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Today my legs where killing me from the workout I gave them 2 days ago. The workout is designed to take the muscle to near failure and was one of the toughest leg workouts I have done in a long while. So I have a lot of lactic acid burning up my muscle. I thought a slow walk was a good idea.
Now normally I would have my Nike+ shoes and my Ipod Nano to record my mileage. Gotta get those miles logged so people can see I live what I preach. I am kidding, well kinda, I have to admit I like seeing the miles add up. But, when you really take a look at it, it really only matters that I am working on my health to continue the journey I started. So off I went for a slow, maybe painful walk to get some circulation going in my legs. No music. No measurement of time (how fast or slow I was going). Just a walk to feel better was all I was after.
It is a sunny day in Boise today. My walk during the day is almost always on the greenbelt and today was no exception. It was a sunny 88 degrees and humid. Little did I know that more than my legs were about to get restored.
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I looked around, there where all kinds of things to see and hear. First was the kayaker floating and bobbing along down the river. A reminder of things still on my “bucket list”, one day to take either a white water rafting trip or lean to kayak and venture the wild waters in Idaho. Then there was the man and his dog walking along the banks. This one took me back to the recent lost of my dear pet and friend that recently passed away after being with us for 20+ years.
I walked on as my legs started to free up a bit and each step seemed a bit lighter. I started thinking about some of the recent events in my life that needed quiet contemplation to come to some sort of decision. No music, no concern about a pace, just walking along the river on a hot summer day. As I searched my soul, that still quiet voice (note to self, you still have to get quiet to hear it) led me into the next steps and an inner knowing what to do next.
Getting ready to go around the bend I noticed the bike rider coming around the turn and waited in case he would go left instead of right. He actually stopped for me to cross and we exchanged smiles that acknowledged we where both courteous to each other’s journey. On across the old steel bridge, the boards creaked and bounced as I looked up and down the river noticing for the first time all week that the water level had changed and enjoy the flying cottonwoods as they floated through the air like angels guarding us along the way.
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On to the home stretch, sun beating down and body getting warmer now as the sweat started to form on my brow. Half way and my walk would be done. I was almost sad for it to be over till I hear all the birds signing and I became lost in the harmony of their song. Be still they sang and enjoy the day. Each step, took me closer to my destination.
Last bridge and only a few yard to the door. As the real world approached I realized that the walk had done more for my health than getting the blood moving in my aching legs. It had renewed my spirit. It had reminded me of the sights and sounds of life being enjoyed around me. As the sweat poured down my brow it also reminded me of the days when I would have never thought of walking off those aches and pains of life that I had just been released from. And often never took the time to enjoy the sweet moments being active has to offer.
I hope in some small way this reaches one person and makes a difference in their life. It reminds them to take a moment and enjoy their walk. It doesn’t have to be for exercise. It doesn’t have to be around a park. It can be just for a brief moment when you hear the birds sing out to you or smell the fresh scent of the lilac trees as they send their scent through the air. Oh and that still small voice, it is always in waiting for when you take the time to listen. Be blessed and enjoy the journey!
I get to enjoy going in to work every day and talking with some of the most interesting people. Many of them I am sure think I over-analyze stuff all the time. After all I am the computer geek so it is natural to be accused of this often. I am also the guy that talks way too much about weight loss, health, and fitness to make most people happy.
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Today was no exception. I was talking about the trip up to the summer camp on the bus with the “at risk” kids on their way to be treated to loving one on one care all week. I was then asked if I “had to” go back up on Friday to bring them back. Which I responded with “No I don’t have to, I get to!” Well you know what I meant was the response. To which I explained there is a difference.
The difference is in how you approach the task. I hear it all the time from clients. The ones that “have to” do something consider the sacrifice and the work they are doing as a chore or an unwanted task. It is all about the food they miss or how tough it is to stay on track. The one’s that “get to” consider it a chance to improve their lives and their health. The things they get to do are simply part of the process towards being a better, healthier individual.
You see I am blessed. I get to go to a gym 3-5 times a week. I get to walk 2 miles during my lunches around a beautiful park and river run. I get to pay attention to what I eat. I get to compete with other walkers and runners after years of hating to run or walk any distance. I get to go up on Friday and see the faces of a group of kids that this week may be the only week this year that they feel really appreciated and blessed. They will be excited, they will be energized and they may even be a handful. I am sure that it will be another blessing to be at their service and perhaps find one more opportunity to encourage and bless them on the way.
So if that is over analyzing then I will continue to do that to. Cause, I get to choose the way I think, the way I feel, the way I handle challenge and the way I handle blessings. You see I have found out it is a lot more fun to see life as a choice instead of a “have to”. I come at it feeling empowered and motivated, instead of repressed and forced. I get to enjoy life! Hey maybe even tomorrow I will get to write another story from the joy of having a job and having people think I am cut from a different cloth than many.
