Thursday, June 4, 2009
Monday, June 1, 2009
BTWG "It's a Lifestyle"
Here is another example of why I came up with the BTWG saying, "It's a Lifestyle"...
"Hi Chris!
"Hi Chris!
Well this week, yesterday, my daughter graduated and we had a family celebration at our home. Just a small group as the open house will be at the end of June. Anyway I actually had a glass of wine, tried everything I prepared including an awesome cookie cake and ice cream! I did all of this without guilt and at the end of the day sat down wrote everything I ate in my log, calculated it and came in around my calorie number! Now I can’t say I am proud of all of my choices but I can say that I was comfortable and certainly did not feel like I was “on a diet”…….today I feel fine, the 4 hours of sleep is much more debilitating than yesterdays food choices but all in all I am at peace with the situation. This is big for me!!! This made the day even more special and memorable to know that I can just “be” and my natural instincts will guide me.
Today I will workout, have a planned day of eating and have no regrets; yesterdays indulgences do not sound good today! This defines the lifestyle change I wanted to emerge. I understand it was one day and it can’t be every day but it’s not something I want everyday so it’s all good!!!
Have a great week,
S."
Contentment versus Complacency
Contentment versus Complacency:
I used last Saturday's Project meeting as an opportunity for those attending to reflect on why they applied for the Project in the first place and to recall what they had hoped to experience and to reconnect with what the Project is about - Health, Fitness, and Well-Being. BTWG is about wellness.
"What is wellness to you?" When Margaret asked my perspective on personal wellness, I shared that, for me, it's having the capacity to engage in the activities that I love and enjoy. Currently, this includes participating in ultra running events; participating, rather than winning or being competitive. For me, this is an important pursuit, yet training to be competitive or to win would be extreme and there is no room for extremes in BTWG. Plus, I like being a well rounded "athlete", rather than a specialist. Just last week I was doing dead lifts at 275 pounds and squatting nearly 300. I can promise you that there are few, if any, elite level ultra runners dead lifting and squatting nearly 300 pounds. In fact, I would be surprised if you can find very many that can dead lift or back squat equal to their body weight. The week prior to that included knocking out 500 push ups with my boot camp students, putting in 3 hours on the trail, practicing yoga and sitting still on my meditation cushion. I illustrate this not as a boast, rather as a point of being fit in multiple aspects of fitness and wellness rather than only one or two areas.
I find that wellness is also about having the energy to do my work and training and still having the energy and time to enjoy other aspects of my life such as spending time with my family or going to the playground and being able to chase after our three year old.
Wellness isn't just a lack of dis-ease, it' also ensuring that my risk factors for illness and dis-ease are in check. How is my body fat percentage, resting heart rate, blood pressure, blood cholesterol and sugar levels, etc.? Being out of range in these areas equals a lack of optimal wellness and relects areas to train.
I also look at my scores on the "Life Satisfaction Questionnaire" (a evaluation tool used in the Project); are my stress scores low and my feelings of well-being high? Or, do I have areas to work on?
Wellness extends beyond the physical. True wellness also reflects mental/emotional well-being, relationship well-being, spiritual well-being and even financial well-being. Am I spiritually nourished and engaged in a regular practice? As a Christian, I feel grateful that I have found a church that feeds me and offers me opportunities for service and helping others. This, along with my family network and the wellness community found in BTWG totally satisfies my spiritual and community/social needs. While Jody and I are anything but rich, we are content with where we are, we are learning to be even more disciplined with our finances and becoming better stewards with the blessings we have.
These are just a few of the things I consider qualities of true wellness and I would encourage you to write a list of your own and to see if you are living the life you envision, or are you settling for less.
This brings me to the point: Contentment versus Complacency.
Being content and satisfied is ultimately what we are seeking. Contentment means that I feel nourished, I feel supported, I feel peace, and I am well. It means that I am continually working to sustain balance and making efforts to be at my best, yet I am okay with where I am; I may not be where I need to be for optimal wellness but I do have a plan and I have faith and I have trust.
Complacency relects an "I give up" attitude, or an "I don't care" mindset. In reality, these attitudes are fear-based and keep one from ever experiencing the life God intended them to live. Complacency arises from past defeats, past hurts, seeing others "fail", or being told "you can't", or "you shouldn't" messages. All of this strips away ones authenticity and the power of ones spirit, it creates an environment for disappointment, unsatisfaction and shame. In many ways a life of complacency is an easier life to live than an engaged and active life. Being fat, out of shape, and sedentary is easy, anyone can do it; while the consequences may suck, it's easy to not take a risk or to put forth an effort and just say, "I'll get to it tomorrow", or "Screw that, I'm happy and fine just the way I am". There are millions of excuses one can give while your life and wellness is going to crap.
