P90X - Day 46

I want to stay true to the intent of this blog.  My goal way back when it started was to talk about try to find a way to live healthy in an unhealthy world.  A world that is constantly tempting you to take a short cut to happiness, health and wellness, and yet continues to produce more and more people who live unhealthy lives. Over the last 4 years I have made many great starts towards a healthy live style.  I have also blown it and given in to the many messages around me.  As a result i have yo-yo'd up and down with weight.  I have been bordering on being diabetic, I have joined the ranks of those taking blood pressure medicine, and have like so many, resigned to the lie, that this is how life is going to be.  Well no more.


This blog is about the battle.  The biggest battle is the one I have with myself.  I am determined to win this battle, to regain my life, and to start living the way I was meant to live.  With that in mind, I started P90X back on January 5th.  It is now February 19th and I just completed day 46 of the 90 day workout.  While I am lossing weight, and changing the way my body looks, I am learning so much more.  I am learning that by working hard I can change the direction things are going in my life.  I am talking about more than health and fitness.  I am learning that when I feel good about myself it has a direct impact on my job performance and my relationships.  I am realizing that I do have the strength to stick with something and am determined to see it through to its completion. I am in my 7th week of P90X.  I have lost 26 lbs. I feel like I am finally doing something important for myself that will reap life long consequences.  This is all about becoming the best me I can be.  I was looking at the pictures of me on the header at the top of this page.  The picture on the far right is from me in April of '07.  I had gotten down to 211 pounds.  This morning I was 210 lbs.  The difference is that I have been converting fat to muscle, so my build is much better today than it was when I was 43.  I am starting to realize my dream of being in better shape when I hit 50 (yes, 2 and a half years away) than I was at 30.  I am trying to decide if I will do another round of P90X after I finish in April, or if I will start training for a Marathon.  My goal is to develop a life style of health, wellness, and fitness, that will carry me through the rest of my life.  I am well on my way to winning this battle.

P90X Day 33 - Starting to see the difference

I'm just over a month into the program.  I've been sweating, I've been jumping, I've been doing push ups, and using bands (instead up pull ups).  I also have been modifying the routines, taking breaks, doing my best and forgetting the rest.  I have been stuck at 215 pounds for a week, but my kids and wife tell me they are noticing the changes.  I can tell you I am feeling better about who I am as a person, my outlook on life is changing and I am excited about the future.  Today I looked at my pictures I took on day one and compared them to day 31 (yes I was a day late). Guess what, there is change.  Muscles are starting to show up, the man boobs are not as pronounced, the waist is starting to look different.  There is a long ways to go, but I am definitely on my way. 

My question now is how will I sustain this as a life style change.  I don't think I will be able to do extreme workouts 6 days a week for the long haul, but how will I continue with what I have started?  One thing I have been thinking about is my long term goals, and I have finally defined it in a nice little statement. "I will enter into my 50's better physically, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually than I entered into my 30's."  I am currently 47 and a few months from 48, so I have time to work on this goal.  I am currently working on my physical and emotional state of being.  These impact my relationships and where I am spiritually.  As I make progress physically with P90X, it is opening the door for growth in the other areas as well.

I can't wait for these next 4 weeks to fly by and hit the 60 day mark.  I am excited about what is happening to me both outwardly and inwardly.  My your battle go well.

Type 2 Diabetes - Are Your Blood Sugar Levels Normal?

I was reading an article on Type 2 Diabetes today. As an Administrator for a Skilled Nursing Facility, I am amazed at how many of those who come in for care are suffering from this disease. The impact of uncontrolled Diabetes on a person is something that each person should take seriously. Don't let it catch you by supprise. If you already have Type 2 Diabetes, their are something you need to be doing to insure continued health and well being. The following article, Type 2 Diabetes - Are Your Blood Sugar Levels Normal? states that if you are a diabetic, monitoring your blood sugar levels regularly is essential in keeping your health problem in tight control. Please read the article if you think you might, or if you know that you do, have Diabetes. This is not a battle you want to lose.

Happines in Life - Or, Where does contentment come from

Today I find myself wondering about what brings contentment in life.  I was taught growing up to go to school, learn all I can, get a good job, work hard, get married, have a family, and that will satisfy.  So I set out to do just that.  In the 80's i finished school, married my high school sweetheart, launched my career, started a family, and began acquiring things like cars and houses  Funny thing, they didn't satisfy.  if anything, the left me feeling more empty. Reading Self Help Books didn't give me any answers, religion confused me.  I remember sitting in my office one day thinking, "There will always be someone faster, smarter, better looking, getting paid more, with nicer things."  I realized if that is what I pursued, I would always be left feeling like I missed out.

If anything, I am learning that life is moving to quickly to sit back and watch it go by.  For me, life is about connection, about relationship, about intimacy.  I truly desire to be known more than I desire to be rich.  I want to have friends more than I want a position.  I want to make a difference in the lives of others, more than I want status symbols.  I am learning that my family brings me more happiness than a job, that time with my wife is more important than a promotion.  I am starting to realize that it is possible to pursue something whole heatedly only to find out it was the wrong thing.  I am coming to this conclusion as I watch others give up what is most important to pursue that which does not satisfy.  As the son of a preacher, I have been told this many times.  However, I am just know coming to realize it for myself. I want to make sure that I live a life of No Regrets.  My goal is to make a difference, to me that will bring true happiness and contentment.  My battle to get it right continues.  It all comes down to the choices I make today.