WOW - And here I thought that Summer had forgotten about us here in Southern California... how wrong I was - It's getting HOT in here! :)
Hope you had a great day - welcome to Day Thirteen of my (our?) adventure down a path to wellness, and no, it's not totally dragging and kicking either :) I want to do this.. it's time to get serious.. motivated and better than I've ever been! And if you get inspired by MY story, than maybe I can help you in some small way too. Nothing would make me happier!
Today's a day off from running (until we get to the point where there ARE no days off from running :) We're just not there yet!) - so not too much to report in the exercise department... I did a few reps for my forearms and biceps.. nothing too crazy, but better than nothing too!
Tomorrow will be Week Two, Day Three (!) of our C25K challenge... so far so good.. Tricia's been having issues with her knee(s), so the running has been difficult, but she's out there trying, and I'm proud of her for that.
So my topic of the day is this: How do you (DO you?) make time for YOURSELF every day? Either to relax, work on a personal project, goal, etc? A lot of people reading this blog have kids, or significant others, etc and busy work schedules to deal with. So how do you de-stress? How do you find time for YOU?
I don't have a good answer for this one tonight - that's why I'm turning the floor over to you all.. my solution has always been a bad one and has consistently failed me throughout my life and even now - I stay up until all hours.. once my wife and son have gone to sleep.. then of course I'm too tired to really accomplish anything coherent or worth-while. What do you do? Do you schedule time for yourselves? I'd love to hear some suggestions to this problem.
Being a 'creative' I have SO many things that I want to get done... but I need my sleep too.. How do you balance work, family and obligation?
That's my question of the day - I can't wait to hear your responses - because I could really use some help on this one :)
Have a great night, and thanks as always for reading - tomorrow is Week 2, Day 3 of Couch to 5K! Tune in for more fun then!
'Night!
-Pittle out.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Day Twelve
Ah... another day of running down on the C25K challenge..Week 2, Day 2... its starting to get a little easier..
It was a hot night to run too... but not TOO humid.. so that was good. And of course when you're running you've got the breeze on your side :)
I am really falling into step with the two minute run times.. I imagined it would be harder..perhaps at greater distances it will be.. who knows?
I really want to start (and this Holiday weekend is the perfect time to start I think...) and get back on my bike again.. I think between that and the C25K it will really start helping bring down my weight.
So tonight, I wanted to share the story that I read that inspired me to start my own personal revolution... and I think I'm going to follow Al's (in the story) use of the Livestrong App on my iphone to track all of my calories, etc.. I'm eating better, but I really need to start monitoring the calorie side of things coming in and out to start making that change.
Here's the link to Al's story on Livestrong.com: LINK
I hope you found it as inspirational as I did.. I am a little tired from our run tonight - so I'm keeping this one short and sweet. Talk again tomorrow!
Until then, have a great night!
-Pittle out.
It was a hot night to run too... but not TOO humid.. so that was good. And of course when you're running you've got the breeze on your side :)
I am really falling into step with the two minute run times.. I imagined it would be harder..perhaps at greater distances it will be.. who knows?
I really want to start (and this Holiday weekend is the perfect time to start I think...) and get back on my bike again.. I think between that and the C25K it will really start helping bring down my weight.
So tonight, I wanted to share the story that I read that inspired me to start my own personal revolution... and I think I'm going to follow Al's (in the story) use of the Livestrong App on my iphone to track all of my calories, etc.. I'm eating better, but I really need to start monitoring the calorie side of things coming in and out to start making that change.
Here's the link to Al's story on Livestrong.com: LINK
I hope you found it as inspirational as I did.. I am a little tired from our run tonight - so I'm keeping this one short and sweet. Talk again tomorrow!
Until then, have a great night!
-Pittle out.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Day Eleven
Evening - trying to post a little earlier (?!?) than the last two nights :)
Not too much exercise to report beyond Scrappy Doo walking today.. had good intentions of doing some arm work, but work got in the way this evening... oh well.. will catch up with it tomorrow. Tomorrow night is also going to be Week 2, Day 2 on the C25K plan (Couch to 5K to my new readers).
I found some awesome forearm and bicep workouts on http://www.bodybuilding.com. (Don't worry, I'm not going to go all Arnold Schwarzenegger on you now!). It looks like a really cool resource, and I'm going to dig through it in a little more detail in the coming days.
I had a couple of really positive responses to my post yesterday about living a thankful life.. glad that it hit home with a few of you.. I think it can only improve our everyday outlook to look on the positive side of things... as they say "you get more bees with honey than vinegar" ... not sure what the heck that means, since I doubt bees would really enjoy their own work that much.. but hey, you never know.. But you get the idea :)
So tonight's topic is life AFTER cancer.. and to start off the discussion, here's a quote from Lance Armstrong (an inspiration to me, and many other people, and the founder of Livestrong)
“Birthdays don't really matter much anymore ... for me, I sort of have a new birthday and that's October 2nd, the day I was diagnosed, ... the day we all sort of look to and mark these milestones by one year, two year, five year, 10 year. Hopefully, I have a 50 year.” - Lance Armstrong
It's strange, but I totally understand what he means here... and I'm sure so do many other survivors. Your birthday is always treated as an important day... but your diagnosis day? It's an interesting angle to look at life from.. they day you found out that you had cancer... I've never really celebrated the diagnosis day.. but believe me I remember when it comes around.. it was July 7th, 2007.. and my last day of chemo treatments.. October 5th.. a few days before my actual Birthday on the 8th.
I was in such a weakened state at the end of chemo that I required blood transfusions and hospitalization. And let's not forget about my diabetes (another word I don't honor with a capitalization!) going haywire due to the intense steroids in the chemo treatments. It was in the hospital that I first was approved for the use of my insulin pump. (A VERY important, life-changing step. So I've never looked at it as a day to celebrate, because I wasn't feeling up to par.. but I can assure you that every year a few days after my annual MRI/Catscan combo when I get the results that I smile a little smile, give a 'Thank You' and am grateful at my Second Chance.
I remember sitting in the waiting area of the Nevada Cancer Center along with many, many other sick cancer patients.. sometimes talking with them or their families, sometimes listening... KNOWING that I was LUCKY to have the type of cancer I had.. because some of those people wouldn't be back the next week or next month.. or at all. And it's not because they missed their appointments. They lost their battle with this horrible disease. So, yes - I understand being thankful.. and I understand being celebratory to enjoy another year cancer-free.
I mention this because not only are we coming up on my diagnosis date, but as fate would have it, we're coming up on my MRI/Catscan date too.. I'm going in next Friday morning for my scans.. and of course will post some photos of the process.. and the results when they come in.. Maybe that's TMI (too much information) for some.. but I'm doing this to share, and help others be informed.. so I'm happy to do it.
That's it for tonight... thanks as always for following my story.. and be sure to tune in tomorrow for our C25K results and some new photos. Hope you had a wonderful day!
