Posts Tagged ‘Exercising’

Thanks to everyone who watched my first video and shared and dropped me a line or sent me an email.  When Tobin showed me the first edit from our 2 days of filming at the Westgate Wellness Centre in Maple Ridge, I knew we were onto something fun.  Your comments were funny after some of you saw my picture on my facebook page after makeup and were horrified.

Nothing gives me more fulfillment than teaching people an important message of health and healing, while getting a few laughs.  As a pathological exhibitionist, I like to know that my “acting a fool” doesn’t go to waste.  Please feel free to share this 2nd installment of “Dr. Nima Chiropractor/Spinal Therapist”.

Thanks for watching, laughing, sharing, tweeting, liking and cringing.  Prepare to be a little bit uncomfortable (again).

Warning.  This may offend some.  Those that have no sense of humor, no charm, wit, sense of playfulness (or good looks)– please do not watch this video.  Those that have problems watching others promote to the world in a fun way what they love to do should avoid my website, facebook, twitter posts with every fiber of their being.

I’ve been criticized by some in the profession for not being professional or too “self-promoting”.  Good.  I’m glad I’ve pissed a few people off.  I’ve watched dozens of my peers do their best to put up videos promoting their practices– first off– Good for you, I applaud you for your courage.  You can’t do or say anything without your critics.  I know– because I too, am a critic of the way we are approaching our health.  I just want to put out videos that make people smile, laugh, and like you will see in this case… cringe.  Please stay tuned for Part 2.

Please enjoy.  Thanks for watching.  And thank you to Tobin for his creative genius and Maria for her great work.

Have you ever repeated a story so much you believed it as fact– only later to realize that the story was not true?  Remember how shocked you were?

It’s disturbing because you start to become aware that you may have other beliefs that are complete bullshit.  Imagine the surprise when we realized the earth wasn’t flat.  I don’t know the story—but I bet you they thought the guy who proved it was a sphere was labeled a heretic.

When I was in school, we were taught to ask our patients about Family History.  I’m sure you’ve been to the doctor and have been asked about the history of illness of your family.  Reason being—if your parents have an illness—then it’s in your genes and your probability will be high as well.

Because of these beliefs, some people have gone so far as to have surgeries without any illness—just as a precaution—like removing their breasts because breast cancer “runs in the family”.

What if I told you we’re discovering these old-school beliefs about cancer and other chronic illnesses caused by “faulty genes” are today’s version of “flat earth”?

The truth is—we are now discovering this paradigm is not true.  Your genes are not your destiny.  Read time magazine’s article “Why your DNA is not your Destiny”. (Jan 2010).

The “Central Dogma Theory” taught in medical schools.

The “Central Dogma” – that is taught in schools (simply stated) is that your DNA gets transcribed to create proteins, which are the foundation of all the physiological functions of your life– and this process is irreversible.   In other words, your DNA controls your life, and there is little to nothing you can do to change that.

The funny thing is that it’s actually called “The Central Dogma” of Biology.  Funny that in a paradigm that prides itself on being scientific, we have a “Dogma” which can be defined as “a religious doctrine that is proclaimed as true without proof.”

I have some earth shattering news for you.  New research is now challenging the belief of “it runs in the family so I have a higher chance of getting it”.

I’m also going to explain why this old belief is not only outdated—but it can be hazardous to your health to believe it to be true– in 2 parts.

3 paradigm-changing studies that have been published about Genetics and susceptibility to illness.

1)  The first study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, was from Denmark, a country where they for some reason keep an extremely detailed register of genetic origin for their citizens.  Researchers looked at 960 families—more than a thousand children who were adopted—meaning they had NO GENETIC CONNECTION between parent and child, and they evaluated causes of death.

What they found was that when one of those adoptive parents died of cancer before the age of 50, the risk of the child of these parents dying of cancer increased by 500 percent.

But how can that be? You might ask.  There’s no genetic connection!

I’m glad you asked—because the answer is that family environment plays a huge role in your health, regardless of your “strong” or “weak” genes.  The authors conclude

…death from cancer, and possibly also from vascular causes, appears to be influenced by the family environment. (N Engl J Med 1988; 318:727–32.)”

My brother (left) and me (right) on November 22nd, 1975. Not genetically identical-- but we're still twins.

