DAY 1 (Mike's Journal)

Mike’s Journal
DAY 1

DATE: August 22, 2012
TIME: 8:22pm

A. OPENING THOUGHTS/OBSERVATIONS:

My primary intention is to look as good as I can by next month. I will be in a play called Farragut North in which I play a press secretary to a presidential candidate. In one scene I have to perform in my underwear. I want to look AWESOME for this so that to have no distractions from playing the intellectual and emotional material of the play.

Before engaging in this program, it's valuable to identify why you’re doing it. “Why” is the source of your power. To begin, I think it’s important to identify all the reasons why you want to engage in an exercise program in addition to your other mission. This will be journaled about during today's exercise routine.

Just write and allow your creativity to flow. This will help you to better identify the reasons why you’re doing an exercise program.  This entry will detail my answers to the questions about establishing the "Origin" of my Quest.

B. DREAM ENTRY: (Use this section if you can remember your dreams. Pay special attention as to how they support knowledge on your new adventure.)

I dreamed that my face was made of a “fake" rubber. Knowing this, I peeled off my “fake skin” which felt like peeling off a rubber façade revealing my "true" face. Those around me were frightened and concerned that this process was painful. I assured them it wasn’t, that it was merely a mask I peeled off which was not a part of my body. In fact, though it was a frightening experience for me at first, it ended up being a pleasant feeling. I interpret this as shedding my artificial skin; my life is currently not a true expression of who I am. By writing this, I’m showing my true face and it is a pleasant experience. I acknowledge that for others this Quest might be a frightening thing to do or experience but it can be exceedingly pleasant.

C. What is your reason for taking this journey?

I want to look good for the performance. That’s really my only intention. Writing a book about this 30 day journey inspires me but not the sole purpose behind my workouts. I see writing more as a fun distraction while motivating myself during my workouts.

D. Name up to 4 reasons why you want to accomplish this…

1. Increase confidence.

2. Use this opportunity to deepen my own spiritual life.

3. Develop content for a book.

4. Have my life completely change by DAY 30.

****

The Workout

Focus on: Chest and Triceps

1. Exercise 1: (Example: Leg Squats) Bench Press

4 Sets of 12 Reps (Example: 3 Sets of 12 Reps)

Focus on: “Increase of Confidence” (My answer to D,1.)

After Set 1 write about what the first reason for doing this will give you. (Refer to Question D, 1 above for this exercise.)

(a) Credibility. If I have confidence I have more credibility in everything I do. When I think of confidence I think of writing a book about fitness. But I need to be credible by demonstrating my strong, muscular frame both in appearance and function.

After Set 2, write down what else you will get from accomplishing the first reason written about on D,1.

(b) _On this second set I focused on how my ability to write depends on my confidence level. So more confidence equals more writing to me. The more confident I am, the more I wish to express myself. I won’t write if I don’t believe in what I’m writing about.

After Set 3, write down another benefit from attaining D,1.

(c)  Increase of confidence also will help me perform better as an actor. If I’m not worried that my body looks anything less than “godlike” then my focus isn’t detracted from having a stellar performance.

Optional 4th or 5th set, continue to name a benefit for attaining D,1.

(d) If after all of this effort I have a book to promote, I will be more likely to approach others about presenting my program. This holds a lot of value for me personally because I want to travel. So Working Out + Writing About It = More Travel! I will need a greater sense of self, more confidence, to achieve this goal.


2. Exercise 2: (Example: Bench Press) Dumbbell Incline Press

4 Sets of 12 Reps (Example: 3 Sets of 12 Reps)

Focus on “Use this opportunity to deepen my own spiritual life”. (Answer to D,2)

After Set 1 write about what the second reason for doing this will give you. (Refer to Question D, 2 for this.)

(a)_I’m going to be married in March, 2013. The deeper my connection to spirit, the better man I am for my marriage. I truly want my marriage to be abundantly happy and joyful.

After Set 2, write down what else you will get from accomplishing the second reason written about on D,2.

(b) Focus on spirit does help me stay and feel younger. People are more attracted to me if I'm feeling this alive.

After Set 3, write down another benefit from attaining D,2.

(c) I wish to work again on my “Course In Miracles” practice. Once again I’m in the process of seeing that “Everything is One.” Objects and symbols, the "material things", sometimes distract me from my connection with Source/God.

