Run from Denver to Chicago - Lift the Statue of Liberty

Motivation:

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
"New Colossus" - Emma Lazarus, 1883

Since we are nearing Halloween, I read two things online this week that scared the "bejeebers" out of me. Scary and sad - and I feel the need to sound the alarm on two failing role models in our community.

First Scare - the Fast Food Industry: So we all know that fast food, fried foods, and greasy burgers are great - once a month - but on a daily basis is turning us into flab-based beings. Now, Hardee's has raised the bar by introducing the Country Breakfast Burrito.

"two egg omelets filled with bacon, sausage, diced ham, cheddar cheese, hash browns and sausage gravy, all wrapped inside a flour tortilla"

The burrito contains 920 calories and 60 grams of fat. For a comparison, I currently consume under 2200 calories per day, so this food item would count for around 1/2 of my daily eats! Yipes.

In 2003 Hardee's introduced the Monster Thickburger. The 1,420-calorie sandwich is made up of two 1/3-pound slabs of beef, four strips of bacon, three slices of cheese and mayonnaise on a buttered bun. mmmmmmmm.... bacon....

This doesn't count the calories in the large coke (300 cals), the large fries (500 cals), and the large chocolate milkshake (?? cals) that accompany most fast food meals. That one meal would put me over the daily calorie limit (not that I am counting calories, but in the end it has to go somewhere.)

Maybe I will forgo the burrito and burger and go for a health salad - oops... think again. Even Hardees' chicken salad, topped with onion rings and crispy chicken, has 1,100 calories and 83 grams of fat.

ok, no shocker there. Everyone knows that fast food is not supposed to be good for you, so this "spook" is a given. The next scary news is worse - because it is from people who you expect better from.


Second Scare - Doctors: Did I already mention that western medicine has failed me? If I did my job like doctors do, I would be fired several times over. Here is the recent news that gets me steamed. After I read this, I have all sorts of conspiracy theories.

What is the purpose of a "regular checkup"? We spend lots of $$ and time for these visits over the course of a year. If doctors don't communicate with their patients or help them develop a health-management plan - are they negligent when that patient later is diagnosed with a life-changing disease like diabetes? Isn't it incumbent on the doctor to give the patient, the customer who is paying the bill, ALL of the information required to live healthy? Even if the information is embarrassing, taboo, or frank?

They call it the "Health Care Business" but I have and will call it the "Sick Care Business", since it appears that most doctors and clinics are focused on dealing with the sick, instead of helping people stay well/healthy. Follow the money - if you keep the population sick, uninformed, uneducated they will keep coming back for your services - oh, and they get more expensive the worse your health is.

"Obesity, of course, means a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, hospitalization and early death, so how come doctors are so lax" asks Dr Sanjay Gupta in the Time Magazine article. Maybe doctors should start to grow a backbone. It is easy for the "healthcare industry" to throw it back to the consumer stating that it is up to people to care for their own health. Well, I am sorry but that is a lazy answer. Has the public been trained in medical school? Do they have the information needed to make a healthy lifestyle plan? Aren't they paying you to advise them on their health concerns? If truly it was up to the individual to care for themselves, then why oh why would they ever pay you for an "Annual Checkup"?

It would be like taking your taxes to H&R Block, but they don't tell you about the most recent tax laws or help you develop a plan for saving money or complying with the federal laws? They could just say "it is up to the individual consumer to understand all of the tax laws - we have no responsibility"

So, here is my advice. You should go to get regular checkups, but you need to prepare a little bit, and ask some good questions to see if your doctor is interested in your well being. How about asking this question: "What do you recommend I do to keep my body in the best possible condition?" or "Where am I deficient with my health? Please help me create a plan to change this for the better."

So make a written lists of your concerns and ask them. Here are the questions I asked last doctor's visit:
"Do I have normal blood pressure?"
"If it is high, how do I lower it?
"How often should I test it?"
"What is a normal cholesterol level for me?"
"What is a normal weight for my size?"
"What kinds of foods should I be eating?"
"How do I best take care of my feet?" - interesting question especially if you are overweight.
"What can I do to help my health condition?"

I also get as many tests as I can, and I ask/demand that my doctor send me the full results. I want to have a copy of my levels - just because I trust no-one who has files and files of papers.

Ok, this rant went on way too long.


Diary:

Several months ago, my sister sent me a challenge to write a little bit about "What do I believe?" This shouldn't be such a hard question, but it has taken me a long time to write it up. While I haven't found the words yet, I am getting closer. I know it has something to do with looking forward, not looking back, having the heart of a champion and not a victim. I will keep working on this.

This week I received another challenge that will also take some time to complete. Mike sent me the following comment/question:

I think the readers of your blog would benefit greatly to answer the question of what finally made you willing to reach your goals. Why was it different this time as opposed to all the other times you tried, but sabotaged yourself. This time it IS different and I think many people would benefit from knowing WHY it is different. When you boil it right down WHAT made you willing to pay the price?

