it don't come easy

I had somebody comment on one of my past workout posts, saying that it sounded so easy. Which would be a lie if that was my intent. Because it isn't easy. It hasn't been easy. I can justify a thousand and one reasons why I shouldn't step foot in the gym because there are more pressing concerns. Or that my body hurst more than it used to 10 years ago, or that one donut won't hurt (or one more piece of fried chicken).

The reality is that the process of change is hard. It's supposed to be. Nature likes a status quo. Our bodies like the status quo, even though the end result could be life threatening. It's easier to justify skipping cardio today because ... well, just because.

The other obstacle is seeing the results of these changes. The cliche is true: it is easier to put it on than take it off. So when you're at it for a month and aren't at your goal yet, you start feeling discouraged and wondering if it's worth it to keep going.

But, changes are being made, and one day you look in the mirror, and realize that your body is improving - the weight is coming off, your posture gets better, your endurance is longer, and you get a lot more self confident in yourself. You find that food you liked no longer tastes as good as you thought it would, and you start rationalizing not how good that donut would taste, but about all the hard work you've put into yourself, and not have it ruined by a lousy donut (or fried chicken ... sigh).

I recommend that if you are starting a fitness program, take a photo of yourself (with your iPhone maybe), starting that first day. And then keep taking photos of yourself each day you work out. You may not notice the subtle changes on a day-to-day basis, but when you start comparing before and after photos after about a month or two of exercising, it will keep you motivated to keep going.

Over and out for now!

oh yeah, it's on

Actually, it's off! 10 pounds, to be exact, in the last month. Woohoo! Though I think my new exercise routines and training sessions have a lot to do with it, I think what really got me going on the weight loss trail was enrolling at http://www.dotfit.com/. It's a nutrition diary (UFC members get to use it for free, or you can sign up individually online), and I highly recommend it. There are several similar diaries online so choose one that best fits what you like, but most important, stick with it.

To use dotfit I had to input my current weight and body fat and then give a timeline for my goals. In my case, it was loose 30 pounds in 3 months. Then it gives you how many calories you need to consume per day in order to obtain that goal. The difference between your calories consumed (my limit is 1,850 per day) and calories burned (calculated at 3,500) is called a calorie deficit, and that indicates how much weight you are loosing.

By inputting on a daily basis a breakdown of everything you eat, you get a picture really quick of your eating habits, and in my case, a lack of portion control. It's been tough, especially being honest with oneself, but the progress graphs inspire you to keep going.

Give it a try!

Peter Pan Like You've Never Seen Before

My wife, 5-year old daughter, and I finally made it downtown San Francisco to the Peter Pan show/play/spectacle that's been in town for the last couple of months. I had seen the previews and was intrigued, but my expectations were not all that high.

However. However. However. Wow. After walking out of the show yesterday, I, and my family were dumbfounded by what we had just seen. It was one of those experiences that you know will stay with you - and your child - for a very long time. It was touching, engaging, funny, poignant, and sweet - all rolled into two hours (plus a 20-minute intermission) of suspended belief.

Suspended being the right word as for most of the show you were treated to the actors - Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Wendy, and her brothers Jon and Michael - suspended by wires as they flew through the skies or swam underwater.

The "tent" within which the show takes place presents an in-the-round viewing experience, and with most rows of chairs only going 12 or so rows back, there are no bad seats in the house. The stage is in the middle, and actors make full use of its area, giving members from all around the house a good view of the action.

Sparse scenery on stage gives the audience enough of a clue of where they are, and the actors room to appear and disappear from view. There's also a 360-degree "screen" about 10 feet tall that circumvents the top, providing a video backdrop for what is going on center stage. So when the actors fly from their homes to Neverland, guests are treated to four actors on wires "flying" in and around buildings, through clouds, and underwater.

The way some of the characters - most notably the Crocodile - are shown gives full whimsy to the imagination.

With tickets starting at only $35, this is a must-see event for you and your family. The show is going to be gone soon, so go now. I guarantee you will be enthralled, and your children will be amazed (and thankful). Children under five are not recommended.

Go to www.peterpantheshow.com for more information.

Honestly, this is one of the best stage shows I have yet seen. You owe it to your child - and the child in you - to go see this show.

But it's a good excuse!

So wow, it's been a while, huh?

Well, I do have an excuse, and I think it's a good one. Our youngest, our 2-1/2 year old son, broke his femur, and has been in a spica cast (basically he has a cast all over one leg, half up the other, and a body cast up to his nipple line - yes there is an opening for ... well, you know). So he's been couch-sitting, which means my wife and I have been catering to his every need. Add to that a 4-1/2 year old daughter who just started having homework to bring home, normal day-to-day to-do lists, and a growing business to run and ... agh!

But he's starting to become a bit more accepting of life and is quieting down so we're starting to breathe a bit easier and get back into a groove. Hence, this post.

One thing I did learn is that we are lucky - I've seen parents with very young children in these casts, and parents facing months and even a lifetime of having a son or daughter immobilized, and .. my heart goes out to you.

In the midst of a whirlwind, get fit

If you've been following this blog, you'll know that one of the things I'm trying to do is find out how to balance my life as father, business owner, and husband, and still live a healthy life, including getting fit.

With two young kids, it's hard enough to find some time for yourself uninterrupted, much less try and fit a whole workout into your life. And yet, it can be done. I've been working with a trainer (Shawn O. at Club Sport San Ramon) and setting up a routine that fulfills my goal of getting fit while only taking up a 1/2 hour of my time. (This doesn't include drive time or changing).

My personal goal has been to loose weight and gain muscle mass through weight training, but he (and I'm sure other trainers), can work with anyone's goals within a minimum 1/2 hour window. This includes cardio (in fact he gave me a great step workout program I'll share later).

I've only been doing his program for the past two weeks, but it's been amazing at what he can do with me in only that alloted time. A lot of it is combining different exercises into what he calls supersets, but also just keeping the workout focused and trimmed down and on schedule.

I will be offering more tips and tricks in this blog as we progress, so stay tuned!

Everard

Halloween DIY photos wanted

Have you ever made a costume for your children or created one from clothes and accessories? Send photos to editor@bakidsmagazine.com with some information about how you did what you did and we'll include it in our next issue! (Include your name and city too).

Yoshi's? Yum!

My wife says my blogs are too long, so I will try and keep it short and simple (stupid!).

Went to Yoshi's at Jack London Square for dinner with our daughter and gorged on sushi and other good stuff. Am full, but satisfied, and happy because my daughter tried most everything we put on her plate at least once. She really liked the chili/pepper edamame and calamari too (full review coming in the Oct/Nov issue of Bay Area Kids magazine!)

Finished off dinner by grabbing a cone at Ben&Jerry's across the way and walking along Jack London Square. Nice, calm, cool night - good break from everything.

I think that was short but sweet, right?