We come to the end
…only to begin again. 10 lives on, but guess what?
10 weeks is up.
For all of you who started at day 1 of this blog, “weigh in” and give me reports! Let’s see how we all did, and then let’s compare notes and make the next 10 weeks even better than the first.
I did not hit my goal of 20 in 10 — and that was my choice. I did 15 in 10 initially, and then I took a bit of a mental break to recharge for the first of the year. I ended up with 12 in 10, raring to begin again.
See how this works?
The need for a break was not due to the holidays — in fact, I ate and trained very well during the holidays, or right up “to” them. My break was personal, and it took me a bit by surprise. You see, even Bingo screws up and forgets to SET (for all of those at week 35 of M-Power, you know what I mean).
Here’s the story: I had a massive goal (like always), but I used a temporary Driving Point goal to really jack my training up — that of going to New York in April and training with a top trainer there. I knew I had to be in my top shape just to HANG with this guy, so that (along with my Core-based goals) really pushed me when my body wasn’t wanting to be pushed. Remember, long layoff — and still dealing with transient lightheadedness after workouts. It’s not fun at times, but I was driven by some seriously good Core Levers.
When my friend Jan arrived a few weeks ago, everything changed. The first day she was here, I lost my long-time business partner in Fit Over 40. We’re cool now, and Fit Over 40 is doing better than ever, but initially this was like a kick in the gut. This took several days to resolve, and let me tell you, it was kinda scary. Long story that doesn’t need to be told — just glad it’s over and Tom and I are cool again. Tom wanted to focus on his own empire (can’t blame him), and he’s still a great supporter of Fit Over 40. There’s only so many hours in the day, and he doesn’t want to fill them with work.
Makes sense to me. Still, the departure and buy-out was a massive life-change for me.
Jan waited a few days and then, when I was ready (she’s so cool!), we hit the gym — and we hit it HARD. It was incredible…that one workout is a workout I’ll remember for years.
When she left, I was bummed of course. A good friend leaves — drag. And, due to the deal with Tom, I had second thoughts about going to New York. The NYC deal wasn’t just to train with Richie, but also do business stuff with Tom. Now half that reason was gone — and so was my Core Lever that I grew too dependent on.
With the new business matters needing my full attention, and the fact that NYC was less of a target, my training started to suffer. At that point I knew what I had to do: relax, allow myself to ‘backslide’ and refocus with a new plan, and then hit it again.
I’m happy to report I have a new plan — a wild plan! I’ll keep you posted as I kick off my next 10 on the 2nd.
Right now I’m nursing severe tendonitis (using my absolutely amazing cheeenergy device) in my left big toe. Last night I woke up and, I kid you not, I felt like someone smashed my toe with a hammer. I was literally crying for hours in bed (not for good reasons) looking for anything to numb this kind of pain. I took 4 Advil, put Aspercreme on it, and even Icy Hot. It was so painful, I lost hours of sleep until the Advil kicked in. I finally dozed off, only to wake up with equal pain. Now the pain is subsiding with qigong therapy — everything else is useless.
Funny thing — the toe thing happened because I picked up my go-cart (remember, my “cheap slut” sports car?) last night and drove it like crazy. I was into car racing for years, so I ‘can’ drive the poop out of a standard.
Trouble is, my toe wasn’t used to that — and I have genetically very weak feet. It’s been a bit of a challenge from day one of my life.
I never thought this would happen, but my toe freaked and now I’m typing this with a burning feeling from a device that generates no heat on my foot. Ah…feels like a heating pad, despite the fact I have a huge pad between the device and my foot! It’s amazing — that heat is qi. Energy rushing to a mass of inflamed tendons, using the body’s natural means pumped up a hundred fold to heal and ease the pain. It’s working quite well — always does.
More later — and by the way, thank you. Thank you all for a wonderful 10 weeks. I trust each of you will continue this journey with me. 10 is going no where — I’ll still be posting away as much as I can.
Happy New Year — and remember my mantra: create a life of utter resolution, and the years take care of themselves. {10}
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Comments (13)
Woody said:
I understand foot pain. I have had gout several times. Your foot is fine when you go to bed at night and wake up with what feels like broken glass in your big toe joint. Even a light breeze or the weight of a sheet produces knife like pain.
