Day 5 for me - back to the Elliptical for an hour at 5:15 AM after an off day yesterday - diet is solid not perfect - no diet pops yesterday - but one big Starbucks coffee - just black - a red eye for those that frequent Starbucks.

The hour flew by and I am taking to heart all of the suggestions to add a little weight training - and I am going to do that at some point and try some yoga - I just want to make sure I get in my hour - this will be my first week with 5 to 6 sessions of an hour.

I feel good and actually my hip feels pretty good too with at least a little weight starting to come off. Not perfect - but honestly better I think - which is cool.

I am going to try to formally compete in my first Pro golf tournament of the season this Monday. Looking forward to that - every Club PGA Pro that got in the business loved to compete - nobody got in the business loving to sell collared shirts. Trying to get my game in shape as well as my body. Both take a while - but I have done the golf game work for 30 years so I am a little better at that - so the body will come along as I learn.

Have a good weekend to all - those are regular work days for me - but I really like the cool crisp peace of the Spring mornings, then the golfers arrive!!

Who ever came up with the word SHANK anyway - such an ugly sounding word.

juddpgapro - 18 May 2007 10:17 AM

I feel good and actually my hip feels pretty good too with at least a little weight starting to come off. Not perfect - but honestly better I think - which is cool.

That is extremely cool!!  “Perfect” never lasts.  You’ve been doing great.  Standing up, taking a step and repeating! 

Have fun today! 

I saw the word “Starbucks” and got excited......if we could only live off of that stuff I’d be happy.....heck, if I could afford it everyday i’d be happy!! Have a happy and healthy weekend Judd!

Hi Judd - fellow Clevelander,
Just wanted to pop in and say that you are doing great! I thought I was an early riser! 5:15? yikes but kudos to you for getting the exercise done early and doing an hour’s worth of elliptical 5-6 days. That’s really awesome. Your game is going to get so much better! I hope you have a great weekend!

Day 6 - Tough to get it done today so the little victory was I did my hour this AM on the Elliptical. Went to bed a little after 10:30 so the 5 AM alarm came early. Tough evening last night - ate late (after my son’s soccer game) and not great but I had a big salad before 3 small pieces of buffalo chicken pizza. Tasted good at the time - kind of making a mental note wondering if it was the little bit less sleep or the late meal or what I ate or all of the above.

I am more tired today after the workout than usual. That could be other things as well. I played golf for the first time 2 days in a row since my hip arthroscopic surgery and it aches - trying to get ready for my event on Monday. On the good side - my fitness level is improving and definitely helping my golf game - felt like I had my legs under me at the end of the round and shot 72 - more consistent in my ball striking. Oddly I really do not play that much in my job as a club professional.

My goal as I enter this weekend is to do my “homework” (and my hour on the elliptical tomorrow as well). Some tough choices for me personally lie ahead - one immediate, and a couple that spin from the immediate decision. While I know my values (see my statement on my bio page) I think the bio page is the first time I wrote them out. I use a Treo phone for the convenience and functionality, and used a Franklin Planner for years - but really not for the hard stuff - just as a calender.

A few weeks ago I went and bought another Franklin and really need to sit and work through the hard stuff - another example of - lose the drama, stand up take a step and repeat and the trick is the click - and especially - do more now so you can do more later. As usual, my expectation is to do it all at once and get it done rather than committing to the process for the rest of my life. I believe that some of the conflicts within come from my values and goals not being in line with my daily tasks.

I hope everyone has a moment this weekend like I was blessed with - here at work at the golf shop - early - just barely warm enough that there was no frost, but cool enough that it got your attention - quick - no wind - hot coffee in my hand in the early AM. The trees in NE Ohio in the last days have blossomed with leaves and fullness and life - and the sun just peaked over the horizon. Life is good and the moment was too.

Be well today.

Judd,
I’m in the same boat re: my Franklin planner, daily tasks, breaking down my big goals into daily bite-size (no diet pun intended) steps.
Stephen Covey is a great starting point; however there is also another source that I HIGHLY recommend that, in my opinion, takes the Covey wisdom to another level.  Check out a book by David Allen, called “Getting Things Done Fast”.  I’ve read his book, listened to the CDs, attended his seminar, and am starting to implement the changes he recommends.  It is radical common sense, but many of his underlying concepts dovetail VERY nicely with a lot of what Scott and similar personal growth coaches teach. 

