Taking the second step!

More musings on the power of AA and the Body for Life programs…and their similarities. (As always I’m eager to hear your comments and suggestions.)


Once we admit that we are powerless over our bad habits (alcohol or food and sloth) and that our lives have become unmanageable, what then?

Successful people take the next step.

Step #2 in Alcoholic Anonymous:
Came to believe that a power greater than
ourselves could restore us to sanity.

This is a no brainer for me. I was powerless in making the healthy changes I needed in my life. After years of trying and failing--it was a relief to give that power over to something greater than myself. Once I did , it didn't take long before my sanity was restored.

For many that greater power mentioned in the second step is God. It could also be the power of family, the power of promise…the power of a support group or anything you want it to be.

As I continue my journey in the Body for Life program I chose to embrace God as my higher power. Each day I ask my higher power for the strength to continue my program of exercise and nutrition and the desire to remain a healthy, happy and productive adult. I also take a moment each day to thank him for my new life...

AA members also have a saying, “keep it simple.”
That saying works equally well for those of us who are building our best bodies ever.
I keep it simple by following the roadmap outlined in Bill Phillips “Body for Life” book
I don’t try to second guess the plan—I just plan to follow it and follow through on my plan.
Keep it simple, one day at a time.

Self Help is the best Help!

This is one of 12 essays I plan to write in the upcoming weeks---focusing on the similarities I see between 12 step recovery programs and the BFL program.
You may agree or disagree with my comments…I’d sure like to hear your point of view.

Many years ago two drunks came together to get sober. Their success resulted in the program Alcoholics Anonymous which has brought hope and sobriety to millions of people and their families around the world.

Their success lead to the creation of other 12 step programs…that give people the power to make positive changes in their lives and turn their backs on their addictions.
Today there are many people who are alive and really living life to the fullest because of these programs and their guidelines.

I know and love several AA members. They all have one thing in common—before they could find sobriety each had to hit rock bottom before climbing out of their self made hole.


My question for today…

Is it a coincidence the Body for Life program and its 12 week challenge
urges its participants to practice principles similar to those found in the AA
program?
Is it a coincidence that many of those who find a healthier body,
mind and spirit with BFL had to hit rock bottom before climbing out of their
self made hole?

Lets take a look at AA’s step one.
We admitted we are powerless over alcohol—that our lives have become unmanageable.

Now exchange the word alcohol with the words comfort food and or sloth.
Get the
picture?

I for one was powerless over food. Before BFL fudge, Ben and Jerry’s, Super One store made cookies….had more power than me. I couldn’t resist them. I turned to them to ease my fears and pain. Try as I might…those three demons controlled my life. Once the sugar high hit—there was no energy to exercise, play or enjoy life.

The day I found BFL and admitted that I was powerless over my trigger foods was the day I began my recovery.

The countdown begins!

EAS/BFL announced today we will soon be introduced to the latest batch of Champions.
See below:

The 2004 Body-for-LIFE Challenge Champions will be announced January 15th, 2005. The Champions will be posted online at that time. Be sure to come back to see our 2004 Champions!

Now lets read between the lines.

If you've been on task working hard and have been sending in your entries for the past year like I have...the thoughts of winning are probably spinning inside your head too.
Ah those visions of helicopters, congratulatory phone calls...that warm leather
jacket in just your size!!! Hey and what about that champion's watch?

If the wait for the 2003 announcements was any indication its going to be a real roller coaster ride these next few weeks as we wait for the results.

I'd like to wish all of you the best of luck and hope you receive the call or better yet--a personal visit from the EAS judges.
And when they do contact you--please let me know so I can celebrate your victory!
In the meantime--stay calm. Keep working your program and hit those tens!

Getting back to that cycle...

Week 5, BFL challenge #5

During an earlier post I offered up a theory on our mental and physical cycles. Essentially stating when we hit a high cycle we need to take advantage of it and work our program hard--cause we never know when that low cycle will hit.

Well folks, it has hit.
Monday night I was craving all the things that got me fat and unhappy...I tried to resist them but failed.
Even when I ate them I derived little pleasure.

Today, I am searching for the "Q's" that lead up to this bit of madness.
Pre-menstral crazies, pre-holiday expectations and post-holiday depression, feelings of failure...Wow, its been awhile since all of these things have aligned.

I am in a down cycle. But that doesn't mean it has to be an extended DOWN period.
The choice is entirely up to me.
The first step is to admit what happened.
I messed up.
The next step is to resolve to reach higher.
Each day brings a new beginning.
Today I begin my climb out of this down cycle. (short lived by past standards.)

With the help of the BFL program...I know just what steps I need to take.

1. reach out for support
2. get back on the program
3. set new goals
4. re-read the Body for Life Book
5. watch the BFL tapes

We really are ruled by cycles. The important thing is to know where you are each day, anticipate where you might be tommorrow and use the next 24 hours to create a healthier reality.

New Year's Resolution

Re-so-lu-tion: The act or process of resolving. A formal statement expressing the the opinion, will or intent of a body of persons.

2004 is just days away from the history books.
These last days leading
to the New Year will be used by many to consider Resolutions for the New Year.
Most will focus on lifestyle changes. Weight loss, exercise, kicking the
smoking habit, cutting back on alcohol.

Here are some questions to consider as you build your plan of action.

1. What act or process in your life will you resolve?
2. Have you found a plan of action for success?
3. Have you made self-promises?
4. Have you created a support system to fall back on when things get rough?

If you really want to resolve problems in your life....the first step is to find a program that works for you and work that program.



Believe it or not we all hold the power to change. Really.
For many of us, we need a blue print or road map to follow to make that change.

There are many good programs available that stress exercise, nutrition, goal setting and supplimentation.



For me, the book Body For Life by Bill Phillips offered the instructions I needed to rebvild my body, mind and spirit.

2005 Proclaimation of New Years Resolution

Where as BFL has helped hundreds of thousands of people make healthy changes in their lives...

Where as BFL offers free information on its website at www.bodyforlife.com

Where as BFL offers you a chance to earn one million dollars in the new year by building your best body ever...

Where as LIFESTYLE changes are essential in adding valuable years to our lives...

Be it resolved:

2005 will be a year filled with keeping self promises, eating small nutritious meals and following thru on our cardio and weight lifting sessions six days a week.

And on the seventh day--we will eat, drink and be merry---to prepair ourselves for the next six days of life changing activities.