(gocowboyseaglessuckhahahahahahahahaaaaaaaa)

Right. On to the Monster Blog…this is my answer to, “Hey, everyone read the comments! Great stuff in there, and some of my wittier blurbs at that!” quandary. Honestly, read the comments — great stuff in there, and some of my wittier blurbs at that.

Do not make me say that again.

Here’s the deal: tomorrow I will begin logging more of my nutrition (the same really), and a lot more of my training (here we go…all fired up after my NYC trip and goal to train in NYC for 10 weeks in April or May)…but, until that day comes (already here in Texas, but you know what I mean) I want to blog on your blogs. I feel this is more important, as many of you have been asking a lot of questions, answering other people’s questions (cool, thanks for doing my job…keep it up!), and basically posting like crazy folk. It’s too cool for words, but there’s so many questions and comments I felt this new “blog in a blog” strategy was called for.

If I don’t get to something you asked, comment it (this will not be a regular 10-in-10 type of habit) and I’ll answer if you’re cool and give me stuff. Otherwise…

Seriously, it’s because I missed it or it was asked by someone else…or it’s beyond the scope of the 10 blog and borders on consultation. Hope that’s understandable.

Here we go…

To all, regarding the female-heavy posts and (thank you) complements

I’ll start here…good as place as any. Some of you have asked about the abundance of the fairer sex on the blog. That’s a big “?” to me as well, as I never had this on my other blog, nor in general. I’d like to think it’s because my irresistible wit and commanding yet sensitive personna and rugged good-looks has caught on as a national fad, but I think women are too smart for such tomfoolery and, before I could get this ridiculous sentence out on digital paper, I slapped myself.

Why indeed. Here’s my best guess: a ‘sane’ way to discard fat appeals more to women because it dismisses the largest obstacle most women have in fat-burning: emotion. This, from Mr. Emotion. Yeah, I’m quite the emotional guy. Very cool with the big E. So, I bet women can relate to that — both the expression and the struggle to rid oneself of negative emotions — more so than the average guy.

Also, thanks to some kind souls with poor vision, there’s a rumor that I’m cute. Don’t believe it. I could walk right past 90% of these people and they’d never know it.

There’s also a rumor that I take digs into myself. That’s true, but it’s not a deep psychological scar. It’s a bit of downplay, but a lot of reality. I don’t think I’m a handsome fellow, nor do I give a damn about it. I’m average in my book, and that’s fine. In peak shape, I’m above average for sure, but that’s neck-down. Ha. Still, true attraction and beauty stems from within, at least as most women view men, so I’ve been fortunate in my career as a male. We’ll leave it at that.

Sort of.

10 is not about me, my friends. Granted, it’s my blog, my ‘stage’ to be funny and start what I hope is a serious trend using humor and off-beat witticisms to defeat the demon of obesity, but that doesn’t mean I desire the spotlight. I don’t. Hurts my eyes. I expect it — that’s different. I want it only for the purposes of leverage (greater communication with the masses) and for my own personal goals, not for anything else. In short, I’m not your fitness cover guy looking for pats on the back from really nice people…look somewhere else for that.

Still, to say I’m not flattered and thankful would be a complete non-truth. Thanks for all of that…I just ask that the focus is kept squarely on the 10 in 10 — however, I’m not the FCC and refuse to censor thoughts unless they’re cruel or way off-topic. I’m not bitchin’, just reminding. Lastly…the nicest compliment (all are nice, but this is one that I’d frame) came from one of you who said my ‘writing drew you in.’ Made my month. Thank you.

‘nuff said about this. As you can tell, it’s not a comfortable subject for me.

To several of you (Ron, Ardis, and others) about my training and results

A lot of queries on this as well. “Wow, only X weeks!”, and “How can you train in NYC and live in Dallas?”

My original transformation (we’ll get to you…hang in there…) was more rapid than some may experience, but certainly not without stretches of, “Geez…when IS this fat going to leave again?” days. Even weeks. Why…well, it’s a mind thing. Not a gene thing…perhaps a nutrition-dialed-in thing to a degree, but I willed the fat off. Sure, I trained hard, dieted hard, and so-on…but the mind really rules the body. I had my mind focused on that goal almost to the exclusion of all else…and that’s the truth.

Same thing is true now, except I’m not able to give it ‘quite’ as much focus. Even as I’m typing, I’m focusing, but I simply have more to handle business-wise than I did during my initial transformation.

Someone asked if I got back to my ‘before’ state…no. Despite a year off and tons of “waaaaaaaa” on my part, I didn’t get ‘that’ out-of-shape. Could have been worse, that’s for sure.

About NYC and the “how do you do that” posts: I found a chef by willing the chef (Law of Attraction); as I covered in other posts, you can do this too. Please read back to find out what I’m talking about. Training in NYC — possible because I decided a few years ago to construct my life in a way that would generate the most amount of income and the least amount of physical commitment (meaning location.) Eventually, thanks to so many people who graciously support what I’m doing and are benefitting from it, I’ll be able to work far less and travel more. For now, I work just about every day and have a blast doing it…but I’m free to do that anywhere. A laptop and a WiFi is all I need. So, I can train in NYC. I just have to pay double rent…kinda a drag, but yeah…it’s about being the best I can be, plus this is my job. I will simply be in the best shape ‘ever’ in 2006. Nothing will deter this goal. My business partner is in NYC (actually Hoboken, but close), and the trainer he recommended is in NY, so there you go. Plus I love the city, the people…everything about it.

