Monday, September 24, 2012

Rich Wood 6


Food is Fuel
A Journey Through Weight Gain, Weight Loss, Diabetes and Lifestyle Change

Fitness, Power, Money and Fear
Is there something that you fear that is keeping you from taking the first steps toward getting healthy?  Are you afraid that you’re not going to be able to do the workouts?  Are you embarrassed that people might stare at you in the gym?  Are you worried that you’re too out of shape and hiding from the fact that you really are?  To solve these problems, go to a gym and speak to a personal trainer.  Do not be afraid.  It took me a little while to get the courage to do this.  I had all of these same fears.  I overcame these fears by knowing that my health needed to become a priority in my life and speaking to a professional would help me.  Once you are involved and starting your workouts, I promise you – you will not even notice anyone else in the gym.  

If you are afraid to go into the gym by yourself because you don’t know how to work the machines or don’t know where to start with your workouts – schedule a session with a trainer and all of that stress will be alleviated.  They’re going to do the thinking for you – you have to do the work.  The power of the human mind is amazing.  Once you overcome the initial fear of just getting up and deciding to get started, you can turn yourself into an unstoppable machine.  Just think, if you have a lot of stress in your life, what better way to relieve it then to be able to go to the gym and hit a tire with a sledgehammer?   You have the power inside of you to make the changes that you want and need to make.  

 Think of all the things that you have no problem spending money on.  Are any of those things health related?  I spend a lot of money on personal training.  Can you think of a better way to spend your money than on your own health?  How much do you currently spend destroying your health?  If this is one of the hurdles that is keeping you from beginning, start taking a hard look at how and what you are wasting money on.  Training has many options on how to pay for it, and I promise you – you can find a way to make this happen.  Please think about what will motivate you to start making healthy choices and make this happen.  It can be as simple as “I would love to have a new wardrobe.”  There was a time that if I saw a shirt that I liked, and it wasn’t a 3XL, I couldn’t get it.  Now I’m able to purchase any clothes that I want.  Stop spending money on the things that are making you unhappy with your current body; be it bad food, or clothes that hide the body that you’re in.  Use this money for your first personal training session. 
Money will not be the determining factor for my success.

Please don’t think that any of this is going to be easy…but it’s worth it.  The time, money and effort that I put in to my training are not just me throwing weights around the gym.  I’m paying for the knowledge of my trainers to help me get the results I want.  I’m lucky to be surrounded by people that care, and if they didn’t I would find and pay people that did.  I’m not just talking about the physical results.  This has changed the person that I am.  It has made me happier, and my life better for me and my family. 

There is no reason as you get older to stop challenging yourself.  Defy your age.  Be focused, be humble, be strong.  During this process you may have setbacks.  That is why you need a support system around you to help you through those times.  You are paying for a service.  Know that there are people that want to help you succeed and reach your goals.  Debbie Portell is always there for me when I feel like I’m losing my way.  She lets me know that my goals and health are a priority to her.  This extends far beyond the hour that we are together in the gym. She is a text away when I am struggling.  I don’t know if all trainers are like her, but I feel very lucky to have the support system that I do.

I would like to thank all the people that have reached out to me because of this blog.  Your kind words and thoughts are extremely humbling.  For those who have asked for my help in starting to achieve their own goals – thank you so much.  Just by asking questions you are heading in the right direction.  Stay with me on this journey, I will eventually get into what my actual diet is, what my workouts consist of, and how I come up with new ways to constantly challenge myself – like starting jiu jitsu at the age of 46. 


Food for Thought:  “Always do what you are afraid to do.”

-Rich Wood

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Rich Wood 5


Food is Fuel
A Journey Through Weight Gain, Weight Loss, Diabetes and Lifestyle Change

How do I describe the changes that training with Debbie Portell has brought to my life? 
Before I began training with Debbie, I was absolutely confident that my progress with weight training and weight loss would not be a problem.  But Debbie brought up a new word in my life: nutrition.  

We wanted to get rid of the headaches and get my diabetes under control.  I will go into great detail on how we took my A1C count from 11.2 to 5.2, and how I went from 275lbs. to my current weight of 185-190lbs.  I have the type of personality that if I’m interested in something and motivated by it, I will give it my all.  I was eager and determined to get myself in the best shape of my life.  I had ideas about certain parts of my diet, but I needed guidance in getting the exact results that I wanted.

My first meeting with Debbie was in March of 2012.  Debbie’s approach was enlightening because I was going to be looking at my overall health picture – not just building muscle and working out.  She explained that the hard work we’d be putting in on weights and cardio would be matched with the same intensity towards my diet.  We had meetings strictly about nutrition and how my food would affect my overall gains in every other aspect.  Debbie had me determine my goals.  She has never lost sight of these.  One of the many amazing things about Debbie is her attention to detail during my workouts; this is something I could not do on my own.  She pays close attention to my form to avoid injury and the exercises are very hard and specific in helping me achieve my goals.  Believe it or not, everything about my workout is fun, and I love it (except for leg day).
With Debbie’s help, these blogs will become more technical concerning what I eat and how I exercise.  Right now I’m trying to explain where I was, where I’m at, and where I’m going.  Eliminate the word diet from your vocabulary.  You’re not going on a diet.  You’re going to change your lifestyle.  You’ve got to get a handle on why you eat the poor foods that you do.  You have to admit to yourself that you need help…like I did.  I did this so that I wouldn’t fall back into my old patterns.  I did this because I was trying to save my life.

Are you ready for change?   Here are some things to think about:
  • There is no need to set yourself up for failure by going around and telling everyone “I’m on a diet.” 
  • Tell yourself that you are going to make these changes.  It’s about you.  It’s ok to take the time to invest in yourself, and to start feeling better. 
  • Stay humble.  You could be around people who are struggling with the same issues as you and they will try to bring you back down into a place you are exiting.  Some people don’t want to see you succeed, they will tell you “oh just have that donut…it’s not going to hurt you…” don’t let them drag you back down into their way of thinking and into your old patterns.  Your new way of thinking needs to be “I would rather go sling a f#@king kettle bell or battle ropes than put unhealthy food in my body again.” 
  • Every week, try to eliminate a bad habit out of your life.  The world is full of a lot of temptations; gas stations being one…we all have to go there.  Think about what they sell besides gas…cigarettes, alcohol, candy, soda, horrible food under lamps.  From now on, only go there for gas – eliminate everything else they sell that is bad for you.  Watch how your will power and your health will start to improve. 

I feel very lucky.  My trainers and coaches have a plan for me, and I am motivated to stick to it.  You need help, and you need a support system.  I have surrounded myself with people who are experts in their fields, and who want me to reach my goals.  I have surrounded myself with positive people.  Thank you Debbie Portell, Sid Gee, Wes Richards, Kyle Watson, Patrick Benson, Monte Gravis, and my family and friends.  If you’re getting anything out of reading this, it’s time for you to start making your plan and not be afraid to ask for help.  Sit down and think, and write down what you really want to accomplish. 

Food for thought:  Your biggest opponent is the one in the mirror. 

Rich Wood