I have a confession to make. It's about time that I just put the cards on the table. I'm sure by now you're salivating over a possible juicy revelation that will be worthy of a story for some time. The true revelation is about a self-fulfilling prophecy. For the past many months I have talked and written about the impact of our own language and words on a daily basis and that we should evaluate our self-talk and work on improving it. Our words either improve us or hinder us (and others). I became the hinderer.

Just the other day I was greeted by an elderly gentleman on Fort Lauderdale Beach who was wearing a military cap that designated his former Marine Corps unit he belonged to. We shook hands. I introduced myself and asked him his name. He said, "You know me. My name is Fred. We met a couple of weeks ago. I know who you are." After my initial embarrassment I responded, "Oh, must be those crusty brain cells." We both chuckled and Fred retorted, "Yeah, you can say that again!" It was a clever way to disarm an embarrassing situation or was it?

As I walked away and reflected on my statement, "Must be my crusty brain cells.", I thought about this new audio CD with workbook I ordered a couple of weeks ago and had not yet listened to. Guess what the CD was about? Yeah, that's right! It was about how to remember names, places, stories, phone numbers and many other things! I walked away realizing that this "cute" statement I had been making for years was actually reinforcing forgetfulness! So you ask, "What's the point here? What's this have to do with exercise and proper eating?"

Listen up! The point is this. Your daily, almost ritualistic, verbal reinforcements about what you can and cannot do in the way of exercise and proper eating is the determining factor for your success or unsuccess in leading a healthy lifestyle. These same verbal reinforcements are also influencing and reinforcing others as well.

What in the world is Benjamin Franklin talking about when he describes himself as the enemy? Wait! Here he is now! Hey Ben! Just what did you mean when you said, "I've met the enemy and it is me."? "Ok, Colonel Bob, be glad to explain."

"While my attention was taken up and care employed in guarding against one fault, I was often surprised by another. Habit took the advantage of inattention. Inclination was sometimes too strong for reason. I concluded at length that the mere speculative conviction that it was our interest to be completely virtuous was not sufficient to prevent our slipping, and that the contrary habits must be broken and good ones acquired and established, before we can have any dependence on a steady, uniform rectitude of conduct."

Real change addresses how we think. Think in the present tense about those worthy goals you would like to accomplish even though they have not yet been achieved. Your mind treats all present tense thoughts and statements as if they have already been accomplished. Instead of "I'm going to lose 15 pounds", say this, "I feel and look great with this athletic body!" If I were to give you any homework assignment for this next month it would be to say to yourself, think and write multitudes of times, "Real change addresses how I think."

If I have recognized that optimum health is a high priority but I notice that I express the issue with "It's not that important." or "I don't have the time." that is not an issue of external events and circumstances. The real issue is how I think and express myself. I'll call it like it is. The mental muscle is weak. Mental muscle atrophy is setting in. Therefore, the mental muscle needs some mental push-ups. Further statements that hinder accomplishing a goal or project that is based on how I think are the following:

• · "I don't like doing some of the tasks necessary to accomplishment the high priority goal."
• "We're all going to die anyway."
• "I'm not willing to get up and do it."
• "I'm not willing to devote the time."
• "I'm not willing to exercise the necessary discipline."

I am now taking note that all these "real" reasons are all about how I really think about the actual accomplishment of the goal. I do indeed tend to associate "pain" with the goal accomplishment. I tend to associate discipline with pain. The solution is to confront the issues, identify them clearly and overcome them gradually.

What best describes the atmosphere of a keynote or seminar presentation by The Health Colonel?

• Fun
• High Energy
• Humorous
• Inspirational
• Motivational
• Insightful
• Informative

Seminar Topics:

• Teambuilding
• Goal Setting
• Time Management
• Stress Management
• Leadership
• Weight Management
• Fitness