Does Transforming Your Body Transform Your Whole Life?

I am a work in progress and have been here a few times. I’ve been an elite athlete all my younger life so I know the hard work and dedication it takes to do this. I think for me it’s more of a mental change. I am now a single mom raising three kids on my own, going to school part time for kinesioligy, working full time as an accountant and I also got my personal training certification. I am so montivated in helping everyone else and it makes me feel so good. I need to now learn how to help myself. I believe that this transformation will do that for me. It’s the only thing I struggle with and am working on it daily. I have dedicated my mornings and lunch times (only time I have to work out is a work as my kids are competitive athletes themselves, proud soccer mom!) to my workouts. I feel so much more confident and I want to set an example for my kids that hard work does pay off and that you can really do anything you want in life, no matter what circumstance my arise. Through hard work and dedication you can accomplish anything. Thank you so much for all your information as it has truly helped me. One thing I love is writing my goals down and reading them every few hours! Helps tremendously. I am grateful for your help.

Yes it does.
It gives structure in ones life. If you want to change your life you begin with your body and nutrition.

I still feel like a work in progress, but my physical transformation has definitely improved my positive way of thinking in health and life in general. Since embracing my healthy lifestyle, my confidence in terms of my career has soared as I feel just a little bit more positive in my ‘first impression’ appearance on interviews which in turn, has helped with better jobs. In the gym, there is a renewed focus as I physically see the transformations as weeks go on. Feeling healthier has helped me have a better outlook on life, which makes me a lot happier at home and amongst friends. It really does provide the meeting to the mantra ‘look good, feel good’!

Please don’t enter me in the prize drawing as you know this is a topic very near to my heart as well so I just wanted to throw in my 2 cents.
My answer is yes and no, that yes transforming your body will transform your life in so many ways but if the person doesn’t make a permanent mind change I don’t believe the body change will last. I’ve come to realize I have to work on my mind and body as a unit, nurturing both on a daily basis. They go hand in hand and one without the other will never stick because we all know it’s our minds that push us to succeed and without a true deep love for ourself we will fall back into the self doubt/not good enough thinking.
Then of course there is the question of what comes first the chicken or the egg. Well for me, it was just making a decision to try yet one more time to change my body and just going day by day being consistent and being grateful for the changes as they came. I’m still working on the mind but then that will be a life long endeavor.
I’ve also come to realize that giving that “I can do anything” to others through my words and actions helps me want to be a better me and continue to make positive changes in myself. Giving to ourselves first is most important but giving of ourselves to others is what I think will make us be the best we truly can be.
I look forward very much to reading what you write on this as I think it will be great.

Absolutely! It is working for me and it is changing everything INCLUDING my attitude!

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” — Confucius
For me, the journey to changing my life began with my body transformation. It started with a little challenge. I learned to set goals, set higher expectations, achieve small bits of success and look at feedback as a way to achieve more. My body transformation (while still in progress) is so much more than vanity or superficial results. It is about setting my mind to something, working hard and getting it done. Then setting new goals and reaching heights I never dreamed of both in my fitness and in life.

Absolutely! Our body and our level of vitality are the best blueprints we have of how we live our lives. Like the chicken and the egg, they are inextricably linked!

I find I am more confident in every aspect of my life, but the most transforming part of it at the moment is getting dressed everyday. Now I don’t have to think about it so much because I look good in everything. It may seem very much James but it saves me a lot of time. I have confidence now is how I look.

I beleive that transforming my body has a rippled effect on all things in my life including people. It changes how I feel about myself, it changes how people feel about me, it changes the way my mind thinks. It creates a positive perimeter of energy around me. I have come to realize this, thanks to the BFFM program.
Thanks,
Tom

I know one thing for sure, it’s hard to believe that transforming your body can change your life. You can hear that, and even believe it on superficial level, but until you actually experience it you will never understand what others are talking about. Once I lost my weight I had many aha! moments, and would say to myself, “that’s what they were talking about.”
It’s hard to put into words, so my advice is simple–experience it for yourself. Then go back to Tom and go Ahaaaa!!!! That’s what you were talking about.

You only see the value of this question if you flip it .. Does letting your body ” fall apart /degenerate ” impact your life ? You all know the answer to that is totally. So it makes sense that of course transforming your body would transform your life. However there is a cache to that. If you do it motivated only by prize money or a holiday. Then no.. You have got to want to change your mind set that this is a lasting transformation only then will it become permanent. Chose your goal specifically then reset when you achieve that goal. You must transform and love the new life, if you transform but are miserable because the diet or exercise sucks in your opinion then you might get a good body and a sucky life if you chose the right diest for you and exercise you love then you get whole body transformation across the board.

The BFFM Transformation Community has literally kept me from going off the deep-end of obesity and the negative effects of unhealthy, sedentary lifestyle I am trying to change.
Even though I have started this challenge many times before, (purchasing the ebook over 5 years ago!) and experiencing different levels of success, backsliding, starting over, etc., the fact that I was a member and put my stuff out there KEPT me coming back to keep trying!
The experiences of others, successes and set-backs, encouraging posts and TEAM spirit has kept me trying!
And now I feel like this time is MY TIME!
I am working my way thru the entire program, no skimming thru chapters!
I am building an accountability team around me and yelling it out to the world that this time I will finish!
So, thanks for being there!