To several; re: cravings, struggles and weight

Cravings will come and go. There will be weeks where you gain physical weight, but it may be muscle. There will be flat weeks, peak weeks and valley weeks. It doesn’t matter…your focus must only be on the destination. Since your destination is reset every 10 or so weeks, your focus can extend ‘past’ any momentary set-backs you have or, Buddha forbid, the SCALE. Scales suck. They’re all but worthless. Trust your jeans and a good mirror…and how you feel.

I know it doesn’t feel good to think you’re going backward, but sometimes you have just “go” and know that eventually things will level out. The alternative is not acceptable: stopping and resigning the dream to live in the reality that is actually a delusion. Think about that sentence for a while, okay?

Yes, many here will and have ‘struggled’, but please hear me — this is not a race. This is not a 10-week-only deal. This is not a diet. This is a way of approaching nutrition and fitness for the rest of your lives. Therefore, you have the rest of your life to hone the system. It’s the dawn of a new day and yo have a long ways to go until nightfall. Think of things in that sense, and struggles will become less intense. Cravings will diminish because the mind is given the luxury of ‘time’ and ‘sanity’. Combine this with super-clean nutrition (organic, chemical-free real food) and flat-out hard work, and you’ll progress faster than you believe is possible. Leave out ONE of those key components, and your progress will suffer…but still, you will move forward. I’ll settle for nothing less from you.

To Kay:

Kay’s just one of several who commented on my “reality mindset”…and Kay, you’re a doll for saying what you did.

Now I’m going to shatter the bubble. : )

Actually, “truth-ville” is not the acceptance of mediocrity or even adopting a “that’s life” mindset. I know where you were going with this, and it’s ALL GOOD…no prob with the intention. However, this is not me. I do not accept “that’s life”. When I do, I’m not a happy camper. I encourage people to tell life to bugger off if you have to and change life for the better despite it all. Don’t take it…do something about it. Don’t settle for being “sorta fit” if you can be ultra-fit…unless “sorta” makes you happy and fulfills your Core Values. It doesn’t do that for me, so my goals and standards are much higher than the average persons’. Please do not take that as superiority or ego: far from it. It’s not only my passion, but it’s also my job. I can do it better when I’m in the best shape, plus I have a heart and soul of an athlete. Being in that shape (not at the exclusion of all else time-wise or priority-wise, but within reasonable balance with life) is one of my deepest joys.

The ‘truth’ is that things do happen…BUT the ‘truth’ is also that I didn’t have to let this happen, nor attract it into my life. I’m now more convinced of that than ever, hence the progression and the goals for 2006.

Hopefully you’re now challenged to do the same…raise the bar if you want to. That’s not written to Kay, but to ALL OF YOU…raise the bar. Just raise it with your Core Values in tact, and your sanity in check.

In a few days, the new (way new) look for 10 in 10 will be released like so many hounds on your senses. Since I was (am) a designer, my love for the ‘cool look’ made its way into the overhaul, and 10 will have the look and feel “of” 10: wild, funny, intense, but structured and sane. I think you’ll enjoy it. However, this look was only created because Ray (my HTML guru) and I wanted to raise the bar. Challenge ourselves. The same is true for everything you’re passionate about in life.

Doing this blog is a major challenge. Writing MORE than daily (just count the days and the blogs…I’m way ahead baby!) is not an easy task. Making it “news-worthy witty”, as one reporter put it, is even more difficult. Above all, making it helpful — yeah. Difficult. However, it’s more than rewarding, and I feel like I have a huge extended family from the efforts.

I’d like to see each of you re-define “truth-ville” to mean something in-between, “It’s okay to let life happen” and “I MUST do this or I will be MISERABLE!” Both are out-of balance with reality in my opinion. Let’s see what we can do about that…cool deal?

To Tina:

Just a special “thank you” for the comments on “Everyone Looky Here”. I could single out a dozen folks, so no one think I’m playing favorites…but the bit about Claire did me in. : )

To Tracey:

You’re drunk, girl…QoftheS over NIN?? Man, I was pacing the floor waiting for Q to finish…but they’re not bad. : )

To Lori:

I do more sitting than most people, that’s for sure. I’m not promoting this as a ‘balanced life’, but it’s something I’m committed to. Still, I greatly appreciate your cool comments. Thank you for laughing and also having the desire to reach out to others. It’s comments like this that make me feel like I’m accomplishing more than writing about “losing weight” and being a clown.

To all re: the cross-posting and helping of others

Hey, feel more than free…in fact, it makes my day to see it. If someone posts something way off, I’ll blurb back…but if you have something to share with another, YES…by all means, that’s cool. Like I said, 10 is for YOU…it’s not all about me or my ranting, ideas, products, etc.

To all re: the humor

Good sports…that’s all I can say. Well, not ALL I can say, as I’m about to prove.

