I’m going to ask you to do something a little weird right now. Ready?

I want you to imagine your favorite, most decadent thing to eat. Maybe it’s a too-thick wedge of double-chocolate cake chased with a tall glass of cow's milk.

Maybe a slice of thin-crust pizza with grilled sausage and caramelized onions, hot from a brick oven. Perhaps a juicy burger with more caramelized onions.

Did your mouth start to water? (Mine did and I may have drooled a little on my computer keyboard.)

You probably couldn’t tell, but your stomach actually started producing digestive juices in preparation for those amazing foods. If you've ever questioned whether what you’re THINKING about could have an impact on what happens in your gut, well, you just experienced the proof.

Yes, your thoughts can actually influence the chemical reactions in your body. And this brain-gut connection doesn’t only involve fantasies about splurge meals.

It includes stress, which can play a tremendous role in the workings of your gut (like digesting food) and also the health of your gut microbiome.

In fact, you can get so accustomed to living a high-stress lifestyle that you start to believe that stress is normal.

You might even think that stress doesn’t have any impact on you because you've developed a "tolerance" to getting frazzled.

Truth is, the physiological and psychological effects of stress are very real.

Among many other things, stress is associated with digestive issues such as leaky gut, ulcers, and gastrointestinal reflux disease. This is why it's so important to make time to actively de-stress on a regular basis.

Here are a few ideas to de-frazzle your nerves:

• Take a complete day off every week (no electronics) and do something fun.
• Meditate or practice deep breathing.
• Catch yourself when you think of stressful or negative thoughts, and think positive thoughts instead.
• Spend time with loved ones (even if it's a phone call).
• Say "no" more often and guard your time wisely.
• Do progressive resistance exercise.
• Follow an unprocessed, gut-friendly nutrition plan to support your digestive system.

The deeper you dive into the things that make up a healthy lifestyle, the more you realize everything is connected. If you will allow me, I'd like to help you to put it all together.

In fact, I’m here to help you take the next step in getting leaner, stronger, and happier. Right now, I'll reach into my pocket and pay your tuition, for the first two weeks.

It's perfect because you can do everything with zero equipment.

This is not another "cookie-cutter" program. Our coaches will be coaching you in our private community. Everything is scaled to meet your unique needs, including things like personalizing your workouts based on injuries and other limitations.

If you are frustrated and ready to lose weight, share your number-one goal here.

How to Overcome Challenges

Something else I want to share today. 

Coaching for 25+ years gives you great insight into the transformation process. I've witnessed many clients go from unhappy and unhealthy to creating your ideal body and life.

I've heard many common challenges people face. It may seem like today was just like yesterday, but it wasn’t. It was completely different.

You see, every day is unique. Appearances can be deceiving and almost always are.

There may be times when things seem to be going along steadily, but this is an illusion.

In life, there is no such thing as staying in the same place. There are no straight lines.

Success is a curvy path. If you’re not increasing, you’re decreasing. There is no status quo. You are either getting better or you’re getting worse. ("Maintaining excellence" is still improvement, by the way.)

Here are five proven solutions to dodge these all-to-common obstacles.

Challenge #1: Overthinking things

Solution: Don’t think, just do. 

One of the most iconic lines from the Star Wars saga, delivered by none other than the wise Jedi Master Yoda himself: "There is no try, only do." Now, if you're familiar with my philosophy on health, fitness, and life, you'll see why this resonates so deeply with me.

Yoda's words encapsulate the essence of commitment, determination, and action. When he says, "There is no try," he's emphasizing the importance of wholeheartedly engaging in whatever task or challenge lies before you. It's about stepping up and taking full responsibility for your actions, without room for half-hearted attempts or excuses.

Yoda isn't simply saying, "Just do it." No, he's pointing to something more profound. He's highlighting the power of mindset. When he says, "There is no try," he's urging us to shift your mentality from one of uncertainty and hesitation to one of unwavering resolve and belief in your abilities.

 If it’s your time, and you’re sitting on the fence — you want to do it, you’re thinking of doing it, you’re not sure if you should do it — jump off that fence. Remember, tomorrow never comes.

Challenge #2: Feeling inadequate

Solution: Appreciate your body for what it can do.

Unfortunately, I hear so much more from people about what they can't do. Or how someone else can do something better than they can.

Take pleasure in physical movement. Take pride in what you can do.

This deep appreciation for health is what allows you to maintain your fitness over time.

Forget the "lose 30lbs in a week” mainstream narrative. Just discover what your body can do. Enjoy it.

Challenge #3: Not identifying your WHY

Solution: Imagine your future self. 

Everyone has a specific "motivation" linked to your desire to be lean and strong. It's called your WHY. Typically the more visceral your WHY, the more likely it will "motivate" you on your journey to the best version of yourself. Keep that in mind.

By the way, I use "motivation" in quotes because, eventually, motivation needs to morph into discipline. This discipline comes in the form of daily healthy habits.

Perhaps you're inspired to be strong enough to play sports with your kids, or look great on your kid's wedding day.

Don’t just think about how you want to look; think about how you want to feel. It’s not just about what you see in the mirror, it’s what you feel inside.

How do you want to feel?

Confident?

Capable of handling anything that life throws at you?

Free to try new things?

Comfortable in your own skin?

Imagine what it will be like to live as your future self -- how does that man or woman look, how do they feel, and what do they do?

How could you start living a little more like that person today?

Challenge #4: Mindless eating

Solution: Enjoy your food. 

Most successful clients eventually come to realize that they’ve been eating mindlessly — packing in calories without really tasting the food — for a long time.

Look, if you weigh 300 pounds and are 40% bodyfat, you're working diligently to consume a massive calorie surplus daily.

Mindlessly crunching away on 200-calorie handful after handful of mixed nuts in front of Netflix. One 200-calorie bottled beer or glass of wine after the next, as you forget your troubles (temporarily).

This mindlessness results in obesity or worse. And at the very least it causes sadness.

What happens when you really take the time to enjoy our food?

You slow down.

You become more conscious of your choices.

You choose better foods.

You begin to respect your body.

Challenge #5: Avoiding crabs & negative environments

Solution: Pay attention to people and your surroundings. 

When clients recognize how people and their surroundings might be creating unhealthy habits, they usually have an “ah-ha” moment.

Yes, you are the sum of the five folks you hang around with most. Are you spending time with cynical crabs?

Debbie Downer. Negative Nancy.

Folks that always complain and discourage you. People who suck the energy from you, as a result of their poor attitudes.

Get clarity today and distance yourself from the naysayers. Realize there is a connection between what’s around you and who you think you are.

Believe me, as soon as you distance yourself from the crabs you'll change your self-stories and start seeing real results.

What do I really care about?

What gives me joy?

How can I get more of that?

What could you remove from your environment or ADD to your environment to create a healthier life for yourself?

I'm here to help.

You can do this.

To your success,

Coach Joe

Joseph Arangio helps 40+ men and women get leaner, stronger, and happier. He's delivered over 100,000 transformation programs to satisfied clients around the globe. If you want to lose weight from home, with the best online age-management personal trainer, or you want to visit the best longevity personal trainer in the Lehigh Valley, you can take a free 14-day trial.