Absolutely! And not just your life, but to some extent the life of those around you also. I am just at the beginning of my transformation (since I want the changes I make to be permanent, I’m taking it slow and just making BIG changes diet wise at first), but some changes are already showing (dropped a few pound already). At first, my spouse was skeptical but instead of just being there to support me, she decided to join me in this and now she is having results as well. I’m not doing this for my looks (although, I look forward to seeing my toes without bending over), but mainly to be in better health to be there for my kids, my family, friends and coworkers. And just making that decision to finally doing it, to tansform myself, it gave me more focus and more confidence and I KNOW that I will succeed. Will my body be transformed? Of course it will, and for the better (because let’s not forget that not all transformations are good); but it will more than anything change my whole being, my way of thinking and my outlook on life.

Transforming my body did transform my entire life. I came from 20 percent body fat and I am now 12,2 percent body fat. I look at myself in a different way, a satisfied way. Knowing I paid my dues at 7 AM in de morning to do my cardio an abs session and another weight training session in the afternoon 6 times a week. I did that for myself and I managed to make big gains in a reasonable short time period once I started believing that I could actually achieve what I wanted. Liking what you see in the mirror and knowing that if you go for something you will obtain result gives you confidence. It is addictive, each time you expand your boundaries of what you are capable of. Just the fact of getting up in the morning gives me a rock start at work. A lousy attitude where you only sit on the couch and everything that you do costs energy has a lousy effect on every area of your life. If you are full of energy and have the mindset if I want my life to change, I have to change you´re optimistic and act hands on. If something does not work you try something else until you get what you want. Once you obtain the secret of goal achievement somebody would be really stupid if he would not apply that knowledge in other areas of their lifes where he wants change. Most of the times people have problems with seeing other people succeed while there do not. When you are truly happy with who you are you can be a better partner, a better friend and a better person as you want to share your success instead of putting people down about their success. It is a cliché, but you have to love yourself before you can love others. If you become better your life will become better.
It changed my life emotionally, in relationships and in my business. And yet many positive changes to come! This is just the beginning…

When I was a young man I was very, very fit and healthy. One day I looked in the mirror and realized I had become a corporate creampuff. Something I swore would never happen after starting my career. I put together a plan to transform that night.
I chose a triathlon as my goal and spent the next 8 months swimming, biking, running and lifting weights. I lost 45 pounds and finished that triathlon on Memorial Day weekend, 1986. It was an amazing journey but something magical happened…
I was happier, more confident, my realtionships improved, I got a promotion and my income tripled. Every area of my life transformed and I’ve never been the same! It’s been nearly 30 yrs. but after a long illness, I’m about to do it again and enter the 2013 Burn the Fat Summer Challenge as my goal. Wish me luck. Thank you, Tom for all you do!!!
Michael

I totally believe it can change your entire life! Before my wedding was the only time I dieted & was able to get to a weight/shape I was comfortable with, which I never attained/maintained either before or after that.
The confidence I gained during that time, that I actually controlled my eating, the fact that I had a body I never thought I could have, changed the way I thought about myself. I had a peace and was comfortable in a way I never was before. Finally accepting yourself helps you be more relaxed about pretty much all other parts of life & you stop comparing your looks to others’, which is a huge waste of time.

Do you believe transforming your body can transform your ENTIRE life?
Yes ! It is a ongoing process of improvement though not a defined destination
Or… has it already happened to you? If so…
Still transforming – but a fair way along my journey
As a result of transforming your body physically, how has your entire life changed (or how to you expect it to change, if you are still a work in progress)?
Increase confidence – Result putting my self forward and getting opportunities , better job , better pay.
– allowed me to even consider the fact that some one would want to spend the life with me . Without this I would never found the love of my life :)
More energy- resulting in a more active lifestyle – enjoying the outdoors , exploring the world instead of being a spectator
Overall the journey is teaching me I can do hard things , and I can achieve … Success breeds Success :)

I believe that transformation of one’s body is one of the pathways to life transformation. It is to do with taking control of a part of your life and success will spill over and/or will change your beliefs, so that you control more parts of your life. So your self-esteem will grow, and will enable more growth etc..

I agree. I have not transformed to where I want to be yet, once I have I know that my attitude will change. I feel much better when I am taking care of myself through excercise and making healthy eating choices.

Definitely yes!
Strong and fit body = bright thinking, courage and power!

Yes I believe that transforming your body can have a major impact on other areas of your life. In my case, I was beginning to experience the negative effects of turning 50. In the past, I would gain 5-10 pounds and then lose it within a couple months. Once I hit 50, that 5-10 pounds turned to 25 pounds and it wasn’t nearly as easy to lose the weight. I had resigned myself to just getting old, fat and frumpy. I started experiencing health problems as well, more frequent and severe migraines, high blood pressure, inability to sleep at night, and I was becoming very irritable. I decided to give getting myself back into shape one last try and I’m very glad I did. I was able to drop my weight back down to what it was when I was in my 20’s and I lowered my body fat by 10%. My blood pressure went back down and the migraines are now much less frequent and definitely much more bearable. I am much happier, more self-confident, I care about my appearance once more, I have more energy and I’m sleeping better again at night. So my transformation not only improved my overall physique but it also improved my health, my family life, and my personal sense of well being. I plan to continue to work out and have set a goal of getting my body fat down to around 13%. For me having a goal ensure that I stay on track and continue to live the healthy lifestyle I have set for myself. One other added benefit is that my family also gains from my being more fit as our meals are healthier. My daughter is now working on getting into better shape herself and I feel my transformation is the major reason why so when you transform yourself others around you definitely benefit as well.

