I've Lost 31 Pounds - Now What?

I’ve never thought of myself as being fat, or even “heavy” – so when I weighed myself on December 31 last year, hitting a hefty 204 pounds, I thought a little.  I’m not a huge guy.  I’m just a hair short of five foot nine.  I’d climb ten stairs and be, well – kinda breathless.  Not good!  I’d lumber around the gym from time to time, workout and then come home to a beer and a heaping plate of high-carb pasta.  You get the picture – going nowhere backwards – and in fact – just increasing the daily bloat.

I just felt the urge to lose weight, setting myself a somewhat arbitrary goal of losing 30 pounds by July 1, figuring in 6 months, 30 pounds would be reasonable.  Not easy, but reasonable – and maybe even doable.  Maybe!

If you know me well, you’ll know that I am an all-or-nothing kind of guy.  I play to win – not come second.  My methodology?  Simple!  Eliminate all pizza, pasta, rice, bread and potatoes.  Yes, I cut it out completely.  And work out for at least 60 minutes a day, at least 5 days a week.  It’s not an easy commitment.

Six months and 16 days later -    I’ve lost 31 pounds and skipped a total of 9 days this year in working out.  Yup – of the 196 days of 2013, I have been in the gym 187 days – no kidding.

I don’t deserve medals, accolades or even admiration, but nevertheless, I am damn proud and along the way learned … not only about myself, but about others – and that’s what’s most important to me.

• Don’t like squats?  All the more reason to do them!  Hate lunges?  Then do 30 minutes of them - everyday.  There’s only one way to reduce hating a certain exercise – and that’s to do it.  The reason why you hate a specific exercise?  That’s because you suck at it – and the only way to not suck at it is to practice
• Engage with your trainers.  Training people can be lonely.  People show up at your class and grumble. Then they do your class and grumble a little more.  And then they go home.  They don’t share their trials and tribulations either – and trainers don’t like that.  They want to know when they’re too hard or too soft on you. They want to know they’re delivering results and they want to know when a particular class was either very good or bad.  So tell them.  Get to know them.  Tell them you enjoy their classes (or not) – but engage.  It’s good for their morale – and most of all, it’s good for your morale
• Working out seven days a week doesn’t mean a hill-o-beans if you come home and demolish three beers and a pound of potato chips for dinner.  Matter-of-fact --- do that and you’re going backwards.  It’s been said that losing weight is 70% eating and 30% fitness – don’t forget it.  Repeat - losing weight is 70% eating and 30% fitness

So, I’m 31 pounds lighter now – can do a hard 60 minute boot camp with people half-my- age and enjoying life more than ever – and I think that’s a good thing.  

Carpe Diem! 

Ahem - would love to know what my readers have done lately - let me know

It's my anniversary in Canada - a Memoir

Today’s important for me.  And since it’s July 1, it’s an important day for Canada too.  It’s Canada’s 146th birthday and it also marks exactly 25 years to the day that I arrived on Canadian soil for the first time and became a landed immigrant.

I was 22 when I arrived here.  I was fresh-faced, naïve and full of energy.  I’d created a decent life for myself in South Africa, had a girlfriend – left her behind.  Came to Canada – with very little other than an incredible work ethic and my Dad, who’d left South Africa a year or two before me.

Today, while I am still full of energy, I’m not that naïve – and well – my face – I’ve got a touch of grey here and there.  I have my health and a gorgeous family.  I have a lot.

Make no mistake, it has not been easy – nothing worthwhile ever is, is what I tell my kids – pretty much daily – but it’s been ever so gratifying.

I arrived at Pearson Airport on July 1, 1988.  The guys at customs were eating some Pizza from a company called “967-1111” – and were astounded when I asked what “967-1111” was? (This was in the days before 10 digit local dialing even existed).  That I had no idea was a sure tell I was new to Toronto.

