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  For years I've listened to people beat themselves up for not eating right or failing to exercise on a consistent basis. As a personal coach and educator I've talked to thousands about their dreams and desires. Time and again when I ask people to identify the one goal that they'd most like to accomplish, the one that would have the greatest impact on their quality of life, the most frequent answer is "I want to lose weight and get in shape!" If you're reading this Foreword, there's a good chance that you know the frustration and emotional turmoil that come from failed attempts to lose weight and improve your health. You probably feel tortured by a critical inner voice that monitors your eating or exercise habits and reprimands you for breaking yet another promise to yourself when you fail to follow through. And I'm sure that, like so many well-intentioned people, you've listened to many experts and/or read plenty of books, desperately searching for the one thing that will restore your willpower and put you out of your misery. Well, look no more. In your hands lies the key to freedom, emotional freedom, freedom from the debilitating negative self talk that keeps you caught in a vicious cycle of hope and despair. In this book you'll finally discover the truth about why you haven't been able to lose weight and get in shape, and you'll learn exactly what you need to do to end this cycle once and for all. When I first considered writing the Foreword for this book, I had a moment of hesitation because the author, Michael Gerrish, is my husband. But as I thought about the millions of people who suffer needlessly with weight and health problems, I knew that it was an important thing for me to do. You see, I know that the process outlined in this book works. For the past ten years I've watched Michael successfully work with individuals just like you who have felt "beaten down" by numerous failed attempts to get in shape. His educational training in both fitness and psychology has given him a knowledge base and perspective that few fitness professionals have. As a result of more than twenty years of experience, Michael has created a process of uncovering and treating a client's unique "unidentified fitness obstacles" (UFOs) which has consistently produced groundbreaking (and lasting) results. This process begins with a one-of-a-kind self diagnostic test. Once you've completed this test, you'll see exactly what stands in your way. Finally, you'll have a clear and accurate picture of the specific personal challenges you're apt to encounter en route to success. You'll see where the bumps in the road will be before they stop you in your tracks. While developing this test, Michael gave me and several colleagues a chance to try it out for ourselves. All of us were amazed by what came to light as we tallied our scores. When you take the test for yourself, you'll see exactly what I mean. As your obstacles are revealed you'll feel a sense of relief when you discover that it isn't your lack of willpower or discipline that's been hindering your success, but rather, problems you weren't aware of or were in denial about. The results of the UFO test will provide you with the all important foundation that is so often missing in most fitness programs. As a matter of fact, I believe this test should be standard procedure for anyone who is considering a diet or exercise program, and an essential tool for any fitness professional who is committed to his or her client's success. I also know that this program works because I had the privilege of being part of the "makeover team" who worked closely with the seven individuals profiled in this book. Their personal stories will give you a unique and intimate look at why millions of Americans who spend billions of dollars each year on diet and exercise products still can't achieve the level of health they desire. There are reasons why you can't reach your fitness goals. Real reasons. Reasons that most fitness books and weight loss programs never address. Rather than deal with the symptoms, the program outlined in this book deals with the hidden, underlying source of your problem. As you read the journal entries and ongoing dialogues between Michael and each participant, you'll see that each person had his or her own personal obstacles that had to be addressed before they were able to achieve a measurable level of success. For example, for some getting in shape meant addressing unexpected health concerns like attention deficit disorder, food allergies, or a hormone imbalance. For others, it meant facing the painful experiences that caused them to gain weight in an effort to shield themselves from intimacy or abuse. In The Mind-Body Makeover Project you'll also see that diet and exercise changes are not enough. They must be done in combination with life changes for long-lasting success to occur. Your busy schedule, conflicting beliefs, or discomfort with putting your self-care first all play a role in whether or not you'll achieve your fitness goals. In addition to these life changes, you'll also find that, like the participants in this project, you'll come up against other challenges the pressure to reach your goals immediately, or the normal fear of whether or not you'll be able to stick with the program once you've reached the level of health you desire. Don't worry. Just turn the page and let Michael's wise and compassionate voice guide you. Believe me, you're in good hands. It is my sincere hope that The Mind-Body Makeover Project marks a new beginning for the fitness industry — a beginning that honors the truth about what it takes to achieve good health. As you read through these pages, you'll begin to see that improving your health is a multifaceted and highly personal process that requires patience, understanding, and, above all, self-acceptance. I wish you the best of luck! — Cheryl Richardson |
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© 1996-2006 Cheryl Richardson. All rights reserved. Artwork provided by Jean-Paul Avisse and Corey Wolfe.
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