"As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he..."

- Proverbs 23:7

Any good coach will tell you that to win a game, it has to be won in the mind way before you get anywhere near the stadium. Professional fighters know that to win their fight, they have to win it in their heads before they get to the ring.

Visualization is a powerful thing when you are focused on a goal. Mental preparedness is paramount to achieving any goal, regardless of whether it's personal or professional.

In fact, without properly training your "mental muscles," your body can only do so much.

It takes great mental strength to transform your body.

You will be fighting against years of poor self-programming and behavior patterns that can really 86 your efforts to turn things around and begin to look and feel your best.

If you really want to make permanent changes in your body here are some thoughts that will help you. Adopt these ideas immediately, and I guarantee you will begin to see some powerful changes not only in your body but in your life.

1. It is possible

So many people never attempt to get in shape, because they feel like it just won't work. They feel like they are too far gone, or just don't believe that the kinds of changes they want to achieve are within their reach.

The fact is that no matter what you want to achieve, chances are it's already been done by someone just like you. Your situation isn't unique, trust me.

2. It's not as complicated as I think it is

The actual fitness formula is pretty simple: Supportive nutrition plus progressive exercise pursued persistently equals fitness for life.

Easy, right? Get the right systems in place, and you'll almost go on autopilot. My clients are usually taken aback by how easy it is to keep making progress by keeping things ridiculously simple.

3. I'm in this for life

Fitness isn't a sprint, it's a marathon. It's a lifetime commitment that is dynamic and ever-changing. You'll have hills and you'll have valleys, but stay on course. Lance Armstrong wasn't always in the lead on the Tour Du France, but he always seemed to take the lead at the right time. He kinda did OK, right?

Patience and persistence is key. Take your time and make it a lifestyle of continued learning and effort.

4. I don't find time, I create it

It can seem sometimes as if our time is not our own. Work, kids or other commitments can seem to leech away our time like one of those vampire kids from "Twilight."

But consider this: If you don't dedicate the time necessary to change your body, chances are you'll be in the same condition, or even worse, this time next year. Do what you have to do to create time. Hire a sitter; farm out some of your work; get up earlier and come to my 6 a.m. boot camp; whatever.

Just make it happen. Stop letting your schedule control you, and show it who's boss.

Chad Smith is co-owner of Home Team Fitness. Visit his Web site www.hometeamfitness.net.