The second week of December, I set a personal goal of
burning 2,000 calories in one cardio training session (we will call them “seshs”
from here on out) in less than two hours. The first question that may pop into
your head is, why? This was exactly my wife’s, JoAnna, response. My answer to
that question would be, I do not know. The only reason I could think of is that
over the past several months I have been consistently achieving the “1,000 Calorie Burn Club” (if one does not exist, I
am starting one as you read!) in less than or equal to one hour of cardio (≤
for those who paid attention in math class), and I would follow with some
weight lifting for about 30 minutes.
Maybe I was growing impatient with my results or I was inspired to take it up a notch, whatever it was, I decided to double up. Last week, I made some progress, but all in all, I FAILED.
The concept of “Body Positivity” has been around for some time now and it continues to grow in popularity. I admittedly was not aware of the concept until the EXTREMELY talented and relevant musical artist Lizzo put it on the map for me. Conversely, the ascension of the Body Positivity movement comes at a time that the developed world’s population is tipping the scales, literally, in terms of weight (We have NEVER been fatter). This so-called movement essentially promotes the acceptance of one’s body at any/every size.
The question is, can the concept of Body Positivity coincide with Promoting Physical Activity? This ain’t about what society, T.V., magazines or the movies thinks about what a “good body” is. This is about what science and the numbers continue to warn us of.
In recognition of National Suicide Prevention Month (September), National Suicide Prevention Week (September 8 – 14, 2019) and WORLD Suicide Prevention Day (September 10th), it is time to talk about DEPRESSION!
What Is The Deal?
September is National
Suicide Prevention Month. All month, mental health advocates, prevention
organizations, survivors, allies, and community members unite to promote
suicide prevention awareness.
National Suicide
Prevention Week is the Monday through Sunday surrounding World Suicide
Prevention Day. It’s a time to share resources and stories, as well as promote
suicide prevention awareness.
World Suicide
Prevention Day is September 10. It’s a time to remember those affected by
suicide, to raise awareness, and to focus efforts on directing treatment to
those who need it most.
Share your story! Share your journey! Let’s get through DEPRESSION together!
You Can Run, But You
Can’t Hide!
There is no hiding from depression these days. If money and materials equated to happiness, the citizens of these great United States would be the HAPPIEST people on the planet. Throughout my travels to some culturally rich places, some of the happiest people I have EVER seen, would be considered “poor” by our standards, having little to no possessions. What they did have, was EACH OTHER. Somehow, some way, people from around the developing world have mastered the art of being content. When modern society constantly bombards you with images of how you should look, what you should be wearing, what type of car you should be driving, how to spend money and how successful you should be before the age of 40 (40 Under 40 lists), 30 and so on, we could likely make a argument for correlation. But I digress. No matter its origin or who we try to blame for it, depression is real, and it is insidious.
In preparation for National Suicide Prevention Month (September), National Suicide Prevention Week (September 8 – 14, 2019) and WORLD Suicide Prevention Day (September 10th), it is LONG overdue to address some issues of Body Image that may dwell in the hearts and minds of men.
When you walk the walk, don’t be surprised when you see others get inspired.
How do you get motivated?
What are your sources of motivation? I rely on many sources of motivation, one of which is David Goggins. If you do not know who David Goggins is, he is known for his no nonsense, no excuse approach in overcoming a weak mindset. About a month ago I was watching a video shot by David Goggins giving pointers on how he builds muscle endurance and how to incorporate it throughout the day. Anyways, this approach in particular was called “Ins-and-Outs”. Basically, upon entering any structure with a doorway, you drop down and complete a set of push-ups. This could be 5 to 10 push-ups, more if you are feeling froggy. This would be the “Ins” portion. The same idea goes for the “Outs”. Before or after you exit a doorway, you drop down and complete a set of push-ups. Simple enough!
This resonated with me because one of my goals for 2019 is to increase the maximum number of push-ups I can complete. I was inspired to jump right in with the Ins-and-Outs. I did so not knowing how it would impact others.
