The Gift of the Roller Coaster!

Sammy and I at Six Flags...
Just another Roller Coaster ride

When you look up the term "Roller Coaster" in the dictionary it says. "An action, event, or experience marked by abrupt, extreme changes in circumstance, quality, or behavior"

If I had to describe the month of August 2013 I think I would have to say, "That's It!" When I look back at my whole life I would have to say, "That's It!"

What a ride it has been! I have gone from the highs of losing and keeping off 20 pounds to some personal challenges of worry and frustration that I was not sure how I was going to overcome to an awakening of compassion and forgiveness that has given me a new outlook on life.

Experiencing the highs and lows of life is what we do. But how we look at each experience drives who we are or will become. Truly if you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.

Reflection, contemplation and critical thinking play an important role in the ones self development. I have not only lost 20 pounds off this mortal shell but feel my spirit is lighter than ever.

I have been blessed with a gift that by just believing it is there it can show up for me every day... The gift of possibility.

May you be blessed by the same gift.

Health and Happiness!

Bill

Awakening at the Pizza Parlor!

Have you ever had one of those days that seems like everything is flowing? I mean everything! Thoughts, emotions and physical well being are all connected on a level that you didn't even know existed?

Through reading and writing these last 68 days and really all my life, yesterday I had an awakening and today it transcended into a state of total bliss and joy. I can't quite explain why it happened when it did... but it did!

I can only tell you that I let go of some negative feelings I have had for a long time and everything became clear to me.

I don't know if tomorrow will be the same. It may be something that goes in and out for a while, but letting go of some resentment and anger really seem to help.

All these things that I had previously perceived as being bad looked like gifts to me. I started to think of annoying and hurtful people and events in my life with compassion and a veil of frustration was lifted off of me.

I expected that such an awakening event may come at a time of quiet meditation or contemplation but instead came at a busy and noisy Pizza Parlor while my girlfriend and I philosophized about life.

I feel open and excited to all possibilities.

Health and Happiness!

Bill

Just Smile Today!

I have been receiving all kinds of notes and kind messages from people about my current physique transformation.

It is inspiring people to make changes in their own life and that is exactly what my intention was all along.

Now I don't have cancer. I am not down and out on the streets of Chicago. I am not an outcast from family and friends because of horrible behaviors I had in my past. I live a good life. I have been lucky enough to recognize this and be grateful for it.

I struggled with some of the things that life has brought me, but somewhere deep down inside I knew that I wanted to be happy, that my essential nature was happy and that changing my health is so key to "my" happiness and I created a life I love by working out everyday, eating healthy, delicious meals, reading great books, listening to motivational audio and watching thought provoking DVDs.

The real change was not so much in my physique, though I am happy with that, but in my outward expression. Just look at how my expression changed from day 1 to day 60! It went from "Take the damn picture" to "How cool is this?"

I was down right miserable in the world I created for myself... there is no doubt. But in 60 days I was able to change my outlook and therefor my outward appearance to one of happiness. Not because I have some magic workout that everyone can do, but because I worked at and am still working on the way I see things... Through a smile.

So do whatever it takes to smile today or do as my mentor Dr. Wayne Dyer says, "Change the way you look at things and the things you look at will change." Most importantly your self!

Health and Happiness!

Bill

Thank You Martin Luther King!

I think I will let someone else do the talking today... From 50 years ago today!

I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.

Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon of hope to millions of slaves, who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity. But one hundred years later, the colored America is still not free. One hundred years later, the life of the colored American is still sadly crippled by the manacle of segregation and the chains of discrimination.

One hundred years later, the colored American lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the colored American is still languishing in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land So we have come here today to dramatize a shameful condition.

In a sense we have come to our Nation's Capital to cash a check. When the architects of our great republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir.

This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed to the inalienable rights of life liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given its colored people a bad check, a check that has come back marked "insufficient funds."

But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. So we have come to cash this check, a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and security of justice.