-Pittle out.
Not too much exercise to report beyond Scrappy Doo walking today.. had good intentions of doing some arm work, but work got in the way this evening... oh well.. will catch up with it tomorrow. Tomorrow night is also going to be Week 2, Day 2 on the C25K plan (Couch to 5K to my new readers).
I found some awesome forearm and bicep workouts on http://www.bodybuilding.com. (Don't worry, I'm not going to go all Arnold Schwarzenegger on you now!). It looks like a really cool resource, and I'm going to dig through it in a little more detail in the coming days.
I had a couple of really positive responses to my post yesterday about living a thankful life.. glad that it hit home with a few of you.. I think it can only improve our everyday outlook to look on the positive side of things... as they say "you get more bees with honey than vinegar" ... not sure what the heck that means, since I doubt bees would really enjoy their own work that much.. but hey, you never know.. But you get the idea :)
So tonight's topic is life AFTER cancer.. and to start off the discussion, here's a quote from Lance Armstrong (an inspiration to me, and many other people, and the founder of Livestrong)
“Birthdays don't really matter much anymore ... for me, I sort of have a new birthday and that's October 2nd, the day I was diagnosed, ... the day we all sort of look to and mark these milestones by one year, two year, five year, 10 year. Hopefully, I have a 50 year.” - Lance Armstrong
It's strange, but I totally understand what he means here... and I'm sure so do many other survivors. Your birthday is always treated as an important day... but your diagnosis day? It's an interesting angle to look at life from.. they day you found out that you had cancer... I've never really celebrated the diagnosis day.. but believe me I remember when it comes around.. it was July 7th, 2007.. and my last day of chemo treatments.. October 5th.. a few days before my actual Birthday on the 8th.
I was in such a weakened state at the end of chemo that I required blood transfusions and hospitalization. And let's not forget about my diabetes (another word I don't honor with a capitalization!) going haywire due to the intense steroids in the chemo treatments. It was in the hospital that I first was approved for the use of my insulin pump. (A VERY important, life-changing step. So I've never looked at it as a day to celebrate, because I wasn't feeling up to par.. but I can assure you that every year a few days after my annual MRI/Catscan combo when I get the results that I smile a little smile, give a 'Thank You' and am grateful at my Second Chance.
I remember sitting in the waiting area of the Nevada Cancer Center along with many, many other sick cancer patients.. sometimes talking with them or their families, sometimes listening... KNOWING that I was LUCKY to have the type of cancer I had.. because some of those people wouldn't be back the next week or next month.. or at all. And it's not because they missed their appointments. They lost their battle with this horrible disease. So, yes - I understand being thankful.. and I understand being celebratory to enjoy another year cancer-free.
I mention this because not only are we coming up on my diagnosis date, but as fate would have it, we're coming up on my MRI/Catscan date too.. I'm going in next Friday morning for my scans.. and of course will post some photos of the process.. and the results when they come in.. Maybe that's TMI (too much information) for some.. but I'm doing this to share, and help others be informed.. so I'm happy to do it.
That's it for tonight... thanks as always for following my story.. and be sure to tune in tomorrow for our C25K results and some new photos. Hope you had a wonderful day!
-Pittle out.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Day Ten
OK - Now we'll be caught up - going to try to not get into a lag again.. or at least try HARDER :) Thanks for your patience!
Happy Monday everyone! Hope you had an amazing day.. just a quick funny story from work today that'll make you smile - One of my responsibilities while working at Qubeey is I get to create desktop music videos for different artists.. today's artist is known as Shorty Mack - he's pretty well known. I'd actually finished his video last week, but he was in-house today to view it.. I'll begin by telling you the name of his new song is "A**hole"... so you can see how this might have gone... instead of making it cheesy like it was begging for, I made it really, really cool with pop-up environments and some cool, old-school equalizer animation, etc.. When I heard the music piping in from the conference room I knew they were showing it, so I stood just inside the door and watched it play back.. He LOVED it.. well, that's an understatement.. he yelled out a few times.. and then when it was done LITERALLY jumped over the conference table and hugged me! I was TOTALLY not expecting it.. but he was SO happy.. pretty cool moment.. sometimes as an artist you get feedback, but that made my day!
OK - back to improving myself.. Something I'm going to touch on for a moment - remembering to live a thankful life.. BEING thankful for things that happen, things we have (our health, our family, etc.).. Giving Thanks. We go through our days, and our lives accepting what comes to us.. but do we ever take a chance to say "Thanks"? To a person, or to G*D? I was raised to be polite (I always say thank you, hold doors, etc.) and always thank people.. but since my experience with the cancer (*NOTE: you'll note that I never capitalize the letter 'c' in cancer.. doing so I believe gives it power and personality - two things it does not deserve - not in my life, and not in yours!) I remember to either close my eyes, or do a quick nod up to the sky and think "Thank You".. because, while I'm not necessarily a religious person, I feel that FAITH and BELIEF helped bring me through my sickness - and assisted in my continued healing. And believe me, being a husband and father with Stage 4 cancer - I was doing a lot of praying, and asking for a LOT of favors - the most important of which were answered, and I can never be grateful enough. The more we thank for what we get, the more comes to us - this I believe.
Ok, I think that's enough questioning the Universe for tonight.. :) Thanks for your continued support in my journey... challenges every day, but we can overcome anything we set our minds to.
Have a fantastic evening, and a wonderful morning tomorrow! Feel good!
-Pittle out.
Happy Monday everyone! Hope you had an amazing day.. just a quick funny story from work today that'll make you smile - One of my responsibilities while working at Qubeey is I get to create desktop music videos for different artists.. today's artist is known as Shorty Mack - he's pretty well known. I'd actually finished his video last week, but he was in-house today to view it.. I'll begin by telling you the name of his new song is "A**hole"... so you can see how this might have gone... instead of making it cheesy like it was begging for, I made it really, really cool with pop-up environments and some cool, old-school equalizer animation, etc.. When I heard the music piping in from the conference room I knew they were showing it, so I stood just inside the door and watched it play back.. He LOVED it.. well, that's an understatement.. he yelled out a few times.. and then when it was done LITERALLY jumped over the conference table and hugged me! I was TOTALLY not expecting it.. but he was SO happy.. pretty cool moment.. sometimes as an artist you get feedback, but that made my day!
OK - back to improving myself.. Something I'm going to touch on for a moment - remembering to live a thankful life.. BEING thankful for things that happen, things we have (our health, our family, etc.).. Giving Thanks. We go through our days, and our lives accepting what comes to us.. but do we ever take a chance to say "Thanks"? To a person, or to G*D? I was raised to be polite (I always say thank you, hold doors, etc.) and always thank people.. but since my experience with the cancer (*NOTE: you'll note that I never capitalize the letter 'c' in cancer.. doing so I believe gives it power and personality - two things it does not deserve - not in my life, and not in yours!) I remember to either close my eyes, or do a quick nod up to the sky and think "Thank You".. because, while I'm not necessarily a religious person, I feel that FAITH and BELIEF helped bring me through my sickness - and assisted in my continued healing. And believe me, being a husband and father with Stage 4 cancer - I was doing a lot of praying, and asking for a LOT of favors - the most important of which were answered, and I can never be grateful enough. The more we thank for what we get, the more comes to us - this I believe.
