with them. I want to be the change but also I just want to have a direction in my life that has to start with making the right choices in my life, about food, about health, about exercise, about work etc. I am in it it WIN it!
ASSIGNMENT #4 My mission and purpose in completing this challenge is to overcome my sugar addiction, disordered eating patterns, approval addiction and other things I struggle with and be secure in God alone in Jesus Christ. In doing so, I want to share this good news with others who struggle, so that they can be free also. I am set to complete all of the T-assignments in 18 weeks, and complete my 12-step program too. I want to help others through what I have learned in my own recovery. Right now, I can give away only up to the level I have comprehended thus far, and that is alot. I am starting to think more about others than about my own struggles and me planet, and it feels good. I am learning more and more every day. For a long time I've been "a wounded-healer"...the blind leading the blind, because I couldn't see. I want to change that, and I believe now I am starting to have clarity, hope and a vision by thoroughly working the steps with my sponsor. Life is not so dark anymore, in fact it's really getting fun :) In my heart I know I am a good Mom, but I know that I could be so much better. I could give everyone so much more, if I was free from these things that have had me in chains for so many years. If I was more playful, and joking, there would be more laughter and joy. Six weeks ago I didn't have that, and now there is a light. God made this vessel of mine, and it's the only one I've got. I need to take good care of ALL of it, so I can become what He made me to be, to fulfill His purpose for my life. To 'BE' my God-given potential. I don't really know what that is yet, but it''s an exciting journey, and it keeps getting better~
The right pressure applied in the right way can move anything, it’s about finding the right way to move something. I think we our a lot more powerful then we have led ourselves to believe. Changing provides the leverage.
* Get Healthy * Inspire others * Example for D * Transformation in & out * Feel Alive * Good father and husband
My Transformation Purpose I want to be able to feel good about myself. To not feel like I am being judged, based on my appearance. One of my problems is that I feel Usless, like a failure. I want to FEEL like my life has meaning, not just told that it does. I want to leave an Impression on the world. I want to be one of those people that show us all that amazing things can happen.
I will lose 45 pounds and I will weight 200 pounds. I will lower my bodyfat to 10 bodyfat. I will lower my bloodpressure to 120/90. I will to fit in my 34 pants size. I will see myself as a strong individual and also have great self esteem. I want to respect myself. I will Honor Self Discpline
My purpose for completing the Transformation is to set a positive example for my children. My transformation will reflect my dedication, determination and commitment to living a healthy (inside and out) lifestyle. I want my children to know without a doubt that anything can be accomplished if you 1) really want it; and 2) you’re willing to work for it. If it were easy, everyone could and would be doing it!
I want to believe in myself. I have failed to follow through with so many things in life that I have convinced myself I am not capable of finishing anything that takes effort. I have of so much more to offer and get out of life. I am not developing the gifts and talents that God has given me. I know that the way I think and feel about myself impacts those around me. I want to be a positive influence and make a difference. I will see myself as God sees me.
Let God transform me into a new person by changing the way I think. Then I will know what God wants me to do and I will know how good and pleasing and perfect His will really is! Romans 12:2 I want to be who God intended me to be and gain control over food, life, and circumstances instead of being controlled by them.
I know my real purpose for doing this, although it may seem selfish. My purpose, really, is to have no regrets. I don't want to come to a place in my life where I have to say, "If I would have just done..." or "If I just would have tried harder to..." What if my slack behavior causes some disease, injury, or early death for myself? What if it causes me to "miss" my chance to fulfill my purpose during my lifetime? My fault completely! Peace of mind is what I treasure. I want it! I'm going for it! I intend for my purpose to be "I will be a good example of what accepting the power and grace of God can do in one's life." I want to encourage others to do this. But, I need to meet my no regrets purpose first. I know it's true, now that I have written it out.
My transformatin purpose are my Children.....If i can help them at an early age to somehow understand what all this is about.. then , they are one step ahead of the game. All i want is to to be here Healthy, Happy and set a good example for them........
Well, I have struggled with this assignment for 5 weeks and for some reason my transformation purpose finally hit me. "WHAT I DO MATTERS!!!!!" It matters that I value myself. It matters that I am the best I can be to be of service to others. It matters that I am healthy to be fit to serve. 'I MATTER!!! Wow, what a revelation for me! I feel so empowered just saying it. I can't keep still; I have tears in my eyes. Thank you, Bill, for giving me a reason to live as well as transform. -Margie
I found BFL at a very low point in my life in 2002. I had just left my job because I chose not to be treated like crap basically and that was a HUGE step for me. My savings was depleted and stress was high in our household, but I was keeping the faith. A trainer at the gym turned me on to your book, and the challenge. I was just minding my own business and he came up to me out of the blue. I thought “Wow, $25,000.” I’m in!! What I didn’t expect was the floodgate of emotions that came when I read the book. The biggest thing I remember was picking up on your truth when I read the pages. Sure you were making money at this, but I felt your honest desire to help people. Also, it had a positive energy when so much of how our society views overweight people is negative. I felt you were speaking directly to me although I was not overweight at all at this time; I had been teased as a teenager and battled a vicious eating disorder that stayed with me until my early 20’s. I've said it before but this book hit me at a time when I was open for change. What I got at the end of the challenge was a "physical" body I only dreamed about. (I was a runner-up that year). I thought everyone got that certificate so we would all keep spending money on products and enter again and again, but I didn't get a certificate the second time around, nor did my husband. Something just “clicked.” I had been on a spiritual quest for the last 12 years to find "my purpose." My purpose is to be of service- plain and simple. Sometimes that can mean just opening a door for someone, but I still feel that I need to move myself into a different career where I can use my life experience to help others. Choosing to care for myself is a CONSCIOUS decision. Women, in particular, are bombarded with advertising for products to make our hair beautiful, our skin beautiful, our bodies beautiful. If we are not stick thin or don't look like the woman on the cover of Vogue we somehow don't measure up. Our society is so shallow. Unfortunately, we are totally missing the boat on health and the processed foods being sold in our supermarkets are literally killing us. Transformation speaks to the "whole" being”— body, mind and soul. This is the TRIPLE THREAT I want to be a part of. I signed up for this Transformation with the goal of using the 10,000 to get a Master's degree. I am involved in health & safety for a non-profit for kids with special needs (the “job,” by the way, came to ME two days after I asked the Universe to help me out of another dead-end job and while I was in the 2005 BFL challenge). I'm leaning towards a degree in public health (safe-society driven perhaps- not sure yet). I’ve had my eye on spiritual psychology, but I just don’t know how to make that work at the moment. I love that $10,000 goes to a charity of my choice. This is the Universal Law of Reciprocation in practice. I also know I need to continue to do the footwork if I want to grow. I love what this community is about. The assignments and the fellowship and the sharing are all truly meaningful to me and I am truly in my comfort zone here. It speaks to me, and it is my truth. It is as if my lifetime of experience has finally come together. Whew- what an unloading, huh? Love and light.
My purpose for making the Transformation is to be the woman i know i can be. A powerful, strong woman that is positive and excited about life and a positive example to those around. Not living in fear of the future, or regret of the past, but loving her life in the present and making the most of her talents. Also, desire to be a beautiful, strong example to 3 daughters, and a beautiful and strong companion to husband.