I do believe that transforming your body can transform your entire life. Life is much more enjoyable when you’re fit and healthy. You look good and you feel good, and you’re more productive in everything you do.
There are many things in life you can’t control, but you can control what type of body you have. Transforming your body from overweight and out of shape to healthy, fit and strong will greatly increase your self-confidence and self-esteem, and this increased self-confidence and self-esteem will carry over into all areas of your life.
I feel so strongly that transforming your body can transform your entire life that I created my own health and fitness website so I could help others get fit and healthy.

This is fundamentally important to me, personally, as I was fit all my life until recently. Except for each of my 9 months of pregnancy, (four kids) and the following postpartums, although some would say I was fairly fit the last three pregnancies too. So, I find myself a “senior” in a “Senior Gym” at a “Senior Center.” I like it; the people are older, wiser, and a lot less assuming than at the other rec centers or gyms I’ve attended, and I’ve attended them all.
I have been depressed, going on a few years now, my kids are all growing up and have their own lives, and my husband and my lifestyles are so different, yet, I do my best to maintain the relationship and love.
So I find myself in this place again ready to do this challenge. We did the challenge a few summers ago together and I was proud of how he did. I find that my mental, physical, and spiritual health are all intertwined. It truly begins with my spiritual self, and I have to believe the truth about myself; that I am created in God’s image and He loves me and finds me beautiful. That is what I stand on. That I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Then I have to find that center which powers my ability to make it happen. That’s mental. I find that place, that reason, that drive, to do whatever it takes regardless of what is going on in my life or in the world.
Yet, I find that when I can bless others, be a positive influence in other’s lives, and give of myself as well, I get much more out of it then I would if I was in it for myself. So I have decided to be a blessing at the Senior Center and try to bring a smile or a kind word to those God brings my way. Today, I found that opportunity. A kind-eyed lady looked over at me, doing my overhead presses (measly weights because I’ve not yet gotten strong..lol) and said, “You are my inspiration. I’d like to look like you.” I said, “Thank you,” and we proceeded to talk as worked out. I hope I can inspire her in more ways than just physical, and yet, I am grateful to be able to do that for someone else, just as I am inspired by other’s success story.
May we all lend a hand, a kind word, give, rather than take…we will bless others and in turn be blessed to overflowing~

Dear Tom,
I strongly believe that transforming my body will transform my life forever. I’m not there yet, but surely on the way . I’ve lost 24 lbs, gained a fair bit of lean muscles and lowered by RHR from 82 to 62.I’m still 15 lbs away from my goal weight but already feel like my life is changed! Before all these I could barely stand more than 10 minutes due to severe Achilles tendonitis (both legs)and laterally tilted patellas, I could hardly cut a vegetable, thanks to my tennis elbows (both hands)and was out of breath even after climbing a few stares. Now,I can swim a mile, bench press 50lbs of barbell and even have ran two half marathons on the elliptical.I can wear nice dresses what was like an unattainable dream,walk tall, and feel like an athelete.I’m so thankful to Tom for the wonderful books (BFFM, and The Holi Grail)and motivating newsletters.I’m so thankful to the moment I decided to walk on the path of fitness and saved my paining body and depressed soul from the sure way to hell!

Absolutely. Confidence, motivation, discovering that you can tackle the big things in life. Usually a whole body transformation requires that you tackle mental, physical, emotional issues. By succeeding in a body transformation (which I am assuming is not a weekend project) will require significant habit forming and goal setting activities. This will change your life in the way you act. Your healthier body will most likely be “cleaner” with a better hormone balance, giving you a different feeling and clarity as well as the obvious improvements to physical capacity and reductions in a variety of illnesses and consequences of those illnesses (Type II diabetes, joint pain, acne and other skin issues, lethargy, reduced libido, etc.).

Became a member last year after being referred from a friend and its transformed my life.
Id now like to do the same for a friend and pay it forward.
Its life changing.

Yes, it can transform your life. I used to be extremely fit. I was proud of myself. I was full of positive thoughts and energy. My relationships were strong and I inspired others to reach their diet/fitness goals. My career skyrocketed. Every goal I set for myself, I found easy to attain. Anything was possible to me. My energy levels were high and my confidence was high; I experienced no social anxiety.
Being 35 pounds heavier and out of shape has had a negative impact. I am not as confident (although I pretend) and I experience social anxiety. I avoid friends and family because I don’t want to be seen. My job has lost it’s appeal. Friends that looked up to me are disappointed. I wake up tired and nauseous. I feel uncomfortable in my own skin.
Getting back into shape would transform everything by changing negative thoughts into positive thoughts and positive results.

When I began my journey at a size 18 to a healthier me, I expected to re-discover the old me, a size 6. Instead, I found a new & more interesting. This journey is hard, but I have learnt so much about and from this new person.
Gone was the insecure person, who hid from difficult situations….I was now embracing and responding to challenges. I was more positive in my thought processes and in personal & professional life.
While I haven’t accomplished my health & fitness goals as yet, the journey has been an incredible experience, for me and those around me. I have now come to appreciate this transformed lifestyle, and excited to continue my development.