Ok, I think that's enough questioning the Universe for tonight.. :) Thanks for your continued support in my journey... challenges every day, but we can overcome anything we set our minds to.
Have a fantastic evening, and a wonderful morning tomorrow! Feel good!
-Pittle out.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Day Nine
Okay, trying to catch up on my blog posts - doing day nine AND day ten at the same time - had some commitments that kept me out late Sunday (Day Nine) night, so only getting to it now... sorry!
Today was Week 2, Day 1 of Couch to 5K.. and Tricia and I were concerned :) - We looked into it and instead of walk 90, run 60 this became run/jog 90 seconds, walk two minutes.. we thought it was going to more difficult, but in a few ways it was easier, because we had a little more time to catch our breath during the walk segments...
Tricia was having some issues with her knees - years of playing field hockey, etc. have taken their toll - so she got some knee bands, and tried them out for the first time - and while being a little uncomfortable, they seemed to do the trick by compressing where they needed to - she did great!
So, we continue to kick ass and run through the pain.. we're going to get there.. and we're supplementing our walk/run with some dumbbell weight work on the days we're not doing the c25k.
No pain - no gain! Now if I could only tell the scale that! :) I seem to be locked in at 185.5 or so... need to break through the plateau and start losing some more weight! But definitely starting to feel my arms and legs responding to the workouts.. excited for the possibilities!
That's it for tonight - here's some photos... be good!
-Pittle out.
Today was Week 2, Day 1 of Couch to 5K.. and Tricia and I were concerned :) - We looked into it and instead of walk 90, run 60 this became run/jog 90 seconds, walk two minutes.. we thought it was going to more difficult, but in a few ways it was easier, because we had a little more time to catch our breath during the walk segments...
Tricia was having some issues with her knees - years of playing field hockey, etc. have taken their toll - so she got some knee bands, and tried them out for the first time - and while being a little uncomfortable, they seemed to do the trick by compressing where they needed to - she did great!
So, we continue to kick ass and run through the pain.. we're going to get there.. and we're supplementing our walk/run with some dumbbell weight work on the days we're not doing the c25k.
No pain - no gain! Now if I could only tell the scale that! :) I seem to be locked in at 185.5 or so... need to break through the plateau and start losing some more weight! But definitely starting to feel my arms and legs responding to the workouts.. excited for the possibilities!
That's it for tonight - here's some photos... be good!
-Pittle out.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Day Eight
See that - it was such a busy day that I didn't even post! Sorry about that - here you go!
Well, today is a day off from C25K (Couch to 5K training) but I still want to get my exercise in, so part of that was going to be my walking around the VES (Visual Effects Society) Career Fair down in Hollywood.. it was very cool, and they had all the big names there, who each brought their Senior Recruiters with them - so for once not only do I know my resume/reel got into the right hands, and not into the trash bin, but they actually spent time with me face to face to learn more about me - priceless! Had some really great talks - and I'll keep you in the loop when something good comes from it! (It will! Positive thinking!)
So I did a couple of loops around the ballroom.. planning out my strategy for the day.. It wasn't as much as I would've liked, but I didn't want to walk up to the recruiters all sweaty and out of breath either :) Great first impressions count!
So in the evening, Tricia and I fired up the Wii with EA's Active and concentrated about 15 minutes on our arms - curls, overhead pushes, fly-outs, all with resistance bands.. then we did some crunches, and some attempted push-ups (haven't done them in a long time, but it certainly let me know where I needed to focus!) She did great!
Of course then Sam took over the tv with the XBOX 360 for some game time, so exercise time was done for the night. I had also gotten in my morning sabbatical with Scrappy Doo... one day soon, maybe this week I'm going to try to jog with him.. we'll see if HE can achieve this - I know I can!
I've decided too that some specific areas I want to work on body-wise are my arms (biceps and forearms especially) and my chest and abs... all could use some trimming and tightening... would love to get some muscle on there.. I know it's there, just have to bring it out..
Tomorrow is Day 1, Week 2 of the Couch to 5K - it's going to adjust our workout - and this next week is going to be 90 sec jogging (!) and 60 sec walking.. onward and upward - will check in tomorrow when it's all done!
Thanks for checking in - hope you had a wonderful day!
-Pittle out!
Well, today is a day off from C25K (Couch to 5K training) but I still want to get my exercise in, so part of that was going to be my walking around the VES (Visual Effects Society) Career Fair down in Hollywood.. it was very cool, and they had all the big names there, who each brought their Senior Recruiters with them - so for once not only do I know my resume/reel got into the right hands, and not into the trash bin, but they actually spent time with me face to face to learn more about me - priceless! Had some really great talks - and I'll keep you in the loop when something good comes from it! (It will! Positive thinking!)
So I did a couple of loops around the ballroom.. planning out my strategy for the day.. It wasn't as much as I would've liked, but I didn't want to walk up to the recruiters all sweaty and out of breath either :) Great first impressions count!
So in the evening, Tricia and I fired up the Wii with EA's Active and concentrated about 15 minutes on our arms - curls, overhead pushes, fly-outs, all with resistance bands.. then we did some crunches, and some attempted push-ups (haven't done them in a long time, but it certainly let me know where I needed to focus!) She did great!
Of course then Sam took over the tv with the XBOX 360 for some game time, so exercise time was done for the night. I had also gotten in my morning sabbatical with Scrappy Doo... one day soon, maybe this week I'm going to try to jog with him.. we'll see if HE can achieve this - I know I can!
I've decided too that some specific areas I want to work on body-wise are my arms (biceps and forearms especially) and my chest and abs... all could use some trimming and tightening... would love to get some muscle on there.. I know it's there, just have to bring it out..
Tomorrow is Day 1, Week 2 of the Couch to 5K - it's going to adjust our workout - and this next week is going to be 90 sec jogging (!) and 60 sec walking.. onward and upward - will check in tomorrow when it's all done!
Thanks for checking in - hope you had a wonderful day!
-Pittle out!
Friday, June 24, 2011
Day Seven
WOW - Am I tired tonight! :)
Tricia and I completed Day Three of the Couch to 5K run tonight.. it's three days a week (for now I think) and as we were doing it I was good energy-wise... but a few hours after... FATIGUE! Not that I'm complaining... one of my favorite sayings after the cancer is "Pain lets you know you're still alive" :) So there you go.
