Introducing Agent Q

Each of the agents, as well as my clients, all hold a special place with me.  Their ongoing commitment to improving their own wellness, their collaboration to help others change and their successes are often the highlights of my days.  I mentioned in my last post, that I would be introducing our newest agent. This particular individual has dealt with a significant amount of change in their lives.  And, much of that change was not chosen, it was reactive to current circumstance.  In the past couple of months, she has gone Vegan, began training with me regularly, lost weight, changed the diet of her children (they are now vegetarians) and had a growing interest in helping others.  I have said many times before how much I learn from the other agents...and this one is no different.  Experiencing all of these changes with her has meant the world to me.  Now she is joining our movement...and knowing that we will now share in so much more together, well that just makes my day:)

Josh

It all started about 17 years ago at the young ages of 17 & 18. Two kids from opposite sides of the city of Chicago, (Sox vs. Cubs) and an unplanned last minute trip to the city with a girlfriend, which turned into the luckiest day of my life!

That day I met the man that would become my life partner, best friend, father of our two amazing children and so much more.  But the man that I met that day, almost 17 years ago was half the man he is now, and I don't mean that literally.  Today, he is in fact almost half the size he was when I met him, but I am talking about on an emotional, intellectual and spiritual level.

What originally attracted me to Josh (Agent 001) was his sense of humor and determination. As an example...within the first few minutes of meeting him, he whispered to his friend "hands off, she's mine" and I then proceeded to inform Josh that I had very good hearing!  Now normally if any other guy would have said something like that about me, I would never give them a second look.  But there was something about him...and it was at that moment that I knew this was going to become something serious.

Now it may have been the olive green suit and tie, or that he had about a pound of gel in his hair to grease it back, or maybe that his ankle and leg were in a cast up to his knee and he had to use a cane to walk. Oh gosh there were just so many reasons I fell for him! (Anyone who knows me understands the humor in that last sentence!) In actuality he was the complete opposite type of guy I was normally attracted to, but once again there was something very special about Josh.

This is the crazy part, that almost 17 years later, it has only been within the last couple of years that I found out what is so truly special about him!  If you are not aware of Josh's story you need to go to www.joshneimark.com immediately to learn more (after reading my post of course:). There you will learn about the amazing transformation he has gone through and how it has made him the very special person I knew was always in him since the moment we met.

Anyone and everyone who knows Josh can attest that he is quite possibly the most honest person you will ever ever meet (too honest at times perhaps)!  He is always acting with good character and never has a hidden agenda that would only benefit himself.  His transformation has turned him into a vigilante if you will, for good overall health; not only in his own life, but in all the lives in the whole world (well starting closer to home first) His passion and commitment to this barely existent cause in America (Nearly 34 percent of adults are obese, more than double the percentage 30 years ago. The share of obese children tripled during that time, to 17 percent.) has become very contagious within the community where we live.

Every morning at the gym people would constantly approach him with compliments on his self motivation, which was then followed by many questions about how they can achieve results like him! Then one day a very determined observer, mother/career woman with a very busy schedule like most of us today, asked Josh to be her personal trainer.  Well, it was more like she firmly told him he was going to be and he didn't have a choice:)  And of course, without even a second thought he agreed happily because that's Josh!  He wasn't happily accepting the job for any monetary reason, only for the simple fact that he actually inspired someone else to want to improve their overall health. That person is Erin, Agent 003, Josh's first official client.

Soon after working with Erin and seeing all of her positive change, he put an idea he had been working on for some time into effect; "The Agents of Change" The concept is simple, making the choice to better your health through his three pillars of wellness. The first one being physical wellness, the second pillar being nutritional wellness and last but not least emotional wellness.

Now I leave you with this, everyone has the power inside of them to change for the better, but it takes a really special person to inspire others to change for the better!  Thank you Josh for inspiring me and our whole agent family to be the best we can be!  I love you with all my heart and I pray that one day Jack will grow to be half the man/husband/father/friend/ that you have become almost 17 years later!

PS...look for my weekly columns/posts to begin soon.  My topic of choice - How to make healthy choices for your kids in our society.

Susie
Agent Q

We did it...unbeknownst to me...Olaf may just be race ready

In less than 2 months, I have become an abundantly wealthy man.  Not in the monetary sense, I still live paycheck to paycheck:)  No, I mean I have gained a wealth of knowledge with regard to nutrition and exercise.  And, my spirit feels refreshed.

Two and a half weeks ago, I was already noticing these changes in my life. I realized how much I had already learned and decided I needed to give back what was so freely given to me.  So, I began volunteering at Rock Steady Boxing on Wednesday evenings and Thursday mornings.  Although,  I have only been doing it for two weeks, I feel I have learned even more about attitude, perseverance, dedication and acceptance (Rock Steady is the not-for profit working with those affected by Parkinson's)  I learned a valuable lesson last week while volunteering.  I had been collecting mats from people in between exercises and a gentleman by the name of Ron told me "he was there to workout and could put it away himeself".  It was at that point, that I realized I needed to treat these individuals just as I would anyone with Parkinson's or not.

