My life in 1998 changed first for the positive and then for the negative.
The Positive: I was at a General Motors educational seminar and a statistic was put forward that "the average life expectancy of a GM employee retiring at the age of 65 from across all of North American Operations, was 18 months!" I couldn't believe it! I turned in shock to those sitting close to me, and watched in horror as some employees sitting closer to the front nodded their heads in agreement as if they were willing to accept this ungodly fact. I couldn't believe it! And yet, I was an overweight 240 pounds. A perfect candidate for their statistics. My room-mate was studying to be a Personal Trainer and I began exercising and following the eating advice he gave me. He wanted me to use free weights but I declined, just doing cardio and an ab routine combined with a light upper body work-out on the gym's machines. In 3 months I dropped from 240 to 190 pounds and from a 42-inch to a 33-inch waist and I felt great! But this accomplishment, was simply an act of survival, to beat GM's statistics and not to allow a corporation to destroy my health.
The Negative: In the midst of working at GM, exercising and eating properly, I was also working 42 hours at a group home. To me, GM paid the bills but the group home work was part of my mission and purpose on this planet. Well, several senior employees at the group home tried to unionize. The administration responded, first by restructuring, then they gradually eliminated all of their senior staff. I was the second or third person from their final cut or whom they manipulated into leaving. I saw this as a form of personal failure and a loss of purpose. I had always enjoyed helping others. Now that was gone. It wasn't long after this that substance abuse made it's way into my life - subtly at first, then more progressively. For the next 2 1/2 years, I lived in 2 worlds. In the one, I offered sporadic inspiration, ate fairly well, exercised now and then, paid the bills and hung out with a few supportive friends. But, in my other, lesser known world, I befriended the down and out, street people, dancers, strippers and hustlers - trying first of all to better their motivation and position, but I invariably ended up partaking in more and more of their various self-destructive abuses associated with much of that lifestyle. Oh, my higher self fought this - like in September 2000 I again started to attend church with mom. But inner rejection (victimization of self) is a very strong demon and by November 2000 my sense of self-worth had deteriorated and was nearing an all time low. It was from within my inner world that my hands went up, almost in a cry of help, as I identified myself with the oppressed. I penned two articles directed at the religious and political hypocrisies of tradition and state that seemed completely removed from any hope that says all things are possible. They're published online and have been widely read, (www.geocities.com/danhanewich/writings07.html and www.geocities.com/danhanewich/writings08.html). The irony was that mentally and emotionally, I too, was precariously close to the point where all hope would be lost and physically my weight was up to 204 pounds with a 36 1/2-inch waist.
My Final Cry: In January 2001, I met death face to face, twice. Both times I was allowed to live. Both times I was thankful for another chance at life. I knew I needed to do something positive with my life - to regain my self respect. I knew I was at a point of decision between death and life. I knew I had to like myself and help myself, before I could even consider liking or helping another. I knew I needed to conquer my hardest obstacle - my inner self. But, I had no game plan and I didn't need any quick fix or program destined to failure at this point in my life. I wanted to choose life and I knew I had to start with mine!
My Decision: Then my neighbor asked me if I'd heard about the Body-for-LIFE program by Bill Phillips. I said I hadn't. He said, "Well, it sounds like the same program you were following when your room-mate was living with you a few years ago!" I said, "You're kidding! Figures! He must've stole it off my website and wrote a book. (www.geocities.com/danhanewich/writings01.html). It's bound to be good 'cause that program worked for me." I knew that health and fitness had to be prioritized into my life even more than I had ever done before, and that this time those priorities would be for my inner strength and survival towards an invigorating life. I also knew I needed an intense sense of purpose and mission - something positive I could focus on. So, I thought I better check out this Bill Phillips guy, and see what he had to say. I decided to buy Body-for-LIFE and read it. (It is an emotional understatement to say I'm thankful for Bill Phillips, Body-for-LIFE, EAS, Muscle Media, Upper 49th Imports, and all those who have helped me accept and expand my perception of myself. You have been the vital catalysts for the positive changes I've made within). I needed a program I knew would work - one that I knew could incorporate the results and goals I envisioned. As soon as I read Body-for-LIFE, my life changed. I talked with my former room-mate and he confirmed that what I'd followed in 1998 were the principles he'd been following from Body-for-LIFE, Bill Phillips, Muscle Media and EAS. I already knew that the Eating-for-LIFE portion of the Body-for-LIFE program would work. This time I decided that the Body-for-LIFE program was for me - to improve my life in all areas - inner and outer. This program was something I knew I could count on. I'd already unknowingly done a portion of it before! This was my second time through Bill's program and to this point I hadn't realized that! I had already seen dramatic outer body transformation results back in 1998. I decided not only to do the Body-for-LIFE program but to also take the Million Dollar Body-for-LIFE CHALLENGE 2001 sponsored by EAS to reestablish my mental and physical strength. In that moment of decision, I instinctively knew my destiny was about to be strengthened and shaped forever. I knew the ball was in my court - AND that I was the only one in my arena who could take action on the decision I had made. But, I also knew how weak I was inside and that I definitely had to set up the Body-for-LIFE program for my particular circumstances complete with goals that would overcome every obstacle I initially saw. This preparation time proved to be extremely valuable. I was about to learn that: "The EFFORT you put into your Prep Time = the RESULTS you can EXPECT to achieve!" |
