Total Wellness Transformation: Hank's Journey - My Two Cents' Worth

The Diary Of The Next 50lb Weight Loss

It's Hank here!

I got an email this week from Beachbody Coach Doug who wants to reclaim his health and fitness - but he's having trouble getting and staying motivated and he asked for my advice. Well, that's what this is about!

I'm no expert, but I'm happy to offer my two cents' worth and address his questions and share what worked for me in hopes that it can help him and others.

Doug and his wife are about to celebrate their 7-year wedding anniversary and they have a beautiful new baby girl. Doug and his wife are both in need of a fitness overhaul and he does not want his baby girl to grow up the same way.

He isn't really sure why he signed up to be a Coach, but he knows he wants to make a change. In fact, he signed up to run a half marathon in November and he just started P90X and he's drinking Shakeology! (I find that hugely inspirational. A half-marathon?!?! That's amazing!)

Like all of us, Doug has had some ups and downs, some false starts and some lack of consistency. But he knows he needs to make a change, and that is the first step on the path. Here are some of his questions:

Q: How do you get past that "I am lazy and I don't want to push play" phase?

Consistency. Schedule your workouts. Use WOWY to plan your workouts and connect with others and if you need a little motivation, support is only a click away. I have to get up and get my workout done and out of the way first thing in the morning, or else it won't get done. I don't give myself room to make excuses. Commit to yourself, "I will do this."

I have to have music when I workout. I have a playlist of songs that get me amped up and motivate me to tap into my inner fire that keeps me going. For me, it's a lot easier to get lost in the music than it is to tick off the seconds and minutes until the workout is over.

I've said before, there are days when I wake up and don't feel like it. And I think of Beachbody Coaches and the amazing transformations in the infomercials. And I ask myself if they ever felt the same way. And I'm sure they did - but they got over it, they put in the work and they got the results. This whole dialogue takes about 20 seconds and then I am up and at 'em. I just think of how it feels to have completed the workout, to be dripping sweat, out of breath and tired, but to know I've already accomplished something that moves me closer to my fitness goal. The only way to get that feeling is to push Play and get it done!

Q: I hate to-do lists, but I know they are a good thing. How do you use them?

Well, Chalene Johnson is a big proponent of the to-do lists and so am I. Whether it's daily or weekly, figure out what you want to achieve and put it down. Then take great satisfaction from being able to cross items off as you complete them. I even go so far as to put my water consumption down.

It gives you a visual reminder of what you've already done and what's left to do so you can stay focused. There are great software programs that allow you do sync to-do lists and goals, healthy shopping lists, notes, motivation quotes, etc. on your computer and mobile devices so you always have them close at hand. (I use Evernote - Chalene turned me on to it and it's awesome.)

Q: How I do stay on track and follow through with my commitment?

Decide. Commit. Succeed. You have already decided to do it. You've committed to the half marathon, to P90X, to Shakeology. In order to succeed, you need to engage your friends and family and ask them for their support and encouragement. you need them to help keep you accountable so you can stay on track and see the success you want.

Ask your wife to join you on the journey to be your accountability partner. That might make it easier and will help you both model healthy behaviors and adopt new ways of thinking that you can pass on to your beautiful baby girl as she grows up.

Surround yourself with supporters, not naysayers and haters. If they think you'll fail and you won't follow through on it, let them think it, but don't buy into that negativity. Just think of how great it is going to feel when you cross the finish line of that half marathon and prove them all wrong. (The phrases "I told you so!" and "In your face!" spring to mind.)

You have 53,000 supporters already with your fellow Team Beachbody Coaches! Reach out to them, connect with them. Many of the ones that you find intimidating because of the amazing results they've achieved have been exactly where you are. Let them inspire and motivate you, not intimidate you.

This is your journey. It's a lifestyle, not a project, so like Tony says, "just do your best and forget the rest." It's not going to be easy, but it can be fun, fulfilling and an amazing opportunity for personal growth you never thought possible. I'm on my journey, so take it from one who knows.

Thanks to Doug for his email and to Carl and Team Beachbody Coaches for their support. Like I said, I'm no expert, but I'm happy to share what worked for me. I hope it helps and I look forward to celebrating your success, Doug! I'm down another 2.4lbs, for a total weight loss of 64lbs! Not mad at that!

Total Wellness Trandformation: Hank's Journey - Miles To Go

The Diary Of The Next 50lb Weight Loss

Hank here.

What happened to this week? You factor in a holiday and an extra day off and you've got a very short week in which to get a lot done! It was short and sweet and kind of a blur.

It's Oscar weekend and people are talking about which stars have the best bodies and what their fitness regimen is and how they maintain it. A friend of mine said, "Well, if my job was to look good on camera and have a smokin' body, I'd have a team of trainers, too! I'd be in the gym 4 hours a day, just like all these celebs."

I chuckled, because I think that a lot of people share that same perception; that it takes an entire team to craft and maintain a fit, toned, camera-ready body. Not always true. It can be as simple as a DVD player, some discipline and the right tools. I know for a fact that many celebrities, athletes and people in the public eye use Beachbody programs instead of a team of trainers. They use them because they work.

But, in order to get the results, you have to put in the work. I tell myself this daily. As I said last week, it isn't easy, it's not always fun, but it will pay off. If you're disciplined, if you eat clean, if you commit to it, then you'll reap the benefits.

Here's an example: I went to see a friend's band play the other night, so I figured I'd eat at the club, since I didn't have a chance to go home first. We sat down and I looked at the menu and there was very little in the way of healthy options that would keep me on track. So I asked the waiter if I could get the burger plain & protein style and swap out the fries for a mixed green salad. He assured me that was no problem. When our food came out, I had a burger fully loaded on a huge brioche bun and a mountain of fries - but no salad. Uh-oh.

