Measuring Change

There are a variety of ways in which change can be measured.  You can use a scale to see if your weight has varied.  You could use a tape measure to see if your bicep has grown.  Even simpler, you could evaluate the time you do or don't spend on an activity you've committed to...do you now workout 3 days a week from 1.  Did you cut something out of your diet, promise your spouse no more emailing after 8, or that you would begin recycling at home.

Of the many ways to measure change, one of the most significant (at least to me), is seeing how your own changes have impacted others.  Commitment and execution of change is a very powerful force.  The example set by one individual,  proves to others that real and tangible change can be achieved...making them far more comfortable in considering their own capabilities.

The definition we use as part of our Agent of Change moniker is as follows: "someone who intentionally or indirectly causes or accelerates social, cultural or behavioral change”.

This post is focused on the "indirectly" part of that statement.

This past week, I have once again witnessed and enormous amount of positive change.  I have witnessed it with some of the Agents, some of my clients, in my classes and even in my home.  I have seen a significant other of one my clients show great interest and support in what my client is working on, as well as what they have achieved...going so far as to consider making some of these same changes themselves.  I have seen the parents of an Agent support an activity that Agent was involved in.  I have seen my own children asking for "healthy" milk...since we no longer allow cow's milk in their diets.  And, collectively, I have seen the Agents continuing to support each other in a very meaningful way...I'll let Olaf tell you more about that in his next post.

Not long after creating this blog, back in 2007...I had a vision, a hope.  Could I make enough changes  to actually make a difference in our world.  At the time, even I thought that may be a "lofty" and overly ambitious place to set the bar...but still...

I had witnessed my own change impact my family, motivate others and help some in understanding things in a different way.  If I could change the way my son behaved in our society, what nutritional choices he would make, how he would treat others...then could the world actually be changed?  Yes...it certainly can.  And, there are some amazing examples of that in history.  Just look at how Gandhi brought the British Empire in India to a halt through the collective (and non-violent by the way) efforts of his message of change. 

In today's world, the hustle and bustle of daily routines may not allow many to consider the changes they make, the impact it has, or how to form a collective effort to take on a specific issue. Good news...you don't have to make it that complicated. 

There are few things in my life today (yes, my wife and family are at the top of the list:) which give me the amount of fulfillment and satisfaction of seeing what impact I have had on others, no matter how small or indirectly.  To know that something positive you have done, has in some way touched, connected and "changed" something within someone else is a feeling that is almost indescribable.  What I can verbalize about that, is that I feel "connected", part of something far larger then myself.

All it takes is one person.  One change.  One at a time.

What will you change today?

Josh

Change is not an option...It's an obligation

There are certainly times in which I wonder what, if any positive impact I may be having on others.  I've been thinking about that a lot lately.  In the last few weeks, that answer was delivered to some degree.  There have been three individuals who have in one way or another, been effected by my message.  

One of them, a quiet, "shy" guy, read my blog at someone else's suggestion and proceeded to lose 95 pounds.  This same individual (who we will leave nameless by request) has also given up a big job in search of a more fulfilling way to apply his skill set and experience.  Not dissimilar from my own story...

Another gentleman I met recently had read my last dozen posts or so, and decided it was time for him to regain greater wellness...and he began running again the next day.  After hearing this individual, I realized that he had just made my day!  Proof positive, that I in some way, perhaps even a small way...helped create the desire to change.  Personally, I like to think I just helped re-ignite what we all have within ourselves.

That is very powerful.

As you may have noticed from my last few postings, I have a growing frustration with regards to the behavior in many areas of our society.  And, as I have contemplated whether it is worthwhile to call out those who I view as "offenders", I believe that if those evaluations are made from a purely logical perspective, then it is absolutely justified.  

Change is not passive.  It will not happen by sitting idle.  There won't be a "bailout" for every problem we face as a society.  With the growing concern over our economic "crisis",  the education system, the state of our environment, obesity, disease, etc...the only answer to repairing those situations is change, period!  