To continue the series I want to address the people who you will want to coach. If you are reading this series as a possible client you may see yourself in one of the categories mentioned.
First Timers
This is a group of folks that have decided for the first time in their life to really take on their health. They are ready to take an honest look or have been motivated recently to take care of themselves. Often one would associate this with age, but I see a trend that it is about awareness of their personal health condition. They may have recently visited their doctor, taken an honest look in the mirror, or even heard someone say something when they thought they weren’t listening. Something has them thinking about needing to make a change without any knowledge of how to get started, more or less to finish the journey successfully. They need someone with the expertise to do it right and teach them how to make it stick!
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Yo-Yo’s
I was one of these so I have particular affection for them. This person is someone that tries to lose weight, in fact often has tried many times. They may have had some measure of success. The hard thing for them is the ability to find it inside to try one more thing. Why would they think this diet would work for them, everything else failed at some point, why this one? They don’t understand why and they don’t know about metabolism and diet, they just know they have really tried and failed. They need someone that understands they are serious about it, they just struggle with something that keeps them from succeeding. Often they are the hardest to get to try again. They need an uplifting coach to believe in them and motivate them to give it effort and determination that this time they will succeed.
The Expert
Image by Getty Images via Daylife
This bunch is a hard bunch to even get to work with. They know it all. They have read every book. They have tried everything, and yet they have not reached optimal health. Another version of these wonderful people show up at trade fairs and run when they see a weight loss booth. They know nothing will work for them. I was also part of this group. I was convinced that nothing would ever work and that somehow I had messed up my body so bad that I would never be able to lose weight. I knew that there was no magic pill, no patch, no abs system, and it seemed like there was nothing that would work. If there was certainly I would have found it already, after all wasn’t I the real expert on what would work for me. This group has one question to ask them: Are you happy with the results you are getting now? If the answer is yes, they automatically become un-coachable. To be coach you have to be willing to admit you don’t have all the answers.
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Looking back this week I notice that I miss the excitement of the Olympics. There are always such great stories of human triumph that come from the many participants from the various countries. This year’s Olympics where no exception. The women’s figure skating championships by itself, was enough to get even the toughest heart to shed a tear or two. (me I was a big baby)
I can’t imagine the pressure felt by the medal winner from Korea that had her whole country behind her as long as she won. If not she would live in shame before he whole county. And I get nervous talking in front of people. She not only gave a stellar performance but she went out on a limb to woe the judges. Just one piece of bad ice could have tumbled her hopes for the gold but she went all out.
Then there was Canada’s skater who won a medal even though her mother had died there just two days before her performance. I can’t imagine the courage and discipline that it took just to suit up and put her skates on. When she blew that kiss to her mother in the heavens I was weeping and touched.
I waited for a while to write this to not distract from their time in the spotlight and to think about what it took to do those things that most of us think of as superhuman efforts. I believe it has everything to do with vision and goals. You see both young ladies had the vision to be skaters and win from a very early age. Both had to put in hour after hour of practice. They sacrificed friends, family, and time to be everyday normal kind of people to do something that takes a committed effort and persistence.
This meant that when it came time to reach their goal, they knew that they could not stop. They had to go on and do what they had come to do. That would be to give their all. I heard that story told throughout the week by many athletes. No matter what they achieved they walked away giving it everything they had. That to me is true inspiration!
What if each of us gave our lives the best we had to offer each day. Does it have to be hours and hours of practice or working towards some endeavor? Or can it just be the best we can do that day to improve ourselves and our situation? See effort looks different for different people. I remember when it took effort just to walk up the stairs. It took effort not to give up. It took effort to even keep any hope that life could change. But, when I watch the achievers I am reminded that nothing achieved comes without effort. And much of the time the effort is always rewarded.
Take a moment out today, ask yourself what one thing you would change about yourself if you could. Then find a way to change it. Olympians use trainers and coaches. They don’t do it on their own. Together as a team they reach for their ultimate “perfect performance”. They got at it again and again, doing a little better each time at whatever they do. For some they come away with a medal, for some they just come away knowing they have to do better next time or they had some bad luck during the competition. All of them can come away knowing they gave it their best and got to participate in a competition that very few can qualify for.
Where will you compete? You will you inspire? Whose life will change by something you decide to do? I can say I will never win an Olympic medal but already this year I have done things I never thought I would be able to do. This year is still young and perhaps there is at least a medal or race that I can run for my age and win. Perhaps all that I will ever take away is knowing I gave it my best, and that my dear readers is always enough.
