Quote:

Originally Posted by SamH Hi everyone! My name is Sam. I am just starting my first week. I have been a member for some time now but have not committed to following through on the program. That said, I am ready to go and WILL NOT give up. First week here I go! I reached out to Stingray Bill over the summer and he emailed some very thoughtful advice which I appreciated very much. So, coming back to the program I sought him out and found this group. I am married and have two wonderful children; Kara and Max ages 9 and 3 years old. I am also a professional chef and love food. Unfortunately, that love affair has contributed to me leading a glutenous lifestyle and becoming 100 pounds over weight. I had a successful food delivery business that I just closed last week. I have become so rundown, over-worked and unhealthy that I could no longer conitue to work so many hours day after day and expect to have a healthy life...something had to give; either my job or my health. Now I am focused on taking my life back! I have to do this now. Thank you so much for this group, I look forward to getting to know all of you!!! Sam

I wasn't a cook, but otherwise... I showed up here just like that... Something had to give. I remember that feeling clearly.

Bill is a great role model and coach. I'm glad you were able to hook up with him and find our group. I look forward to holding you to not giving up and I will be there to help in any way I can each step of the way. Welcome to the group!!!! I look forward to having a great time and awesome success with you!

Quote:

Originally Posted by apdown10 Hi All - My name is Alicia and I just downloaded all my materials last night! I am VERY excited about the Transformation Solution. I have been a fan of Bill Phillips for years and got in the past shape of my life about 10 years ago thanks to Bill's Body For Life. Then I got pregnant, went back to work and let myself become less of a priority. I've always been an exerciser but my eating habits aren't great and the exercise doesn't seem to be doing the trick anymore. I am here to make myself a higher priority and get in the best shape of my life - again! I travel for a living so that presents extra challenges to me. I am always open to suggestions on how others who travel for business keep on track. I plan to begin listening to the book on my plane ride on Sunday and I plan to check in here often. Sorry for writing a novel - I'm just so happy to be here!

I'm happy that you are here too!!!! You know Bill (stingraystripe) does a lot of business travel too, and he blogs just about every day about his nutrition and exercise, and in general... You might want to check out his blogs and talk to him about how he does it. We can change our relationship with food and you can do the BFL exercises you are used to, or any other ones that you like... I look forward to you checking in often and I'll be right here ready to support you. Share your efforts, experience, strength and hope... your nutrition and exercise.... We live a certain way when we know we will be accountable for it. I know that's how it works for me

~Chris~

Thank you for the warm welcome and the awesome encouragement! Tomorrow I will upload my HORRIFIC and FINAL before pics! I will also plan my meals/workouts out for the week and post those in my blog with a link for everyone to view. I think by doing this I will hold myself to it! Failing myself is one thing but failing when I've made promises to others isn't something I enjoy. I'm also going to let my hubby (whose running the Myrtle Beach marathon in 2 weeks) know my intentions and ask him to help me keep myself honest and on target. ;-)
~Tanya~

Hi Group!

I've been online in Transformation.com for a while now. Started the program once before and got to roughly the 3rd assignment and then things petered out. As I start over again, I am reaching out to a couple of groups to ask for help and support. As I looked through various groups I chose one that is closer to home (the suburbs of Vancouver, BC), and another that is a group reaching out to Canadians. Chris' and Bill's transformations inspire me - as I look at the changes they've made in their appearance and lives, I want to follow in their footsteps!

There are a couple of challenges and mental blocks that I know I have to overcome. One is a fear of exercising.......which sounds rather strange, I guess. But I had back surgery almost 7 years ago. I always knew that lowering my weight would certainly be part of the solution to my back ailments, so during the good periods, I'd start exercising, seeing results, feeling great, and then WHAM! No major incidents to trigger the return to chronic pain.......just simple things like bending over to put on my socks. It seemed as if there was a dam that would hold back the pain for only so long, and then I'd find myself in chronic pain again, where it would hurt to move and just easier to sit. The pain and frustration would trigger all the bad eating habits and I'd turn to food (lots of it was pure junk food) to comfort me. Surgery has certainly made a tremendous difference to my back condition, but there's a haunting fear that I am going to relapse. I really need to work on that one.