Bill, by making consistent healthy choices, I can help others around me. Reaching towards my full potential, will enable me to help as many people as possible. When I allow my body to be trimmer, my inner light will shine brighter and reach further. I will position myself in situations to reach the greatest number of people. By being in service to others, I will experience great self love, feel pride in living life and enjoy the fullest potential of happiness. I am leading myself and others to BE THE CHANGE. Thank you for giving the baseline for this wonderful assignment. I know I will use this a lot. Thank you again! ~ Stephanie
Ok, Assignment 4. As promised! I have been working on these assignments, but it is tough to post this one. I have so many purposes in my life that I just can't pin down the most important one... Until now. Going along with the theme of the past couple of days. "I, me, myself, Yo, ", am the most important reason I am making this transformation. If I can't do it for myself, I won't ever accomplish my goals. Joe nailed it on the head , when he asked "You feel guilty, don't you?" taking time away from others to spend on yourself. Uh, yeah! It goes against everything in me. That is why I am ,where I am. I have come to realize the last few days that by taking care of ME, I am providing a better life for my family. I have played more with my kids in the last couple weeks, than I have in years. I was always in so much pain, I avoided anything physical. I knew what to do, but I just didn't believe in myself. so, back to my purpose.... The weight is holding me back from playing with my family like I want to. I want to be able to run and jump, without any pain. I want to get over all the little health problems I have, as a result of being overweight. Usually right about the 8 week mark is when I loose my focus and momentum (Yes, I am asking you to help me in advance). Something tragic usually happens, and I give in to the circumstance. Not this time. I decided that even if tragedy strikes, I will finish my challenge from a hospital bed! I am so tired of being knocked down... NO MORE! To sum it up My Purpose for this transformation... 1. To become what and who my Father in Heaven intended me to be 2. To be a light unto the world, and let everyone know they don't have to live in darkness anymore. 3. To be true to myself, and my family by living up to my word. 4. To embody change, mind, body and spirit.
My letter to myself is posted in my mind as I have discovered the true meaning of life for myself. As long as I can remember, I have wanted to be physical and emotional fit. I feel the physical part has always carried me to happiness somewhat, but it wasn't until the Holy Spirit entered my life that I felt the true pleasure of living. I decided to make a true effort to make a realationship with God. It is something that keeps me going and has brought unbelievable happiness in every aspect of my life. By finding this joy in my life, my dreams are now becoming reality each day as I see my body and mind change. My purpose for this tranformation is to become the person I have always long for: Someone who is Internally at peace with life not just now but always and someone who is phyically fit from head to toe. I am 100% positive I will meet my goals since God now has his hands in this transformation with me.
I think this might be the easiest step so far. When I look in the mirror, look into my wife's eyes and play with my kids, if this doesn't motivate me to a purpose to change, im dead inside.
I'm ready to live again. I've lived the last 18 years dead to the world and myself. I have missed out on so much in life because I gave up...I accepted that this was going to be the rest of my life...not living. I'm excited to see what life has in store for me! I'm worth it and I know this journey is going to be life changing. I'm choosing LIFE!
Here's Assignment #4 from January 22, 2009 ASSIGNMENT #4 - WHAT'S MY PURPOSE? I want this transformation, no, I need this transformation for myself. I am 57 years old – and now is MY time! I want to stop being a quitter! I want to actually see this through to the very end – the first “end” being the 18 weeks of staying on program, but then on to the next “end” of the next challenge, and so on until I no longer see myself as a failure and a quitter. The fact that I have exercised six times a week since I started my Transformation and have come to enjoy it and look forward to it is proof to me that this is the real thing. Seeing this Transformation through for the 18 weeks will be a life-changer for me. I know that 18 weeks will be the end of the challenge but it will just be the beginning of a new life for me -- a life where I am being set free from the baggage that has kept me in bondage since I became a victim of incest as a four-year old child. I will no longer be a victim! Being sexually abused for years as a young child defined me for the rest of my life – up to this point – but I don’t want to be that person any longer! I have settled for less than the best all my life because I never could see myself as “worth” anything better. I have tried for over 20 years to see the Teresa the Lord had intended me to be, but the lies of the enemy would always win out and I would always quit before I achieved success. I now want to be who God made me to be – all that God made me to be. I have taught many adult classes, spoken at many women’s events, and am a Children’s Pastor, but deep inside I have still felt like a failure because I have not been disciplined enough to lose weight and make this “temple” worthy of the Lord’s indwelling. I really feel the Lord has led me to Transformation at this particular time to finally break through the barriers that have enslaved me to “failure-thinking”. With my daughter Devin as my partner, and with Clarissa and the accountability group, and this wonderful community of supporters, I can now become all that God has meant for me to be. I just realized that I had never posted the answer to Coach Stoney's 5 questions. I had them in my Success Book but I hadn't put them here. 1. Where am I now? Look at my Before picture and read my Assignment 1 blog. As of 1/1/2009: My early morning naked weight: 172 Hip measurement: 48 Bust measurement: 42 Wasit measurement: 40.5 Rt Thigh: 23.5 Rt Arm: 12 Chest (above bust): 36.5 Health-wise: I have developed arthritis in my hands, particularly my thumbs (disfiguring arthritis runs in my father's family); my "good" cholesterol isn't good - they said I need exercise to get the #'s where they should be; I have "silent" acid reflux that I never knew I had but it has really messed up my throat to where I was seeing a throat specialist over the last year; I am allergic to all milk products; I get winded really easy, etc. etc. Spiritually: I feel I am not the witness for the Lord that I want to be. They see my body before they hear my words, and my body does not reveal victory. I know that I am not all that the Lord meant for me to be. He designed me for a plan and a purpose, but I have not allowed Him to be Lord over my appetite and my habits. I want to transform my relationship with Him also to be closer to Him, to be more obedient to Him, to not give in to the desires of my "own" nature but to be obedient to Him. Emotionally: I have spent the past 12 years trying to "unstuff" all the garbage that I stuffed deep inside from my victimization beginning at age 4. The Lord has been peeling me like an onion, one layer of garbage removal at a time, and now is the time for this! When I reach the end of my 18 weeks, I will feel like I have really made a breakthrough and will be on my way to rebuilding the "me" that God wanted me to be. I spent much more time now thinking positive thoughts and having positive goals, and I don't let myself focus on the negative, the lies that the enemy has always tripped me up with. It's exciting to have a goal that I know I really can reach - I really can be a winner! 2. Where am I going? I made my "after" picture my profile picture because I need to see it before me as much as I can - this is going to be my reality! 3. Why? I answered this in the "My Purpose" above. I want to be all that God planned for me to be! 4. When? I'm 57 years old - I can't waste any more time. NOW is the time for the new me to begin transforming. I'm the chrysalis that will transform into a beautiful butterfly. 5. How? Starting each day with the Lord because that's where my strength comes from first and foremost. But that alone didn't get me thinner and healthier - that's where Transformation 2009 comes in. My partner in this transformation, my daughter Devin, is such an important part of this. I know this is the Lord's timing for both of us. But we both need even more - we need Clarissa and the Accountability group, Stoney, Dude, Bill's radio calls, and all the other wonderful people that are there to support and encourage us. But another big part of this is me reaching out and encouraging others. Everytime I post an encouragement on someone else's thread, I feel a burst of energy, a deeper commitment (I don't really know how to explain it but it's there). And Eric at the gym, the fitness specialist who did my assessment and orientation - I asked him to help me be accountable. So it all works together - every part is essential. I need them all in order to be a success and complete this transformation!
"I want to live the abundant life that Jesus promised." I think that sums up my goal because I so easily succumb to depression and lack of motivation. I know that God has a plan and a purpose for my life and I need to be healthy to achieve it- I want to run the good race and bring others with me-it is time to say good-bye to weak excuses. It is time to stand and fight off my enemies: overeating, nicotine, alcohol use and self loathing. I have asked God to strip it all away so that I can begin to face myself. I want to be free of all hindrances that keep me from living a full life.
Why the transformation? • be the best I can be • to treat myself with respect • be proud of me • to be healthy inside and out: physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually • be the me I always wanted to be - Look better Feel better Be healthier Be fitter • set goals and complete them - be proud of myself and know that I can do anything I set my mind to • stop being IMMATURE - free my self from ancient negative behaviour • be an example for my family and friends - I want to lead by example • shed meaningless layers of laziness, thoughtlessness, and inefficiency • open-hearted, compassionate, open & accepting, Love of Self, happy, joyful, dedicated, PROactive, inspired • my husband and children to be proud of me. • to have the energy I need to actually live my life and not just exist or pass through it. • to have no regrets. How can I give anything to someone else if I don’t already possess it?
