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It Was All in My Head 2011 Ed Taylor Page

Back Cover-

"There are lots of diet books written by Doctors. But they don't understand my emotionalstruggles. Ed does. He understands the ongoing battle between my inner child (Ideserve it) and my inner parent (You can't have that.)

I no longer feel like a victim of my food choices or body type. Instead, I feel like everychoice is mine to make. It's so empowering."

Cynthia Salbato

"It can be hard to resist the voice in your head saying "I don't want to", "You can't makeme", "My mother made me", or "I deserve it." This is where Ed's approach comes to therescue. It helps give up your rackets and break through the undermining assumptionsthat hold you back. It's a very powerful approach."

Margaret Shockley Gandy, N.C.,East West Healing Arts Center

"You've shown me how to come out of the closet, forgive myself, and start each day witha clean slate. More important, you've helped me see my body as a temple, andunderstand that I'm a spiritual being living a human existence. I'm less obsessed withfood now. I know the perspective you've given me will have a profound and lastingimpact on my life."

Judith Pavlik

"Eds book hits directly on the major reasons that most diets fail they are a house ofcards built on our existing way of thinking. Eds approach Change Your Thinking, isfundamental not only to success at achieving your ideal weight and health, but to making

intentional change and living a successful life."Rob Hambelton

"This is not just a book about diet or weight loss, it's also about finding and living yourlife's purpose, and going after your own happiness..."

Jennie Cui

"Given the state of our nation & economy your book and program may have more of apositive impact on a massive number of people than one can possibly imagine. Imaginethe world with people who are not only healthy but are enjoying being who they are.

What a gift."Bob Donovan

Back Cover continued...


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Not only did Ed Taylor lose over 110 pounds without dieting or surgery, he did itwithout goals or will power. His innovative approach focuses on understandingthe effect beliefs have on thinking and how our thinking is what determines ourweight and level of fitness. Ed shows how obtaining and maintaining your ideal

weight can be the result of living harmoniously with consciously developed corebeliefs and values, not, as conventional wisdom would have you believe, theresult of using will-power and discipline to pursue a goal.

Because of his amazing transformation, Taylor is an inspiration to readers world-wide, showing that it is possible to have this kind of life-changing experience, notonly did he do it, but anyone can. Ed's totally unique four step "HALO Method"explains how you can live in "Energetic Alignment." The result is a simple, diet-free approach that defies generally accepted wisdom and achieves dramatic andlasting results.

Ed Taylorhas absolutely no credentials to write this book other than his results.Forgetting about diets, weight loss goals and will power Ed simply examined hiscore beliefs and his personal values. He discovered some of his beliefs andvalues were faulty and needed to be updated. Losing 110 pounds was purely aside effect of living more congruently with his new beliefs and values. Ed'swebsite-AskEdTaylor.comprovides support, coaching, a social network, videos,etc.
http://askedtaylor.com/http://askedtaylor.com/http://askedtaylor.com/http://askedtaylor.com/


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Copyright 2011 by Ed Taylor

Cover design by Lori Taylor

Book design by Lori Taylor

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic ormechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, withoutpermission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, whomay quote short excerpts in a review.

Ed Taylor

More information and videos are available atTheHALOMethod.comandAskEdTaylor.com
http://thehalomethod.com/http://thehalomethod.com/http://thehalomethod.com/http://askedtaylor.com/http://askedtaylor.com/http://thehalomethod.com/


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Dedication

I dedicate this book to you!

May you have the wisdom to see and the strength to live by your most innateheartfelt values and beliefs. May you experience Energetic Alignment andenjoy all of the health, happiness and contentedness that you deserve.

Beyond that, may the "Inner You" accomplish, learn and evolve in all theways that are in harmony with your True Purpose.

"To change, you must face the dragon of your appetiteswith another dragon: the life-energy of the soul."

Rumi


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IT WAS ALL IN MY HEAD

Thought is the force that forms who we are,A new diet with old thinking won't take you too far.

I've been on many diets that worked for a time,But soon I'd be back eating that old "diet" of mine.

As my goals and my will power went right out the door,I would gain back the weight I had lost, plus more!

I now have discovered the secret I've sought,Weight loss results from the things I have thought.

By changing my thinking I've now lost many pounds,And it was incredibly easy, as crazy as it sounds!

Your thoughts will determine the weight you lose,So carefully consider the thoughts you choose.

Ed at 320 pounds Ed at 215 pounds


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CONTENTS

Forward 8

Introduction: My Personal Awakening 10

Part I

Head: Develop " Your Own" Belief System

1 BELIEFS- Changing My Beliefs Changed My Life 20

2 Changing My Thoughts Changed My Body 28

Part II

Actions: Changing Circumstances By Changing Thoughts

3 Conscious Thinking, Faith, Spirit and Free Will 35

Part III

Lucid Living: Snapping Out of Societal Hypnosis

4 Wake Up & Take Control of Your Life 42

Part IV

Ongoing: Develop " Your Own" Eating Plan

5 YOUR Plan 48

6 Your Routine 50

7 Be Flexible 52

8 Staying True 56

9 Honor Yourself 64

10 Closing Thoughts 68


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FOREWORD

For years, I continually fell short of the physical expectations I held for myself. Iblamed myself for not having the will power or the discipline necessary to obtain

and maintain anything approaching my ideal weight. I lived by hundreds ofexcuses: I was too busy, my work was too demanding, I'll start Monday, or thefirst of the month, or after my birthday, etc., etc., etc.

Now I know I was simply being misguided.

Conventional wisdom, the books, the diets and the plans that Id tried were just"not a fit" for me. It was not that I didnt have the ability to lose weight and keep itoff -- I just didnt have a plan that was right for me.

Finally, I developed my own plan and that's what this book is about. I'm NOT

suggesting that you go on "my plan." Quite the contrary, what I am suggesting isthat you develop YOUR OWN PLAN.

I have written The HALO Method to help you develop the belief system, thethought processes and the eating plan that fits youand which will allow you toobtain and maintain your ideal weight. My purpose is two-fold:

1. To provide you with information about the process I used to lose 110pounds and totally improve the circumstances of my life.

2. To inspire you to discover for yourself and understand that:

"Our thoughts control our destinies and we can control our thoughts ."

Our weight is a result of our thoughts, which we choose and encourage. Ourmind is the creator of our character and of the circumstances of our lives(including our weight) and, until now both may have been created unconsciously.However from now on, by consciously choosing our thoughts, we may createboth our character and our circumstances, including our weight and fitness, inease, enlightenment and happiness.

Ed TaylorAshland, Oregon


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Acknowledgments

Writing this book has been one of the most fun and at times one of the mostfrustrating things I have ever done. Now, with the book complete, I have one finalpage to write; this one.

With great joy in my heart and a smile on my face, (yes, really I'm smiling as I hiteach key on my keyboard) I'm reflecting on the journey of writing this book andthe people who have helped me along the way.

At the top of the list is my wife Lori. Lori and I were on a plane when I was struckwith the vision of sharing my weight loss and "energetic alignment" experience ina book. I scribbled pages and pages of notes on a yellow pad while we were inthe air and on the layover I shared them with her. Lori, thank you for yourunending encouragement. I also want to thank you for being my wife, my partnerthrough, good times and bad, your skill, your heart, your clarity and your wisdom.

Your constant help with my personal development, your illustration and coverdesign of this book, the development of the supporting websites, and mostimportantly, to the evolution of my life, in ways too numerous to mention. Thankyou for everything. I love you.

To Zak, my son, you spurred my awareness and introduced me to things that areat the foundation of my change in thinking and at the seat of my commitment toliving true to my higher self. Thank you.

To Danika, my daughter. What a joy and inspiration you have been your entirelife. Thank you. Thank you too for all of your help with the weight loss support

group and being such an inspiration to others, I'm so glad that we re-connectedin this way this time around.

To my parents, thank you both for all of your help, your countless readings andsuggestions.

Thank you to the founding members of my weight loss support group. CheriBrown, J udy Pavlik, my daughter Danika and Lysa Gore. This book would not bewhat it is today if it was not for your help and input.

Thank you J essica Vineyard, Rob Hambelton, J ennie Cui, Cynthia Salbato, BobDonovan, Margaret Shockley Gandy, Colleen Clary and Marci Taylor for readingand helping to improve my early drafts and Gail Kingsbury for being there for me.

I also want to extend a very special thank you to my editor Willy Mathes.