I have lost about 55 pounds and kept them off for the past nine years. However, I have not been able to work out for the past year and a half due to severe back and neck pain, as well as a severe trauma in my family. I can say that losing the weight changed my life in many ways, all positive. It was not just a surface change at all. I am at a point where I need help getting back in shape, and your program interests me, but I am concerned about my physical limitations. What can someone like me do?

I definitely believe that transforming ones body can have profound positive effects related to the rest of life. I am a work in progress and am not where I want to be yet, but through the journey these past 3 years I have seen very positive results in my thought process. I have better self esteem and less negativity and these improve with each phase of my overall body transformation. As I am learning to love my body more I am also learning to love all of me and that carries over to the relationships in my life.

Hi Tom,
As always, you are totally on the money about the effect of exercise and fitness on your life. There is loads of research from neuroscience and psychiatry showing how even small amounts of exercise positively affect your brain. The more you exercise and the fitter you get… the better your brain works. Too bad the pharmaceutical companies have such a grip on pushing pills – you can’t bottle and patent exercise. Check out this brilliant book detailing what neuroscience has been showing for decades. It’s called Spark: How exercise will improve the performance of your brain, by John Ratey (2010).
Even before you start transforming your body, getting moving changes your life. Exercise and fitness are the gifts that keep on giving.
Best wishes,
Barb Frey
Perth Australia

I do believe that transforming your body can transform your life, largely due to the mental and emotional transformation that will necessarily accompany such a major transformation.
It’s about gaining trust in yourself to do something incredible, to survive something difficult, and to accomplish something worthwhile. The actual physical transformation becomes a constant reminder of your ability to achieve amazing things.
It’s about solidifying the belief that you can pursue and obtain goals you thought were beyond reach.
It’s about learning never to settle.

Yes, I do believe that a physical change to health and body can and will impact other areas of people’s lives. I also believe that fear of change, even good change, subconsciously holds people back. I think the real bonus would be in helping people get to the heart of their fears in order to step forward into a healthier more vibrant life. All of the goals in the world won’t help if you’re subconsciously sabotaging yourself. Whether it be a form of self punishment or maybe a fear of being noticed when you do get healthier and look better.

I think that the body transformation itself is not transforming the whole life, but instead it gives a chance to a person to do the life transformation for himself, i.e. it is only one variable in the complex “equation of life”. Usually overweight or untrained people tend to have lower self-esteem and motivation, and transforming own body might improve this sad situation, but what happens after that is fully in hands of the person in question. (A joke comes to mind here, “I finally lost my weight, and discovered that I never had friends not because I was overweight, but because I am an a$$hole.”)

You are on to something Tom. When I am totally happy in my own skin – everything else just works. Things fall into place for me. Some call it “the secret”. When you are filled with positive energy as a result of feeling good about yourself, the universe provides more positive stuff in your life.

Hi Tom,
I was listening to one of my favourite songs by one of my favourite bands today and the following line jumped out at me:
“Lose your dreams and you will lose your mind…” (The Rolling Stones – Ruby Tuesday)
I am just a beginner here – Have been receiving your newsletters for a while now and am finally about to brave the gym to change my life.
I have Bi-Polar Disorder and was a relatively healthy 27 year old 5 years ago when I was diagnosed. I hit the gym hard for a while then, but had a major depression the next year. I lost a lot of weight and was actually quite underweight at the time. Since then I have been placed on a medication that caused a large weight gain of around 40kg taking me up to close to 90kg which given my height (5’2″), is incredibly unhealthy. I have heard that it is very hard to shift the weight that you put on with this particular medication, but I’m going to give it a try.
I am hoping to get better control over all aspects of my life and to carry the confidence of losing weight into other areas of my life and to get my condition under control. I am taking my partner along for the ride and it can only strengthen our bond.
So here’s hoping! May this journey be lifelong and a chance for me to finally get things under control and reach my dreams.
Sorry for the long post but I feel I need to fully lay out my reasons so I can hold myself to a higher level :)
Thanks for reading! KT :)

I’ve been trying to transform my body for the past two months and I can assure that it has transformed my life as well. It has given the meaning to my life. I feel that I live. I see all this body transformation process as my hobby, which makes me feel busy and happy.
I’ve always looked at myself as a bit chubby and fatter than my friends. However now, not only I’m thinner than they are, but I’m also much much leaner. I’ve regained my self-confidence and feel very proud of myself that at the age of 30 I’ve got the best body I have ever had in my life.
For the past 15 years I’d been dumb dieting whole year round. Starting the diet each January and ruining it around August. I never knew what to eat, when to eat and how much to eat. I was either eating almost nothing (diet) or overeating (after being tired of dieting). I was constantly feeling hungry, unhappy and ill. I needed a program. And now I’ve got it. Amazing! My life, eating habits and workouts have changed in as little as two months. I really feel so happy and full of energy!
By the way… my husband and my mother-in-law are transforming successfully their bodies as well. I’ve become their personal dietician and nutritionist. Moreover, I’m seriously thinking of studying to become one. Thank you, TOM!

I am going to transform to be the very best I can be! BFFM is a proven tool and I will use it to my full potential to get into the best shape of my life.

Yes I believe a body transformation will benefit your whole life and life style in all aspects, You will have more energy,confidence, have better health to live longer and keep your sicknesses down can be off all meds. your thoughts will be clearer,and you will challenge yourself to things you would never do before.

