This is the most incredible email I have ever gotten in my life. This is from a good friend of mine Angela Murray and shortly after receiving it, I realized she was not asking a question, but sending me her commitment to taking action on her goal. She clearly lists what she’s willing to do, she’s open to feedback and direction, stated what she knows and what she doesn’t know, has taken measurements and she’s journaling the entire process. This is what she sent me:
OK! Here is my weakness, holding myself accountable for working out, eating right and drinking water. I want to have a healthy hot body so bad, yet when ever I attempt to do something about it, I sluff off, de-commit. I just measured myself, WOW, this is my heaviest ever (other than pregnant phase)
Weight: 132 lbs
Inches
Neck: 13″
Upper left arm: 10.5
Upper right arm: 10.75
Bust: 33.25
Diaphragm: 29.5
Waist: 36
Abdomen: 36
Buttocks: 37.5
upper Left thigh: 21.5
Upper Right thigh: 22
Calf left: 12.75
Calf right: 12.75
Upper knee left: 15.5
Upper knee right: 15.5
I understand that not all my inches will decrease as I build muscle, I feel my legs are in pretty good shape, I want to build more muscle mass.
I am COMMITTING to Mon,Wed, Fri to weight work out, Tues, Thurs, Sat to walking, cardio.
I am increasing my protein, decreasing my carbs, drinking more water. I will journal my daily activity and food each night before I go to sleep.
I will be kind to myself, love myself and enjoy this journey.
I have no “measurable” goal to reach as I have very little idea what is healthy, I would love to be 118 lbs but have no idea how much muscle that is or body % of fat.
All I know is I want more energy, to look fucking Fabulous, feel good inside and hot and be healthy about my choices.
I am open to suggestions, tips, feedback and any other offers you have!
I respect you and trust you and I know we can depend on each other for kicks in the ass or celebrating words.
I realize it is one more thing on your plate, as it is on mine, you don’t need to hold my hand every day, and feel free to say when you are busy and don’t have time to answer my question, just kick me with loving supportive words to keep me going.
Thank you Coop! I am totally ok with you saying No to this too, just so you know!
I am off to journal and get a good night sleep!
Nighty Night!
Ang is not overweight. However, she wants to be even better looking than she is now. Her goal is, “Wants more energy, to look fucking fabulous, feel good inside and [look] hot [er]”. Ang is a single mother of 2 amazing boys. She works from home as an Event Management Specialist or Seminar Support Team Specialist. She and I worked with Peak Potentials for a number of years and she knows how to successfully run an event. This picture is of Ang and myself during one weekend between Warrior Camps in California during the summer of 2006. You can clearly see that she’s not overweight at all, and currently “Hot”.
She recently left Peak Potentials and works from home. She has booked off an hour every morning to go for her walk and has been doing that for a while now. We have talked about this a lot, and recently during a phone call, she came right out and asked the question : “What do I do to get rid of my abdominal fat“. She’s known me for years and has never asked.
There is so much power in asking that question. Any question. Find a role model and ask. Follow along, take direction, be open to new things and to changing your beliefs about what is possible. If someone has gone before you and accomplished that which you want to accomplish, find out how they did it and then model them!
My answer was simple. You can’t spot reduce. Your body will burn fat, under the right circumstances and hormonal conditions, from all areas of your body as it sees fit. I encouraged her to begin weight training to build more lean muscle and that was how our conversation ended.
Ang is a powerful manifestor. She is following the very simple rules from Harv Eker’s Wizard Camp:
1. Believe in Miracles – Have faith. Trust that miracles will come to you
2. Acknowledge Miracles – See and appreciate the miracles already happening for you and all around you. Know you are a miracle.
3. Create a Powerful Intention – Clear, on purpose and committed.
4. Ask – Ask the universe (angels, guides) for assistance
5. Live From Your Higher Self – Live in the present vs the past or future. Come from love vs fear, Joy vs obligation, and Purpose vs outcome.
6. Make Space – Release the old and make room for the new.
7. Let Go – Get out of the way. Don’t try and “figure” it out. Surrender to the universe. Let go of the “how” and the “form”
After our conversation, she simply decided to take action and commit to her plan. Ang has given me permission to post this email she sent me and will be journaling her results in the weight loss forum. She has committed to doing that once per week so others can follow along with her journey, participate in the conversation, offer support and encouragement or anything else you have to say.
I’ve asked Ang to marry me twice. She’s declined both times. My guess is that she knows that she just wouldn’t be able to handle me, at least that’s my take on it. She is one of my best friends. I trust her, I love her and I would do anything for her. In this case, she has changed my life by simply sending me such a committed plan of action.
