Lane 8.org

Far Upper Right Corner

Some people are gifted. Mentally, physically, spiritually, financially.

Where do you place yourself in this mix?  Honestly, on a good day, I’d give myself an average at best, and quite possibly a below average in some.

And yet, there s a popular saying that says, don’t judge a book by it’s cover.

And so it goes for all of us. We look inside ourselves for our motives, our values, our determination, and even for the ever elusive indomitable will. And we have varying degrees of success. But mostly, failure.

And a few years ago, while taking a “coffee break” by the proverbial water cooler, two colleagues were talking about the Atkins diet they were following. And so I asked antagonistically.

“Why doesn’t anyone ever ask me what I do for my diet?”  And their ignorant, but honest, reply was instantaneous.

“You don’t need to worry about it.”  To which I replied.

“I worry about it every single day, that’s why I don’t need to worry about it.”

Put up or shut up.  But please don’t judge a book by it’s cover.

Our Body Houses Our Temple

It seems to me, in looking around at all the people going about their business, that very few make diet and exercise a priority.

Can we all agree on that?  Or, is this notion completely misguided?

The only thing that comes to mind right now is, “Why?”

Excellence Has No Finish Line

Click here to read about the most legendary coach of all time.  You won’t recognize his name, but his record of accomplishment will blow you away.

The only reason you are invited, and encouraged, to read it is because most have never heard of this remarkable coach, his vision, his habits, his life.  Soon enough, he will fade away, along with his amazing accomplishments.

This really is your only opportunity.  Your life is too busy to come back. Being excellent at what you do requires you to work harder than the people who are good and very good at what you do.

So why do it now?  Because if you don’t have time now, you won’t have it later either.  This is the way life works and why those who are excellent develop a “do it now” habit.

Excellent people also know that their next best idea can come from others who are extraordinarily excellent.

Why? Because it could hold a simple angle or simple tactic to your success.  But you may never know….

He's Counting On A Role Model (for life)

Ever struggle with your motivation to exercise or with making smart food choices?

(If you said no, you’re lying)

Yesterday while at Gold’s Gym Orlando, I asked one of the staff, “What is it that makes some people commit to exercise for a lifetime and others quit after a few weeks?”

What do you think?  How would you answer it?

I suggested that we can not do it for ourselves, we must do it for someone else. If we fail, we only let ourselves down. But if we do it for someone else and we fail, we let them down.

The other person challenged my rational (which is exciting), and in the speed of the day, neither one of us, in this casual conversation, really had a desire to debate this further at that moment.

Yet on the drive home, what I had been trying to say was revealed. We need to be a role model for great health habits. This is the secret that eludes people.

You must be someone’s role model, for life. This means you can not fail. There is no greater motivation.

If this is flying over your head, you’re at huge risk to miss this simple, but compelling health secret.

Easy? Fast? Lies!

What does it take, day after day, to stay motivated?

That’s really the difference between a casual approach and a committed approach.

You knew that, right?

If you don’t dream big (like for the rest of your life), you lose.

Big is not:

• Losing weight for the cruise
• Losing weight for the School Reunion
• Watching your diet for your upcoming blood test
• Losing weight to get back in your old jeans
• Losing weight for swim suit season

Big is only one thing:

• For your lifetime health and fitness

Got it?

Good.  Enjoy your food and your exercise today.

Do you know your stroke risk?  Do you even care?

Click here to check your stroke risk.

Master's Athlete of the Year, Rita Hanscom

Rita Hanscom was selected as Master’s Track and Field Athlete of the Year for 2009.

Rita Hanscom (San Diego, Calif.): Named World Masters Athlete of 2009 by the IAAF and World Masters Athletics after winning five gold medals in Lahti and setting a world record in the W55 heptathlon. She’s a deputy attorney general for the state of California.

The photo above is from the 2009 Master’s Track & Field Outdoor World Championships in Lahti, Finland. It was a privilege to meet Rita and her son and daughter.

In Finland, there was a sense of community and fellowship among the 5,300 athletes from 80 countries. It’s challenging to explain. It was unique, competitive, healthy and vibrant, supportive.  Amazingly supportive.

Who couldn’t use as much of that that the law will allow, in pursuing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle?

Shot Put

USATF Press Release, February 8, 2010: United States Largest Master’s Track & Field Indoor World Championships Ever, heading to Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada.

Click here to read the official USATF Press Release.

The past few weeks have been a painful reminder how challenging it is to stay motivated. Most of us can eventually find a compelling reason(s) to get healthy.

Few of us find compelling, long-term reasons.

That is why it is essential to figure out a million ways to stay motivated. A million.  Are ya with me.  Succeed or fail.  There is no middle ground.

USA Track and Field does it for me.  For now.

What’s doing it for you?

This Dude Is 50

Once again tonight, the TV was on while I was in the vicinity, doing the evening things American families do. I don’t sit and watch TV, unless it’s American Idol, and even then it’s iffy.

But Diane Sawyer was talking about First Lady Michelle Obama announcing big plans to fight childhood obesity.

Childhood obesity? Are you kidding me!!!!  For real?

How the hel heck is that possible?

We all know why, and there’s an old saying that proves this “fact”.

“The acorn doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

The best way to help our children is to help ourselves. We adults are in for the fight of our lives, if we really want to be a great health example. And if we don’t have the fight of your lives….

Then our children will.

How does a person live with that?  Seriously.  How?

Is Idol on at 8pm or 9pm tonight?

Lunch in Finland

When do we think about our long term outcomes – from the food choices we make this week?

Um, well, uh, like never.   Right?

Most of us can’t or don’t want to see that far, because it’s too much work. Or, we won’t give up today’s pleasure and convenience for tomorrow’s payoff – good digestive health.

Our son told me last Friday on the drive home from school that he had a “confession”. He doesn’t really like the bread (double fiber) we use to make his lunch sandwiches.

Grateful for the truth, but now what?

So last night on the way home from a doctor’s visit, I stopped to get some food items, including a different kind of bread, but with the same digestive goal – high fiber.

Blogging about health enhances accountability and increases motivation. Are you working on that too?

If not you, who?  If not today, when?  Seriously. Enjoy your lunch.