Grow a spine
After yesterday’s Cowboy loss (yep, I’m a fan) I’m ready for a good rant. Hope you’re up for it.
“Try.” “Can.” “Will.” The difference is huge. Far more than one letter here and there, as you’ll soon see. This is not a ‘positive thinking’ blog. For those of you who don’t know me, I think positive thinking is positively silly. Truthful Thinking is more than the title of my book (due out next year), it’s what I live by. You’re about to see why, and hopefully this will inspire you to that next pound, or 2, or 200 of fat-be-gone.
But first, we need to discuss the need for a spine. If you have one, great, If you don’t, you’d better grow one to play in my sandbox. Bill Parcells, this is directed right at you pal. (For those not up on God’s Game…er…Football, Parcells is the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys.)
When your defense is playing the game of their LIVES, you do NOT kick a field goal on 4th and goal. Sorry…that’s called “Can.” As in, “We CAN win this game if we play not to lose.” What an utter crock. Look what happened…not only did they lose, but that 26-yard chip-shot of a field goal went the way of Enron…crooked as can be.
You play to win. You do not play ‘not’ to lose. That’s called having a spine…and you will need one to succeed in life and in 10-in-10. Now, back to our three words for the day…
Here’s what “try” is. “Try” is the word we use when we really know we are not going to do something. Someone calls you up and invites you out, but you’d rather stay home and watch “Smallville” like Jon does. So, you say, “Well, I’ll TRY and make it…”
In short, you’re butt is on da couch watching Clark and Lana smooch. I’m right there with you.
So, please…no one on 10 is allowed to use the word “try”, deal? You cannot ‘try’ to discard fat…you do or you don’t. You cannot ‘try’ again…you either will or you won’t. And, you cannot ‘try’ to succeed: you either can, or you decide you can’t.
Do me a favor: right now, try to say “cow.”
Did you? Of course. But I didn’t ask you TO say “cow”…I said “try to say it.” You simply cannot try to say ‘cow’, you say it or you don’t. Now, before I get all Yoda on you guys, let’s move on…
Can. Sounds really great, doesn’t it? Well, it sucks too. : )
What people will do is a mere fraction of what they ‘can’ do. “Can”…what does it mean other than a place to go and relieve yourself? So what if you ‘can’ discard 10 pounds…WILL you? Now, saying, “I can play the piano” can be a harmless statement of fact….unless you use it as an excuse not to practice. Think about it.
Now, “will.” I WILL. Just say those words. “I. Will.” Definitive. Without question. Without excuse. Without B.S. Without FAIL. You WILL.
If you’re sticking around here, you WILL start saying “I WILL”…right now. Deal? Good. Don’t make me come over there (unless you’re cute, single, 5’ 2”, brunette, and…kidding.)
“Will” gets things done, even when you don’t think you ‘can’.
Frankly, I don’t know if I ‘can’ blog every day (or nearly every day) while still writing books, keeping up with M-Power, and training…but damn the nukes, I WILL. Period. End of story.
And, I ‘will’ discard 10 pounds of fat in 10 weeks…and then some. You in?
Before you think I’m Zig Zigglar, I’m not. I’m a ‘realistic optimist.’ I’m a “truthful thinker”, and yes that’s my trademark, so keep your paws off of it. Heh. (Have I mentioned that I love blogs today? Such freedom. It’s the equivalent of going commando on a windy day verbally-speaking… : )
Zig has been known to say, “Anything is possible.” Bullsh….eeeba. (I’ll try and keep my colorful metaphors to a minimum.) Go ahead…jump from here to Mars. Go for it. Convince yourself you “will” jump from here to Mars. Good luck! See you in the sanitarium.
That’s “positive thinking”, and it’s damn silly. The weakness is not in our ability to achieve a lot more than we think we ‘can’. That is the absolute truth. The weakness is in a lack of respect for strategy and reasons ‘why’. If given a reason ‘why’ you had to get to Mars, “jumping” would not be a sound strategy. Therefore the statement is useless.
On the other hand, I can give you a thousand reasons why you can, should and WILL discard 10 pounds of unwanted fat. No Mars missions required. See the difference?
Meals for the day and training stuff later…rant over. Glad you survived. Welcome to my mind. {10}
Archived in Just Jon.
This entry has no entry tags.
Comments (21)
HaNiBaL said:
I was born ready… so letīs get this thing started ;)
and letīs discard 10 pounds of fat in 10 weeks…
Posted on Oct 24, 2005 04:17 PM
Jon Benson said:
Rock on H…just don’t eat my liver, okay?
Posted on Oct 24, 2005 04:33 PM
Bella said:
Count me in Jon! Feel stronger already by just saying ‘I WILL discard the fat’…half way there already! haha
Posted on Oct 24, 2005 04:38 PM
Jean said:
I am a mother of 2 teens, 44 yrs old who bought your ebook “Fit Over 40” (which I have read several times now thanks it is great insperation)I am into releasing 10 lbs of fat in 10 weeks! In the last 17 mos I have released 45lbs of fat and still have another 30-40 to go.. the best part is feeling great about getting fitter…. count me in.
But I have a question about squats, I love the work out squats give me but wonder should I be squatting very low like the power lifters do or just keep my legs parralle to the floor, which is best for my knees as well as my back.
Posted on Oct 24, 2005 05:25 PM
David L. said:
Nobody wants to hear from the minority who have trouble holding weight, but I’m one of those very thin types that gets skinny and weak if I’m not pumping iron and eating right. People say “I envy you, you’ll never be overweight”. That’s true but It doesn’t mean you’re health or in shape just because you are thin.