My other hurdle will be my relationship with food. I'm not a cook, never have been. I do not enjoy meal preparation, nor the clean-up, so I stick to things that are fast and easy. As you well know, fast and easy doesn't often translate to healthy! I almost have a mental block when it comes to planning meals.......I can sit and look through cookbooks, including Eating for Life, and see great ideas and get all inspired. But then I find myself overwhelmed with the mere thought of it all. Fast food and junk food are quick, easily accessible, and have been far too easy to reach for in the past. They're a bad habit that exerts a huge gravity on my efforts! Please help me to break free.

I've just recently purchased and downloaded the Transformation Solution Package and feel a little overwhelmed to even know how or where to start. The one thing I do know is (and I'm not usually very good at asking for this) - I need help, encouragement, and support!

Any and all suggestions, starting ideas, similar experiences, and/or words of support and encouragement would be appreciated. I'm not happy with many facets of my life these days. I put on a brave front, am successful in many aspects of my life, but miserable when it comes to feeling good about myself, my abilities, and my potential.

I welcome your replies!

Derek
Vancouver, BC (burbs...the Fraser Valley)

Hi, Derek!
Welcome, fellow Canadian. I'm Sonia and I currently live in Jonquiere, Quebec, but I grew up in NB. I've been with this group 2 weeks, and have gotten much encouragement. Everyone here is very supportive and I believe you will be happy with your choice. Have a great week!

Hi all!
Here's my blog:

http://www.transformation.com/cajunsv/blog/

Quote:

Originally Posted by dereklm Hi Group! I've been online in Transformation.com for a while now. Started the program once before and got to roughly the 3rd assignment and then things petered out. As I start over again, I am reaching out to a couple of groups to ask for help and support. As I looked through various groups I chose one that is closer to home (the suburbs of Vancouver, BC), and another that is a group reaching out to Canadians. Chris' and Bill's transformations inspire me - as I look at the changes they've made in their appearance and lives, I want to follow in their footsteps! There are a couple of challenges and mental blocks that I know I have to overcome. One is a fear of exercising.......which sounds rather strange, I guess. But I had back surgery almost 7 years ago. I always knew that lowering my weight would certainly be part of the solution to my back ailments, so during the good periods, I'd start exercising, seeing results, feeling great, and then WHAM! No major incidents to trigger the return to chronic pain.......just simple things like bending over to put on my socks. It seemed as if there was a dam that would hold back the pain for only so long, and then I'd find myself in chronic pain again, where it would hurt to move and just easier to sit. The pain and frustration would trigger all the bad eating habits and I'd turn to food (lots of it was pure junk food) to comfort me. Surgery has certainly made a tremendous difference to my back condition, but there's a haunting fear that I am going to relapse. I really need to work on that one. My other hurdle will be my relationship with food. I'm not a cook, never have been. I do not enjoy meal preparation, nor the clean-up, so I stick to things that are fast and easy. As you well know, fast and easy doesn't often translate to healthy! I almost have a mental block when it comes to planning meals.......I can sit and look through cookbooks, including Eating for Life, and see great ideas and get all inspired. But then I find myself overwhelmed with the mere thought of it all. Fast food and junk food are quick, easily accessible, and have been far too easy to reach for in the past. They're a bad habit that exerts a huge gravity on my efforts! Please help me to break free. I've just recently purchased and downloaded the Transformation Solution Package and feel a little overwhelmed to even know how or where to start. The one thing I do know is (and I'm not usually very good at asking for this) - I need help, encouragement, and support! Any and all suggestions, starting ideas, similar experiences, and/or words of support and encouragement would be appreciated. I'm not happy with many facets of my life these days. I put on a brave front, am successful in many aspects of my life, but miserable when it comes to feeling good about myself, my abilities, and my potential. I welcome your replies! Derek Vancouver, BC (burbs...the Fraser Valley)

Derek-

There’s a lot here for sure!