Now, it looked good, but I found myself disappointed first and foremost because there I was, trying to be diligent about eating clean and I was getting no help from the restaurant. It was very busy and our poor waiter was slammed, so instead of sending it back, I just performed a little quick surgery.

Away went the bun, all the mayo and sauce got scraped off, the lettuce got salvaged and - presto - my protein style burger! The fries went uneaten and, thanks to some quick thinking, I stayed on track. I realized after the fact that it didn't really occur to me to just eat it as it was, fries and all. Not too long ago, that would not have been the case, so I'll mark that in the "progress" column.

I've changed my thinking, my habits, my behaviors. I seek out healthier options, I cook at home more than I go out - and that's healthier for me and my wallet. I feel like I'm on my way. It's all part of the journey. I'm getting there, but as the saying goes, "we've got miles to go before we rest." I'm down another 2.2lbs, which brings my total weight loss to 61.6lbs! Wow.

Time for my workout and Shakeology!

Until next time,
Hank


Footnote from Carl: That story of the burger showing up is herculean. I don't know if I would have had that kind of discipline. Wow. Hank, man, you are a rock! Well done, and here's to knocking down the next 50!

Total Wellness Transformation: Hank's Journey - It Ain't Easy

Hank here!

I've had something on my mind for awhile and I need to vent. I don't know about you, but I've been noticing more and more ads for medical weight loss procedures - they're everywhere. On TV, billboards, bus stops, radio, online. Heck, even the buses themselves are plastered with huge ads for surgical centers waiting to give you the lap band or gastric bypass procedure. And it kinda bugs me. (And not just because the jingle gets stuck in my head.)

I'm not passing judgment on those who choose that option. I just think it's a perceived quick and easy fix for a complex problem... and then what?

Like you, I am embracing a healthier lifestyle and striving to improve my quality of life. But it ain't easy and it ain't quick. It takes discipline to eat clean and workout every day, but the results I'm seeing are worth it.

In one of the commercials urging you to let your new life begin by getting the lap band procedure, they show a woman who lost a tremendous amount of weight in a very short time and can now play and be active with her children. Congrats on the weight loss, but when they show her in the park playing with her kids, the kids are unfit and uninterested.

I have to wonder what kind of a message that sends to them? What if parents modeled a healthy lifestyle, clean eating and kept kids active instead of resorting to drastic invasive surgical procedures? How about a different lifestyle change? That's the kind of change Beachbody is making in the world to End The Trend.

Beachbody doesn't offer a miracle solution. No magic pill to make you shed the pounds, no super vibrating dumbbell to shake off the weight. What Beachbody does is give you the tools to succeed. There's just one catch - you have got to put in the work!

With Beachbody programs, you get support at every turn. You know what to do, when to do it, what to shop for, what to eat and when - there is no guesswork. But you will need to put in plenty of work. You need to show up, to stay focused and committed. It isn't easy, but nothing worth doing ever is, right?

If you haven't seen the new P90X show "The Reason" - watch it! Carl gave you the world premiere a few days ago, right here on his blog, so check it out. These stories are amazing and inspirational. People have transformed their bodies, their health and their lives. It wasn't a quick fix and it wasn't easy, but each one of them will agree it was worth it.

Whatever program or fitness regimen you choose, do what works for you and stay committed.

I had a busy week and now I am enjoying a few days of vacation from work, not from my goals. I'm down another 4lbs, bringing my total weight loss to 59.4lbs! I'm still eating clean, enjoying Shakeology and I already hit it hard this morning and got my workout done, so now I can enjoy the rest of my day and long weekend. I hope you do the same.

Until next time,
Hank

(Sorry about the sweat on the scale. I told you I hit it hard this morning!)

Total Wellness Transformation: Hank's Journey - Love

The Diary Of The Next 50lb Weight Loss

Hank here.

I had a great week - it flew by because it was so busy. At work, time doesn't seem to exist. I'm at my desk by 8:00am, I look up and it's 1:00pm, then I blink and it's 6:00pm. Time flies when you get to do what you love!

Speaking of which, I'm thinking about love this week - and not just because it's Valentine's Day. I'm grateful for the love in my life - old and new. The love of and for my friends, family and colleagues that has always been there. More importantly, I'm grateful for the newfound love of better health, of clean eating, of increased strength and just being more in touch with myself.

I love getting up early, working out hard and getting it out of the way. I love being able to push myself every day to do a little more, a little better. It allows me - no, it empowers me - to start my day on a high note, to already accomplish something before I even leave the house.

I love eating clean. It's great to be able to go out to restaurants and proactively make healthy choices instead of being tempted by the bad stuff. It's also great because every once in awhile, if I want a treat, I can have one because I'm working hard and it keeps me on track. Thanks to lack of time and discipline, a burger and fries used to be the go-to meal. Now, they are a rare treat at the occasional reward meal, but frankly, I don't really have the craving for it anymore.

I love having to buy new clothes because my old ones are literally hanging off of me. I love seeing muscle grow, develop and take shape. I love feeling stronger, having more energy and more clarity.

I love the small validation I get when I run into people who haven't seen me in awhile and react to the progress I'm making. It makes it easier not to focus on the numbers on the scale and get frustrated by the little things. I may not notice the changes or think they are as drastic as they apparently are, but others are noticing.

