Rejection! A Simple Way to Get Motivated...

This image should be self-explanatory. Why is it that I always feel like I must improve my situation, but end up jumping from "the frying pan into the fire"? Must be a mental condition, or a heart condition.

Motivation:

"Heroes are made in the hour of defeat. Success is, therefore, well described as a series of glorious defeats."
~Mohandas K. Gandhi

Diary:

Someone once said that the longest distance between any two points is from one's head to one's heart.

This last two weeks have been a journey down this path from head to heart and back to head again. I was sitting at the bar, drinking my club soda and water, and looking around the room at all of the people mingling. I started thinking about the people who I hang around with, and then came to a sudden realization that "I am lonely."

While this is not a new concept to me, for some reason it hit me like a ton of bricks. For the last few years, I have been happy to be alone, partly because I have had these "projects" to do - chazz vader challenges, fitness, weight loss, new jobs, new learning, saving money, playing music, etc. I felt at the time that I was "building" for something, the way a bird would prepare a nest for it's home.

All of those activities seemed like "head" projects. While I had to get motivated and passionate about working out, eating right, reading, reviewing, planning, and staying consistent to my goals - on days where passion failed me, I could still push on with my body and my mind.

In this solitary moment I had a panic attack. It was a roar deep down from within. It was not emanating from my head, but was a primal scream from my heart. "Why am I sitting here alone?" It felt like I was being punched in the gut over and over again. "What is the purpose for building, if you have nothing to show for it?"


Let's take a step back - how did this happen:

1. Late in 2007, my sister indicated that I should think about adding "new relationship" on my challenge/goal list for 2008. It was something that I started talking about, and wanted to start sharing my life experiences with someone around me who cares and adores me.
   
2. My 2008 New Year's resolution was and still is the following: "Be more social and network with people in and out of work." Part of that is just being friendly, positive and "ok" with meeting new, different people. This is so tough for me and I am unsure that if I can't overcome this fear, how would I ever get to the point to ask someone on a date or whatever?
   
3. My long-time friend Dave B asks me "why not try putting "Chazz Vader style steps into a system to find a mate? Is there anything wrong with trying to make matters of love something to set up in a logical process? I haven't really thought enough about this, but I imagine that many of the books written about "How to find your mate" help people come up with a system to work out the issues. It may be worth a look.
   
4. 4 separate conversations I have had over the last week about this issue came down to the same point - that my successes and failures in meeting women are "Training" for something bigger. It is good to try and fail, because you find out what "Barriers" are out there for singles who are trying to find out who are compatible with each other.
   
5. I also have had conversations this last week about "What makes someone attractive"? Why do people find each other attractive? Why do people love each other? During my heart-searching week, I heard Colbie Caillat's song "Realized":
   

"But I can't spell it out for you,
No it's never gonna be that simple
No I can't spell it out for you

If you just realize what I just realized,
Then we'd be perfect for each other
and will never find another
Just realized what I just realized
we'd never have to wonder if
we missed out on each other now.

Take time to realize
Oh-oh I'm on your side
didn't I, didn't I tell you.
Take time to realize

It's not always the same
no it's never the same
if you don't feel it to.
If you meet me half way
If you would meet me half way.
It could be the same for you."

What did she just realize? There was a glimpse of time last week that I thought I got it. Colbie sings that she "took time to realize that I'm on your side and that this all can pass you by." It is so vague - heart feelings - to make them mental realizations - I understood that so briefly. I thought I had a feeling of love, but I guess it isn't enough to feel love for someone when you do realize that they aren't on your side or feel the same devotion or connection to you.

Sometimes it is too easy to say "I love you", without any actions to back it up. Maybe this IS the connection between the head and the heart - the heart feels something and wants to make a change for something, then the head makes a plan to do something about that feeling. That connection back and forth strengthens the heart feeling, and they work together. Maybe I am talking out of nonsense right now.

During that brief encounter with love, I got a glimpse of reasons for someone to be attracted to me, and ironically, there are some of the same reasons that I like who I am.

1. I am funny and I enjoy making people laugh and connecting with others.
   
2. I like to show people how much I care for them - physically through hugs or smiles, or by doing little things or thinking of ways to appreciate people.
3. The "Chazz Vader challenge" experience shows that I can take on a great challenge and see it through to the end. The determination, power and strength it takes to lose 200lbs in today's society. That is attractive and I am proud of it. I plan on using this determination and planning to make other parts of my life better, including devotion to my future mate, whoever that may be.
   
