Hey, it’s Hank here!
So, my doctor informed me I am still not at 100% capacity, but I can start back…SLOWLY. He emphasized the word “slowly” like it had its own font. He cautioned me not to get too eager and try to go full throttle again right out the gate. I guess he knows me pretty well and knows how stubborn I am. (Stubbornness is not one of my best attributes, but I’ve learned to manage it. Sometimes it works to my advantage. When it does, I like to call it “determination.”)
I went for a fairly brisk walk and short hike this morning and I did okay. Even the uphill parts were less daunting than last week, so that’s good. I was winded but nowhere nearly as bad as before, so I’ll count that as progress. Like Tony says, “just do your best and forget the rest.” So true. After this forced hiatus, my brain is ready to just floor the accelerator and get back on the track, but my body isn’t quite up to that…YET.
I’m doing a little more cardio each day, building back up to the point where I can hit it hard again. Today, I decided to change it up a bit and so I decided to listen to an audiobook on my walk to see if I could find a little inspiration. I had just ordered the book Influencer: The Power to Change Anything on audio CD and I had just uploaded it to my iPod. The book came highly recommended from Carl and several other leaders whom I hold in high regard, so I was eager to check it out.
The first few segments deal with examples of different influence challenges, including an example on a personal level dealing with fighting a longtime weight problem. They humorously referred to it as a “metabolism problem, as it turns out your body doesn’t burn 6,000 calories a day. Talk about bad luck.” It got a chuckle, but it also got my attention. The book deals with expanding your sphere of influence and how one can have a tremendous impact by being a change agent and changing behaviors and thinking.
I’m excited to dive deeper into it and I can already tell it’s a wise investment, so I encourage you to check it out. I’m already onboard because I’m living proof. I’ve made changes to my behavior and thinking and the results have been dramatic. And in some small way, I may have been able to influence others to change their behavior and reap the benefits, too.
Several of my friends went out to brunch this morning and as they went around the table and ordered, they were all getting bloody marys and rich, decadent breakfast food to aid in their recovery from having a bit too much to drink last night. My turn to order came and they were stunned when I ordered the rosemary steak salad and a water. I explained I didn’t drink the night before and I had already been up, had my walk/hike and had my Shakeology, so I didn’t need a heaping plate of food to soak up all the alcohol. I wasn’t preachy about it, but that’s an example of my behavior changing. One of my friends changed his order to a healthier egg white omelet with spinach and veggies and canceled his bloody mary. It was a small but timely footnote to my introduction to the audiobook and being an influencer.
I want to be a change agent and continue to improve my personal life, as well as the lives of those around me. I’ve improved as a result of the changes I’ve made and I look forward to continuing my journey. And if by chance I’m able to influence others along the way, then that’s a bonus! I’ve got my parents hooked on Shakeology and they love 10-Minute Trainer, so that’s influence, right? I look forward to spending my commutes listening to Influencer and learning whatever I can.
I’m down another 0.2 lbs, bringing the total loss to 92.2 lbs. Am I frustrated by this temporary interruption of my progress? Sure. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t. But that frustration isn’t going to derail me. In fact, it motivates me. I’ve been on hiatus, but I am about to come off the bench and get back in the game. I’m forging ahead, heading toward that 100 lb milestone and then breezing past it as the journey continues! (Cue the Rocky theme) Stay tuned for an update. Thanks to Carl and the 60,000+ Team Beachbody Influencers – oops, I meant Coaches – for their continued inspiration and support. As always, feel free to email me at Hank@beachbody.com if you have any comments or questions.
Until next time,
Hank