Hmmmmm. Well, this is the question, I guess, that we all have to face when we are on the edge of doing or not doing something. With every choice, there is a price to be paid, a decision to commit to something.

Wed morning, I heard an interview with Rabbi Harold Kushner author of books such as When Bad Things Happen to Good People and Overcoming Life's Disappointments. In the interview, he was asked "Why bad things happen to good people?", and his response was a little different. First of all he indicated that asking "Why" isn't really a question that can be answered. It is actually a cry for encouragement, acceptance, and consolation. If you are asked this, the question should never be answered, as any answer you could give would be less than adequate. Instead try listening, and supporting the grief process. Asking "Why?" something happens is a look backward, and creates a victim mentality.

He ended the interview with an Old Testament verse. Psalm 120 talks about distress, deceit and war. The Psalmist is asking for deliverance, and begins Psalm 121 with the following:

"I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth."

Note that in distress, the question asked wasn't "Why me?" or "How did this happen?", but instead "Where does my help come?" It is a look to the future, instead of dwelling on the past - instead of focusing on the pain, searching up to the hills.

These are Kushner's words, not mine, so I have some work to do. These are both valid, and good questions to ask - but the answer is not that easy.

What does Kushner have to do with the question from Mike? I think it caused me to wonder what is the value of looking back at the failures I had, and why this time I succeeded. I think that this blog is part of the answer to this question - I have written many times some of the motivations and steps that I have taken.

Recently, I have started reading about Kaizen, the Japanese technique of achieving great and lasting success through small, steady steps. It works for all types of goals, from eating more healthy to establishing long-term career goals. I picked up a book called "One Small Step Can Change Your Life - The Kaizen Way" by Dr Robert Maurer. At first I wasn't sure if this would be a good use of my time, until I read the first page of the book. What was it? A Motivational Quote! This guy writes the book like I write my blog! What was the quote? Check it out:

"Small things with great love...
It is not how much we do, but how much love we put into the doing.
And it is not how much we give, but how much love we put into the giving.
To God there is nothing small."
-Mother Theresa

I believe I am going to enjoy reading this book.

I would say that without influence from my family, friends and spiritual reflection, I was not making the progress that I really desired. When I gave up my own ego, and prayed for help - I received it. Here is the funny part, however, when I prayed for "weight loss" or "not to be fat", I failed. When I prayed for "patience", "obedience", "commitment", and "character in tough times", those appeared inside of me and displayed themselves through people who "swooped" into my life when I needed them. Focusing on the positive, and doing steps with the correct heart, that is an important step to any life change. Just doing an activity - without a mind-set change - probably won't stick. I think about Memphis's story of running the Twin Cities marathon - listen to the podcast if you want more information - is a good example of having a goal that meets the needs of your heart.

While they have value for consideration, I think that the important thing is to not let these questions hinder us from moving forward - which brings us to:

Notes:

This weeks notes further discuss the SMART Goal planning. This time, I will point out how daily habits will help to complete somewhat extraordinary feats. Have you ever thought about running from Denver to Chicago or Lifting the Statue of Liberty? In the next set of challenges, we will do these feats of strength!



Goal #5 - Lift the Statue of Liberty:

On July 4, 1884, the 151-foot-tall, 225-ton Statue of Liberty was delivered to the American Ambassador in Paris.
In order to transport Lady Liberty to New York, the statue was dismantled into 300 pieces and packed into 214 wooden crates.

These parts were lifted, sorted, and assembled by hard working women and men, and you too can take part in this creation by Lifting the Statue of Liberty 5 times!

Facts:

• Weight of copper used in Statue: 179,200 pounds
• Weight of steel used in Statue: 250,000 pounds
• Total weight of Statue: 450,000 pounds (225 tons)

How is this goal going to be accomplished?

Start slow - add weight as I feel I can. Plan on training M, W, F at noon - training takes about 30-40 minutes, which is the time I have during my lunch break. Since I bring my healthy lunch to work, this daily habit actually has three side-effects. 1) I am eating better, as other choices during the lunch break is to go out to the Lions Tap or other local eatery. 2) I am saving money, mostly from the not eating out thing. 3) I am focused in the afternoon to get my work done. I am tired, yes, but the rush of blood and adrenaline (natural) gets my brain thinking and motivated to get something done in the afternoon. After a big noon meal, I would tend to sleep it off by sluffing off afternoon work.

So, each M,W,F, I plan on lift at least 6,000lbs each training day. (Note: This calculation is based on using the smallest weight - only 18lbs - on the machine for each exercise, so this is an extremely conservative number.)

