And, my hips went from 42 1/4 to 40-inches - a LOSS of 2 1/4-inches from my hips.
My other stats went slightly down as a result of major FAT LOSS and MUSCLE GAIN.
Day 87 - Wednesday May 23/01 - Medium intensity pre-Photo Shoot Pumping Up Work-out. Photo Shoot by Korby Banner in Toronto. My Photo Shoot today was long and draining only because I had planned several additional shots reflecting confidence, creativity and the healthy lifestyle lessons learned from my Body-for-LIFE experience.
Day 88 - Thursday May 24/01 - Today I was supposed to go out with my friends Jay and Peter. But, first, I stopped by Korby's Studio to check out the proofs of the Shoot. That's when it hit me - like a brick wall! After 12-weeks of intensity & focus - all of a sudden I didn't know where I was going. It was both shocking and scary. What was I supposed to do now? Needless to say, I could hardly function with Jay or Peter with these thoughts mulling around in my brain. I felt like I had no direction anymore - that I was lost.
Day 89 - Friday May 25/01 - Today, I realized how self-absorbed I had been over the last 12-weeks. It had been a very necessary time for me. Body-for-LIFE had kept me focused and goal-oriented enough, over a long enough time, with enough personal challenges, high points and victories so that I was able to let go of a lot of inner negatives and build into my life new patterns of positive living that I loved. I didn't want to give it up. Body-for-LIFE was so much more than Photos and Stats. I didn't want it to end. I felt like a 2-year old stamping his feet and saying "No!" Then my supervisor at GM (Rick McAfee) came up to me and presented me with my 25-year loyal service ring. And as I said "thank-you," it hit me again. I hadn't taken the time to be thankful to all those who had offered their encouragement and support throughout my Body-for-LIFE Challenge, nor had I taken the time to celebrate my victories. An important part of High Point Living includes, "being thankful" and "celebrating victories." I believe these are very important keys as to what path you'll continue on after Body-for-LIFE. They allow you necessary thinking time because Body-for-LIFE is about choices, decision-making, finding inner resolve, taking the necessary action, being thankful and celebrating. Choices and decisions sure are important, but so is taking the time to appreciate your accomplishments. Because of this insight, I decided right then and there that I was going to send Photos along with a personal thank-you card to everyone who had helped me overcome weaknesses within myself. And, finishing Body-for-LIFE also brings you to another choice that requires a decision. Should I do a maintenance program for 3 months and then enter another Body-for-LIFE Challenge and building phase, and then repeat this pattern - kinda like living in harmony with the seasons? Or, should I build again for 12-weeks and then go on the maintenance/build pattern? Or whatever? These are all choices that require some sort of decision. And what about taking the time to celebrate and look for high point living in a variety of experiences? That's when I realized I should've been celebrating with Jay and Peter yesterday, but instead had been very self-absorbed wondering where I was going and what I was going to do next, when I should have been celebrating the high point of good health and good living with my friends who had been supportive all along. I phoned them and apologized. Both told me that they'd had a good time with me and much of what I'd been going through must've been internal - as they never really saw me as being out-of-sorts - only that I had been too harsh on myself thinking I looked like a stick man in my proofs. They both told me to wait until the actual Photos came back. Please, after your Body-for-LIFE program, don't forget to be thankful and to take the time to celebrate. Thought I'd pass that along :-) I vowed to really enjoy my personal celebration time down in Orlando. And, I decided Saturday I was gonna do an Upper Body Work-out and repeat Day 57. Mom, Peter and Kenny at work all asked me to help them set up work-out programs. My friend Santino has already started Body-for-LIFE. I'm moving forward. I need to redetermine my goals and find both time and that delicate balance that allows me to build and maintain my own fitness program, yet also helps and encourages others with theirs. Insights on just how to do that is another message I hope to gain while in Orlando.
Day 90 - Saturday May 26/01 - Back into the gym and repeated Day 57 - just to maintain and stay in good health in preparation for my time of celebration down in Florida this coming week. I'm sure it will have it's High Point moments! In fact, I know I can count on it!
Day 92 - GM took a picture of my supervisor presenting my 25-year Loyal Service Ring to me to put in Tuesday's Auto Info (even though I actually received it last Friday). Went to see Korby Banner, my photographer, to pick through the proofs and have thank-you & web prints made up for when I return from Orlando. I also picked up my Challenge Photos - they sure look a lot better than those little proofs! The key, I think after completeing BFL, is to relax, and regroup to give yourself some time to be thankful and to celebrate. You'll probably still go into shock :-) But somehow after Body-for-LIFE we're all a part of a greater purpose and mission; and that's exciting! |