And finally to my lifelong friend, Richard Golden, your words, while notrepeatable here, remain an inspiration to me as does your awakening and yourcommitment to living your purpose. Thank you.


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Wake Up & Take Control of Your Li fe

I like to think of myself as a reasonably intelligent person who, at least most ofthe time, makes good decisions based on sound reasoning and logic. And, Im

imagining the same about you that is, you, too, consider yourself reasonablyintelligent, reasonable and logical. However, both you and I if youve decided totake a look at this book have something more in common, I believe. And that iswe both have had or currently have a desire to change our habits, especially oureating habits!

Let me share a little story with you...

A teacher takes a bit of lightweight thread and wraps it one time around astudent's wrists.

He tells the class, "This string represents the power of doing somethingone time. Can you break the string?"

The student easily breaks the thread with a small flick of his wrists. Theteacher then wraps the string around the student's wrists many times andrepeats the challenge to break it.

Despite repeated efforts, the lightweight thread is too strong to break.

His teacher says, "Now you see the power of repeated actions...habits. Ittakes more than mere willpower and personal strength to break them. It

takes a change in the way you think about the problem."

The idea that you can control your bad habits is a myth.

Bad habits are impulses... so instead of controlling them, we often end uprepeating them.

Even though we recognize the stress bad habits cause in our lives... and eventhough we make promises to change our ways... again and again, we repeat thesame habit patterns!

That's because a habit, by definition, is an acquired pattern of behavior that hasbecome almost involuntary as a result of frequent repetition.

BAD habits prevent us from reaching our potential.

They're self-inflicted punishments that drain us of motivation, time, money andthey keep us eating and moving the way we always eat and move. Bad habitshold us back from living the great life we know we could achieve.


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J ust think of all the times you've said something like...

"The diet starts Monday and I'll stick to it this time, I SWEAR!"

Sound familiar? You're not alone.

The reality is most people try to break habits backwards; we try to physicallychange our behaviors before we have changed our beliefs and our thoughts.

The result? Stress. Disappointment. The erosion of self-esteem.

When we use "will power" and "discipline," instead of changing who we are bychanging our beliefs and our thoughts and simply living in alignment with who weare, we set ourselves up for a "battle of wills." Your conscious "will power" versusyour beliefs and prevailing thoughts.

Of course, some people can muster up enough will power and discipline toachieve their goals and maintain them. It's my belief that somewhere in thatprocess, they also changed their beliefs, their values and their thinking.

For me, the easy way to lose bad habits was to change the way I thought before Ichanged the way I acted.

I developed a belief that allowing unconscious habits to dictate my actions is justnot consistent with my purpose or vision! Let me repeat that:

I developed a belief that allowing unconscious habits to dictatemy actions is just not consistent with my purpose or vision!

I decided I would no longer be a "creature of habit", instead I would live inalignment with the universal energy by consciously choosing my beliefs andthoughts and then living true to who I am. Bad habits would be removed fromtheir core. J ust as light eliminates darkness, awareness eliminates habit.

This, dear reader, would be the beginning of a new journey for me, one that,ultimately, freed me from the relentless weight loss-weight gain roller-coaster,and gave me the ability to live joyfully in alignment with who I truly am.


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MY PERSONAL AWAKENING-

As I'm starting to write this book I'm sitting on an airplane, in the middle seat, andI'm not overflowing onto my neighbors on each side- I feel thin. I'm not thin, I'm

219 pounds and my ideal weight is probably 180ish so I'm 30

plus pounds overweight yet I feel thin.

Here's why, 8 months ago I was 299 pounds and one yearbefore that I weighed 324. So I'm 105 pounds less than I was atmy highest weight. (As I was writing this book I lost a little moreweight but I was down 105 pounds when I started it.)

Looking back I can clearly see the 4 events that changed mypath, my weight, my level of physical fitness and frankly, my

entire life.

These 4 events lifted a fog that had been limiting my thinking. It's as if I hadawoken from a hypnotic trance and a veil had been lifted allowing me to seemore clearly than I even knew was possible.

The first event was my wife, Lori, seeing her father's spirit in the months followinghis passing. He came to her very clearly, and I couldnt deny that this was realfor her, and actually having a positive effect on her (this occurrence, and thosethat came after, seemed to truly comfort and reassure her), regardless of howstrange it seemed to me, at the time.

The second event was an unintended "psychic reading" I had. I happened to be

scheduled to speak at a convention in Denver, and was browsing the vendorbooths before my scheduled presentation. (By the way, I have been an Internetmarketing consultant since 1995 and I've spoken to over 1,300 groups so thiswas not at all unusual for me.) I started visiting with a woman who was settingup her "aura photo" booth. Before long I was "sitting for a photo" and she wasgiving me a "reading."

This was a first for me. I had never done anything like this. I wasnot "seeking" anything, spiritual or otherwise. I was just spendingtime before my presentation in conversation and the reading justhappened. (It's interesting, isn't it, how some of the things that

'just happen' totally transform our lives.)

I was very impressed with her reading, a bit skeptical, but yetimpressed.

As it turned out, J udy, this psychic aura photographer, was givinga presentation just before mine in the same room I was speaking so I decided tosit in on her session.

Ed Taylor BEFORE at

324 Pounds

Ed Taylor AFTER at

215 Pounds


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Again, I was very impressed. Her presentation was incredibly professional andher personal story was extremely compelling. The "readings" she did with severalof the audience members were confirmed by those she "read" for. It was as ifroom was being made in my mind for the possibility for something to exist that I

just did not have an explanation for.

The third event that "changed my path" was actually a sequence of events. Mywife's experience seeing the "spirit" of her dad and my experience with thepsychic got me thinking about all of this 'weird stuff' (or so I had precociouslycalled it). So over the course of the next several months I bought, read andlistened to many books on "spirit" and "energy." The more I learned the moreroom I had to learn more. As I look back I can clearly see the stepping stones,the building of knowledge on knowledge.

The fourth event was simply a change in my thinking, more accurately, a change

in my beliefs which resulted in a change in my thinking. I'll explain more aboutthis in the following pages but changing my beliefs was a huge turning point forme and it is primarily responsible for my weight loss.

Again, this "new path" that I'm on is very clear to me now, as I look back, but as Istarted this journey I had no idea where I was going. I had no idea I would losemore than 110 pounds and totally change my beliefs, my thinking and, really,who I am as a person.

Who I was, both personally and physically...J ust to give you a bit of personal background about me, I graduated high school

in 1972. The hippie age was ending but after a year of work I took my savingsand hitch hiked around the US and Canada back packing in the wilderness andworking odd jobs. I married in '74 and became a longshoreman and commercialfisherman in Newport, Oregon. After a couple of years of that I moved to Eugene,Oregon and went into sales. My career has been in sales and marketing eversince. For the last 25 years I have been self employed as a consultant, serviceprovider and professional speaker.

As for my weight, before my "awakening," I bounced around between 290 and320 pounds for about 15 years. Oh, I did go on the Atkins diet for several monthsin there and got into the 280's for a week or two but then climbed all the way towhat became my all-time high weight of 324 pounds.

I weighed between 260 and 290 for 10 or more years before that. The bottom-line is this. I have been fat, very fat, for a very long time. I had gained weightalmost every single year since I left the waterfront in 1976.

What Changed?My beliefs, my thinking and my weight. In that order.


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I did not have a looming medical disaster. I wasn't given an ominous warningfrom my doctor to lose weight or else. Had I been given that type of warning I'mnot sure what I would have done, I like to think I would have found a way to losethe weight, but I'm not sure; that's not my story.

My "why" (I actually had two) is much more subtle, much less urgent, and for me,that was exactly what I needed. I hope my story, my journey, will be aninspiration and something of a guide or roadmap for you.

My initial reason, my initial "why" is personal and a bit embarrassing. See, theinitial reason I decided to get into shape had to do with my entire family: me, mywife, my son and my daughter... we were all fat and getting fatter.

When my Lori and I married back in 1974 I was a bit heavy, I probably weighedclose to 200 pounds. Remember, I said my ideal weight was closer to 180

pounds so I might have been 15 to 20 pounds overweight, I was in pretty goodshape though, I was physically active, and a bit stocky, in a football player kind ofway.

Lori had the perfect build, by far the best body of any of my prior girlfriends (sorryto prior girlfriends who may be reading this). I don't know how much she weighedbut she was very athletic, firm and carried herself with all of the confidence a guylike me was looking for.

As the years passed, we both put on weight. I put on more and sooner than her;but as the years passed, she began to catch up to me.

