It’s Time for Change

I like taking summer time and creating a challenge for myself. I use that time to focus on something in my life that I want to change or learn about. Each summer is unique and I haven’t always done a challenge, but most of the last 5 summers I have done something.

In 2006, I was working on letting myself rest more (I’m not always so great at that) so I set some goals for time off and vacation with my family (non-working vacation that is). We were able to take our first ever 2 week vacation at the beach which was fabulous. I also curbed my work time to more reasonable hours and days of the week.

In 2005, I spent the summer listening and reading everything I could get a hold of from on of my favorite authors, Dallas Willard.  I learned so much that summer; it changed my life. To this day, Elise and I can point to that summer as a changing point in our lives and our relationship. I owe Dallas big.

Last summer, I spent most of my time managing a new structure at Kanon Construction. We had new faces, new staff roles, and new systems we were putting in place. We also had two key employees leave in the midst of this change that added to the focus I needed to place on the business. It was a season of change and a time to focus on the business.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Here’s a picture of me on May 17, 2005.

Here’s a picture of me today:

Notice anything different?

It’s called 46 lbs! In 2005, I weighed somewhere around 200lbs.  4 years and 13 days later I weigh 247.6. That shirt actually fit me in 2005 instead of looking like I borrowed a t shirt from Caleb.

The Nature of Problems

One of the interesting things about problems in general and weight gain in particular is that no one wakes up and says “I can’t wait to pack on a few more pounds during the next week.” Just like no one wakes up and says “I want to struggle with my marriage [relationships, job, family, etc.].” No one wants to struggle with the problems in their lives, but everyone does.

M. Scott Peck told a story that I read when I was 18 years old that still lives in me to this day:

“The parking brake was stuck on a patient’s car, and she knew that there was something one could do under the dashboard to release it, but she didn’t know what. I lay down on the floor below the front seat of her car. Then I took the time to make myself comfortable. Once I was comfortable, I then took the time to look at the situation. I looked for several minutes. At first all I saw was a confusing jumble of wires and tubes and rods, whose meaning I did not know. But gradually, in no hurry, I was able to focus my sight on the brake apparatus and trace its course. And then it became clear to me that there was a little latch preventing the brake from being released. I slowly studied this latch until it became clear to me that if I were to push it upward with the tip of my finger it would move easily and would release the brake. And so I did this. One single motion, one ounce of pressure from a fingertip, and the problem was solved. I was a master mechanic!”

Peck’s point was that we need to take the time to look at our problems if we are going to find a solution. He had never been someone mechanically inclined and didn’t understand cars or emergency brake systems. But he found that when he looked at this problem he was able grasp it and do something about it.

Dallas Willard on Change

Dallas has a simple but important acronym about change that is instrumental in personal growth: VIM.

• Vision
• Intention
• Means

Vision is a picture of the future that you want to make a reality. Intention is a decision to make the changes needed. Means are the tactical ways that you are going to implement the change.

Individually, each of these parts won’t change your life. Together they make a huge difference.

The Challenge

So the 2009 Summer Intentional Challenge is to return to my previous weight of 200lbs. That’s the vision. That’s the picture of the future that is different then today.

The intention is the decision to make it a a reality and a commitment to it. I wouldn’t be writing this today if I hadn’t made that choice.

Now as far as means…

Means

Means are all about action (or inaction if that is what it takes). In the case of losing the weight there is no secret to weight loss. Burn more than you consume and you will lose weight.

I already work out 4-6 times per week. Most of that is running but for most of the past 18 months I have also been training with my friend, Pat March, at Xcel Fit. In terms of exercise, I can tweak some things but for the most part I’m probably doing what I need to.

The bulk of the change that I need to make to conquer this challenge is going to be on the intake end of things. I need to create a calorie deficit of at least 1000 calories per day. I burn about 3000 calories per day on average so I will need to reduce my intake of calories to about 2000 on average.

Here are a few of the means that I plan on using to get there:

• “Go to Foods”. I have a bunch of foods that I love that I am going to keep close by to eat when I am  feeling hungry in between meals (nuts, granola, yogurt, etc.).
• I need to consistently eat breakfast. This has been a lifelong struggle that I need to beat (coupled with not eating late).
• Track what I am eating religiously. I am using myfitnesspal.com to track my calorie intake religiously. It has a very comprehensive calorie counter and calculates how much you are burning in terms of exercise.
• Planning the menu early. I am setting up my menu for the day BEFORE I start in the morning so I know what I will be eating and make sure that it fits into my plan.
• Conscious about fluids. I’m going to be more conscious of what I am drinking (more water, less beer and soda)
• Tell people about it. I am telling all of YOU about what I am doing. Having people know your goals and ask you about them can help you stay on track.
• Put routines in place that will remind me of my goal. I am putting a chart up on the side of the blog to keep track of my weight. Check in and see how I am doing.
• Be consistent. I am going to make sure I get my workouts in each week and don’t skip.

Moving Forward,

Greg