Purposed. One word worth a thousand picture's?

Real. That is what pictures, recordings and writings do. They transmit real things from one person to another. Those things still have to be interpreted. That is where things often fall apart. We look in the mirror at our muffin top and we see failure. We look down at our stretch marks and we feel shame. We see parts of our chest droop and we sense inevitable age. Our wrinkles, sun spots and imperfect everything tell us (and we assume everyone else) how flawed we are.

Maybe if we changed our perspective on real, beauty and wellness we would have a better appreciation for ourselves and in turn others we meet. We can be kind to others often while we tear ourselves apart.

So at the risk of looking far less than perfect which I am I wanted to post some pictures. Before I start my transformation. I am adding others as well because I think many people are fooled by so many weight loss hype systems that often only work because they starve people to death.

I refuse to look good at the risk of being healthy. I just  recently have been in the hospital visiting yet another friends dad who has had yet another heart attack, dozens (yes I said dozens) of stints, dialysis, collapsed vessels and so many other health problems. This gentleman in his 50's has lived with poor health for the last 20 years.

There has to be a better way. The 10 Essentials for well being could radically change all these health issues and I am willing to bet transform ones body into an ideal specimen. We do not need to do long term harm for short term good. If we can manage our expectations we can do long term good that will also in time benefit all areas.

 

227 lbs,  Bloated and soft

In the middle of "The Begining"

So, a journey is beginning. For the last several years I have been fighting to overcome obstacles and challenges. One of the decisions I made was to do something every year that inspires me. Really it could be big or small but it must be significant. You see, after waking up from surgery and looking out the window at the early morning sun I pondered on those things that are most important. Living a full life and impacting those people that I love and care for in a positive way was high on my gratitude list. So over time I will take you back to times, events, messages and thoughts that I have had in the past but just like life waits for no one...I will begin with the here and now.

This is the year of my 40th birthday. It wouldn't be so bad but I remember as a youngster having one of those "holy" football type jersey shirts from the 80's that had the number 33 on it. It just so happened that my aunt turned 33 that year...I thought she was so old! And now I am older than that. Too quick.

I will attempt to share things about C3, Wellness (10 Essentials), Mental Toughness and my purpose. This is meant to be a journey and hopefully it will have a positive impact on  people along the way.

So to begin, I am attempting to prepare mentally and physically for a physique competition. I will need to find time, dedicate resources, gain about  20 pounds of muscle and lose about 40 pounds of fat...this year. I also plan on helping people close to me like my brother Phil, my entire immediate family, Pepper and a few business associates get in the best health and wellbeing they have ever been in this year...2014. But it all begins with me. Because I believe that looking good is only part of a healthy lifestyle there will be other aspects as well. I will be journeying to better wellness, lower cholesterol, better blood pressure, more efficient oxygen use, lower inflammation, better kidney and liver function. These things along with better use of time and money towards my stated purpose and passions will make 2014 a year to remember. To laugh a bit more and cry. To live more random kindness as a way of life. To better example 360 degree wellness and have that show in my body, demeanor, finances and relationships. Finally, because of relationships built over the last several years I look forward to giving back. In Africa with thousands of meals and India with wellness/health clinics. That is what this journey is about. The pictures are just minor reference points along the way. They are visual reminders of the struggle to do good, make a difference and enact change in ones own life so that it can impact the world around. I hope you enjoy while figuring out the direction of your journey. Attitude and Relentless Consistency (ARC) C3.