My 21 year old daughter, who is attending a university, was also overweight andso was my 30 year old son.

Here's the bottom line of the "why": Over the course of a few months (at thesame time I was being exposed to the psychic stuff). I started noticing andbecoming aware of a feeling I was having about my weight and the weight of allof my family members. The word "sloth" kept coming into my mind, which wasincredibly bizarre; because, I don't ever use that word! I thought it meant "beinglazy" but I looked it up, because I wasn't totally sure. I found out it means- "theavoidance of physical or spiritual work."

Hmmm... I had been avoiding both. You can't call the act of being a consultant ora professional speaker "physical." In fact, I used to tell people I was a "talker nota doer." And I hadn't given a thought to anything spiritual since my teens andearly twenties. In my adult life, in other words, I had never done any "spiritualwork."


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So my initial "why" had to do with this awareness I was developing. I wanted toend the "sloth phase" of my life. I also hoped the other members of my familywould be inspired by my new path. I did not have any idea what this meant. Itwas just an awareness I had.

My "second why" was more self-centered and a bit more mysterious.

As I was thinking and studying about spirit and energy, I, for the first time ever,began to put trust and faith, into a universal energy. This may sound bizarre toyou, as it would have sounded bizarre to me a few years ago... but I now believe:

1) there is a "universal energy;"

2) that we, as humans, actually are, essentially, made up of this universal,eternal energy, which is separate and distinct from our bodies;

3) we are, each of us human beings, like unique, individual waves on the oceanof universal energy; and

4) each of us waves of universal energy is what many people call a spirit.

I have come to believe we each are a unique energy (spirits, souls or whateveryou want to call it) that is here on earth within our bodies right now having a"human experience". I have also come to believe that we owe it to our trueselves, to our eternal energy, to have our human body in good condition so wecan get the most spiritually out of our human experience.

Let me repeat this because this is a HUGE turning point for me-I believe our energies (our TRUE selves) are here on earth within our

bodies right now having a human experience and we owe it to our trueselves, our eternal energy, to have our human body in good condi tion to

get the most spiri tually out of our human experience.

As soon as I accepted the belief that my body is not myself, that I am theuniversal energy inhabiting this body, everything changed for me.

As soon as I accepted the belief that I'm a small entity connected to a muchlarger entity I felt relieved. I felt a quiet connectedness, a calm feeling. I also feltlike I owed it to my 'inner self', what I am now calling my TRUE self, to treat mybody with respect.

As this newfound sense of true self worth was developing, what kept coming tomind was the old saying, "The body is the temple of the Spirit.. I had heard thatsaying but I wasn't sure where or in what context. But given what I wasexperiencing, I began recognizing that, if it was actually true, a readiness and


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willingness to make some changes would demonstrate my commitment torespecting my temple and my spirit!

Please note: I do not personally believe there are any negative consequences toyour spirit if you let your body go to hell in a hand basket so to speak. I do,

however, believe it IS BETTER for your spiritual journey if your body is wellmaintained and cared for. This just makes sense to me. (And by the way, that'swhat this whole book is about; finding things that "just make sense to you" andthen living true to them.)

So as I started making conscious changes in my beliefs I had two primary"whys."

1. I wanted to end my sloth, while setting an example for my family.

2. I believed getting my body healthier was better for my spiritual journey.

I also had two additional "whys" in the back of my mind when I started and as Icontinued on my path they seemed to become more important to me.

3. I wanted to become more congruent in my life, by acting more consistentlywith my beliefs and values.

4. I wanted to regain some long-lost fitness, lose some aches and pains and dosome of the physical things that I had let slip away over the years.

MY DISCOVERYAs I alluded to it in the poem, It Was All in My Head (at the opening of thisbook), I "went on" dozens of diets over the years only to "go off" and becomeheavier than I was when I started.

I have set goals and used "will power" for years, for decades, only to bedisappointed with my results.

Worse, I was not only disappointed in my results, I was losing confidence in myability to lose weight and keep it off. I eventually got to the point where Id startedthinking; "What's wrong with me?" Why can't I do this? Why don't I have the willpower, the determination, the stick-to-itiveness to lose weight and keep it off?

I now have the answer to those questions. NOTHING was wrong with me, and ICOULD lose weight and keep it off! I have now lost 110 pounds!!!

I had just been using the WRONG STRATEGY! Sure, I could muster up enough"will power" to be "on a diet" for a while.

Here's the problem. When I went "on" a diet, any diet, I ultimately went "off" thediet. When I went "off the diet" what do you suppose happened?


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I gradually (or sometimes very quickly) gravitated back to the way I had alwayseaten. I went back on "my plan." And what happened next? I gained back all ofthe weight I had lost . . . and often more. Why? Because my plan sucked!!!

Sound familiar? I'm probably telling your story, too.

Here's what I have discovered to be true for me (and maybe you can relate): Diets don't work Will power doesn't work Discipline doesn't work Exercise doesn't work

Here's what happened that worked for me (and Im hopeful youll find this to betrue for you, as well):

I changed my beliefs I changed my thinking and

Everything changed

I'm a 56-year-old man who made a simple, personal discovery and lost 110pounds!Period.

J ust to be clear, I'm not a doctor, nutritionist, scientist or theologian. I have noqualifications to dispense any type of medical, dietary or nutritional advice. Theonly qualification I have to write this book is my result. I lost 110 pounds, I'mkeeping it off, and I'm in the best shape Ive enjoyed in decades!

That said, this is NOT really a "diet" book. This is a book about beliefs and

thinking, and how by changing my beliefs and my thinking, I lost a lot of weightand I'm keeping it off.

Now you don't have to believe anything I just said for this book and program towork for you. The bottom line is this:

To make a permanent change in your weight and your fitness (or anything else)you must start by making a change in your THINKING!!!

I discovered that by simply changing a few of my beliefs and some of mythoughts, the way I ate and moved totally changed.

What I'm calling my "spiritual awakening" was one of my "whys" (i.e., why Ineeded to change). It was a very compelling "why" for me, and I actually dobelieve you, too, should have a very compelling why. But your why does notneed to have to do with anything spiritual or being a role model for your family.Maybe you have a looming medical issue and really need to lose weight; ormaybe you just want to fit into a smaller size of pants; or maybe you don't want totake up two airplane seats.


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Whatever your "why" is, that's what you need to identify first.

Second, you need to change your thinking.

The best part is this: Changing your thinking is simple, fun and absolutelyempowering.

For me the starting point was to "re-think" some of my thinking and some of mybeliefs. And I suggest that is where you start.

As I was working on this book, I identified the process I went through. I now callthe process the HALO Method. Following the HALO Method is responsible forme losing 110 pounds and getting into the best shape I have been in for severaldecades. But much more than that, this process has also helped me becomemore "centered," more relaxed, more thoughtful... and more in alignment with my

"True Self."

The 4 elements of the HALO Method are:

1. HeadBeliefs - Consciously developing beliefs that are supportedby your current understanding and that support your desiredlife path.

Thoughts - Replace habitual thought with conscious thoughtthat is consistent with your beliefs.

2. ActualizationThinking, Acting and Living in Harmony with Your Beliefs.

3. Lucid LivingBeing Conscious . . . Free Yourself from Habitual Thinkingand Impulsive Actions.

4. Ongoing - Living in Harmony with Your Beliefs and Values.

Each of the elements in the HALO Method are important . . . but the first two,Head and Actualization are the underpinning of it all. They are the foundationthe other two are built upon.

For me, the HALO Method allowed me to re-think who I was, what I believed, andwhat I valued. I now aim to live in harmony with this new, clearer vision of "me."(Obviously, if your health care professional is advising you to immediately change yourdiet, do it. But I would still suggest you go through this process to realign your underlyingbeliefs and thoughts.)


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It is important for you to have a fundamental understanding of the personalphilosophy and belief system out of which arose the HALO Method, in order foryou to get the most out of it. So, I have liberally distributed the basic elements ofthis philosophy and belief system throughout the pages that follow.

I have also developed a website for you to explore the HALO Method further at:www. AskEdTaylor.com. This website contains much more information, videosand coaching, all relating to the successful application of The Halo Method indaily life. We are even building a community for ongoing support, and muchmore!

I want to credit J ames Allen who wrote the literary classic,As A Man Thinketh,which was originally published in 1902.

His book opens with the statement:

Mind is the Master power that moulds and makes,And Man is Mind, and evermore he takesThe tool of Thought, and, shaping what he wills,Brings forth a thousand joys, a thousand ills: He thinks in secret, and it comes to pass:Environment is but his looking-glass.