Let me first say – Oh Canada! I love Canada, though I’ve only ever barely been just over the border once. I’m a rabid hockey fan and an avid mtn biker, and it seems I could find LOTS to enjoy in your amazing country! Here’s to the largest undefended border in the world!

Now then, on to the exercise. I CAN relate to fear of exercise. I dislocated my shoulder 10 years ago, and the trainers in rehab told me I would never be able to do certain exercises. I accepted that for a few years. Then I learned I could strengthen my shoulder… CAREFULLY. Injuries are nothing to mess around with for sure. But I’m convinced we can press on with cautious optimism and overcome many of them. It took me a lot of years of being afraid to push more and more and still more. Now, a back is much more serious than a shoulder, but you should be able to find light core exercises that will strengthen your back with minimal strain. Track down an athletic trainer if you can, and they can probably show you some cool stuff. The key is to strengthen, but not overly stress. What exactly did you do to your back, and was there any rehab?

On to the food… this is a bit of a tough question for me, because I really do enjoy preparing food! Still, I can certainly relate to being in a hurry and going for quick and easy. Protein shakes are super quick and easy – can’t be beat. I do 3 a day – that’s half of my meals. But you can’t (and should NOT) live on protein shakes alone! Sandwiches are easy. Lean turkey and whole grain bread, and you’re good to go. I ate so many of these when I started BFL that I honestly wouldn’t mind if I never saw another turkey sandie again! Tuna fish also. Some other great quick and easy proteins are low fat cottage cheese (one of my favorites), low fat string cheese, and hard boiled eggs (try to just eat the whites). Quick and easy carbs are apples, oranges, lots of different fruits actually, whole grain breads… old fashioned oat meal takes less than 90 seconds in the microwave! Here’s the thing (and I wouldn’t be a good coach if I didn’t ask this…) is it an actual limitation that there are no quick healthy foods, or is it a self-imposed limitation?

Transformation is a lifestyle change, and anyone can have the results Chris and I have had. IF they are willing to change their lifestyle. YOU CAN do this!

I hope this helps! Please feel free to drop me a line if I can help at all – THANKS!

Much love - Bill

Quote:

Originally Posted by stingraystripe Derek- There’s a lot here for sure! Let me first say – Oh Canada! I love Canada, though I’ve only ever barely been just over the border once. I’m a rabid hockey fan and an avid mtn biker, and it seems I could find LOTS to enjoy in your amazing country! Here’s to the largest undefended border in the world! Now then, on to the exercise. I CAN relate to fear of exercise. I dislocated my shoulder 10 years ago, and the trainers in rehab told me I would never be able to do certain exercises. I accepted that for a few years. Then I learned I could strengthen my shoulder… CAREFULLY. Injuries are nothing to mess around with for sure. But I’m convinced we can press on with cautious optimism and overcome many of them. It took me a lot of years of being afraid to push more and more and still more. Now, a back is much more serious than a shoulder, but you should be able to find light core exercises that will strengthen your back with minimal strain. Track down an athletic trainer if you can, and they can probably show you some cool stuff. The key is to strengthen, but not overly stress. What exactly did you do to your back, and was there any rehab? On to the food… this is a bit of a tough question for me, because I really do enjoy preparing food! Still, I can certainly relate to being in a hurry and going for quick and easy. Protein shakes are super quick and easy – can’t be beat. I do 3 a day – that’s half of my meals. But you can’t (and should NOT) live on protein shakes alone! Sandwiches are easy. Lean turkey and whole grain bread, and you’re good to go. I ate so many of these when I started BFL that I honestly wouldn’t mind if I never saw another turkey sandie again! Tuna fish also. Some other great quick and easy proteins are low fat cottage cheese (one of my favorites), low fat string cheese, and hard boiled eggs (try to just eat the whites). Quick and easy carbs are apples, oranges, lots of different fruits actually, whole grain breads… old fashioned oat meal takes less than 90 seconds in the microwave! Here’s the thing (and I wouldn’t be a good coach if I didn’t ask this…) is it an actual limitation that there are no quick healthy foods, or is it a self-imposed limitation? Transformation is a lifestyle change, and anyone can have the results Chris and I have had. IF they are willing to change their lifestyle. YOU CAN do this! I hope this helps! Please feel free to drop me a line if I can help at all – THANKS! Much love - Bill