I love being able to stay strong and focused. There are days when that alarm goes off well before the sun is up and the last thing I want to do is get up and workout. Instead of hitting the snooze bar, I take a moment to give myself a pep talk. I remind myself that no, it's not going to be easy - it takes work and discipline to achieve something.

I think about the results I've already achieved and the results I'm working toward. I ask myself "if I choose to skip it today, how will I feel mid-morning?" Then I decide that I don't want to disappoint myself and I get up and hit it hard. I think about all the Team Beachbody Coaches out there and all the people they are inspiring and helping and that gives me the fire I need. And this whole internal dialogue takes about 30 seconds. (I know because I just had this dialogue this morning, ha-ha.)

And I love the feeling of finishing my workout and looking in the mirror while I brush my teeth and feeling accomplished because I showed up, I put in the work and I am enjoying the rewards of all that hard work.

So I encourage you to celebrate the love in your life - especially the love for yourself. It's been a game-changer for me. Speaking of which, I'm changing the game up a little this week. Instead of focusing on the numbers on the scale, I'll tell you that my pant size has dropped 8 inches in the waist.

I was trying on jeans this week and was shocked to see that I had to keep going back and getting smaller and smaller sizes because I've lost so much weight. My body is transforming to the point that I even had to change fits. Loose fit jeans left me swimming, so it's now regular and boot-cut fit for me.

I hope you have a great week ahead. Remember to celebrate yourself and all the love in your life!

Until next time,
Hank

Total Wellness Transformation: Hank's Journey - The Next Leg

The Diary Of The Next 50lb Weight Loss

Hank here.

I hope you had a great week - it was an extremely busy one for me, but it flew by. I rested last weekend, per doctor's orders...but I was back with a vengeance this week, attacking my workouts hard each morning.

I have to thank Carl for his footnote from last week's blog entry. It ties in nicely with what I want to say this week. I've said it before: this is a journey. Numbers on the scale are just mile markers along the way.

Success is measured in the fact that I feel better and my health has improved. That people I haven't seen in awhile notice the progress. That I have to keep getting smaller clothes. That my doctor was so impressed by my progress and the overall improvement of my health that he now wants to be a Coach after I brought him some Shakeology packets and the "Doctors Don't Lie" DVD.

So last week was a milestone, surpassing 50lbs lost. It was a great day, but the next day was even better because it started the next leg of the journey. Each day is a chance to nourish my body, to move it and fuel it and make it stronger. As Carl said, I don't have a specific finish line in mind because, well...this is a lifestyle transformation. It's ongoing, it's not going to finish. But I am all about enjoying the journey.

It's Super Bowl weekend, which used to mean a marathon of overindulgence in some of the worst foods imaginable. But Carl has proclaimed Monday, February 7th National Before Day! I'm going to get a jump start on it by bringing some healthy Super Bowl food to the big party. This year, it's a whole new perspective!

Instead of the fattening dips that add calories left and right, I'm making mine out of Greek yogurt seasoned with cilantro, basil, garlic and chili powder. Instead of chips and crackers, I'm letting fresh veggies bring the crunch to the party.

Here's another great snack that satisfies the salty/savory cravings on game day:

• Take some raw almonds and toss them in a mixing bowl. Spray them with a little bit of cooking spray or olive oil (just enough to coat them as you stir them up).

• Now, use your spices to create the flavors you want. Cracked black pepper, garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, cinnamon - whatever your taste is - and sprinkle the spices over the almonds until they are coated.
• Then, pop them onto a baking sheet and roast them in the over at 300 degrees for about 12 minutes. Low sodium, high in nutrients and flavor!
  

For dessert, I'm making frozen Shakeology pops. Chocolate and Greenberry. Mix it up with your favorite ingredients, then fill up some popsicle molds and throw them in the freezer. When everyone is enjoying the chocolate-y goodness or the tangy zip of Greenberry, you can take that opportunity to share Shakeology because, of course, you will have packets and info on hand! (HINT.)

If you want to kick off National Before Day early and not get derailed, don't be afraid to bring your own healthy food the party. You can still enjoy the fun, the cheering and the festivity, but odds are, you won't be feeling as awful as most people will on Monday, after they consume junk for hours on end.

That's where I'm at this week. I'm down another 1.6lbs. I had a lightbulb moment with my Coach this week. He pointed out that I have burned a significant amount off and am replacing it with muscle. Then he cautioned me not to get obsessed with the numbers on the scale. In any case, I have to go get some new belts, because I'm literally down to the last hole on my belt and my pants are still falling off. So, I'm off on the next leg! Let's do this.

Until next time,
Hank



Another footnote from Carl:

Here's a Shakeology dessert recipe provided by Babak Azad. Enjoy the Super Bowl!

The recipe is simple.

2 cups oats

2 scoops Chocolate Shakeology

3 scoops protein powder (certainly optional, but I’m on a high-protein diet right now)

4 tbsp honey

4 tbsp almond butter

1/2 cup almond milk

Splash of vanilla flavor

Few sprinkles of cinammon

Shredded coconut - for making balls from bars

Combine everything in a bowl and with a spatula, mix all the ingredients. It will seem like it’s too dry but with some mixing, it will get pretty moist. I usually spread on a pan and chill.

Because it can be a little sticky, my wife improved this recipe by making small balls and rolling in shredded coconut – it’s not a strong coconut flavor but helps to make it less sticky and easier to put into and take out of a Ziploc bag.

Total Wellness Transformation: Hank's Journey - Making Progress

The Diary Of A (more than) 50lb Weight Loss

It's Hank here!