Just a thought if it works for you...keep up the good work--that hip is getting better everyday!
Patty

Thank you Patty - I will look into that for sure - hope you have a good weekend.
Judd

hot coffee in my hand in the early AM. The trees in NE Ohio in the last days have blossomed with leaves and fullness and life - and the sun just peaked over the horizon. Life is good and the moment was too.

Hi Judd

Sounds like you are having a great weekend.  Those moments in the early morning when the world seems perfect are what life is all about. 

I love the Franklin Covey system, although I’ve found it too granular to be practical for my everyday life.  I’m a software engineer and things change too rapidly for static to do lists to work effectively.  I have also read David Allen’s book, Getting Things Done, That system is much more adaptable for my world. What I actually use is a hybrid system that works for me.  It’s not a to do list, but a priorities list.  My planner has turned into a journal, with everything from kayak trip pictures to meeting notes from work.  I know it’s a single place to look when I need to go back and figure out what I was thinking at any point in time. 

Have a great weekend and keep up the great workout program.

Thanks Patty Paula and Tim and all for your thoughts - they really do help. I almost downloaded the David Allen book via iTunes yesterday - may today.

It’s a pretty Sunday in NE Ohio - they goofed up the forecast - yesterday was supposed to be gorgeous and after a pretty start was cool and rainy - today was supposed to be rainy and thus far sun and warmer.

I spent my hour on the elliptical this AM - went to bed at about 9 last night so the 5 AM wake up call was more tolerable. The whole neighborhood was in our front yard playing baseball until 10 - but I still feel asleep. My heart rate monitor was all over the place - said my high was 196 (is that even possible) and 130 average over the hour. I am betting I did not wet the sensors enough before starting - but the crazy reading were at the 50 minute mark. I am going to give the strap a good washing (or ask my wife to) and see.

I am blessed with a great marriage, wonderful wife and 2 great kids. When I was in High school I used to pray that God would lead me to a great family - I went through girlfriends and relationships not knowing what was in store for me and how fortunate I would be and I am thankful. Before I got on the forums Scott and Carlyn were very encouraging via email in being an example from a fitness and diet perspective. My older son is really driven and he was the example to me. At age 13 he is a fine student and athlete. Right now he is playing AAU basketball, travel soccer and baseball on a team with his friends for fun. The 10 year old plays soccer, baseball and like golf too. (it would have been WAY too easy if the both ended up as golfers - we could have put what we spend on gas toward college).

They are honest, funny and still all boy - it is pretty rewarding really. I am bent on still helping them learn to be gentlemen - walk on the “street side” when walking with a lady, take off you hat indoors, wear a belt and tuck in your shirt each day. It is an ongoing process but worth it. My mom would want that - especially in this day and age. They both also play the piano - just like my Mom had me do. About 2 years ago we changed teachers to one who requires recitals - I just think it is really important that the boys know - they have this performance looming out there and if they do the 1/2 hour of practice each day - the performance is no problem. If not, it may not go the way they want. You would think I would be smart enough to apply that to my fitness and work outs - but I guess I was not that bright - but I am doing it now.

My wife is just special - her smile lights up a room after 19 years of marriage. Not into the workout thing yet - and that is obviously taking up some of my time - but we did go on a bike ride last Monday - so as I continue, maybe it will get to her, maybe not - but I am the one really who needed the work in that area - not her. She is helping on the meal side - balancing what the kids will eat, helping me eat better, and going from there - NOT an easy task. She is supportive, loving and devoted to family.

Sunday is an easy day to count blessings - just need to remember that every day - I try - and sometimes I am better than others.

said my high was 196 (is that even possible) and 130 average over the hour. I am betting I did not wet the sensors enough before starting - but the crazy reading were at the 50 minute mark

The other thing that can cause the reading to go wacky is the performance fabrics, although I generally see the numbers in the 225 range when my Polar is acting up.  It’s like it gets some static.

Enjoy your Sunday.

Ada

Thanks Ada - I did not know that. The HR monitor on the elliptical was even goofier - all over the place really, - did not seem to effect my polar until the end.