Well, I settled in to life in Toronto.  I got a summer job at Sam The Record Man (remember him?) and started moving and shaking – so to speak. I was making $5.75 an hour – I’ll spare the details.

My defining moment of 1988 summer was seeing the Amnesty Concert at Maple Leaf Gardens.  I had no money to buy a ticket ($60 for a ticket in the nose-bleed section), so I scammed my way in.   Five music icons took the stage – The Boss, Sting, Tracy Chapman, Youssou N’Dour and Peter Gabriel.  I felt the warm and salty sting of my tears run down my flushed cheeks during Biko and Chimes of Freedom – 2 anti-apartheid songs – made even more poignant now as Nelson Mandela clings to precious live in Johannesburg.   I only wish him and the Rainbow nation well.

In November 1991, I met Karen Pinchuk, the woman I would ultimately marry in 1994.  Almost 19 years later – we’re going strong.

We’ve two kids – Jason (almost 16) and Amanda (12) – two cats, two cars and a white picket fence … it’s all good. 

It’s a time for reflection now – and 25 years to the day later, here’s four quickies as to what I’ve learned:

• Don’t expect anything to be easy – and the extension to that is the harder it is to accomplish something, the more worthwhile it is
• Learn to laugh at yourself, ‘cause you will screw up
• Embrace the weather – Canadian weather is generally nothing to love, especially coming from South Africa’s warm and balmy climate.  That said, quit the belly-aching about our cold winters.  If you hate them that much, then go someplace else --- no-one is forcing you to be here
• Live in the present and the future – never the past.  This one’s a biggie.  Can’t tell you how many times I have hears fellow South Africans commiserate about “Remember when …”  Those days have come and gone babe!

You know, it’s strange.  I lived in Johannesburg for 22 years.  It gave me the best of everything – an awesome country, but I never felt I belonged.  It saddens me – and to a degree is worrying.  On the other hand, I feel I belong here – in Canada – some days that worries me – most days it doesn’t.  But one thing for sure – I never take my love of Canada for granted – and appreciate this wonderful country – not on some days, or even every other day – but every single day.

And you know what I am going to do right now?  Kick back – pour myself a nice cold beer, enjoy the company of family and friends, sing Oh Canada a few times and salute the country that’s been my happy home for the past quarter century.

Respect - You Have To Show Some To Get Some

Note:  Every word in this story is true.  I have neither omitted nor embellished any content to suit an agenda.  I have removed the doctor's name in that as much as I want to address the issues of respect and professionalism, I don't want to harm his practice.  In doing so, I sought legal counsel who advised that provided the content below is true (and it is), there would be no legal recourse said doctor would have against the author   Since the story below may constitute Lashon Hora, I would rather err on the side of caution and refrain from mentioning said doctor's name.

I’m in the service business.  I expect good service and I have been told over-and-over again through the years that I give good service to my clients.  I’m a pretty-easy-to-please person, satisfied most of the time.  Simple.

I also value time – mine and others.  A lot.  No matter how rich or famous you are, time is irreplaceable.  When I make a commitment to do something at a certain time, I keep my commitment.   And when others make a commitment to me, I expect them to keep it or let me know in advance that they can'T.   

Yeah, I’m human – and the once or twice a year I run late for a meeting, I call in advance to let said meeting know I’m running a little late.  And when I show up, I apologize profusely.  That’s basic manners, and I don’t think anyone would refute that.

I'm wrong.  One person that I know would refute that – Dr. John Doe, a Toronto dermatologist.  

I’d booked a 9:10 am appointment, purposely – less likely of the doc being backed up early in the day.  Twice his office called me prior to confirm and twice I said yes.  I arrived at 8:52am – his waiting room was packed – perhaps 20 other patients.  I “checked in” and was told by a harried assistant to take a seat.    At 9:47, I got shown into “Consulting Room 9”, a room marginally larger than your average broom closet.  I stand corrected, but I think there were a total of 12 consulting rooms --- and I’m thinking why on earth a doctor would need 12 rooms unless he double, triple and god-knows-what books patients simultaneously.