4. I like to find reasons to cheer people on and encourage them. I want to discover new reasons to see why I might love other people.
5. I am smart. I am not a genius, but I do have a great logical thinking mind and am very blessed to be able to work and be productive.
6. I am creative. I like to try new things, appreciate art and music, and I enjoy creative skills in other people.

There is no way to make a list of reasons why I like myself WITHOUT coming across sounding self-centered and arrogant, so I will stop here. On the other hand, if you don't stop and take a moment to look at the things that make you feel good, I think you are missing out on some of the gifts that you are given. I guess I just felt I needed to sit down and right them down, before I started forgetting again.


Back to last Friday night - something "snapped" - something that has been dangling in my heart for a long time finally broke off and is now wanting to be free.

It was the same feeling I had several years ago, the night that I called my sister after looking at pictures of me - overweight and obese - miserable. Hurting inside so much that I couldn't complete a sentence, knowing that I was "meant to be better than this" but unable to see the positive side, I remember that my heart was in pain. The kind of pain that you have when you lose something that you really cared about more than you ever knew you could. That night I made a decision to start taking the difficult steps that I had to take to no longer be trapped by my weight and live with a new sense of purpose. It "snapped" and the next day I told myself "I am now a 300lb man - what do I do today." "How does a 300lb man act, eat, walk and interact?" It was at that moment that I decided not to live like a 500lb man, but to live as if I had already reached my goal. (Now I say to myself "How does a 200lb man act?" in my quest to get down to the elusive mark. It will happen in 2008...) Note to Mike W - I hope this paragraph answers your question "Why did your weight loss plan WORK this time when you had plans in the past?" I think part of it was that my heart had reached it's capacity point when it couldn't sustain the pain of being sad and it forced a change. I know this doesn't make sense, but few decisions about life make sense out of the context of the day the decision was made.

Back to the last two weeks:
This new frustration - this "snapped" feeling in my heart about my social relationship status - in fact this new sense of frustration could be used for good. What kind of person do I want to be? What sort of actions does a man who is bent on romance take? How does he prepare from being a solitary bachelor, to a potential eligible lover-to-be? Like the idea of losing 200lbs, I have a big open future and possibilities are endless. I feel like the start of a new day, a new me is starting to emerge deep deep down.

Who do I want to be today? Where do I want to go? Who will I take with me?
The twists and turns of life are endless. I wouldn't have it any other way.

SIMPLE IS NOT EASY

One of the simple side-affects of the heart issue described above is the benefits of REJECTION. We can try to put together a step-by-step "process" to finding that special someone, but if you don't find that person who cares for you, you might spend the rest of your life trying to convince someone love you who doesn't have the capacity or clearly can't see what they are turning down.

Rejection is our greatest fear that can do the greatest damage to us. Being rejected makes us feel small, worthless, insecure and unwanted. The thing that annoys me most of all about rejection is the lack of honesty and the games that people play to "make it easier." When we are lied to, the feeling of rejection is compounded. I get so angry when someone tells me that I am a great guy, BUT. I would have more respect for someone who has the guts to say what they truly are feeling, even if it hurts.

Why do I mention this rejection topic - well, as you may well imagine - I was once again rejected by someone I felt I cared about and could see a possible future with (of what, is unknown, and will be unknown for now on.) I say "once again" because as a formerly obese 500lb man, I was used to rejection, to the point of just stopping trying because I could imagine the reaction to me making any move toward the opposite sex. It was embarrassing, humiliating, and debilitating. Unfortunately, this social scar still haunts me and I get that feeling in my pit when I meet new people that says "why would this person respect / acknowledge a fat man?" without taking a step back and realizing that I am no longer that fat man. I guess I was just beat up enough that this image has been burned up in my mind. It may take some time to clear up, but that fear of being seen as unattractive is very prevalent in every aspect of my daily life.

If rejection is a curse, confidence is the cure. One way to fix the issue is to balance it out with positive pastimes and activities. If you feel good about yourself then you know some truths about yourself too. You know if you are good at your job, if you are organized, well dressed, in shape etc. The more confident you are, the better you will be able to cope with some forms of rejection.

Maybe now I realize why making that earlier list of "what I like about me" is so important. I guess the thing about rejection that is lost between my head and my heart is "If I am so great, have so many positive attributes and skills, and my "star is rising" - if all of this is true (which I believe it is) - why would someone reject that?"