We have also come to his hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of Now. This is not time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism.

Now is the time to make real the promise of democracy.

Now it the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice.

Now it the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood.

Now is the time to make justice a reality to all of God's children.

It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment and to underestimate the determination of its colored citizens. This sweltering summer of the colored people's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end but a beginning. Those who hope that the colored Americans needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual.

There will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the colored citizen is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.

We can never be satisfied as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities.

We cannot be satisfied as long as the colored person's basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one.

We can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their selfhood and robbed of their dignity by signs stating "for white only."

We cannot be satisfied as long as a colored person in Mississippi cannot vote and a colored person in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote.

No, we are not satisfied and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.

I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of your trials and tribulations. Some of you have come from areas where your quest for freedom left you battered by storms of persecutions and staggered by the winds of police brutality.

You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive.

Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our modern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed.

Let us not wallow in the valley of despair. I say to you, my friends, we have the difficulties of today and tomorrow.

I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed. We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal.

I have a dream that one day out in the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slaveowners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by their character.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interpostion and nullification; that one day right down in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be engulfed, every hill shall be exalted and every mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plains and the crooked places will be made straight and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.

This is our hope. This is the faith that I will go back to the South with. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope.

With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood.

With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to climb up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

This will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with new meaning "My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my father's died, land of the Pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring!"

And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true. So let freedom ring from the hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York.

Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania.

Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado.

Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California.

But not only that, let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia.

Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi and every mountainside.

When we let freedom ring, when we let it ring from every tenement and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old spiritual, "Free at last, free at last. Thank God Almighty, we are free at last."

Martin Luther King's "I have a Dream Speech"... August 28, 1963

I skipped my workout to read a book!

Yesterday I was lucky to have most of the day to myself and started reading a book that is, in my humble opinion, profound! I even skipped most of my workout to read it. I sat on a bike reading so at least I got that in.

I read all the time and as you know am quite proud of my library of books. But after watching the movie documentary I Am for the second time this past weekend I decided to do a little research into some of Tom Shadyac's influences for the movie and found out he just put out a book as well called "Life's Operating Manual with Fear and Truth Dialogs" in April of this year.

I was driven to downloaded the book to my iPad so as not to waste any time running up to the bookstore, even though you know how much I love going to the bookstore. I could not put it down. If I didn't have to go pick my kid up from school I would have stayed glued to my couch and read it in its entirety.

A little over half way through, I can't wait to read the rest. Each chapter Tom writes an essay and then proceed to have a conversation between what he calls Fear and Truth or the "Two Wolves Inside of Us."

The book speaks to me because this is part of my journey and yours as well. There are two wolves inside us telling us different things... Which one will we listen to?

I may just sit on a bike today and read as well... and soak up my truth!

Health and Happiness!

Bill

What if?

What if every day you woke up in a state of bliss?

What if every day you woke up happy?

What if every day you fed your body only good nutrients?

What if every day you had the best workout ever and enjoyed the activities of your day?

What if every day you didn't judge, condemn or criticize anyone... including yourself?

What if every day you gave back to the world bliss, happiness and a healthy and joyful example of how to live?

What if?

Health and Happiness!

Bill

This is a Process, not a Program!

Each rep I take is as important as the next!

For the last month or so, I have been lucky enough to get worked on by my friend Michelle with Muscle Activation Techniques and apply what I am learning about my weaknesses and strengths to my workouts.

I am reminded that this is a process just as I remind my clients the same thing and that there is no program that gets you from point A to point B!

I am reminded that in order to get to point B, sometimes there are different routes to get there.

I would love for it to be linear but I know that the aches, pains and range of motion imbalances are signs that my body needs a different course of action.

Muscle Activation Techniques is the only technique I know that can help guide me through to my goals and it is my belief that without it I would be back to square one, frustrated and beat down, not wanting to get to the gym.

As I ask all of my clients, I do the same and am willing to take a MAT session and learn, pay attention and then apply what I have learned until I get back to another session.