My response was 4 words: I Believe In You.
Angela,
Great post! I think you’re right…first thing that needs to be done (myself included), is to understand the weakness and commit to the requisite changes. Actually, I was just thinking about that very thing today.
I applaud your efforts and wish you all the best in your quest. I’d like to hear thru Rob, about your progress along the way. I’m going to use you as my own launch on a similar “recovery” (although I have a lot further to go to look “HOT” myself).
Thanks,
-Ed
Very inspirational. Thanks for having the courage to let this be posted. I believe in you too!
I truly am inspired by this email and I wanted to take out the time to tell you both that I believe in you both. I love her committment to better health on the inside and also the outside. As you said, she is a very nice looking lady and I as a woman myself, applaud her for not letting that get in the way of her being so determined. It is so hard sometimes to ask for help especially from those who are close to us because sometimes we feel that they should accept us as we are and never let us know when we miss the mark. Kudos!!!! to you both.
This is an inspiring message — one that more people (like me) need to hear and internalize. Ang hits the spike dead on: the key to success is making a commitment and taking responsibility. I can spend the rest of my life waiting for someone else to fix my problems, or I can realize right now who is really in charge of what I eat and how I will choose to live the rest of my life.
Hi Rob,
My first knee jerk reaction to somewhat thin people talking about weight loss is always an “oh please” eye-roll kind of reaction, they seem so far ahead of the game as compared to me (I have 150lbs to lose). But then I have to really stop and think about it…we all have to do the same thing basically, whether we have 150lbs to lose, or 5 lbs. We have to chart a course, take that monumental first step and then keep taking those steps…not only until we reach our goal but for the rest of our lives. Fitness isn’t a goal you can reach and then quit, or you will soon find your self right back where you started. So I guess we all have to learn to love the journey, and keep walking the path! Thanks for all the inspiration!
Anita
I am responding to the 2nd email, sorry I didn’t read it the first time. Guilt is so powerfully motivating. Thank you for your honesty. It is comforting to know that there are many in the same boat and that it is okay to reach out for support. We all need it at times. And eventually we can give back to someone else. Pay it forward. Thanks Rob! Wow you asked her twice. Ouch. Haha! Must be quite the lady. Maybe when Ang has met her goals she will be able to let someone into her personal space. I believe in you too!
Yes, I asked her twice. I believe I asked her because I knew I was safe.. I knew what her answer would be. Ang is one of my best friends and the most dedicated mother I know. There are so many qualities in her that I’m looking for in the woman I want to share my life with. She is truly authentic, speaks her truth, holds ME accountable and when she speaks, it’s inspired. During a couple of moments of clarity, what she was saying and how she was reacting was so in line with what I wanted, that I popped the question. I knew that I’d be safe with her answer. Women continue to freak me out, but I’m working on it.
Hi Coop.
I really enjoyed reading Ang’s posting; her honesty, her commitment, and her readiness to take herself to a place of personal excellence and self love is admireable and inspiring.
Being a friend to Ang as well, I know that these goals are attainable and simply by stating them outloud are over 80% completed. Ang has such little distance to go and the achievement of this goal will become even closer standing on the shoulders of a giant (not in body size but of heart) like you. You both are true inspirations to me and I am honored to call you my friends.
Loving ourselves, and the world around us, comes from the inside out. Looking good and feeling good work the same way.
John Fraser
http://www.itsgoodtobeme.net
Hi Rob,
Thanks to you and Angela for this post. It is definitely motivational and helps put things in perspective. I am looking forward to reading about her progress via the weight loss forum. Angela – thanks again for being such an inspiration!
Hi Coop!
Not only am I WOW’d by the comments, it gives me that much more motivation to keep on track. The other day my son and I were running errands and he wanted McNuggets, I was hungry and thought instead of making 2 stops I would get something here. A BIG light went on and said “You now have to write in your journal you ate McNuggets”, I laughed at how easy our old habits creep up and then smiled as I said No Thank You!
I have been journaling every night, I do have a couple questions for you, when you have time., my 2 boys and I are on holidays, I have not missed a walk or a weight workout, it does become more of a challenge. Can you give me any tips on workouts and travel, I am used to a routine at home, we have no itinary on our holiday.
Some things I have noticed and maybe you can enlighten me if this is normal, as normal as I am LOL!
I thought I was having severe menstrual cramps, yet no where near that time of the month, could it be that I actually have muscles I have never used before?
I am doing better at eating more, having my Isagenix Shake with a scoop of IsaProtein, 2Tblsp of UDO Oil.
For lunches I usually have some meat and fruit, for dinner I have meat and veggies. For snacks through out the day I have nuts and fruit. I am keeping my carbs to a very low amount. I am drinking so much water, probably because it is really hot on our holidays. I put 2 drops of pepperment Essential Oil in my water bottle every day.
For me it is hard to tell if fat has been replaced with muscle, or any inches have decreased, once I get home and get my scale and tape measure strip out I will have confirmed my loss and gains.
I love traveling with my boys and doing fun activites; so far we have went tubing behind a boat, hiked for 3km in the foothills and walked for 1 hr along a beach. In a couple weeks we are going on golfing holiday, no carts!! I decided that the month of July was going to be a mom and son’s month as the month of August I am gone. So any tips you have for travel and exercise will be much appreciated Coop!
I am quite tanned, that is the easy part! I love my life, my boys and what I stand for! Which makes my committment to getting toned and healthy even more exciting! There are always two sides to every opportunity, I choose to take the fun, easy going and exciting path, sure makes those last 10 crunches fun!! Ha Ha Ha!!
Thank you so much Coop for supporting me and for speaking your truth! That is so brave and beautiful, I have been living my truth every moment for 7 months now and it truly is empowering!
Love Ya Coop!
PS: A note on the marriage proposal, she will say Yes before you even ask, that is when you know it is perfect!
Ang, I’ll answer your questions in the forum
I got your email and read Angela’s commitment to weight loss. I was, well,
a few things……..1) shocked that she was only 132 lbs (doesn’t look any
taller than me) and here I am sitting with 2 very big rolls on my stomach
reminding me of the 2 children I have and no exercise regime to speak of and
about 152 lbs; 2) wondering why I’m not making a commitment to exercise like
she is; and 3) thinking about where do I start??? it was an inspiring email
that has me thinking I need to make the first step in getting back down to
130 lbs — the weight I was most happiest at in 2001. “
My favorite line from this inspiring message is:
“Be kind to myself, love myself, and enjoy the journey”
That frickin rocks and in itself will drive you to health and fitness success.
No matter what stage you are at in your fat loss journey you should never hate yourself for being where you are. Love yourself where you are at and get excited about the opportunity to grow.
Enjoying the journey may sound so cliche, but I’m telling you that it is such a huge factor in your overall success.
Enjoy the successes and the challenges. It will never be easy and it’s not supposed to be.
The journey really is incredible. Be thankful that you have the opportunity to go through it.
It may seem weird to be thankful that you are 150 pounds overweight, but you should be.
You will have many experiences and opportunities to grow than I will ever have. Plus you will get to share that journey as Rob has and change lives around the world.
Love yourself!
Scott Tousignant, BHK, CFC
http://www.Unstoppable-FatLoss.com/blog
Hey Coop
I put my updated progress on your forum, Weight Loss Story.
2 weeks and I am really happy with my results, slow and steady wins the race my friend!!
Thanks for everything!!
Love Ya
Ang
Tremendously motivating commitment to health. I must admit that I loved reading “Live From Your Higher Self – Live in the present vs the past or future. Come from love vs fear, Joy vs obligation, and Purpose vs outcome.”
I supposed I like what agrees with my own personal philosophy. My own website which is sadly in need of being updated is called: “Joy is a Choice!” That’s a commitment I make each and every moment of every day I remain on this planet.
My personal goal is to restore as much health to my body as is possible (I accept whatever miracles are waiting for me), 10,000 steps daily (I’m averaging about 8,500 now starting from about 360). I learned that I CAN walk through the pain. If I continue to lose weight that’s great, but health (and LIFE) are what ‘revs my engine’.
April 12, 2007 I started at 387. I’m presently 342. In the past I would have chastised myself for letting things get out of control. Now, I’m grateful to be ALIVE and able to accomplish small goals.
I started T.O.P.S. (take off pounds sensibly) for a support group and the pledge alone has probably saved my life. It’s loosely paraphrased here: I am an intelligent person, I will control my emotions, not let my emotions control me. Everytime I am tempted to use food to satisfy my frustrated desires, build up my injured ego, or dull my senses…I will remember, even though I overeat in private, my excess pounds are there for all the world to see. I will Take Off Pounds Sensibly.
On my individual journey I’ve stumbled, fallen and gotten up again to start over. I profess that the F.B.I. motto helps: “Fall down seven times, get up eight.”
Thanks Rob and others in the Blog for sharing your commitments and efforts on this journey.
Injoy:) Carolyn
Hey Coop
I put my weekly update on your weight loss forum!
11 days until Vegas, Bikini’s and Hot Weather!!
Thanks Bud