Day 8 for me was a first - I played in my first PGA Golf Professional tournament of the year today and more importantly for the first time - still made time for my hour on the elliptical. We had the 2nd tee time at 8:40 this morning (still crispy cool in Cleveland) which meant leaving early was needed and an AM session not possible. After the round and after lunch and after the drive home and after checking in at the corporate golf outing at the course where I work, I took our 10 year old son to soccer goalie practice, came home and just did it - no more excuses - same as day one.

As I look at it - I really did it by trusting our staff to run the outing without me, and postponing returning non essential emails until tomorrow - and trying to adhere to my values of family and fitness, while still being responsible in touching base with the people that I needed to.

By the way - we made last check - Tie for 15th at the golf tournament and pocketed $47.22
Paid for my next 2 months of MTM and maybe send Scott a Starbucks gift card to get him that cup-o-joe that he loves!! 

Week one totals excludes today:
6 sessions on elliptical mostly, arc trainer, and walking on treadmill
6 hours 19 minutes 47 seconds
3811 calories
plus a 45 minute bike ride that I did not count

and just did it - no more excuses

That small statement is what MTM is all about.  Sounds like you had a wonderful time at the tournament and a successful day overall.

That was an impressive first week, Judd. Way to not let life get in the way of your exercising!! (Or, should I say, exercising is becoming part of your life! )

I liked your comment about “trusting” and “postponing non-essentials.”

As I look at it - I really did it by trusting our staff to run the outing without me, and postponing returning non essential emails until tomorrow - and trying to adhere to my values of family and fitness, while still being responsible in touching base with the people that I needed to.

That is pretty powerful stuff, Judd. You “clicked”, didn’t you?
You are doing an incredible job! Keep up the great workouts and golf game.

Good going, Judd! 

juddpgapro - 21 May 2007 08:35 PM

By the way - we made last check - Tie for 15th at the golf tournament and pocketed $47.22
Paid for my next 2 months of MTM and maybe send Scott a Starbucks gift card to get him that cup-o-joe that he loves!! 

I am more than happy to give you MY address so you know where to send that gift card.....hint hint wink wink.  Way to go on playing in your first PGA event, that is awesome!!!!! Bragging rights deserved!  Your first week looks fantastic and well, it is evident in your attitude!!!  Keep it up, you are impressing us all!!!  And seriously, about that coffee..... 

Thanks to all for the continuing support.

As well as I planned ahead for Monday and plotted my workout for later in the day which worked - I got it in, it made me really tired Tuesday AM and I overslept so missed the AM hour on the elliptical - I think the alarm went off but I could not tell you for sure - my wife did not think it did. Packed a bag with all good intentions to leave work during the day or steal some time and as the day went ot get in my hour - but I left work at 8:30 PM and the net is - Day 8 became an off day. I ate too late for the 12 hour diet - but did get to bed somewhat on time. But at least it was just a salad with some chicken.

I got a red eye from Arabica instead of Starbucks so the whole day seemed as if it was from the twilight zone - that was an indicator of what was to come for the day.

However - Day 9 went right back to schedule spent my hour on the elliptical and got caught up on 2 days of Daily Boosts.

This will be a typical challenge for me - my plan is to work out everyday and not schedule a day off unless needed physically because I know having done this for 18 years ( my job) that it will happen. Obviously summer in Cleveland is “in season” for a Golf Professional - and I average about 70 hours a week so I am fighting fo that hour each day in the AM because my chances of getting it in go way down if I get to 7AM and it is not done.

I was so focused on getting the workout in Monday - that I did not take in consideration how it may effect Tuesday AM.

I just wanted to make sure that it did not get to 2 days in a row if at all possible. And it will not happen that way unless it is driven by my values above fitness - which is faith and family - not job - even though at the end of the day as I look at how my time was spent - job gets a lot of hours of the day.

In the past - one missed day was followed by another and another and another and I look up and it is November - and I am still fat. Not this time.

Good news is - sunshine means golfers are here - now the challenge is to balance things the way I want to.

Day 10 went well - got in my AM hour on the elliptical and thus far ate well. Diet is coming - not perfect but can tell my food habits and needs are changing. I do try not to eat after 7 but that is tough for me with the kids schedules and I really feel it if I miss a meal - not right away but later or the next day.

I am just trying to do it each day - one at a time. Work is really stressful but I could do a whole thread on that.

Thanks so much for the support.