It is not optional...It IS an obligation.  We have this obligation to ourselves as individuals, and we have it to society as a whole, we are all in it together.  I have written many times about individual impact on larger groups, and that must be a focus.  Each individual change we make effects many.  There is exponential value the more change there is.

I am not speaking solely of health, weight loss or the environment...I am talking about all of it; the "general" and passive nature many have adopted with regards to change.  I once took a stand on my own wellness...today I take a stand for everyones.  I can no longer sit by and be passive.  I will not explain to my children that some things "just are the way they are".  Instead, I will teach them to think for themselves, to be productive members of society, to consider the impact they make on others...and to stand up and fight when they see others being wronged.  I'm sure many of my upcoming posts will upset some; and elate others. 

By design, human beings have many unique abilities.  One being the power to make a choice, a decision...a change.  The question of course, is what we base those decisions on. If we were not intended to do so, then I would surmise that we would behave far more instinctively instead.  

With this great ability we have to make choices, we all have the power to create change.  In ourselves as well as society.  If you don't want a fast food chain to continue to use harmful ingredients in foods you serve your children...then stop going there!  Believe me, enough people stop, they will have to change.  If you have issue with a product you buy because the materials used aren't recyclable, then stop buying from them!  If you don't like the way a certain corporation behaves which you are a customer of...leave and find another provider!  And, let them all know why.  

More choices, more changes.  We have the ability, don't treat it as an option.

Josh - Agent of Change

The Warrior Approach

In my previous post, I wrote about the worries I had in taking a bit of time off and how the 5-days which I did, certainly didn't change any of the things I feared might have. I didn't gain weight, I didn't lose muscle....but what I did gain somewhere along my trip was a fairly nasty cold. Who knows if it came from the lovely recycled airplane ventilation or perhaps something my son picked up at school, the fact was I now had it.

However, I was so anxious to get back in the swing of things at work and in the gym, that I jumped right back into it all and at full speed. And, although I certainly felt a bit "off", I pushed harder. I had to make up for the time off, I had to push further. This "Warrior" like approach is exactly what led me to injure my calf a few weeks back, and certainly what led me into my bed for the past 3 days. Very quickly, this past Sunday evening I crashed, and by the middle of the night my fever was over 104...I'm sure you can picture the rest of that story.

And.....what did that "Warrior" attitude get me....at least 4-5 days out of the gym, if I recover quickly.

For whatever reason, I like many, have from time to time taken the "Warrior" attitude. It's difficult not to let that silliness enter your mind, particularly the way we are constantly exposed to it. You can see it all around you. TV commercials, music (both lyrics and video), reality television, heck look around your gym, look at the marketing/imagery on fitness products.

I also think that from time to time people mistake "warrior" for motivation. For example, you may listen to the Gladiator or Rocky soundtracks because they put you in a great mindset for working out, however I doubt that you would also like to fight for your life in the Coliseum. But, what I have realized more and more is that the warrior attitude must be a "smart" one. I have written about listening to your body, clearly I need to listen more. I have written about the need for balance, an area I continue to focus on. And, I have written about listening to yourself, not what others tell you (positive or negative). I suppose the old statement "you are hearing but not listening" may also apply in this instance. Sure, I know what I "should" or "shouldn't" do, but that doesn't change the fact that I am human just like the rest of us.

So, how can you be a smart warrior?

Focus on goals, listen to logic, reflect on your own personal progress. Not what the commercial for eliminating "stubborn belly fat" tells you. Not, what the cover of your favorite fitness magazine says about six pack abs in 10-minutes a day, and not by mistaking stupidity for motivation.

I have made great strides. And, since I began working with a pro (Mark), and listening to him, in three short months I have gained close to 7.5 pounds of muscle and a negligible amount of body fat. So, you see when you listen/hear and work hard you can achieve great results. I have continued to stick to my all natural methods. I do not take any enhancements, still no fad dieting, no special pills or energy boosters. The changes since I teamed up with my trainer revolve around a much more specific approach in the gym and a little bit different diet (increase in calories) and additional protein consumption. All which comes from his past experience and education.