I will finish my first 10-in-10 a week early to sync up with your second round (for motivational purposes ). I start my 1200 miles of walking for 2006 tomorrow January 1st. My plan of attack is 5+ miles a day for the first five days of the week (M-F). That will give me 25 miles a week times 52 is actually 1300 miles. This will give me a small buffer as I go along for unexpected events along the way. If things line up, in July I may get to walk with a friend for 3 weeks along the Oregon Section of the Pacific Creast Trail (20 miles a day)that would eat up 400 miles out in the G.O.D.
Posted on Dec 31, 2005 03:15 PM
Tammy said:
So good to hear from you again, Jon. I all too well understand needing breaks, relaxing, re-focusing, evaluating and setting new goals and sights. What a perfect time to do this! You deserve to realize all of your driving points and experience your core levers (did I say that right?). The past 10 weeks have meant so much to me, with your blogs and the support of everyone here. I didn’t need to lose 10 pounds necessarily, but definetly needing to get a workout plan set up and going and that happened! I lost 2 pounds and down one size and am in cruise control with my workouts, with the ability and desire to accelerate at will and slow down when needed. My meals need some tuning up so that will be one of the main focuses for the next 10 weeks, besides decreasing body fat and increasing muscle. I hope you and everyone can celebrate the entrance of 2006, and thanks to you we will already having a major lead on the rest of the world! Thank you and I wish you abundance in every sense.
Posted on Dec 31, 2005 05:16 PM
Paul said:
OK Jon..left Santa Barbara and headed down the coast..man it is rainning..it’s gonna be soggy here for the next few days..but hey it’s fun. Looking forward to the next 10. BTW that Honda is a nice car..drive safe!
Hey Woody that hike on the PCT sounds good..I’m fastpacking the JMT (John Muir Trail) Aug. 06…221 miles hoping for 8 days but giving myself a couple days fudge factor..I’d be happy with 10 days.
Don’t know where you are in Oregon..but I usually run the Siskyou Out and Back 50K near Ashland in July. Check it out on the web.
Paul
Posted on Dec 31, 2005 06:10 PM
Joe said:
Well 10ers, Although I did not manage to reach the 10 in 10 goal. I was able to ¨discard¨6 lbs in 10. I know I can and will do better in the upcoming months. Just a little word to Jon here.
Jon,
This is great!! Not only do you educate everyone on the blog about fitness,you manage to keep it fun!! Something that can be a great challenge. So, KUDOS TO YOU for accomplishing this difficult goal.
Posted on Dec 31, 2005 07:13 PM
Dee Renee said:
I’m looking forward to the next 10 in 10. My results were down 1 pound and 2.5 inches. The only reason I did not have better results is that I wasted too much time trying to adapt your proven system to suit me. You know the whine, “Do I have to? Can’t I just…?” I hope I’m over that by now.
Thank you so much for having this blog, and thank you to everyone who frequently posts.
Posted on Jan 01, 2006 01:14 PM
Lissa!!! said:
Hey Jon
I can totally relate to your foot pain…happened to me a couple months back and I never appreciated walking before in my life….no good explaination and hit me out of the blue….had to get a cortisone shot….well although I didnt make much physical progress on the first 10 in 10….I did make mental progress especially with the Mpower and now im all in for the next 10 in 10…..thank you for sharing your ups and downs with us it helps tremendously.
Posted on Jan 01, 2006 07:46 PM
Alyson said:
Glad to see you back and rarin’ to go Bingo! But so sorry to hear about the toe thing….never had that happen (thankfully!) but I can totally relate to HAVING to drive that way when you have access to a hot car with a standard ;) Right now I’m temporarily ‘demoted’ from my souped-up Firebird to my son’s pick-em-up truck with an automatic, and I MISS the ‘Bird, let me tell you!!