I've been thinking and searching for a while on what this actually means to me. What is my purpose in doing this....there is the obvious ones, health, family, self esteem, etc.... but what are the deeper reasons that will make this transformation, this commitment work when many others didn't. I've promised myself, well that didn't work before. I had a deadline, going on a cruise, that didn't work all that well. What is the thing that will make this tick for me. I think the thing that is making this work for me this time is I'm tired of drifting. I feel I'm drifting through life, letting other make the decisions, not wanting to make decisions. I look back and see times when I had a definate purpose and the reasons I let them flutter away. I dated a guy through high school and was planning on marrying him. He was killed in a farming accident a month after we graduated high school. I drifted and starting drinking to cope. I was getting my life back on track when my sister was killed by a drunk driver...I drifted and disconnected from those close to me. I got married to a great guy, had 3 children, was speaking for MADD in the prison, had a great relationship with God & my parents...all in the space of one year the door to speaking was closed, my mother died of cancer, my father had heart surgery that required us to stay with him for over a month, my pastor left the church and later the church was sold out from under the congregation......I think I've been drifting ever since. Now, I am going to have a strong healthy body that can do the best in all situations. I am going to be actively involved in my life and not an outsider looking in. It's time I stepped up and steer my own ship and quit bouncing off the bank. I am worth the effort, I am worth the time it takes, I am worth the re-arranging of meals, I am worthy because I am a child of God with much to give.
My Transformation purpose is a little different this time around. Last year, I had started the challenge at the very beginning of my recovery, therefore a lot of my focus at that time was simply staying sober day by day . But in all, I am extremely happy with my transformation! This year I will be focusing much more on growing spiritually and being of help to others. In order to keep what I have, I must give it away and I have found so much freedom and happiness by doing just that! I am going to keep my eyes on growth and focus on the people who are in need. This is my transformation purpose.
Here is my transformation purpose: to care for myself physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually in such a way that allows the light of Christ to enter my heart and my life, enabling me to align my actions with God's purposes for my family and all of God's children.
Transformation Purpose (I was reading this today and I realized I never posted this here. I did this about 3 weeks ago.) I have pondered over this for days and avoided it for as long as I could. While I was cooking dinner tonight it sort of hit me. Hit me hard because it’s one of the few times I have admitted to myself one of my fears out loud (not talking to myself by the way). I am scared. Sounds crazy uh? Scared to get healthy?...Scared to look and feel good?...Scared to have the body I have always dreamed about? Nope, none of those things. Scared to make a commitment. If I make the commitment, then I’m committed forever. There is no going back. This is unchartered territory. I am scared to commit and fail…again. See…if I don’t commit, then I can’t fail. A vicisous cycle isn’t it. I have been trying to prevent myself from failing and all I have done it commit myself to failure. Well…guess what? Time to take the bull by the horns and prove to myself and I can commit to something positive. I can succeed. I don’t have to fail ever again. Might I stumble…yup. Oh well, no one is perfect…and neither am I. So…I am commited. I am commited to this purpose. To prove I can do it. To improve how I look, improve how I feel, to no longer feel so tired, drained and lost. I want to find reasons to love exercising. Reasons for eating and enjoying healthy food. To show my Son there is more to life than the couch and TV. To get the whole family involved. My purpose in to conquer my fear of the unknow. My fear of commitment. I want to commit to my family and my friends. Create more time for enjoying life and no longer sit on the side lines watching while everyone else enjoys theirs. God give me strength to succeed. To conquer my greatest fear. Please guide me along my new path. Let me stumble but do not let me fall. I am relying on your for support but I must rely on myself for strength for the first time in my life. My purpose…to be the best God allows me to be.
Assignment #4: My purpose for the Transformation: 1. to tap into my inner strength and allow that strength to guide me each day. 2. To make good, smart choices and allow those choices to set a positive example for my friends and family. 3. To live a life that will allow me to be here for my grandchildren someday :) 4. To be confident about my body, and shed my self-consciousness!
I want to stop feeling that life is a checklist, and be able to enjoy it by feeling good, and living my life to my full potential. Shift my focus from self (embarrasment) to others. Teach my kids good health habits. I want to help my friends that are struggling with weight to show that that they can change, and everyone will benefit. I want to have a closer relationship with Jesus Christ, and study the bible. I want to restore my self esteem by proving that I am not a quitter, and can do this.
I wrote a great deal that predicates this in my blog, but this in an excerpt from a longer essay. It is an idea that I got from Discodancer and it is a letter to myself. I intend to read it each morning and evening. "Eric, Past performance is not indicative of future results. You can be the change that you want to see in yourself, in your family, in your friends and in the world. You are gifted. You are special. You are different. You have strong morals. You have high values. You are a man of integrity. You are a leader. You have a full life ahead of you. You have much to teach and more to learn. To destroy lethargy in the world, you must first destroy it in you. To destroy malnourishment in the world, you must first destroy it in you. To destroy poverty in the world, you must first destroy it in you. To destroy pessimism in the world, you must first destroy it in you. To destroy indifference in the world, you must first destroy it in you. To destroy irresponsibility in the world, you must first destroy it in you! You choose to eat right. You choose to exercise. You choose to stand up for what is right. You must fight for those that can't fight for themselves. You must fight for those that won't fight for themselves. Be rich, so you can share your possessions. Be organized, so you can share your time. Be fit, so you can share your life. Find joy, so you can point the way. Know God, so you can introduce Him to others. There are so many more reasons, but these five must never leave your mind. They are ALLISON, MARC, ALEXANDRA, CASSIDY AND PIPER. GO GET IT! I'm proud of you - Eric"
My Transformation purpose is to heal my self emotionally so that I can be as healthy inside and out as I can. I have to free my self from ancient negative behavior patterns so that I can achieve a healthy body and a healthy life. With Healthy body and mind and spirit I will have nothing holding me back from my full potential, Reaching my full potential is important to me I feel like I have a part to play an impact to make I feel like I have much to contribute to humanity and the planet as well as my family and I want to feel successful in this I have always had this drive I have felt for most of my life like I am falling short.
Transformation Assignment #4: My purpose for this Transformation is to......find God and live like he asks us to live--to love one another, to pursue and fill the dreams I have for myself, to live life intentionally and passionately, to BE THE CHANGE. I believe all the rest will fall into place when this happens! Thanks for everything, Bill! sandra
I want to be the best I can be. To be healthy and to be feeling well will aid me in being the best for God.
Why: To CREATE the person I want to become and the person God intended me to become. I am transforming not only my physical body, but my spirit, my mind, and my soul. I want to be able to heal from the past and gain hope for the future. I want to become confident, strong, and gain a feeling of my own self-worth. I want to be able to help lift others to their true potential. I want to help others see their own incredible self-worth. I want to "Be the Change." Angela
I'm working on my transformation because I'm tired of using my weight as an excuse. I am a personal trainer, spin instructor and recently did an Ironman, but feel like a fraud. I'm fit, but not as thin as I would like to be. Some may even call me fat. Despite my career and my many athletic achievements, I feel like a fraud. Being in this industry, you have to live your best life -- respect your body, enrich your mind, challenge yourself. People look to you for guidance and inspiration. Hiding behind this extra weight allows me to watch from the sidelines. Not fully engage with other people or be true to myself. Not take chances to better my life or career. I need to release myself to the process and be fearless to the changes I need to make to live to my fullest potential. I want to be free in my body and not worry about criticism from others. I am so critical of myself. I know it's wrong and I want to turn on the light inside of me. That's why I'm doing this. I've been so shut down emotionally for so long and I need to open myself up. Work through the challenges that lie ahead in these assignments. I want to reach my God-given potential. I know I have greatness inside of me. I hope participating in this progam will bring it out so I can share it with others. -- Susan
I have done BFL for several years and had great success. I continue working out, but eating is my downfall. My goal is to enjoy the full benefits of working out by eating like I know I should. I am starting a new company that will help communities combat flooding problems. Because I am the inventor and owner of this company I realize that I must look successful if I am to be successful. A new suit can only hide so much. I need to prepare and purify my mind and body so I can be in tune to the spiritual help I need. All three areas of my life need to be working together to be truly happy and successful.
Now for Assignment #4: I have been thinking about this for awhile and this is what I came up with for now. My reasons for transforming are simple: Good health, more energy and feeling good about me. Somehow, I know there will be more to add here at another time. I don't think I have gone deep enough yet. When the light hits me, I'll be sure to blog it.