Not much to add! You indeed are a great coach. And Derek, I look forward to doing this with you. Bill and I are very much lead by example folks. We are doing this too. The things Bill's talking about have always 'made sense' to me, but making part of me was a process and it didn't happen all at the beginnning. I'm excited for the changes to come your way!!!! Just one day at a time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tanya76 ~Chris~ Thank you for the warm welcome and the awesome encouragement! Tomorrow I will upload my HORRIFIC and FINAL before pics! I will also plan my meals/workouts out for the week and post those in my blog with a link for everyone to view. I think by doing this I will hold myself to it! Failing myself is one thing but failing when I've made promises to others isn't something I enjoy. I'm also going to let my hubby (whose running the Myrtle Beach marathon in 2 weeks) know my intentions and ask him to help me keep myself honest and on target. ;-) ~Tanya~

Way to go on putting all of that positive pressure on yourself... now I'm off to see if you followed through

Salut, Sonia! Jonquière, Québec! Cool (and I bet it is kinda cool there right now)! And you went to Carnaval this weekend? Bonhomme, Bonhomme, sais-tu jouer? I'm jealous! I was born and grew up in La Belle Province. Born in Granby, and lived in Waterloo, Chambly, and Boucherville. My family moved to BC when I was 18 - my dad had health problems and couldn't take the harsh Quebec winters.
Thanks for the welcome!

...Derek

Wow!!! I was slammed last week with jury duty and than I was picked. I felt so naked without a phone for a couple of days. Anyway I am feeling so alive and strong can't wait to read some blogs.

Monday's Blog

Hi, I'm Trish & I am starting my 18-week Challenge today!
I am a 42 year-old, single mom of two great kids, but have neglected myself and have been 60 pounds overweight for the last 14 or so years. I want to unzip my fat-suit & be a healthy role model for my kids, co-workers, and family members (and boy, I just want to feel good about myself and not embarrassed anymore).
I got the Transformation Solution this weekend and signed up for the 4 wk class with Bill to help me (I need all the help I can get!).
Have a great day,
Trish

Alright Trish!!! Glad to have you joining us!!! I think that 4 week class is really cool and I love all of the new goodies in the Transformation Solution program. In fact, I'm off to listen to chapter 6 on my way to lunch and back! You can feel good and choose happiness, and that's when the real weight loss starts in this program. I look forward to helping you get there in any way I can. Feel free to stop by the daily threads when you're ready as frequently as you can (like daily or so) and let us know how your journey here is going. Time to get hopping on step 1!!!

Thank you, Chris, for inviting me to join this group! This is Day 2 of my Journey, Week 1.

I am a 59yo single mom of two beautiful (but challenging!!) teenagers. They are definitely my "why." I never did really realize in the moment through these last several years how deep my depression and apathy have been; I know I have not been the Mom they deserved to have. I have used food and fat as a love substitute and to hide behind. It is finally time to wake up and come back to life!

I can't believe it, as horrible as I look, but I was actually almost eager to get that dreadful "Before" picture posted -- evidence of my commitment to my Transformation! The real me is in there somewhere waiting to be released!

Things I am looking forward to (among many others):
--Not having my entire focus on how fat I look and being too self-conscious to go to networking meetings, go to almost any event, being an embarrassment to my children, and thinking constantly of how others must be viewing me when I do venture out
--Being able to look good in clothes and not have to shop in the "fat lady" department
--Being able to bend over and put on socks without a struggle and tie tennis shoes (what a disgusting and embarrassing admission)
-- Being able to comfortably buckle into an airplane seat -- without an extension -- and be able to bring the snack tray fully down in front of my belly
-- Being able to ride a horse again
-- Being able to walk (dare I say, even run) up stairs without being winded at the top

Enough, you get the idea. How wonderful to be able to be able to say such things and not be judged, actually be supported by others who have "been there" or at least definitely understand.

