The Two "C" words

Hey BTWG'ers and Fans of BTWG!

In case you were not able to attend the group meeting on Saturday, I thought I'd update you a little. Since attendance was low due to the snow, I didn't do much of the talking. Rather, I let the group do most of the talking and to connect on a more personal level.

Here is the highlights of what I did share:

Becky W did a nice job of summing up what was my main point in Saturday's meeting. If you missed the meeting, be sure to read her post: http://beckysbtwg.blogspot.com/2011/02/trust-process.html - After reading, ask yourself the question I asked everyone at the meeting - Are you "in" the program, or are you still dabbling or not fully invested? Are you relying in excuses to avoid doing what I am asking you to do. If you are not "all in", why not? Are you still clinging to "your way"? If so, why? Now that we are entering Week 4 of the program, you should be seeing and feeling the great benefits that come with following the plan (at least 90% compliance). Once we have completed 3 weeks on the plan, this is the point you are either seeing and feeling a difference, or not. So, how about you? Are you trusting the process and doing your best or are you still hanging on to old ways and fear?

The two "C" words - "Change", and "Control". Some people embrace change, be it quickly or slowly, however, many people tend to fear change. When Recruits resist change it is most often due to a need to control, which is a fear based reaction. On the one hand, some have a hard time admitting that "their way" isn't working, as if it is a reflection on who they are as a person. Yet, for some the resistance to change is more connected to a need to control and a fear of what may happen if they let go of that control. This is especially common if you have been hurt, wounded, or burned in the past when you didn't have control (against your will), or when you trusted enough to let go of control and something negative happened as a result.

In Spiritual practice, we learn that to have fear that based on past experiences, experiences others have had, or what may happen is "ignorance" or a lack of clarity of the truth. This is is to say that you are missing the truth, missing reality and limiting yourself based off the past, hearsay, or the future. That, my friends, ain't living in the moment and it's a sure fire way to miss opportunities, such as the one right in front of you.

Finally, there are some who have yet to jump in the game simply out of excuses and laziness. If this is the case, just read the back of one of our PR Fitness shirts and follow the directions, "Suck it up, Buttercup!" Remember, you came to me to make a change and you sincerely wanted to be in this program. Well, you ARE here - now it's show time and time to put on our big boy/big girl pants and get down to the work at hand. If you are struggling, TODAY is the day to drop the excuses, make a plan and get busy getting busy! Talk to me or talk to the BTWG Mentors. Talk to your fellow Recruits. You MUST get on board this week - No Excuses. The longer you sit back and watch the train pull out of the station, the harder it's going to be to get on board.

To those of you who are "all in" - reach out and help those who are struggling. Blog about what you are doing and why it is working. Share with all of us your "secrets", you tips and how you are navigating through your own fears and challenges. At the meetings, speak up and help those who need your help.

As always, I'm here to help - just reach out and let me know what you need.

Enjoy your recovery week and get ready for Month 2 to get underway next Monday! I'm proud of everyone in the program, regardless of your Month 1 progress - if you are in the fight, you are still way ahead of most in our society.

Be Well,
Chris

RIP Jack LaLanne

In honor of the passing of legendary health and fitness Master, Jack LaLanne, please check out this post from the BTWG blog archives: Click HERE.

May each of us live our lives even half as good as Jack did - the world would be a much happier and healthful planet, that's for sure!

Meditation Update: 24 of 365. I'm happy to report that it's been 24 days, and I have yet to miss a meditation session. The sessions have varied in length from 10 minutes, to upwards of 30 minutes and, as with any meditation practice, the quality varies from session to session.

One thing I have also noticed is the changes and reaction my body is having to the more frequency in seated meditation. To be honest, I used to spend a great deal of time sitting on the floor and I had gotten away from doing it as often. Along with the daily meditation sessions, I'm spending much more time sitting on the floor over the past 3 weeks. I find this practice makes a tremendous difference in reducing stiffness in the body, eliminates tight back muscles and helps to liberate the hips. Did you know that in cultures where people sit and sleep on the floor they have virtually no incidence of hip degeneration or back issues?