It's a new way to look at Personal Training. It's not just throwing a bunch of exercises together and hoping for good results. It is check and balances and moving toward the goal rather than farther away.

Health and Happiness!

Bill

Be Yourself with No Regrets!

Everyday we are faced with how we can look at what life gives us and the choices we make.

Two days ago as I mentioned in my blog Welcoming Your Emotions, a myriad of negative feelings I was going through that found me up at 4am writing. Just two days earlier I was hopeful and excited like Christmas Morning. Yesterday I found that through they eyes of a child was a great way to look at life. Today the frustration I felt earlier in the week has turned back into joy and put a new perspective on life.

We have a chance to live life on our own terms and be the person that we want to be. Not what other people think we should be, how to act or what we should be doing. Just be ourselves and let others be themselves.

We could get mad, upset and furious with the world or we can keep on our path.

It doesn't really matter if you agree with the way I live my life. All that really matters is that I agree with the way I am living my life. I love sayings like, "What you think of me is none of my business" and "Be independent of the good opinion of others." Put into practice they bring me peace of mind as I connect to who I am.

I remembered this morning that I asked my Dad if he had any regrets in his life before he died, he replied, without blinking an eye, "No, none! You make choices in life and you do the best you can do with them. No regrets!"

I think I may have lived with Buddha and didn't even know it!

Health and Happiness!

Bill

Live life like a kid!

It's almost 8pm on a Friday night. I just dropped off my kid to his Mother's house after spending a week with him. Half of it on a mini vacation, splitting time between a water park resort and an amusement park.

Maybe no one reads this blog because I am not going to post it to Facebook or Tweet it.

I am just siting back and thinking about how much fun it was to be with my kid and how he keeps me focused on being a kid myself, enjoying life and having fun.

This one is for me... Sent out in hopes that just one person reads it and takes note to do the same!

Live life like your 8 years old! Pure Joy and Happiness! Full of awe and wonder!

Health and Happiness!

Bill

Welcoming your emotions!

It's almost 4 in the morning. I am on a little mini vacation with my son before he goes back to school and while I should be sleeping soundly I am awake. Awake with thoughts and emotions pouring through my head.

Life throws all sort of "Things" at us and we can choose how we handle those situations with a number of emotions and reactions.

I recently had something happen that drove a roller coaster ride of negative emotions through me. You name I felt it. Everything from fear to frustration, anger to rage and resentment.

While I will not tell you about "The Thing" that happened, because it could be anything that drives us to negative emotions, I look at a life and see that there can be two sides to everything.

I woke up excited like Christmas morning one day this week, a day later I was sad and upset. There is ugliness in the world, but there is beauty. There is fear and there is Love. There is the deepest of sorrow and regret and there is the joy and the triumph of success.

I came to the conclusion that I am going to welcome my emotions and go through them and observe them. You never really hang onto an emotion for too long. Most seem to fade away. Some seem to resurface from triggers, but they too fade away, good or bad.

You can flip through the TV channels and experience all the emotions you like. Watch an uplifting movie about a persons rising from rags to riches or defeat to winning and you are filled with enthusiasm and motivation and then turn on the news a witness violence and bloodshed and be filled with sadness and despair.

We are not going to stop the emotions from coming. Maybe we don't even get to choose them as I suggested. Maybe all we can really do is just sit down at some point in our day, maybe even while they are happening and observe and learn from them.

Health and Happiness!

Bill

 

The Most Important Place To Be!

There are events in everyone's life that remind you where the most important place to be is, who the most important person is and what is the most important thing to be doing. Right now there is nothing more important than my son, my girlfriend and my own current state of health and peace of mind!

But I am sitting at home in my office typing and those people are close by and thats why they are important to me right now as I finish thoughts for this blog.

When I am with a client... that is the most important person and the most important place to be and taking care of that client is the most important thing to be doing.