Is it something wrong with me?
It is something wrong with her?
Is it something wrong with timing?
Is it something that a deity is failing to bless, causing some failure?

I guess I understood when I was obese and miserable and had very little ambition or future path - I can understand at that point in time why I would be rejected and repel the opposite sex, but now I am better, or getting better. The whole problem on this temporal issue feels like a panic issue that has to be resolved NOW! Why? Why me? Why now? Why do other people, who are no better off than I, have relationships that I cannot? Why can't I relax and wait for an answer be presented to me? Why can't I just live with the reality of the situation and be happy, positive, and continue to show happiness to others. This is so difficult for me.

The more I think about these questions, the ones that have no answers, the more I think about another side of Rejection. We may do something to battle Rejection, something on the rebound to exact some from of Revenge. I call this "Internal Rage". This isn't the type "Rage" that exhibits any outwardly physical interaction with others, such as "Road Rage" and "Roid Rage", but instead is a little internal ticker - a metronome that helps me to keep my rhythm going on the projects that I have on my list.

It may sound like a childish attitude, maybe one of "oneupmanship" or a way to "show someone what they have missed". While it would be impossible for me to dispute this fully, it is not the primary reasons for this Internal Rage. Another way to look at Rage is that to help take a negative experience to help you focus and stay motivated for the goals that you have and to re-ignite the dreams and visions that you have about what you want your future to look like. Remembering the quote of the day:

"Heroes are made in the hour of defeat.
Success is, therefore, well described as a series of glorious defeats."
~Mohandas K. Gandhi

So I take a chance to Reset, Refocus, and Reclaim my dreams and plans, using this new Rejection as another driver to keep my level of commitment and vigor high when going after this years goals. I am going to take on the challenge of "dating training" as an adventure in Rejection. This extra push should help to stay accountable to my "baby-steps" approach to self-improvement. (This sounds like I am approaching the process of dating and meeting people as a painful experience, when in actuality, it should be a fun practice. )
So, stay tuned to more information on this front, as I move forward defining this challenge, it's goals and milestones. As always, if you have ideas or insights, please leave me a comment or mail me with some thoughts.

Another great way to get inspired - I watched a movie last Sunday called "300" It is the story of the Persian Empire destroying every army that dared to stand in its path. Xerxes massive army goes against a small Spartan army, lead by Leonidas, who is a strong-willed leader fighter. Though Sparta has no chance of winning against the Persians, the Spartans march on, intent on a stubborn sense of loyalty and determination, because they believe that their fight is more virtuous than sitting back and being sqaushed by fear. These brave 300 warriors eventually fall in defeat to the Persian army, however the actions inspired others to stand and fight.

The movie caught my attention, and I am inspired to fight for what I believe in - which currently happens to be a continued desire to "live healthy", and be in the best physical condition I have ever been in. I am planning on losing more fat, running faster, building more muscle, being more flexible, and looking and feeling better than ever in 2008. BRING IT ON!

The next day I joined a weekly group fitness aptly named "Boot Camp". It was rough, and Karl, my trainer every Monday and Thursday takes his participants through the paces. He mixes it up every session, so we don't know what is next, but we know we will be sweaty and exhausted after the hour is over. These fitness sessions are a journey in "core muscle" training. We do exercises that are meant to expose our weaknesses, and I am finding that I am ripe with weakness. It is very illuminating to see yourself in a mirror doing a move that causes your body to show how out of shape you are. I thought it would be "embarrassing" but it really isn't. It is educational, and inspirational, because I know that after 12 weeks of these training sessions, things will start to get tighter, and after 24 weeks, things will get toned, and so on. I am really interested to see how my body responds to this new experience, as I am confusing my muscles daily with different, somewhat random movements to make it respond and react.

My body is sore - but in a good way. Next weekend, I will update my stats and measurements and share that information here as well.

more later,

Chazz

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Jump, Jive and Wail

Happy Valentine's Day (however belated) from everyone at "Chazz Vader's Intelligent Design"!

Motivation:

"And the trouble is, if you don't risk anything, you risk even more."
~Erica Jong

Diary:

Over the last few months, I have felt unfocused in my work, something that I used to take a great deal of pride in.

Over the year of 2007, I made great strides with personal, health, musical, physical, and home-based goals. I learned a lot about "what it takes" for me to set, make progress, and finally achieve objectives - some small, some large, but all were well thought out, properly planned out, and meaningful for my life.

