challenge September 19..Are you truely challenging yourself ?

[hawk]

Is this a true challenge for you?? Are you stepping up to the plate and getting tough with yourself ??:confused: I find that it's alot easier to give advise than to take it. Esspecially when it's your own. So.. take my advise, i'm not using it. Just kidding.:rolleyes:

I could not sleep last night. So I got up at 4am and got dressed and went to the YMCA and worked my body till it screamed for mercy. Now EVERYTHING will be sore..not just my foot. WHY NOT??!!:evil: Work will seem like a picnic.

I hope you all have a great day.:D

Breakfast of a sirloin steak on a George Forman. and coffee:p
Lunch will be ..broccoli and beef stir fry.:nod:
Dinner will be heroine wings.:nod:

lots of water and suppliments.

[maxlharris]

Cranked a harder workout today. Felt like I needed to up it a little, change something, get uncomfortable. Did that. Within limits.

Today is the beginning of an upward spiral of success. Negative self talk will be talked back to, and reformed into something useful. Things will be done. People will be called. Emails will be sent. Jobs will be applied for. And either my supervisor will meet with me (she canceled yesterday because she left her materials at home) or I will look up her home number and leave her a message to remember to bring her materials for tomorrow. I am going to recommence my job search like a strategic planner. I am going to commence planning a beach vacation like a strategic planner. I am going to be a strategic planner in all facets of my life again. There is no point in having a $90K+ education if you don't maximize your value from it. So, today is a day to envision a future. It is a day to set goals around those visions. It is possibly a day to brainstorm some ways to get to those goals. And it's probably not a day to organize and start doing. But here's the first vision. My desk will be cleared, my mind will be dumped, and at the very least, by the end of the day, I will be fully ready to work on any project I choose, and many of them at that.

Rock out!

PS- I have about six songs picked for the mix CD. DW has gotten some fun artwork for the cover. This weekend, we will work on it. I'm also working on a way to set up a download for people who are interested, but didn't 90% comply. There isn't win or lose, there's only accomplishment.

[Feelix]

I am having a great day. After my blow out yesterday, I had a re commitment ceremony. I went downstairs and got the biggest cup and decided to start with drinking my water and making sure I got it down plus some. :-)

The second thing, I was introduced to a new website sparkpeople.com It's all free (including the ads and commercials) and it has wonderful services. I will say it's not as nice and simple as fitday; however, the website offers quizzes and articles that are fun. It also has a point system. Once you set up your list of things to do and eat, you are awarded points to get it done. I found the point system fun. I feel immediately challenged to get the points. :-)

So here is to a new day and a new toy to play with. :-)

[Ammy]

Good morning Hawk, Max, Feelix!

I am here in spirit today...stupid sinus headaches! The weather was SO bad yesterday that I just gave up and went home...Today there is no rain and the humidity is less, so that will be helpful.

I ate SO much protein yesterday that I'm not feeling hunger today yet. I had a big ole' juicy steak...a BIG one and enjoyed EVERY bite. I don't do that very often. My GF doesn't eat mammals, so typically we're eating birds...but I LOVE to eat big juicy mammals :evil::nod:, well, not the HUMAN kind:suspicious::eek:!! You know what I mean!!

I plan on working out...but we'll see about the head/face pain first.
If I do workout, I'm going to eat protein, fat, AND a few carbs before going...not the SECOND before, but about 1/2 hr before. I need to energize so I enjoy my workout instead of struggling.

I discovered that when I do the intervals from the programs on the bikes...if you don't make it to or maintain the rpm's you're suppose to, they don't go down-they just stay high. I cover the timer when I'm working out and I was thinking MAN I've been at 100rpms for a LONG time, then suddenly it said "cooldown"...it went up to "do 100rpms" and because I was hanging out at 93, it didn't go down to the "do 60 rpsm"!!! MAN, that's as harsh as a TRAINER!!!

[oceanblueLA]

Good morning all!

I woke up feeling really good and I know it's because I've been sticking to my plan... eating well and working out everyday. It makes me wonder why i sometimes struggle with going upstairs to the gym. It feels GOOD so why do I try to put it off or avoid it? Makes no sense.

For my going beyond choice, I am adding an extra set to my workouts. Today that will be an extra set of crunches... 3 x 25. I love the idea of going beyond. Great idea.