I first readAs A Man Thinketh many years ago. I found it interesting, but not lifechanging. Now, looking back and re-reading it, I find it profound. If you would like

to read this timeless classic, I have a FREE copy for you atAskEdTaylor.com

If you would like more guidance, or if you would simply like to join a community ofothers on this path, go to:AskEdTaylor.comand enroll in the free 30 day e-course.
http://askedtaylor.com/http://askedtaylor.com/http://askedtaylor.com/http://askedtaylor.com/http://askedtaylor.com/http://askedtaylor.com/http://askedtaylor.com/http://askedtaylor.com/http://askedtaylor.com/http://askedtaylor.com/http://askedtaylor.com/


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Section 1

HeadDEVELOP YOUR OWN BELIEF SYSTEM

The ancestor of every action is a thought.

Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen.

To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else isthe greatest accomplishment.

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Be silent about great things, let them grow inside you."

-- Freidrich von Hugel


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Chapter 1

BELIEFS- Changing My Beliefs Changed My Life

I was fat for many years. Why?

Conventional wisdom would provide 3 answers:

1. I ate too much.2. I ate the wrong foods.3. I didn't exercise enough.

All three of the above are absolutely true, but they are NOT the whole truth. I did,at times, eat too much, I did, again at times, eat the wrong foods, and I did notexercise enough, ever.

BUT, now I know THESE 3 THINGS WERE NOT THE CAUSE of my being fat.

Here's the REAL CAUSE of my obesity: MY BELIEFS.

For example: I believed I deserved to eat what I wanted, when I wanted. I workedhard and I had earned it. I was entitled to reward myself with food.

I now know that as long as I believed I was deserving, I was at the mercy ofoutside conditions (like a stressful job); and as long as I was at the mercy ofoutside conditions, I would be a victim of my circumstances.

You see, somewhere over the course of my life, I had learned (i.e., adopted thebelief) that I deserved to reward myself by eating what I wanted when I wanted.Can you relate at all to this?

Now, don't take this wrong, I was conscientious most of the time. I didn't alwayswant steaks and baked potatoes with the works, and cake and ice cream. Iwanted granola (but lots of granola), whole wheat bran muffins, and yes, baconcheese burgers on occasion; but I was not a raging, out-of-control foodaholic. Iwas just eating what I wanted when I wanted. Over time, this eating pattern justkept adding pounds of fat to my body, regardless of the quality of the food I was

consuming.

The key to the above paragraph is in the first sentence- "I had LEARNED..." AlvinToffler the distinguished futurist, once said, The illiterate of the 21st century willnot be those who cant read or write, but those who cannot learn, UNLEARN andrelearn.


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Unlearning is the process of challenging your existing belief system. Toconsciously change your thinking, you must bring your unconscious beliefsystem to the surface, question it, keep some, get rid of some, then RELEARN(clarify what is true) and REHABITUATE (establish the new belief as yournorm).

Every belief we have -- whether the belief supports weight loss or weight gain --will ultimately result in thoughts. Our thoughts will result in our actions (or in-actions) and these actions (or in-actions) will produce the circumstances weexperience in our lives.

Healthy beliefs produce healthy actions, unhealthy beliefs produce unhealthyactions. Beliefs that support weight gain produce weight gain. Beliefs that supporta fit and lean body produce a lean and fit body.

I know this sounds incredibly simple, and it is; but it is also profound.

Belief is the foundation of thought: what we believe determines what we think.

When I understood this tiny distinction, everything began to change for me.

The "destiny of our lives" lies within ourselves. Its in the energy of our thoughts.Our destiny, including our weight, is determined by the energy produced andattracted by what we choose to believe and what we think.

In the paragraph above, I mentioned the "energy of our thoughts." This is anincredibly important concept. Our thoughts are energy, i.e., they are energy

forms expressed out of our core beliefs in response to whatever were focusingon in our environment (and that includes both our outer and inner environments).And naturally enough, the energy of our thoughts affects our physicalbodies.

If you need scientific evidence in order to adopt that belief, I highly recommendthat you read Dr. Bruce Lipton's book, The Biology of Belief. Dr. Lipton is aformer medical school professor and research scientist. His research shows thatgenes and DNA do not control our biology, as has commonly been held. Instead,his studies have demonstrated, DNA is controlled by signals from outside thecell, including the energetic messages emanating from our thoughts. Dr. Liptonsresearch shows that our bodies can be changed as we retrain our thinking.

As long as I continued to hold "limiting beliefs" (e.g. It's normal to gain weight as Iget older), maintained negative thoughts about "dieting" (e.g. I live in abundance.I can eat what I want when I want.), and held "reasons" for my weight and eatingpatterns, I was stuck. I was doomed. Those head beliefs would forever be inconflict with my hearts desire to lose weight.


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Once I really "got it," I understood that my beliefs and my thoughts (and theenergy produced by my thoughts) were the result of CHOICES I made . . . and Icould choose new beliefs and new thoughts at any time.As soon as I starteddoing so, my life began to change!

As I identified and chose beliefs and thoughts that supported the ideal "vision" Ihave of myself, my actions changed automatically. Once my actions changed,my weight began to change, again, automatically.

I'm not saying we get what we want simply by wishing, hoping and dreaming. Ourwishes, hopes and dreams are only gratified and answered when they are inharmony with our beliefs and thoughts (and ultimately our actions).

Here's an example of what I mean: For years, I believed that I deserved to eatwhat I wanted when I wanted. I was entitled to this big bowl of ice cream,chocolate sauce and nuts.

During this time, I wished I would lose weight. I hoped I would lose weight. Ieven dreamt I would lose weight. But did I? Of course not.

Why not? Because of my 'limiting belief' (I deserved), converted into thought (abig bowl of ice cream sounds good) which transformed into an action (eating theice cream), which resulted in a re-action (gaining weight).

It's all very simple, very logical and quite predictable.

Diets focus on the last step in this process, the eating. The real solution, at least

for me, was in focusing on the 'root of the problem,' which was my beliefs and mythinking. Does this make sense to you? This just seems so obvious to me now.

Another very common 'limiting belief' is "Im too busy." It's true, isn't it? We arebusy. So, its very easy to believe we are so busy, we just can't take the time toeat better or work out regularly.

I call these 'limiting beliefs,' because they put a limit on our accomplishments.These types of beliefs undermine our actions and, most importantly, they are nottrue!!! Perhaps more accurately, they are only true if you DECIDE they are.

I'm sure you know someone who is just as busy as you are, perhaps even busier,who still finds time to work out. Say, the President of the United States?

I'm sure you can find dozens, hundreds, even thousands of people who have asmany of the responsibilities in their lives that you are "blaming" for your "lack ofdoing" in yours, and yet they do get these things done. They eat better. Theyexercise more, etc. Why?


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The answer is simple- they BELIEVE differently than you do; therefore, they thinkdifferently than you do; and ultimately they act differently than you do.

As long as we are "fighting against circumstances" by laying the blame on beingbusy, or being stressed, or feeling deserving, or anything else, then we are

fighting against an outside effect; while all the while, we are nourishing andpreserving its cause in our heart and in our mind. This is a sure recipe for failureand frustration.

That "cause in our hearts and minds" may take the form of a conscious vice, likedrinking, or an unconscious weakness, like bad food choices. Whatever it is, itprevents us from being in alignment with our core beliefs and values. Being outof alignment with our beliefs, thoughts and actions prevents us from attractingand maintaining the circumstances we truly want in our lives. In fact, being out ofalignment prevents us from becoming the people we truly want to become.

When we are "fighting against circumstances," our thoughts create actions thatundermine our true desires.

Can you think of a time this has happened in your life?

Think about how simple this is to change.

We are often eager to improve our circumstances, but unaware that we need toimprove our beliefs and our thinking before our circumstances will improve;therefore, we continue to get the result we have always gotten.

For decades, I vacillated between wanting to lose weight and get in shape, and"acceptance," just being OK with being fat.

When I wanted to lose weight, I went on diets, many diets; but I didn't change mybeliefs and my thinking. The result was I would go off the diet, and add more andmore weight, as the years of failed diets and faulty thinking passed.

For years, I thought having a positive mental attitude, being disciplined andworking harder (i.e., exerting more "will power") toward the attainment of mygoals was the way to success at anything. I now know that the way to truesuccess, at least for me, was getting clear about who I am and what I believe,then living in harmony with my innermost beliefs and values. I still believe havinga positive mental attitude, having discipline, being consistent, etc. are allimportant; but it's much more important, more foundational, to live true to who Iam, in harmony with my core beliefs and values.