What I have been feeling some doubt about were my work and financial based goals. I "felt" like I was doing my part at my job, and attempting to set meaningful goals and asking the right (not write) questions. For some reason, I was unable to get any momentum with my "career path" and due to the fact that I was making stride with my other goals, I was becoming aware that maybe it wasn't my fault that I wasn't making headway - perhaps I was just in the wrong environment for success.

One of the big reasons, that I should not discount, with my success in 2007 was a really strong support system, coupled with my attitude of complete transparency. If I was having a rough time, I shared it. When I found faults in my system, I wrote about it. When I needed to have someone help lift me up, I whined about it.

This accountability, coupled with the knowledge that I had (have) a support structure in the form of people who are there to offer guidance, ideas, at times conflicting opinion, and most of the time, good listeners and empathizing care.

At my job, I become more and more disappointed that we don't find more personal relationships. What about a job makes some people feel as if it the only way to move forward is to step on someone else to get there? I have found, in my non-work projects, that by lifting everyone up, you are also lifted up. By helping someone else learn something new, or succeed at a project, have you lost anything?

Why do people on the job have such a hard time telling the truth about their current condition, even if it is bleak? I would rather know that I have a difficult project ahead and be able to handle it head on, than be shrouded in confusion because a manager doesn't want to reveal the facts that he doesn't know for sure what is happening. I would rather have a brief appearance of confusion than an ongoing communication problem, just tell the truth, even if it is ugly, so that we all can work together to make a difference.

But for the last several years, my search for a way to make strides on my job, something I spend a large portion of my waking hours doing, to be disappointing. I want to take pride in what I am doing - and I think it is important to care about my work. There are some who would have a problem with this thought - some who think that a job is just for money, and you should go to work, do your job, and leave as soon as possible - leaving personal care or passion out of the mix. I also see the opposite side of this, as some put ALL their self-worth in their job and are disappointed and angry if they are "disrespected" by a coworker or management. I think there can and should be a happy medium, where I can feel pride and care for my work and a sense of relationship with my coworkers and a connection with the company itself. I enjoy the idea of "building something good" that clients would use and enjoy.


Through a series of events over the summer and fall, I was seeing "signs" that it was time for me to continue to look for an environment where I could better use my skills and passions, where I would be rewarded and encouraged to set and achieve meaningful, challenging goals. I won't go into all the events that took place, although I think it was fair to state that I looked at the investment I was making in my time and energy vs the future reward that I could see at the organization, and I couldn't justify the imbalance.

As of Friday, Feb 16, I resigned. I was unemployed for 2.5 days, and now I try again. It is a good time to make a change. New goals, new milestones, and new challenges. I can't wait to see what happens with this "leap of faith."

"And the trouble is, if you don't risk anything, you risk even more."
~Erica Jong

SIMPLE IS NOT EASY

Ironic, isn't it, that I should find the following article this week. This time, I look at Simple ways to succeed while at a new job.

Information taken from:

5 ways to impress on the first day of new job
By Dana Knight - The Indianapolis Star

• Set up your own orientation - Set up meetings with co-workers to get to know them and to start building positive relationships.
• Take the initiative to learn the business and your new job. Ask to see some manuals and annual reports. You might even ask to shadow a co-worker, someone who is in a similar position, for a day.
• Always ask for permission. Say, ‘I don’t know everything, but I’m willing to try. If you guys would like my help on this, I’m here.’
  
• Carry a notepad everywhere and write down questions. On the first day, ask the boss when he wants you to ask your questions. Every hour? At the end of each day? At the end of the week? It never hurts to over-communicate, even if that means talking about how you should communicate.
• Learn all you can about your new employer. Learn about their product lines, their philosophies, and their corporate culture.

Your challenge is not only to learn but also to release old patterns that won't serve you well here.

• Be strictly professional. Do not share any concerns or misgivings about the job. An acceptable answer to "How's it going?" is "Wonderful!"
• Spend your first months collecting data. Interpret with caution, preferably with the help of an outsider who can offer perspective.
• Maintain old contacts and begin at once to expand your network. Thank everyone who has helped you. Let them know that, while you are ecstatically happy, jobs can be unpredictable.
  