Transforming your entire life through whatever means is a big ask. I’m on this website because I believe that transforming my body will make a significant difference to my life; to my own confidence, to how I feel about myself, to how I act and behave and to how others perceive me and interact with me. I expect my life to be improved, but for it to be transformed some other changes have to come about and I’m not sure they will happen purely on the basis that I have transformed my body. However, transforming my body may well be the catalyst that brings about the events that transform my entire life.

Dear Tom,
Last Summer I chose to work regularly with a trainer after being obese and unfit for many years. He taught me many things about strength training and overall fitness. I was starting to make progress and more importantly my mind started to shift.
I took a week’s vacation in California and arrived home in time for Hurricane Sandy. My workplace in lower Manhattan was uninhabitable for over three months and I spent my time working from home. The gym I went to had to be shut down as well. Needless to say, I’m back to where I started.
I know the hard way that the changes I made last Summer were not superficial in any way. It gave me confidence and helped battle depression. Somehow I will be in that place again.
Richard K.
Mount Kisco, NY

I am a work in progress. I struggle with stop-and-go issues. I know what I need to do, I just struggle to apply them. I tend to make excuses (didn’t get enough sleep, don’t have time, etc.) If I could install the healthy habits into my life and stick with them I could prove to myself that I am capable of making change and transforming myself. Once I have accomplished this I could apply it to other areas in my life that I have stalled out on. This is not a superficial or vain ambition. Being healthy should be a priority. It contributes to a better life in general. My family and my career would benefit from a healthier me.

For me, this is a no-brainer! Transforming my body has absolutely changed my life. I went from a smoking, drinking couch potato to a hiking, mountain biking fitness maniak! It has brought me a new outlook on life, new friends and huge amounts of self confidence.
Besides this, even if you only look at the change in the body, it is way beyond superficial, because of the huge health benefits (insulin, cholestrol, blood pressure, bone density, joint strength etc etc)

Absolutely! Achieving something so grand as transforming your body would transform your beliefs of what is possible and achievable. Once one breaks that inner barrier, they can achieve practically anything in their life.

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I have already undergone a body transformation that changed my entire life. November 12, 2006 I was 199 pounds. I’m 5’4″ so that’s a lot of weight on a small person. I read Tom’s Burn the Fat ebook and started applying the principles a bit at a time. Before I knew it, I had started dropping the fat and gaining muscle. It was around this time that I realized that my marriage was not making me happy since he never wanted to do any of the active things I was now partaking in. I ended up divorced and starting a new life. Over the course of the next few months, I dropped even more fat, eventually getting to an almost 60 pound total loss. It was because of my new favorite activity (running) that I got talked into moving several states away on my own with no friends or family around. There, I met the love of my life and we are about to be married in a couple of months! Body transformation truly can change your whole life and I’m living proof of that! Now to lose those few “happiness” pounds that have crept back on since I met my mate! :)

Do you believe transforming your body can transform your ENTIRE life?
Most definitely can it transform your life completely. Back in2003 I had lost about 50 pounds by working out at the gym with the assistance of a personal trainer and by eating healthier. I went from wearing big loose fitting clothing to buying normal size clothing wear. This was also due because there is family history of heart disease and weight issues. I knew I did not want to go that path and what I needed to do to reverse that cycle as much as possible. Now after 10 years later I’ve gained weight and I am on a mission to lose those again. Hard work, dedication, healthy eating, joining a support group and by mentally being prepared can one achieve this transformation. As of Monday I can say that I am a work in progress and I hope to be able to bring a new life into this world by losing weight before I begin this journey.

Yes, without a doubt I know and believe transforming your body changes your entire life!
Being in better shape allows you to move easier which in turn gets you out doing more, which gets you around people more. I’m hesitant to say the truth is, people treat fit people better. I have lost over 100 pounds and have about 100 more to go. It only gets better!
I could write a novel on the subject, but not here today lol. :)
Brenda

I am 50 years old have lost 40lbs since November 2012. My body has started taking shape it hasn’t seen since my twenties I feel better now than when I was 35. I quit smoking started eating whole foods and workout 6 days a week. My wife has joined me in this transformation. We workout two days a week together. The lifestyle changes we have made has brought us closer together since our 21 years of marriage. My 16 year old daughter has started working out with us and eating more whole foods. I have had several people come to me and tell me what an inspiration I have been to them and they talk with me regularly about their goals and how to obtain them.I am currently embarking on changing my career to nutritionist and sports trainer. So my lifestyle changes have literally changed all facets of my life from my work to my love life to my family and friends and I still have goals to achieve.