Yup, sometimes we need to hit rock bottom to finally get in the mindset of change and stay consistent in the process. My purpose is to look back to the time when i was at my worst (in every aspect) and see how much i have changed for the better. Being able to prove to myself that i can do significant positive changes is something i've been needing...trust in God and myself, something i hadn't done in a LONG time. And i want to touch more lifes on the way, because we are always putting "seeds" in others, even when we don't realize it.
Assignment #4; My purpose for making a Transformation: I had hit rock bottom. In every way of my life. I had recently moved away from where i grew up and everything i knew, leaving behind all my friends and most importantly my family. I suffered from depression, and it was bad. The medication i was taking was making it worse (i didnt know this). I spent a yr spiraling out of control. My husband and I were fairly newly weds and i starved for his attention. He worked long hours and he had nothing left at the end of the day. Im trying to not let this be a book. I made friends with the local Pizza gal and started going out on the weekends, dabbled in drugs (which i had NEVER done b4), gambling, going out, and in the midst of all this had even cheated on my husband, it goes on and on...I was an absolute Hellion. You would never know, that b4 i moved here i went to church, never had done drugs and was a happy and faithful wife. I dont know what happened. All i know is that it took almost losing my husband and my family b4 I dropped to my knees and begged God to help me, forgive me, change the desires of my heart, etc. He did. I stopped everything i was doing, broke off relationships of those who were not good influences and started going to church. All the while I had gained 35 lbs on my barely 5'2 frame. I was lazy, and hated the way i looked and who i had become. I needed a whole body, mind and spirit Transformation. I wanted to forget about the woman i was for a yr.. the hurt that i had caused and the damage i had done. I still wonder what happen.. How did Satan have such a hold on me? Not even in HS or college was i even close to being like that?!. I still am finding answers to those questions. I want to know what was behind that so it never happens again. I have 4 amazing daughters. I will be honest and say its hard to admit everything i was doing whilst being a mother of 4. I will admit that my husband had to pick up my slack alot of times. I deal with a lot of guilt and wonder what in the heck was i thinking. I know i was still a good mom...and what i knew for Certain was that, What in the Hell is a wife and mother of 4 doing partying and acting like a single woman?! It had to stop! I was looking to fill a huge void. I had moved away from my family which were my life and moved to a funky town where i wasnt exactly excepted. I thought that was only in movies..but people can be brutal. I felt alone and was looking for quick and easy gratification. It has been several months and God is doing a wonderful work in my heart. So, my purpose for making a transformation is so i can be the best Mom. The best Wife. and the best PERSON i can possibly be. I know there is a fantastic person inside this body. She was lost, but now I am found. Thank you, Lord. And it was by no accident that i stumbled upon this website when i did ; D God's Peace, Jenny
Assignment #4 - MY TRANSFORMATION PURPOSE Why? "The powerful play goes on and we each may contribute a verse." While I am here ... I will contribute a life well-lived, in which not one day is ever wasted. I will be a man for others and inspire those I love. I will be the change I want to see in the world. I will enjoy the passage of time. I will. Why? Because life is too short. Because I want to be an active participant in my family's lives. Because life is too short. Because I want to be a role model. Because life is too short. Because I want to feel alive and live every day out loud. Why? Because life is too short to contribute anything less than 100% every day.
My purpose is to fulfill Gods plan for my life. The way Im living now is not helping that - at all. No energy makes me really lazy - I do what i need to do, but dont have the energy for anything else... Looking forward to getting more in touch with the way I was supposed to live my life!
Hi Bill, I've been thinking about this question for a long time, even before I started this challenge. I think for me, it has been a long time coming... my reason for transformation is to live and be alive to watch my (future) children grow up, live to see my long-earned retirement, and live into my golden years enjoying with my husband all the things we worked so hard for. In my mid 30s I was having so much stress at work that I had heart palpitations, high blood pressure and was hospitalized in the telemetry unit for observation. I was told to lose weight, take better care of myself by eating right and exercising. Instead I took on more challenge at work, I worked full time and earned my MBA. I ignored my health and myself to try to better myself for my job and my family's future. December 2008 I had a major health scare. I was so busy working, planning baby showers for friends, doing Christmas shopping, I again forgot about myself and I thought I had the flu. It turned out to be much more serious-I had sepsis and nearly died. Even after this episode of nearly losing my life, I still kept going full steam ahead, working, not really taking care of myself and just ignoring all the warnings. My husband and I finally had to have a long heart-to-heart discussion about the way I was living, how I was treating myself, and how it was impacting our marriage. I wasn't caring for myself and even though I thought I was caring for my family, I wasn't, I was just working, existing and charging ahead... I had lost the goal, my priorities were messed up. I needed to change to save my marriage and myself. As people have said to me here at T.com, when the student is ready, the teacher will appear. Your book appeared to me like magic one day and I couldn't stop put the book down. I realized I needed to take care of myself, I needed to transform and change my life so I could live to see another day. I have been given so many warning signs to change and I realize I cannot keep ignoring them. This transformation is to live, to be a better me for myself and my family.
I will walk the walk. I know what right and wrong are. I see it clearly in other people's decisions. I'm sure some of you have given thought of the irony of overweight people ordering a diet coke with their super jumbo sized number four. There's a reason that people key in on this. It sheds light onto contradictions in priority. I feel I've been sucked so far into this convenience of the modern world, that if it all went back to the way it was 50, 100, 500, or 1000 years ago, I wouldn't be able to survive. I am doing this to shed meaningless layers of laziness, thoughtlessness, and inefficiency from my life. I am doing this to find a more simple happiness from within. I'm doing this to find what is really important to me, and fill my life with it.
I've found myself in a place where I am living without purpose, merely existing from day to day. In order to "be the change", I must change myself. I am doing this so that I may; 1. inspire my children to live healthy and active lives, 2. have the strength and courage to return to my calling in public safety, 3. rebuild my life in the aftermath of my divorce and the lonliness that I currently feel so overwhelmed with, 4. be worthy once again of the love of a wonderful woman, 5. return to the status of being my sister's hero, 6. live a life driven by purpose and principle, 7. and finally (though this drives all the other reasons) to live at all times according to God's will. Paraphrasing two of my favorite Episcopal prayers, I want to delight in His will, and walk in His ways, to the glory of His name; to have the strength and courage to love and serve Him with gladness and singleness of heart.
I have my reasons saved on my cell phone, so this way when i wake up and before i go to sleep, those are first and last things i read. my reasons are i started noticing the first symptoms of dibeties in me, having to buy new bigger close, shortness of breath, prolong times of being sick,depressed. The one of the main reasons for my transformation was that i figured if i beat my addictions to cigarets, mathenphedamin, crack cocaine, alchohol i can beat the last demon with in me.
Wrestling with this assignment has really been work. It has actually stopped me flat in the past, but no longer. Nothing can stop me now! Why do it? Random reasons in no particular order… …to be free of compulsions…to be proud of myself…to feel the satisfaction of keeping my word to myself…to be able to wear the smaller clothes in the closet that have been hanging there 5 years…to wear a bikini in public…to teach my 4 grandkids to swim and have fun with them in the water while wearing that bikini…to wear shorts this summer without wondering what my legs look like…to wear the white “goddess” dress and the awesome turquoise dress that still have the tags on them…to truly experience the journey to mind/body health so I can inspire my kids and my brothers…to get as healthy, strong and fit as possible so I can live my new life a lot longer since I am already 60…to run a full marathon …to do a summit climb of Mt. Rainier before they cut me off because of age…to do the 90 mile hiking circumambulation of Rainier…to stand atop my favorite mountain in Montana - Rising Wolf…to put on my karate gi without the ends of my belt sticking out like little stubs…to get my small waist back…to wear size 4 pants…to get rid of saggy triceps…to know inner calm and centeredness…to choose, not react…to look sexy and face and understand my fears about a strong sexuality…to find my inner power to most fully interact with my refugee clients…to meet my inner self and then watch what kind of outer self manifests from that…to know I can follow through…to allow my success…to have legs like a dancer…to do 50 full push-ups…to do at least 5 full chin-ups…to do a back bend again…to see abdominal muscles…to lose belly fat so that surgical scar doesn’t look like a zipper on a puffy sleeping bag…to lose that double chin…to have strong developed shoulders that don’t look like the world is weighing me down…to be strong and fast in karate class…to be ready to be my BEST, not second-best…to access my full power as a healer (really means allow more of God’s power to come through)…to take the leadership role at the Center where I work…to learn to do a back walkover…to stand on my head…to go shopping for clothes and not be afraid to look in the mirror in the dressing room…to find that all kinds of clothes look good on me…to have Sophie say I look “pretty” and not “fat”…to be able to carry Haru or Ben or Ayaka around for hours without getting tired…to travel to see Kit and not be instantly identified as a “fat American”…to look great naked…to be pointed out as “that athletic looking younger- than- she -looks -lady who is laughing a lot”…to be congruent inside and out…to make art again …to allow Spirit to shine through without blocks…to radiate Love to all, starting with myself.
