Jim's Place

Sunday night pep rally!!!

After a few weeks of setbacks it seems like my illness and sleep issues are pretty much under control. So tonight I finally resumed what I call my Sunday night pep rally! It is so important to not only be committed and determined but also excited and passionate. My most productive weeks in BFL have usually begun with doing a little emotional and mental 'homework' on Sunday night to get that spark of excitement going for the upcoming week. I know most BFLers are pretty focused on planning out their programs but I wonder how many also take the time to work through any emotional or mental obstacles that might get in the way of staying on track...

Here's some of the self-talk I did tonight for my own situation...   

I realized that I had to overcome the doubt and fear that had crept in during my recent setbacks. I reminded myself that the past does not equal the future. I changed the questions I was asking myself...

Instead of disempowering and energy-draining questions such as "What if I have illness issues again?" I asked the questions that I knew would bring back that spark ,excitement and confidence...that passion that is so crucial...

"Hey, Jim - What if you are finally getting this illness under control? You've learned a lot the last several years and you have a solid treatment strategy that seems to be working now. Can you imagine how great it will be over the remaining 4 weeks of this challenge if you are well?! You'll make tremendous and exciting progress! And with the warmer weather you'll be back on your road bike in a jiffy! And you know what a great boost that'll be for you physically, emotionally and even spiritually!

Forget about the disappointment and frustration of the past...tomorrow is a new day...an EXCITING day! You've got about 7 weeks until the cruise... Could this next 7 weeks be the most productive you've had since doing BFL! Could it be that you are crossing the abyss of chronic illness and that you are truly back on the road to your dreams?! You betcha!!! So let's make this a great week!!! Alright buddy?! OK...Ready...Set...GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

I hope you have some approach that gets you into an emotional state where you feel excited about your BFL program at the beginning of each week. I think it makes it much easier to stay on track and certainly a lot more fun!!!

Wish me luck and keep on truckin'!!! 

"Feeling a little down, but..."

This is week 8 of my challenge and I have to admit I've been feeling a bit down lately. It's pretty obvious why... The first 4 weeks went quite well and I was jazzed that I lost 15 lbs and was well enough to do almost all of my workouts. I was excited about making great progress for the next 4 weeks... But due to the serious sleep issues and illness, I really didn't make any progress during the last 4 weeks and I might have even picked up a little weight. Frankly,I haven't felt like stepping on the scale lately!

However, I have made progress from a medical standpoint. After starting on melatonin last week, I finally was able to get my sleep cycle under control and started back on my workouts this week and haven't missed any of them. And since I started allergy shots a few weeks ago, I haven't had any problems with sinus/respiratory infections - which were almost constant for several months. And it looks like my hormone dosages are pretty much where they need to be...

Hey! A funny thing is happening while I'm typing this post! Just taking note of the medical progress is making me feel quite a bit more upbeat! It looks like I'm in a great position now to make the next 4 weeks of this challenge a big success! The truth is that I did my best the last 4 weeks but I hit a big bump in the road and just have to let it go and focus on doing my best for the next 4 weeks...

I hope I don't sound like I'm whining because I do feel optimistic. I've had many episodes with illness over the years and it seems that there is always quite a bit of emotional fallout that comes right after sailing through the storm. The best thing I've found is to express any feeling of loss or disappointment and then quickly find some way to get excited about the road ahead... And my 'emotional gas tank' is still pretty dry. But I'm sure that soon I'll be running on a full tank again...

So starting Monday, it's a whole new 4 weeks...the slate is wiped clean and I will - I MUST - find a way to be as excited as I was the first day I started BFL over a year ago...

OK, I gotta get to the gym for my lower-body workout! Thanks for listening gang. I was being pushed to the edge for awhile there...and right now pretty much all the friends I have are right here on Tracker... It really helps knowing you guys understand and care... 

"What can I get away with?"

I'm in week 8 of this challenge. The first 4 weeks went quite well but the following 3 weeks were pretty much trashed due to illness and sleep issues. Finally, the sleep issues are getting better and this week I've made all my workouts even though I still feel pretty worn out physically and emotionally from the 'bump in the road' I hit...

Today, I was getting ready to go to the gym to do my Lifecycle workout and it was obvious that I just didn't feel like it...   

"Man, Jim... I just don't feel like working out today. I suppose I'm still not recovered from the last 3 weeks. You know you could just skip today's workout and get back on track tomorrow. Maybe that's what you ought to do. What do you think?"

Suddenly, deep inside of me an alarm went off!   

"Hell no! I won't skip today's workout! Yes! I'm tired! You bet I'm concerned about getting sick if I push too hard, but do you realize what's going on here buddy? You're asking the wrong question!!! You're asking yourself "What can I get away with and still have decent results?", which only puts your progress into a tailspin...not exactly an empowering focus... I know you've had a rough time lately... I know the last 3 weeks have been terribly disappointing...but with all you've gone through are you going to just give in and settle for less than your best?!! Again I say "Hell no!!!"