It was a mixed week for me. Some progress, some setbacks. No...challenges is the right word. Did everything go the way I wanted it to go? No. Shocker! My progress this week was not just in continuing to eat clean, but in finding (more like forcing myself to find) a little more work/life balance.

I went to a friend's charity event one night, had dinner with another friend and proven that I am not "off grid" as my friends have accused me of being. Sounds minor, but compared to recent months, that's progress! I put out one of the wicks on my double-sided-burning candle.

One of my goals to support my transformation (and as such, help my health transformation be more holistic) is not to work such insane hours. I usually end up coming in earlier in the morning and not leaving until after 7:00pm. Part of this is to beat traffic. I could come in at 9:00am and leave at 6:00pm, but then I'd be sitting in traffic for both trips of my commute. Sitting there, unproductive.

So I choose to come in before traffic gets crazy in the morning and stay a little later until it dies down somewhat. (This is why I have to workout early in the morning. If I waited until I got home, I'd find some excuse and end up not doing it. I did that for too long - those days are gone!)

But I'm going to continue to leave at a decent hour. Working well into the evening is not healthy. Sure, there is work to be done, but it can wait until the next day. I'm going to get things done and work smarter - not just longer at a lower level of effectiveness. Progress! Here is one of my favorite quotes by Emerson - I'm putting it into practice every day:


This week, I made sure I was fueling my body at regular intervals to keep my metabolism up. I was also battling the winter cold bug that's going around, along with a sinus infection. Breathing and sleeping well were challenges this week.

I encountered another challenge in the form of an injury - nothing severe, but enough to force me to take it easy for a few days. My Coach reminded me to listen to my body. They say "no pain, no gain" but there are different kinds of pain.

There's the temporary pain that you have in a workout and you dig deeper and push through it, feeling better, stronger and more accomplished as a result. This wasn't that kind of pain. It was more like a sharp cracked rib-can't move suddenly-can't breathe deeply-ouch that hurts! kind of pain.

It was enough to make me go to the doctor. Nothing serious, no punctured lung. Just got too overzealous and pulled something, so I'm resting this weekend on doctor's orders. Frustrating, yes, but I'll be back with a vengeance next week!

As I've said before, this is not about the numbers on the scale for me. I'm making healthier choices and lasting changes. I am always tempted to dwell on the the numbers on the scale, but I retain my perspective.

This is a journey. A total wellness transformation. A work in progress. And progress there is...because I'm down another 4.4 pounds...bringing my total weight loss to 51.8lbs since September 17th! Nearly 52lbs. WHOA.

This could not have been possible without Carl and Team Beachbody...and Shakeology. Period. They give me support, inspiration, motivation, nutrition - they have helped me succeed thus far. And it ain't over yet...this is just another milestone. There's still work to be done. But I'm on my way...

Until next time,
Hank


FOOTNOTE: Hank, this is Carl. You started this journey with the goal of losing 50lbs. I let you go with that number because I know you don't need more pressure and you don't want to focus on the numbers. But the numbers reflect the state of things, and I am proud to see you not just achieve the 50lbs of weight loss, but to surpass it with nothing more than a nod on the journey. You have not seen anything in the numbers as a finish line - an important lesson for anyone doing Power 90 or P90X or Insanity. We've seen plenty of success stories that lost the weight, then we see them a year later, and their new "after" is their old "before". You have not built that kind of weak foundation that was purely end-goal motivated, and because of that, this truly is a transformation on the most important of levels. I salute you, and thank you for showing us all the importance of the long horizon!

Total Wellness Transformation: Hank's Journey - Consistency

The Diary Of A 50lb Weight Loss

It's Hank here!

Well, it's been quite a week! Another fast paced, jam packed, action-filled week at work, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Though, for a short week (due to Monday being the MLK Holiday), it sure was a long one!

The good news is I'm consistent. The bad news is...I'm consistent.

I say good news, because I am consistent with eating clean, working out and staying on track. But I say bad news because I'm also consistent at burning the candle at both ends for yet another week. It's not really bad news - I'm thinking of it as a challenge...an opportunity to change. I'm making all these other healthy changes, I need to focus on that one next. Maybe I'll get crazy and take some time off soon.

Consistency feels good, though. As I've written before, it brings results and I am celebrating those, no doubt. I don't find myself craving the things I used to crave. They have been replaced by healthier habits and options.

Now, my idea of a snack is an apple or some raw almonds or maybe some string cheese. When I go to the grocery store now, I don't even go down the snack food aisle anymore. Not because I am afraid of the temptation - I can handle that. I don't go near it because it holds no appeal for me. I know it has little (if any) nutritional value and I respect and care about myself enough now to make the choice to fuel my body more effectively.

Actually, to be honest, I can't remember the last time I went to a real, full fledged chain grocery store. The smaller, more health oriented stores are what I prefer. Better produce, better meats, more organic - and less crowds and hassle. And because I'm not filling up my cart with all kinds of junk, it costs far less. Gotta love that!

I wasn't feeling 100% this week, so I listened to my body and took an extra day off from working out to allow myself to rest and repair. I am much more conscious of making choices that enhance my quality of life than those that ultimately detract from it.

2011 is all about new energy, new beginnings, new habits and a clean slate. It's great to be starting off the new year on a healthier path, rather than trying to get back on one after a holiday season of over indulgence.

I met a friend for a late dinner the other night and I was running a few minutes late. When I walked into the restaurant, he was shocked, since I hadn't seen him since July and there is now considerably less of me. This week, a coworker told me I looked amazing - which is odd, because I see this person nearly every day. When I pointed that out, he said, "I just now realized how good you look, though! Your skin is better, you look refreshed - you're wasting away!"