Posted on Oct 24, 2005 06:17 PM
Jon Benson said:
Jean;
Great question, especially given the “spine” topic…ha!
I love to squat as well, and find the bar below my traps works fine, but then again my legs grow easily. I think bodybuilder squats are better for most people. You risk less knee injury and back strain.
Try this: take the weight you use and cut it in half. Seriously. Then do 8 sets of 8 reps or 10 sets of 10 reps (old Vince Gironda trick) with only 30 seconds of rest. You may have to build up to that short of rest, but let me tell you…your legs will never be the same.
Posted on Oct 24, 2005 07:50 PM
Jon Benson said:
David; Agreed. Your job may be to ‘gain’ 10 in 10! : ) Still, you are not ‘unhealthy’ because you are lean. Often that’s just jealousy speaking.
Posted on Oct 24, 2005 07:52 PM
Susan said:
OK then,
I said I was in yesterday and I am still in today. It is a great time with all the holidays coming up. I will be checking this Blog for a daily fix of “stop whine”. I am going to keep a journal on my own blow. http://whatsup.nxivm.com
I do have a quick question as I am just begining. How much cardio is good to do for burning the fat? I have read mixed reviews.
Thanks Jon,
Susan
Posted on Oct 25, 2005 03:45 AM
Jon Benson said:
Susan; Cardio works great when fasting. Cardio can work in 3-4 sets of 10 minute each. Cardio can work when you walk for an hour. It’s all body-dependent. My advice is to rely on the diet and training first and let cardio be an adjunct.
Posted on Oct 25, 2005 09:03 AM
lisa said:
Count me in!!!
Hey Im a 5’2” brunette!!! :o)
I competed in BB in the past and over the last couple years the workouts became less intense and the diet less clean…mostly due to the demands of single parenting… and Ive managed to put on about 15 lbs without even trying.
I turned 40 recently and I am looking forward to getting in great shape again and maybe even competing again.
Jon, I actually enjoy your ranting….it shows how passionate you are about this stuff
Posted on Oct 25, 2005 11:08 AM
Jon Benson said:
Hi Lisa! Welcome aboard. 5’2” eh? : )
Rants are a part of the blog world, and I love a good one from time to time since they do not stem from anger but from humor mixed with “what the &#&($?”
Let’s get into contest shape girl! I’m right there with you…
Posted on Oct 25, 2005 11:27 AM
anna said:
Thank a lot. That really helps.
Posted on Oct 25, 2005 03:44 PM
Paul Tomlinson said:
I’m in as well. As a male that is 5 feet tall, I can look rather stocky after adding a few pounds (my current situation). Releasing 10 lbs. of body fat will be a pleasure. I used to be heavy into powerlifting, so heavy in fact that I broke a world record in the bench press at my weight/age about 9 years ago. I’m very happy that I ran across this blog because I’ve outgrown my suit (had to put it on for the first time in years) by about 3 inches in the waist area. Time to get to work.
Posted on Oct 25, 2005 08:41 PM
Elisa said:
True JON style! I love it. Just wanted you to know that I did not TRY to go to the gym today. I DID. I will not TRY tomorrow either (but I CAN). But when it’s all said and done, I WILL go to the gym tomorrow and work my shoulders until I run out of itunes ;-)
Posted on Oct 26, 2005 08:34 PM
Alyson said:
Hi Jon :)
I’ve been doing the Vince Gironda workout for about 8 weeks now. I’ve progressed in every workout, but have taken it at a very conservative pace (decreasing rest intervals by 5 seconds each workout from 45 to 20, then increasing weight and increasing rest intervals and repeating) but focusing on full ROM, strict form. For how long a period of time do you recommend following this workout plan? Should it be used sparingly?
And what have you got against brunettes taller than 5’2”?! :)
I’m with you for 10 in 10 and will challenge some people I know as well!!
Thanks,
Alyson
Posted on Oct 29, 2005 01:06 AM
Jon Benson said:
Alyson;
Nothing against taller brunettes…just a pref for midgets.
Use 8x8 for as long as you want…there really isn’t a time limit. Go by progression. Stop only when your progress slows, then return to traditional training for a few weeks.
Posted on Oct 29, 2005 01:33 AM
Gypsi said:
Jon,
Love this! I do beleive this is going to be my time…. FINALLY! I have done alot of research and reading so many sites and books that I finally feel I have found “MY FORMULA” Question for you tho. I notice your meals have cooked foods. Meats, rice, etc. Any suggestions for those of us that want to eat only fresh organic raw veggies and fruits and nuts and seeds? I found Bill Phillips and now I found raw… then I found You… this is a great combination and I am ready for 10 in 10…
By the way… this is coming from another Dallasite… female age 49
Posted on Nov 07, 2005 10:30 PM
Jon Benson said:
Gypsi;
Thanks for putting me in such a league! Happy to be a part of the formula. What part of Dallas?
Jon
Posted on Nov 08, 2005 02:17 AM
Gypsi said:
635 and Skillman area
Posted on Nov 08, 2005 11:04 PM
Jon Benson said:
Ah…yeah. Uptown here. Really dig this area. The “Central Park” (read: old graveyard) of Dallas is right out my window. It’s really the ‘best’ section of trees I know of in Dallas, which is why I moved here. I spend almost every night on the balcony watching the sunset and the colors of trees as far as I can see.
God is an artist.
Posted on Nov 09, 2005 01:53 AM
Gypsi said:
yup yup… great view
Posted on Nov 09, 2005 09:40 PM
Comments are now closed for this entry.