This weekend, we shared a post called Wayfarer: Ground Zero?  In it, among many other things, I offered…

Back on October 15, I offered this on 77 Days and Beyond.  Then, on October 18, I shared on GREAT and SLOWER Health.  Since then, I have continued to live, reflect and learn.  This past week, I got rid of 4 pairs of 46″ waist pants; an act of burning my boats, if you will.  I have fortified my home with good food… in taste and sustenance.  I have witnessed a slimming, even today.  And all of that is to say that this journey continues… and, starting in November… weekly on Wednesdays… I will be checking in on my journey around the application and practice of character in this area of greatest and most present challenge; my very own health.  I do invite you to join me as the lessons learned and shared will be applicable across many areas of life, I humbly expect, suggest and contend.

MY STORY, TO DATE

For those who might not know, on August 20, 2015… I experienced a stroke that, while “minor”, has left me with what I call “remnants”.   One of those is a tiredness that extends beyond being sleepy.  What I have been able to piece together is that a stroke can have an effect on the brain such that it requires much more rest and sleep.  Indeed, sleep is the brain’s friend in health… among others, as I am finding in my own research…

That stroke, while not debilitating in any “major” sense, took much from me… in the way of my “tornado” style of energy and living.  My life still has moments of great energy but with much longer moments of rest.  It is now more like thunder and lighting, with great pauses in between the thunder and the lightning.  The AND is bigger; so much bigger.  Indeed, my energy requires a more strategic approach. That was a very difficult realization.  Very.

That being said, I am also aware that, given this new “culture of tiredness” around which I have to adapt, my weight is a factor in alleviating at least part of the impact.  While all of my tests over these past two years or so have shown no issues with blood pressure, cholesterol or other influential factors for stroke (it has left medical experts shaking their heads, for sure), I have come to understand the stroke as a shot across the bow and my weight is part of the inventory check; to repair and heal.

I have been blessed to have had relatively few remnants… and to be as relatively healthy as I am, at my weight and age.  In 1996, I was in the best shape of my life, teaching dance 4-5 nights a week, while teaching business day time.  I was active, healthy and strong.  I was 220 pounds (100 kilos) of lean muscle… not ripped but strong.  After several years of teaching dance, it became like a job and I stopped… but my heavy carb diet (nothing wrong with carbs if you are working it out) continued and I ballooned 70 pounds within a year… up to some 290 pounds (132 kilos).  That weight has not seriously affected my health as yet, it seems.  Still, it has not helped.  And, it is time to get back to optimal health… for my work and play and life… going forward.

AND NOW, GOING FORWARD

That being said, my high was 316 pounds (144 kilos), and I am now down to 276 pounds (126 kilos); a drop of 40 pounds.  My intent is to reach 242 pounds (110 kilos) … another 34 pound drop… by my 58th birthday on February 20, 2018… essentially 34 pounds over 17 weeks… or 2 pounds a week.  I intend to do so using the SLOWER approach I alluded to in my post on GREAT and SLOWER Health. 

After that, and into my 58th year, I still intend on reaching what I call 100K Be and Lift… meaning weighing 100 kilos (220 pounds) and being able to bench same.

All of this is to say, I invite you to follow or join me.  This is not about an expert sharing their wisdom.  It is about a student learning and sharing the ups and downs (more ups than downs).  And, I will be learning… chatting with various people in the know… and sharing here.  Ultimately, it will be a journey of exploring character and personal leadership as the basis for making better decisions.

Today is the continuation of the 77 Days and Beyond.  But, it is also the beginning of those 17 weeks to 242.  Whatever goal you might have for health, wealth, personal or professional… the matters of character we explore on this journey should be of value.

So, I invite you…

Until next time,

Peace, passion and prosperity.

Barry Lewis Green, aka The Unity Guy™

Barry is ultimately a vocalist, strength coach and educator. His work is about exploring, identifying, practicing and mastering our strengths and building upon them through practical and powerful unity and resourcefulness. That is why Barry is The Unity Guy™. EPIC Engage™ is an extension of The Unity Guy™. The Epic work is all about building strong, united and inspired cultures lead by character… at school, work, business and community; where everyone matters and contributes everyday.

 

PS

Some other reads, of note…

• The Boomer Generation
• The Strength of Elders
• Character Matters: Leader Thoughts
• Character First
• Developing Leadership Character

PPS (Other Resources)

• Our work is all about character. We work hard and joyfully to help build character driven, united and resourceful organizations and communities around the globe.