Well, not quite, but I appreciated the kind words. It just confirms that my consistency is paying off. For me, it's not about the numbers on the scale, it's about a new, healthier lifestyle. And that comes with the benefit of feeling (and apparently, looking) better. It's a journey for me and I am far from my destination...but I am having fun getting there.

Speaking of which, I actually need to go to the market and get some lean protein for dinner and cook up food for the week ahead so I can stay on track. Next week, I hope to have an update on how I am doing at restoring some work/life balance.

I stepped on the scale this morning after my workout to discover I'm down another 2.4lbs (again, consistent as all get out) which brings my total weight loss to 47.4lbs! That's something to celebrate! Of course, it wouldn't be possible without Carl and Team Beachbody Coaches, for whom I am eternally grateful.

Until next time,
Hank

Total Wellness Transformation: Hank's Journey - A Balancing Act

The Diary Of A 50lb Weight Loss Journey

It's Hank here - and we're halfway through the first month of 2011! How did that happen?!?

It's been a schedule of long work days trying to get several large projects across the finish line to completion simultaneously. Good thing I love my job more than anyone should. I just need to make sure I'm taking care of myself so I can keep up with the crazy pace.

I'm the first to admit that I can allow my priorities to shift slightly out of whack. Work almost always takes priority - it's the way I've always been. (I thank my dad for passing on his work ethic.) I love my family and friends, but I love my job and my work family too. I am passionate about my work, I'm lucky to do something I truly love and that fulfills me on many levels, so most of the time it doesn't feel like work.

My friends are wondering why I have "gone off the grid" because I haven't been able to make the social gatherings lately. Well, lately, my life has consisted of getting up early, working out, working into the evening and coming home to eat some dinner before falling into bed...only to get up the next day and do it all over again. What's wrong with this picture?

My coach was talking to me this week and he said "If you keep burning the candle at both ends, sooner or later you're gonna feel the heat." That struck me because I am guilty of doing exactly that.

I'll freely admit that I have been burning the candle at both ends since November, but I came to a realization this week that I need to make sure to have a little more balance between work and life. I've kept consistent with my workouts and clean eating. But I need to keep consistent in taking "me time" to rest, recover and recharge. Without it, I won't be able to perform at the level I want and need to in order to achieve my goals - both at work and in my quest for improved fitness.

I was speaking with a VP at the office and we were both trying to remember the last time we took any time off or planned a proper vacation. (Hint: When you have to think longer than 30 seconds about the last time you had time off outside of normal company holidays, that's a sign you might need to recalibrate.)

Everyone in my immediate work area has been sick all week, sneezing, coughing and hacking as they suffer through the nasty bug that's going around. Thankfully, I have not caught it yet - and I thank Shakeology for that. I have it every day and would be lost without it. That, and my new lifestyle changes are keeping me healthy and able to stay on track.

So I am going to forge ahead, but I am going to keep myself in check and ensure that I am striving for more balance between work life and personal life. This is a total wellness transformation, after all. I'll have an update next week and I'll tell you how I'm doing with that.

Speaking of updates, I do have some good news this week. Consistency keeps paying off - I am down another 2.4lbs! And it was only when I was doing the math that I realized that as of today, this brings the total number of pounds lost to...45. That's right, forty-five pounds - gone. I'm not mad at that! Thanks to Carl and all the Team Beachbody Coaches who provide support, inspiration, advice and, most of all, encouragement!

Wishing you plenty of balance until next time,
Hank

Total Wellness Transformation: New Feels Better

The Diary Of A 50lb Weight Loss Journey

It's Hank here and it's Super Saturday! 2011 is going to be amazing and with one week of it down already, I'm excited. Across the country, people are choosing to take charge of their health and their future and it feels good to be one of them.

It was a very long, stressful, hectic week which in the past, might have been reason enough to make poor choices. But it's a new year and a new mindset. I'm happy to say I didn't slip into old habits, but instead I embraced my new way of thinking and was able to stay focused, stay consistent and stay on target.

Due to extreme deadlines at work, I didn't get as much rest as I should have, but thanks to Shakeology and my new mindset, I was able to power through and feed my body quality fuel, not junk that leaves me running on fumes.

I've been making better choices which gets easier all the time. I can still go to my favorite burger place...only now I get the burger protein style. Instead of onion rings and a shake on the side, a giant water and a fresh salad. And I like it.

Working late this week, the rest of the crew ordered in greasy pizza, wings and heavy pasta. I stuck with grilled chicken breast and a salad - and I didn't feel like I missed out on anything.

Coming home after a long day at work used to be the perfect excuse to drive thru or order-in the bad stuff. Now, I choose to go with the lean protein I have already prepared and have waiting for me, so it's easier to avoid temptation.

My early morning workouts have become not just habit, but ritual. I use that time to get in the zone, focus on what I want to accomplish that day and I get my day started right. I love the feeling after working out hard, sweat pouring down. I've already accomplished something and the day has barely begun. I showed up, I put in the work and I'm going to get the results I want.

Good habits are taking root. This brings results. I am impatient by nature, so I do have to keep reminding myself this is a marathon, not a sprint. But I'm having fun on the journey and I am doing this for me, first and foremost, so why beat myself up? This new mindset took some adjusting to, but I've got to admit, new feels better!

Since it's been such a long week, I'm going to get a good night's sleep so I can avoid getting sick with everything going around and be productive tomorrow. I'm excited to see what the rest of 2011 has in store. Congrats to Carl and all of Team Beachbody for hitting another MAJOR milestone - over 50,000 Coaches! Amazing! Your support and inspiration is changing lives - and not just mine.

