New Start

Today I went to the doctors.  After lots of prodding, poking and testing, plus a procedure under general Anaesthetic, I was given a clean bill of health (finally).  The feeling was overwhelmingly of relief, and excitement that issue which had preoccupied me for so long was over.

Unfortunately, I was given no reason as to how I became unhealthy, but I can guess that demanding high performance from my body, whilst not nourishing it properly, and sometimes even poisoning it might have had something to do with it.

Yesterday I went to the chiropractor that had got me (I believe) onto a line of cure for various physical issues, using a combination of treatments in her rome, plus some supplements.  I told her that I really felt a sense that I needed to make some dietary changes, and wondered whether a detox was in order.  She muscle tested me (check out kinesiology if you want to find out more), and said that a major detox would just make me sicker.

I have always loved the radical detox in the past, such as the 10 day challenge that one does on the back of Unleash The Power Within, or the 10 day reboot recommended in "Fat , Sick & Nearly Dead", but my body was saying that it needed something else.  In the end I was told to forego gluten, sugar (yes, that includes alcohol) and dairy produce until further notice.  Coincidentally, those are the substances that I overindulged in, especially over Christmas.  I look forward to seeing the results.

I have also decided to exercise at a lower intensity for a month, to give my body some recovery time.  Most importantly, I now have the headspace to tackle other things in my life.

Acclimatizing

One of the habits (or, as Tony says, rituals) that I have been doing has been to shower with cold water. At first you freeze, shudder, and leap around, and then finally you get used to it, and it feels to all intents and purposes like a warm shower.

It occurs to me so often that when we go out of our comfort zone, it's the initial shock that gets us.  But here's the the thing: once we're out there, we get used to it, and wonder what the fuss is about.  It's the thought of being outside your comfort zone i.e. when you're about to hop into the cold shower, and the initial period.  Afterwards we feel invigorated.

So when was the last time you were out of your comfort zone?

Day 10 - Completion

Well, I have made it - not perfect, but 99% there as far as diet and exercise is concerned. Today I started to have a real spring in my step, and managed to achieve a great deal at work. The impact of being alcohol free is really noticeable. Rather than feeling like I can't wait to get back to my old eating habits, I am keen to carry this forward into the rest of my life. I would like to eat meat, dairy and sugar again, but as a smaller part of my diet. Coffee and Alcohol is a likewise scenario.

I still found things a bit difficult emotionally tonight when little things at home didn't go my way - I think that I am a little thin skinned at the moment, and just need to remember this, not letting things get to me.

In the accompanying material for Unleash The Power Within, there is a pyramid. At the bottom of this is the physical. Tomorrow I hope to have photos to post, along with a complete rundown of where I am physically.

Basically I feel much more in control of my life, and where it is going.

Back and ready to begin.

Spent 10 wonderful days with friends and family, and tomorrow I begin work, along with the 10 day challenge, as prescribed in Unleash The Power Within.

I have been in a great amount of discomfort with my right shoulder. My plan is to complete the 10 day challenge, and see what effect aa detox will have on my general health - can my body repair itself, given the chance?

I got my daughter to take somne photos of me. Below them is the structure of the 10 day challenge.

Vital breathing. 1-4-2 in three sets of 10 each day.

Living waters and live food. Drink plenty of water and eat 70% water-content food—a salad every meal.

Aerobic power and maximum strength. Exercise six times in the next 10 days. Warm up properly. Exercise at your proper heart rate for at least 15 minutes. Cool down properly.

Maximum nourishment.

1. Break your fast (breakfast) with green vegetables, green juices, non-acid producing, low-sugar fruits and fruit juices, or light, alkalizing foods only.

2. Properly combine your meals.

3. Don’t eat starch and proteins together.

4. Eat in a relaxed state.

5. Eat comfortable amounts.

6. Drink water before your meals, not during or after.

7. Eat organic as much as possible.

8. Eat well before the time you retire.

A directed mind.

1. Create joy where before you had stress.

2. Ask problem-solving questions.

3. Direct your appetite.

Structural Support. Get some rest, get some sun, and/or get a massage. Keep your body in alignment with stretches, exercises, and/or professional care.

Eliminate or dramatically reduce processed fats. Eat enough natural or unprocessed fats but watch your processed fat consumption.

