Motivation Through Adversity

I've struggled with my weight my whole life. As far back as I can remember, I've felt bad about it. I was stuck in a body that wasn't what I wanted, that didn't fit with how I really saw myself and to me, it represented a weakness. Andrew Carnegie once said, "People who are unable to motivate themselves must be content with mediocrity, no matter how impressive their other talents." In my heart and mind, I felt this struggle was keeping me from self mastery and frustrated the heck out of me.

I'm happy to tell you that I've found my motivation. Over the last year and a half I've gone through a physical transformation. My body is healthier and my entire life is vibrant with new passion, new business ventures, new knowledge. That stagnant energy, the excess pounds, are no longer holding me back.

I'm not there yet. I have maybe sixty more pounds to go. However, I'm closer than I have been in decades to the ideal weight. That's a significant step, I'd say.

My turning point came a few years ago when my doctor told me that I was diabetic, had almost died from a diabetic coma and that I would spend the rest of my short life on insulin and pharmaceuticals. I didn't like his prognosis so I simply refused to accept it. I read up on the subject and realized, well, I'm nailing my coffin with the foods I eat and my sedentary lifestyle, so here's what I have to do to change things. One hundred and forty pounds lighter and I'm now the poster child for how to deal with this issue. My doctor now uses me as an example of what you can do if you choose life over cake and pizza.

I had several triggers. First: the doctor told me I would never get off of it and that made me mad. I told him that nobody sentences me to death. He said, 'can't' and 'die' and that enraged me. Secondly: I wanted to see my children grow up, spend a long life with my wife, continue to do my work in the world. For a long time that hadn't been enough to shock me out of my really destructive behavior, but with that first trigger-the anger-the second became an extraordinarily important factor. I realized my mortality and that I was putting myself into an early grave one French fry, one slice of pizza, one pint of ice cream, one candy bar at a time.

Another thing that really resonated with me is the weight loss coach said to me, "If I ate as many carbs a day as you did I would quickly need insulin too. I'd be as big as you. The body cannot process that much. It simply can't do it. So either you're going to figure this out and make a change or you're going to die from it. The choice is yours. You're going to think that it's normal to be on insulin and/or you're going to die, OR you're going to change. What are you going to do here?"

What did I need to do? Well, I had to start eating protein and cut out simple carbohydrates. No more prepared foods, low fat, no fast food, no prepared foods, exercise consistently and smartly. . .all the things you know you have to do to lose weight. I'm not there yet. I'm not perfect all the time, but I'm determined and I'm happy to say that I feel great and my family is going to have me around for a long time.

The desire and willingness to change wasn't enough for me to change. I needed to get angry and be pushed in a corner.

Where are you stuck? Are you stuck financially, physically? Are you stuck in a relationship? Are you on the cusp of greatness, just on the edge, but can't seem to make that next big step? What will your trigger for change be?

I would love to serve in the same capacity for my students and clients that my doctor and coach did for me. Let's work together to clear out that stagnation.

Article Source: http://www.rightbiz.com

Kenrick Cleveland teaches strategies to earn the business of wealthy prospects using persuasion. He runs public and private seminars and offers home study courses and coaching programs in persuasion strategies.

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