Certainly Jim there are those times when you aren't well and have to skip a workout, but if at all possible you MUST fight through the fatigue...the disappointment...and the frustration. Otherwise, you will just slip back into the masses of people who gave in...gave up...and settled for a life far below what they were capable of... And let's face it buddy, you'll never let that happen. You may stumble now and then, but you MUST always get back up and keep on truckin'...

So how about a different focus? How about asking yourself "What's the best I can do?!" Doesn't that foster far more passion and excitement? You betcha!!! Now let's go wear out another LifeCycle!!!"

I then went to the gym and really hit my highpoints on the LifeCycle, seeing my heart rate soar to 176bpm at the end of my workout! I noticed a couple of people staring at me with apparent concern that maybe I'm overdoing it. Little did they know that I'm just getting started...

PLEASE pay attention to the questions you ask yourself. Don't let life drag your focus down to one of low expectations. You MUST make sure to ask the questions that empower you and keep your focus one of passion and excitement. Otherwise, you know what will happen...

It's quite simple... Get excited...get passionate...and get going...and you will get great results!!!   

I hope you relate to my little episode from today and can draw some inspiration from it... 

Guess what fitness program is even more popular than Body-for-Life???

I posted this last year but realized that maybe some folks never read it because it hadn't been posted on my blog... Hope you get a kick out of it...

Yes folks! It's the most popular program in the world! Millions of people are on this program every day and will be for their entire lives! This program doesn't require long hours in the gym, fancy supplements or complex hard-to-follow-diets! What is this amazing program?!!

It's the "Fat And Really Tired" (FART) program! With the FART program you no longer have to stress out over your exercise program because there is no exercise!! And with FART, you can eat anything you want and as much as you want! Those days of reading labels and counting calories are over! Thousands of restaurants, fast-food chains and donut shops already support the FART nutrition plan. With the FART program you simply don't care anymore! With FART, everyday is a free day!!!

And aren't you tired of having to drink so much water on those other programs?! With FART, you'll still be getting your daily fluid requirement, but it'll be a gallon of booze instead of water! You won't have to hardly ever go to the bathroom (except to throw up!).

And talk about supplements! FART does require a few supplements but they can be found in almost any drugstore. We suggest a starter pack of aspirin, Pepto-Bismol and Tums as well as certain FART-approved medications for high-blood pressure and cholesterol. With FART, there is no need to cut back on the fat - just increase your dosages!!! Could it be that easy?! Yes, friends it is that easy!!!

Now to be successful with any program, you of course need to have the right outlook and attitude. Our highly-experienced FART counselors will help you to address any issues that might come up during your FART journey. We will teach you how to replace ambition with low expectations, how to prevent disappointment by avoiding dreaming and most importantly to make sure that you accept being fat for the rest of your life. At FART, we know the truth: Life sucks and then you die!!! So avoid all the pain and stress of programs like Body-For-Life and follow FART. Our motto is "Being fit is nice, but dumb and numb is easier".

So are you ready to take that big step? Are you ready to embrace the FART lifestyle? Are you ready to become part of the FART family? To follow the program followed by millions worldwide? If so, then send $49.95 to

Sayonara Funeral Home  000 Dead End Ave.  Fat City, CA    

Try FART!!! - It's a gas!!!   

Back in the gym!

After 3 weeks of having a heck of a time due to illness and serious sleep issues, I did a great lower body workout this afternoon! That's the only full workout I've had in the last 3 weeks - after hardly missing any workouts during the first 4 weeks of this challenge.

Last week, one of my doctors suggested that I start taking melatonin which plays a key part in regulating your sleep cycle. I've suspected for years that I might have a deficiency but there weren't any tests to check it. But we decided to do a trial run and see if it helps. Well within a few days I noticed a dramatic difference. Instead of being wide-awake at 4,5 or even 7AM, I've found I actually start getting sleepy around midnight - which used to be my normal bedtime 5 or 6 yrs ago. And instead of laying half-awake for hours, I'm finding I'm sleeping much better than before.

My guess is that a melatonin-deficiency was the big problem since I haven't made any changes in my other hormone dosages...and from what I've heard, pituitary failure can affect the glands that regulate the sleep cycle Hopefully, it'll continue to improve and I'll get my days back!

Wish me luck! I want to have a great 8 weeks between now and cruise-time!!!   

Fingers crossed!

I had a very productive first 4 weeks of this challenge losing 15 lbs... but the last 2 weeks have been very rough... My sleep cycle issues really took a toll and I've only been able to do 1 workout (damn!)... As my friends know, I'm almost always very motivated so I have to be having some real issues to miss a workout!

But with a hormonal disorder like mine I keep getting reminded that I'm simply not in control... Of course, that is extremely frustrating for a guy that is so highly motivated! But then again, I have to accept the reality of my condition even if I don't like it... BUT, it looks like tomorrow I'll be able to get back on track! I certainly hope so!!!

I gotta tell ya gang... Sometimes I just want to go away and hide until I get well...and not emerge until I'm well enough to go full blast and impress all my friends!!! And frankly, I've done that for far too many years... But that only makes those who care about me worry and makes me feel even more isolated than ever...not exactly a very good way to live...