I actually packed in TWO workouts today, believe it or not.. I did some arm work this morning, then the run tonight.. that might also explain my tiredness.. arms are hurting as well as the legs now :)
But let me tell you something.. tonight was the first night we brought Sam with us.. on his bike.. The first couple of runs (c25k patterning is walk, run, walk run, etc.) I took at a decent clip.. Tricia's knees were bugging her tonight, so I let her speed walk as I ran..
At the second to last run, Sam and I raced.. me running, him on his bike.. and for the first time in MANY years.. I really opened it up.. and for about thirty seconds (hey, I'm getting the endurance part down!) I BOOKED... and not only did I keep up with him.. I passed him.. And for just a few shining moments in what seems like many, many years... in slow motion.. I felt.. ALIVE. Hard to describe, but if that's what this is going to feel like, I'm all about that feeling.
Once I get the breathing down, and work through the ache, I might (wait for it) actually begin to ENJOY running... wait, did THOSE words just come out of my mouth? Who am I? :)
My weight is a source of frustration for me right now.. maybe it's because I'm weighing myself every morning.. some friends have suggested once a week.. we'll see what works.. I am certainly not seeing much change this week, especially for as much work as I've put into my exercise.. but I know it will start to happen. (Soon?) :)
Here's some pics of Tricia and I from BEFORE tonight's run.. next week (Week 2) instead of walk for 90, run for 60 - it becomes jog for 90, walk for 60, etc.
Hey, we're outside and off the couch, what more could you ask for?? (I know.. more running/workout outfits for Jeff you say? I have a couple of these shirts/shorts.. if I didn't you'd be able to smell me through the screen!... hey wait a second.. maybe you CAN!)
Here's tonight's run: LINK
And I think that's about it.. gonna hit the hay, busy day tomorrow - talk to you then!
-Pittle out.
Tricia and I completed Day Three of the Couch to 5K run tonight.. it's three days a week (for now I think) and as we were doing it I was good energy-wise... but a few hours after... FATIGUE! Not that I'm complaining... one of my favorite sayings after the cancer is "Pain lets you know you're still alive" :) So there you go.
I actually packed in TWO workouts today, believe it or not.. I did some arm work this morning, then the run tonight.. that might also explain my tiredness.. arms are hurting as well as the legs now :)
But let me tell you something.. tonight was the first night we brought Sam with us.. on his bike.. The first couple of runs (c25k patterning is walk, run, walk run, etc.) I took at a decent clip.. Tricia's knees were bugging her tonight, so I let her speed walk as I ran..
At the second to last run, Sam and I raced.. me running, him on his bike.. and for the first time in MANY years.. I really opened it up.. and for about thirty seconds (hey, I'm getting the endurance part down!) I BOOKED... and not only did I keep up with him.. I passed him.. And for just a few shining moments in what seems like many, many years... in slow motion.. I felt.. ALIVE. Hard to describe, but if that's what this is going to feel like, I'm all about that feeling.
Once I get the breathing down, and work through the ache, I might (wait for it) actually begin to ENJOY running... wait, did THOSE words just come out of my mouth? Who am I? :)
My weight is a source of frustration for me right now.. maybe it's because I'm weighing myself every morning.. some friends have suggested once a week.. we'll see what works.. I am certainly not seeing much change this week, especially for as much work as I've put into my exercise.. but I know it will start to happen. (Soon?) :)
Here's some pics of Tricia and I from BEFORE tonight's run.. next week (Week 2) instead of walk for 90, run for 60 - it becomes jog for 90, walk for 60, etc.
Hey, we're outside and off the couch, what more could you ask for?? (I know.. more running/workout outfits for Jeff you say? I have a couple of these shirts/shorts.. if I didn't you'd be able to smell me through the screen!... hey wait a second.. maybe you CAN!)
Here's tonight's run: LINK
And I think that's about it.. gonna hit the hay, busy day tomorrow - talk to you then!
-Pittle out.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Day Six
Evening, everybody!
Sorry for the late post - today was a busy one. Even though I worked from home, I'm finishing up a feature film title, some print work, a tv show pilot broadcast graphics package and some logos... PLUS Tricia and I found some time to get an additional workout in.
We both did about a half hour workout together utilizing dumbbells (two 5-pound each); we did curls, overhead presses, lying abductions, squats and some more curls, then stretched.. may not sound like a whole bunch, but we were able to keep the sets going, so it was pretty good. Hey, it's a start, and something to fill in for the days when we're not running. (Which SHOULD be tomorrow - for Day three of C25K!)
Sorry, I didn't take a daily photo today, but I gave you two yesterday, so that has to count for something, no? :) Also, my weigh-in this morning was at 184.5... slowly but surely we're getting there! Woo hoo! Any downward movement is a good thing!
Also, the micoach.com site where I track my walks is STILL down - hopefully it'll be back online tomorrow and I'll make sure to go back and post my walks with Scrappy Doo!
Hope you had as fruitful a day as I had.. tomorrow I've got a 9am conference call, a 2pm meeting with a new potential client for a national tv show, and a bunch more work before we hit the weekend.
Have a fantastic evening - talk to you all again tomorrow. Thanks for following!
-Pittle out.
Sorry for the late post - today was a busy one. Even though I worked from home, I'm finishing up a feature film title, some print work, a tv show pilot broadcast graphics package and some logos... PLUS Tricia and I found some time to get an additional workout in.
We both did about a half hour workout together utilizing dumbbells (two 5-pound each); we did curls, overhead presses, lying abductions, squats and some more curls, then stretched.. may not sound like a whole bunch, but we were able to keep the sets going, so it was pretty good. Hey, it's a start, and something to fill in for the days when we're not running. (Which SHOULD be tomorrow - for Day three of C25K!)
Sorry, I didn't take a daily photo today, but I gave you two yesterday, so that has to count for something, no? :) Also, my weigh-in this morning was at 184.5... slowly but surely we're getting there! Woo hoo! Any downward movement is a good thing!
Also, the micoach.com site where I track my walks is STILL down - hopefully it'll be back online tomorrow and I'll make sure to go back and post my walks with Scrappy Doo!
Hope you had as fruitful a day as I had.. tomorrow I've got a 9am conference call, a 2pm meeting with a new potential client for a national tv show, and a bunch more work before we hit the weekend.
Have a fantastic evening - talk to you all again tomorrow. Thanks for following!
-Pittle out.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Day Five
Hello loyal readers ;)
Hope your Hump Day was as busy and fulfilling as mine was.. I was based in Van Nuys today, so another full day of work on site.. and tomorrow and Friday are work-from-home days, so I'm looking forward to that. My weigh-in this morning was 185.0 today... let's keep working on that downward trend :D
Scrappy Doo and I went for our walk this morning.. tried to pick up HIS pace a little.. he wouldn't have it.. :) But hey, I tried! Here's today's photo.. the caption is below:
"If you're not the lead dog, the view never changes."
