Very productive couple of weeks.  A couple of notes....

• Since the last post, I have run 23.02 miles.  I am starting to feel guilty if I don't run.   For example, I did not run on Monday or Tuesday this week due to some knee pain (more on that later)
• My average pace was 0:10:32 per mile...which is a precipitous drop from previous times, and I think it is due to some pain in my right knee.
• I hit some great runs on both Sundays.  4.4 miles and 5.16 miles.  these long Sundays are going to continue and increase weekly.  This coming up Sunday, i will get to 5.5.   I have a 10K coming up in April, so that is timed perfectly.
• My arch is feeling much better since I started wearing my orthotics again.
• My VO2 Max has been steadily rising.  For those who don't know what the VO2 Max is, here is a definition.

"VO2 max, or maximal oxygen consumption, refers to the maximum amount of oxygen that an individual can utilize during intense or maximal exercise. This measurement is generally considered the best indicator of cardiovascular fitness and aerobic endurance."
​

(TLDR at the end of the page)

People make changes for many reasons...

In November of 2021, I went to go visit my endocrinologist.  He treats me for my Type 2 Diabetes, and my thyroid disease.  To say I have mismanaged my diabetes care for years is an understatement.  I don't have foot or eye problems, but my a1c is like a rollercoaster.  I have ranged from a good of 5.5 to a really bad of 9.  Every time I get to the high range, I promise Dr. Blank (that is his real name), that I will improve.  "Please don't put me on Insulin"

In November, he told me that I was going to have to go on Insulin.  I hit 7.9, and I wasn't doing what I need to do.  This was his tough love intervention.  Again, I begged him to give me three months to get my s#it together.  He doubted that I could do it, but after some real begging, he relented...on the condition that if I do not get my numbers down, I would have no argument anymore.

So, for the month of December, I didn't do jack.  I was a little depressed, still unemployed, and quite honestly, felt that this was inevitable.

So New Years Eve happened.  I sat at a friends house with a bunch of people and glanced at my cell phone.  The Detroit Free Press Marathon sent me an email telling me that I could now sign up for the Freep International Marathon.  I had run the half marathon in 2013, and that was a major commitment for me.  I was also 9 years younger....and at my age, you start thinking of all the things you will never be able to do in your life...and running a marathon is one of those things that are harder to do as you get older.

So on new years day, I decided to sign up for the marathon, but I didn't tell anyone.  It was a spur of the moment thing, and I still was going to hedge my bet....I could always back out as long as nobody knew.  Not a great start.

So on the 5th of January, I started my quest, still not sure if I was up for the task.  I couldn't run 1 mile..only .93 miles...at a blistering 13 minute mile pace.  Not exactly giving confidence that I can do over 26 miles.  In fact, I was deflated.

The rest of the week, I ran a mile a day, and it got a little easier, and my times got a little better.  Weekly, I would start to push myself...Ran further each week...got better shoes (it's all about the shoes), started putting my stats on a google sheet...And then I did the crazy.  I started telling everyone what I was doing.  

• "Sure you are"
• "so when does this NY Resolution get tossed"
• "Carpe Diem, Motherfucker!"

The more people I told, the more people kept me accountable.  Every time I run, I text my stats to select friends, and I even post it on the Facebooks....I want people to ask me about it, because if they do, I will be less likely to quit.

January 5, 2022 -

• Weight: 229.6 pounds,
• a1c: 7.9

March 5, 2022

• Weight: 217.4 pounds
• a1c: 6.9

SO WHAT IS MY POINT?

If you want to lose weight, or you want to be healthier, you are better off to find other goals to get you there.  I cannot will my body to get a better a1c, nor can I will my body to lose weight.

I can will my body to run 5 times a week.  If I do that, those two other goals will be achieved.

Carpe Diem, Bitches!

​Michael

TLDR:  If you want to make a large change in your life or your business,

1. start with a goal. (Lose weight, make more commissions)
2. Find a related activity that if you do a lot of it, you will surely meet that goal (train for a marathon, make 7500 cold calls)
3. Map it out on a spreadsheet.  What daily, weekly, monthly quarterly mini goals must you meet?  
4. Tell everyone.  Write a blog.  Post it on the facebooks. Tell your boss.  Tell Your spouse.