What is important to note, as we go forward, is that, while we may be aiming at agood end, we often frustrate ourselves by giving our attention over to thoughts


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and underlying beliefs which cannot possibly harmonize with that end. I spentdecades doing this! It was all very subconscious at the time; but now it is clear.

Here are the 7 Starting Steps of the HALO Method

1. Soul Searching -- Going internal, self-analysis, being introspective,meditating... Whatever you want to call it; the objective is to take some timeand think about who you are. Think about your beliefs. Think about why youbelieve what you believe. Question your beliefs. Think about "universalenergy" and your relationship to it. Think about how "energy" or spirit relatesto your physical self.

While you are at it, take some time to meditate (or learn how to meditate, ifyoure unfamiliar with meditation). To me, meditating requires an absence ofthinking. It requires quieting the thinking mind and allowing peacefulness andwisdom to bubble up from the soul. Relax. Breathe. Daydream. Allow yourself

to transcend (go beyond) thought, in order to simply be who you are, or (atleast) explore who you are without attachment to past beliefs or thoughtsabout yourself.

2. Understand What Beliefs Are -- Beliefs MAY be true, or they may be false; ingeneral, we don't know for certain. We CHOOSE to believe whether somethingis true or false.

An example might be your last name. You may have been told your entire lifethat your name is your name, and that your parents were your parents; only todiscover as an adult that you were adopted and you were never told! You

spent years believing with all of your heart and mind that something was true;only to later discover it was not true.

Believing, accepting things on faith, is how we keep information organized inour minds. We cannot empirically "prove" everything; therefore, there aremany, many things we just accept on faith, things we just believe to be oneway or another.

Once I understood that beliefs are not truths, it was much easier for me toaccept that I could easily change my beliefs.

As you begin to re-think who you are, and what your true purpose is, you maydiscover some of the beliefs you currently have do not support the vision ofwho you really are, or who you would like to become.

The good news, though, is this: YOU can change your beliefs! I did, and then,everything changed for me.


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3. Identify and Eliminate Your "L imit ing Beliefs" -- I identified some beliefsthat just did not serve me well. One such belief for me had to do with "spirit." Iwent through many years as a "non-believer." If science couldn't prove it, Ididn't believe it, period.

I now realize there are many, many things science couldn't explain a few yearsago, which now are "known facts." Were people who believed these things inadvance of them being scientifically proven wrong? Of course not, they weresimply ahead of their time. Well, I'm choosing to see myself as ahead of mytime by believing "that spirit exists and equates with the universal energyproviding the foundation of all creation" and science just isn't yet able toconnect the dots.

Two of the "limiting beliefs" I eliminated were: 'There is no power greater thanmyself' and 'There is no bigger purpose for my existence.' The first belief heldme in the position of feeling I was responsible for and therefore must control

everything (and everyone), while the second belief left me, ultimately,unchallenged and bored.

4. Choose and Add New " Empowering Beliefs" -- I eliminated (which simplymeans I changed my mind about) my limiting beliefs (e.g. that 'There is nopower greater than myself') and replaced the old beliefs with new,empowering beliefs (e.g. that There IS a power greater than myself.) Thisnow allows space for me to evaluate spiritual beliefs rather than universallydismissing them.

Making these simple distinctions about my old and my new, more empowering

beliefs washuge

for me! It inspired me to re-think many of the old adages Ihad heard for years. Old chestnuts like, "Your body is your temple" took onnew meaning for me. And the result was changing my actions. I began to eatand move differently.

5. Accept Infinite Energy -- I have found that having a purpose "bigger thanmyself" has been very empowering and liberating. Accepting that I am anenergetic being having a human experience gives me purpose and comfort.It's difficult to explain but I feel more contented in an internal way. I feel morewhole.

I have now taken this acceptance way beyond where I started. The more Ithink about and study the field of spirit and energy, the more my beliefsexpand in this area and it continually becomes easier for me to stay true to myvalues and live in harmony with the "true" me.

6. Accept Your Greater Life Purpose -- Adopting the belief that my humanexperience has a purpose that has to do with the evolution of my soul/spiritwas transformational for me; in that I began believing my body really is MY


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temple. I say this, not for the sake of a religion or some other collective; rather,believing for MY OWN spiritual sake has been incredibly empowering. I'm noton a diet and exercise plan, I'm now eating and moving in ways that supportthe evolution of my soul. This is a HUGE distinction!

7. Establish Your Vision of the " Ideal You" --The difference between avision and a goal is that a goal is a task you want to accomplish, usuallywith incremental steps and measurements. A vision is something you areinspired by and you simply move towards it. Goals can motivate or un-motivate(e.g. it was not very motivating at age 35 to eat cottage cheese and tomatoesso I might live 5 years longer.), but a vision ALWAYS inspires.

Once my beliefs were well grounded in a "bigger picture," I started thinking aboutmy life, my purpose, my responsibilities and my body differently. I suppose youcould say I started thinking about almost everything differently. I came to believemy feelings, my gut reactions, could actually be signals or communications, from

a higher energy.

Once I began to believe in universal energy and the importance of beingconnected with my "spirit," it became very easy to maintain my thinking and myactions in accordance with my new beliefs.

Now let's take this a step further...


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Chapter 2

Changing My Thoughts Changed My Body

Our conscious thoughts create a sub-conscious awareness which makes usaware of circumstances, things and people who can help us most!

Obtaining and maintaining the "right attitude" . . . or using the right self talk,whatever you want to call it . . . was vitally important to my weight loss success.

But, having a Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) by itself is not nearly enough!

I was first exposed to "PMA" when I was in junior high school. My dad subscribed

to "Success" magazine ("Success Unlimited" at the time) for what seemed likemy whole life and I loved it. I read all the stories about successful salespeople,entrepreneurs and business people, all of them attributing their success to theirpositive mental attitude.

I was so enamored by this type of information that, in my 20's, I became adistributor of Nightingale Conant audio tapes; not because I wanted to sell thetapes, but because I was buying so many for my own personal use, that it was abetter value for me to become a distributor so I could by them at wholesale!

In my 30's and early 40's, I created a company that helped market seminars for

many of the country's top motivational speakers.

My company helped promote hundreds of seminars, and in the process, I had theopportunity to meet and spend many personal hours with:

Tony Robbins J im Rohn Brian Tracy Wayne Dyer Dennis Waitly Harv Eker

Deepak Chopra Tom Hopkins J ay Abraham Todd Duncan Susan Powter Dan Pena Frank Maguire Michael Gerber . . .


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. . . and dozens of other self-help experts and coaching gurus. I mention thesepeople because, being leading experts in their fields, I learned a lot from each ofthem. I saw the help they brought to so many. I directly experienced how theiradvice and inspiration helped me in my business and in my personaldevelopment.

But still, I was overweight, way overweight!

I have spent many, many hours with Tony Robbins; and I know he would say thatI never made losing weight a "must" in my life. It was forever a "should." I knew Ishould lose weight, but it was not a must that I lose weight.

Looking back, he was absolutely right.

I can see now that Id been thinking and believing I was in the same zone I wasin when I was young. I didn't necessarily feel invincible; but I felt strong, and wasvibrantly making my mark on the world. Sure, I was overweight; but I was eating

well, and simply living on my own terms. Living large. Illget into shape when Ihave more time, I thought. Oh, what a trap that was.

My highest values, back then, were freedom, self-reliance and fun. I wanted to dowhat I wanted to do when I wanted to do it. That is, no doubt, why I gravitatedtoward sales and entrepreneurship. I wanted control of how I spent my time andwho I spent my time with, including who I worked with. Unfortunately, I was notthinking and believing in accord with reality. I was thinking and believing I couldignore basic principles of eating, exercise (or lack thereof) and weight gain: putx number of calories into a body without any regular exercise and continueholding a devil may care attitude = weight gain. It really is a simple recipe, if you

think about it. But the point is, I thought my way into the actions (or non-actions,in the case of exercise) that led to my weight gain.

By the way, I was an above average salesperson. I like people and people likeme. My enthusiasm is contagious; this is not contrived or some sales tactic -- it'sjust the way I am now, and pretty much the way Ive always have been.

I was NOT a very good businessperson. I wanted to be good at it. I triednumerous times to build successful businesses -- each ended, however, with mein debt, feeling a bit ashamed and humiliated.