2)  The Second study, again from the New England Journal of Medicine, conducted at a prestigious institute in Sweden where they select Nobel Prize candidates looked at (genetically) identical twins.  They studied whether or not these twins got the same illnesses because they shared IDENTICAL GENES.

Can you take a wild guess what the results were?

The authors state

Inherited genetic factors make a minor contribution to susceptibility to most types of neoplasms (cancers)….We conclude that the overwhelming contributor to the causation of cancer in the populations of twins that we studied was the environment”.

Then they put these cancer-ridden mice in different groups with different environments and in a nutshell–found that the groups in healthier environments (mice that got nurturing, socialization, opportunity for normal exercise, mental stimulation) actually SHRUNK THE CANCER TUMORS.

I says PARDON?

“Dr. Nima, you mean to tell me that even if I have cancer, I can shrink cancer by changing my lifestyle?”

You tell me.  This is what the researchers say:

“We show here that an enriched environment leads to a remarkable suppression of cancer proliferation in all three models tested, even when delayed until the tumor was well established”. (Cao et al. Environmental and Genetic Activation of a brain-Adipocyte BDNF/Leptin Axis Causes Cancer Remission and Inhibition.  Cell 2010 July 9, 142(1):52-64.

Even though it’s controversial for me to say— THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT I’M SAYING.  Chronic illness is multi-factoral.  Reductionistic Medicine is concerned with isolating the genes and coming up with an outside-in “cure”.  Unfortunately most clinicians are too busy to keep up with the latest research.  Just because your doctor doesn’t know doesn’t mean it’s not true.

There are many campaigns, runs, walks, fundraisers that we all get behind for this noble purpose of getting healthier.

I’m not saying that those are bad things.

I’m saying we’re spending our energy and money in the wrong place.  I’m saying that the runs, walks, support, being part of a team with a mission, sense of family, community, and placing a high value on yourself IS the cure—not the stuff we are spending our time researching.  I’m saying we can avoid most cancer and disease if we had all those elements in there in the first place.

And maybe I might be so bold as to say that the disease can then be looked at as a gift, a wake-up call, or all of the above to get you to put yourself in the right environment.  And by “environment” I mean proper food intake, sufficient exercise, and sufficient gratitude, self esteem and social interaction in your life.  Oh, and a spine that can move properly.

At least that is what the research is starting to point out.

On my next post, we will discuss what these research findings actually mean in terms of your life and your health.  If you really get what I’m saying and am about to share with you—it’s really a game changer.  We can’t approach our life in the same manner, and not only that—it’s dangerous to think otherwise.

I have an insulin-dependent type-2 diabetic patient who came in for a visit and told me of his problems with blood sugar the night before, and how he had to eat French fries and coke to bring up his sugar after he took too much insulin.

I asked him “ever considered changing your lifestyle?  Ever considered exercise and eating raw, whole foods?”

“No, it doesn’t matter—the doc says it’s genetic.”

Sigh.

And so I continue to write and teach.  For my own sanity.  It might take some work… but the world is starting to catch on.  Are you still worried about your family history of disease now?  Next post we’ll discuss what we TRULY inherit from our parents.

I’ve been frustrated at work lately.

“Doc, it hurts, please fix my________ and make it go away.” (enter Pain, Anxiety, Depression, Cancer, Diabetes, or whatever symptom or disease).

Old Model: Doc assesses with expensive tests, gives diagnosis, and provides some sort of medical therapy (drugs or surgery or “nothing cuz we don’t know what to do for you”).

New Model: I’m not concerned only with your pain/condition. I’m concerned with teaching you first what you need in order to be healthy in the body and mind, and fulfilled in life.
Now I admit, I’ve been beating my head against a wall lately. Imagine trying to practice this “new model” method in an “old model” world.

Imagine people are so used to McDonalds cheeseburgers, it’s no longer satisfying anymore— and it’s making them sick…. So they come to a steakhouse… asking for the same cheeseburger bullshit and expecting a different result. Welcome to my life lately.

I used to call myself a Chiropractor, but the negative connotation associated with it can be a challenge.  I don’t label myself anything anymore. I’m a Wellness/Lifestyle Doctor (becoming an expert). If you’re in any state of less than 100% well-being, REGARDLESS OF YOUR DIAGNOSIS and whatever toxins they are having you take…. You can’t live at 100% if you don’t follow these simple rules:

1) Innate Body—Sufficient Movement, Sufficient Nutrition and Spinal Balance and 100% function. Any imbalances, toxicities or deficiencies with the body must be corrected if the person’s goal is to get healthier.

