Invoking Change - A note from 004

As an agent of change and as part of this movement, it has become a mission of mine to invoke change in others.

Today while getting my hair done, I was talking to my stylist and she was asking about working out and what I have been doing. I explained a bit of the torture that are Josh's workouts and then told her that I am at the gym every morning at 5am, if she would like to join me for a spin class when I was done with my normal training she was more than welcome. After a little persuading, apparently I am good at this.. my fifth grade teacher wrote on my report card... "has the ability to get others to do things SHE wants... this is a bit scary for a 11 year old" she agreed to meet me for a spin class at 5:45 at my gym. She then said "well if I like the class then I will send you a message and maybe we can meet again". My response was... No need to send a message... We will just make a plan to meet every Thursday morning at 5:45 for class.

My journey to where I am now was a downhill spiral that took a long time. When I finally hit the bottom, I realized that there are others that are either at the bottom or are on their way down. I hope to stop those on the way down and help those that are there start there climb back to healthy. In the words of my daughters favorite person, Hannah Montana, "its not about how fast I get there, its not about what is waiting on the other side, its the climb!" My climb will include invoking change in others that have a desire to change, but might need help getting their climb started.

Although my climb has begun, it has had some rough spots. I am stronger in mind for sure and my strength in my body is coming along. Sometimes the thought crosses my mind that working on a downward spiral would be easier, but I think about the example that I am setting and I do not want anyone to see me as an example of anything but someone who is healthy, strong and positive.

Agent 004

Magic Pill

A couple of weeks ago, I was waiting to teach a class at our local JCC.  While waiting on a bench outside the studio, a gentleman approached and asked me a question.  He wanted to know if there was a "magic pill" that he could take to look like I did.  Flattering for sure...

My response was "yes, there is"

Although my response was in part, an attempt at humor, I was trying to make a point.

He then asked, "really, what is it called?"  

I told him it was called the "pill of choice".

Not the answer he was expecting.  We spent the next 5 minutes or so discussing his goals and I shared a bit about my past.  I further explained, that although the associated work is "hard", that making the choice to find greater wellness was an easy thing to do.  Just as I have said before, you decide that everyday you are going to wake up and brush your teeth...there is no difference in deciding that you are going to wake up each day and workout, eat healthier, reduce stress and so on.  

As I headed into class, he thanked me for my time and encouragement and was looking forward to seeing me again.  As I headed off, he said "any other pointers"...

I said yes, "remember that you don't need to go and fill that prescription . . .that pill has been in your pocket all your life".  

Josh - Agent of Change  

Allow me to introduce Mark Severn . . . My trainer moving forward

My name is Mark Severn, a professional Personal Trainer in Southern California. I describe my occupation a little differently than most trainers. I am an educator in the business of life; personal training is the medium with which I educate.

My passion in life is helping others realize their fitness and health goals through education. My favorite clients are eager beginners and those that are passionate about fitness themselves but need a little guidance to get through all of the hype and mis-information in the health and fitness industry.

After reading Josh Neimark’s story, and trading some comments on each others blogs, I found myself reaching out to Josh, via e-mail, to help him with his fitness and exercise questions. After discussing various topics, we decided to take it one step further and create a private blog. I would become his Personal Trainer and he the client. In this industry, to be truly effective, a hands on approach is necessary. With Josh’s passion to change his life and my self proclaimed educator status, I felt that we could get the job done, sans hands.

About Me Today:

I currently run a training business called “Trainer to You“, www.trainertoyou.com, providing at home training services with two other trainers. My experience spans more than 25 years in the fitness industry, personally and professionally. In this business some documentation of competency is required, and rightfully so.

Some certifications:

I continually take new certifications (“certs” as they are known in the business) every year to further my education and learn new things. But the basics that most people are interested in are,

Ÿ Personal Trainer - American Council on Exercise, ACE
Ÿ Lifestyle and Weight Management Consultant - ACE
Ÿ Nutritional and Supplement Specialist - APEX
Ÿ Spin Instructor - Madd Dogg Athletics

And a recent recognition just bestowed upon me, “Best Male Trainer” - 2007 - Inland Valley. Inland Valley is a community of towns that is comprised of 300,000 people where I live and work.

The Beginning:

I began working out at the age of fifteen to deal with my asthma, it was the only thing I could do, endurance sports were definitely out of the picture. I was hooked from day one. I read everything I could get my hands on, exercise, nutrition and motivation. Success came early for me. At the age of 16 I became the United Kingdom power lifting champion in the 148 lb. weight class, beating others who were fifteen years my senior.

Bodybuilding became my way of life in the 1980s. Destined to become the next Arnold Schwarzenegger, I worked out twice a day, ate like a horse and lived the lifestyle. That lifestyle did not pay the bills unfortunately, Personal Training was yet to be the industry that it is today, and I eventually found myself in the corporate world. I succeeded their also, but at a great cost.

Over the years life seemed to get in the way of my fitness goals. I started to chase the almighty dollar. I did all the wrong things that people do to deal with stress. Poor and compulsive eating, abuse of alcohol and lack of exercise brought me to almost 270 pounds. My blood pressure and cholesterol levels were off the charts. I began experiencing anxiety and panic attacks. A Doctor told me that if I continued with my current lifestyle I would be dead in 10 years. I was physically, mentally and emotionally bankrupt. I was 32.

