How I’m Getting Healthier

I’m now back in (rainy) San Francisco after completing the Shikoku 88 trip.   My focus here is on getting healthier.

Progress has been good.  I’m feeling great.   I have lost a total of 9 pounds (~4 kg).   I’m running 9 miles (15km) a day,…  4-6 days a week.

All that is fine, but honestly, fitness has always been easier for me than health.  I’m naturally active and energetic and I enjoy being outdoors.

My struggles in the past have always been around food… and specifically with sugar.   I’ve been a “sugar addict” for most of my adult life.

I became a vegetarian 15+ years ago.  That was definitely an improvement to my health.  However,  I remained a sugar addict.

I now believe that sugar (refined carb) is as destructive to health as meat… or even more so.   And it certainly is much more addictive.  It took me several months to break my meat eating habit.  It has taken me years to break the sugar habit.   I tried countless times…  with great willpower.  Quite honestly,  I wondered if I would ever really break the cravings for sugar.

Well- I have.   I now feel no cravings for sugar.   I walk by bakeries that used to tempt me… and feel no desire to go inside.

How have I done this?

The number one secret–  Superfood Shakes.

There is a theory that states that our strong food cravings are a result of lack of nutrition in our diet.   In other words,  we keep eating and eating and eating because we are not getting enough powerful nutrition from the dead foods (junk food) we are consuming.  I believe this theory may be correct.

Superfood shakes are simply a blended drink containing 9-10 of the most nutritious and healthy foods on the planet–  all raw and organic.   My Superfood shakes include:   Maca,  Spirulina,  Cacao,  Hempseeds,  Bee Pollen,  Marine Phytoplankton,  Powdered Spinach/Kale/Barley,  Coconut Oil,  Flax Oil/Borage Oil,  Sprouted Rice Protein,  Goji Berries, Maqui Berries,  and Digestive Enzymes.

That shake packs in more nutrition than most people get in a week or more of eating!   Since I started those shakes,  my sugar cravings have disappeared.  I have stopped eating junk food completely.   My energy level is great– and it’s constant and steady throughout the day.

My recovery time from runs and other exercise is much faster too.  In the past, if I ran 9 miles one day, I’d usually need to rest the next day.  Now,  I run 9 miles on back to back to back days.  No need for “recovery days”.

I drink 1-2 of these shakes a day.

In addition, since getting back to San Francisco I have also been drinking fresh Green Juices every day.    These are freshly made organic juices which include:   Spinach, Kale, Celery, Parsley, Apple,  Carrot, and Ginger.    I have 2 of these a day usually.

These juices, like the shakes, are packed with Super Nutrition!   They are tremendously alkalizing (and thus energizing).

So that’s my “secret”:    2 fresh Green Juices a day,  and 1-2 Superfood Shakes a day.      Those sustain me for most of the day.   Other than those drinks, I might eat a big salad… and/or some brown rice pasta with tomato sauce and olive oil.     That more than fills me up and satisfies my hunger– which amazes me.    I used to eat 3-4 times that amount of food and still feel cravings for sugar (especially late at night)….  and I wasn’t running at that time.

So now I’m eating far fewer calories,  have much more energy all day long,  am running 9 miles most days,… and don’t feel hungry.

This is what happens when you eat/drink foods packed with super-nutrition!

Osaka Lunch

Today we met with several of my students in Osaka.

This is one of the great pleasures of my business… to meet so many wonderful people all over the world.

We had lunch at Solviva Restaurant in Osaka.. and talked for 3 hours.

This, to me, is the essence of being a “hobopoet”…  connecting and learning from incredible people.

I had a great time!

Tomorrow we take a bus to Tokushima-City.. to the starting point of the pilgrimage.   Monday morning, I’ll put on the white shirt and begin!

Osaka

I’m in Osaka now…  and it’s quite warm (81 degrees F).  I was expecting cooler weather!   Perhaps this is lesson number 1– beware of expectations

I’ve got a bit of a cold today…  and I’m not surprised.   After 5 days of very little sleep at a Leadership Seminar,.. then a 12 hour flight.. my body is tired.   I’ll be resting and relaxing for the next 3 days and hope to recover by then.

Tomorrow we’re having lunch with some of my students here in Osaka.   On Sunday we (Tomoe and I) will go to Tokushima-City– the location of temple #1 and the start of the pilgrimage.