My biggest challenge? Knowing that patients are coming in to see me for physical complaints, and they happen to be on anti-depressant or anxiety meds not knowing the truth: That in order to start to bring the mind/mental/emotional aspect into balance, you’re wasting your time and energy, effort, money, and compromising your health in a very serious manner— if you haven’t started with #1 described above. They’ve been fed lies about why they need meds.  Without a healthy functioning body, spine and nervous system, sufficiencies in movement and nutrition, and removing the toxicities— your mind will not function in a normal, healthy manner. PERIOD.

2)Innate Mind—Once the body has been sufficiently nurtured (through lifestyle and chiropractic care), most mental/emotional conditions tend to become lessened. You start feeling better emotionally. You handle stress more resiliently. But if there are still “incomplete stories” from the past or present—it makes sense to start working on them now that your body is moving towards balance. Getting help with your social or family network, classes, books, seminars, coaching, or guidance from a therapist or counselor who doesn’t promote your story of victimhood is the way to go. I happen to love this aspect of my job. I’m noticing that I have been looking more and more forward to the classes and workshops I teach at my office more than seeing new patients walk in off the street.

Why is this critical? Because nowhere in school do we learn how to properly deal with adversity. Nowhere in school do we learn how to have a healthy relationship with ourselves and our money, or proper expectations in a relationship. Nowhere in our school do we learn the importance of having a healthy level of self esteem and connection with a community. It’s mentioned, but never really taught. Where did YOU learn these things? Who are YOUR role models?

Wayne Dyer: One of the teachers I would recommend learning from on how to deal with adversity and "emotional subluxation".

WHAT IS AN “EMOTIONAL SUBLUXATION?”

One of my biggest Aha moments was that an emotional subluxation can exist. It is any thought or perception you may have that creates a state of ingratitude. Emotional subluxations are epidemic. I get them every day.  I’m actually going through a big one right now as we speak.  They need adjusting exactly the same way that spinal subluxations do.

An adjustment of an emotional subluxation is as simple as looking at your situation in a completely different way.
Yesterday a patient of mine came in for her regular adjustment. Mind and body she is 180 degrees from where she was 6 months ago… but she came to me with an emotional crisis. After her spinal adjustment (nurturing body)… I started adjusting her emotional subluxations (Mind).  It’s way easier than you think.

Gratitude Deficiency and your emotional well-being.

Over the past year, she has been battling a long term disability claim from some work incidents that created a state of “Post Traumatic Stress” in her life. She was off work, tumbled into worsening anxiety attacks and depression and it was impacting her life enjoyment and her marriage. She was looking for compensation, and naturally, the company she was working for was covering their ass by telling their own version of the story.
After reading their reports this past week, she was almost in a fit of rage inside, which we know creates all sorts of chemical changes that produce states of dis-ease in the mind and body. We had been working diligently with her over the past few months to the point that she was almost pain free, and her anxiety and depression had completely vanished. This last letter she received with those reports were almost enough to bring her back to that state after the main incident.

Emotional subluxations are not cleared by doing something magical or waving some wand or taking some pills.  They are cleared by asking a different set of questions.

The questions I asked her:
How has this incident at work helped you heal emotionally and physically? Were things just perfect with your life, health and marriage, and social network before it all happened? How has this helped your all of those things?

She responded with no—things were definitely not perfect before. Then she started telling me about how this incident made her see who her TRUE friends are, had got her introduced to chiropractic care (she met me at a community screening) which has her neck moving normally and pain free for the first time in ages, and by coming to my classes she has learned more about herself, her mind/body health and the way we respond to stress, how to cope with anxiety and depression, and in her marriage, she saw how her husband was sitting by her side until 2 in the morning to help type out the legal stuff despite being tired from work.

Because she is of Christian Faith, I asked her if she’s aware that God has truly given her everything she has ever wanted, but done it in “mysterious ways”—working the way He is infamous for?

Pause.

She never really thought of it that way.

I believe that gratitude is the ultimate healer, accessible to all of us if we ask the right questions. I was lucky enough to be taught the right questions to clear out an emotional subluxation (disconnection). It only took a matter of minutes for the subluxation to clear. How do you know it’s clear? Tears of gratitude were streaming down her face.

And mine.