Speaking of milestones, I'm down another 2.6lbs, for a total weight loss of 42.6lbs!

Until next time,
Hank

Total Wellness Transformation: Hank's Journey - New Year's Evolution

The Diary Of A 50lb Weight loss Journey
It's Hank Here...and it's 2011!

Happy New Year! As 2010 was winding down, I was thinking ahead to 2011. Shaun T. posted something on Facebook yesterday I thought was the perfect sentiment to take me into the New Year, so with all credit and due respect, I'm going to steal it. "Let's make this New Year about EVOLUTION rather than RESOLUTION."

I know I've made New Year's resolutions in years past that ended up being fleeting. But I am already committed to this evolution, so that's the perfect mindset for me. Instead of going out on New Year's Eve and getting crazy, I decided to do something different; stay home and get rest. Instead of ordering in deep fried Chinese food or pizza, I decided to do something that was truly good for me and would keep me on track. I wanted to finish 2010 on a strong note, so my last meal of 2010? A nice, creamy Chocolate Shakeology!

I decided I wanted to get started right in 2011. Instead of partying all night and sleeping until the afternoon (and possibly waking up with a wicked hangover from too much tequila), I was in bed before the ball dropped at midnight and I awoke this morning rested and ready to get it done. I just had a great workout and it felt great to be off to such a strong start.

I'm excited about where I will be a year from now, and while I like to glance to the horizon occasionally, I try to stay focused in the here and now. I'm making choices and taking actions that are bringing results. My body is literally changing. I'm stronger, I have more endurance, I sleep better, I think more clearly. And it feels good!

So now, the Holidays are officially over and it's time to focus. I'm making my list of goals and really thinking about what I want and what it's going to take to achieve it. I'm beyond lucky to have a job that I love, to work with people that I truly care about and enjoy and to have my family and friends. Now I get to add my improved health to that list, thanks to Carl and Team Beachbody Coaches for their support and inspiration.

There is much to be accomplished and a lot of hard work ahead, but nothing that's worth doing is ever easy, right? So I'm ready for the challenges ahead and the rewards that wait just beyond them.

Today, I'm looking back fondly on 2010 and taking stock of the past few months. I stepped on the scale today and I'm down another 3.4lbs, which is a great way to start off the New Year. More importantly, that makes a total loss of 40lbs since September 17th! I guess my resolution is to continue this evolution, cuz it's working!

I'm excited for 2011 and I wish you a very Happy, Prosperous and HEALTHY New Year!

Until next time,
Hank

Total Wellness Transformation: Hank's Journey - Holiday Traditions

The Diary Of A 50lb Weight Loss Journey

It's Hank here on Christmas morning!

Happy Holidays - whatever you choose to celebrate! I'll make this quick, because my parents are here visiting and we've got a Christmas dinner to prepare. And it's a healthier one than in years past!

I am still making progress and still on track, though this week proved challenging. Crazy schedules, crazy deadlines, special Holiday meals with vendors, suppliers, colleagues, etc. But I am feeling good and have been working hard to resist temptation and not pack on the holiday pounds that so many people I know are complaining about.

We had a celebration at work this week with the most amazing cake ever created from a gourmet specialty bakery and as much as I wanted to partake, I politely declined because it simply wasn't worth it to me. Small victory! There are areas in our office where it looks like Mrs. Fields has set up shop and I just keep walking by. I've even had some people get offended when I declined their homemade holiday treats. Sorry, but I'm on a mission here!

Even when shopping for ingredients for the Christmas dinner, I decided to swap out some of the traditional side dishes we prepare and go lighter and healthier. Instead of a green bean casserole in cream of mushroom soup with bread crumb crust on top, we're going with asparagus and balsamic vinegar. Instead of potatoes au gratin, roasted sweet potato wedges. My parents threatened not to come if I didn't make my mac n' cheese (I only make it once a year on Christmas), but I am making it with skim milk, low fat cheeses and whole wheat pasta. I'm starting a new Holiday tradition of healthier choices.

This year, Christmas began with sweat. I was up-and-at-'em early and got my workout in, because I know the rest of the day is gonna be crazy. And this year - for the first time since I was in high school - our Christmas morning meal doesn't consist of giant Cinnabons and hot chocolate. Instead, everyone is having a Chocolate Shakeology with a dash of cinnamon.

Holiday snacking throughout the day will include apple wedges, grapes, raw almonds and dried Omega-3 cranberries. We even got rid of the traditional holiday desserts and compromised on some Shakeology sorbet - Chocolate with peppermint extract and Greenberry with pure cranberry juice - to capture the flavors of the season without the bad stuff.

So as you enjoy this Holiday Season with friends and family, I wish you well and wellness. My love and appreciation go out to Carl and all the Team Beachbody Coaches for their inspiration and hard work. I'm down another pound, but given all that came my way this week, I'll take it! For me, this is about adopting a healthier lifestyle and improving my overall fitness, not just the numbers on a scale. I'm strong, I'm determined and I'm getting it done. The journey continues...

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to shower and get ready, because we've got some healthy gifts to open! Have a safe, healthy and happy Holiday weekend!

Until next time,

Hank

Total Wellness Transformation: Hank's Journey - The Perfect Gift

The Diary Of A 50lb Weight Loss Journey

It's Hank here!

If you're like me, you're smack dab in the middle of the Holiday Season and all the challenges it brings. Challenges such as temptation, maintaining focus and discipline, finding time to get everything done...plus the challenge of finding the perfect gifts for your family and friends - which all comes with the pangs of desire to "reward" myself by eating something that - in the past - would have been considered a treat.