• Find a mentor who can be trusted not only to keep your story confidential, but also to challenge your beliefs and offer an experience-based perspective.
• Keep a journal, so you can look back to see how far you've come. Someday you'll be the old-timer, welcoming other new employees.
• Smile, regardless of how you are feeling, Coming across as a confident team player is vital. Introduce yourself to colleagues, and tell them you're excited to work with them. Get to know your co-workers and what their interests are.
  
• Memorize names quickly. That makes it easier to ask questions, another key. Reaching out to coworkers reassures them that you value their experience.
• Ask questions. You're new and it's better to do something right the first time around than have to do it over.
• Use your lunch hours to get together with your co-workers.
• Pay attention to the grapevine, but don't contribute to it. You don't want to gain a reputation as a gossip monger.
• Don't complain about your previous job.
• Volunteer for projects that will help you get noticed, but don't neglect any assigned work.
• Keep a positive attitude and an open mind. Your life has changed and it will take getting used to.
• Read any literature about your job and the company you are working for. Go through any materials that may have been left for you by your supervisor or former employees in your position.
• Ask to be introduced to the entire team you will be working with. Try to walk to each person's desk and introduce yourself personally so you can form a mental map of the layout of your office.

The one thing I learned after day 1 on the new job? I was given a tour of the office by an incredibly friendly woman who seemed to know a little about every person in the company. During the introductions, some of the new coworkers sat and said "hello", and busily got back to their work. Others were a little more friendly, lifted their hand out for a shake and smiled congenially. Some stopped what they were doing and asked who I would be working for and what I would be doing. And some gave a short (15 second) introduction including their name, department, and the project they were currently working on. That was a huge help to me, because I remember those people. It is difficult enough for a new coworker to remember your name, but if I can associate them to a project or a product, that helps to remember who I should go back to for more information or perhaps I can share information with on a future day.

Almost everyone I spoke to indicated they would be happy to help with whatever questions I might have.

I have a lot to learn.

more later,

Chazz

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My Niece's Birthday Reminds Me of My Goals

Photo from the Nutrilite Health Institute in Buena Park

Motivation:

"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place and it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't how hard you hit; it's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done. Now, if you know what you're worth, then go out and get what you're worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hit, and not pointing fingers saying you ain't where you are because of him, or her, or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain't you. You're better than that!"
Rocky Balboa
Speaking to his son in the movie Rocky Balboa (2006)

Diary:
I watched the movie "Rocky Balboa" on the plane while traveling to Irvine, California. I think I chose this movie because of my recent depression deciding what to do now that I have met some of my goals. I am desperately trying to get fired up to go for the next goal, I just need to take the next step. Also, in the last posts, I brought up Rocky, and so I had this character in my brain. In this movie, Rocky was retired from boxing, and through what probably is a preposterous series of events, comes out of retirement to fight the current boxing champion. Why? He kept saying that he still had "something in the basement" - something still in the bottom of his heart - some passion to "be somebody" again. Rocky says about the current heavyweight champion "Who am I kiddin'? I ain't even in the guy's league...It don't matter, 'cause I was nobody before...I was nobody. That don't matter either, ya know...It really don't matter if I lose this fight... 'Cause all I wanna do is go the distance... And if I can go that distance, ya see, and that bell rings, ya know, and I'm still standin', I'm gonna know for the first time in my life, ya see, that I weren't just another bum from the neighborhood."

Another, perhaps simpler way to say what Rocky is feeling might be "If you shoot for the stars and hit the moon, it's OK. But you've got to shoot for something. A lot of people don't even shoot."

I enjoyed my "Birthday Gift Weekend" In California. I visited (toured) the Nutrilite Health Institute, which develops some of the weight loss supplements and products that I used to lose 250lbs, and continue to use on my way to achieve optimal health. I also met other people who had set goals (weight loss, health, financial, family goals, etc) and I heard several stories of people who had goals and dreams for improvements, and were met with obstacles, pain, embarrassment and loss. It was depressing to think about all the struggle and defeat these people had. What did they have along with their pain - a desire, and an ongoing reminder of their goals. They repeated their habits over and over again, over and over again, over and over again. As they made small steps, they could see how their life would be better as they would realize their goals.

Did they stop the pain and suffering involved in change? No. Did it make it more palatable? No. Sometimes challenge sucks - that is just how it is. Sometimes you fall on your face in a patch of black ice and take a moment to cry on the hard, cold cement outside your garage door.

But as much as change can stink, getting that glimmer of hope when you are down can be a beautiful, life changing moment. I pine for that feeling - want to get back to that feeling that what I was doing was exactly what I was supposed to be doing, that everything seemed to be happening for a reason, and that all my hard work was worth it. It doesn't just happen, though.