I'd been attracting the wrong things into my life. Through de-valuing myself. Through anger. Through bitterness. The more you think about these things, the more THEY ARE ATTRACTED TO YOU. You get more of the same.
PS - The website I post my runs/walks is down at the moment.. I'll update with the dog walk tomorrow..
Hope your Hump Day was as busy and fulfilling as mine was.. I was based in Van Nuys today, so another full day of work on site.. and tomorrow and Friday are work-from-home days, so I'm looking forward to that. My weigh-in this morning was 185.0 today... let's keep working on that downward trend :D
Scrappy Doo and I went for our walk this morning.. tried to pick up HIS pace a little.. he wouldn't have it.. :) But hey, I tried! Here's today's photo.. the caption is below:
"If you're not the lead dog, the view never changes."
That quote speaks VOLUMES.. you know this Second Chance isn't just about getting me fit physically (which by the way I am FEELING today! :) )... but emotionally and mentally too.. Cancer has a way with messing with your head as well as your body.. and that is certainly the case in my situation.
I've always been the 'nice guy'.. you know what they say about nice guys.. that's it.. c'mon.. say it.. We ALWAYS finish LAST. Now don't get me wrong, I don't want to go out and rob a bank or steal someone's kitten or something EVIL... but where has being nice all the time gotten me? I've gotten stepped on a lot in my life and in my career.. it's time to refocus my energies in a positive fashion - As tempting as it is to go to the Dark Side and play hardball... I think I'm going to focus on the positive.. that I'm here, on the right side of the grass as I like to say.. that I've got my G*d-given talent, that I have my family.. I am blessed, and try every day to remember that, no matter WHAT goes on to try to sour my mood.
I don't know if any of you out there have watched The Secret. If you haven't, you should check it out. You may not buy into everything they talk about there... but I'll tell you this much.. the Law Of Attraction is REAL. You have to BELIEVE that you've already gotten that promotion, or received that check in the mail, or met the President... the more you FEEL and LIVE as if it's already happened.. that ATTRACTS those things to you.. I am slowly starting to practice the L.O.A.. as you'll remember in my first blog post, how I told you I'd discovered what was holding me back? Remember what it was? ME.
But do you know WHY I'd been holding myself back? Neither did I.. but it's all part of the discovery. Here it is:
I'd been attracting the wrong things into my life. Through de-valuing myself. Through anger. Through bitterness. The more you think about these things, the more THEY ARE ATTRACTED TO YOU. You get more of the same.
SO - starting now, I've decided to start thinking good things, positive thoughts, good outcomes... not always thinking the worst-case-scenario (I am the Scenario KING, by the way - I can think of every possible angle!) And we'll see how the World shifts to bring me what I desire... People who visit my home office are greeted by a wall of orange Post-It notes.. it's the beginning of my 'Vision Board' so to speak... affirmations of things I'm trying to accomplish.. no, WILL accomplish.. friendly reminders as I sit behind my desk to focus on the POSITIVE. Here's a quick glance at a few of the entries:
Part of my "Vision Board"
I think I'm going to give it an overhaul tomorrow though.. because part of what they talk about in The Secret is thinking PRESENT TENSE.. as if these things have already happened.. I am talking in wishful-tense.. "I WILL... " instead of "I DO"... time to change my tense. :)
It really makes you stop and think about the bad or unpleasant things that have happened in your life when you STOP. AND. THINK. We all have bad habits in our heads.. I'm going to try to start changing some of mine... by changing the way I think, and in turn changing the way others think who interact with me, and so-on and so-forth..
I'll leave you with a favorite Walt Disney quote as I sign off "The way to get started is to quit talking and begin DOING." I couldn't of said it better myself.
'Night!
-Pittle out.
PS - The website I post my runs/walks is down at the moment.. I'll update with the dog walk tomorrow..
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Day Four - Part Two
And.. wait for it.. WE SURVIVED the C25K Day Two run! Woo hoo!
I have to say, and Tricia agreed, that I was able to breathe a little better this time.. of course the breathing got easier, but my legs hurt more! LOL - it figures.. but we got through it, even with one small ALMOST mishap..
We were on our last run section, and as we were passing a house Tricia had a near-miss encounter with a big old friendly Golden Retriever who thought she wanted to play, and since she was running by, he came bounding out to play! She almost lost it - totally unexpected! Luckily the pup and she are both ok, and we finished our workout with no further incidents.
Proof below:
I forgot to include my weigh-in this morning - back down to 185 - whew! Can't wait to see that number drop some more!
The running is interesting... I guess it kind of builds on you.. As my Sister-In-Law Louise said "Once you can work through the pain it's great..." (paraphrased).. I can begin to see what she's talking about.. the pain wasn't bad.. and to be honest I actually had energy at night, which was quite unexpected.
I used a new iPhone app tonight since C25K wanted me to buy their GPS option.. I decided to look at other options.. this one is called "Couch to 5K" and it seemed to work pretty well.. we'll see how it is to post the information momentarily.
Work was good today - REALLY hard for me to sit in the chair all day today.. besides there not being any AIR CONDITIONING (?!?) I felt really fidgety.. perhaps due to the extra energy from working out.. who knows?
So, starting to feel the effects of the run... going to call it a night.. here's the LINK to our run tonight - thanks for following along as always, I look forward to telling you more about my adventures tomorrow!
'Nite!
-Pittle out.
I have to say, and Tricia agreed, that I was able to breathe a little better this time.. of course the breathing got easier, but my legs hurt more! LOL - it figures.. but we got through it, even with one small ALMOST mishap..
We were on our last run section, and as we were passing a house Tricia had a near-miss encounter with a big old friendly Golden Retriever who thought she wanted to play, and since she was running by, he came bounding out to play! She almost lost it - totally unexpected! Luckily the pup and she are both ok, and we finished our workout with no further incidents.
Proof below:
The running is interesting... I guess it kind of builds on you.. As my Sister-In-Law Louise said "Once you can work through the pain it's great..." (paraphrased).. I can begin to see what she's talking about.. the pain wasn't bad.. and to be honest I actually had energy at night, which was quite unexpected.
I used a new iPhone app tonight since C25K wanted me to buy their GPS option.. I decided to look at other options.. this one is called "Couch to 5K" and it seemed to work pretty well.. we'll see how it is to post the information momentarily.
Work was good today - REALLY hard for me to sit in the chair all day today.. besides there not being any AIR CONDITIONING (?!?) I felt really fidgety.. perhaps due to the extra energy from working out.. who knows?
So, starting to feel the effects of the run... going to call it a night.. here's the LINK to our run tonight - thanks for following along as always, I look forward to telling you more about my adventures tomorrow!
'Nite!
-Pittle out.