Well, this year is different for me. I'm on a new path to better health and total wellness. I'm staying consistent and seeing results. And this year, instead of buying people the latest high tech gadgets, clothes or other material objects for holiday gifts, I'm going a different route. I'm giving them the gift of health and fitness!

I'm taking a page out of Carl's playbook and putting healthy gifts in all the households I know this year. A few friends I know have been wanting to try Insanity, but are afraid to order it themselves. They'll have it now! I have a friend who is training to be a firefighter who wants to build strength and endurance but doesn't want to get bored. Boom - P90X for him! Another friend is going to Tahiti in March for her honeymoon and wants to be bikini ready - Brazil Butt Lift for her!

These are gifts that will really keep on giving. Why not give something that will help someone improve their health for the longterm? What better way to show them how much you care about them than by giving them something to help them enjoy a healthy, fulfilling life? And because I love my parents and want to keep them around for as long as I can, they are each getting Shakeology under the tree - Chocolate for my mom and Greenberry for my dad.

I've recently given myself the gift of improved health and fitness and I'll tell you - it's better than any scarf or DVD movie or tech gadget because it's improved my life every day in many ways. I encourage you to look at your Holiday shopping list and think about what healthy gifts you can give to help people improve their health so you can enjoy a better New Year in 2011. (I hear the 21st if the last day to order to receive it by Jan 1 - but a card that it's coming qualifies as a gift of caring too!)

I'm still seeing progress and results. So many are either realizing the annual Holiday weight has yet reappeared or getting hammered by the Holiday flu bug that's going around. Meanwhile, I'm sticking to my Shakeology and I'm down almost another 2 lbs! I'll take it! Now if you'll excuse me, I have some last minute Holiday decorating to do to prepare for the family invasion in a few days...

Until next time,

Hank

Total Wellness Transformation: Hank's Journey - I Choose...

The Diary Of A 50lb Weight Loss Journey

It's Hank, here!

I hope you're enjoying your Holiday Season; managing to incorporate some healthy choices and staying consistent - 'cuz that's what I'm choosing to do!

This time of year, temptation is everywhere and though you might try to avoid it, sometimes it sneaks up on you. For example, this week in my office there were multiple deliveries of gifts from vendors, suppliers, customers, etc. to show their appreciation for our hard work throughout the year.

Many of these deliveries consisted of giant food baskets: cookies, brownies, muffins, gourmet chocolates, cakes, candy - heck, one vendor even sent several individuals full-sized frozen red velvet cheesecakes from a very well known restaurant chain whose name includes the very product they are famous for.

Everywhere I turn, there is some sugary, sweet treat out for everyone to enjoy. So staying consistent is a challenge with all that around. But it's not impossible. You (I) just have to choose to go with healthier options that are enhancing to you (me). You (I) can choose the be consistent. You (I) can choose to stay on track.

I'm going to a Holiday party this weekend and everyone is supposed to bring a dessert. I'm sure the usual rich, sugary treats will be there, but I'm doing something different. Carl challenged us to give healthy gifts to everyone we know this year, so I'm making Chocolate Shakeology sorbet!

Plenty of ice, water, Shakeology, some lite coconut milk and some peppermint extract - blend it until it's really thick and then put it in the freezer for an hour or so and boom! - healthy, delicious Holiday treat without the guilt! Plus, it'll be a great conversation starter to share the Shakeology goodness with others.

I've found that since I've been eating cleaner and working out consistently, I'm simply not as tempted by these treats. I'm seeing continuous progress, I'm burning fat and replacing it with muscle and my body is changing. Not in a crazy, radical way, but in a gradual, safe way that makes sense because my lifestyle is changing. And it's going to be a lasting change. (I'm kinda liking the guns that are developing.)

The Holiday Season, instead of packing on Holiday pounds, I'm choosing to keep on losing excess weight. Sure, it takes hard work, focus and discipline - but anything that is worth doing does. Will I allow myself an occasional indulgence? Sure - let's be real. But, I will limit that because I don't want to undo any of the progress I've made.

I see myself all the time, so I don't notice a major difference, but others seem to. This week alone, a senior executive was talking to several of our coworkers and me and he stopped abruptly and said, "Wow, you've lost a lot of weight! I can see it in your face!" He apologized later for embarrassing me and making the comment in front of others. No apology necessary! It was a nice validation that the hard work I'm putting in is bringing results.

Even my boss's wife noticed. I saw her in the hallway a few days ago and she hugged me and said, "My gosh, you are shrinking! What are you doing?!? You're looking great! How much have you lost?" I just told her it's clean eating, Shakeology and working out. Again, nice validation! Here's some more validation...I managed to resist all the temptations and I'm down another 2 lbs...making for a total of 33 lbs lost thus far!

I'm choosing to enjoy that! Thanks again to Carl and Team Beachbody Coaches for their support and motivation to make healthy choices and stay on the right path. And the journey continues...

Until next time,
Hank

Total Wellness Transformation: Hank's Journey - Milestones

The Diary Of A 50lb Weight Loss Journey

It's Hank, here!

WOW. What a busy, crazy week! A lot going on, a lot to keep up with, but a good week overall. I'm staying consistent with working out and eating clean. Last week, I touched on something in regards to staying motivated and what keeps me in the game.

I like to think of them as milestones. Typically, a milestone is thought of as a significant or notable accomplishment - 50th wedding anniversary, a birthday to signify a new decade (30, 40, 50, etc.), a major promotion, a product launch - you get the picture. To me, milestones can be much simpler.