While watching the Super Bowl (congratulations New York Giants) I was very excited to see the half-time show. It was really classy, in my opinion, and I liked it. I use Tom Petty songs for my mp3 player when running and training - Running Down a Dream and Won't Back Down are good songs to have on a gloomy day. So, already I have a bias for this music.

What hit me while watching the half-time show, It hit me that while they "looked like" they were just out there having fun with the same old songs that they have been playing for years, I thought to myself, "wait, they have been playing for 10 minutes. how many hours did it take for them to prepare for this show?"

Of course the answer is impossible to quantify, because some of their preparation for this show took place years ago, before they even thought they would be introduced or invited to attend a super bowl. These beginning steps happened years ago, as they learned these songs, developed relationships in the band and gained a base of fans who appreciated their songs.

"It's mind-blowing [awesome]," Petty said. "It's something that I never even dreamed of. It never crossed my mind, but it's very exciting. We've had quite a week already. It's really something." Petty said it was really hard to select what songs from the band's lengthy career to perform.

The same is true with our goals. You can't merely look at your success and say "it takes XX to do this!" It took XX, but it also took AA, BB, CC, FF, MM, and so on. Every step is part of the process, even steps that seem to go backwards or sideways...

On my birthday, I received a wonderful card from my brother's family, with wonderful pictures of my nephew and nieces. The oldest of the three has a birthday a few days after mine, and I am always looking at the changes that I see in her face. She seems more mature every time I see her and her latest picture shows it. I wonder what steps she is taking now to be who she plans to be in the future. Will she be singing for the super-bowl half time show, winning a dance competition or running a presidential election? Maybe she will be caring and loving to her family and friends, or an inspiration to others around her? No doubt, she is taking steps to something worthy, even if she doesn't yet know what that something is.

On her birthday, I think about all the fun times I would like to have this year, and that is a goal that I can hold on to. When it comes to a project, having that desire or goal fresh in your mind is important - to focus on what you want to achieve helps the rest of the "chaff" to clear away. Some of the goals that I had on my list are still very much on the list, such as "Be able to play games with my nephew and nieces." "Go to baseball games with family and friends" and "Be around as the kids of my family and friends are growing up" It is for these reasons (and others) that I continue to commit to my habits, discipline, reaching for new goals, new milestones, striving to eat health, take natural supplements, move daily in my fitness routine, and *try* to live with a stress-free positive attitude.

Her birthday card is on it's way, just need to assemble it together.... I am so glad she is on my list.



So, similar to Rocky and the heroes that I met on the west coast, I am diving into my goal - head first. Back into training - again.

Starting this week, I am beginning a 12-week 5K training program. I choose a race at random, but it fits the timeline that I need to have to prepare for a race.

I am preparing to do the 5k Run/Walk For Batten Disease in St Paul, MN on Saturday, May 10, 2008. I don't know much about Batten Disease, other than it is a genetic disorder (I am familiar with this concept, as I was diagnosed with Galactosemia at birth). It will be timely, as a week later (May 17th) I will be traveling to Dallas to once again share my weight loss / optimal health experience with others and also to be a witness/cheerleader/motivator/encourager for others who wish to do the same.

If you are ready to start the 5K journey with me, I challenge you to join me. In 12 weeks, I assure you that you can participate. It is a Walk/Run event, so if you feel that a 3 mile run is too stressful, please consider doing the walk. It is a worthy experience. If you need help, let me know - I would be happy to help get you started.

SIMPLE IS NOT EASY

The Zen Habits blog discusses how you can eliminate stress and be healthier at the same time by simplifying your diet. I will try to compress these thoughts into the following list:

A healthy diet could be

• Simple. Everything should be easy to prepare and not take long.
• Nutritious. We need to get fiber, vitamins and minerals, protein, good fats, etc.
• Low in calories, saturated fat, sugar and cholesterol.
• Homemade - no Fast food or Junk food. it's high in saturated fat and sugar and that bad stuff.
• Whole food - not Processed food. No fiber, low in nutrition, high in calories. Try to get stuff in its natural state, without all the gravies and sauces and cheeses on top.
• Lean meats. If you want to eat meat, eat fish and boneless skinless chicken breast and turkey breast. Or try other forms of protein that doesn't have all the fat: tofu, nuts, whole grains, beans.
• Baked or Grilled instead of Fried food. Fried = High in saturated fat and calories. Look for baked or stir fried or even raw (as in fruits and veggies, not meat).
• Keep stocked with the essentials. By simplifying your food choices at home, you shorten your prep time and save $$ on groceries. Processed food costs are bundled with the packaging and marketing that aren't necessary.