My lifestyle, through a series of events, was about to slap me in the face. A slap, although painful, I believe will be the defining moment in my life. Everything that I knew was stripped from me and I was left bare and back at square one. It was either give up or come out fighting. I decided to fight, my weapon of choice, exercise. I decided to dedicate the rest of my life to improving myself and helping others do the same. Thus ten years ago I changed career directions and became a professional Personal Trainer. Not part time, not til something better came along, but for good. It is who I am.

I am now 43 and living life again. I have an opportunity every day to make an impact in some bodies’ life. To be the success that I am today would not have happened without going through the trials that I exposed myself too. Trials, that my clients battle everyday. I can honestly say, been there – done that.

My wish, through Josh’s blog, is to impact your life also.

Perhaps it is more mental . . .

Throughout my transformation, I often focused on "pushing" a little bit harder everyday. Of course, there was a "mental" aspect to each new challenge, but none like I am experiencing these days.

Since I began working with a personal trainer in the last couple of weeks, my "goals" have been completely redefined. Not to mention, my routine turned upside down. I became very used to the same things and continued to try to go a bit further with each element over the past year. Ride a bit farther, a bit faster . . . lift a few more pounds, do just a few more reps, maybe one more set.

My new approach is much more scientific. Mark (my trainer who you will be learning more about) began by gaining a clear understanding of the current picture. I mean that literally and figuratively. Being that we are a few thousand miles apart, we are communicating primarily through a "private" blog. Within this blog, I post pictures, measurements, daily nutrition intake/results, workout information as well as questions and comments (we also speak by phone periodically on specifics).

When Mark agreed to begin training me, one of the first things he said was "this training is going to be far more challenging mentally". Although I was in no place to disagree, a week into my new program, I certainly have a deeper understanding of that comment.

Let me sum up the current situation (if you don't already know the previous situation - go back to my archives and read the early posts). In 10-months, I went from needing to lose a significant amount of weight, to needing to gain. From Mark's perspective (one which I trust) as well as my physician, I am too lean for my height . . . 166 pounds at just under 6 feet tall. After Mark's initial evaluations, the determination was made that I needed to add more muscle mass for my height/build.

So, how do we do that?

Increase my daily caloric intake very specifically (with a focus on 5-7 small balanced meals a day), totally revamp my exercise routine, and focus on understanding that taking a rest, is actually part of my workout. All of this by the way, is very different from the approach I had self-prescribed. I ate a fixed range of calories a day (generally 3 meals), worked out in some way every single day (so no rest) and by the way, I rarely hydrated myself properly.

I of course will be detailing much more of my current regimen (with Mark's input/contribution to the Blog), but here is the biggest challenge currently. I need to "change" once again. I had become comfortable with my successes and continued steady progression. Now, I am struggling with the concept of "gaining" weight, even though I know I need to. I am absolutely struggling with drinking as much water as I am supposed to, but I must say I feel better. Hard to eat 5-7 meals a day with specific caloric/protein goals (but I'm always feeling full - partially from the water). And finally, the rest days (which there are two of per week), are freaking me out a bit, although I must focus on the fact that those are the times my body is repairing itself and rebuilding.

So back to the "change" concept. I did it before and I will do it again. But, Mark was right, this time the change is very "mental". I must change the way I think about training and nutrition. My goal isn't to lose weight now, but to continue the path towards health and well being. For me, that actually now means adding a bit of weight, maintaining certain health benefits I have found (body fat%, lowered cholesterol, etc) and pushing forward to bigger challenges along the way. Stay tuned . . .

Josh Neimark - Agent of Change

Perfect . . . Far from it

Perfection is something I don’t think anyone is likely to achieve. In fact, if you did, then where would there be to go? There are those who have read or heard my story and feel as if “I have arrived”, I have achieved all I can, no need to do more . . .

Well, let me be the first to tell you, I am far from perfect. Yes, I have accomplished and exceeded many goals, but I am far from perfection. I eat a very balanced and healthy diet, my cholesterol is finally in line, I have lost weight, overcome the bizarre medical condition I was plagued with . . . but there is plenty of room for improvement.

I also drink way too much coffee, I don’t drink nearly enough water and rarely, if ever, take much needed rest time for me. I struggle with the theory (which is absolutely valid) of eating smaller amounts and more often, I almost never “cheat” and I don’t exactly know how to proceed towards my new goals.

So, what is the point of this post?

The point is we need to find balance. Balance is not only essential with regards to physical training or diet, but in life. It is very easy to think you are balanced when you are winning a battle such as weight loss and improved health, but what do we neglect in that quest? Perhaps it is the time you would spend with family, the time you might relax and read a book, or the time you could be doing more for others.

Although my current goals are being redefined (soon to be shared), finding this much needed balance is at the top of my list. Specific to weight loss and my past experiences, lack of balance is a big component of why my lifestyle and behavior “relapsed” when I had achieved goals in the past. It was just too hard to keep maintaining, lack of balance.

Over the last year, so much of what I do everyday has truly become habit. This is good. That will make continuing much of my behavioral pattern much easier. Now, I need to figure out how to be more efficient, more effective and balance that with other aspects of a healthy lifestyle. Physical health is only part of “well being”. Just like everything else in our universe, balance is the key. Our carbon emissions are way out of balance, so our planet is suffering. Cultural tension around the globe is out of balance, we have increasing amounts of conflict. Workaholics don’t spend enough time with their families and end up in dysfunctional relationships.

Balance is the key. I strive to achieve it.

I am going to drink more water, drink less coffee and try to rest more. But, I am also going to spend more time focusing on my kids, my wife, taking time to reflect . . . and find balanced health and well being. My improved health is a definite start, but the journey is far from over.

Josh Neimark – Agent of Change