Now, I am all for capitalism - and I have no issue in anyone making boatloads of money the right way.  I'm suspicious though.

1.  Why would a doctor need 12 consulting rooms in addition to a waiting room
2.  Why would there be some 20 people waiting at 9 in the morning
3.  Why would my appointment have been at 9:10am - it's an odd time

You judge! - back to the story.

It’s now 10:03am, and in runs Dr. Doe.  He’s rushed.  He’s even more harried than his assistant.  A handshake.  A four second look at my hand.  A smile.  A fast diagnosis that indeed the “small wart” I thought I had on my hand is not that.  It’s something else – he spoke so fast, I could not catch what he said.

“Here’s a script”, he says as he pounds away at his iPad furiously  “It’s at the reception on your way out.”  And with that he’s on his way out of the room.

Huh?

Personality – Zero.

Bedside manner – Zero.

Wow?

“Dr Doe,” I said.  “I appreciate that we all run late from time to time.  I get that.  Running almost an hour late first thing in the morning without so much as a call in advance or an apology is disrespectful, don’t you think?”

“Yeah – well that’s how it is”, was his flippant response.  “Your prescription is at the front desk, and if you don’t want to see me again, I will happily refer you elsewhere.”

And so ends the story.  And every word of it is dead true.

It’s been years, no, decades since I’ve been treated by another human being with so little respect for others.

Dr Doe, think I’m going to come back to you?  Dream on!  Ever heard of time management?  Ever heard of manners? Well, they’re both alive, well – and um --- kicking.  

Cofficers - A New Breed in a New Economy

Vicky Weiss, a Toronto blogger and social media pro spends five days a week, in coffee shops – different ones – working.  She’s a cofficer, a new breed of freelancer, who has traditionally worked from home  but now finds herself bored, lonely and demotivated when working solo in mid-town Toronto. 

“I get distracted too easily when I work from home,” says Vicky.  “There’s lots of stuff to do that weighs on my mind when I’m there – and besides, I’m a people’s person – so working solo just does not cut it.” 

Vicky works from different coffee shops – some within walking distance of her home, others a short drive.  And if parking isn’t fee – she keeps away.   It’s not the commute to the office every day that bothers Vicky at all – in fact the change in routine is welcome.   Rather Vicky is concerned about getting reliable internet, a comfortable chair and table, and the perfect coffee wherever she happens to be – all life-bloods of her small social media business.

“It does happen from time-to-time that the store I happen to choose on any given day is experiencing internet connectivity issues – and well – that really sucks,” says Vicky.  “Without it, I can do nothing – but fortunately, the technology has developed such that it’s pretty reliable in North America now – so it’s almost never down these days.”

The coffee shops like it a lot too.   On a recent trip to a Peet’s Coffee Shop in Manhattan, I noted several people who appeared to be working on their computers.  When I returned four hours later, those same several people were there – still working.  Some were using Skype.  Others email, while others seemed to be conducting face-to-face business meetings, all over what seemed to me like countless cups of steaming java.

Closer to home, The Mad Bean Coffee House on Eglinton Avenue, hosts numerous cofficers daily in addition to mommies with toddlers and dating couples.   It’s a mixed-crowd.

“We’ve tried to create an ambience that is as conducive to working as it is for socializing,” said Brian Roxborough, the store’s owner.  The Mad Bean has about a dozen cofficers, most of who spend between 3 and 7 hours every day seated at one of the cafe’s tables – working.  And Brian doesn’t mind at all.  “Cofficers are welcome here.   We have made it inviting.  There are lots of power outlets too.  Cofficers tend to be quiet, focus on their work, and don’t say too much.  They also order several coffees a day, and eat as well – and even if they didn’t – they’re welcome.”