I am a 61 years old who continues to enjoy good health. I definitely was on my way to potential health challenges when I decided to take charge and make a commitment to change this situation and lose weight beginning August 2012.
I purchased the Burn the Fat Feed the Muscle ebook probably 3 yrs prior and had been a follower of this blog since then, thus was up to date on information presented here, but had not fully implemented all I had learned to do. It is inspiring. I also read a lot of material from other health and nutrition sites, including Dr. Mercola.
I had been fortunate most of my life in that I was slim and did not need to be careful about monitoring food choice. Usually I weighed on the lower end of recommended weight for my height, 5ft 4in. I led a fairly active lifestyle. In my 50s, everything changed as I began to put on weight year by year. I worked long hours at a job in the office, with some travel, and no longer had any energy left over for much outside of work. I started complaining to my doctor that I was gaining, that I felt bad and energy drained, but didn’t understand why because I didn’t think was eating a lot more than I had in past. I learned about 2 1/2 yrs ago I had an underactive thyroid and began taking medication for that. This didn’t seem to make much difference. Then at 59 menopause, so hormonal changes also were occurring.
I began wearing big shirts and boxy jackets to cover up the growing size of my mid section. At age 58-58 had to buy bigger pant size, Sizes 16 and a few 18s. My feet would swell a little by the end of day and shoes were tight. I felt bad and didn’t look that attractive either. At the highest point, August 2012, I weighed 200lbs. Then, I went on a very strict low calorie diet and by March 2013 I was down to 155 lbs. During this time I did exercise some, but not nearly as much as I thought I should be doing. Frankly, I didn’t feel like exercising. I recorded my daily calories, weight, and exercise in the My Fitness Pal app. The daily log of calories and tracking of weight progress helped a lot. Today, I feel and look so much better.
I have made major changes in my diet, drink green smoothies every day, have protein throughout the day, eat food as raw and fresh as possible, eat very little suga and almost no grains, using Quinola, instead of my previous rice preference. I feel better, I realized, when I don’t have gluten in my diet. Fresh vegetables and fruit were always a big part of my diet. I want to lose about 25-35 more pounds although my friends say I look great now. I do. But I see the fat pockets that still remain and know I have a ways to go for optional physical shape. Now I am studying your recommendations for healing the metabolism and have upped my calories to about 1200-1400 a day. I am working out at the gym three times a week doing weight training on the machines, also with some time on the elliptical and bicycle. I think I have come up with a balanced workout out at the gym. So far, since March, I have not lost any more weight. I cannot tell much change in my body from the workouts, but my endurance has significantly increased. I am a work in process. I see my vision of a lean healthy body. My blood pressure was always OK, even at the high weight, but my lipids were a little high then – not now. All the blood work and blood pressure tests are normal. Now if all these changes would help my thyroid function to be corrected, it would be extra wonderful.
I feel pretty and sexy for the first time in 5 years, even at my age. A guy working at the gym this week guessed my age at 45-early 50s (well, he probably was guessing low to ensure not to offend, but I do look younger than my age).
Thank you so much for the generous offering of your material and the support and inspiration offered through your website. I am getting frustrated with the multi-month weight loss stall. Frankly, I am frustrated with being hungry some days when have hit my calorie limit. I have read about the carb cycling and am paying more attention to taking that approach. It seems like I have to take calories below 1,000 to lose and when I enter estimates of how many I burned, maybe I am over estimated. Ready to move off this weight loss stall.

Hi Tom,
YES!! I have transformed my body! But I am also still a work in progress!! I live a healthy life style clean eating ,exercise . I have changed my out look on life is happier it has given a huge amount of self esteam. Wow that was twenty years ago I started . Each year I get better, add more challenges to my life as endurance sports and weight lifting. It has taking me out of huge body image disorder problems. They still come back and haunt me every now and them!:( But I have a great circle of friends to help me through the those times! Transforming my life also help me through some difficult surgery s . I had ovarian tumor and a brain tumor removers in the last ten years! I healed faster than most and was back on my feet faster. I really believe from being healthy and in shape help huge! Wow I’m a book!:)))) but that’s life! And I am thankfull everyday I can move my body,do endurance sports, lift weights and just smile!:)
I feel like I am a roll model for people ! When life gets you down dust off and get back up!:)
Hope I answer what you are looking for!
If not I had a bad day yesterday( I still get them) so this is good therapy! Off to workout now!:)
Karen

Absolutely, changing your body, changes everything about you. I’m a beginner, but I can tell you when I was able to zip my “too small” pants after the Spring Challenge, I felt like a million bucks!!! My whole attitude changed. I walk with pride instead of looking at the ground. I can exercise & do stairs w/o gasping for air. I sleep better & have energy all day. My life has changed for the better & I only lost a few lbs.. Looking forward to this Summer challenge, as I can only imagine how I’ll feel after loosing the last 50 lbs.. Thank you Tom.

Transforming my body has helped in many ways- I am more confident in myself which helps my relationships st home and at work. I am more at peace and don’t demand such materialistic pleasures

Transforming your body automatically transforms your entire life – I see this is as a patently clear truth (working in either the good or bad direction). Every aspect of your life is connected with every other. Your mind is at the epicenter of everything you call your life. Your mind, in its infinite complexity, is an epiphenomenon of your brain, which is a physical part of your body. Thus, the better your body, the better your brain, the better your mind, the better your life, all else equal.

I believe that transforming your body CAN transform your whole life, but it doesn’t have to, sometimes the transformation of your body is the result of another transformation..
For example, my aunt was a very fit woman in her 20s and early 30s.. Very happy, vivacious, and engaged with life.. Then she found herself in a bad marriage, and as a side-effect, she gained a large amount of weight, and lost that sparkle and energy from her life.. Now she’s re-married, and is happy with her life again, and some of that excess weight has come back off.. Not all of it, but then again, she does own a restaurant.. ;)
I’ve also seen in my own struggles, that when my life comes together, my house is cleaner, and my clothing size goes down, and when my life seems to be “falling apart”, my house is a disaster, and my pants get tight..
As a general picture, getting control of one aspect of your life helps you to regain control of others.. And as one thing improves, you find small steps to improve others naturally.. By focusing on optimally taking care of your body and health, you will naturally start to look at other parts of your life that are less “healthy” and give them a “Tune-up”.. “I’m feeling so good.. But I think I’ve been spending too much money on extras.. I think I’ll be more careful, and then I’ll feel even better..” Conversely, if you start letting one aspect of your life slip, you end up sliding down a slippery slope, and will often make excuses to allow other things slide.. So if you find yourself quite ill, and unable to exercise, you can find yourself going down the hill.. “Since I can’t exercise, I may as well have this can of pop..” “Since I had that can of pop, this bag of chips won’t hurt..” “Since I screwed up yesterday, it’s ok if I take it easy again today..”