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Yesterday we had a call from a client that is going to take their doctor’s advice for weight loss surgery (WLS). Now this sweet lady had started with us and then had many family emergencies that took her away from support and kept her off her program. She didn’t use us as a lifeline of support by either taking calls or returning them. On top of that, this same doctor had told her not to go onto the full program. This hampered her full nutrition and energy sources on the plan. Her doctor told her she was concerned that the rapid weight loss would hurt her. Now that same doctor is recommending surgery. As I see it WE NEED A HERO! No not me, I can’t make her choices for her. Not that I would even want to.
I have practically given up on expecting the hero to be the doctors and medical practitioners. I am more convinced each day that there are a special few that really want to help people do anything but be treated by their clinic or specialty for the rest of their life. Heck I even sat down with a local hospital person that told us in private she thought WLS was the worst choice and yet she runs the clinic. No hero’s available? I don’t know but they are hard to find.
The only place I can count on finding a hero is in the individual (or in you as you read this). That’s right! The hero is in you. Now before you write this article off as another bashing weight loss surgery article, keep reading. I am not against WLS in extreme cases where it really is the last resort. I personally came very close to at least talking about it with a doctor. I believe it to be the only choice when people have to be forced to eat less rather than taught how to deal with their cravings and eating habits. It is a last resort to save lives in my personal opinion. But I digress a bit.
In you there is the ability to ask your doctor some honest and insightful questions. Doesn’t sound heroic? Well guess what most of you just trust your doctors. You find it difficult to challenge their opinion and just take it as the absolute truth. You won’t take the time to do your research and ask the right questions. I think you have to dig deeper to find it within your self to challenge your doctor. You have to fly heroically to find different opinions and get the pros and cons. You have to be willing to face the obstacles that are put into place to keep you from making an informed decision. In the case of the example client all she had to do is ask one question (something very hard for her personality): Why is weight loss surgery better than a restricted calorie diet? Both restrict calories – One permanently. Why would you tell me it was harmful and then recommend it to me?
This could lead to more courage and more questions like. What are the long term effects of both? Will I still have to watch what I eat and exercise to maintain my ongoing weight loss? How much weight loss can I expect after surgery? How does it really work? Explain malabsorbtion to me. Do patients after weight loss surgery still have to apply portion control and watch what type of foods they eat? Will I ever be able to eat like I do now that got me into this condition? See, when armed and informed she would be able to make that heroic effort. And perhaps the most important question is: Will I be able to maintain my weight loss without special eating conditions when I have finished loosing the weight?
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I went to an all day seminar here in Boise for all the weight loss surgery folks. Here are the basics of what I learned. WLS patients still have to practice the “habits of health”. They still have to learn disciplined eating and exercise habits. Their weight loss is no faster than the average weight loss many of my clients and other coaches experience and sometimes even less. The overall cost of the surgery for the pounds lost is much more. And last but not least is the fact that it is surgery, and there are associated risks. My overall opinion was why would I screw up my plumbing for something I would have to do anyway on any other weight loss program? The only answer I could come up with was I would have to make an effort to do it on my own before I gave the control over to the surgeons. I would have to dig deep to stick to it and make it happen. At least then I would still have my body the way it was designed to work and function and I would be able to make my choices based on the results I wanted, not what the newly rewired plumbing could deal with. Little did I know how much easier it was to do with the right support and planning.
Yes we need Hero’s, people willing to face the questions and make the right decisions for them. You see when it is all said and done, weight loss surgery or dieting, still require the basic fact that food is fuel, not a replacement for comfort or to satisfy a need or quiet a stress. Too much fuel and you will still have a problem with either choice. Are you heroic enough to take a look for the answer to your weight issues within yourself? We help people loose weight every day, but every day those wonderfully heroic people are the ones doing the work and making the effort to stay on track. We are just part of the crowd to lift them up and keep them flying.
Thanks for taking the time to read this. I had to clear some feelings about how I felt about the issues mentioned in this post because each of my clients are important to me. I needed to vent a bit. You see I am like the little boy walking the beach filled with starfish dying in the hot sun. Picking up one at a time and putting them back into the life refreshing ocean. Someone comes by and says why do you do this? It can’t possibly make a difference with all those starfish beached here. The little boy tosses one more back into the ocean and says: “It made a difference to that one!” Perhaps today this post will reach just one more person that needed to be reminded “There is a hero within you!”
Over wieght and obese
This week is a time of reflection for me. One year ago was when I began my journey on August 19th 2008. You don’t have to go too many posts back to realize I was a couple of breaths away from a major heart attack or some other major health event to include pre-disposed for Type II diabetes.
A year later I work out an hour each day. Continue to lose body fat percentage and adding muscle mass. I look back and my idea of optimal health was where I am today. Today I realize it is just the beginning of what health I can experience for the rest of my life. I have gone from hopeless to hope filled.