The Mad Bean Coffee House

Brian’s store has an aura of tranquility.  There is soft music playing.  The ambience is alluring – almost sensual.   Also, it’s not frenzied and frighteningly hot, like some of the other coffee shops I’ve visited which quite frankly, I’d have a hard time concentrating in. 

But not all coffee shops share Brian’s sentiment.   Peter Dore-Smith owns Kaffeine, a coffee shop in London, England.  The shop does not offer wi-fi at all (even for a fee) – and is no more than 60 feet away from a coffee shop that does.

“We founded Kaffeine on the notion that we be about socializing, not sitting in deathly silence glued to a computer.  We are not an internet café – we are a great coffee shop – and will always be just that – a place where you can get great coffee and sandwiches.

Kaffeine’s not a big store.  Despite the fact it’s only 400 square feet large, more than 3,000 people a week visit it – no-one using internet.  According to Smith, he likes patrons to stay less than 45 minutes in the store.   And most do.  As hospitable as he is, short stays are better than long ones.

Rasool Verjee is a global entrepreneur that commutes between London, Paris and his native Nairobi – spending equal time in each city.  His office is the local coffee shop – wherever in the world that may be.  Rasool loves the variety and the diverse clientele each store attracts.  He likes the high-end stores in Nairobi, often spending between eight and twelve hours a day in each store where he has several cups of coffee (straight black – mild please) and at least two – and sometimes – three meals. 

“It’s an adventure for me,” says  Rasool.  “I like going to the mom-and-pop type coffeeshops over the chain stores.  The internet always works and they tend to make excellent coffee – better than the chains in fact.” 

Reliable internet is not an issue for Rasool,  however, like Vicky, sometimes finding enough outlets can be a pain-in-the-derriere.  Rasool says that it’s often not easy to power up his iPad and Blackberry, given the scarcity of electrical outlets and the many people needing power to keep their devices juiced.  He predicts this to worsen as more and more people like him work from coffee shops, requiring their myriad electronic devices to be powered in today’s always-connected economy.

Meanwhile, it’s all business for Vicky and Rasool.  Vicky’s making her way to a client meeting – this time at her client’s office.  And as for Rasool, he plans on spending the day at one of his favorite coffee boites in Toronto – a place called Jet Fuel that according to Rasool makes a wicked coffee.

So Twitter Hires Its First Canadian Employee - Now What?

It all happened quite suddenly (at least from my standpoint).  One day Twitter said it was hiring its first Canadian staffer.  The next day the company said an announcement was imminent and the next day it announced it had hired Kirstine Stewart to head up its soon-to-be-established Toronto office. Or so it seemed.

Make no mistake – this is a massive piece of news and one that deserves scrutiny.  

Kirstine joins Twitter from the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corp) where she was executive vice-president of its English language service, having joined the organization back in 2006.  From the news release announcing her departure, it seems as if she’d been very happy there – and this begs a most interesting question --- why, did she leave. 

I may be wrong – (and I’m not afraid to admit that I’ve been wrong before) but I think it’s for two possible reasons:

• I’m not sure what Kirstine made at the CBC, and although likely hefty, it pales in comparison to what she’ll be making at Twitter – by an order of magnitude
• Kirstine acutely understands the blurring of the lines between the old and new media, as good, if not better than anyone else  --- and as such, Twitter are paying her boatloads of money to place some very big bets.  Quite possibly, to note is that Kirstine was no longer having fun at CBC – a possibility

“This is an exciting time for social media in Canada,” said Alicia Brum, Branch Manager for the Creative Group, a division of Robert Half International.   “In fact, according to our recent survey,  advertising and marketing executives expect companies to increase their investment in social media sites, such as Twitter."

 After Kirstine has identified a new office space for Twitter Canada (presumably somewhere in one of Toronto’s trendier ‘hoods), she’ll begin to build her team – her way – and without the bureaucracy that she may have encountered at the CBC.  And I think this is going to be interesting, particularly as it relates to the autonomy she may (or my not) get from the company’s San Francisco HQ.    