I don't really understand why Transformation is just suddenly the answer after all these years of gaining and gaining and not being able to stick to any healthy plan; I just know that it is. It is going to be so fun watching layers of flab melt away and muscle appear.

I know the biggest challenge for me will be doing the "inner" work necessary to sustain the outer changes.

Thanks to everyone for their welcomes and support and encouragement!

Gwen (awakening)

Hi! Well it seems it's our turn to get some snow. However, not as much as some parts of North America. I'm not complaining, I don't really feel like shovelling. lol

Here's my blog:

http://www.transformation.com/cajuns...02-2011/130991

Hello, and Sat Nam*! My name is Rachelle, and I started my 18 Week Challenge last Tuesday. I'm a high school English teacher, but my dream is to open a kundalini yoga studio/raw foods cafe. For nearly all of the 38 years of my life, I've been overweight. In 2006, I was the heaviest I've ever been, topping out around 300 pounds. I've always been able to hide my weight well on my 5'7", large-boned frame, but at that point, I knew I'd crossed a line into a place that could seriously affect my health down the line.

The year 2006 was also when I moved to Japan to teach English there. For three years, I had the privilege to live and teach in the town of Miyakonojo, which is in Miyazaki Prefecture on the southern island of Kyushu. The support and love of my students, the community of teachers, and even my neighbors gave me the strength to get out there and start changing my life. When I returned to the States, I had lost nearly 70 pounds through improved nutrition and exercise. However, the reverse-culture-shock process really took its toll on me last year. I grieved for Japan and the life I'd left behind there--a sadness made more acute by the knowledge that I could have stayed were it not for the fact that I'm an only child with aging parents. I knew I'd made the right decision to come home and enjoy time with my parents while they're still in relatively good health and mental condition, but it still felt like I'd left my heart behind in that beautiful, beautiful place. Depression caused me to re-gain half of what I'd lost.

Last February, I shook off a bit of my funk and decided to get back into my exercise routine, which I had allowed to fall by the wayside. I hired a personal trainer and worked with him once per week in additon to a few regular cardio sessions. In May, for spiritual reasons, I became a vegetarian. I did it in rather radical fashion, I must say, embracing a raw, vegan lifestyle for most of the spring and summer. I found that I greatly enjoyed eating this way but that it wasn't completely sustainable during the fall/winter months when school is in session. Due to this change I lost half of the depression weight....and then I got STUCK. Even worse, as the stress of school began piling up this fall, I noticed that I had somehow allowed bad habits from the past to creep back in--like eating an entire pint of ice-cream in one sitting, for example. I knew I had to do something, that something was holding me back from being everything that I wanted to be and that I KNEW I could be.

And that's when the Transformation Solution appeared in my life. I had only heard of Bill Phillips in a vague, round-about way, recalling that he might have written some book that was popular a few years back. However, once I listened to his words about Transformation, and after I watched Chris' video, I knew that this was exactly what I needed to break through the roadblock and allow the healthy, vibrant young woman inside to emerge.

I spent quite a bit of time this past week taking a good look at how far I've come since my 300 pound days and how much further I have to go to make my dreams become real. I find it hard to visualize what I'll look like as that healthy, fit person, but I'm working on that in my daily meditation. I've already posted an exercise plan for Week 2 on my blog, and I just finished planning my meals for tomorrow. This included whipping up a batch of the most delicious lentils I've ever made in my life!

My greatest challenge is that I tend to allow the stress and negativity at school to creep in and make me forget how much I really do enjoy exercising (even though that HIIT session on the bike this morning was not fun for the first 5 minutes!) and eating healthily and with consciousness. My hope is that by connecting with the community here, I will gain the support that I need to sustain my will and intent towards truly changing my life for the better.