I had initially done 10 in 8, but had some minor setbacks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Decided to quit one job, start another…and the whole going thru the holidays ‘single’ for the first time hit me hard in ways I hadn’t expected. BUT all in all, without MPower, I would have fared far worse than I did! Ended up with 8 in 8 but with the added bonus of some mental rejuvenation and new access to a real GYM again! (Had to be a bit creative with workouts the past month without gym access.)
I’m on-board for the next 10 and can’t wait to hear about your ‘new and improved’ plan (although I hope it still involves your coming to NYC ‘cause I secretly hoped to get the chance to meet you when you were in the same state! ;)
Wishing you much success in ‘06 and am excited to be part of the whole MPower experience!
Posted on Jan 02, 2006 07:46 AM
Greg said:
10 weeks already??? It’s true that time seems to pass faster the older you get.
It’s been an interesting and rewarding—but too-brief—couple of months. Sounds like a lot of people here on the blog are going through some significant changes, fat-loss being just one of them. One course of action, when fueled by resolve and proper motivation, can lead to many new paths.
For myself, I resolved to discard some fat…hopefully 10 in 10 but any loss would have been fine. In addition to meeting that goal at the end of the challenge I’ve noticed several other benefits: My energy level is higher than it has been in over 25 years. I quit a pack-and-a-half-a-day/33-year cigarette habit. I’m completely revamping my diet from sugar-and-fat to a nice balance of lean protein, complex carbs and healthy fats…haven’t had a cholesterol test in a while but I’m hoping it’s down from the alarming levels last year. My outlook is, generally, more positive. I’m a natural cynic and pessimist, attitudes which have been proven to be mentally and physically unhealthy. Now I’m feeling better physically and this is making me feel better mentally. I never would have believed it! As a result of improved outlook and increased sense of calm I believe my personal relationships are improving as well. I even got a promotion at work!
It’s been difficult at times, hard to drag my bloated, jiggly Rumsfeld off the couch and into motion. Hard to resist all those sugar cookies and Frito pies during the holidays. Hard to not feel like a complete wimp in the freeweight zone at the phytness center. One thing that has made it easier is this 10in10 forum, and the encouragement of Der Bingle and my fellow 10ers.
I’m looking forward to the next 10!
Posted on Jan 02, 2006 09:01 AM
janine hill said:
Jon a big hug and lots of thanks for sharing your knowledge. Will be waiting for the next lot.
Posted on Jan 02, 2006 08:08 PM
Trish said:
Happy New Year to Jon and all 10ers. Well, after starting with a bang, my 10 weeks ended with a fizzle.. 2 weeks with flu which developed into bronchitis. I didn’t quite get to my goal of 10 pounds, but was very pleased with my result nonetheless: 7.7 lbs and droped from an 8 to a 4/6 pant. My next 10 will start slowly as I have surgery tomorrow and will not be able to do any strenuous exercise for 2-3 weeks, however, I have big plans to implement an intense weight training program and will get my body fat down to 15%. This year I WILL write my goals down. :) Good luck to all 10ers and a big thanks for the inspiring supportive blog.
Posted on Jan 02, 2006 10:57 PM
Woody said:
A bit odd not showing up on Day 1 of a new 10-in-10 and Scale the World from hours to days away hmmmmm ?
Posted on Jan 03, 2006 12:24 AM
Jon Benson said:
Woody;
STW is now launching on the 6th. We ran into tech issues — and this has to be ‘just’ right.
That’s why I haven’t been around…that, and I have company in from out-of-town.
I’ll be blogging tomorrow!
Posted on Jan 03, 2006 12:34 AM
Kristy said:
I’m back from a very relaxing 11 days off from work. Christmas was great. New years sucked (cuz it rained) but overall, it was a really nice vacation. I’ve officially gotten my exercise groove back. I’m back to using my heavy weights and I’m not in horrible pain! I also gained 0 pounds over christmas. I didn’t lose anything, but I didn’t gain anything either. My husband and I have started an “8 weeks without deep fried food” challenge and we’re going to start walking together 20 minutes a day (in addition to my regular workouts.) He’s got about 100 pounds to lose but he’s not ready to jump in with both feet just yet. I’m easing him in to the whole healthy eating and exercise thing gradually.
Posted on Jan 03, 2006 10:57 AM
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