Optional 4th or 5th set, continue to name a benefit for attaining D,2.

(d) Let go of the desire to constantly have to be attractive. Just know that I am attractive on the inside and out because I am an expression of God.

3. Exercise 3: (Example: Seated Low Row) Cable Chest Fly

4 Sets of 12 Reps (Example: 3 Sets of 12 Reps)

Focus on: “Develop content for a book”.

After Set 1 write about what the third reason for doing this will give you. (Refer to Question D, 3 for this.)

(a) Each rep leads to a new thought. Not only am I building a better body but also a better mind. Each exercise leads to more power in accordance with my destiny. That idea should be shared in a book.

After Set 2, write down what else you will get from accomplishing the third reason written about on D,3.

(b) As my body gets worked my mind grows hungry. As my mind expands my body is ready for greater physical activity. There is a true connection between mind and body that is being explored here. It is the perfect blending of physical exertion and “active rest”.

After Set 3, write down another benefit from attaining D,3.

(c) Every thought has something of value. If I create a new thought with every set and every rep, then my value increases exponentially.

Optional 4th or 5th set, continue to name a benefit for attaining D,3.

(d) I prove to myself that I’m more intelligent than I give myself credit for. When I review these notes there are some moments where I appreciate the wisdom garnered through living my own Source-inspired ideas.


4. Exercise 4: (Example: Crunches) Dips

4 Sets of 12 Reps (Example: 3 Sets of 12 Reps)

Focus on: “My life will completely change by DAY 30”.

After Set 1 write about what the fourth reason for doing this will give you. (Refer to Question D, 4 for this.)

(a) I have a desire to bring more joy and fruitfulness to my life. Having that desire makes me capable of attaining it. I'd like to be a person who experiences more joy consistently.

After Set 2, write down what else you will get from accomplishing the fourth reason written about on D,4.

(b) I can finish this program, attaining both goals of the training regimen and writing a book. By letting go of the desire to succeed, I know I can succeed just in completing this. I've always been overly ambitious, now I'd like to be peaceful. I'd like to be someone who completes projects regardless of any negative feedback.

After Set 3, write down another benefit from attaining D,4.

(c) I still believe that God helps those who help themselves. By doing this I’m demonstrating that I’m helping myself -- therefore “miraculous” moments will happen in the course of the next 30 days. It will be invigorating to experience these moments. It would be nice to be a person that "miracles" happen to.

Optional 4th or 5th set, continue to name a benefit for attaining D,4.

(d) My life is already different by committing to a Quest like this. I’ve gone from a feeling of inertia to taking action. Actions like writing down my story, reaching out to new people, and sharing my work with others.


5. Exercise 5: (Example: Low Back Extensions) Rope Triceps Push Down

4 Sets of 12 Reps

Focus on: Reviewing the first two goals (D,1 and D,2).

Review all your answers from Exercises 1 and 2. Read them back to yourself between every set.

After Set 1:
Increased confidence means 1. More writing, write a book in a faster amount of time.; 2. Better performances as an actor.; 3. Travel opportunities; And 4. Credibility.

After Set 2:
Focusing on my own spirituality means 1. Better relationship in my marriage, 2. Feeling younger and attractive., 3. Getting focused on working miracles in my life. 4. Letting go of vanity which inhibits my growth.


6. Exercise 6: (Example: Leg Raises) Dumbbell Overhead Extension

3 Sets of 12 Reps

Focus on the Second Two Goals (D,3 and D,4)

Review all your answers from Exercises 3 and 4. Read them back to yourself between every set.

After Set 1:

“Developing content for this book” translates into my becoming smarter, my body becoming stronger, and increasing my value to the world. I’ve concluded that: 1. I have more power over my destiny.; 2. My mind and body both grow together.; 3. Each and every one of my thoughts have value.; 4. I prove my own intelligence to myself.

After Set 2:

“My life will change in 30 days” means that with the desire to change comes the ability to do it. I also look forward to a new destiny from taking on this quest of mind, body and spirit. It also means I can let go of the desire to “make” something happen and enjoy the process of working out and writing this book. Finally, I know that I’m inspired to take action instead of allowing inertia to set in.

DIET JOURNAL: (log in any foods you consumed for the day)Yogurt Parfait
Fruit Smoothie
Grilled Chicken Sandwich
Protein Bar
Energy Bar
Fish Tacos and Avocados

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