My transformation purpose is to FINALLY FEEL COMPLETE. I am a procrastinator by nature, and at 45, I always used to feel that there was time to "do things later". As my youth and health slip away, I realize that I need to finish and be the me I always intended, NOW. There is definitely a discourse between the me I am and the me I always wanted to be, and I still feel IMMATURE. Thank you for putting me on the right path to get there, Bill.
Transformation purpose: I want to be healthy inside and out. I want to set goals and complete them which I never have for my inner self. I want to be proud of myself and know that I can do anything I set my mind to. I want to be the change instead of waiting around for it. I want to be confident, happy and outgoing instead of hiding inside and feeling ashamed. I want to be the best I can for my family, friends and a role model to all. More than anything I want kids!! I believe fate guided me to Bill and all of you and I'm on the road to success now. Thank you Bill!
Why the Transformation? Emotional healing would be my passionate reason for The Transformation!! To have success in this area will invite so much freedom within me to be the person I feel I really am which has so been locked up for years. I so desire to give my children and husband a whole person as well as respect myself enough to give me the same. I’ve struggled with inner turmoil since I was a little girl. Although there are many dynamics that have contributed to this turmoil, I believe because of the sensitive person I am, it made these things even harder to overcome. Over the last twenty years of concern for my family, not able to be the best mother I could be, it saddens me to not be able to conquer fear! Know that I have dedicated the last twenty years to many self help activities, longing for relief. Yes, it has offered me gradual relief, but I know deep down there is more freedom. Honestly, I’m just plain insecure!! Just plain afraid!! Just plain “not enough”!! Because of abuse in my childhood, I’ve continually compared myself to others, and of course, comparing myself to the posers I have, in my minds eye, how can anybody beat that? I continually hear, “why do you feel this way?, look at you, I’d give anything to be thin like you and on… and on… and on… It really does stem from how you think!! So, how does The Transformation ultimately turn into an inner transformation? Well, I’m not totally sure. I’m trusting, that my God through Jesus Christ is going to walk me through the steps of finding that out. Oh, by the way, I do plead the blood of Jesus over everything I do, asking for his guidance and total protection!! I do believe that by putting God first, being the best I can be in regards to diet (including drinking water), exercise and sleep, along with goal setting and helping others, I may truly be one step closer to experiencing pure joy. I do feel by transforming my body into a more muscle toned physique and having the energy to do athletic activities that too will help my mental state. I believe that if I have that athletic look I’ve always desired and have had in my younger days, it may take away that need to constantly compare myself to others and always “loose”. I truly want to stay youthful inside and out!! This all may sound a little self absorbed, but I’m speaking from the heart as well as being bold like the instructions asked. When I was so depressed about ten years ago, on all kinds of psychological meds etc., I woke up one day and asked myself several very simple but powerful questions. Are you eating right? Are you drinking water? Are you sleeping right? Are you exercising? Of course, “NO” was the answer to all of these questions. That day, I began steps of weaning myself off of the meds and began the BASICS that God created our bodies to need. Guess what? Since then, my life has grown for the better. So, here I am today, wanting to peel back one more layer of “stuff” and dig a little deeper. In my third week, I already feel like a new person. Energy, high!! Why The Transformation? How can I give anything to someone else if I don’t already possess it? I want it, all of it so I can give it away to my family first which is so deserving of it and then to the numerous others that feel the same way I do. Thanks to all of you for sharing!! This program has already blessed my life as well as the four that I’ve shared with that have made a decision to commit as well. Marty, I so identified with your pain, thanks for your honesty, because at that very moment, a desire has re-kindled in me which has inspired me to allow God to do a much larger work inside me and others I touch!!
My Purpose: I want to be the best I can be; I want to treat myself with respect and accomplish all that God has planned for me. I want to set an example for my children/family; I want to practice what I preach. I want to feel good and confident about my appearance and myself. I want to be proud of me. I want my husband and children to be proud of me. I want to have the energy I need to actually live my life and not just exist or pass through it. I want to have no regrets. I want to have a healthy relationship with food and control it rather than have it control me. I want to return to the mentally healthy attitudes I had when I was my fittest and healthiest, 1993. I want to return excitement into my relationship with my husband. I want to live in the moment and be confident that I can control the moment without focusing on food. I want to grow old healthily so I can enjoy my family and live to have a relationship with grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Wait... So i have been posting my assignments in my blog. Should I be putting them on here? I just want to make sure that it is clear that I am following through with the challenge..
Bill asked us all to really think about what our purpose is in this transformation. I have been pondering this, and here are my thoughts. My biggest purpose for completing this transformation is that I have come to the realization that to be blessed with the gifts of a healthy body and sound mind and not use them to their fullest potential shows a complete lack of appreciation to the one who gave them to me. I will never accomplish all that God has planned for my life until I have "sharpened" all the tools he has given me. I want to be ready to go wherever and do whatever I am called to do without hesitation. When I think about it this way, the choice seems very simple. I want to be the mother my children deserve. I want to be full of energy. I want to be patient. I want to be FUN! I want to be the kind of wife my husband deserves. I want to be loving, patient and kind. I want to be an inspiration to others in my life. I want those around me to experience the freedom that comes from a healthy physical and spiritual life. For all of these reasons I will choose to think about what I am putting into my mouth and into my mind.
My transformation purpose: to change what I have become and what I don't like about myself. I want to start a project and actually finish. I believe that once I begin to transform and see the results things will fall into place. I was just thinking about how frustrated one of my instructors must be feeling with me because I am constantly turning assignments in late; I am a graduate student, there is no excuse for that. My thoughts were she must be tired of my excuses, and then I blurted out loud "imagine how I feel, I have to live with myself." I am very disgusted with myself and I want to change that, I want to stop making excuses for everything that I am responsible for. It's gets old. But I have been reading over the assignments and I feel inspired to make a change not only for myself but for my family and friends. My other transformation goal is to begin by loving myself and affirming that I am worthy enough to make a transformation, to live in the NOW, not in the future, not in the past. I notice that if I think to far ahead into the future I become overwhelmed and either procrastinate or quit. It's going to be challenging but I know I can do it thanks to the network of transformers in this wonderful and supportive community.
Transformation Purpose: I don't want to live giving others only my second best. I want to be confident again. I want my inside energy & spirit to shine through. I want to be able to give more than encouraging words; I want to encourage people by my lifestyle. I want to mentally, emotionally, & physically live my best life, and live it with a purpose!
I read this assignment on Sunday, and have been thinking about it. Read it again today, and still thinking about it. My transformation purpose like my transformation is evolving. Why transformation? When I help people I do not want to feel like a fraud. I want what I say and do to have worth and meaning. For so many years I have been embarressed. Embarresed by my appearance, my health, my fitness and with my realtionship with God. Life and physical health are precious gifts entrusted to us by God. I will transform my life and live it so He will be proud and happy that he entrusted me with these gifts. I will do this for me. I will live my life with excitement and enthusiasim. I will do this for my son. Say what you mean, mean what you say and do what you say. I will do this for my family and community. Be healthy so I may be there when they need me. Be inspiring so they may be healthy and be partners with them in their persuit of healthy living. Thank you bill for such a thought provoking assignment.