Peace,
Chris

3, 2, 1... GO!

"3, 2, 1... Go!" This is the countdown I give before each workout begins at PR Fitness. Today marks the start line for the New Recruits of Project: Bridging the Wellness Gap. Their 12 week journey is officially underway. Be sure to visit this blog and check in on their progress and updates. Also, be sure to check out their blogs and the blogs of several of the BTWG Graduates who are blogging as well.

Be sure to also offer your support and encouragement via the "comments" section on the blogs.

Have a great Day 1, Gang - we are officially UNDERWAY!!!

In honor of the Rev. Martin Luther King...

Meditation: Days 11 - 15

15 days straight of daily meditation practice. Honestly, it's hard to believe that 15 days have already passed. I'm not so sure I like tracking days in this fashion if its going to make it feel like time is going by even faster than it already does.

Days 11-14 were a little rougher than what I've experienced since day 1 of this challenge, though I somewhat expected that to be the case. Tuesday through Thursday of each week are marathon long days for me and I have very little time for anything other than what I already have scheduled in my day. Once bedtime rolls around, like so many of you, I'm ready to crash and rest. Yet, I stuck to my commitment and, once again, dragged my tired butt to the meditation cushion and sat. Though a couple of sessions were a little shorter, I still sat and gave the practice my fullest attention I could muster.

Next week, my intention is to do my meditation practice earlier in the day on my long work days, rather than at night. I'm confident that will be a win/win (if I can use that phrase regarding meditation) in many respects.

Last night (Saturday, Day 15) was a nice long session after a very rewarding week of getting things finalized for BTWG, including a chance to meet the rest of the New Recruits at Friday's Initial Testing and a great "Orientation" session yesterday afternoon at PR Fitness.

Tomorrow is D-Day for the New Recruits - the 12 week journey officially begins. Be sure to check back to this blog on a regular basis, and more important, be sure to visit the Recruit blogs as well as the blogs from previous BTWG Grads. Rob and Sherri have cleared the dust and cobwebs from their blog and have them fired up and running once again.

Alright Recruits - you ready?!?!

Peace,
Chris

Check it Out

For all you East siders:
http://www.theindychannel.com/news/26311568/detail.html
Direct link to the co-op: http://poguesrungrocer.org/

Thanks, Sherry C. for the heads up. Now, can you get them to open one on the West side???

Pogues Run Grocery Store...

Committed or Crazy?

You be the judge of that...

As all New Recruits know from your letter of acceptance, I said the motto of BTWG is and always has been "NO EXCUSES!". I said to write it on a post it note, keep it in the forefront of your mind for the next 12 weeks and to "Tattoo it on your forearm (if you do, I will).)" Well... Becky H. did just that. Check it out...

"No Excuses. Dream it do it"

There it is, in skin and ink! The first ever BTWG "No Excuses!" tat. Guess I better call and schedule an appointment... : )

"No Excuses" has many meanings in BTWG and as each Recruit makes their journey, those two simple words take on different meanings for each. I always look forward to how it is interpreted throughout the course of the 12 weeks and the meaning that it can take on.

New Recruits - feel free to post in the "comments" what "No Excuses" means to you!

Meditation - Day 10 of 365: completed. A shorter session this time, perhaps 10:00 or so. Planning on sitting earlier tomorrow rather than waiting for bedtime, though Tuesday is always a marathon day for me so the session may have to wait until the day is done...

Be Well,
Chris

Days 7, 8, and 9 of 365

Done...

Done...

And, yup, done...

Congrats to all those who completed their initial fitness testing yesterday!

Also, Congrats to New Recruit Becky W. for finishing the Disney 1/2 Marathon yesterday!!! You can read about her event by clicking HERE