And when the body is alignment innately, the lifestyle is in alignment innately, and you’re in a state of gratitude for things just as they are…. Your life starts moving in a flow which can be best described by watching an expert surfer stand effortlessly riding a wave.  That’s the starting point many never reach and they go looking for the perfect doctor to give it to them from the outside-in……When it’s been inside the whole time.

It’s true. My adjustments are changing. My vision is expanding. I’m riding one massive wave here. Where it will go—I really couldn’t give a flying hoot. I’m deeply connected and finding that time stands still when I help people see and feel their truth in their lives.

Thank you for reading and being a part of my journey.

Getting physically active actually SHUTS DOWN the stress response.  If you don’t make physical activity a part of your life, then there is no excuse for you if you start to fall ill and get sick.  Your physiology, in order to function at 100% requires exercise of some sort.  You can’t blame genes if you are ill.  But exercise doesn’t have to be boring.  Check this out!

photo by www.photobinphotograpy.com

It’s not Rocket Science. If you are under a great deal of stress (which most people are), then being under the care of a chiropractor has been shown to remove tension from your nervous system.

Nobel Prize recipient Dr. Roger Sperry says that the spine is the motor that drives the brain. According to his research “90% of the stimulation and nutrition to the brain is generated by the movement of the spine.” Only 10% of our brain’s energy into thinking, metabolism, immunity, and healing. Sperry demonstrated that 90% of brain energy goes into processing and maintaining the body’s relationship with gravity.

Why this relates to you.

It means that every day your body not only has to cope with the stresses of your hectic day and family and work issues, but it now has to deal with the arduous task of having to adapt to the postural habits of sitting improperly and being out of alignment.  This makes your body have to adapt to EVEN MORE stress.  It makes you miserable. It gives you headaches, back pain, stomach issues, problems with balancing hormones, anxiety, depression, and anything else that is a dis-ease.

So here’s the strategy with my patients and students in my workshops:

1) Teach ‘em what stress does to the body

2) Keep their nervous system functioning at maximal levels to cope with physical and emotional  and chemical stress through chiropractic care.

3) Give them lifestyle tools on proper exercise and how to gain control of their eating habits and food addictions

4) Teach them how to change their thoughts and perceptions about their life stories and situations so they can let go of their past, and overcome fears about the future and have lives filled with purpose, gratitude and unconditional love.

It’s a strategy that’s changing lives.  It gets people connected to their purpose.  It’s making our community healthier.  It’s taking people’s reliance off of medication.

Stay tuned for episode 3!  As always, we welcome feedback, suggestions, as well as re-tweets and facebook recommendations.  Feel free to drop a comment about your experience as well.

This is me every day. If I didn't have powerful tools at my disposal, I wouldn't survive.

Do you ever feel that instead of life getting easier, it seems to get more complicated?   Do you ever catch yourself thinking “remember when things used to be simple?”

This year, I made a commitment to step outside my comfort zone and expand my reach.  As I did, I noticed the challenges seemed to pile up.  Trying to juggle running one of the Greater Vancouver’s largest Multi-Disciplinary Healing Centres, while having a busy patient load,  all the while speaking, writing, and coaching—and trying to balance all that with my married life (Happy wife- happy life)—let me tell you it isn’t easy.  I know you are busy too–going through your own specific challenges… if you have kids you’re probably thinking “Nima, you think you’re stressed now….wait until you have children!”

Breakthrough moment

I remember a time back this summer where I felt like my back was up against a wall.  That the world was caving in.  I remember feeling overwhelmed with the stresses of life… it was affecting my sleep and my relationships and overall enjoyment of life.  I then had an “aha” moment.

In every moment, you are either in crisis/survival mode or you are in a growth/repair/creation state.  You can’t be in both at the same time.  I had been bogged down so much that I stopped practicing what I preach.  So as the saying goes… “those that can’t do… TEACH”… I decided to turn my “mess” into my “Message”.

I started writing about the stress I was going through.  I started researching what these uninspiring, repetitive, destructive thoughts were doing to my mind and body.  What I discovered changed my life.   I poured my thoughts onto paper.  I realized that I could turn all the knowledge I had in my brain, organize it into a simple format—and then teach it to others and help save some lives.  But first I had to practice what I preached.  Let me explain to you what I mean.

What is stress?

In an ever-changing environment, you’re either adapting to the changes, or you are resisting them.  Stress comes from an inability to ADAPT to a changing environment.  It’s really that simple.  Yet so difficult.