If you don't have a gym membership or think that you can't do weight training, I would be open to discuss this further with you. Note that while I am not a doctor, I know there are options for working out at home and not having to invest lots of money on equipment. I have looked through and would not hesitate trying a fitness plan that can be done with very little investment effort. I have used the resistance ball and tubes - and it seems to be a good starter for anyone who has little time and can't leave the house to work out.

There is more I could share, but will leave it at this. Contact me if you want to know more about what specifically I am doing. In a nutshell, I am doing a 30-Minute Circuit Training, where I focus on core muscles that the body uses for balance and stability.


Goal #6 - Run from Denver to Chicago:

Walk, jog or run from Denver to Chicago

Facts:
There are about approximately 2000 steps per mile and 1000 miles from Chicago to Denver = 2 million steps
If you move 5000 steps per day (or 2.5 miles), you would make it in a little over a year!

How to do it? For me, I am planning on running 3+ miles every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Some days it will be an outdoor run, some days it will be on a treadmill or elliptical machine, other days it will be measured in a walk around a mall or high school gym (or something else - I may need to get creative)

If you get a pedometer - which can be found for very little cost - or for free at your local State Farm - go into a local State Farm Insurance Agency and ask them for a "50-million pound challenge kit". This kit is free and includes a simple pedometer!

When you walk, check your steps, and record them - 5000 steps is approximately 2.5 miles. Chart this and we will record our momentum using a map like Google Maps - where you can customize your own map and visually see your progress. Check out my run from Denver to Chicago on this link!

This is something that you can and should do - for a number of reasons. I encourage everyone reading this blog to commit to moving more this year. If you find that you simply CANNOT walk 5000 steps a day - don't give up on the goal, adjust it. Can you walk 3000 steps per day?

If you need advice on this, send me a comment or question and I will see if I can help.


Goals! Full Spreadsheet is found here:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=pd_MzRMQiFVTY8vIzZWnNTQ&hl=en

Geek / Professional Goals
1.	Learn Adobe Dreamweaver Read "Dreamweaver CS3 Visual Quickstart Guide" by Peachpit Press and start building a website using Dreamweaver.	No progress this week. The book is sitting where it was a week ago.
2.	Study for computer-based certification Read A+ Certification book and prepare to take test.	No progress. In re-reading last week's blog, I realize I am not walking the walk. I read and thought about the problem with having too much scope, when the whole Kaizen principal is making small, easy to manage steps. This goal is stifling me, because I don't know the reason "why" I am doing it. It doesn't seem to have a real purpose or value, and is just a disappointment - so I am considering releasing this from my goal list. Since I could add it later, when I have a good reason or incentive for doing it, I am not too concerned with the fallout.
3.	Get involved in Professional Peer Networking	No progress. I need to send an email to the STC Judging Coordinator to sign up to be a Judge.
Health / Fitness Goals
4.	Lose the last of my fat - Turn "love pillows" into "love handles" - Eat a variety of "Real Clean Healthy" foods - Sleep well - Take my daily supplements and water - commit to fitness routine	Followed my Eating Diary all week Fitness Plan on M, T, W, Th, Bed by 11pm Lost 1.5lbs this week
5.	Be a lean muscle-bound stud - Lift the Statue of Liberty - Lift weights M, W, F - 6000lb minimum each workout	Lifted weights on M, W Lifted 29,333 lbs of weight during circuit training workouts Updated Statue of Liberty chart
6.	Beat my own time in 5K - Run from Denver to Chicago - Run/Jog/Walk 3+ miles each Tu, Thur, Sat	Ran 3 miles (or equiv) on Tue, Thurs and Sat Ran 9 miles total Updated Google Map Plan on participating in the Reindeer Run in Minneapolis.
Social / Creative Goals
7.	Transfer Old Home Movies to DVD	No progress this week. Need to spend an hour testing my hardware setup as proof of concept.
8.	Interview and record my heroes for netcasts	No progress this week. I need to setup time with Karl to finish our interview.
9.	Get involved in church, family, and social network	Sent birthday cards to family and a close friend. Had a good conversation with my dad midweek. I think it would be helpful for me to track my contact with my family and friends so that weeks don't go by (as they do) without some verbal contact with my loved ones. It is just too easy for me to stay on my little island.
Emotional / Personal Goals
10.	Play the Accordion well - practice 2x weekly - prepare 6 solo songs for a performance to happen by July 2008	No progress this week. I just need to commit to the time - 1 hour sessions twice weekly. Why is this so hard?
Home / Financial Goals
11.	Pay off credit card and personal debt - Save $4000 to be reserved specifically for debt payment	Saved $80 this week into my holding account -> slowly moving forward on the financial debt goals.
12.	Have an uncluttered home, car, book bag and mind. - Declutter house throughout the year - 1 room every 3 months	No progress this week.

more later,

Chazz

abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz