Watch what you say!  Do you realize the impact that your words have on your behavior?  If you keep taking your words for granted, they will keep taking you further away from your goals and your ultimate body. 

Let's take the word, hope, for example.  Hope can be a horrible thing!  Do I have your attention yet?  Good.  Now follow me.

I hear this word being used almost on a daily basis by clients and friends.  They say, "I hope that I can stay on the meal plan this weekend"..."I hope that I find the energy to hit that cardio with intensity"..."I hope that I can lose this final 5-10 Lbs".  I Hope...I hope...I hope. 

What are they really saying?  I can tell you what they're saying.  They're saying, I wish.  I wish I could eat clean this weekend.  I wish I could lose this last 5 Lbs.  I wish I could get stronger, leaner, tighter...whatever.  It's all just wishful thinking.

Yes, hope in its ultimate reality is a beautiful thing.  In fact, the word hope if used properly and in the right context can bring new life .  But we're not talking in the biblical or spiritual sense here.  No, we're talking with language that we know and use every single day in common conversation.  And in this culture, the word hope is nothing more than an expression of longing.  Unfortunately, this does NOT help to condition your mind for success since you have spent years of your life "wanting" certain things but not always getting them.  Again, it goes back to wishful thinking.

Your words shape your thoughts and your thoughts shape your actions.  Ever hear someone say this: "I just look at food and I gain weight."  This is a sure way to set your mind against you in more ways than you can ever imagine.

Your mind is very complex organism.  If you believe your thoughts, they are real to you regardless of whether they are true or false.  Now consider how serious that is to your behavior.  It is imperative to ALWAYS think and speak positively about yourself and your actions.  Is it easy?  No.  But will it change your life?  Yes!  Your thoughts are shaping your destiny.

Let me give you an example.  This is a true story based on my own personal experience.  No, this is not typical.  But hey, I'm not typical :)  Here goes...

This story goes back about 15 years.  I was in the gym and trying to break a new bench press record.  My body was totally shot and drained.  But, as tired and weary as my body was, my mind was far worse.  I had nothing left.  I mean, I was spent.  Sometimes all the years of mental training in the world just can't give you everything you need.  This was one of those days...or so I thought.  My friend took the barbell off the bench and I grabbed the 485 Lbs in my hands.  I said, "I got it!" 

As I lowered the bar to my chest, I could feel the weight was not going back up.  Ever been there?  Well, it landed on my chest and I pushed but couldn't get it up.  I was not happy.  As I got up from the bench a guy in the gym came up to me and said, "Hey, it's not your day.  We all have our days big boy.  Save it for tomorrow."

Oh no you didn't!  I wanted to rip him open.  But at that moment my competitive nature took over my roughneck attitude (rare for me), and I made the following wager.  I said, "Hey, who are you talking to?  You don't know me, man. How about you put your money where your mouth is."

He said, "What do you mean?  I didn't mean anything by it.  Really.  Sorry if I offended you."   I said, "No, you didn't offend me.  You just pissed me off.  And that, will cost you."  He said, "Wait a minute.  I'm sorry."  I said, "No, I mean COST you money as in I want to make a bet with you.  How much weight just fell on my chest?" 

He looked at the bar and did the math.  Then he said, "490 Lbs."  I said, "Ok.  What if I add another 20 lbs to that bar?  Do you think I can get it?"  He said, "No way.  The 490 landed on you.  How you going to get 510 Lbs? "   I said, "I got $50 that says I will get it up." 

He turned and said, "You're on!"

At this point, we had at least a dozen people gathering around us to watch this.  My training partner put another 20 Lbs on the bar and shook his head.  His exact words to me were, "T, T, you're crazy man."  I smiled and said, "This is no time for compliments."

It was then that I got completely focused in my own mind.  I shut out everything and everyone and I began to do some extreme visualization techniques.  And, a whole lot of prayer :)

I grabbed the bar and my partner lifted it off and gave it over to me.  I pressed it up for 3 full reps.  Not one rep.  Not two reps.  But Three! I got up, turned to the barbell and said, "You lose."

That was not only a new bench press record for me that day, but a mental awakening like never before.  I mean, I knew the power of my mind was vast, but I had no idea the depths stretched so great physiologically and physically.  I still practice those visualization techniques to this very day.  Needless to say, the $50 bucks meant nothing to me.  I told the guy to keep it.

Your words are shaping you in far more ways than you may even understand.  Stop using words that tear you down.  Stop using words that negatively impact your thoughts and actions.  Speak positively about yourself ALL of the TIME--no matter what!  No more words of hope....ONLY victory that is and will be.  Speak positively in the present and future tense and watch things change in your life.