Anyway, what I now know is this: having a positive attitude and enthusiasm forwhat you want is not enough. It's not NEARLY enough.

THE ENERGY OF THOUGHT

I have come to understand that our thoughts also have an energetic element. Ifyou are skeptical about this, or if you would just like to understand the sciencebehind it, I highly recommend that you read Dr. Bruce Lipton's book, The Biology


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of Belief. I also have a video of Dr. Lipton explaining this process atAskEdTaylor.com.

Thought is made up of energy, and this energy actually affects the biology of ourbodies. Our innermost desires and aspirations do, actually, physically affect the

outer conditions of our lives.

Being overweight and out of shape was not in my DNA. I became overweight,because I allowed myself to continually have thoughts that resulted in actions (orinactions), which eventually led to my being overweight and out of shape.

I found that as I changed my thoughts towards circumstances and people,circumstances and people changed towards me.

The proof of this truth (i.e., thoughts have energy) is easily recognizable in me,as it is in every person. Indeed, with a little introspection and self-analysis, I think

you will find it easy to see in yourself. Many people imagine that their thoughtscan be kept secret, but they cannot; the energy within thoughts rapidlycrystallizes into habit, and habits solidify into circumstances. Lets take adeeper look into this:

Disempowering thoughts and limiting beliefs crystallize into bad habits,which eventually solidify into problematic, distressing circumstances.Hopefully, youll readily see that this makes sense.

On the other hand, inspiring, empowering thoughts (of all kinds) crystallizeinto good, healthy, life-affirming habits, which eventually solidify into

rewarding, upbeat circumstances. Pure thoughts crystallize into habits ofself-control and an effortless restraint, which eventually solidify intocircumstances hallmarked by mastery, relaxation and peace.

Thoughts of courage, self-reliance, and decisions fueled by resolvecrystallize into positive, progressive habits, which eventually solidify intocircumstances of success, abundance and greater freedom.

Gentle and forgiving thoughts crystallize into habits of tenderness and anatural sensitivity, which eventually solidify into nurturing, protective andlife-preserving circumstances.

Loving and unselfish thoughts crystallize into habits of giving to andsupport of others, which eventually solidify into circumstances of the spiritof brotherhood and true community.

Any particular train of thought persisted in, be it good or bad, cannot fail toproduce its results in a person's character and on their circumstances.
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We cannot directly choose our circumstances, but we can choose our thoughts(or at least the thoughts we put our attention on); and so indirectly, yet surely, wecan shape our circumstances.

My "circumstances," my family, my crazy schedule, my stresses, etc. did not

MAKE me gain weight. My being overweight and out of shape merelyREVEALED to me the results produced by my thoughts.

Your current circumstances do not MAKE you the person you are. Your currentcircumstances merely REVEAL to you the person your thoughts have causedyou to become.

Please do not be disheartened by this. This recognition is an essential element inchange.

Years ago, I read a great book, "Mans Search for Meaning" by Dr. Viktor Frankl.

The book chronicles Dr. Frankl's experiences as a concentration camp inmateduring WW II, and describes his way of finding a reason to live.

Frankl determined that the meaning of life is found in every moment of living; lifenever ceases to have meaning, in other words . . . even in suffering and death.Frankl believed that for everyone in a dire condition, there is someone lookingdown, a friend, family member, or even God, who would expect not to bedisappointed.

Frankl concludes from his experience that a prisoner's psychological reactionsare not solely the result of the conditions of his life; but also from the freedom of

choice he always has, even in circumstances of unimaginable suffering.The inner hold a prisoner has on his/her spiritual self is based upon having faithin the future; and once a prisoner loses that faith, he/she is doomed. (You willfind a terrific, inspiring video of an interview with Dr. Frankl onAskEdTaylor.com)

Dr. Frankl said, Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that spacelies our ability to choose our response. In that choice lies our growth and ourfreedom.

Changing your thinking, or interpretations of external events e.g., "Ive workedhard, so I deserve to eat whatever I want" -- is all about creating that bufferspace between stimulus (working hard and getting things done) and response(eating because I deserve it), and consciously putting a new filter in place (eatinghealthy food vs. junk food or taking time to take a walk) as a reward.

Again, your current circumstances do not make you the person you are. Yourcurrent circumstances merely reveal to you (and others) the person you havebecome.
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Once we wake up to our current circumstances and become aware of our beliefsand thoughts, we can then snap out of our hypnotic acceptance of societalconformity, the influences of marketing and habit. When you understand thatyour beliefs are the foundation of your thoughts and your thoughts determine

your actions and your actions determine your circumstances, everything willchange for you. It is incredibly exciting and empowering to understand that yourcircumstances do not make you the person you are; rather, the person you aremakes your circumstances.

We do not attract that which we want in our lives; we attract that which our livesare. We become what we believe and what we think.

BEWARE - Your ambitions, your wants, your desires can be stopped cold atevery step by your thoughts.

AND... our current circumstances can be totally transformed and tremendouslyimproved by simply changing our thinking.

The "Law of Thought" is this: Good thoughts can never produce bad results; badthoughts can never produce good results, and it's a safe bet that continuing yourcurrent thoughts will continue to produce your current results.

When I say good or bad thoughts, I don't mean saintly or evil thoughts, and Idon't mean wishful thinking or repeating positive affirmations. By good thoughts, Isimply mean thoughts that support who you want to become; and by badthoughts, I mean thoughts that don't support -- and therefore undermine -- who

you want to become.This "Law of Thought" is like saying nothing can come from corn but corn,nothing from wheat but wheat. We understand this law in the natural world, andwork with it; but it seems few people understand it in the mental and spiritualworld (though its operation there is just as simple and undeviating). Most people,therefore, do not co-operate with it, and suffer the consequences.

Being overweight and out of shape is the result of our beliefs and thoughts.These beliefs and thoughts determine what we eat and how we move.

Going "on a diet" does not change your underlying beliefs and thoughts, and that,oftentimes, is the root of the problem. It's why most diets fail for most peoplemost of the time.

Diets don't change who we are; they only change what we eat... for a while.Sooner or later, who we are wins out over will-power, and we revert to our oldhabits and patterns of behavior. True, lasting change is the result of changingwho we are, what we believe and what we think.


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Being overweight and out of shape can be an indication that we are out ofharmony with our self and the Law of Thought. At the same time, being a "fitnessjunkie" could also be an indication that we are out of harmony with our self.

Being a "fitness junkie" and being "morbidly obese" are the two extremes ofbeing out of balance. They are both equally unnatural, and both produceundesirable results.

I also believe people can be overweight and out of shape and still be in harmonywith who they are. I believe I was in that place for several years.

For long periods of time, I was content with being overweight, even though I wasover by 40, 50, 60 or more pounds.

Our quest, I believe, is for personal fulfillment and contentment, which I define as

being happy, healthy, and prosperous; and happiness, health, and prosperity arephenomena that, ultimately, can only be defined by each person. Fulfillment andcontentment are the result of an alignment of the inner with the outer; the innerbeing beliefs and thoughts, the outer being actions and circumstances.

One persons beliefs and thoughts about being prosperous is another person'sbeliefs and thoughts about poverty. Imagine how Donald Trump or Bill Gateswould feel if their net worth was only $10,000,000. However, how would you feelif your net worth was $10,000,000?

The same is true with health. One persons beliefs and thoughts might be that

they would feel healthy if they could just walk around the block, while anotherperson must be able to run a marathon to feel healthy.

The ideal weight for one person may be quite different from the ideal weight foranother person. As it pertains to most aspects of life, fulfillment and contentmentare the result of being in harmony. If you want to lose weight, you are not inharmony with your inner and your outer self. If you feel that you should loseweight, you are out of harmony. If you are content with your weight, you are inharmony.

This is pretty simple stuff. You can get into harmony by either changing the inner(your thoughts) or your outer (your circumstances). If you are fat and you just arenot going to change anything in your life, no worries; just adopt the belief that fatis how you are intended to be and be it. Be fat and happy! At least that way,youll be content and in harmony. But, and this is a big but (no pun intended), ifyou catch yourself feeling a bit embarrassed when you can't fit in a seat, or can'tdo an activity that others are doing, you may not be in true harmony. Be aware ofyour true feelings.


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You don't have to fit in anyone else's vision of you; you must only be in harmonywith your beliefs, your thoughts, your values, your surroundings and yourcircumstances. That is fulfillment. That is contentment. That is success.