Day Four - Part One
Morning! So today should be interesting - Tricia and I are going to try to do our C25K run (second day) this EVENING... when my energy is at it's lowest point LOL. We'll see how it goes - I am keeping a good attitude on everything, so we're just going to go out there and KICK IT'S ASS! :)
Had a good walk with Scrappy Doo this morning - wish he'd walk faster, but like I've said before.. I've never had a dog who needs to pee on every branch and bush.. !! But I tried to keep up my pace where I could. Here's today's walk: LINK
Today's another work day in Van Nuys for me, that's why I'm splitting up the post into Pt. 1 and Pt. 2 so I can show you how we did later.
I've been trying to meditate every day now, either morning or night (usually morning). A few of you have asked how - I'm using an app on my iPhone called Relax Melodies for the soothing audio.. then I use a guided meditation app called Silva Meditations. It walks you through different types.. it works good in centering my concentration and calming me down to face the day..
One of the unfortunately side effects of my experience with cancer has been two fold - I am quicker to anger, for the silliest of things (just ask my poor son or wife).. and the other is what has been called 'Chemo Brain' - where the heavy metals in the chemo treatments can cause forgetfulness and short term memory issues for up to five years post treatment - I'm four years out and believe me, it effects me almost every day one way or another. Lucky for me I've always been a good note taker, and that helps - although case in point; yesterday I asked Tricia a question and her response was "I told you about that a few days ago"... and I'm sure she did, but I have ZERO recollection of it happening.. I am glad she puts up with me ;) SO I am trying to meditate to achieve a more balanced center ('Zen' some of you might call it), to keep calm, and to help my memory.
On another note, I read a really exciting article last night about cancer treatments - I really hope we see human trials in the next year or two... Unfortunately I also believe in conspiracy theories, and can't imagine Big Pharma allowing a cure for cancer to ever hit the streets... so we'll see.. Here's the LINK.
Sorry I didn't get to post a photo yesterday - but I've got one from my walk with Scrappy this morning - it was a little foggy, but it's always a beautiful walk - we live in an area of Southern California that was used as Sherwood Forrest in the original Adventures of Robin Hood way back in the day.. LOTS of gorgeous oak trees, etc.
And I'll put up another photo later, post C25K run.
Have a great day until we talk later!
-Pittle out
Had a good walk with Scrappy Doo this morning - wish he'd walk faster, but like I've said before.. I've never had a dog who needs to pee on every branch and bush.. !! But I tried to keep up my pace where I could. Here's today's walk: LINK
Today's another work day in Van Nuys for me, that's why I'm splitting up the post into Pt. 1 and Pt. 2 so I can show you how we did later.
I've been trying to meditate every day now, either morning or night (usually morning). A few of you have asked how - I'm using an app on my iPhone called Relax Melodies for the soothing audio.. then I use a guided meditation app called Silva Meditations. It walks you through different types.. it works good in centering my concentration and calming me down to face the day..
One of the unfortunately side effects of my experience with cancer has been two fold - I am quicker to anger, for the silliest of things (just ask my poor son or wife).. and the other is what has been called 'Chemo Brain' - where the heavy metals in the chemo treatments can cause forgetfulness and short term memory issues for up to five years post treatment - I'm four years out and believe me, it effects me almost every day one way or another. Lucky for me I've always been a good note taker, and that helps - although case in point; yesterday I asked Tricia a question and her response was "I told you about that a few days ago"... and I'm sure she did, but I have ZERO recollection of it happening.. I am glad she puts up with me ;) SO I am trying to meditate to achieve a more balanced center ('Zen' some of you might call it), to keep calm, and to help my memory.
On another note, I read a really exciting article last night about cancer treatments - I really hope we see human trials in the next year or two... Unfortunately I also believe in conspiracy theories, and can't imagine Big Pharma allowing a cure for cancer to ever hit the streets... so we'll see.. Here's the LINK.
Sorry I didn't get to post a photo yesterday - but I've got one from my walk with Scrappy this morning - it was a little foggy, but it's always a beautiful walk - we live in an area of Southern California that was used as Sherwood Forrest in the original Adventures of Robin Hood way back in the day.. LOTS of gorgeous oak trees, etc.
And I'll put up another photo later, post C25K run.
Have a great day until we talk later!
-Pittle out
Monday, June 20, 2011
Day Three
Hi everyone!
Well, today was a work-day so a little late in posting - my apologies. I've been working Mon-Wed. in Van Nuys as Senior Art Director part-time for a start up Social Networking company called Qubeey (check 'em out at Qubeey.com if you want to see what it's all about).
I walked Scrappy Doo this morning - LINK
I WAS using the Nike + app on my iPhone, and while it was good GPS wise, I can't post the results here anymore - they took away the functionality. So I joined a site called Runkeeper.com and am using their app to do the tracking.. I think I like it better so far.. we'll see.. and our C25K app ends up making you buy the GPS option in the app - rip off! I want all options in any app I download.. if I have to pay extra, I'll find another app! But that's just me...
I'm going to be doing some arm/chest weight workout this evening, which I'll attempt to post later. My blood glucose numbers were pretty good today for my diabetes, mostly in the 130-150 range.. still trying to get it lower, and I know the diet and exercise is going to make it happen!
I weighed in this morning at 186.. not sure why I went up a pound, but not going to let it get me down.. tomorrow's another day.. I'm definitely feeling yesterday's run in my legs a bit, especially since I had to sit at a desk all day.
Tomorrow's our second run for the C25K - except because of the work schedule we're running at NIGHT... this should be interesting... I know I had a lot of energy in the morning on Sunday, but after a full day of work? I've never tried... but I will be now!
Thanks for checking in, please follow my blog and have my updates sent to you automatically - look in the right column for either "Follow this blog" or subscribe by email and enter your address.
Have a great night - and feel good!
-Pittle out.
PS - Will be posting my pic of the day a little later -watch for it! :)
Well, today was a work-day so a little late in posting - my apologies. I've been working Mon-Wed. in Van Nuys as Senior Art Director part-time for a start up Social Networking company called Qubeey (check 'em out at Qubeey.com if you want to see what it's all about).
I walked Scrappy Doo this morning - LINK
I WAS using the Nike + app on my iPhone, and while it was good GPS wise, I can't post the results here anymore - they took away the functionality. So I joined a site called Runkeeper.com and am using their app to do the tracking.. I think I like it better so far.. we'll see.. and our C25K app ends up making you buy the GPS option in the app - rip off! I want all options in any app I download.. if I have to pay extra, I'll find another app! But that's just me...
I'm going to be doing some arm/chest weight workout this evening, which I'll attempt to post later. My blood glucose numbers were pretty good today for my diabetes, mostly in the 130-150 range.. still trying to get it lower, and I know the diet and exercise is going to make it happen!
I weighed in this morning at 186.. not sure why I went up a pound, but not going to let it get me down.. tomorrow's another day.. I'm definitely feeling yesterday's run in my legs a bit, especially since I had to sit at a desk all day.
