Suomi Sisu

December 4, 2009 by Leave a Comment

Three more questions:

  1. Do you have guts?
  2. Do you have determination?
  3. Are you the type that doesn’t give up?

If this is you, then you have sisu (pronounced “C-sue”).  It’s Suomi (Finnish) for guts, determination and not quitting.

While in Lahti, Finland, representing the United States at this year’s WMA Masters Track and Field World Championships, I met a Finnish couple and overheard them say, “She’s got sisu (C-sue)!”

They were talking about one of the women who was competing in the W80-84 1,500 meters.  Can you comprehend that?  Early 80′s, running in the Masters World Championships?

I agree, she had sisu.

Makes me wonder what I’ll have when I get older.

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Wellness Challenge?

November 4, 2009 by Leave a Comment

Wellness Challenge?  Today.  Tomorrow. Next week.  Next month. Next year.

Huh?  Exactly.  I need to remind myself of this every single day.

Wellness – physical well being – is not something that I can take lightly. Most people understand this.  And yet, the pressures of our lives can make it so challenging to be well, that we succumb to the pressure.

What happens next? We all know the answer to this, don’t we?

So, knowing the answer, what are we going to do about it?  What am I gonna do about it?  What are you going to do about it?  Today, I mean. Seriously.

What will your wellness challenge be today?  Carpe diem.

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Lane 8 Is Gaining Weight

November 3, 2009 by Leave a Comment

Lane 8 is gaining weight.  Why?  You really wanna know?

For the same reasons everyone (mostly) gains weight.

This is why I think it’s so important to focus on our health goals everyday. In a matter of a few days or a couple weeks, I can gain enough weight to notice a change.

We are taught to embrace change, where I’m from.  And change is really the only constant.  The more things change, the more they stay the same.

But I have to tell ya, I hate gaining weight.  If it were easy to not gain weight, we’d all have one less thing to worry about now wouldn’t we? Let’s be healthy, and strong, today. Ya with me?

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Still In Pain?

October 17, 2009 by Leave a Comment

Injuries and pain can make exercising a challenge.  No brainer, right?

Well, I’ve been dealing with injuries for five years now.  Guess you could say, “It’s the cost of doing business”.

I hate to complain, because complaining is fairly unproductive. There is one instance that I’ve discovered where complaining actually is effective.

If it causes you to do something positive about it.  This is a tough one. Misery loves company. Another no brainer, right?

So, saying that to ask you this, “How many times have you exercised this past week”? Carpe diem!

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Pathetic

October 16, 2009 by Leave a Comment

Pathetic.

Dictionary.com defines pathetic – (adj) miserably or contemptibly inadequate: “In return for your investment we get a pathetic three percent interest”.

What do we get for our investment in our physical well being?

Probably, pathetic.

We reap what we sow.

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Gaining Weight

October 12, 2009 by Leave a Comment

Gaining weight is easy for me.  Almost as easy as breathing.  This is a scary proposition.

Why?

Because of the ease of putting on pounds, I have to work extra hard to counteract this natural tendency.  Most humans do.

Once, two friends who were talking about their current diets, looked at me and said, “You’re lucky, you don’t need to worry about your weight”.

In reply, “I worry about my weight every single day, that’s why I don’t have to worry about it”.  Ya with me?  Stay focused.  Fight a good battle today.

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2009 World Championships

September 30, 2009 by Leave a Comment
Lane 8 @ 2009 World Championships

Lane 8 @ 2009 World Championships

Lane 8 at 2009 World Championships in Lahti, Finland.

That’s “Jack”, my son’s Teddy Bear. He has three exactly alike. He got them as gifts years ago.  The collar is actually inscribed “Jack”.

Our son was born in August 2000.  My Dad, Jack Noel, passed on, April 2001.

My Father, and our son, never met.  We were two months away from our trip to Pennsylvania when the phone call came, “They’re giving your dad three days”.

So, “Jack” the bear, has traveled extensively. He’s the one with two torn ears.  The other “Jacks” are in near perfect condition.  Our son was gracious enough to let the “tug-o-war with our yellow Lab” Jack travel.

Find a million ways, gimmicks, tricks – whatever it takes – to stay motivated.  Jack is simply one of them.

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It’s Easier When…

September 15, 2009 by Leave a Comment

It’s easier to exercise and eat sensibly during:

  • Youth – the full pressure of job, Family, mortgages is unknown
  • Mating season – (once we’ve mated, what’s the motivation?)
  • Wake up calls – motivating because of glaring consequences

The reality?  In the big scheme of life, youth lasts say 20 years, then fades quickly.

Humans are born to mate, like all living creatures.  Wake up calls may take a lifetime before they start arriving.

It’s all the other times in our lives that are the real challenge, the real key. Look around people.

Like I suggested a while back, “If aliens found Earth and gave us a pass/fail health grade, what would we get”?

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Lane 8 You Tube video virus

September 14, 2009 by Leave a Comment

It’s amazing how difficult it is to stay focused over the long haul.

We’ve all seen people get motivated, set, and then achieve big health goals.  And then some time later, they fail.  They regress, almost predictably.

There’s a missing link. Staying there.

That’s where I come in. You will see, from my own struggle in real time, the simple secrets to long-term success. It amazes me how viral the right thing can become.

But you’re gonna have to want to follow. I can’t make you.  It’s completely up to you.  Always has been. Always will be.  Dream big. Get there.  STAY THERE!

Bonus: Another Lane 8 You Tube video found and placed in cyberspace – Australian Masters Athletics website.

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No Expectations?

September 13, 2009 by Leave a Comment

On the drive to Victory Martial Arts “Safety Demonstration” (recruiting) yesterday, I reminded our son there was no expectation that he enroll and take lessons.

All the children participated, even the first timers.  Our son eagerly lined up.  Surprisingly, two of his friends are members there and graciously welcomed him into the atmosphere.

Off to a great start and then somewhere in the middle it got more intense and he felt uncomfortable with his skill level, and returned to the audience with me.

I could not have been more proud.  He tried something.  He did his best.  I didn’t push him, even though I could have.  He’s nine.  How hard do you push yourself?  He’ll get were he needs to go.  Will you?

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