In my book life is too short to be unhappy, unfit, and unsatisfied. No Excuses!
Peace,
Chris
I used last Saturday's Project meeting as an opportunity for those attending to reflect on why they applied for the Project in the first place and to recall what they had hoped to experience and to reconnect with what the Project is about - Health, Fitness, and Well-Being. BTWG is about wellness.
"What is wellness to you?" When Margaret asked my perspective on personal wellness, I shared that, for me, it's having the capacity to engage in the activities that I love and enjoy. Currently, this includes participating in ultra running events; participating, rather than winning or being competitive. For me, this is an important pursuit, yet training to be competitive or to win would be extreme and there is no room for extremes in BTWG. Plus, I like being a well rounded "athlete", rather than a specialist. Just last week I was doing dead lifts at 275 pounds and squatting nearly 300. I can promise you that there are few, if any, elite level ultra runners dead lifting and squatting nearly 300 pounds. In fact, I would be surprised if you can find very many that can dead lift or back squat equal to their body weight. The week prior to that included knocking out 500 push ups with my boot camp students, putting in 3 hours on the trail, practicing yoga and sitting still on my meditation cushion. I illustrate this not as a boast, rather as a point of being fit in multiple aspects of fitness and wellness rather than only one or two areas.
I find that wellness is also about having the energy to do my work and training and still having the energy and time to enjoy other aspects of my life such as spending time with my family or going to the playground and being able to chase after our three year old.
Wellness isn't just a lack of dis-ease, it' also ensuring that my risk factors for illness and dis-ease are in check. How is my body fat percentage, resting heart rate, blood pressure, blood cholesterol and sugar levels, etc.? Being out of range in these areas equals a lack of optimal wellness and relects areas to train.
I also look at my scores on the "Life Satisfaction Questionnaire" (a evaluation tool used in the Project); are my stress scores low and my feelings of well-being high? Or, do I have areas to work on?
Wellness extends beyond the physical. True wellness also reflects mental/emotional well-being, relationship well-being, spiritual well-being and even financial well-being. Am I spiritually nourished and engaged in a regular practice? As a Christian, I feel grateful that I have found a church that feeds me and offers me opportunities for service and helping others. This, along with my family network and the wellness community found in BTWG totally satisfies my spiritual and community/social needs. While Jody and I are anything but rich, we are content with where we are, we are learning to be even more disciplined with our finances and becoming better stewards with the blessings we have.
These are just a few of the things I consider qualities of true wellness and I would encourage you to write a list of your own and to see if you are living the life you envision, or are you settling for less.
This brings me to the point: Contentment versus Complacency.
Being content and satisfied is ultimately what we are seeking. Contentment means that I feel nourished, I feel supported, I feel peace, and I am well. It means that I am continually working to sustain balance and making efforts to be at my best, yet I am okay with where I am; I may not be where I need to be for optimal wellness but I do have a plan and I have faith and I have trust.
Complacency relects an "I give up" attitude, or an "I don't care" mindset. In reality, these attitudes are fear-based and keep one from ever experiencing the life God intended them to live. Complacency arises from past defeats, past hurts, seeing others "fail", or being told "you can't", or "you shouldn't" messages. All of this strips away ones authenticity and the power of ones spirit, it creates an environment for disappointment, unsatisfaction and shame. In many ways a life of complacency is an easier life to live than an engaged and active life. Being fat, out of shape, and sedentary is easy, anyone can do it; while the consequences may suck, it's easy to not take a risk or to put forth an effort and just say, "I'll get to it tomorrow", or "Screw that, I'm happy and fine just the way I am". There are millions of excuses one can give while your life and wellness is going to crap.
In my book life is too short to be unhappy, unfit, and unsatisfied. No Excuses!
Peace,
Chris
Thursday, May 28, 2009
A Warrior Among Us
I just learned that Project Grad Jan has a son who is a U.S. Marine. Jan's son just left last weekend on his second deployment for the war, this time to Afghanistan. If you would, keep Jan and her son in your thoughts and prayers. My son is planning to go to Marine boot camp this summer, so I can sort of understand how Jan is feeling - proud, yet worried for her sons safety.