Have you asked yourself this question lately? What is the
most important thing to you in your life? If you answered, “My Family”, then
you are like most family men out there. We get married and have children, not
to neglect them, but to grow and nurture that them.
“If you are travelling with a child or someone who requires assistance, secure your mask on first, and then assist the other person.”
Flight Attendant
As fathers, we lose sleep at night on how we are going to
provide for the needs of our families. As you established those needs and
progress out of the stages of self-preservation, providing food and shelter, we
then focus on security. By security, I do not mean physical security. Having shelter
for your family provides a certain type of security. Additionally, there are
inexpensive ways to provide physical security these days. However, what I mean here
is long term security, which may include financial or security through health
and well-being. These types of security afford our offspring future OPPORTUNITIES
and OPTIONS.
We have all heard the adage, “opposites attract”. No matter how much today’s society tries to deny the laws of attraction, somethings are just instinctive. This may not ring true for ALL couples, but I would be willing to bet most couples are composed of one outgoing person and the other, not-so-much. If it is not overly apparent, I am the introvert in the family. When your wife is the social one in the relationship and coordinates play dates with the local mommy groups, dad is stuck with whoever the wife and kid hit it off with at the playground.
Imagine…WHAT IF motivation
was a tangible object, say a homogeneous liquid. WHAT IF there was a formula to which motivation could be created. If
motivation could be manufactured, bottled, and found on the shelves of a grocer
near you, there is little doubt that it would be almost impossible to keep in
stock. Imagine if there was a home recipe for motivation, that you could whip
up in your very own kitchen when you were in short supply. How AMAZINGLY
FANTASTIC that would be!
You know the story all too well. One day you are focused and consumed by a woman. You are sending text messages on the regular. Talking hours on end to her at night and spending every waking free second available with her. The next thing you know… you are one of two working professionals with two kids that depend on each of you to provide their every need. Most of all, they depend on you to provide your full, undivided ATTENTION. Everything else probably would not be so draining if it were not for the last part. THE ATTENTION! The “Hey dad, watch this!” from your toddler demanding to be seen. The “this” being the most unimpressive, insignificant, least complicated action you can think of (like biting a Cheerio, a freaking CHEERIO!) for the THOUSANDTH time, all for the ATTENTION. I make no qualms about letting that toddler know that I was “NOT IMPRESSED”, but that’s just me and my parenting style leads with honesty 😊.
I had the absolute pleasure of meeting this Physical Activity Expert during the INAUGURAL, First Annual Fatherhood Summit hosted by Merritt College in Oakland, CA. Let me just say, as SOON as I got wind of a Fatherhood Summit in my area I was ALL IN! Their tagline “Celebrating and Honoring the Power of Fatherhood” ABSOLUTELY resonated with me.
There exists a real
deficit in Father-On-Father community support for father figures. Dads,
Fathers, Stepdads, whichever you identify with, there is an apparent lack of
support for US and we feel it every day and see the negative outcomes of a
FATHERLESS community. So, we must support each other. But I digress…I was first
introduced to Mr. Clayton, Jr. during his Health And Wellness discussion on
“Healthy Living On a Budget” during the Fatherhood Summit. Notable to me was
his demeanor, his comfort in front of strangers, but even more so, was his
F.A.M.I.L.Y. that were also involved. Since I arrived quite a bit early, I was
able to witness a well-dressed gentleman with an apparent infant, a wife and
toddler. I knew I was in the right place. Once the Workshop started, he took
center stage, gained command of the audience and engaged US with wife, toddler
and infant in tow. IMPRESSIVE!
Granted, Mrs. Clayton Jr., COMMANDED the offspring as Mr.
Clayton, Jr. did what he does best and taught his captivated audience what they
can do to take control of their health on a budget. NEVERTHELESS, the workshop
was a success and I was happy to invite Mr. Clayton, Jr., to be not only a featured
ACITVE-DAD, but our very first EXPERT!
I asked Frank Clayton, Jr., about his experience as an Every Day Active-Dad, with some EXPERT TIPS.