I think it holds true to a good degree. However, if you don’t transform your mindset about yourself, it would probably be temporary.

I have lost 20 pounds in 3 years, most of it the last 12 weeks and I still have 15 or so to loose. I can wear clothes I have not worn in years. I have the confidence to start a blog, a FB page and I want to share how much better it feels to control my weight. I can change. Just like we do not loose weight in one part of our bodies, it comes off everywhere, so to that transformation will change parts of your life you did not expect it to. Paths will open that you never saw because you didn’t see the possibilities. I am not done yet, but I am finding myself in a position that inspires others, I think I give them hope.

Indeed it does.
Circa Summer 1990 I went from 230 to 180 lbs. I entered my 5th and final (insert joke here) year of college a new man. No longer was I the “fat frat guy” looking to party. I got my act together, met my girlfriend (now wife of 17 years) and graduated.
The confidence I gained as a result of that physical transformation spilled inot so many other areas of my life.
I’ll save the finer details for my Maui entry. ;-)

I believe that when you succeed in transforming you body and meeting your fitness goal you are driven you set goals in other parts of you life.
Under Tom Venuto’s guidance through his ebook and audio downloads, i have learnt about goal setting and am addicted to the feeling of success from hitting my goals. Fitness and eating A grade foods has also given me the energy to do more each day so i can reach any and all of my goals faster. Also my new body has raised my self esteem and thus confidence so high that i know i can do anything i set my mind to, allowing me to set my goals very high to push my limits.

As I have gotten older, I have been hit with the realization that few people change. Most of my (older) friends are still doing the same thing over and over expecting different results. Some of them are very obviously walking down the path of self-destruction and early death (whether its alcohol, bad diet, etc). They blame their circumstances on everybody else instead of seeing that the common denominator in their issues is themselves. Some friends are just a shell of their former selves; they are boring in that they don’t want to listen to (my) new music, try (my) different foods, exercise, etc. I see a bit of that in me and it scares me, which has led me to really contemplate the whole attitude of change.
Let’s face it, the only constant of the universe is change. Whether we like it or not, we change every day, every second. The way to alter our path, and hence, alter our very lives, is to embrace change, every day and every second. I don’t want to end up like my friends. I want to be alive! Changing my body goes hand in hand with changing my life. One cannot change an aspect of thought or action without changing the entire path.
This will be my 3rd Transformation contest. Last summer I didn’t finish. This past Holiday 2012 I finished, but didn’t get the results I wanted. Now I am pumped to transform my body once and for all this summer! I have embraced change. When I used to excitedly tell a stodgy friend about my changes I would get the inevitable, “that will never work, you need to do it my way…”. Now I just keep my changes to myself and my new fitness-minded friends.
Sometimes I get sad about the old friendships that have gone away in the past year. But then I look at where I am now and where I am going, and then I go work out, and I feel 100% better!
So yes, transforming your body transforms your whole life. I am about 1/3 of the way through the process and cannot wait to come out on the other side! After all, change is constant. You might as well go with the flow instead of fighting it!
Thanks Tom for all you do!

I do not believe that transforming your body will transform your whole life. I have lost weight, gained muscle and for a 57 year old I feel that physically I am in shape. I do not go up and down in weight like I used to when I was younger and I eat much healthier than I ever used to but emotionally I am still struggling in many areas.
I do a variety of exercises 4-5 days a week. I used to do only cardio as I loved running but when I hurt my kneww and couldn’t run I started going more to the gym and started lifting weights. I now do both.
I know my biggest problem is connecting with people. I find that to work out with someone is very distracting and so I work out on my own.
Transforming your body is definitely beneficial but it has not transformed me emotionally or spiritually (only God can do that)

I am looking forward to transforming my body and I am getting excited for all of the great benefits that come with it! I have been overweight since having two children. It has been 4 years now since my youngest was born and now it is time to get a grip on it. I do believe transforming my body will transform my life. Not only will I be healthier on the inside, but my appearance will look brighter. I think my self esteem will soar, and my confidence will rise. These are important qualities for me because I am in fashion sales and I need the confidence to talk to others.

I definitely believe transforming one’s body can transform their entire life.
I was a heavy/fat kid, up until about the age of 14. I was tired a lot. I hated going shopping with my mom, aunt, and cousins because I would quickly tire out. My knees and back would start hurting pretty quickly, and the thought of trying on clothes made me tired and moody. I also had health issues that I shouldn’t have had, especially at such a young age. By the time I was in 6th grade, I was wearing a size 16/18. The summer before high school, I changed a few things up, and went to a size 12, which I maintained in high school. I gained weight in college (size 14), and started to feel yucky and blah again. Around age 29/30, I changed a lot with my nutrition and workouts and lost weight. More importantly, I have lost body fat and am a lot more toned. I am now in a size 8. The difference in my energy level is incredible.
I am more energetic and fit at age 38 than I was as a kid, and in my 20’s. It’s not all about looking great. That’s a bonus. The fact that I feel great, and have fewer health issues now than I had when I was 20-25 years younger is what matters. So, from personal experience, I can answer a resounding “YES! Transforming your body can transform your life!” :-)