I am certainly not saying that hard work and diligence isn't essential, but being smart in conjunction is just as important. Mark had been telling me that it was time to give my body a long needed rest, whether I wanted one or not, I'm getting one now. . .

Josh Neimark - Agent of Change

Embracing Change . . . A Learning Process

Although there are many instances in our lives where we as individuals believe we are in some sort of control. If you step back and look at these instances, the truth is that we are in control of very little. What we can control is how we react to change as well as those things which we have moderate to a high amount of influence over.

Let’s look at a couple of examples . . .

First, I had always dealt with the issue of high cholesterol. I take prescribed medicine to combat this issue, but historically that alone did very little to change my cholesterol levels. Once I began working out regularly as well as eating a healthier cholesterol friendly diet, my cholesterol dropped significantly. Just taking the meds didn’t control it; in fact regardless of the dosages and types of meds, it was out of my control. But, by utilizing both the meds and elements which I could influence, I was able to change it.

Now, let’s examine the issues I faced with my own weight. This is an “instance” or area in which I had almost complete control. I understood the broad strokes of weight management and what contributed to my body gaining or losing it. So, when I decided that had to change, I was in almost total control. Fortunately, my approach was a healthy one, but still most could control this “instance” by simply consuming less calories than one expends.

There are certainly many things in life that I wish I could control, and just cannot. I cannot control climate change alone (not that my social/cultural behavior can’t contribute positively). I cannot control the differing values of cultures around the globe and the violence which often follows (but again, my social and cultural behavior can certainly make changes on a smaller level). However, it is fair to point out that there are differing levels of perspective of control in all individuals. Certainly people with obsessive compulsive tendencies may struggle more with control and change than those who have a more easy going, roll with the punches type outlook.

Those who know me well, would likely place me in the first category; maybe even say I am a control freak. So, I continue to work on learning how to embrace change and focus on those “instances” which I have some level of control and influence. I do find some comfort in the fact that with regards to my physical health and well being, I have an awful lot of control. But, the challenge of embracing changes continues every day. If you’ve been following along, you know that I am now working with a trainer, Mark. We have almost completed the first month of my new “program”, and boy have there been changes. First of all, one of my goals is now to gain weight. Yes, gain. In fact, our goal is close to 20 pounds. However, this weight is intended to be muscle and added to my body in very specific ways. My eating habits have once again changed, my workout routine continues to change, and the way I have had to learn to look at myself in those regards is obviously changing.

There are two distinct areas I have had to focus on in the last few weeks. First is patience, and the second is learning to listen to my body as it reacts to the changes it is going through. Both are difficult. Patience is absolutely required as it is very hard to stick to a new regimen of diet and exercise when results are now measured in body measurements and muscle development as opposed to looking down at the digital reading on a scale. I completed my new “measurements” yesterday evening, and the largest change was approximately 1.5 inches in a certain area. So, I have to be patient and keep the end goal close at hand.

Listening to my body is also challenging. I have approached the last year in a kind of “rogue” manner. Basically, convincing myself that I could constantly go farther, faster, harder. Well guess what; yesterday afternoon while doing my cardio intervals, I had to stop right in the middle of it. I didn’t feel well at all. At first, I was extremely disappointed, even angry that I could not continue. But, shortly thereafter, I realized that perhaps I had just accomplished something new, something positive and beneficial. I had listened. My body was telling me no, and my mind was telling me go. My body won.

Did my mind lose? No, it did not. My mind listened and learned. I have been continually challenging myself day in and day out. I know understand that this was one “instance” of which I am sure there will be many that I needed to listen to what my body was feeling. Whatever the reason for it, I understand that it is an “instance” which I cannot control completely.

So, back to the importance of this post, embracing change. I could continue to be disappointed and angry, or I could embrace the change, learn from it and have perhaps learned how to deal with it when it occurs. It is a learning process. I have been watching my 4 ½ year old deal with a lot of change lately as well. With his 13-week old sister changing the “energy” in our lives, he also is struggling to find a way to embrace change. It is not an easy process, but one which he will learn from and then understand how to process and move forward through.

