We are having a very interesting conversation with someone on PEERtrainer right now, and in particular digging and digging into a shift this person had to a much more positive place. After being mired in a place where nothing was possible. She had told us that "I had convinced myself I would never reach my goals." Using a lot of things on our site, (and some other tools) she had really turned things around.
This subject interests us in particular because anyone can lose a few pounds. But very few people radically change their mindset, to the point where they rethink every aspect of their lives. Because of our role in this process, we wanted to know as much detail of the story as possible. And hopefully share that story with others.
Obviously as a business, we need to promote ourselves. Something that we sometimes don't focus on as much as we should. If you found out about PEERtrainer from a big magazine in the last couple years it is because they have reached out to us. For many companies, it is the other way around.
But we are working on several partnerships now to promote the site more, things that cross promote or somehow tie in. Whether we are working with a magazine or another company, the one thing we are always asked for are stories. And stories are much more interesting than testimonials. With a testimonial someone will say "that" something is great. A story you get to hear "why" something is great.
And stories are a great way of credibly communicating something, because they are impossible to fake. People can sense b.s. a mile away. This woman we were talking to had provided a very big testimonial/story for us, very compelling, real and hopefully relatable.
But one thing she really honed in on was how much her mindset about her ability to lose weight had changed. She had written, "I am a believer in what you are doing because I used to be the most negative person."
So we wrote back to her, and asked this question:
"You mention that you had a very negative mindset prior to digging into PEERtrainer and some other tools. What really helped you get over that? You don’t have to really sell our stuff here btw- just curious how that process happened for you."
This was her response:
"What helped me get over my negative mindset? I guess a lot of different things but some of those audio calls are very powerful and make you ask yourself tough questions. A lot of people who let themselves get overweight sometimes have big issues to conquer. Or people say they are fine but are in denial. My highest weight was 200. That is quite a bit for someone who is 5'2. I always wondered how I could let myself get that way. When I was in my 20's I did exercise a lot but I also drank a lot of booze and ate very high fatty high carb foods. I also drank a ton of soda!! I stayed a size 3 to 5 in spite of doing all that. Getting older is so unkind to your body!
Anyway I guess I'm getting off the subject of why my negative mindset is getting better. I think maybe since I am in my forties I am questioning myself a lot more. I am tired of dwelling in the past. I think I mentioned in an email before about my childhood. We were very poor and my mom was single trying to raise 4 kids. So it wasn't like living at the Beaver house. My mom turned to alcohol to cope, so a lot of the time I along with my brothers learned how to take care of ourselves.
I think a lot of what I get online from your site has really helped me. But I read an article not to long ago from Joshua that said no matter how many forums you join or how many self help books you read blah blah blah, the only thing that is going to help you is you. So I had to make a decision if I was going to fake being happy the rest of my life or figure out a way to really be happy. I really want to do the second one.
The point I am trying to make is that I want to accept all I tell my son and other people for myself!! I have special talents and I need to just discover what they are and put myself out there more. I know I love being active and I love to run! So I am going to enter races again. I really want to go back to school also. I could get a certificate in personal training or get a degree as an exercise specialist. I think the degree entails some training that I already have. I am a respiratory therapist and I think it would be great maybe to help the sick people get in better shape and maybe have a better quality of life. I don't know I just have so much stuff spinning in my head but I know I want to try. I am tired of being scared and sulking in a corner and not putting myself out there.
So to sum it up it is I and I alone who has to make a decision (our emphasis) to want to better myself. I hope to make friends on PEERtrainer also. I am just starting to realize that is okay to get help sometimes. It is not my nature to ask for help. I only recently started really logging and being interactive with other people. I think it is so great how you guys interact with the members of PEERtrainer. Anyway I hope I have answered your question."
My one takeaway here is that we see this a lot. People struggle and struggle with something, for years. And then they just decide.
Here is part of what she had originally written, and it covers a good chunk of what we do:
"The Point of No Return program was a turning point for me. I was receiving the PEERtrainer tip of the day and I read several of Joshua Wayne's articles, but the Point of No Return program was icing on the cake. They go over so much information, ranging from having the right frame of mind for weight loss to the right type of foods to keep in your kitchen.
I think a big reason the Point of No Return Program is successful is that some very important concepts helpful to weight loss are repeated over and over. I have heard Jackie say that repetition is the mother of all skills, and I truly believe that to be true.
People are starving for some truth about how to lose weight and finally keep it off for good. Doctors are so quick to write prescriptions for diet pills or say you need to get some kind of weight loss surgery. A doctor prescribed me Meridia shortly after I had my son. Well I lost about 26 lbs but then I put the weight back on plus 10 additional pounds. The Biggest Loser trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels both agree that you need to get down to the nitty gritty of the issues that cause you to fail with your weight loss. Well most of us will never get to have one on one help with those famous trainers. But, it is very easy and affordable to sign up for the PEERtrainer Point of No Return program. Plus Jackie, Joshua, and Habib try their best to answer any questions you have. In fact they love doing that and they constantly request feedback.
PEERtrainer has even expanded on the emotional eating concept that is discussed in the Point of No Return program. I have listened to the calls on emotional eating and have learned so much more about this complex issue. PEERtrainer is constantly adding new audio calls that are so helpful. Knowledge is power and they definitely provide plenty of information to give you so much power to help you finally lose the weight and keep the weight from coming back on time and time again. I love having the access to the groups and teams where I can interact with other people.
It is nice to see a note from someone saying good job or I hope you have a better day if things aren't going your way. It is also very helpful to be able to log the food you eat and journal your thoughts and feelings. If you are feeling frustrated log onto PEERtrainer and jot down how you feel instead of reaching for that cake on the break room table.
If I had to rate myself from one to ten on how I feel I will do keeping the weight off, one being I don't feel I could, and ten being I most definitely feel I could, I would say I was a ten. After ten years of yo yo dieting and numerous failed attempts to lose the weight for good I have hit the jackpot with PEERtrainer. It is truly, truly a great web site."
PEERtrainer Site Resources Mentioned:
Point Of No Return Program (we charge $1 for the first month)
Emotional Eating Program (free)
Tip Of The Day (free)
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