As I began to understand that my thoughts and my beliefs are the factors that

determine my circumstances, I stopped blaming outside affects for my currentsituation (at the time I was more than 100 pounds overweight and way out ofshape), and I began to build myself up with strong and empowering thoughts.

I stopped fighting against circumstances, and I began to use my circumstancesas an aid to speed up my progress, and as a means of discovering the hiddenpowers and possibilities within myself.

If I had NOT allowed myself to become more than 100 pounds overweight, I mayhave never learned this magnificent truth. Interesting, eh? (i.e, Im not holdingnegative thoughts about this fact).

Your current circumstance, your current weight, can be the catalyst for you to seefirsthand how the power of your thoughts can dramatically improve the quality ofyour life.

I recommend that you become thankful for your current circumstances . . . andreally mean it. If you are way overweight and massively out of shape, then youare in a unique position. The contrast between where you are now, both mentallyand physically, and where you can be in a few short months can be huge. This isyour "before." Your "after" can be vastly different, and that contrast can be veryinspiring and life changing.

NEXT, I started thinking about my actions. How much of what I ate was the resultof conscious thought . . . and how much was a result of marketing, conditioningand habit.


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Section 2

Actions"Beliefs lead to values, which lead to thoughts, which lead to actions (or

something like that).

Ed Taylor

"If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to livethe life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected incommon hours."

Henry David Thoreau

"Happiness is that state of consciousness which proceeds from achievement ofone's values."

Ayn Rand

"The wise win without a fight, while the ignorant fight so that they can win."

Sun Tzu

"It can be really offputting when you lose your way somehow."

Winnie the Pooh


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Chapter 3

The Inner Workings of Weight Loss: Reflections onthe roles of faith, universal laws and free wil l

It is the unseen and the spiritual in people that determines the outward and theactual.

- Thomas Carlyle

I mentioned earlier that my weight loss actually began with soul-searching andthinking about my beliefs and values. I was giving a lot of thought to spirit, Godand faith. I had always considered myself a rather rational person. And I stillconsider myself a rational person; but I now have a different understanding aboutfaith.

Not long ago, I read Erich Fromm's 1956 classic, The Art of Loving. In this book,

Fromm provides unique insights into the subject of faith.

Fromm did not believe that faith is in opposition to reason or rational thinking. Tothe contrary, he simply made a distinction between rational faith and irrationalfaith. He believed that irrational faith is based on ones submission to irrationalauthority or the collective. But rational faith, he said, is derived from one's ownobservations, judgments and convictions.

Fromm believed creative thinking begins with a "rational vision," a vision thatresults from study, reflective thinking, and observation. Rational faith, then, is animportant component of creative thought.

Trust in yourself and know the person you really are will not change withchanging circumstances. If we lose faith in who we are, we become dependenton others. Then, a tendency emerges to change who we are to gain the approvalof others.

With confidence in your beliefs and in your values and a reason, a compellingreason, to live true to your beliefs and values you begin to act in alignment withyour beliefs. This changes everything.

What Fromm did not address head on was faith in God or a higher power. Is it

rational or irrational faith to believe in God? The atheist would say it is irrational.The believer would come down on the side of rational.

But the believer could just as easily say the atheist's viewpoint is based onirrational faith; faith, perhaps, that the universe somehow created itself.


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In truth, both an atheist and one who believes in God or a higher power can haverational faith in their beliefs, so long as those beliefs are based on study,reflective thinking, and observation.

I agree with Viktor Frankl's view that there is probably not much difference

between an atheist and an individual who believes in God. It's probably more amatter of semantics than fanatical people on both sides might believe. If you can'tbelieve, if you can't accept anything on faith, rational faith, then you're doomedfor a life dominated by doubt and uncertainty. Allowing myself the rational beliefthat my inner me, my spirit, is here having this human experience so it, my soul,can evolve and learn made me understand that my body is the temple of my souland I do it "owe it" to my spirit self to take good care of my body. This was one ofthe things that made it very easy for me to change how I was treating my body.

So, whether it's faith in God, faith in yourself, faith in your spouse, faith in afriend, faith in your future, faith that your cell phone or brakes in your car will

work, or faith in a higher power, I believe faith is an important part of the humanexperience, including what we value, what beliefs we hold, how we treatourselves and others. Even ones self-perception, sense of self-worth andpurpose, and inclination to feel secure within oneself, comfortable within onesown skin,without overeating. Rational faith.

Of all the information pertaining to "spirit," "universal energy," "manifesting," etc.that has been discussed, written about and brought to light in recent years, noneis more profound than this the notion that we are the masters of our thoughts,the molder of our characters, and the makers and shapers of our conditions,environment, our destinies and, yes, even our bodies.

I now believe and have faith in a universal energy which I define as: A vital forceor energy that transcends time and space; permeates all things in the universe,and upon which all things depend for health and life.

I also believe and have faith that there are universal laws (or spiritual principles,laws of nature, etc.) that pertain to this energy. For example I believe this energyis what connects all living things to one another and to the source.

It makes sense to me that when one lives in alignment with this and other all-pervasive universal laws, one tends to enjoy greater support from the universe.And, having that support, one feels more at home in the universe . . . again,less inclined to crave outside substances (esp. food) to feel O.K. inside.

I believe there are "energy beings" (angels, spirits, deceased loved ones,ascended masters, Gods helpers), whatever you want to call them. I alsobelieve, and have faith, that these "energy beings" can provide guidance to us, ifwe are sensitive to them, if were attentive to signs being offered up to bring us


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or keep us in greater alignment with the universal laws that support our greatestgood.

That said, I also believe in free will.

While I believe it is possible for people with enough sensitivity to receiveguidance and direction from God through a variety of "energy beings," I alsobelieve we individually make our own choices and create our own earthlydestinies.

We, by free will, set the course for our own destinies. We can listen tospirit/God/universal energy, and we can recognize the "taps on the shoulder" . . .or not.

I'm reminded of the old story...

A man heard a warning on the radio that his peaceful little valley and his homewere about to be flooded; and that he needed to get out of there immediately.However, this man thought to himself, "No, I don't have to leave. God will to takecare of me."

Then the flood starts to rise and a sheriff comes along and tells him to get out.The man says to the sheriff, "No, sir, God will take care of me."

The flood waters continue to rise, and he climbs on top of the house. A boatcomes along and offers to take him to safety. Again he says, "No, no , God willtake care of me."

Finally, a helicopter comes along and they lower the net to rescue him. The manyells up to the rescue team, "No, no, God will take care of me!"

Well, eventually the floodwaters rise so high that the man drowns and goes toheaven.

When he gets to heaven, he says to God, "Why didn't you save me?" God says,"I gave you a warning on the radio, I sent the sheriff, I sent a boat, and I sent ahelicopter. What more did you want me to do?"

We all have free will. We can choose to listen to, follow and live in harmony withour guidance, beliefs and values, nudgings from universal law . . . or not. The

circumstances of our lives will be determined by our choices and our decisions.

We choose what we believe and what we think. Our beliefs and thoughts guideour actions. Our actions determine our circumstances and our destiny.

What you eat and how you move are actions, are they not? And they aredetermined by what you believe and think. Understanding this process is lifechanging.


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We hold the key to every situation, and contain within ourselves the transformingand regenerative power by which we may make ourselves what we will.

We are always the master, even in our weakest and most depressed states; but

in our weakness and depression, it is easy to become a foolish master. We canallow ourselves to let limiting beliefs and unsupportive thoughts slip into ourminds and run wild, clouding our judgment. We can give in to weakness, habitand our old conditioning.

I believe that being out of alignment -- not maintaining the thoughts and actionsthat are consistent with our beliefs and values -- weakens ourselves physically,mentally, and spiritually, and leads to the further mismanagement of ourthoughts.

When I began to really think about my circumstances, and to search diligently for

answers that made sense to me, and as I started changing my beliefs I becamemuch more relaxed and confident . . . because I "just knew" I was on the rightpath. I began directing my thoughts and my energies in harmony with my visionof what I truly wanted to become.

I became conscious. I woke up from habit and conditioning and unquestionedbeliefs.

We can only become truly conscious by discovering within ourselves the laws ofthought; our thoughts determine our values and our actions and serve tostrengthen or erode our beliefs. This discovery is totally a matter of application,

self-analysis, experience and re-evaluating and questioning the actions we takeout of habit and unconscious conditioning.

By thinking, meditating and soul-searching we can discover the depth of who weare and what we are a part of.