Webster's Dictionary defines a milestone as "a significant point in development." That's more in keeping with my way of thinking. I have learned to acknowledge - and sometimes celebrate - milestones along the way, both major and minor.

I acknowledge milestones every day. When I'm working out and I see that I'm pushing harder, doing more, going a little faster and doing a bit better than I did the day before, to me that's a milestone. Celebrating a co-worker's birthday in the office with gourmet cupcakes the size of a softball, but choosing not to partake and opting for an apple instead? Milestone. Having to buy new pants and belts because the old ones are literally falling off? Milestone.

Each small victory, each better decision, each healthier choice puts me that much closer to my goal, so in my mind, they are milestones. They keep me engaged, keep me motivated and allow me to feel good about myself, my progress and to have fun on the journey.

Sometimes, my body tells me it's ready for a milestone - like when it wants Shakeology. It's used to the good stuff and is craving it. When I've worked out so hard I'm sore in that good way and it hurts to even raise my arms to shave my face in the morning? Milestone!

So that's where my head is at. I encourage you to look at your milestones and acknowledge them along your journey. They may not all be major, but if you stay consistent, you'll find those smaller milestones add up to more significant ones. Thanks to Carl and Team Beachbody and their tools and support, I'm seeing success on my journey. Plus, Carl says there are now 43,000 Team Beachbody Coaches and counting! I'd say that qualifies as a milestone.

This week, I've got two more milestones to celebrate: I'm down another 2.4 lbs, plus this puts me at 31 lbs lost since September 17th! I have one word for that: milestone!

Until next time,
Hank

Total Wellness Transformation: Hank's Journey - I'm Thankful

The Diary Of A 50lb Weight Loss Journey


Hank here!

I hope you are having a great Thanksgiving Holiday weekend with friends and family! The Holiday Season is officially upon us, which usually means temptation at every turn. Sugary sweets, rich, decadent treats and everything else that causes us ("me") to pack on the Holiday pounds. But it doesn't have to be that way.

You ("I") have the power to make healthy choices and to stay accountable. Last week, I talked about a new way of thinking and it certainly served me well. There was no Thanksgiving food coma for me, no second or third helpings of anything. Heck, I even avoided any Thanksgiving cocktails. Don't get me wrong, there were all kinds of food that I could have indulged in. But they just didn't appeal to me.

Not one bite of mac n' cheese, no mashed potatoes and gravy, no stuffing, no pies or cookies. I chose to enjoy some lean meat, some salad and most importantly, I chose to stay on track. I remind myself all the time that this is a marathon, not a sprint. I don't want to get obsessive about numbers on the scale or calories burned. For me, this is about a lifestyle change - hence the title of this blog "Total Wellness Transformation."

I'm eating clean and working out consistently. Each day I try to push myself a little harder, to do a little bit better than the day before. I keep focused and when I need a mental kick in the pants, I draw inspiration from the many Team Beachbody Coaches and customers who share their stories.

I feel better, I sleep better and I know I'm getting healthier, but sometimes it's only when someone else acknowledges it that it sinks in. This week, a coworker told me I need to get new pants, because mine were falling off after losing weight. The following day, I noticed that I had gotten to the smallest notch on my belt - and it still wasn't tight enough. Sometimes, it's the littlest things that make an impact. That's progress to me.

As I sit here and write this, having just completed a workout and downed a Shakeology, I'm incredibly thankful. I'm thankful for the strength and discipline to embrace a healthier lifestyle. I'm thankful to Carl and Team Beachbody for giving me the tools and support to help me succeed. I'm thankful for my progress. I'm thankful for my friends and family. And right now, as silly as it sounds, I'm thankful for all the Holiday sales going on, because I have to go to The Gap and buy some new jeans and a smaller belt - or two. Oh, I'm also thankful for this...the most food-centric, temptation-laden holiday came and went and I'm still down another 3.6 pounds!

Until next time,
Hank

Total Wellness Transformation: The First Step...

Welcome to "Total Wellness Transformation: Diary Of A 50lb Weight Loss."

Carl has asked me to be a frequent guest blogger and chronicle my journey to improved overall health, which will include losing 50lbs within the next 12 months.

My name is Henry (you can call me Hank) and I’m just a regular guy in his 30's who wants to live, feel and look better.

Beachbody's stated core purpose is to “Help people achieve their goals and enjoy a healthy, fulfilling life.” That means I am at the right place at the right time, surrounded by great resources to get on the right track. That also means that I might be able to rely on you, the reader, to give me comments and support as I embark on my public - but anonymous - journey.

I suppose I have the same struggles as you; finding balance between work and home, finding time for family and friends, finding motivation and the big one - avoiding long entrenched habits and the temptation of the short term gratification those habits offer.

In my blog posts, I’ll talk about milestones and setbacks, what changes I’m making, what works and what doesn’t. The highs and the lows…all on the road to total wellness and improved health.

I appreciate the opportunity to show Carl what role his company plays in my success. I also look forward to demonstrating in real terms what it takes to overcome a lifestyle that has led to a starting point of 376 lbs. I hope Carl and our Coaches can benefit from my journey.

I’ve struggled to change my thinking, to approach things differently and remind myself that this isn't going to happen overnight. I want to do this the right way, the smart way. For me, this isn’t about any fad diet, super Product or miracle workout – this is about a lifestyle change.

The whole point is to improve my overall quality of life, so learning to make smarter choices along the way is part of my journey. They say the journey of a lifetime begins with one step. So, here goes…step.