Next weekend, I along with the other Agents (and families) will be running in the Komen Race for The Cure.  Josh encouraged me to sign up for the 5K run, which I did.  However, the last time I might have even run a 5K was in high school.  After our BOSU class this morning, Josh asked if I wanted to go for a 30-minute run with him outside...I begrudgingly said yes.  He did mention we would take a very easy pace.  Amidst strong winds and a less than ideal attitude, I pushed forth.  It didn't help to have Josh running backwards facing me and singing the Rocky theme song...if I had any extra energy I may have choked him!  But, I stayed focused and kept running.  When there was about 10-minutes left, Josh continually urged me to keep pace...for some reason he desperately wanted me to make it back to the start in 30-minutes total.  When we crossed the final street and where about back to the final straight, Josh said I had 10-seconds to get back to my car.  So, giving it all I had,  I pushed out one final sprint.  At that exact moment I finished and was gasping for air (yes - in 30-minutes).  Josh informed me that I had just completed my first 5K since high school.  Oh, by the way....just prior to the run, I held an elbow plank for a full 5-minutes and 3 seconds...something Josh said he has never even attempted.  I'll bet he does now...

Since joining this movement of change, I along with the other agents finally have a chance to give back to Josh too.  Since he went all Vegan on us...he has lost a bit of weight.  No doubt that he will overcome this hurdle just as any that have been thrown in front of him...but it's kind of nice and fun to push back all of the things he tells us constantly.  The messages he has instilled in us, have become second nature already.  Eat right, get rest, drink water, breathe...As he once again makes a "change" (this time to his own grueling training/nutrition program), we will be right there with him.  So, what can you do...send cookies of course, just make sure that they are Vegan, he'll probably have them analyzed:)

P.S. - It has been a full month (and one day actually) since I smoked my last cigarette!

Olaf - 005

Two Weeks In . . . Still Vegan

As of yesterday, 14 days completed as a vegan!  How do I feel?  Overall, fantastic.  The shift to this lifestyle actually hasn't been all that daunting.  In many ways, there is a lot of excitement that has gone along with it.  Trying new foods and recipes, shopping without my "standard" list of protein bars/protein powder and case of egg whites; and being able to cook for both Susie and I again (It has been years since we routinely ate the same things).

There has definitely been a learning curve for me too.  Over the past few years I had become so conditioned to eating the same things at the same times, day in and day out.  As they say, "old habits die hard".  I still find myself looking at my watch and considering my next meal at a certain time.  However, I am working on adding more flexibility in that area, as well as listening (and hearing - they are certainly two different things) more to what my body is telling me it needs and when.

Both Susie and I have found that as we transitioned into this way of eating, for the first time we really taste foods in a whole new way.  Much of what we prepare, we don't even season; and we think it tastes wonderful.  Although I have eaten very "clean" for some time, going vegan has also lessened my desire for anything processed.  The frozen vegan burgers which would be so easy to throw in the microwave are of no interest to me.  Instead, I crave more and more whole foods, just they way they were packaged by nature. 

Another challenge I have found is understanding (at least for my body and my training), what is the optimal way to balance the protein needs I have.  I have dropped a few pounds in the last 2 weeks, but continue to tweak little by little and monitor the results.  Like any other journey, it is a process.

Initially I found that this major shift in my pattern was taking far more of my time in the preparation of food.  However, within the first week or so realized that was mostly due to trying "to figure it all out".  Now, we have a bit more of a rhythm going and I really enjoy cooking for Susie again.  On that note, it has been wonderful being able to experience this with my wife.  Sharing this common desire for improved wellness and sustainability has allowed us add another positive dimension to our relationship.  We are learning together every day.

The internet has also made things a whole lot easier.  Vegan recipes, blogs, vegan groups and on and on...all with a few clicks of your mouse.  I subscribe to information from a well known vegan athlete.  One of the recent videos I received was talking about the nutrients in different types of soil around the world and the plants, roots and vegetables that grew in those areas. He referred to them as the earths way of transitioning those nutrients to us.  When I heard that, I realized how logical a statement that was.  Nature has always provided everything we need...and it all comes perfectly packaged for us (additive, preservative and coloring free too).
 
Josh

Adapt, Adjust, Alter - The Change Continues for Agent 004

As you may have read previously... I have made some drastic changes in my world. I have quit my job and gone back to school for nursing and have made a choice to better myself and be in my "forever" body by 35, my next birthday. With that said I have had more than my fair share of challenges. What challenges you ask...

1. I have been sick for about a month. You name it I have had it.... strep throat, check, stomach virus, check, bronchial infection, check but none the less I  have continued my workouts. It has been hard. There are days when I would rather be asleep than at the gym at 5am, but I go, I work out and I feel somewhat better.

