So...how's that New Year's resolution going?

My gym has seven TV's hanging from the ceiling at various points throughout the facility. They are positioned so that no matter where you are you can see some of the quality programming they offer, like: Sponge Bob Square Pants, ESPN, CNN, QVC, the Cooking Channel...you get the idea, it's all crap. My gym is apparently behind the times, because I recently worked out in a "state of the art" gym where each and every aerobic machine had its own TV! I'm not kidding, and these things played MP3, DVD and got over 100 channels. The only thing I had to do was plug in with a set of headphones and get lost in the media. Ah yes, distractions to soothe the torture of working out and to destroy one of the greatest benefits of exercise, the ability to improve the connection between our bodies and our minds.

I watch people in the gym. Many are glued to the TV seeming unable to tear themselves away from the pearls of wisdom Regis and Kelly are spewing out for the day. Their minds are on autopilot and they are not paying attention to their exercise. They are just going through the motions without intensity and without focus. While doing anything for exercise is better than doing nothing, it's only marginally better and they are missing out on developing the amazing potential we can experience by enhancing the body-mind connection!

Exercise should be something we do with complete focus and total intensity. Our minds should be fully engaged in our activity so we can derive the greatest benefit and gains. Imagine hitting the gym knowing that you are going to work as hard as you are capable of during that period of time. You would begin to see tremendous benefits from this type of training. Do yourself a favor the next time you go to the gym, commit to ignoring the media and instead turn your attention to what you went there to do in the first place...workout. The results will speak for themselves and you will find yourself waking up from the stupor you've been under.

Correction Notice!!! In the last journal I spoke to you about Dan Millman, my author friend who wrote two amazing books. Well, I got the titles of Dan's books wrong the last time so I want to set the record straight! Dan's first book I recommended is, Way of the Peaceful Warrior; and the other one I just finished reading is, The Journeys of Socrates. Again, if you like books about warriors that focus on the limitless possibilities of our potentialities, then you should run out and get both of these books. They are available at all the major on-line bookstores and you can access Dan's website by going to the Contacts Page on the Ready Force website.

Ok, so the holidays have passed and if you are like most people you packed on a few unwanted pounds due to the saturation of garbage that we seem to get forced on us from Halloween to Christmas. I'm no exception, I ate my share of crap with a combination of regret and enjoyment, and now I'm ready to start kicking ass again. Most of the time I'm pretty good about my diet, so when I do indulge I only eat a small treat because anything more than that and I feel like hell. But even my small indulgences mixed with a few missed workouts due to the hectic schedule of the holidays has led to a bodyfat increase that has me motivated to get back to normal.

Since the New Year is upon us, now is the time to set some goals to improve your wellness in 2006. There is a trick to this and if you don't listen it will just be another year of a few weeks of being good before falling off the wagon yet again. Ok, here's how you can stick to those resolutions. Ready...this is amazing stuff...don't set unrealistic goals! Yep, that's it. Make a small goal, one that is easy to reach and then set another goal after you have attained your first. For example, I'm going to loose 1% bodyfat in January (notice I did not say 5 pounds) and I'm going to increase my lean muscle mass at the same time. This actually will lead me to gain weight, but not fat. This is a reasonable, totally possible goal for me with minor adjustments to my diet and exercise program. What about you...what is your reasonable goal going to be? Remember, be kind to yourself...wellness is a lifelong commitment not a sound bite!

There are two new articles featured in the Warrior Circle articles page on the website.

The first article is written by a guest author, Tony Blauer, "The Theory of Presumed Compliance". This article is a must read for anyone walking the warrior's path who wants to avoid the pitfalls associated with making foolish and dangerous assumptions about the situations they are facing.

The second article is, "The Ten Commandments of Fat Burning," and I wrote this to help you with your fitness and weight loss goals as you begin the new year.

As always, you may use and re-print these articles at any time as long as proper credit is given to the authors and source.

I CAN OVERCOME AND CONQUER ALL DIFFICULITIES!

Sit or lie back comfortably. Take three deep breaths, pausing after you inhale and then exhaling fully and completely. After you have taken your three breaths, just breathe normally. Close your eyes and let any tension you may be holding in your muscles just begin to melt away. After you center yourself and you feel your breath quite down, repeat the mantra; "I can overcome and conquer all difficulties", to yourself for the next five minutes. See yourself succeeding in everything you encounter as you continue to repeat this mantra.

As many times as you can throughout your day, stop what you are doing, take one deep breath and repeat this mantra. You can do this when the phone rings, or when you look at your watch, or anytime you feel the need to just slow down for a brief moment and focus. The power of setting a positive intention throughout your day should not be underestimated. It can literally change your life. Make this short time commitment everyday and begin on the path of empowering yourself to survive.