It was then that I made the decision to be excellent.

I wanted to ‘crush it’ on all the measurements of success while I was at boot camp.  So, I studied the requirements of the physical and academic testing.  I worked out specifically to the standards of the test.  My running, push ups and sit ups were all timed to simulate the test.  I read the course work and took copious notes in the classroom when I got to boot camp.

In addition to my decision to be excellent I also have a competitive nature that drives me.  I’m never focused on having another person to lose.  Instead, I’m always focused on my vision of the win.

In conclusion, I finished first in the fitness and academic testing.  And, I received the top award in my class.

Where have you decided to be excellent?

There was one exercise that we all had to go through called the Gas Chamber.  The purpose was to trust and take care of our equipment.  There were 45 of us along the chamber wall with our equipment on.  Groups of 5 would step forward.  In front of each of us was a plate, and the instructor placed a tear gas caplet on it.  We were instructed to remove our equipment.

Most people had a bad reaction.  Some panicked, spit, vomited and most coughed. The gas burns the respiratory tract and the eyes.  It also irritates the skin for about 10 minutes after.

I knew going into this exercise that I was going to use my mind to tell my body to relax and stay focused on being impervious to the gas.  I had no doubt that I was going to sail through that exercise.  And, as a result, my mind, which is the software, told my body – the hardware – to relax, be calm and impervious to the gas.

I did not cough or shutter.  My eyes did tear a lot, but that was it.  My reaction elicited comments from my instructors who were a bit stunned at my reaction, as it was clearly abnormal.

The mind is powerful and what you tell it is manifested by the body.

How are you programming mind?  And, what will you do differently?

It’s no secret that we are pulling up to the dining table to face portions that are weighing us down. I was at brunch on Sunday and the restaurant portion that I received was enough to fill up four people. It’s a marketing strategy by the food industry to make the customers feel like they are getting a good value for their dollar.

The psychology is even moving to the home front.  Twenty years ago a Hungry Man frozen meat entree would be enough to satisfy one person, but is now considered an appetizer. With all the super-sizing going on today no wonder it’s difficult to know how to right-size portions. Changing your behavior isn’t easy, but very rewarding when you imagine being confident with your fit body at your next networking event.

Here are 7 Smart Steps to Right-Size Your Portions:

1. Prepare Less - Your family eats what you offer. Large volumes of food encourage people to eat more. If you’ve doubled the recipe, freeze the left-overs.

2. Eat Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner at the table - Eating these three meals while driving, watching tv, standing in your kitchen or at your computer doesn’t allow you to slow down, enjoy your meal, or give your brain time to register fullness.

3. Eat Half, Wait 10 Minutes – By waiting and listening to your internal signals of hunger and satisfaction, you can be satisfied with smaller than usual portions.

4. Always Order the Small Size - If you are at a fast-food restaurant, go for the small items. Or, choose the kid-size meal.

5. Never Eat Out of the Bag - Eating out of the box, bag, carton usually means you eat more. Dish out a portion and put the container away.

6. Have a Plan Before You Order – With tempting photos and descriptions of foods on the menu you will tend to order a dish that is enough to satisfy four people. Go to the table with a plan.

7. Share a Meal – You will be certain to cut down on the unwanted calories.

I challenge you to print out these 7 steps. Put them by your refrigerator, on your dashboard, in your bag and anywhere else that will trigger you to review them. The more time you spend thoughtfully considering what your body really needs the more you will right-size your portions.

You don’t just wake up one day having stumbled into an additional 10, 20 or 30 plus pounds. You have taken steps to get there.  And, you CAN redirect your steps.

You ARE capable of a balance between the brilliance of your business and your body.

Step up!

I slowed and asked him, “Does everyone in your company wear a necktie out in the field?”

The bug guy replied, “They’re supposed to.”

I followed, “So, why do you wear one?”

He smiled confidently, “Because I want to show up looking great!”

For the rest of my run I thought how powerful it is to show up feeling confident and “great,” and that my clients are getting lean, energized and focus for work.

And, if you want to be part of the team you can  join *Free* the Skinny Jeans Telesummit.

If you’re seeking lifelong success by:

• Shedding fat that is holding you from SOARING
• Stopping STRESS eating that’s weighing you down
• Creating healthy food habits
• Becoming sexy, AGAIN
• Living the SEEDS OF GREATNESS

Achieving long-term success is not done at the tactical level.  The secret is for you to get the 30 thousand foot overhead view.

That is the purpose of the Skinny Jeans Telesummit.  Are you joining us, it’s FREE, but PRICELESS.

I’m wrapping up some copy for an upcoming project and I want you to seek out truths:

• Have you considered that you are just under the radar of your breakthrough brilliance?
• Have you had that ache that you know there is amazing energy that you just don’t have right now…but you know it’s there?
• Have you sucked your tummy in one time too many this week?
• Do you know that you’ve been called to have a great impact, but you’re not in the flow completely?
• Do wince when you think about your weight gain over the past months, years?

Brilliance is at the cellular level.  It’s not just the outer layer.  You were designed with a specific gift and if you’re not physically fit and energized then your light is not making the impact that it could.

Hey, this might not be you.  But, you know someone that fits this profile.

Our collective physical fitness is a reflection of our collective GREATNESS.

Don’t be bummed out if this IS you.  Make a change!  I’m not suggesting radical.  Just move.  10 minutes of breathless exercise with in the first 90 minutes of your day – scheduled – is significant.

People check your ego at the door and get on board.  It’s not ‘all or nothing.’  It’s about doing something…1% more than you did yesterday.

Part of my work is to believe in my clients even before they believe in themselves.  Hey, I might not even know you, but I believe you can move if you commit to move.  Imagine:

• Taking Leaps over steps to put off an energy so that your ideal clients recognize your amazing offer.
• Breathing deeply and confidently when you walk into a room.
• Having your people line up after your presentation because they want what you have.
• Never sucking in your tummy again.

Don’t shrink… Step up to your excellence.

And, bring someone with you.