What if you discovered that you ARE the maker of your character, the molder ofyour life, and the builder of your destiny? How might that affect you, your choicesand your actions? For me it gave me a larger more compelling view of myselfand my purpose here. It also gave me more inner direction. I became lessswayed by social norms and expectation. I became more confident in my viewand my instinctual feelings about what is right for me.

What if, by simply changing a few core beliefs and becoming conscious of yourthinking, you would automatically change your eating and your patterns ofmovement? Would it be worth a try?


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Try this: Watch, control, and alter your thoughts one day at a time, for twoweeks . . . and trace their effects upon you, upon others, upon your life and yourcircumstances.

With patient practice and observation you can link cause and effect. Evaluate

your experiences, even the most trivial everyday events, and you will discover alot about yourself and others. I have done this in many areas. One of the mostfun was "universal acceptance", I began thinking that everyone in my life wasdoing the best they could with what they had. With no blame or judgment, Ipracticed just 100% acceptance and compassion for who each person was inthat moment. I now get hugged much more often.

Have you ever heard this one? "He that seeketh, findeth." Or how about, "To himwho knocketh it shall be opened?

I'm here to tell you THESE OLD SAYINGS ARE TRUE, and science is now

beginning to shed some light on how this works. Once we become aware ofsomething, we actually begin to perceive things differently. I'm not talking aboutanything religious or even spiritual here. How our receptors work is actuallyhardwired into our body, and it's called our Reticular Activating System - or RAS.Your RAS plays a vital part in your ability to become your vision. Soundintriguing?

The RAS works like this:Imagine you're walking through a busy, noisy airport. Think ofall the noise:hundreds of people talking, music, announcements, electric carts whizzing by,people walking past you. How much of this noise is brought to your attention?

Not much, it's just there. You can hear general background noise, but you don'tlisten to each individual sound.

Imagine a new announcement comes over the public address system - sayingyour name or maybe your flight. Suddenly your attention is full on. Your RAS isthe automatic mechanism inside your brain that brings relevant information toyour attention.

Your reticular activating system is like a filter between your conscious mind andyour subconscious mind. It takes instructions from your conscious mind andpasses them on to your subconscious. For example, the instruction might be,"Listen up for anyone saying my name."

In the same way that your RAS is subconsciously on the lookout for anything thatwill help you obtain the vision you hold of yourself in your conscious mind, whenthe RAS recognizes something that can be useful to you, it is directed to yourconscious attention.


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This is SO COOL!!! We just have to learn to, one, have a vision, and two, payattention to the little "taps on the shoulder" we receive from our RAS.

As you consciously question and evaluate your core beliefs, and as you look andpay attention to your prevailing thoughts, youll begin to program your RAS and

make conscious use of the full impact your beliefs and thoughts can have overyour weight, your fitness and your entire destiny.

Our minds are like a garden, which we may intelligently, consciously cultivate . . .orwe may allow it to run wild; but whether cultivated or neglected, the gardenmust, and will, produce something. If no useful seeds are planted, then anabundance of useless weed-seeds will certainly find their way into the garden.Or, if we plant seeds of healthy fruits, vegetables and flowers, and if we regularlynourish those seeds with what they need to grow (water, sunlight and nutritioussoil), those seeds will begin to blossom in the garden. Whatever appears,whether it is useless weeds or a deliberate crop of beautiful flowers and

wonderful life giving vegetables, each seed will produce its kind.

J ust as gardeners cultivate their plots, keeping them free from weeds, andgrowing the flowers or vegetables they desire, so we may tend the garden of ourmind, weeding out all the wrong, useless, and limiting thoughts, and cultivatetoward an abundant harvest based on useful, positive and supportive thoughts.

The outer conditions or circumstances of our lives will always be in harmony withour innermost beliefs and thoughts. Our thoughts will follow our beliefs and ouractions will follow our thoughts and our circumstances will follow our actions.

We are where we are by the law of our being; the thoughts that we have built intoour character have brought us where we are. The circumstances of our lives arenot the result of chance. Our circumstances are the result of a universal law thatcannot vary: "We become what we think about." This is just as true of thosewho feel "out of harmony" with their circumstances as of those who are contentwith them. If you think about things, circumstances, and events that are not inalignment with your true beliefs and values, you will grow increasingly furtherfrom your "true self."


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Section 3

LucidityAnother trait I wanted to change was my gullibility. I became aware of my buyingpatterns, particularly my 'food' buying. I was buying things that did not reallysupport who I was and these purchases and this consumption was underminingwho I wanted to become.

My habitual and semi-conscious buying started to make more sense once Iunderstood how we are being "marketed to." Let me explain with a bit ofmarketing history:

In the 1950's Louis Cheskin, a scientific market researcher, observed thatpeoples perceptions of products and services were directly related to aestheticdesign of the packaging.

Cheskin spent much of his life investigating how design elements impact people'sperceptions of value, appeal, and relevance. He also discovered that mostpeople could not resist transferring their feelings towards the packaging to theproduct itself.

Most people make unconscious assessments of a product, service, or event notonly based on the item itself, but on secondary sensory input associated with theitem, which all contribute to one general impression - whether intended or not,accurate or not.

One famous Cheskin study involved the testing of identical deodorants indifferent packages.

Samples were mailed to users and the users were told that theformulations were different. However, the only difference between themwas their packaging (three different color schemes).

The trials showed that customers preferred one over the others.

In fact, some people perceived one of the samples as so threatening thatthey reported rashes and trips to dermatologists, yet had no trouble withthe same formula in a different package.


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This is interesting on two levels. One, it's interesting that we, as a group, place somuch importance on packaging and seem to be so easily influenced at a verycore level.

The other level, perhaps even more interesting, is the fact that manufacturers

and their sales agents have learned to use these "marketing techniques" topersuade us to buy things that we would never otherwise buy.

The marketing mantra is this- "perception is reality."

Really... perception IS reality! In other words if the marketers can just get us to"perceive" that their product will _______________ (fill in the blank) we will buyit... and we do.

What happened to reality being reality??? What happened to people, individuals,trusting their gut, their knowledge, their elders?

Check this out - Here are a couple of examples of products we inherently knewwe didn't want to buy and consume but we were sold by the marketersmanipulations of our perception.

How We Were SOLD Margarine

In 1940, margarine wasnt popular in the United States. Consumers were notinterested in purchasing or eating it (with good reason if you ask me - a typicalmargarine includes liquid soybean oil, partially hydrogenated soybean oil,maltodextrin, salt, vegetable monoglycerides and soy lecithin (emulsifier),

potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate and calcium disodium EDTA (to preservefreshness), citric acid (acidulant), artificial flavor, Vitamin A palmitate, and betacarotene). Cheskin was asked to find out why.

At that time margarine was not associated with butter, because of its texture andcolor; it was white, instead of yellow. The obvious solution was to add yellowcoloring (where the law allowed); but that didnt mean consumers would find itacceptable. Cheskin threw luncheons for housewives (sometimes in theirhomes), using this new colored margarine instead of butter, but not drawingattention to this fact.

The tests showed that these housewives noticed no real differences betweenbutter and the margarine. Further tests found ways of transferring the"impression of quality," a known concern with this product.

By delivering the margarine in blocks the same size as butter, wrapping them infoil, naming the margarine 'Imperial,' and using a crown logo, Cheskin was ableto create a "total experience," through product and packaging, that was


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perceived as quality to housewives of the time. Remember the mantra:"perception is reality."

Here's another example: The Marlboro Man.

Cheskins most famous "achievement" was turning Marlboro cigarettes into a"mans" cigarette from its original appeal to women.

Cheskin's recommended redesigning the package to denote masculinity. Hisrecommendation underlies everything from the 'Man-Sized Flavor' advertisingcampaign and the now iconic packaging (resembling a medal), to the masculineand virile Marlboro Man himself. The Marlboro Man sported tattoos to give him arugged back-story and often appeared as a cowboy on horseback (thepredominant image that has survived today).

Cheskins "perception is reality" process was created in the 1950s and 1960s

and it has only been refined and "improved" since.

What do you think? Are you being sold a "bill of goods" by a bunch of incrediblysophisticated marketers manipulating our "perceptions" about products andservices?

That's what I concluded and I don't like it.

Oh, I understand why they do it, and I believe they have the right to do it. I justwant to wake up and be more thoughtful and deliberate about my purchases. Tome, "perception is NOT reality." Reality is reality and perception is perception,

and I perceive this manipulation of perception to be a crock!I decided I would become more aware, more conscious of my decisions. I don'twant to be "sold to" or have my perceptions m

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