I start walking Monday morning.

Cloud Hidden, Whereabouts Unknown

Tomorrow I fly to Japan and soon begin the 88 Temple Pilgrimage on Shikoku.

I feel excited and nervous at the same time.  Have I trained enough?   Will I be able to manage with very little Japanese?  How will I find food and accommodation? Is my backpack too heavy.. is there something else I can eliminate from it?  Have I forgotten something I’ll need?

Such are my thoughts at this moment.

But then I change my focus.   I imagine entering the temples–  washing my hands at the entrance,  ringing the bell,  bowing 3 times….  meditating for a few moments.   I imagine strolling through the Shikoku countryside… up and down forested hills… alongside rice fields… next to the shore… through towns and cities.

I imagine nearly 2 months without the usual distractions of modern life.   Two months to just walk, meditate, meet people…   Two months under the open sky.

Nervous, I grin about walking into the unknown…….

[Short article about the 88 Temple Pilgrimage, click here:  88 Temple Pilgrimage and here: Overview of Shikoku Pilgrimage ]

Training Details

This week I have reached my peak mileage– training for the 750 mile Shikoku hike.    The actual start of the hike is about 2 weeks away.

I’m following the same basic training schedule as I did for past marathons… modified for walking with much higher mileage.

The big challenge of this hike is that a marathon is just a one day event…   but for this hike I must sustain 16-20 mile days every single day for 45 days.

The Shikoku 88 trip therefore requires a much greater level of aerobic fitness and endurance.  With marathon training, for example, I peaked at about 45-50 miles a week during my training.

I’ll hit about 95 miles this week.   During the hike I’ll be doing 120-140 miles a week–  starting lower during the first couple of weeks, and relentlessly ramping up as the hike goes on.

Which is to say, I’m in the best aerobic shape of my life already…  and it’s going to get better!!

That was ONE of my motivations for this hike.   I find that exercising just to exercise is boring.   I prefer to train for inspiring, challenging and interesting events.    I would never have done this kind of mileage if my only goal was to “get in shape”.

But the Shikoku trip inspires me.   First, it’s a physical challenge– which is motivating.  Second,  it’s a cultural challenge.  I’ll be hiking around rural Japan and must adjust to the culture, food, people, etc.  (and I speak only a few Japanese phrases).   Thirdly, this is also an opportunity to re-connect with nature– doing most of the hike in rural and semi-wilderness areas. Finally, this is a spiritual trip…  an 1100 year old Buddhist pilgrimage route.  I’ll be meditating every day during the pilgrimage.

Here in the West.. and increasingly all over the world…  people my age are in terrible physical shape.   It makes me very sad to see this.   I’m 42 and in the best shape of my life.   I say that only to illustrate that age is no excuse.

Of course, I know that a lot of people are unhappy about their physical condition.  They have tried many things but just can’t seem to sustain consistent exercise.  My Mom is one such person.

The problem with a lot of people, I think, is that they associate exercise with discomfort and pain.   They exercise just to exercise… or to “get in shape”.    Some people may like that… but for most people that’s boring and unpleasant.

It’s much more inspiring and motivating to think like an athlete.  Athletes don’t “exercise”… they “train”.  They train for a purpose that excites and motivates them.  Maybe they want to win a championship.   Or become a professional.   Or whatever.

The point is that they have a BIG DREAM–  a BIG REASON to exercise.   They don’t just lift weights and run “to lose 40 pounds”.

This is the secret to consistently exercising.  Find a big inspiring PHYSICAL challenge and dream.  Maybe you always wanted to hike the Appalachian Trail?  Or bicycle across Europe?  Or climb Mount Ranier?  or whatever.   It can be small or big.    The only important thing is that you get excited thinking about it.

The next very important step is to schedule this event!  Pick a time in the future that gives you enough time to prepare for the event (this depends on your current fitness level).  Then buy the tickets, register, etc…  Commit totally to doing it.

Once you do this, you’ll be inspired to train every week.   You’ll know that big event is coming… and you’ll be exercising for a reason.. for an adventure!

This is exactly what I did for Shikoku.   When I decided to do it, I’d been sedentary for several years (by my standards).   I was not physically ready for the challenge…   but I calculated how long I needed to prepare…  then chose a date.  Then I told EVERYONE I was going to do it… all my friends and family.