Change is not a simple thing.

We must step back and understand it. Once you can do that, then you can regain “control”. . . control of what you do with that change.

Josh – Agent of Change

To Listen or Not . . .

I have heard it all . . .

From the beginning of my quest for better health through present day, I have heard many positive things regarding my weight loss . . . and many negative things as well. I recall people saying "you don't look like you need to lose much weight" and a doctor telling me I was "obese" if you believe in the BMI charts (Body Mass Index) in the same week.

I remember a distinct conversation where an individual told me that I was "really over doing it" and then telling me what low-carb strategy would be better for me.

If you are trying to make a change, first and foremost, listen to yourself. If I had listened to all of the people who gave me their "advice", I would either have given up long ago, or I would have been bouncing around from program to program. Please don't misunderstand and think that I am telling you to dismiss everything you hear either. Much of my success can be directly attributed to experts (such as what I learned years ago from the Body For Life Book) as well as the positive encouragement I received from family, friends and colleagues.

A couple of months ago, I returned to my primary care physician for a check up. Although he was very impressed with my "change", he looked at me ( I swear this is true), and told me he wanted me to gain 10-12 pounds! I stood up from the lovely tissue covered exam table, walked over to the BMI chart and pointed at my previous classification. I said "doc, I was over here, you told me to get over here (now pointing at the pretty orange colored section I fell into) . . . I am now over here and you want me to gain weight". He said, "yes". Walking out of the office, I thought to myself, I did what he told me to do, did I do it in excess? Although, he is the best physician I have ever had, and I do trust him very much, I figured that he must have thought I couldn't or wouldn't do it. (Doc-since I know you will be reading this at some point, I really do trust and value your opinion-you're great:)

Yesterday, I returned to see him, but this time not for a typical appointment. There is a local paper that is writing a story about my transformation and wanted to speak to my doc, so I had to sign papers allowing him to speak about me (HIPPA laws). I am now another 10-12 pounds lighter from the visit I just described (and yes, he still wants me to gain a few pounds), but yesterday our conversation was much more about my training and need for specific types of nutrition.

While telling him the story of my Blog, as well as my new "quest in planning", I elaborated on all of the people and products which I believe have helped me achieve success . . . His comment "Josh, don't kid yourself, you did this all on your own".

Ahhh, now that I'll listen to.

Seriously, driving back home, I thought that through. First, I feel there is a big difference in "listening" and "hearing", pick your flavor. But, regardless of what others tell you, you are going to be telling yourself a lot more and at greater frequency . . . I'll give you some examples:

When I now see people I haven't seen in some time, I get comments like, "Wow, you look amazing", "You are anorexic", "You have to tell me how you did it", "You can't be eating properly", "Your tiny" (that one isn't so flattering), "You need to take a break", "You should be training other people", and on and on.

You see, still positive, and negative.

Now, let me give you some examples of things I hear myself telling saying:

I walked into my bank and the teller notices I am far more fit, at the gym I notice some people "checking" me out (which I'm not sure has ever happened before), I bought size 30 pants, I wake up and can walk to the bathroom without hearing my ankles and knees popping, I can carry my son on my shoulders for long periods of time, I can cycle without terrible effort for 20 plus miles and be contemplative at the same time, I don't get out of breath walking up two flights of stairs, I drive by fast food chains and have no interest whatsoever in stopping by . . . get the picture?

Those examples cannot be matched by anything anyone else could tell me.

Whatever you "hear" . . . positive, negative, indifferent . . . make sure you are listening to yourself. Accept the positive, dismiss the negative and listen to your own voice if you want to hear from an "insider". . .

On a side note: Special thanks to a fellow blogger (Isadora who operates a blog highlighting encouraging success stories) who posted about my accomplishments:

(http://weight-loss-story.blogspot.com/)

Josh - Agent of Change