Please let me know if there is someone you know who could use support. Thanks...
Peace,
Chris
Please let me know if there is someone you know who could use support. Thanks...
Peace,
Chris
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Still Time to Contribute
Hey Gang,
This Friday, I will be mailing a check to Wounded Warrior Project. Thanks to several of the runners on Sunday who chipped in, along with my contribution, I have collected $200. While this may not sound like a lot, it's just a start. In addition, $200 is enough to purchase two Wounded Warrior Backpacks ($99 each). These backpacks are filled with small items which are given to Wounded Warriors while they are in the hospital undergoing treatment and care. The items include playing cards, a CD player, clothing, toiletries, a calling card, etc.; comfort items which can make a difficult time a little easier and help boost morale. A smaller version is also sent directly to Iraq and Afghanistan to provide immediate comfort during a Warriors relocation to the U.S. military trauma center. We are off to a good start and I have several ideas and events planned to help raise awareness and donations for WWP.
If you were unable to attend Sunday's trail run and would like to donate, it's not too late! Just click on the WWP image below. This link takes you to my donation page where you can make your contribution online via a secure web site. You can print your receipt when you make your donation and use this if you would like to note your donation for tax purposes. I've established a lofty goal of raising $10,000, yet I am confident we can reach this mark in the upcoming months, or years. And, as you may know, I like to set my personal goals a little high : )
Thank you for your consideration.
Please note that in 2008, nearly 90 cents of each dollar donated to the WWP went directly to the wounded soldiers and this will continue to improve each year. Know that your dollars will truly make a difference!
Peace,
Chris
This Friday, I will be mailing a check to Wounded Warrior Project. Thanks to several of the runners on Sunday who chipped in, along with my contribution, I have collected $200. While this may not sound like a lot, it's just a start. In addition, $200 is enough to purchase two Wounded Warrior Backpacks ($99 each). These backpacks are filled with small items which are given to Wounded Warriors while they are in the hospital undergoing treatment and care. The items include playing cards, a CD player, clothing, toiletries, a calling card, etc.; comfort items which can make a difficult time a little easier and help boost morale. A smaller version is also sent directly to Iraq and Afghanistan to provide immediate comfort during a Warriors relocation to the U.S. military trauma center. We are off to a good start and I have several ideas and events planned to help raise awareness and donations for WWP.
If you were unable to attend Sunday's trail run and would like to donate, it's not too late! Just click on the WWP image below. This link takes you to my donation page where you can make your contribution online via a secure web site. You can print your receipt when you make your donation and use this if you would like to note your donation for tax purposes. I've established a lofty goal of raising $10,000, yet I am confident we can reach this mark in the upcoming months, or years. And, as you may know, I like to set my personal goals a little high : )
Thank you for your consideration.
Please note that in 2008, nearly 90 cents of each dollar donated to the WWP went directly to the wounded soldiers and this will continue to improve each year. Know that your dollars will truly make a difference!
Peace,
Chris
Monday, May 25, 2009
Memorial Day
Enjoy your Memorial Day and please take a moment to reflect on the reason and meaning of the day.
Yesterdays 1st Annual Memorial Day Trail Run for Vets was great, with several friends showing up, new personal bests established, old limits broken, and on top of it all (along with my contribution) we raised $200. All the money is going to the "Wounded Warriors Project" (I switched from the DAV to the WWP, which everyone agreed upon yesterday). To learn more about the Wounded Warriors Project, visit their web site (www.woundedwarriorproject.org), or click on the image below. Our trail run was the first of many fund raising opportunities I have planned for the WWP and look forward to sharing more news soon.
A full event report and pictures from our run will be posted later this week.
Peace,
Chris
Yesterdays 1st Annual Memorial Day Trail Run for Vets was great, with several friends showing up, new personal bests established, old limits broken, and on top of it all (along with my contribution) we raised $200. All the money is going to the "Wounded Warriors Project" (I switched from the DAV to the WWP, which everyone agreed upon yesterday). To learn more about the Wounded Warriors Project, visit their web site (www.woundedwarriorproject.org), or click on the image below. Our trail run was the first of many fund raising opportunities I have planned for the WWP and look forward to sharing more news soon.
A full event report and pictures from our run will be posted later this week.
Peace,Chris
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
This Just In...
Check out the happy couple. This is from the reception celebrating the wedding between Chelsy, my daughter, and her new hubby, Cody. Congratulations, guys! Pic from my big sis, Lynn Murphy.
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