When I am with my family or friends, they too are the most important people, with them is the most important place to be and doing what ever it is I am doing is the most important as well.

It is a lesson I learned from the Tolstoy story called Three Questions. I first heard the story told by Paul Pearsall in a series of tapes called the Pleasure Principle 20 years ago and then it resurfaced and I heard it again from Dr. Wayne Dyer in his book Excuses Be Gone!

The most important place to be is the where you are right now! The most important person to be with is the one you are with and the most important thing to be doing is what you are doing with that person.

So to quote Tolstoy, "Remember then, there is only is only one time that is important... Now!"

Health and Happiness!

Bill

Filled with the Excitement of Christmas Morning!

Day 1, 30 and 56!

I found myself on the verge of collapse yesterday after a day filled with challenges, stress, bills to pay and things to do! After putting my kid to bed, I literally passed out on my couch before I could even put myself to bed.

I know I posted Day 1 and Day 56 photo's to yesterdays blog and as fun as that was to share I woke up today at 3 in the morning filled with more excitement as if it were Christmas morning, thinking about the last 8 weeks and wondering what the next 8 weeks are going to bring!

I have always said, it's not the present once you open it that is exciting, (although that is fun) it's right before that is the most exciting moment.

All I did was imagine myself healthier 8 weeks ago and it happened. I imagined with the heart of a kid and knew I was going to get the present I wanted!

We all have challenges, stress, things to do, bills to pay and we don't know what the day will bring us. But if we could wake up every day filled with the excitement of Christmas morning and the anticipation of what exciting things are going to happen today, we are at least starting off the day in a positive way!

Have an Outstanding Day!

Health and Happiness!

Bill

8 Weeks! Pictures tell only part of the story!

On Day1 , June 24, 2013, I was 203 Pounds, 24% Body Fat and had a 38 inch waist! Yikes! In the small picture below you can see "My Former Self" slowly fading away!

Yesterday on Day 56, August 18, 2013, I weighed 182 Pounds, measured 16% Body Fat and had a little less than 34 inch waist.

Smiling @ 182 Pounds!

My Former Self

But the pictures tell only part of the story. I have found in 8 weeks that what kept me from achieving any success in the past was what was inside my head rather than some formula that gets me in shape.

I look and the difference of eight weeks but can see further than what the pictures show. Not only is it the daily habits of eating right and enjoying my activity but striving to be in a state of happiness.

Sure persistence and determination drive me every day but happiness with myself and my world are just as important and I see a happier, energetic soul with more of the essence of who I am.

I still have ups and downs and feel as though I have a long way to go. But I am on my way!

I wish you the same!

Health and Happiness!

Bill

We all need a little pick me up... even me!

As I wake up this Sunday morning, a little ache in the shoulder, toes cracking as my feet hit the floor, knee's a little funky, worries about money, being a good parent, a good partner, a good person and numerous others, I know I don't have all the answers but they are within my reach. Sometimes we all need a little pick me up. Sometimes we need it everyday to keep things in perspective and stay the course!

I am reminded today of part of the quote from Marianne Williamson that says, "Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you."

Yes, I have fears, doubts and troubles like everyone else but bringing them out to make others feel better serves no purpose but to stay in the shadow of success and dreams and to never come into their light.

Here is the full quote from Our Deepest Fear by Marianne Williamson from A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles:

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate,

but that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us.

We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant,

gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.

There is nothing enlightened about shrinking

so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us.

It is not just in some; it is in everyone.

And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give

other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our fear,

our presence automatically liberates others.

Health and Happiness!

Bill

The Scale Doesn't Talk!

Thursday I took a well-deserved day off from any training. I had worked out every day for the past week and a half, been a little tired from work, had a hint of soreness in my muscles and I have not been getting enough sleep.

Friday, I took another day off from working out. I have my reasons. Don't Judge me! Let me tell you why...

I have been going with the flow of my body and mind since June 24, when I began this journey and although Thursday was a day off for me, Friday was a day off for others.