I had done this on a Blog, but basically the purpose I have for doing this to me is love and accept me so I can move fwd to loving and accepting others as well. The unhappiness taints everything and only love can brake me free of this unhappy feeling. C
There are so many reasons as to why anyone would want to transform their image during this challenge, but for me, I need to change not only my physical image, but my emotional outlook on life. I lost my father to cancer when he was just 64. I also lost my brother to cancer, he was only 50 years of age. Both of them were smokers! My mother lived to be 85 and was a non-smoker, as am I. I want a better longevity for myself because I want to be here to take care of my family for as long as possible. I am a good person, but I tend to keep to myself most of the time and seldom show emotion. No "zest" other than for what I want to do. Since I retired in Nov 2004, I have become more withdrawn and alone. That has already improved after just into the 4th week of this transformation challenge. My true challenge goal will be not only to change my physical appearance, but my attitude on life, to be "there' when I am asked for help in any way. To be a "great" dad to my two teenage girls Jennifer & Samantha and to be my wife's "dream" husband once again. I love you Cindy! Whatever improvements I reach in physical image are just a side bonus. Health, confidence, knowledge to share, and a love for life are the important goals for my transformation. I want to here and active when my future grand children arrive. At the start of this challenge, my weight was 223.8 lbs at 6ft tall, and that was not due to muscle. I was FAT - all in the belly. I will lose at least 30 lbs by June 8, 2009 - the end of the first 18 week period. I am already becoming more outgoing and I actually look forward to my next workout. I built a home gym room that has an abundance of equipment and after seeing my workouts and having explained the transformation challenge I have embraced, I already have my wife Cindy, my daughter Samantha, and my brother & sister in law Ted and Lynn, all starting to work out on a regular basis. That's inspiring all in itself. One of the hardest things to change for me and my family is the foods that we eat. Working on that and getting better everyday. Lastly, I'd like to be helpful to others who may be in similar circumstances. My transformation hopefully will inspire others to see what can be done and to know what matters most in their lives. I now have clear minded goals and the confidence to go for it all. A special thank you to Mr. Goldman (Marty) who was and still is my initial inspiration for entering this challenge. Thanks Bill
Wow! This Assignment #4 hit me on a day I really, really needed it. I was feeling so down and with no aim for doing this transformation. I had my free day yesterday and went out to eat at a Chinese Buffet. Something didn't set well and am having major stomach problems this morning. Am feeling pretty poorly today both emotionally and physically. So reading your incentives were so very important to my life today. I definitely want to show up in the world each day as an inspirational person to those around me. I never really thought about how my life affected those around me. I truly want to realize my fulol God-given potential in all aspects of our lives as you said in your assignment 4 informational paragraphs. Also, when those around us don't understand why we are doing all these things (lifting weights, eating well, and cardio) and don't give us any support, it is even harder. Thanks Bill for your helping all of us and thank you to all of you in the community for helping all of us. Sincerely, Vonnie
I want to be an example to my family. I want to live long for my wife and children. I want to fulfill ALL the God-given potential inside of me. I want to shop off the rack. I want to go to the park, beach, pool or water park, take off my shirt and look great. I want to show people that anything can be accomplished. I want to be a whole and complete minister and leader in God’s army. I want to thrive in life. I want to be able to do what I want to do. I want to be happy.
Living intentionally -- boy that hits home. It is easy to be so busy helping everyone else, that I use it as a mask for not living up to my potential. My purpose is to live each day intentially. Becoming the person God has designed. I'm not selling Him or myself short any longer. It isn't just physical. It is a mental and spiritual tidal wave. I can not remember having this level of clarity. I'm learing to be disciplined - to keep promises I make to myself. I'm learning to listen to my body and how far I can push. I'm learning to use my inner strength and my mind to overcome self-imposed limitations. I'm learning to let go and ask God for strength when mine alone isn't enough. I'm learning what it is like to be me -- the real, authentic, take-it-or-leave-it me. And you know what? I've never felt better in all areas of my life. Kelly
After looking at assignment 4, I was really forced to take a true look at myself. I realized that I really was being "that person" Bill talked about with "no focus, no reason for being there really, no powerful purpose..." I mean I knew I wanted to look better, to feel better and be more energetic for me and my family but I certainly was not "living" with a purpose: with the true reasons for why I want to change being right in the forefront all of the time. I realize now I am building a foundation so that I can become the best I can be and not lose that focus again. By keeping my purpose as a part of me all of the time, I will be more satisfied, I will learn from my experiences, adjust to what is going on around me and become an inspiration and example to others. My purpose is to consistently enrich the lives of myself and others by striving to be all that I am capable of being on every level.
My purpose in doing this transformation is to be the change and do the most I can in this life to help others who may look to me, both by being an example and offering support by sharing my experience and knowledge when appropriate. It is my responsibility to honor my own body and mind. I don’t want to look back and feel that I didn’t do all I could in life. I’m not a youngster anymore. I am in mid-life and I feel it is truly now or never for me. I want to be a healthy older person! My chosen charity is Doctors without Borders. It wasn’t easy for me to pick just one. There are many worthy charities. I have chosen this one because it horrifies me to know that there are innocent people caught in the violence of war. As stated on their website, “The organization is committed to bringing quality medical care to people caught in crisis regardless of race, religion or political affiliation.” Thank you Bill and thank you to this community for giving me the chance to fulfill my potential in a way I have never done before!
The purpose of my transformation is to move on with my life at the highest possible levels of health, fitness,emotional wellness,confidence,joy,and love. I embrace change and I know that I can do this and more. steve
My purpose for doing this transformation is to transform from someone who sought a reason to live from other, to someone who finds the spring of life inside of myself. My purpose is to learn to love me so that I can love others. In my search for happiness, I have done everything through my life from gangs, drugs and detention centers, to leadership, convents and law school. But when I lost my brother and sister, I came to realize that all my searching had been for an answer outside of me. By doing this transformation, I want to reach inside where I know the answer must be, and when I find it, I want to give it to everyone his is stumbling, struggling or falling. I want to help others avoid a 10th of the darkness I have endured in any way I can. But, when I make this transformation, I hope I never forget where I came from and choose, like so many, to avoid the downtrodden. I pray that my hands will always be stretched out to help others when I am standing proud and strong.
Joan's Purpose Wake up to my True Self, an instrument of peace and compassion in the world. Inspire people by being the change I wish to see and raising my energy. Notice God in every person, knowing that Forgiveness is the solution to every problem.
Transformation purpose: Physical health so I can be around for my family for a very long time and be a positive influence. Emotional well being so I can learn to love myself so I can be a better mother, sister, daughter, friend, mentor, and be ready for my life partner when he comes into my life. Intellectual development so I can be the leader of change in my family and community to become a better overall person. And Spiritual enlightenment so I can reach my God given potential in every aspect of my life - in balance with my world!
This assignment was difficult and SO VERY important. I thank you Bill for formalizing it as an assignment that might otherwise have remained subconsciously in my mind. The exercise has made my desires, drive and motivation conscious and powerful. Now I am ready! http://www.transformation.com/KBrooke/blog/The-Transformation/Assignment-4/20604
The complete restructuring of myself. An overhaul from the ground up involving a thorough inspection of my life...thoughts, feelings, actions, faith, commitment, habits, ethos, goals, attitude, career, relationships, fitness, health, and eating. Up, down, left, and right...I need to evaluate all aspects and make improvements. I find that so many people spend so much time saying "I can't", or "I don't have time"...not just with fitness, but with life. I've been there as well, but reality says that we ALL can if we take the time to focus and breathe. We can all do better and we can all learn more, so why settle for mediocrity? Transformation means that I'm chosing to do something positive with my life with the hope that it will be fullfilling, meaningful, and that it will inspire others to reach beyond their perceived capacity.
I am doing this because I am tired of living my life without making any improvements. I am ready to make the changes necessary to make myself great physically, mentally, and spiritually. I have never completed anything that i was proud of but truly beleive i will be successful this time around. I have many goals I plan on accomplishing and by doing this transformation i plan to succeed at all of them.