A Simplified diet would have a lot of fresh fruits and veggies, beans, nuts, whole grains, including some simple meals:

• Breakfast: Whole-grain cereals (no processed or sugary cereals), homemade granola, fresh fruits, whole-grain toast with almond butter, scrambled eggs for protein.
• Lunch: Sandwiches of turkey or avocado with tomatoes and sprouts on whole wheat bread; pita filled with hummus and tomatoes and sprouts and lettuce; leftover soup or chili. Apple or orange for a dessert.
  
• Dinner: Hearty soups; homemade vegetarian chili - make a big pot of the easy-to-make chili or soup and it can last for days; hearty salad with nuts and spinach and avocados and lettuce and carrots and a light dressing; steamed veggies with seasoned brown rice; stir-fry tofu and veggies; butternut squash with couscous and chutney.
• Snacks: Fruits, cut-up veggies, nuts.
• Treats: Every now and then treat yourself with little things like a little bit of dark chocolate (watch out for sugar content), natural peanut butter or berries.
  

Other notes and Errata:

1. Stay tuned in the next couple weeks for BIG NEWS on the blog. I am not allowed to reveal the information yet, and it is driving me somewhat crazy.
   
2. The most recent St Olaf Magazine indicated that Chazz "writes that he has embarked on a mission to lose weight and lead a clean and healthy lifestyle. In a year and a half, Chazz lost more than 200 pounds. One of his major motivational goals was to run the 5k at St. Olaf during Homecoming and Family Weekend last fall. He not only ran successfully, but followed it up with a 5k affiliated with the Twin Cities Marathon."
   Ok - some correction MUST be made here. First, I never wrote this!!! I got a letter from my class thanking me for writing to the newsletter, and a very long explanation that I think was stolen from my blog and website. I then was stopped in the hallway at work and told "Hey I read your letter in the St. Olaf Magazine. When did you start a 'clean and healthy lifestyle'?" from one of my co-workers. So, that caught me a bit off-guard. I have no idea who wrote it or how it got in the magazine. It wasn't my first choice. seriously, why would they write "he writes" in the article, when I never wrote this!! How do I recant this, when supposedly they are claiming that I wrote the original? "Chazz writes that what was written in the magazine attributed to be written by Chazz was not previously written by him, but none the less is factual and really did happen, so he is not disputing the content of what was written but disputing that he, in fact, did not write it." Brilliant! Secondly, what is 'leading a clean and healthy lifestyle?' It comes off sounding like I am oh so much better than everyone else OR it depends on what your definition of *IS* is. On occasion my lifestyle is healthier and cleaner than others. Other times, my lifestyle is about as pathetic and dirty as you can imagine. Since they ("they" being whoever would be tasked to do this) haven't yet made a measurement comparing the health-o-meter or clean-li-ness-ness of a lifestyle, I think I am in the free and clear. I shudder to think of the day that you put your hand up to a monitor and it tells you "today your lifestyle is at level orange, which is a medium level of healthy and clean. please continue to monitor your lifestyle today with caution."
   
3. sweers3 asks "I'd like to know more about the "Jared Cooley" work out... who is he and where can I get in contact with him for my own work out. jas
   Chazz says: Sweers3, Jared Cooley is a fellow I met at a local fitness club. I don't know how you could get in touch with him, as I don't really know him. He wrote down a fitness routine for me on a cocktail napkin - sized piece of paper, and I spoke with him for only about 10 minutes. I think my best advice would be to ask a fitness instructor at your local club to sit down with you for a 30 minute session and map out your goals and a plan to get improvement. I hope this helps.
4. Thanks to Diamond Dave, Kaptain Karl and MaryR for your comments to the posts. Everyone is free to please post your comments and thoughts on the blog - share information and ideas if you want.
   
5. To MaryS, PremaP and Memphis, who have asked if I am going to start my "90 Days to Better Health" program - "Yes!" I am! I just haven't been feeling motivated to be able to pick up the ball and run with it. If you can wait just a few more weeks - I will be getting my act together and meeting with you to discuss how we should move forward.
   

more later,

Chazz

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