As for the question: am I really challenging myself? The answer is yes! I am keeping my food squeaky clean and I am getting my exercise done. And I'm getting it done with concentration, which I usually don't do. I try to think about everything but what I'm doing. But for the last month I have been concentrating when I work out with weights. paying attention to each muscle group and what I am doing and need the muscle to do. Especially my back muscles. I am making my back stronger and it's paying off.

That's what I know for the moment. Will check back later to see how everyone is and to report how I did at the end of the day.

Have a great day!

Blue

[gitfiddle]

Hi, everone!

Blue, it's nice to have you among us again!

Amy, do you have an herbal sinus pack? Mine is a blessing when I have a sinus headache. I warm it in the microwave, lay back in my recliner, put the pack over my eyes and listen to the jam break up. My sinuses actually crackle! Nothing like it! If you have a small rice bag it should work about the same. The only thing special about it is it's size and shape.

Sarah, a re-committment ceremony? Way to go! I like that idea! :nod:

I'm playing with fire today. I overslept and didn't bring a lunch so I'm having a bagel and cream cheese from the break room with dried beef that I had in the office fridge. My emergency portable breakfast was ricotta and berries, so I'm sure I went over my limit in carbs today. I could have taken the beef and cream cheese and made rollups, but I thought of that too late. Poor prior planning is no excuse, but them's the facts.

[maxlharris]

Funny thing. Remember I wrote this today?And either my supervisor will meet with me (she canceled yesterday because she left her materials at home) or I will look up her home number and leave her a message to remember to bring her materials for tomorrow.

Well, supervisor has called in for the day and will not be in. I'm not gonna call her. Seems unfair. Is this welching, or is this retooling a commitment to exigent circumstances? I'm going with the latter, but would probably accept the former. Except, That would not be choosing a proper attitude towards the whole thing. And that is, I'm learning, something important.

I am going to be a strategic planner in all facets of my life again. There is no point in having a $90K+ education if you don't maximize your value from it.

I said that too. So, to execute, I decided to take a quick refresher on planning, via the very expensive computer training service that Labor buys for all it's employees. I fired up the module on Strategic Planning (the only one that wasn't IT focused or too large) and realized that I had done it already. So, I looked through the entire course catalog and found:
Business Execution!

A culture of business execution will:

Give you a sense of personal accomplishment
Improve organizational performance
Improve productivity (unclear on the difference, well, not really, but it seems like it's mostly the same)
Improve your ability to adapt to change.
This is all stuff I want for the self. And remember, one of my core beliefs is that what is good medicine for the macro organization (your company), can probably be good medicine for the micro organization (your self).

Two hours later, I have completed half of the first of four segments. I feel a sense of accomplishment. I want to share a little. The thing that hit me most squarely was the section called Executing Energy, which was all about being World Class. It was presented more for sales and customer service people, but again, we can take it from one realm and bring it to another. So, what's being world class about? I'll tell you. With Bullet Points.

Choose your attitude
Play
Make Their Day
Be PresentA certain level of talent and practice probably don't hurt when you're talking about being world class in whatever endeavor you choose to pursue, but here is the gap for me.

I am not choosing the right attitudes at present. I was doing this before, but it's stopped and I don't know why. This has made it a struggle. But, every moment is a new opportunity to choose again.

I am also being less than 100% present. Now, they mean at work vs personal life. If I were 100% present at work, the super would probably be kind of unhappy, since I would be full of suggestions to help and improve the operations and that's not really what they want. But I have not even been 100% present in my life since May. I've had moments of being that present since then, but I haven't had the consistency since maybe mid-May. Maybe late April. So, here is a commitment to make. 100% present in the moment.

With the right attitudes, my full attention undivided, I should be able to make my own day. As to play, doing that to yourself at work is probably not the best idea. Well, actually, that sad attempt at a joke is play, so it's a step in the right direction.

So, I am eager to go to lunch and eager to come back and finish the course. I will then clear the desk and then go home. Tomorrow, Mind Sweep, more training on Business Execution, and the next steps from there. I leave you with a song lyric...


CHANGE
Nothing stays the same
UN-CHAINED
And I hit the ground running

Rock on!

[maxlharris]

PS- between the weight loss and the cold office, typing with my wedding ring on is impossible. It keeps falling off and getting in the way. I can get it off my finger just with gravity and a little wiggle. Might have to get it sized or replaced.