I spoke to a room full of health care workers this week. It was a bit intimidating at first. After all they are the experts and we were being critiqued when it was done. How we were received would mean if we got to continue to present the other dates and locations. In the journey to make a difference each step counts. Stumble, run, walk, or crawl, each person that you touch is another person changed.
We got great reviews! We got 2 more dates on our calendar. I got to read comments like “You gave me hope!”, “I learn something new.”, “Very informative!” etc. Just before the presentation I heard the group behind me wondering about the presentation. Questions like “Hmm, I wonder if I could get my spouse to lose some weight and get healthy?” , “Is there any way that a person can reach an ideal BMI?”, and my favorite “Do you think this will be just another DIET program?”
No High blood pressure! No medications
You might guess that one year ago when I walked out to the fair I was feeling like there were no answers to these and many other questions. I felt that I had tried everything. We are in the day where celebs are taking on the Acai Berries, the patches and such and saying “No I did not endorse that product and you can’t use my name.” What was a person to do? I was dying at an all too rapid rate of speed because I had let it go too far. Or so I thought.
I found out there is hope. You can do the work. You can reap the rewards. Over the last year I have worked with clients from 16 to 73 and each one has a journey and a story to tell. It brings me joy daily now and keeps me motivated to continue my own journey. Now when I look in the mirror I am inspired to keep going instead of despairing to give up trying. My only regret is that I did not make the journey earlier. My triumph is that I didn’t give up and life is better than it was 20 years ago.
Is it time to begin your weight loss journey? Is it time to commit to your health? What would life look like a year from now if you decided to get started? Want some help? We are here and making a difference, won’t you join us on the journey? Let us show you what optimal health can look like in your life’s journey!
More From CoachRick
Last week was such a great time. It was mixed vacation and training to continue my efforts to become a better coach. All of it was energizing and fun for me. It was also a week that many people would have used the time to totally back down and let go. This would often had been the case.
A view over the Grand Canyon
Back in the day (as my son is so fond of saying) I would have said no let’s just hang out. I have some reading to do. This was code for I am so damn tired that I don’t want to go and do anything. Oh and I was too broke to afford to do anything fun, but that is a story for tomorrow’s post. I just didn’t have the energy and every part of my body was killing me. I always felt like I needed the rest.
I am coming up on a year anniversary in September. It will be a year since I started this journey and started to see the success. First month 25 lbs, second 20 lbs, and onto by the 8th month I was down 97 lbs from my original weight. That was a total loss of almost 20% of my body fat. Ah but the journey continues. Like going on vacation I could kick back and take it easy. I could slip back into old munching habits or what I call my “See food, Eat food” habit. After all I work hard. I deserve a break. What will a day or two (or three, four, etc) cost me. Time to celebrate! Time to let loose! NO! NO! NO! Those same ideas I had when I was 20. I thought back then I could eat and drink whatever I wanted. After all I was invincible.
I had no idea about the ideas of optimal health and longevity. I didn’t understand the value of family and loving relationships. I hadn’t seen the years pass by so quickly. Now before I go any further. I don’t want to set the bar so high to make me out a saint. I went on maintenance early to shake my metabolism up a bit. I increased my workouts and I was stuck for over three months because I needed more calories to keep up. I don’t during one meal eat more then I should or the wrong things. I do my best to plan my day around those activities and I work it off when I slip. I pay the price as well for my choices. I just don’t slip into the old mindset that I deserve to eat whatever the hell I want to. Food is fuel and when I fuel my body with junk I do pay a price.
Hopi Point and two happy trekkers
So you ask, Rick, what is the point of all of this? My point is that when you are on the journey to reach the best health you can have, there is always a diligence involved. It is an awareness of what you do for yourself and to yourself. Something I didn’t have or care to have at 20. There is no way to go back! Just each step is either forward or backward towards your goal. I lost 3 pounds on vacation! Oh and my wife (who has begun my program) lost 4 lbs and now is down a total of 16 lbs in a month. Hooray!
How did this happen. After all we were on vacation and we were supposed to have fun and eat new and exotic foods. It happened because, we watched what we ate. I had some good food but ate it in proper portions and amounts. I stopped (an new experience believe me) when I was full. I did my exercise routine at about half what I normally do because of my intensity recently and my body did need some recovery time. At the same time we walked the Grand Canyon one day for 6 miles. Awesome place for a workout!
What do you want out of life? Where do you want to be this time next year? Is your quality of life worth that candy bar or soda? Not my decision, but it is yours. Is it time to get off vacation and go back to work? Or are you going to take it easy for a bit longer? Let us know what you are thinking!
May your day be everything you wanted it to be, your future bright, and your health and body becoming stronger every day! I can say this part of the journey does not feel like it has such a steep uphill climb and each step it took to get here has been a small price to pay.
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