Eliminate animal flesh for 10 days and judge by the results.
Eliminate milk, cheese, and all other dairy products (with the rare exception of a condiment).

Eliminate acid addictions. For 10 days cut out sugar, salt, vinegar, nicotine, alcohol, caffeine, and drugs.

Here's hoping that I get a result from the above discipline!

The Success of Failure

I've been learning the art of web based marketing, starting with eBay. Today I sold my first article (ironically enough, an old CD set entitled Unleash The Power Within). At any rate, it sold for $1.25 + postage. I miscalculated the postage, and ended up selling at a net loss.

So if I continue to make the same mistake, I will end up broke. If I LEARN from this relatively cheap mistake, I will change my method, and make money.

Personally, I will take option 2.

In other news, I managed to do 30 minutes of walking and 30 minutes of swimming today. I have also decided to do the Dukan Diet commencing Jan 23. This is because I want to lose some weight, and also my wife wants to do it. Better to be eating the same things on our journey.

January Downunder

For me, January is 3/4 holiday. This means that in terms of actions, the year starts slowly. However, in terms of planning and envisioning, January is a great time. I get to look at the past year, enjoy the triumphs, learn from failures, and generally make and mend.

Most importantly, the start of the year is when I get to spend large chunks of time with family and friends. If there is anything that I am proud of and grateful for, it is the people I love.

Today though I did start a simple 15 minute yoga routine which I shall persist with for the next 6 weeks, to see if I can get any improvement with my shoulder (it hurts now even as I type). I am also making sure that I get 30 minutes of aerobic exercise 6 times a week. This is what they recommend from UPW. With my diet, I am simply aiming to eat unprocessed foods, and moderating any chocolate and alcohol consumption.

Most of today was spent doing household things. The Christmas decorations went down, the lawn was mowed, amongst other things. Its good for me sometimes to stop thinking about taking over the world, and think more about making a beautiful house for my family.

The Gap

One of the exercises in Unleash The Power Within is The "Gap Map", whereby you look at 7 aspects of your life, look at where you want to be, and where you are. Yesterday I had a look at where I want to be, and today I thought that it would be a great idea to assess where I am.

Physically: I weigh 84Kg (BMI just under 26), suffer from hearing loss (a hazard of being a professional musician), have slight vision impairment (though not enough to Warrant Glasses), am slightly inflexible, with a shoulder that aches all the time. Having said that, I did pass my work medical assessment with flying colours, so I am not exactly an invalid.

Emotions & Meanings I am easily put out of kilter by challenging circumstances (especially physical), and can focus on what is happening to my, rather than what I can do (and feel) about it.

Relationships: My relationship with my wife is what Robbins terms 3 dimensional (Mind body and spirit), and level 3 (we are both vitally interested in each others needs. Having said that, I believe that there is no such thing as enough passion in any relationship, and also know that there are things that my Wife would love to have (new car, renovations, holidays). We both dearly want more time with just the two of us.

My relationship with my daughter is very close, but what I really want is to be an outstanding example of possibility. I realise that the most important thing I can to is to lead by being a role-model. This means that I really must raise the bar in every facet of my life. Spending time with her, being patient, loving and strong at ALL times (not just when it is easy) is paramount. At the moment I am not the father OR example that I want to be.

My relationships with friends, family and workmate are often hampered by my not listening with the aim of truly hearing their point of view.

Time: Currently when I plan my week, I achieve a lot. I am hamstrung by not planning EVERY week in advance, with my long-term outcomes in mind. I also can burn time by doing things that are neither important or urgent - I'm looking at you Facebook!

Work & Career: Although I am in a satisfying job, I know that I can make a greater contribution towards it being a better, more effective place. On top of this, my band is performing occasionally, but has no recordings out, and no corporate work. I have not yet completed 1 subject from my first year of my Masters.

Finances: Today someone was telling me about "first world problems". My finances would fit into this category. I have a house, and a car, and little debt, and so am in a relatively good place compared to many of my friends. However, my income does not match what I want, I am not solidly investing, and my debts are not being paid off in an orderly fashion.

Contribution & Celebration: My contributions (both monetary and time wise) are haphazard eat best. I do not spend enough time being grateful for what I have.

So tomorrow - what is my plan?