[Ammy]

Amy, do you have an herbal sinus pack?

No, but I did decide I'd try a visit to the Chiropractor and the headache is MUCH BETTER - too bad he couldn't remove the NAILS poking me in the FACE!!!

[gitfiddle]

Oh yes! I seem to remember my neck having a lot to do with a sinus headache feeling. I don't know about the nails in the face, though! :paranoid: Good luck!

[Ammy]

yep...it is tricky as to what EXACTLY is hurting...

BUT...I still have such pressure under my eyes and on the sides of my nose...(where the nails are pressing in)!

That pack sounds nice!!!

[Ammy]

Hey just thought I'd let you guys know I just got my first survey from the National Weight Registry...
Guess I'm officially a member!! :D

[Karole]

you know, I have noticed the same thing--get a big sinus headache and neck ache at the same time. What is it really?

[gitfiddle]

Karole, I think there are some nerves at the base of the skull that have something to do with sinus. I'm not knowledgeable, but I see a chiropractor once in a while. It's usually when I get a headache, and the treatment usually takes care of it. YMMV.

Hey, I just completed a 25-minute exercise cycle, including ten minutes of step aerobics. I only meant it to be 20, but I was having fun. I call it aerobics because just ten minutes of a low step and constant arm movements had my pulse thumping. Sad, really, but I'll take it!

I can't take a yes today because of too many carbs earlier, but my day was good.

Congratulations on making National Weight Registry, Amy! What's the duration of the enrollment? More than one survey? I forgot what you told us way back when. Sorry...

[oceanblueLA]

Nice going on the exercise, Carol! It feels good to do those extra minutes.

Blue

[Anniesnan]

Evening, everyone!

My car has been RESURRECTED!
I actually looked that word up today to check to see if a there was a meaning I didn't know about and No, it pretty much means brought back from the dead, either literally or figuratively and that does apply to my car:razz:

Therefore, I now have my freedom back.

I ate well, got in exercise, got a lot of positive work done at work:suspicious: and
I saw ANNIE:D.

Max - I am interested in "your" Executing Energy. That's my problem on days when things "don't" work out - I'm not 100%Present, I have a bad attitude, I don't play, and all of the above makes it difficult to "Make Their Day".

I am going to try to be more present and make their day and have fun while doing it. (Lately, I've been "making the day" of others while in the presence those who annoy me, in an effort to annoy them (since I can't seem to make them happy).

Max, do you have any advice for figuring out what supervisors really want when they vocalize complaints in generalizations and when you ask them for specific examples (in a nice, professional way) they turn their back and ignore you?
I guess I can always do "stupid and cheerful" and try to "make his day" with a smile.

[Karole]

Yes for today. I forced myself to tread for 20 min. although I was sooooo
tired this evening. Now since I did the 20 min. I feel pretty good. Exercise is so amazing, I just never believe what a cure all it can be.

Protein 99 ecc 28

[maxlharris]

Max, do you have any advice for figuring out what supervisors really want when they vocalize complaints in generalizations and when you ask them for specific examples (in a nice, professional way) they turn their back and ignore you?
I guess I can always do "stupid and cheerful" and try to "make his day" with a smile.

The training I'm doing would suggest an approach that's focused on results rather than blame/negativity. "How can I help?" as the appropriate answer. I dunno if this is the right thing, but in the framework, it's about being open to solutions rather than focused on problems. I'll buy that.

[hawk]

Max..through all this reading I caught ..my wedding ring needs to be sized. That is a nice feeling. More body fat loss. Good for you.

My foot doc thinks my RSd is full blown again. I cannot put ANY weight on my left foot on the smaller toea and it is healed. I know it is. The cortisone shots caused intense pain and they shouldn't have. Now I am faced with the search for an e-pidural or some other answer. I don't want to go there but I have no choice if I want to keep this leg.

Lynn

[Anniesnan]

thanks, Max, it's worth a shot!



(((Hawk))), how frustrating and disappointing!

[Anniesnan]

September 19th was a YES!

[meli58]

YES for me, too.

[Ammy]

oh Hawk...that really SUCKS!!! Keep us informed as to what's happening, okay?

Carol, they periodically send me survey's, but I don't know if there is a min/max number of them. They will share the results of their research with members and on their website.
http://www.nwcr.ws/default.htm

Yes for me...actually quite low on carbs, good thing the number is a Maximum!!!

16/29