Lessons Learned Days 11 Through 14
Day 11 3:50 PM on Feb. 19, 2009
Well nothing nearly as dramatic as the past couple of days. It is nice to have a day that seemed routine. After all the excitement Tuesday and Wednesday morning, I had to work late last night in order to prepare for a class I was teaching at an industry event. I finally settled into bed around 11:30 pm. I set the alarm for 4:45 am, knowing the morning workout would take an hour, I would then have 20 minutes to shower and dress and get on my way to be on time for my speaking engagement. That was only 5 hours of sleep. Maybe I should sleep in?
I set the alarm knowing the temptation to justify skipping the workout was there. Then I remembered a Vince Lombardi quote my trainer Brad had provided to me:
“The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather in a lack of will.”
I got up, I went to the gym and I did the whole work out with intensity and with purpose. And, it felt great!
Lessons Learned:
My biggest learning of the day was the realization of the great therapy and growth that has come from blogging my transformation experience every day. If others read my blogs and benefit from any of my insights I am happy to have contributed to them. But, in a very selfish way, this blogging is for me. This forced review of my day has become very empowering for me. Quite the surprise as well. Knowledge not applied is knowledge wasted. Doesn’t that require reflection and application? I think so.
Day 12 11:01 AM on Feb. 21, 2009
I didn’t sleep particularly well again on Thursday night, but I was up and in the gym by 5:45 am as I had yet another early morning meeting. I found myself running just a bit short of time, so I concentrated on getting the weight lifting finished and sacrificed about 8 minutes of cardio. I know it would have been good to do it all, but I took the stairs up two flights to the gym and down two flights from the gym and chose to find other ways to keep moving to make up the difference through out the day. Again, adaptability is required daily.
I plan to step on the scale Monday morning, as a motivation to stay diligent and disciplined this weekend.
Lessons Learned:
The more I get into this process, the stronger my commitment becomes. It helped that today I noticed a significant amount of room around my waist when I put on my dress pants … now there is motivation. I am sure I look no different to those around me on a day-to day-basis, but I noticed it for myself.
Day 13 11:25 AM on Feb. 21, 2009
Today is Saturday and officially I am off. However, I find myself constantly thinking about what’s next and what could I do today. Rest is an important part of this journey and in reviewing my blogs from the week it was quite intense, so a little down time could actually be very healthy.
Today I went to the Golf Show at the Metrodome in Minneapolis. Golf is still a good six weeks out (only 15 degrees F today), but I bought a push cart (no more riding on the course) and few balls and tees to get into the spirit. I also bought a fitness ball to take to work with me. I am going to get rid of my office chair and use the big green ball as my chair at work. That ought to be good for several cynical and smart comments from some co-workers. In twelve weeks we’ll see who is laughing.
Really, I just want to be a good role model for my employees. Perhaps the silent, visual example is much more powerful than the spoken word. We’ll see soon enough.
Lessons Learned:
One of my employees asked me yesterday if I thought I was too involved in different organizations, etc. I can see why he thought it, but it is who I am. What this journey has taught me is that I can be involved AND be healthy and fit! I can have it all.
Day 14 7:19 AM on Feb. 22, 2009
Today there is no weightlifting scheduled. I will do my ab workout at home and do a long cardio session at the gym. My oldest child turned 34 yesterday and the “kids” are all coming for dinner tonight to celebrate. That means … discipline, control and a little extra work so that I can have that glass of wine with dinner.