Let me start by saying that I am incredibly blessed. I completed my first BFL Challenge in 2003 and tasted what Transformation was like. I reeled from the energy and confidence and it caused me to take a real hard look at other areas of my life that were less than satisfactory. I made some really difficult decisions and changed the course of my life considerably. Now it is years later -different career, relationship, city, with a one year old son, a new baby on the way, and a beautiful 12 year old daughter that makes me incredibly proud to be her mother. If I had known how radically everything would change for me, I would have run for the hills. When I step outside of myself and look at my life, I am so grateful for all that I have been given. It is shameful to admit that, despite my good fortune, I am left uninspired and searching. When I walk in the door with my wonderful family, I feel a light go on and everything is in color. When I walk out the door, it is gray – I am going through the motions. I am not depressed. I know this on a personal and professional level. I need a Transformation in my life. I feel like I am not living up to my true potential as a human being. By nature, I am a passionate person. I have confidence in what I can accomplish and I have achieved success in many areas of my life. I want to make a difference in the world and aspire above all to be the best Mama and wife that I can be. I am doing this because I am a lover of life. I want to be a positive role model for my children. I want them to see me as a strong, healthy, confident and happy person. I want to BE a strong, healthy, confident and happy person. I read about the rising dangers of childhood obesity and that our children will be the first generation not to outlive ours. This is a disgrace. I want to Be the Change!
Purpose of my Transformation: I am tired of encouraging people to exercise and eat right and be healthy when I cannot look at myself in the mirror year after year and say that I have practiced what I have preached!!! I want to be a positive role model to my friends and especially to my son and husband and teach them the positive of a healthy lifestyle. My 11 year old son is in the 95th percentile in his weight. That means that 5% of the kids out there are bigger than him. He does not have girlfriends and gets picked on and gets "fat jokes" make to him. Is his weight problem my fault? Who else is the blame? How do I have the right to tell him what is good to eat and what is bad to eat and encourage him to exercise when I am not a consistent role model in his life. If I do not make this change permanent then I risk my son being susceptible to a life of being overweight and to the inherent risks that go with them such as child onset of diabetes. Let's not forget his self-esteem and confidence and love for life!!! This 18 week challenge is not a diet….it is a way of life that I will be incorporating into my home that will be for me, my husband and my son. I have always gone on diets for selfish reasons in the past….ME! For my own purpose. This time it is going to be a selfless reason and it will be a change for my family….not myself. My son has been doing this new Eating for Life Program and working out on the treadmill at least 4 days out of the week plus his soccer and basketball workouts. He is already nearly 10 pounds lighter and passes up on soda's, pizza, etc. He has incorporated this new lifestyle into his own and really, really enjoys it. My husband has also already lost 9 pounds, is feeling healthier every day. THIS....IS THE TRUE WAY OF LIFE.
My purpose/mission is to realize my God-given potential in all aspects of my life, thus changing my heart from selfish to service!! I feel like I have so much direction now that I have something to work for, something of value and something that will give to others!!
I'm in my 7th week of transformation now, but have been toying around with assignment 4 for 3-4 weeks at this point, trying to refine it, trying to improve it. It basically comes down to the following: I want to be a better man today than I was yesterday. That's the only way to ensure I am a better father, husband, son, brother, and friend. It means that I have to examine all of my actions during the day, and filter them through this statement- Will doing this make me a better man.-- I've been doing this for a couple of weeks now, and it is tough. There are times I want to be lazy. There are times it would be easier to be dishonest or 'bend' the rules. There are times it would be easier to flop down on the couch and promise my kids I'll play with them later. It's a tough examination to make, but it's progress. Thanks! Marv
My Purpose for this is simply life and death. For years, with my distorted thinking, I used toxic illegal drugs as a way to maintain my weight. And eventhough it did keep me "skinny", I was slowly killing myself physically and spiritually. For, me becoming healthy and wholesome the right way- is the only solution I know to overcome this terrifying disease of addiction. I never thought I would get clean, let alone be healthy one day- and if I can do it I know I can help others on their journey to recovery and health. This is my purpose. To help and be to be helped-one day at a time- my life depends on it. -Alexis
-Transformation Purpose- Live as God intended me to, WITH PURPOSE! Stay Focused and Organized Remain Positive
...What's the point...? The point of getting out of bed everyday and working out and making healthy choices, BEST choices, is to teach my son and model for my best friend and partner that pushing yourself to be better is ALWAYS the right choice, no matter the options. I often think of something I once read (i think it was a sermon by the Paul, the apostle)... he said, "Their stomach is their god".... that statement speaks for itself no matter what context it's in... If I cannot master my own stomach (wants and whims and desires) then what can I hope to master? If I cannot overcome unhealthy choices in my life, then what hope do I have of ever accomplishing anything positive? If I CAN overcome laziness, self-destructive behaviors, flakiness and negativity, then I CAN ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING I WANT TO...! WHEN I overcome these things, I will be a help to those closest to me. I can assist them along their paths and share in their happiness as they shared in mine...
I am a Registered Nurse. I work on a medical/surgical floor that also happens to be the "Bariatric Center For Excellence " in my city. What this means is that hundreds, perhaps thousands of men and women come to my floor each year to have laproscopic stomach banding and roux en y gastric bypasses done. In essence, I am the front line example for healthy choices for these people, and I have failed miserably to provide these people with a tangeable healthy alternative for weight loss or control. Instead of permanently altering their bodies to lose weight. I also have a daughter that I have been a poor example to, she is 10 and obese at 130#. I want this transformation for myself so that I might become an inspiring force for transformation for my family, community and the world! Thank you for the thought provoking questions Bill!
The purpose of my transformation is to add definition, clarity and meaning to my life, to inspire those around me and purge myself of feelings of negativity and worthlessness.
When I think to myself and be truthful with how I feel deep down, I am not happy with who I am. I have so many negative emotions built up in me. The negativity is slowly killing me. I am realizing that life is too short to get angry over little things as tomorrow may never come. For example, the last 10 years has flown by like nothing and I can’t help but think what have I really done and has being angry over little things gotten me anywhere? I’ve had some great accomplishments towards the end of the last 10 years, like getting married and having my own house with my wife to call our own but I still feel I missed out on so much. I am scared that life will just pass me by again and I will have so much to regret of not accomplishing as much as I would like. I want to make everyday meaningful and not waste anymore precious time. Instead of getting angry over unimportant things, I want to appreciate life’s precious moments. I really want to find out what my life purpose is and be motivated every single day, every single moment. Right now the people who motivate me are my wife and our little baby she’s holding right now. They both deserve a great husband and a daddy. My other motivation is becoming the after picture that I created in Assignment 2!
My Transformation purpose is two fold... One is Spiritually based, and the 2nd is Ego. Of course my Ego wants my body to transform from soft to svelte....but more important is the real reason. I believe we are on this Earth to be of service. In this changing world, Strength is critical. I want the maximium strength, to be able to assist another. If a emergency situation were to arise, I want to be able to be of service....to lift, push, pull up, and/ or be able to carry another human being.