**Sat Nam means "true name" or "name of truth", so when you use it as a greeting you're saying that you're welcoming others in the name of true or with your true self.

Quote:

Originally Posted by awakening Thank you, Chris, for inviting me to join this group! This is Day 2 of my Journey, Week 1. I am a 59yo single mom of two beautiful (but challenging!!) teenagers. They are definitely my "why." I never did really realize in the moment through these last several years how deep my depression and apathy have been; I know I have not been the Mom they deserved to have. I have used food and fat as a love substitute and to hide behind. It is finally time to wake up and come back to life! I can't believe it, as horrible as I look, but I was actually almost eager to get that dreadful "Before" picture posted -- evidence of my commitment to my Transformation! The real me is in there somewhere waiting to be released! Things I am looking forward to (among many others): --Not having my entire focus on how fat I look and being too self-conscious to go to networking meetings, go to almost any event, being an embarrassment to my children, and thinking constantly of how others must be viewing me when I do venture out --Being able to look good in clothes and not have to shop in the "fat lady" department --Being able to bend over and put on socks without a struggle and tie tennis shoes (what a disgusting and embarrassing admission) -- Being able to comfortably buckle into an airplane seat -- without an extension -- and be able to bring the snack tray fully down in front of my belly -- Being able to ride a horse again -- Being able to walk (dare I say, even run) up stairs without being winded at the top Enough, you get the idea. How wonderful to be able to be able to say such things and not be judged, actually be supported by others who have "been there" or at least definitely understand. I don't really understand why Transformation is just suddenly the answer after all these years of gaining and gaining and not being able to stick to any healthy plan; I just know that it is. It is going to be so fun watching layers of flab melt away and muscle appear. I know the biggest challenge for me will be doing the "inner" work necessary to sustain the outer changes. Thanks to everyone for their welcomes and support and encouragement! Gwen (awakening)

Hey Gwen!!! I really am super happy to see you in the group. I can really relate to a lot of what you've put here. I remember the moment where I made these kinds of admissions, and felt a similar 'excitement' about getting my before pic out there, I couldn't bend to tie or do other things... Every time I tried to do something like that I felt so horrible. My heart hurt... very literally. And I was sick of being depressed. You're in the right place... your instincts are fooling with you.

You actually have a lot of good introspection here that you may want to include in the rest of your step 1.

We do a thread every day, so please check the group forum as often as you can, and let us know how your day is going.

Wow, I go on vacation for a week and our group grows exponentially while I am gone. That is awesome. Welcome everyone.