Thinking, analyzing the data, counting the calories, consumed and thoroughly obsessed in this process I had other personal things on my plate that needed attention and as I laid down to sleep last night I found a peace inside me about the decision I took for the day.

To be honest, I woke up a little worried about what the scale might say as I stepped on it. Interestingly enough... The Scale Doesn't Talk!

Health and Happiness!

Bill

What the Hell was I thinking?

As I approach the end of 8 weeks of training and healthy eating habits renewed I can only sit back and wonder... "What the Hell was I thinking?"

This can be the only lifestyle to live. In tune with my body and mind. Never wavering from the daily quest!

Although the weight that was on my back, literally, has not been wiped off completely, I feel as though this journey has sparked something in me that has been missing for a long time.

Whatever it is you want to achieve, no matter how big or small, set your sights on it and don't let go!

Health and Happiness!

Bill

Go to the bookstore today!

I wrote a blog a month ago and asked the question, "What are you reading to keep fit?" It spoke of my dreams of having a library room stocked with books, how fortunate I am as many as I do and what I was currently reading.

One of my favorite Author's and blogger is Seth Godin. He writes a blog every day and is my inspiration for writing mine every day.

Today's blog, received at 5:30am sharp, as always, was called "An End to Books" and I cannot agree with him more as he makes some great points about the dying of book stores and libraries and how the whole publishing industry has changed. Not to mention that we can now get books downloaded to our iPads and Tablets, but unfortunately those devices also have emails and other distractions.

I love to go hang out at a bookstore. Oh wait, can you tell me where one is? Yes, they are getting harder and harder to find. Once upon a time there was the small bookstore, which then grew to the Mega Book Store and then all of the sudden, most of those have vanished.

I have to admit, I do on occasion download books now to my iPad as I just don't take nor have the time to go enjoy the book store as I like to do. I use to make it a Sunday ritual, then I got married, had a kid and as you know, responsibilities of life kick in.

I seem to be coming back to the theme, wouldn't you say? Balance! Find time to do the things you love.

I will be going to a bookstore today... Perhaps to buy another Seth Godin book.  ;-)

Health and Happiness!

Bill

To supplement or not?

I am 48 years old. I weighed 203 pounds with 24% body fat on me when I started this 50 days ago. Now hovering between 181 and 183 and the scale will say 16 or 18% on any given day lately.

I have looked and researched more and more about the foods I need to eat to help with this process and while I have researched I keep seeing ads pop up for supplements that get you ripped, increase your testosterone or help add muscular size.

I am not buying it. While I admit it is tempting there are too many reports out there that tell a different tale. Two such reports recently in the NY Times titled, Don't Take Your Vitamins and Supplements called Risky are Destroyed give me ammunition for my stance.

Try this sure way to kickstart your day!
4oz each of Strawberries, Blueberries, Rasberries,
Spinach, Hemp Milk and 2 tsp of Flaxseed all blended into a smoothie!
Giving you plenty of Vitamins and Minerals with
9.6 grams of Protein, 37.8 grams of  Carbs and 4.8 grams of Fat!

You can hit me with all the, "But Bill you can't possibly get all your vitamins from food" line, but you haven't seen how much I can eat! And until my Doctor says I am vitamin and or mineral deficient, I will stay on course!

When I was younger I would have tried anything, and just about did, but now it doesn't seem to fit who I am. Why take anything if there is a risk. If I am going to do this, I am going to do it naturally.

I am not making you wrong if you take supplements, I just want you to think twice before you buy into the claims!

No one ever said you're eating too many vegetables!

Health and Happiness!

Bill

What are you Focused on?

I wrote in my blog "Being honest with yourself!" that "I have been so focused on the weight loss that I neglected the one thing I tell everybody they should be doing... focus on strength first and build from there."

It's true, numbers, numbers, numbers, are what I mostly think about. How far did I run, how many isometric holds did I get in, how many sets did I do, how many calories did burn or take in, how much do I weigh and what is my body fat percentage.

