Like father, like son?

My dear dad, God rest his soul, struggled with weight since his childhood.  He was a chubby kid that turned into a big man - big belly, that is.  He, like me, was tall so he could carry a lot of weight, but he was always older than his age.

This photo was taken in 1995 (that's not me with him, that's my cousin).  At 6'4", he was probably about 280 in this picture.  This is how I remember my dad and when I conjure up memories, this is who, and the image, I remember (he passed in 2001).

It's amazing, but not surprising, the influence our parents have on every aspect of our lives.  That's why there exists such cliches as "like father, like son".  We are often a product and version of our parents.  This includes, in many cases, the way we eat, the value we place towards activity, and how we treat our bodies.  It's no wonder then why I loved fast food, fried food, big portions, and other habits that were potentially detrimental to my health.

The resemblance is uncanny, and, sadly, predictable.

But.

You are your own person.

You have the power to change.

For me, it's being a dad myself that was one of the major influences.  When my son thinks of me in 5, 10, 20, 30 years, I want the image to be of a fit, active, healthy dad, instead of the me in the picture above.  The fight against childhood (and adult) obesity starts with us as parents, role models, mentors, etc.  If my son (and daughter) sees the image below (and future images as I keep on my transformation), rather than the image above, then "like father, like son" will be a good thing.

Plus PLAY everyday.  When you're ready for help, I'm here for you.


http://beachbodycoach.com/coachlesser
http://myshakeology.com/coachlesser
http://myultimatereset.com/coachlesser

Pictures are worth .....

You know how the saying goes.  I'm now officially at the half-way mark of Power 90, and I feel incredible.  Having done the Reset, detoxing and cleansing my body, properly hydrating and reducing/eliminating inflammation, I was in the right physical and mental state to start exercising.  Here's my results in pictures through the Reset and first 30 days of Power 90 (along with a daily serving of Shakeology).

If you are interested in changing your life and you need some help, a push, or just someone to talk to, reach out to me.  For those that know me well, you know that I want to help others be the best they can be.

http://beachbodycoach.com/coachlesser
http://myshakeology.com/coachlesser
http://myultimatereset.com/coachlesser

Catching Up with the Reset

Time gets away from you when you're a busy, working dad of 2.  Travel, activities, you name it, time is a precious commodity.  Sacrifice is part of everyday life, which is why prioritization becomes critical.  

Approximately 12 weeks ago, I made a conscious decision to prioritize my health.  The decision was the first step.  I knew that while it seemed I had no extra time, I had to make it in order to get my body in shape and my health on the right track.  I started with BeachBody's Ultimate Reset - you've read most of my posts until I went radio silent.  The time to write took a backseat to the time needed to complete the reset.  Today I catch up!

The three steps of Beachbody are Decide-Commit-Succeed.  The decision came as a result of several factors:  my overall health, the way I felt, the way my clothes (didn't) fit, my 40th birthday approaching, a trip to the beach, the fatigue I felt in playing with the kids, the snoring (and associated apnea) that affected my sleep (and my wife's), elevated blood pressure, and poor diet (or, a semi-poor diet with a tendency to over-eat).  I firmly believe only YOU can decide when it's time - if you're not ready, you won't commit, and you won't succeed.  I was ready.

Commitment was next.  I knew that in order to get the most out of the UR (and my money), I was going to have to follow the program to the T.  I did.  I wouldn't describe it as "hard", but I would say that it required more time, energy, and focus than I'd been paying to my diet before.  If you don't commit, it's hard to succeed.  I committed, and completed the Reset - 20 lbs lighter, 3 inches smaller, and 7% less body fat.  In THREE WEEKS.  Decide.  Commit.  Succeed.  

Tony Horton commented that the hardest part of the Reset is Day 22.  In order to continue success, you have to know that the changes you've made over the previous three weeks weren't temporary, but should lead to a LIFE CHANGE.  A different philosophy on how you eat, what you eat, when you eat, and how you feel.  You don't run back to the crap food.  You don't celebrate with a pepperoni pizza.  You keep up the good nutrition and you continue the supplements.  The $$ cost is nothing compared to how you feel, and you don't want to lose that feeling.  Succeed.

After a week, I started Tony Horton's Power 90, a full-body transformation program that was the precursor to P90X (Power 90 Extreme).  Having not worked out for a LOOOONG time, this was the perfect program to get me back into fitness and parlay my results from the UR (including better metabolism) into a better, more fit body.  

This isn't about vanity, folks.  This is about being strong - in mind, body, and spirit.  I'm now almost half-way through, and the results are proof that programs like this work.  First, I don't have to waste time (and money) at a gym.  I have a very simple set-up in the basement - a few dumbells, some resistance bands, and a DVD Player.  6 days a week, at about 545 or 6 am, I'm working out with Tony.  Start-to-shower-in-an-hour.  No joke.  I get a great workout (alternating resistance circuit with cardio each day) in no time at all.  I made/make it my priority, and pull myself out of bed an hour earlier than normal.  All I have to do is head to the basement and PRESS PLAY.  From there it's on.  

After 30 days, I was down another 18 lbs (for a total of 38), another 2 inches (for a total of 5), and another 3% body fat (for a total of 7% decrease).  I'm seeing people I haven't seen for a few months and they can't believe the change.  While I'm a tall guy who can carry my weight okay, I'm leaner, healthier looking, and healthier feeling.  

If you want to succeed, Beachbody can get you there.  When you've made the decision and you're ready to commit, let me know and I'll help you get the wonderful results I've experienced and will continue to experience.