Mac

http://www.transformation.com/macbit/blog/

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mizoodle Hello, and Sat Nam*! My name is Rachelle, and I started my 18 Week Challenge last Tuesday. I'm a high school English teacher, but my dream is to open a kundalini yoga studio/raw foods cafe. For nearly all of the 38 years of my life, I've been overweight. In 2006, I was the heaviest I've ever been, topping out around 300 pounds. I've always been able to hide my weight well on my 5'7", large-boned frame, but at that point, I knew I'd crossed a line into a place that could seriously affect my health down the line. The year 2006 was also when I moved to Japan to teach English there. For three years, I had the privilege to live and teach in the town of Miyakonojo, which is in Miyazaki Prefecture on the southern island of Kyushu. The support and love of my students, the community of teachers, and even my neighbors gave me the strength to get out there and start changing my life. When I returned to the States, I had lost nearly 70 pounds through improved nutrition and exercise. However, the reverse-culture-shock process really took its toll on me last year. I grieved for Japan and the life I'd left behind there--a sadness made more acute by the knowledge that I could have stayed were it not for the fact that I'm an only child with aging parents. I knew I'd made the right decision to come home and enjoy time with my parents while they're still in relatively good health and mental condition, but it still felt like I'd left my heart behind in that beautiful, beautiful place. Depression caused me to re-gain half of what I'd lost. Last February, I shook off a bit of my funk and decided to get back into my exercise routine, which I had allowed to fall by the wayside. I hired a personal trainer and worked with him once per week in additon to a few regular cardio sessions. In May, for spiritual reasons, I became a vegetarian. I did it in rather radical fashion, I must say, embracing a raw, vegan lifestyle for most of the spring and summer. I found that I greatly enjoyed eating this way but that it wasn't completely sustainable during the fall/winter months when school is in session. Due to this change I lost half of the depression weight....and then I got STUCK. Even worse, as the stress of school began piling up this fall, I noticed that I had somehow allowed bad habits from the past to creep back in--like eating an entire pint of ice-cream in one sitting, for example. I knew I had to do something, that something was holding me back from being everything that I wanted to be and that I KNEW I could be. And that's when the Transformation Solution appeared in my life. I had only heard of Bill Phillips in a vague, round-about way, recalling that he might have written some book that was popular a few years back. However, once I listened to his words about Transformation, and after I watched Chris' video, I knew that this was exactly what I needed to break through the roadblock and allow the healthy, vibrant young woman inside to emerge. I spent quite a bit of time this past week taking a good look at how far I've come since my 300 pound days and how much further I have to go to make my dreams become real. I find it hard to visualize what I'll look like as that healthy, fit person, but I'm working on that in my daily meditation. I've already posted an exercise plan for Week 2 on my blog, and I just finished planning my meals for tomorrow. This included whipping up a batch of the most delicious lentils I've ever made in my life! My greatest challenge is that I tend to allow the stress and negativity at school to creep in and make me forget how much I really do enjoy exercising (even though that HIIT session on the bike this morning was not fun for the first 5 minutes!) and eating healthily and with consciousness. My hope is that by connecting with the community here, I will gain the support that I need to sustain my will and intent towards truly changing my life for the better. **Sat Nam means "true name" or "name of truth", so when you use it as a greeting you're saying that you're welcoming others in the name of true or with your true self.

Sat Nam, Rachelle. I loved reading your introduction. I have to admit, I read it twice. I humbles me to tears to know that sharing my story has helped anyone. I felt that way about you and Gwen. It's happened enough to .... humbling is the only and best way I can put it. I am also pretty familiar with stress and how when things change we can get thrown way off... It even happened to me after my championship when my wife and I moved back in together after 5 years. I dealt with alcoholism and just the quick change of being a father of two and husband... I did go back into my enabling old habits, and I did gain a little weight (but no more than 20 or so ), and I was struggling like crazy to hold onto that positive mindset. But I worked the steps right through it, and I took care of me like I never have... And it turns out that just as I was ready to leave again, (this is post-video), she decided she wanted to be sober and honest and wow, what an amazing change transformation has done for her as well. And now, we're both firing on all cylinders!

My mind plays with me and visualization. It's very hard for me... I've read that it's related to the 'executive functioning' part of the brain that isn't.... the same as most people for me. But I fight and fight to see into my future. And I've had a lot of success. Meditation does help.

Having an accountability partner, someone who's going right through this with you, is a great way to share your success as well as what's stressing you out... people pair up all of the time around here. And to have a way to get ahold of someone when maybe stress is pushing you to think that there's just no other way than to scarff down the pint of ice cream... It can be an important part of this life changing process.

Glad to hear from you! I'm excited about your future vision! Let's rock this challenge, and do it in a way that we know will last!!!!

Hi everyone

My name is Cheneen and I have been a member since inception of the community, however this is the first year I am actually committed to a challenge, especially after a health scare last year.

I look forward to the support from this group as it has some exciting members and people have achieved their goals.

I suffer from M.E. (please do not ask me to spell it) and have to becareful with exercising as too much exursion will result in a relapse of incredible body pains (as if you have run a 95km marathon) for many days. I am really worried about triggering the muscle weakness symptom as it will result in me being unable to even walk to the loo without breaking into a sweat and my body will be one big ache!!!

I have decided to start on a treadmill walking for 20 minutes a day 5 times a week and try and build it up to 40 mins in 3 weeks. I want to start the strength training in my 4th week.

Anyway thank you for creating a great group and look forward to chatting soon.