Empirical results tell a tale of progress. There is no doubt they are important to the goal, but feeling strong and healthy is just as important and as I have mentioned in previous blogs, my workouts and days without measuring seem just as satisfying as the ones in which I analyze everything... Maybe more so!

If balance is part of the goal and you find yourself obsessed in numbers, perhaps it is time to take a run or a walk without knowing how far you go, how long it was or how many steps you took. Try a workout feeling each rep instead of counting them or how many sets you did.

I realize it is a challenge because how then could you measure progress?

If I had to do this all over again, I wonder if I could do it without any analysis? I wonder if I could just focus on good food, quality workouts and meditating on feeling good?

Fortunately or unfortunately, I do not want this blog to be called Even Trainers Get Fat... Again and Again! ;-)

Health and Happiness!

Bill

You Deserve Success!

In his book, The Power of Intention, Dr. Wayne Dyer writes, "If you don't believe that you are worthy of fulfilling your intentions for health, wealth, or loving relationships then you are creating an obstacle that will inhibit the flow of creative energy into your life."

The emotional roller coaster we ride on, called life, is full of ups and downs. I am sure you experience this as I do. But if we pay attention a little bit more to the downs you might notice that sometimes you may start to think that you deserve that down feeling or chalk it up to some karmic debt.

I think the any "Success" in life is best when you thought yourself worthy of achieving it.

Have you ever been successful at something and thought, "Boy I got lucky at that one" or do you say, "Of course I achieved that, I worked hard for it and deserve it!"?

Perhaps, some of the down times are when you feel successful, but don't get recognized for it. That is a tangential thought for another time.

You, I and everyone in between deserves success. We first need to believe it. That is the challenge!

My wish today is that you feel worthy of your successes... and everyday forward!

Health and Happiness!

Bill

Have an Extraordinary Day!

The past week has been a roller coaster ride of emotional ups and downs. Although I am waking up most days feeling good, I find I drift into the abyss of self loathing at times.

I walked to and from the gym again yesterday, knee still a little sore and not having that little spark of determination that I usually have.

I looked around and saw people in the local taverns having drinks, eating burgers and enjoying the day.
It was almost 5pm and I thought, "Here I am going to the gym, when I could be out relaxing like all these people."

I looked at pictures on Face Book this morning and friends where out on their boats, at family parties or on vacations. But then I saw a post from a friend that said, "Have an extraordinary Sunday!" and it lead me to watch a video that then lead me to another video and then reminded me of what my journey is all about.

Being Extraordinary is not about what everyone else is doing. Being extraordinary is about a daily dedication to person you are!

Health and Happiness!

Bill

Being honest with yourself!

I am holding steady at about a 20 pound loss and although I happy with the progress I have not lost anything since August 1.

I have a few choices. Either I stay on course and keep doing what I am doing, change my diet and/or my workouts or sit back and really be honest with myself.

I have made great gains (and losses) so far. I am running 4 to 6 miles every couple of days. I keep my calories in lower than my calories burned, but to be honest, because of a shoulder issue I have not been weight training or doing my isometrics as much.

Yesterday, I felt a tweak in my knee as I ran up to the gym and I know that has only happened because I haven't been diligent about doing my iso's and working on my strength training.

An injury to my shoulder doesn't mean I neglect the rest of me. Trunk and spine exercises, lower body strength, these are more important than the weight loss itself.

I have been so focused on the weight loss that I neglected the one thing I tell everybody they should be doing... focus on strength first and build from there.

As I tell my son all the time, there are no such things as mistakes as long as you learn from them. A little refocusing, the aches and pains will go away and progress will be back on track!

Health and Happiness!

Bill

One Day you are up... One day you are down!

Sometimes I think the universe likes to come around and kick your ass so you don't get too cocky.