Absolutely! Transforming your body will transform your entire life!
Not only will it change the way you see, feel and think about yourself, it will also change the perspective that others have of you. Some will not admit it, but I feel its true.
For example:
Lets look at it from an employers perspective, they see a seemingly healthy individual and they are concerned with what the resume has to say. If you are this 300 lbs person sitting before them, you are someone that is lazy, will call in sick more frequently and someone that will probably drive up the cost of health insurance. Now how about travel? You take your seat on a plane and hope that no one is in the seat next to you so you can stretch out and relax. Someone is approaching up the aisle and they stop in your row… he’s avg ht and build no biggie, oh but he sits in the row in front of you. Behind him, however, is a much larger person and she IS sitting next to you, so much for being able to stretch out.
It sounds terrible, but unfortunately it happens.
Now lets look at it from what could be your own perspective.
You’re more confident on the beach, because now you blend in or stand out in a good way. You can do things you couldn’t do before, like see your toes! Better yet, you can touch them! :)
You can take the stairs, 2 at a time even. You can run around and play with your kids, you’ll be around to see them graduate from college and get married, you can run around and play with your grandkids.
Maybe even spiritually transformed, because now you can make it to church more often, you can appreciate your abilities a bit more, thankful for the strength it took to get you where you are. You’re at peace with yourself, no longer fighting those inner demons.
So, yes, I feel transforming your body will certainly transform your entire life. Just my opinion. ;)

Absolutely yes!
I’ve lost about 14 pounds so far, plus doing core and general strengthening. My family history is one of diabetes, including my brother. To date, I have avoided the problem. In the last year, I’ve made diet changes, lost the mentioned weight, done weightlifting and cardio, and even though I’m not diabetic, I monitor my glucose level twice a week.
Side benefit is I have not thrown my back out in the year since I started this. This used to happen at least once a year.
All of this gives me a little more confidence in my health and abilities. Definitely an overall improvement!

Yes I do. Self-control is a vital part of what helps a person achieve their life goals, any goals, and transforming your body takes a huge amount of self-control in the face of any and all adversity.

Yes! Transforming your body transforms your confidence and self esteem, which in turn transforms your relationships, social life, and professional life. This has happened to me and now I help others to get fit and healthy. I’m not saying I’m perfect, but since transforming my body I’ve continued to learn and grow spiritually, mentally and emotionally as well as looking and feeling better physically. And the exciting thing is that it’s still getting better! There is now infinite potential for my life :D

I believe that transforming your body will have a ripple effect and transform your entire life. Do you? If so, how specifically?
A few years ago I would have flat disagreed with this. However, my answer now would be yes, it definitely can, as long as your reasons for the transformation are pure – as in, if you are doing it for vanity reasons (too often guys do it to just to look good whilst out binge drinking and smoking), then no, but if you are doing it to improve your health etc, then I think that’s when you can have a ripple effect. (Therefore I think that the Burn the Fat way of body transformation, would definitely have a yes, there is a ripple effect!)
On the most basic level, when you achieve goals on your way to a larger end goal, you feel boosted, you have more confidence, and that confidence will, of course, rub off onto other elements in your life. But I believe that it can be traced through even more deeply than that.
I think the deeper element arises mostly because a lot of the battle in undergoing a body transformation is mental. While on your journey to whatever your end goal is, you need to change your thinking. You learn new ways of thinking about and looking at things. You gain new skills in manipulating your thought pattern to a positive way of thinking and training your brain to be unlimiting in its programming. But this isn’t something that just applies to your weight loss/body transformation, these are skills that can carry right though you life, they are multi-purpose. The positivity and unlimiting programming carry over into other aspects of your life. For me, it has followed through with university exams, which had previously left me in a tail spin. Now I can face them with confidence, and the knowledge that I can achieve anything that I have belief in, and the biggest belief that I have now is that I believe in myself and my ability to achieve ANYTHING that I want to put my focus on gaining – Health, good grades, a list of chores for the day a mile long. The body transformation that I am undertaking is definitely fast becoming a whole life transformation.
So to answer the question you asked Tom, yes, I do think that this has a ripple effect, a body transformation can indeed quickly become a full life transformation.

Health and discipline is in our mind….

I believe it can but it is dependent on the individual.
I was lean and in good shape when I was in high school due to playing soccer and being on the swim team. I went to college and got caught up in the party scene where I was drinking and eating poorly. I started gaining weight and eventually dropped out of school. I started waiting tables at a bar/restaurant where I continued with poor nutrition, excessive drinking, and no exercise. Then I got hired by the fire department. 17 weeks of an extremely grueling and physical academy, I graduated as the Top Cadet and I had dropped 45 pounds of fat. I had such confidence and felt and looked incredible.
Fast forward to now, 20 years later, I have gained weight and stopped working out due to the schedule I was om…excuses, I know. I retired May 31. Now it’s time to embark on that transformation again, to transform myself mentally, physically, spiritually, and financially.
For myself, a body transformation affects every aspect of my life!

I can definitely attest to the dramatic change you can experience when your body is transformed. I know the contest is over, but I thought I’d post anyway. I lost 30 pounds of fat, and along with it, a continually dysfunctional disk in my lower back, and chronic heartburn. Transformation is change. I’m thankful for it everyday.