2. I am in school and trying to figure out just how to handle the stress that comes along with that. This is something that will take a while for me to perfect. There was an afternoon not to long ago that I essentially planned to fail, why, because I failed to plan. I was done with school for the day and needed to run to the other side of the city for an errand, I did not pack lunch. I made the decision to grab something on the fly... Taco Bell it was. A bean burrito I figured was the least of all the evils. Man, was I WRONG. I ate my bean burrito and enjoyed every bite... it tasted great going down. Then was the after effect. I was physically sick from it about 3 hours later. I drank about a gallon of water just to flush it out of my system. When I called Josh to "tell on myself" I told him I deserved it, he just laughed. Needless to say this is an area I have got to work on!

3. And the biggest challenge I face to date is that I am pregnant, again, I have a one year old and a four year old. In my other pregnancies I have been gestational diabetic. My goal that Josh and the other agents are trying to help me attain, is to stay diabetic free and make this the healthiest pregnancy yet. I am looking forward to this challenge and being able to recover faster than before. My workouts have changed a lot, but I am still maintaining a healthy lifestyle for me and the new baby

With all my challenges have come a lot of changes for the good as well. I have got my husband who is the ultimate cyclist and sees no point in the other stuff, in a class with Josh once a week. I love that he is able to see what I am doing. I am super excited for my parents to come into town and do a class with Josh as well. My parents are amazing. They are both vegan and have been for about 2 years. My Mom is a cyclist and goes to the gym and does yoga about 6 days a week. My father is a marathon runner. They are in excellent shape but I think are going to be amazed and surprised as to what an over all body conditioning class can do for them.

Sarah - Agent 004

As I continue to watch all of the agents, I continue to feel a great sense of fulfillment in what I am witnessing.  Although the individual changes each of makes are unique, we also all share in the need to adapt to them.  An area which we all focus on and discuss often, is our overall wellness.  Learning that wellness is not simply based on our weight, our look or our pant size;  but based upon how we feel...both physically and emotionally.  In our efforts to achieve this enhanced balance, we work on three foundational areas in our lives...They are the physical, the nutritional and the emotional...and they all work together.  As Sarah has described above, she has dealt with her share of change in all these areas.  And, as easy as it would be to allow so much change to derail you, she has not lost her focus.  In fact, through these last few weeks, Sarah's view has shifted to the "longer-term".  She understands it is a process, one which will provide rewards to her and her family...both today and tomorrow.

We are all proud of Sarah and look forward to being right there with her as she continues her journey.

Josh

003 Continues to Change

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, Erin (003) was beginning an "overhaul" with regard to her nutrition and training.  She and I had been discussing our approach for the past couple of weeks.  Although there are a handful of goals, we agreed that the primary gauge of success would be how she felt.  I also asked Erin to write a few blog entries on her progress throughout the "overhaul", which will continue for the next two weeks.  Here is her first entry...which is all about her big nutrition change.  Go Erin!

Josh

In an effort to live a healthier lifestyle, I have been eating "vegan" for four days. Well, almost four days. In one hour, it will be four days, but who's counting?
In all seriousness, due to a recent personal tragedy, this "cleansing" couldn't have come at a better time. I feel like I need a boost in my energy and truly believe this will steer me in the right direction. I need to feel more energized.  I say cleansing, because although I'm referring to it as a vegan lifestyle, it's actually more of a cleansing of all foods that are simply bad for the body. Basically, I'm at a point where if I read a label and I see any ingredient that has been modified, I'm not going to eat it. This has led to a wealth of fabulous treats, even for someone like me who constantly lives on the go! Breakfast has actually been fun! Whole grains heated and then supplmented with bananas, almonds and almond milk.  Snacks and desserts have been decadent with Larabars and fresh figs. Lunches and dinners are easy. HUGE salads with sunflower seeds, black beans, homemade salsa, mushrooms, and fresh cilantro...OR with strawberries and apples and fresh balsamic for a different feel...I even found myself in the kitchen baking an eggplant and am excited to top it with tomato sauce and basil for "Italian night" tonight. And for dessert? How about a baked apple with blueberries and agave syrup?

I am having fun planning meals for each day and cannot wait to have a hemp protein powder shake in the morning on the way to work.

I cannot lie.  It's been a bit confusing at times for me with the right proteins...I was a huge carnivore, so every time I want to eat a salad, not reaching for the George Foreman to make chicken has been a struggle. But I'm learning about all the different ways to get protein and basically discovering a new food pyramid. Now, it's time to measure the change in my energy and see how this affects my daily life. The one thing I've learned so far is to always carry a snack JUST IN CASE. There are not a lot of healthy choices out there in the restaurants in Indy and I need to be prepared at all times.

So here I go. Sugar gone? check. White flour out the door? check. Hydrogenated oils gone? check. Corn syrup as an ingredient to avoid? Check.

Time to go finish prepping dinner...It's "Italian night" at the Epstein's.

Erin (003)