So if all goes well, I'll be back in the gym tomorrow (and for the rest of this challenge!) and I'll be able to celebrate my great progress with you on the BFL cruise!!! 

"I'm going to beat this thing!"

Lately, I've had a real challenge staying on track with my program. As usual, it is due to my issues with chronic illness. As many of you know, I've had ongoing issues with pituitary failure, sleep apnea, allergies and asthma. Fortunately, in the last year and a half things have improved enough to where I have been able to be fairly consistent on my BFL program, having some very significant results. But as should be expected with a medical condition like mine, there are going to be a few rough spots along the way.

I had some pretty strong progress in the first 4 weeks of this challenge (dropping 15lbs!), in spite of a sleep cycle issue that had me up when I should be sleeping and sleeping when I should be awake. Although I've experienced this situation numerous times over the years and assumed that as before it was due to a hormonal imbalance, it still has pushed me to the edge. Last week I was so exhausted from the sleep problems that I didn't get in a single workout. And if you know me, I have to be pretty drained to not make it to the gym! This week has also been rough. I managed to work out Monday night but I've been too drained the last 2 days to exercise... However, I decided that the best thing I could do was to do a little mental homework to keep my spirits up and remind myself that this too shall pass.. I wanted to share the self-talk I had today...mainly because I need to reach out to my friends, but also because I hope it inspires you to stay the course when things get rough...

"Alright buddy, how are you doing? I'm so sorry that you've been having such a rough time lately, especially after making great progress the first 4 weeks... But what else can you do? You're doing your best to overcome the illness and anytime you have even a little energy, you're back in the gym. I know this particular week has been quite emotional... 10 yrs ago you were singing in the Easter musical at church, with a great group of friends...in the best shape of your life...riding your bike almost every day and confident that soon you would meet that special woman to become your wife...and finally leave behind the trauma of your divorce 3 years earlier...

But here you are...10yrs later...alone...no wife...not even a girlfriend... Those supposed friends betrayed you and now you spend almost all of your time alone...Your stellar computer career died 4 yrs ago when you were forced to go on disability... and now your days are mostly consumed by trying to conquer your illness...not exactly the place you wanted to be at 51yrs old...I am so sorry Jim... (tears welling in my eyes...) You're a good man Jim...don't forget that...Yes,it does seem so bizarre that with all of the jerks in this world that a kind man like like you is alone...go figure! But I'm sure that someday you will finally have a wife...and a family...but right now, I just don't know... Just hang on, and as always do your best each day...

But despite the adversities Jim, isn't it true that you are truely blessed and STILL a happy camper...even when the world tells you that you shouldn't be? You betcha!!! Do you not feel excited and hopeful about your future? You know it! And are you not in a much better place emotionally, spiritually and even physically than you have been in years? Well, is the pope Catholic?! And during this week of Easter are you not convinced more than ever, that God truly has a plan for your life? That you will see at some point that your long-suffering was all part of His plan and that ultimately you will become not only the kind of man He planned for you to be, but the man you always wanted to be? Without a doubt you know in your heart that it's true... Tomorrow is a new day filled with hope and promise... You never know what is around the corner...

The enemy is trying to tell you to give up...to just be 'realistic' and settle for a life far below the dreams that God has instilled in your heart... But you know what you need to say...the stand you need to take... And here it is... I WILL BEAT THIS THING! Come hell or high water, I will find a way to overcome this debilating illness and not only live my dreams but become a testimony to others with chronic illness...and even to those who are perfectly healthy...to NEVER give up and to know the truth...that no matter what your circumstances, you must stay the course...for you...for those you love...and for those who look up to you, many of which you may never even know...

So tomorrow, Jim, when you get up...even if it's late in the day, remind yourself of what Easter really means to you... That even if things don't work out in this life...that even if you never find the victory in this life that you have fought so valiantly and honorably to achieve, that someone over 2000 yrs ago paid the ultimate price to ensure that at least in the next life, you will have a victory far beyond any dreams of this world and that you will never be sick again..."

I hope my long post gives you a better insight into who I am and ideally I would like for it to inspire you. And it would also be great if it makes you feel that even with all of my challenges that you come away after reading this feeling that Jimbo is going to be OK after all...

C5 Week 4 completed!

Just completed week 4 of my 5th Body-for-Life challenge! I made solid progress although I had hoped to do a little better. But I dropped 15lbs, 2 inches in the stomach and 1 inch in the waist. My bodyfat decreased from 27.5% to 24.9%. Actually, I'm pretty happy with the progress especially since I had a rough time with my sleep cycle which I suspect is due to a hormonal imbalance. My bedtime was usually between 4AM and 11AM and thus I didn't usually start my day until late afternoon or that evening. Talk about nocturnal! I'm sure that affected my results but hopefully I'll get things under control soon and do even better over the next 4 weeks. Frankly, after being sick so much the last several months, I'm just grateful to be able to do this program!  Week 0 photo is on the left and  Week 4 on the right...