Yesterday I was feeling great. Aches that I had been having in the shoulder were just about gone thanks to my MAT Specialist, Michelle. I woke up with lots of energy. I completed two great runs in the last two days. That person I used to know who hasn't seemed to get on track these last 8 years, seemed to be fading away.

Today, after a long day of clients, I took an afternoon break and then decided to run up to my gym for my workout and Bam, 3/4's of the way I felt a sharp pain in my knee. I walked the rest of the way, completed my workout and then walked home.

This was not the blog, I had intended to write although it was along the lines of feeling stuck and making the right choices to get you through it.

I have been down this road before. I have had this happen too many times. This is the point where you want to give up and go to the bar, eat a big plate of chicken wings and drink until the pain numbs. (I am just being honest)

I think I will eat a healthy dinner, take a hot bath, rest and wake up tomorrow with renewed enthusiasm instead.

Health and Happiness!

Bill

Progress Notes after 45 Days... Starting to feel like myself

Day 42 Picture with my Son

At 6 in the morning, just before I started typing, I made some tea, had a little chia and flax seed drink to get me going and looked into my refrigerator filled with green leafy vegetables and bright colored fruits fresh from the market yesterday and thought, "I believe I am starting to feel like what I would call myself."

I am up and ready to go!

I excited about the possibilities of the day like a child.

I honestly feel good.

Day 1

My mind is, for the most part until I thought about it just now, clear of fears, worries or concerns.

This is what I call the state of being me.

I am not even sure who that other person was... he is staring to fade away.

Health and Happiness!

Bill

Go ahead... Watch a cheesy movie that inspires you to work a little harder.

I think if you listen, the universe, God, what ever or who ever you believe in, sends you messages.

Last night after a nice long walk to end my day, as I got ready for my day today I saw that Rocky II was on so I flipped it on for background noise.

Call it what you want, cheesy as it might be to some, for me after 44 days and 20 pounds coming off, I really needed a little inspiration from somewhere and that did it for me.

Drive, determination and passion for what you love, the underdog wins and good prevails... All the ingredients of a good movie for me.

I think I might go run through the streets of downtown today... Wish I could find some steps to climb.

;-)

Health and Happiness!

Bill

Happy like a child!

Sam and I, Happy Every Day!

Sunday, I got to spend the day with my son and girlfriend at the beach. We played in the cold waves of Lake Michigan and had a catch on the sandy beach of North Ave. and as my son put it, "This was the best day of the summer!"

I know it's only Day 44 but I was thinking about what happens to people after they do those 90 get in shape things? You know, kind of like the one I am doing?

This journey I am taking is one for the rest of my life... Not just a 90 day journey.

My website is called Bill Busch's Personal Training and Fitness for Life, not Fitness in 90 Days and good luck with the rest of your life.

Fit, happy and joyful everyday is the goal... not just on Day 90!

Sunday was a reminder what the journey was all about... Happiness. Happy like a child.

I hope everyone out there, getting back in shape is doing it for the rest of their life rather than the cool before and after pictures.

Health and Happiness!

Bill

Stuff Happens... Make the best of it!

Sometimes the flood gates of thoughts and emotions open up with why or why not things happen in our lives.

Who knows, right?

I do know, and I attribute the quote to Art Linkletter, that "Things turn out best for the people that make the best of the way things turn out"

When I was younger, being "in shape" was a priority and never seemed to take up time to do other stuff. Then when other "stuff" would start to get in the way of my priority or my essence and unhappiness would creep in, I would shift right back to workouts and healthy eating habits.

Even after tragic or bad events happened in my life I seem to use being fit as a way to ease the pain. Being healthy always got me back on track, kept me grounded and happy.

Throughout the last decade priorities shifted "bad stuff" happened, happiness was not a daily thing any more and although I tried many times I couldn't quite get back to making fitness a priority. 

I can see clearly now how being true to and taking care of myself infuse into other aspects of my life. And for me, making the best of the way things turn out means staying true to being me and taking care of myself.

Health and Happiness!

Bill

Lao Tzu's thought of the Day!