Tomorrow's our second run for the C25K - except because of the work schedule we're running at NIGHT... this should be interesting... I know I had a lot of energy in the morning on Sunday, but after a full day of work? I've never tried... but I will be now!
Thanks for checking in, please follow my blog and have my updates sent to you automatically - look in the right column for either "Follow this blog" or subscribe by email and enter your address.
Have a great night - and feel good!
-Pittle out.
PS - Will be posting my pic of the day a little later -watch for it! :)
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Day Two - Part Two
Yeah! Tricia and I survived our first C25K run day! It was a little rough there in a spot or two, but we got through it and rocked it out! (Photos below!)
Total distance of 1.75 mi (not bad for two people who've never run a day in our lives!) and more to come.
Thanks everyone for all the support - it means a lot, and it's always a good driving force when those next steps are hard to take - hopefully, in some little way I can inspire you to make some change too for the better. I know a few of you have told me you were - and I am so excited to be the spark that ignited your path!
Oh - and on a side note, here's the deal with Zrii - I believe in these products, but they're not for everyone... I am an Independent Executive with the company, and have been using the products for a few months now and feel great! I've only just started the shakes to assist me in the weight loss, and as far as day two is concerned, still filling me up and enjoying them..
BUT - I am not TRYING to sell you anything - a few people have commented that this blog seemed like an ad... that is NOT why I started this change, I am using them, and wanted to offer you the information if you were interested in what I was doing, and hey, if you want to get involved in it great - for the health benefits, for the wealth benefits, or not at all - I am not pushing Zrii, but I am using it. And if it makes a change in me, then maybe it can help you too. All I can do is share my experience and let you be the judge.
If you DO want to know more, either visit the link on the left hand side of the page to read more about it or feel free to email me anytime at jpittle@pittleworks.com.
Ok, end vent session! :)
The run was great - my legs really didn't hurt as much as I thought they would - I think I had more problems breathing with a tight chest than anything.. but I'm also sure that will improve as my lung capacity does the more I do it. Excited to finally get off the couch and do it - I never even imagined that I could run at all!
I'll be posting the link to our first run on Nike+ shortly, so check back! :)
And here's today's pin-up poster... ;)
And here's one of the Missus... doin' awesome!
Thanks again for all the support - it means a lot to me!
Talk again soon -
-Pittle OUT.
Total distance of 1.75 mi (not bad for two people who've never run a day in our lives!) and more to come.
Thanks everyone for all the support - it means a lot, and it's always a good driving force when those next steps are hard to take - hopefully, in some little way I can inspire you to make some change too for the better. I know a few of you have told me you were - and I am so excited to be the spark that ignited your path!
Oh - and on a side note, here's the deal with Zrii - I believe in these products, but they're not for everyone... I am an Independent Executive with the company, and have been using the products for a few months now and feel great! I've only just started the shakes to assist me in the weight loss, and as far as day two is concerned, still filling me up and enjoying them..
BUT - I am not TRYING to sell you anything - a few people have commented that this blog seemed like an ad... that is NOT why I started this change, I am using them, and wanted to offer you the information if you were interested in what I was doing, and hey, if you want to get involved in it great - for the health benefits, for the wealth benefits, or not at all - I am not pushing Zrii, but I am using it. And if it makes a change in me, then maybe it can help you too. All I can do is share my experience and let you be the judge.
If you DO want to know more, either visit the link on the left hand side of the page to read more about it or feel free to email me anytime at jpittle@pittleworks.com.
Ok, end vent session! :)
The run was great - my legs really didn't hurt as much as I thought they would - I think I had more problems breathing with a tight chest than anything.. but I'm also sure that will improve as my lung capacity does the more I do it. Excited to finally get off the couch and do it - I never even imagined that I could run at all!
I'll be posting the link to our first run on Nike+ shortly, so check back! :)
And here's today's pin-up poster... ;)
And here's one of the Missus... doin' awesome!
Thanks again for all the support - it means a lot to me!
Talk again soon -
-Pittle OUT.
Day Two - Part One
Took the dog (his name is Scrappy Doo, Scooby's cousin in the cartoons) for his morning walk - we do 20 minutes in the morning. He's usually up between 5:30 and 5:45 no matter what day of the week it is... I track my walks like everything else, so here's a link below to check out my calorie burn and pacing... in my defense he DOES like to pee on every freaking tree and bush.. so while I try to walk briskly, he's not too into it... you'd think he would be, being a Miniature Schnauzer and all!
Link to this morning's walk: LINK
AND... some good news - my wife Tricia was inspired by my thoughts of a C25K program (building up from a walk to 5K run in 9 weeks time through training - 3 times a week) that she will be joining me on this phase of my fitness journey.. excited for her to do it too!
I am also keeping track of everything I put IN my body - so if Too Much Information is your thing, I'm your guy.. just check out the 'Track My Food' link on the top right of the page... with the Diabetes I'm really trying to watch what I eat - lots of puzzle pieces to balance to make this all work!
Also a quick update on the Zrii NutriiVeda - my first shake kept me REALLY full (not at all uncomfortably, mind you) so I wasn't even thinking about lunch until we decided to eat yesterday - which is a switch-up for me as I am usually snacking throughout the day. So far so good.
Will hit you up with Part 2 of today a little later, with today's progress photos, and the results of the C25K challenge as we start it up in an hour or two - talk to you then!
-Pittle out.
Link to this morning's walk: LINK
AND... some good news - my wife Tricia was inspired by my thoughts of a C25K program (building up from a walk to 5K run in 9 weeks time through training - 3 times a week) that she will be joining me on this phase of my fitness journey.. excited for her to do it too!
I am also keeping track of everything I put IN my body - so if Too Much Information is your thing, I'm your guy.. just check out the 'Track My Food' link on the top right of the page... with the Diabetes I'm really trying to watch what I eat - lots of puzzle pieces to balance to make this all work!
Also a quick update on the Zrii NutriiVeda - my first shake kept me REALLY full (not at all uncomfortably, mind you) so I wasn't even thinking about lunch until we decided to eat yesterday - which is a switch-up for me as I am usually snacking throughout the day. So far so good.
Will hit you up with Part 2 of today a little later, with today's progress photos, and the results of the C25K challenge as we start it up in an hour or two - talk to you then!
-Pittle out.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Day One - time to make some changes.
The time has come to take action. Over the years I've talked a lot about making changes.. especially after the cancer. But as they say - life seems to always get in the way.
What's that you say? Didn't you get a second chance at life? You survived Stage 4 testicular cancer, have a beautiful wife and son, a cool career, and you haven't been able to live the life you want? Why not?
Well a few days ago the answer came to me. And it's a painful one. The thing that's been stopping me from making the changes I want to see in my life... is ME. So it wasn't LIFE getting in the way... it was ME allowing things in my life to get in the way of achieving the changes I wanted to see.
