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When I first began my transformation of going from 359 pounds of sluggishness down to 216 pounds of lean and mean I did something that was very key. I walked around telling everyone I know that I'm getting ripped, that I'm getting lean, that I'm in the process of getting into the best shape of my life. I mean I would really feel it, I would get excited and pumped. I was very passionate about my new project of going from fat to fit and anyone who spoke with me could feel it.

"I'm going to be soooooo friggin' lean" I would say, and I could really feel it and at cellular level, my whole system got excited and full of passion and adrenaline.

What happened? I got ripped, losing 143 pounds.

Sure I ate right and worked hard but my telling people how great of shape I was getting into was extremely important.

It did a few things…

First, it kept me focused on what I wanted to achieve.

Second, I really got into a feeling place of knowing my goals were coming true. Very in line with the now popular Law of Attraction (however I had no idea that's what it was at the time)

And third, I made a social commitment to everyone around me that I was going to be in great shape. My self image wouldn't let me drop the ball. Most people were supportive but even the naysayers actually made it easy, any time they said it could be done, I was positive it would be done and I was dead set on making it happen. I mean, I'm the kind of person if you tell me I "need to" or "should" do something I'm not very likely to do it, but if you tell me I "can't do it" then it's already done. A little ego sometimes can be healthy.

You see we all want our self images to appear consistent to what we say. Psychologists and marketers call it "commitment and consistency" We all want people to thing we "walk the walk" and don't just "talk the talk"

I once heard of great diet plan from self help guru Tony Robbins that really follows the commitment and consistency law. The diet plan is called the Alpo Diet as in Alpo Dogfood. Now this diet isn't for everyone but it is quite effective.

Basically what you do is tell ten of your closest friends, family members and people you really respect that if you don't lose X amount of weight within 30 days you'll eat the can of Alpo right in front of all of them.

It's disgusting but it works because of commitment and consistency.

I recommend the softer approach of just basically telling everyone you know about the awesome shape you're getting in to, how you're going to look great, how you've already lost X amount of pounds and that by such and such date you're going to weigh X amount.

Again this works on a number of levels. It keeps you focused, it's in alignment with the Law of Attraction, and it follows the Law of Commitment and Consistency.

Or you could just go buy a can of Alpo and call up ten people

Chris

Orange County Fitness Trainer and Irvine Ca, Fitness Professional