I have made the decision to change My reasons for changing are 1) I want to like what I see when I see my body. 2) I want to be confident, energetic and strong 3) I want to inspire other people to know that they, too, can achieve their goals 4) I want to be part of a community that is changing the world for the better, for all of us These are the words I read to myself every morning and evening and I am passionately inspired to make a difference in the lives of others. It is wonderful to have found this place to share that passion and those dreams with others. live with purpose, how inspiring. Thank you. Marne
February 13, 2009 My name is Theresa. My purpose for making this transition is first for myself. It is not selfish in nature but the truth is if I didn’t start I don’t think I would have much of a life to look forward to tomorrow. I could be gone from this world and truly did not live at all. This past year I lost two brothers and a great niece. All health related deaths. It is sad to think about not being apart of their lives; not living one's own life is scary. The life I was meant to live. I should be healthy and able to do things for myself. I started in December, I am continuing to change today, and the change will not end for my future is always ahead of me. The path that I choose to take is my own making. I choose to be here at Transformation. To rely on myself and learn from others; people with the same desire for a whole-life change body, mind and soul. I was back in Ohio for in February for my brother Jim’s funeral. After the interment friends and family gathered together to reminisce. I was talking to a former classmate and he asked me to share a story from school. I could not think of one then. He sad that was sad and he was right. I did not like grade school that much because of my build and shyness. I let all that get in the way of living at my young age. Life was not always bleak as that sounded but it did not let me shine. I will shine. My life is not over it is just beginning to get healthy. I know now that I am meant to be here in Chapleau. I know now that Terry is the right man for me and our children are proof of our love. I live for myself and my family. Grandchildren are sweet rewards of raising our children. I want to be healthy and live long to enjoy them in my life and not be a burden to anyone. Therefore I am changing. I am doing things that will enable me to grow. I will ask for help and give it in return. This is how it should be. Ask and it will be given. Give and you will receive. May His blessings be on all of us. Mim in Chapleau
28 days ago I wrote what is pasted below... little did I know how much I would be tested mentally, physically, and spiritually. My purpose is still the same. I will not give up!! God has placed me on this earth for a reason! No longer will I live under my potential and purpose. I am Transforming for my wife, and children. The ones who believe in me when I don't believe in myself. The purpose of my Transformation is to be the vehicle and conduit of God's love and grace. In the past I struggled with the assignment God has for my life. But now, I am at a place, and realize that if I am to do what God has assigned me to do , I must live a life of Transformation. I am reminded that in Romans 12:2 it is stated ...Be ye Transformed by the renewing of ones mind. The word renew in the Greek means to exchange. So I know I must now exchange everything that has held me back from fulfilling God's purpose in my life. My Transformation purpose is to be all that God has created me to be! As I move closer to him (I will transform) I will begin to see clearer, be more loving, compassionate, honest, full of life, and healthy.
Assignment #4 really makes you think about the things of your past and how you use it to propel you forward. I felt this was very stimulating, as it brought out some feelings in me while writing my assignment #4 out on Microsoft Word.
Since my husband and I were so connected, I died when he died inside and out but was still breathing. After listening to Sharon Martin, I realized that I had the same sad, angy feelings that she had and was so unhappy. I think those of us that are married with children think its our lives. In a sense I think it is! But it may not be that we are unhappy with our spouse or with our children, It may be that we are unhappy deep within ourselves. That was me and I relate to Sharon. After 7 years of grief and my husband and I being grief stricken, I told him that we needed to go to a councelor. He agreed or we would split up. Then I had guilt because I couldnt' leave him broken ontop of broken and he truly is a wonderful man who loves life more than anyone I know. If anyone deserved to be angry it was him, but he was just broken. We went to the councelor in 2007 before he decided to get off the pain killers and get the surgery. He was scared of having surgery, but surely it couldn't be worse than his non-existant life. We went to a councelor and he asked, so when did you realize there was a problem. I immediately said August of 2001. He looked over his glasses at me and said "that's pretty precise" can you tell me why you know that? I said, that's when my husband was stricken and our togetherness with BFL ended. He said how do you feel and I said "MAD, ANGRY!" all the time. He said, "So your life changed and you didn't? I asked what he meant by that and he said well, your life changed, you want your old life back, but it's been 6 years and nobody can go back, you only go forward. He said, You have the right to be mad, but now you have to decide whether you love each other and can go forward not backward. We both love each other, we just hated what had happened to us. We both agreed that our lives had to change. When my husband went off the pain killer, got his surgery, and ended up pretty good, I realized that I had to change my attitude about my family, how I related to them, and quit being angry. For the year after my husband's fall (night before surgery) we suffered another year of him in pain and me working 16 hour days, 6-7 days a week without breaks to keep our business afloat. During these years, we lost our most wonderful constant, our dog. He was our best friend and two of our neighbor kids hit him and he ended up dying. That was four years ago and we stopped putting up a Christmas Tree and didn't care about holidays with our kids anymore. The desire was there but not the energy. We all became distant from each other, mostly because of my attitude. I really wasn't fun to be around. Negative, wornout, and always angry. At Christmas this year, we invited everyone over for Christmas. I did some soul searching and decided that Christmas would be the start of my mind change. My son-in-law didn't really want to come because he knew it would be dismal. I decorated the house, got up the energy to make it real, made myself "get up". They all received printed dog tags for Christmas from me of how I really felt about them. I made them at the pet store. My daughter "awe" for being a great mother, My other daughter "I love you" because she yearned for me to say "I love you" and I didn't have any love to give. Not that I didn't love her, she's wonderful, but I didn't feel any love and just couldn't muster the words because they were words. I couldn't say them and feel anything when I said them. I gave her husband, great man who everyone loves such a hard time over the five years we worked together that his said "apology" for the five years of hell I put him through. My son, "Proud", My son's wife "Gratitude" my son-in-law "Amazing", and my husband a "renewed respect and renewed love" for getting up! If I had had to give myself one, it would have had to say " change and get up and fight for inner and outer change" (Be the change) . . . My kids looked at me like "who are you?" I made the decision to change my inner self when I printed the dog tags. I almost didn't get up and give each of them their dog tags, but knew that if I didn't change, I was no better than an alcoholic or drug addict. I would just shell out forever. It was now I needed follow through and a support group. A place to go and I new where I was going since I'd been there before. Always back to where Bill Phillips is! Back to BFL and then landed on "T".com Two weeks later, Jan 16 I vowed to continue the path and change my inner self. My profile explains more of who I am: I joined the BFL challenge on Jan 19 and the T-family on Jan 21st. Mind in full motion! Now body in full motion.
My defining purpose is to become a better, happier and kinder father, spouse and friend. I want to be able to help others be the change. Pino
Assignment #4 - My Purpose One of the things I wanted to do this round is really dig deeper. I don't think I really did that last time. My Purpose - My Why I want to be all that God wants me to be - I am on a completely different path than I was just one year ago. Last year I was not even able to workout due to a shoulder issue. This is waht brought me back to BFL and ultimately Transformation.com. For years I was seperated with my relastionship with God sue to being unhappy and depressed. It is very hard to be depressed on a regular basis and feel there is a holy creator that loves you. I seek feel, give and share love - When I was depressed I felt alone, I felt I had no friends, I knew intellectually that people loved me and cared about me but I could not feel that love. There was this wall of loneliness and unhappiness that was unbearable. I ahve broken through this but I never want o go back. I seek to help others o get out of this position if they are feeling the same way. Part of being in that spot is not having hope or a sense of purpose. I want to be physically strong and healthy. I am seeking to drop the tags of skinny and thin and bad food from my vocabulary. Foods are not bad and good. Foods are either decadent or more healthful. I seek to eat more of the healthful and only occasionally indulge in the decadent. It is about a healthy mindset regarding food. I feel that I have some disordered thoughts about eating and food. I work each day to think more nuturing to my body rather than giving into cravings. I seek to be stronger physically. Pushing my body to make it stronger helps not only my physical health but also my attitude and mental health. I am now working as a personal trainer and also want to set an example. I also like the extra energy that taking care of myself provides me. It allows me to have the physical and mental energy to help others. My motivation is to help others - This truly give me happiness. Sometimes it can be challenging and takes a lot of energy but at the end of the day you feel good because you made someone smile or you helped wipe away some tears or gave someone some advice that might make thier life just a little easier. At the end of the day when I lay my head on the pillow I hope that I have been able to help someone and that means I had a good day. I will be healthy and strong - I eat healthy and have a strong healthy mind and body - I seek God's wisdom daily to keep a postivie mental attitude - I will help my follow Transformers and future Transformers - I will help others to see the beauty that is within themselves I will Be the Change that I want to see in the world!
My purpose is to grow spiritually, mentally, and physically, to make life easier and happier for those around me and to inspire everyone I come into contact with!!!
A little more than three years ago I met the love of my life. It took 41 years,,,,,,,but it was worth the wait! For his first Christmas gift I painted a sailboat with a decorative scene on the front side of it's canvas sails. On the back side, I wrote the words "Come sail away with me, the best is yet to be". After agonizing over what the "purpose" of this transformation is, I saw that ship and it all became clear. After spending over 20 years in a "less than satisfying" marriage and now knowing how wonderful i