I’ve already stated the agenda behind the humor. Some of you write me and say you were “in tears”. Others say, “What the hell are you talking about?” Both categories seem to benefit from the “reality posting” in each and every blog.

10 will never be a humor-only blog, nor will you see a blog that’s entirely humor or stark-natured commentary. That’s just a tool I use to get your attention off one thing and on to another…plus it’s a lot of fun. It’s also creative, and that’s at my nature. So, I’m being true to myself while being true to a higher goal and method of inspiration and education in the world of fitness and nutrition. How many books and blogs are there on “eat this” and “do that”? We have enough of that to last 100 lifetimes. The fitness world needed a good kick in the nads, and that’s where 10 comes in.

I love it when you guys ‘get it’…and it’s funny at times when you don’t and say, “But I loved what you said about motivation…” or whatever. The fact that I push every button and envelope known to man and have yet to receive a “hate email” is indicative of the fact that most people on here can (a) take a joke; (b) laugh at themselves, and (c) agree to disagree.

To say I’m impressed with the 10 readers is a monumental understatement.

Someone commented, “Despite your comment about GW, I…” Interesting comment to me. I have fun with politics and religion because they’re taboo subjects. Do I give a flying blank? No. Why? Because this is 10, and you take your chances every time you read a blog. I ‘want’ that feeling…to have you drifting along and thinking stuff like, “What the hell is this guy…oh, wow…good idea about that organic food…hey, that was a bit harsh, I … oh, cool. Didn’t know that!…”

That’s the point. Whether or not I like Bush or not is irrelevant.

For the record, I hate Bush.

The BAND, not the President. Bush was this grunge band that had its day in the sun, now thankfully set…so yeah, the band, not the other Bush.

No, actually I can’t stand Bush.

The BEER, the beer for cryin’ out loud…geez, you didn’t think? Oh, right…I can see why you would think I meant…hmmm. Yeah. Kinda confusing on my part. Sorry ‘bout that. No…the beer. Bush Beer. I think it’s spelled differently, though…

Oh, okay…Bush sucks.

KATE Bush…the singer.

Kate. Not George W. K-a-t-e Bush. Big difference. One has breasts, the other does not…and that’s just for starters.

You know, I actually love Kate Bush. What WAS I thinking?

See? You have NO idea what I’m saying, do you?

So yeah…all but the hopelessly naive can figure out my political and socioreligious leanings, and again…I just don’t care. Don’t care about yours as long as you don’t start killing people in the name of either. At that point, you too would suck.

Back to the point: any blogger nutritionist can talk about body fat and calories, but few have the fortitude (read: stupidity) to demand that his readers be subjected to such needless fodder just to get to the helpful parts.

What you probably don’t fully realize right now, but will eventually (if not already), is that these little diversions “are” the helpful parts. I’ve just engaged your subconscious mind in a strong anchoring pattern. The next time you think “politics” or “religion”, “10 in 10” will be in the mix. It’s a nasty trick, but someone had to play it on you. The more I can anchor things that you either strongly agree or disagree with to the goal of 10 in 10, the more ‘broad’ 10 in 10 becomes to you. The larger it appears in your subconscious…and the more your mind is engaged in the ongoing process.

And here you thought I was just raggin’ on poor “W”. Far from it. Sure, I have my ‘serious’ political and religious views just like you do, but that’s not going to be discussed in any form or fashion…merely commented on here and there. Also, I greatly respect the views of others in these two arenas, so no worries about ‘debates’ or ‘ideology hammering’…ugh. Not for me, thank you.

Now, those smelly Celtics…that’s a whole other issue…

To all re: self-sabotage

Many have asked, “How do I stop this process?” Please read back and find my posts and comments on this; but the short story is to write them down (everything you think or say to yourself that’s negative in a day) and then repeat them to the person you love the most, using THEM as the subject. If you say, “Why am I such a loser?”, come up to your loved one and say, “Name Here, why are YOU such a loser?” This is primarily a mental-only exercise, as it’s what? Cruel! That’s right…so why are you doing it to you? How would your loved one feel if you said it to them? Okay, just TELL them that you’re saying this to YOURSELF and ask their permission to continue.

Just this one simple exercise can break most people of negative self-talk. It’s the linguistic version of being forced to smoke 800 cigarettes once caught with one. The only difference is this won’t give you cancer.

Oh, about ‘back-sliding’…you cannot back-slide from a level position. Take the 10 mindset and run with it. You will find that it’s sane and level. I’m asking you to CHOOSE to eat alternative meals! Then choose to eat tight and more pleasurable meals (meals that take you toward your goals) 90% or more of the time so you’ll be happy, healthy and lean. Deal?

Okay, I’ve blogged enough for 10 days. I hope this helps address some issues. I hope you find some of the answers in here. I hope you find a ton of inspiration, and a few, “Oh, that’s the deal!” moments. Above all, I hope you do more than HOPE…I hope, I trust, and I KNOW you will stop hoping and start doing. Continue doing. Do until there’s nothing to do…and that my friends is only when we part this mortal coil. Get busy, and have a blast. {10}