“We continue to see a demand for social media professionals with experience in managing branded online communities, especially those with an analytics background who help clients measure ROI," continued Brum.

You know – I've never spoken to  Kirstine, no less met her and I certainly did not interview her for this piece –but I like her style.  Yeah, I know she came under fire at CBC and I’m somewhat sad for the CBC.  Sad because there are so few women execs at the top of the Canadian TV game. Mostly it seems like a club – an old boys club.  Really, when you come to think of it, I’m not that surprised that she left the CBC.  It was a brutally hard job – and that she dealt with some pretty big bullets for a long time is testament to her perseverance.  I also wonder a time or two about the sexism and spite that may have been thrown her way that might have propelled her to leave and take the gig at Twitter.   You just never know.

I think Kirstine’s a good hire – on the surface not an obvious one , but I think good.

Why? Well, she’ll blend her old school, traditional media expertise with Twitter’s brave new frontier and for sure look at ways of monetizing their plane. 

My prediction?  Kirstine will either sink or swim in this new and very exciting high profile role - there’s no middle ground here at all.  Give her six months and she’ll be swimming strongly.  And as for me – I’m going to get back to Tweeting.   

Peace – and Carpe Diem

How To Think And Do Differently? Resign On A Cake Silly!

Having spent the best part of the past two decades in media and public relations, it’s accurate to say I’m skeptical.  Like customs officers to whom you’re trying to lie, or me whom you’re trying to fool – there’s not much I’ve either not seen or heard of.  And it takes a lot to get me excited. It just does.

Professionally, clients always ask for and expect creativity.  It’s what PR types like me are paid everyday to do.    And to make things more complex, the fees they’re expecting to pay for not only the creativity, but the execution are well --- how do I say this respectfully --- are not exactly plentiful.

Just last week, I was asked to come up with a BFI.  In the creative world, BFI is an acronym for “Big F$%^*#g Idea” .  You get the picture.

I thought particularly hard about what I could say that would make sense given expectations, time, resources required, practicality and budget. “Flawless execution”, is what I told the client my BFI was – and I meant it.  I won the business and am now executing flawlessly and fully to the client’s satisfaction.

The bottom line?  Sometimes the solution’s right under our noses – and we’re so busy looking for complexity and complicated answers to such simple questions, that we well – fail to see the trees for the forest.    

In the midst of trying to see the trees for the forest, here’s one guy who not only did that, but thought differently too.

Twenty for hours ago, no-one had ever heard of Chris Holmes, an officer on the Border Force in Cambridgeshire, England.   Sick and tired of his boss, he quit – on a cake.  Yes, on a cake – you read that right.  You see, he’s likely got his priorities right.  He’s just become a father as well as has just set up a cake making business called Mr. Cake.  Obviously, he wants to devote his time and energy to fatherhood and cake-making --- and for good reason.

In resigning on a cake, he’s obviously thinking and doing differently – and very simply and I like that a lot.  

Here’s his resignation letter – or more accurately – a picture of it on the cake he baked. 

And that got me thinking a little more about thinking differently – here’s some stuff to bear in mind ---

1.        Fashion is garbage – it’s style that matters.  Never wear something because everyone else is.  If you want to be different, then be your own role model.

2.      Keeping down with the Jones’ is not a bad thing at all – In other words, don’t do what the sheep do

3.       Keep in touch – look up an old friend or business associate for no specific reason.  Yeah, I get it – we’re all busy – but that the worst excuse for not being in touch with lots of people.  Grind out a text while you’re standing in line at the grocery store or while you’re on the john.  The old adage of “It’s not what you know, but who you know" is as true as it ever was

4.       Think for yourself – feel like a vodka tonic when everyone else’s drinking beer?  That kinds stuff happens to me all the time.  Go ahead – order the vodka tonic.  Heck with what the others say

5.       Offer to help someone – it’s the small stuff.  Offer to take your kids to school.  Help your spouse make the bed.  Help a client with something in which you’d never get involved.  Put your hand up to do something different.    Flex a different part of your brain.  You’ll be glad you did.

