Bill’s most recent blog, Assignment #11, got me so fired up that I decided it would be fun to continue it here. Of all the things I have learned from Bill over the years, nothing has had a greater impact than his insight of “knowing what you must give up to get what you want.” Here are two things I "gave up" that I am absolutely certain were the two most instrumental elements of my transformation. (They are also, IMHO, the two most important things I teach my clients!):

#1 - I gave up telling the “old” story, which sounded something like this:

THE OLD STORY: “I am a soft, non-athletic soccer mom with two kids. I’m in my mid forties – what makes me think I can look eighteen again??? I have a career, a great family, and I look okay – why should I kill myself with exercise?? Besides, I’m smart enough to know that with my schedule, I’ll never stick to any exercise program! I like food way too much to change the way I eat…”

I got rid of that worn out story and replaced it with the new story:

THE NEW STORY: “I am a strong, healthy, talented human being. I am completely capable of transforming myself into exactly the person I have always dreamed of being… athletic, energetic, tight and lean, happy, certain, attractive and sexy. I am made up of the same physical material as thousands of other healthy people who have completely transformed their bodies, reversed the aging process and become better and better and better. That is who I am. That is what I continue to become.” I told the new story, I believed the new story, I became the new story.

#2 - I gave up the attitude that working out had to be agony – that it was a chore that must be done and gotten over with as soon as possible. When I gave up this attitude and began looking for and experiencing the joy and satisfaction that every set, every rep provided, everything changed for me, especially my body. It’s not that every workout was sheer joy from that point on, but my approach now is that every workout COULD potentially be the most joyful part of my day, instead always taking the attitude, “it’s hard, it’s tough, I gotta push, push, push myself to do it…”

These two things: telling the NEW story and taking the NEW attitude towards my workouts and nutrition plan have carried me for over 9 years. It has brought me more happiness and satisfaction than any other single change. So, once again, I feel compelled to say, “Thanks Bill, from the bottom of my heart,” for uttering those words so many years ago, “Half of getting what you want is knowing what you have to give up to get it.” ABD - AWESOME BEYOND DESCRIPTION!

Next...

Wow Dianne...that is good. I need to sit down and think about this assignment...what you wrote here is excellent.

I gave up soda pop and sugar...my wife is the only sweet thing in this house, well sometimes she's not so sweet...I replaced it with water and shakes

I gave up me...the selfish ego driven jerk and replaced me with someone who cries a lot...I'm not so thrilled about this one Dianne...

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Originally Posted by Dustyluv I gave up me...the selfish ego driven jerk and replaced me with someone who cries a lot...I'm not so thrilled about this one Dianne...

Gee, Dusty... that's kind of my favorite thing about you (not the jerk part... the crying thing.) I have a good friend who believes that if you don't cry things out every once in a while, it will make you sick. Her favorite line is, "A cold is your body's way of crying."

Like Dusty I gave up pop and soda and caffeine. Plus a plethora of other bad habits.

One of my true joys in life right now is turning dusty from tough guy to teddy bear

Seriously though I love to GIVE!

Hmmm...I've given up a lot of things but not what is most important. I'm working on that now that I see it for what it is. I had no idea a big, ugly monster lived inside me, but I have identified him and am preparing for his release.

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Originally Posted by Dude One of my true joys in life right now is turning dusty from tough guy to teddy bear

Better give that one up Dude...you will just frustrate yourself...LOL
I may cry, but I'm still a hard and crusty Dusty...

1. I have given up on the fact that it is all about me and it's all about being there for others.
2. Daily, I have to let go and let God handle the things in life I cannot control.
Troy

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Originally Posted by Dustyluv I gave up soda pop and sugar...my wife is the only sweet thing in this house, well sometimes she's not so sweet...I replaced it with water and shakes I gave up me...the selfish ego driven jerk and replaced me with someone who cries a lot...I'm not so thrilled about this one Dianne...

Dusty's platform is built by Kleenex...............



Just kidding Duster! You are doing GREAT!

I have to surrender to what God wants me to do rather than what I think I want to do...I am a planner...I love to have "a plan"....but man...life is even better when I live it through God's directions! Coach Stoney and Clarissa have helped me get my ball rolling and I am so thankful for a lot of positive encouragement that I have read and received through t.com! I feel proud of my life accomplishments...but my new direction is making God proud of my life! So I am giving up my need to be in the driver's seat! I want to play the "life game" as best as I can...and not let God down!

I have given up everything I believed I was. I have given up placing blame. I have let go of guilt and self doubt....

I had to give up pride first to allow myself to come back in April..that was hard....I had to then as well give up control and power...these were hard too...I gave up coffee which at the time was 32 oz twice a day ....I gave up so many things over a period of a year not weeks and it is hard to pinpoint which was 1st or last but they all mattered. My walls could only come down one at a time though as when they came down I also had a clean up crew to clear up all the debree...God only gives you what you can handle though so I take my lumps well..Hugs and LOVE ,Laura

Dianne-OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OO...

I never get tired of reading your golden entries.

If you want to change...YOU FIRST HAVE TO CHANGE!! DianneO to a "T."

Dianne, I love this entry and all your blogs. Boy, can I ever identify. I am hoping to learn a lot from reading your pearls of wisdom--along with ALL the great pearls of wisdom that are displayed so beautifully here in this community!

Dianne, I too tell my story different. My goal is to keep telling the good one. As soon as I hear myself telling the old story, I stop and change my thoughts. I have been so lucky to have my good friend come back into my life and share all his training knowledge with us. He is a great spotter too. But most important, is that we enjoy what we do. That hour is so fun. And as far as eating goes, I listen to me again. It really does feel good to eat healthy. I took the time in my life to see what one I really wanted. I choose the one that makes me feel like a goddess. I used to think being angry, pushing myself, getting in that nasty state gave me some edge, now I have experienced the power of Joy and Wow, that is the river I flow now. Mary Jo

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Originally Posted by mjr1babe Dianne, I too tell my story different. My goal is to keep telling the good one. As soon as I hear myself telling the old story, I stop and change my thoughts. I have been so lucky to have my good friend come back into my life and share all his training knowledge with us. He is a great spotter too. But most important, is that we enjoy what we do. That hour is so fun. And as far as eating goes, I listen to me again. It really does feel good to eat healthy. I took the time in my life to see what one I really wanted. I choose the one that makes me feel like a goddess. I used to think being angry, pushing myself, getting in that nasty state gave me some edge, now I have experienced the power of Joy and Wow, that is the river I flow now. Mary Jo

You so NAILED it, Mary Jo! That was beautiful! Very inspirational words, perfectly spoken!
Peace and Love - Dianne

Dianne,
I bet if you started charging a nickel for all of the pearls of wisdom you give us here, you would be a rich woman and could retire! But where's the fun in that? Keep the inspiration coming. You give so much to this community. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I have not made it to Lesson #11 yet but I have enjoyed this post. It has made me think about how my story will be different when I make it to that lesson. Right now I'm sort of still telling the old one but I'm reworking it and I know it will be completely different very soon. I'm learning slowly but never the less learning how to Be the Change. Right now I'm soaking up every positive message I can get my hands on so I too can rewrite my story.

Thanks!

Thanks so much for this post. It is very awesome. I will be doing some reading tonight. I have to!

Great thread! Take care.