All that that stops TODAY.
Because, no one is as foolish as those who get a second chance, and voluntarily throw it away. And that's what I've been doing these last four years after surviving the "Big C" - I haven't been taking care of myself, haven't been doing what I want to do with my time, haven't been paying attention to things I should have, and haven't governed my own LIFE. And that's just a damn shame.
I read an article a few days ago which helped make everything clear to me. It was about the top five regrets people have on their deathbed. Morose, right? But boy oh boy was it a wake-up call to me.. because ALL FIVE of the points could have been describing ME. Here they are:
1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
2. I wish I didn’t work so hard.
3. I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.
4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.
HOLY. CRAP. Right? Don't tell me that NONE of those five effect you to some degree or another - if they don't, then I envy you.
Every single one of those points spoke to me personally. And you know what - I could have been on my deathbed 4 years ago - I made plans for what my own epitaph would say on my headstone. Makes you think... but apparently I haven't thought enough about myself to make a difference.
SO - why am I writing this blog you ask? Two reasons, really.
ONE - To challenge myself to become a better version of who I am today. To improve myself mentally, physically and emotionally to live a better life, in effect cashing in on the second chance at life I've been given.
and TWO - To help YOU. Perhaps by following my journey, you can find some answers to your own questions about why you're not living as the optimum 'you', and can start your own voyage of discovery.
This won't be easy - and I know that. There's a LOT of bad habits and health issues to overcome in my personal story. I am a diabetic (on a pump) and had neuropathy in my feet and hands from the chemo treatments. I've never been terribly athletic, but I've decided to do a c25k (Couch to 5K) and utilize my bike to lose the weight I've gained over the years.
My weigh-in today is 185.5. Not crazy bad, but by my first of many daily photos to come, not too flattering either. My current goal - 160. But it's not just about the weight.. I want to get fit too. Actually put on some muscle and LOOK GOOD as well as FEEL GOOD.
I am starting the C25K tomorrow, and will be posting all walks, runs and rides on here. Not only so you can keep tabs on me, but so I can be accountable :)
I also want to tell you about an awesome products I've decided to use to assist/accelerate my weight loss and good health. They are from the Zrii line of Deepak Chopra Center-endorsed ayurvedic nutrition wellness products. One is called Zrii, and it's a anti-oxidant juice with amalaki, and the other is called NutriiVeda - a meal replacement shake which builds lean muscle while increasing energy and curbing appetite.
I'm going to track all of my progress here, but if you'd like to read more about these products so you can come to your own conclusions - check out my website here: LINK. You can read about the science behind ayurvedic nutrition, amalaki and all of the other great, healthy items Zrii includes in their products.
AND - as another great incentive, my good buddy (we like to call it a 'bromance') comedian Craig Shoemaker has taken up the challenge too, and is beginning his weight-loss adventure today with me. I'm sure he'll come on here occasionally to comment on his progress as well.
So, here we go - I'm drinking my first shake this morning as a breakfast replacement.. tastes pretty good.. I've mixed the powder with Almond Milk (low carb!) and my wife Tricia just took my first day's photos... don't scream and run away - they'll get better.. I have faith!
Thanks for following - see you tomorrow with some new progress! Here's to good health and second chances!
-Pittle out.
Day one photos below:
What's that you say? Didn't you get a second chance at life? You survived Stage 4 testicular cancer, have a beautiful wife and son, a cool career, and you haven't been able to live the life you want? Why not?
Well a few days ago the answer came to me. And it's a painful one. The thing that's been stopping me from making the changes I want to see in my life... is ME. So it wasn't LIFE getting in the way... it was ME allowing things in my life to get in the way of achieving the changes I wanted to see.
All that that stops TODAY.
Because, no one is as foolish as those who get a second chance, and voluntarily throw it away. And that's what I've been doing these last four years after surviving the "Big C" - I haven't been taking care of myself, haven't been doing what I want to do with my time, haven't been paying attention to things I should have, and haven't governed my own LIFE. And that's just a damn shame.
I read an article a few days ago which helped make everything clear to me. It was about the top five regrets people have on their deathbed. Morose, right? But boy oh boy was it a wake-up call to me.. because ALL FIVE of the points could have been describing ME. Here they are:
1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
2. I wish I didn’t work so hard.
3. I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.
4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.
HOLY. CRAP. Right? Don't tell me that NONE of those five effect you to some degree or another - if they don't, then I envy you.
Every single one of those points spoke to me personally. And you know what - I could have been on my deathbed 4 years ago - I made plans for what my own epitaph would say on my headstone. Makes you think... but apparently I haven't thought enough about myself to make a difference.
SO - why am I writing this blog you ask? Two reasons, really.
ONE - To challenge myself to become a better version of who I am today. To improve myself mentally, physically and emotionally to live a better life, in effect cashing in on the second chance at life I've been given.
and TWO - To help YOU. Perhaps by following my journey, you can find some answers to your own questions about why you're not living as the optimum 'you', and can start your own voyage of discovery.
This won't be easy - and I know that. There's a LOT of bad habits and health issues to overcome in my personal story. I am a diabetic (on a pump) and had neuropathy in my feet and hands from the chemo treatments. I've never been terribly athletic, but I've decided to do a c25k (Couch to 5K) and utilize my bike to lose the weight I've gained over the years.
My weigh-in today is 185.5. Not crazy bad, but by my first of many daily photos to come, not too flattering either. My current goal - 160. But it's not just about the weight.. I want to get fit too. Actually put on some muscle and LOOK GOOD as well as FEEL GOOD.
I am starting the C25K tomorrow, and will be posting all walks, runs and rides on here. Not only so you can keep tabs on me, but so I can be accountable :)
I also want to tell you about an awesome products I've decided to use to assist/accelerate my weight loss and good health. They are from the Zrii line of Deepak Chopra Center-endorsed ayurvedic nutrition wellness products. One is called Zrii, and it's a anti-oxidant juice with amalaki, and the other is called NutriiVeda - a meal replacement shake which builds lean muscle while increasing energy and curbing appetite.
I'm going to track all of my progress here, but if you'd like to read more about these products so you can come to your own conclusions - check out my website here: LINK. You can read about the science behind ayurvedic nutrition, amalaki and all of the other great, healthy items Zrii includes in their products.
AND - as another great incentive, my good buddy (we like to call it a 'bromance') comedian Craig Shoemaker has taken up the challenge too, and is beginning his weight-loss adventure today with me. I'm sure he'll come on here occasionally to comment on his progress as well.
So, here we go - I'm drinking my first shake this morning as a breakfast replacement.. tastes pretty good.. I've mixed the powder with Almond Milk (low carb!) and my wife Tricia just took my first day's photos... don't scream and run away - they'll get better.. I have faith!
Thanks for following - see you tomorrow with some new progress! Here's to good health and second chances!
-Pittle out.
Day one photos below:
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