In other news, I’ve now lost 20 pounds – that’s the good news.  The bad?  I had my eye-glasses stolen from the gym at which I work out last night.  Trust me, not being able to see clearly sucks!  Amazing how much we take for granted even when we try to count our blessings!

 

The Conundrum of Weight Gain and Loss

The conundrum of maintaining a slim physique sure is not an easy one to understand – and as one gets older and wiser, in some ways the game gets easier, and in other ways – harder.  Let me explain.

I’m 5 foot 9 with an average physique – always having led a pretty physically active lifestyle.  No question, that despite me not celebrating Christmas (I’m jewish), December’s not a good month as far as managing one’s weight is concerned.  It’s also little wonder that January is the busiest month of the year for new sign-ups at any gym – and this is because losing weight is the number one new year’s resolution  that there is. 

So, weighing in on January 1, 2013, I decided to cut the crap – so to speak – and do something about it.  Now, to be fair, it’s not like I would call myself obese, or even heavy – but you know what I mean – the weight had slowly been creeping on – a pound here, a  pound there – a pound everywhere.

So, January 1, I decided to lose some weight – setting myself a 120 day target to lose 20 pounds.  I’m 76 days into it and down 12 pounds –this is a good thing.  My pants fit better.  I sleep better.  I look better – and most of all, I feel better.   Whether I meet my target or not, there’s a few very important things I’ve learned

1.    This is all about a battle of the mind – No question, one’s mind can be your best friend, or your worst enemy – and this is particularly true in the world of weight.  Want to lose some?  Well – then conquer your mind that plays tricks on you all the time.  Stop making food the focal point of your day.  Don’t linger ion the kitchen.  Don’t start something you can’t stop.  All small mind games – that while sounding easy – are not

2.     Losing weight is not about starving yourself – it’s about developing, implementing and sticking to healthy eating (and drinking) habits.  For sure, I’d fallen onto some bad habits – eating late at night --- and that was a killer for me.  Now, I don’t even go into the kitchen after 9 at night – ‘cause if I go in – you know what I’ll be doing

3.       Mindful eating is a biggie – and by this I mean you gotta think what you’re eating.  We’re all busy – and it’s all to easy to grab something on the way out for you to chomp down in the car – and that’s a no-no in my world.  You gotta sit at a table.  No book.  No TV.  No gabbing on the phone while you’re eating – they all distract.  Look at your plate.  Note the texture and taste of each food – trust me – it’s the way to go.  Not only will you enjoy your food more – but you’ll lose weight too when you discover mindful eating

4.       If you fail to plan, then plan to fail – is what The Williams’ dad once said.  I guess he was referring to tennis, but he may as well have referring to losing weight.  No question I’m spending more time in the kitchen these days – lots more.  But it’s worth it.  I plan my meals ahead of time, so that I’m never starving.  Got a work function where you know the high-carb killers will be.  Doesn’t cut it saying, “I'll see how I feel when I get there” – rather I plan ahead so I avoid the waist-expanding killers.   I’ll take carrots, celery and other healthy stuff.  I’ll snack.  I won’t go to the sweet table – not on your life – and it’s not easy – it’s just what has to be done.  You know?  "You gotta do what you gotta do!"

5.       Perhaps brush your teeth after the main course - Have a problem resisting desserts?   Then get the taste of food out of your mouth.  That way (and research will confirm), that you’re far less likely to eat dessert – and you know that’s a good thing.

Personally, I’m neither a dietitian  nutritionist nor psychologist – as Joe Walsh would say, “I’m just an ordinary, average guy.”  

Does this stuff resonate?  Yes?  No?  Maybe? 

I'm interested