I got a little map and picture book for the route… and that got me more excited.  I watched a couple of Youtube clips about Shikoku.   And I got more and more excited.

That’s what kept me going… that’s what motivated me to walk 4-8 hours a day  (4-5 times a week).    That was the rocket fuel that energized me.

Now I feel great.   I’ve lost about 7 pounds of fat and gained a bit of lean muscle.  I have momentum.

The trip itself will increase my health and fitness level.

And afterward I won’t quit.  I’ve learned that valuable lesson from the past.    And so I already have my next physical challenge and adventure planned:   cycling around Italy for a few weeks. And after that… hiking in Patagonia…  and/or the Appalachian Trail.

So… get out there!   Don’t just suffer and sweat in the gym for no reason.   Choose an inspiring physical challenge/adventure and TRAIN for it!

Shikoku 88 Videos

Here are a couple of videos by people who have done the same “Shikoku 88″ route I’ll be doing in a couple of weeks:

Breakthrough

Watch this show, it’s fantastic! I hope it inspires you.

Shoot The Sacred Money Cows

My Favorite– Go to College and Everything will be OK:

Go to School from Rich Dad on Vimeo.

Get a Job:

Get a Job from Rich Dad on Vimeo.

Work Hard:

Work Hard from Rich Dad on Vimeo.

401Ks:

Invest for the Long Term in a Diversified Portfolio from Rich Dad on Vimeo.

Disc Golf

I started playing disc golf many years ago…   when I was a poor social worker    It’s a great game!

Basically, disc golf is golf played with a frisbee.   Instead of “holes” you have baskets.   Your goal is to get your disc into the basket using the fewest possible throws.

Like regular golf, each “hole” in disc golf has a par…   usually all “holes” (baskets) are par 3.   This means the “average” number of throws needed from tee to basket is three throws.   If you only use 2 throws, you get a “birdie”.

To my mind, disc golf has all of the benefits of regular golf, and none of the drawbacks.

It’s a casual game, played outdoors,… with lots of walking in woods and fields.  I love this aspect of the game.. getting outdoors in the park.

Because the pace is relaxed, disc golf is also a very social game.   It’s a great way to spend a couple of hours with friends.

And unlike regular golf, disc golf is almost always free.   No memberships, no green fees,.. no country clubs.   There’s no status attached to disc golf… which I like.   The people who play are usually very friendly and very relaxed.

And so… today I’m going to play disc golf again with my good friend Joe.  We play at the course in Golden Gate Park.   And since we have the advantage of being Hobopoets with flexible schedules… we can play on weekdays when the course and the park are not crowded.

I have many fond memories of playing this game… in South Carolina,…  in Athens, Georgia (actually Elberton),… and here in California.

Why not give it a try yourself?

Find a course near you on the PDGA’s Course Director!

Power Walking

My daily walks have now increased to 3.5 hours each.

Of course, I’m getting physical benefits from the walks.  I’m feeling more fit and healthy and energetic.  That will increase as the walks get longer every week.  My goal is to be doing 7 hours a day before I go to Shikoku for the 88 Temple pilgrimage.

While the physical benefits of the walks are great… I’m also experiencing mental benefits.   I find that LONG walks are great for clearing my mind.

Usually, during the first hour and a half, my mind is racing with thoughts and ideas.   However, as I walk, I pay attention to my breathing… and to my environment.   And what happens is that my mind gradually quiets as I walk…  so that walking becomes a form of meditation.   By the end of the walk my mind is calmer and clearer.

Another nice thing about the long walks is that I am often learning while walking.   Sometimes I listen to a Tony Robbins speech,  or to Tomoe’s Japanese podcast….  and in this way feed my mind and strengthen my body at the same time.   At other times I’ll think of new ideas for my life or my business… and I find that I think more creatively when I’m moving (instead of sitting on my butt).

I’ve even begun to think about the goal of running most of my business from a smart phone (like an iPhone)!  Honestly, I HATE being stuck indoors! And with phones rapidly becoming little computers… it’s becoming possible to do many business tasks just with the phone.  I can give quick answers to emails…  I can email, text, or call my assistants…   I can add posts to my business Facebook account.

I like the idea of “working” while I’m walking,…   creating while I’m walking…  learning while I’m walking…. meditating while I’m walking!

I’ve had enough of sitting indoors in front of a computer.

My office is the whole wide world

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