"In the pursuit of learning, every day something is acquired.

In the pursuit of Tao, every day something is dropped.

Less and less is done

Until non-action is achieved.

When nothing is done, nothing is left undone.

The world is ruled by letting things take their course.

It cannot be ruled by interfering."

                                                     48th Verse of the Tao Te Ching

It's funny how one day I am thinking of the steps to success and the next a verse from the Tao Te Ching pops in my head.

Do nothing and nothing will be left undone? Come on? Really? I have to be doing something to get somewhere right?

Perhaps what Lao Tzu is referring to is our need to control all the steps in our life with worry or some sort of order to get you somewhere.

Perhaps he means take the steps but observe the outcome of your steps with no judgement or criticism.

Health and Happiness!

Bill

Get your steps to success in even if they are out of order!

Have you ever read one of those Steps to Success books or listened to a "Motivational" tape and learned that if you do A, then B, then C, then D... "YOU WILL BE SUCCESSFUL!" If you read or listened to the book did you follow the order and become successful?

Or how about steps to fitness success? Is there an order to fitness success? Or should you just do it?

As a Certified MAT Specialist and Fitness Professional my biased would be to say that there is an order or progression when it comes to getting "Fit" whatever "Fit" is to you.

Ask me if I have done it in the order I thought I was supposed to do it in... Go ahead... Ask!

No, I did not!

I have been a Certified MAT Specialist since September of 2005 and in all that time of evaluating, treating, studying and improving on my craft I have only been treated a couple of times.

I love what I do and think it is a great way to start an exercise program and then continue to help people tweak and get their muscular-skeletal system working to stay at optimal efficiency. I just haven't done it myself.

Many Specialist that I know got into the business of becoming a MAT Specialist because they were treated at one time or another but I got into it because I was searching for a tool that allowed me to find the muscular imbalances I keep seeing in my clients but didn't know what to do with or even how to evaluate what might be wrong.

Yesterday I finally got on the schedule of a fellow MAT Specialist. I would have like to started the process with MAT but certainly just finding time for workouts alone was hard enough, so I started with Step B.

I think my success so far has been great and as I look on the bright side of things, going back to "Step A" isn't a bad thing. I am not necessarily taking a step back but helping my progress take a step forward!

Health and Happiness!

Bill

Happy Day 40!

Today's blog is short and sweet.

I am thankful for the opportunity to be able to do what I do.

I am thankful for friends and family that love and support me.

I am thankful for each step I take along the journey and consequently each pound I have lost. (20 of them so far!)

It has been a fun ride these last 40 days and finally I am thankful you have chosen to follow along with me.

Health and Happiness friends!

Bill

The Balance of Life and Passions!

It can be a struggle sometimes to balance all the things in your life that you think you should be doing (or others think you should be doing) with your "Passions."

I can remember the first time I watched Pumping Iron and the scene where Arnold Schwarzenegger talks about not attending his fathers funeral because he was in the middle of training and he didn't have time to go because there was nothing he could do. I imagine there was more to Arnold missing his fathers funeral than the fact he was in the middle of training for a bodybuilding competition but it struck a chord in me about focus and determination at the time and it struck a chord in my Father who thought the guy was a selfish asshole!

As a kid I played baseball and missed a lot of family activities because of it. When I was bodybuilding I passed up a lot of chances to go out with friends.

Somewhere in my 30's and certainly by the age of 40 with the birth of my son I didn't want to "miss" anything and workouts and my health didn't have the importance that they once did. But trying to balance it all, I grew increasingly unhappy.

Today I think what I really learned from my experiences so far is to balance my passions with life. I can still be a good father, partner, friend, brother or son and balance that with my passions to never stop studying and get better at my craft (Muscle Activation Techniques and Fitness) and to inspire others through my actions as a fit, fitness professional.


What you are most passionate about doesn't need to suffer, you just need to be ok with who you are and the way you handle life.

Health and Happiness!

Bill