Stress can come from being married to a woman for 10 years and then one day discovering that her work as a grocery store attendant was really a cover up for the CIA.  Stress can come from discovering that a relative you have been on bad terms with has suddenly died, and you are now faced with the guilt of not mending things in a life that’s way too short.  Stress comes from all of a sudden being faced with a change in your life.  But pre-historically, we didn’t have to worry about work, marital issues, financial problems.  Our main challenges were about finding food, and avoiding becoming food, or attack by another tribe.  Either you adapt to the changes in the environment, or you die.  Period.

As a Chiropractor in Maple Ridge, I have to be keenly aware of this reality when a patient shows up in my office.  I can see it in their eyes, I can feel it in the tension in their spine on palpation… Most people are in a chronic fight or flight state.  For months to years at a time.  You don’t have to look to hard—if you examine the overall state of health in our society, we’re on a progressive downward spiral.  I can remember a few weeks this year where I layed in my bed in a state of fear and panic about the challenges I had to face every single day.  It got so overwhelming that I had to step back into the basics.

What’s in store for you in 2011

It was exactly what I needed.  In this 5-part series called “Stressbusters”, I show you specifically what tools and strategies I used.  It was so fulfilling, I had to share it with the world.  My goal is that you will participate with me over the next several weeks as each episode is launched, and give me feedback on how you’ve been progressing.

My mission is to share with the planet the truth—that chemical imbalances in the mind and body that produce illness are mostly under our control.  This can only happen if we first realize the power that lies in the choices we make in how we eat, move, and think—and the state of connection between our brain and the 70-100 trillion cells of our body.  Since Dr. means “teacher” it’s my intention to teach the world this truth.  I want to teach you to become a better adapter to the inevitable changes of your life.

I’m also going to be starting a new series of workshops at the end of each month at the Westgate Wellness Centre called “Stressbuster Workshops” where I will teach powerful tools that I’ve learned to help me overcome the adversities of life.  And I never run out of opportunities to use the tools with the setbacks I perceive every day.  Every great teacher I know has one thing in common: They are students—and so as I learn more tools, I expand my reach and teach more.  It’s been a fun ride so far, and I’m ready to help people take it to the next level in these fun and dynamic workshops.  January 29^th we begin with “Getting excited about your depression”.  We’ll be adding more workshops as the year unfolds, but some more topics will include

Overcoming grief, heartbreak and loss,

The dynamics of anxiety and depression and how to transcend it,

Finding your values and understanding the values of your loved ones,

Overcome relationship conflicts

Letting go of Past Trauma

How to not take things so personally

Stress, Food Addictions, and Weight Loss

I can’t wait to teach this stuff.  To be honest everything I teach is really for me.  I guess it’s true—those that can’t do—teach.  And selfishly, as I teach you to become a better adapter to the inevitable challenges of life– I heal and adapt to my challenges too.  Enjoy the first episode.  Many thanks to Nina from Oh Just Peachy Studios for her great work and guidance.

So it’s now Thursday night… Day 4 almost over—and I’ve lost 4 pounds and one percentage of body fat.  On Paul’s Blog he’s been saying I’ve been secretive with my progress… Not at all… I just have never weighed myself so much, and I never realized how much your weight and body fat% can fluctuate in one day.  So we decided to count it first thing in the morning.  All week, I’ve been teased by my patients and staff who say I’m crazy for trying to lose weight… people who think “I look just fine”.

Allow me to explain:  I’m not trying to lose weight.  That’s not my goal.  In fact I’m choked I lost 4 pounds.  I am trying to lose the spare tire in my gut, love handles and butt and turn it into the lean, muscular Adonis that is yearning to get out.  Again—I’m no stranger to doing exercise…. Heck I can keep up with anyone–I’ve just been more disciplined, and I’m doing a form of burst training which is ideal for fat burn.  And again… I AM NOT ON A DIET.  I have exactly the same amazing diet as I’ve always had… only one very simple difference.   I’m overcoming my carb and sugar cravings.  I’m doing it.  I’m taking the plunge and virtually eliminating almost everything white in my diet. I’m not trying to be racist here—but if it’s white, it ain’t right.

My hunter-gatherer lunch. Chicken salad and wild salmon sashimi.

Only one small problem:  You can’t eat anything outside of your home that doesn’t contain sugar and carbs in it.  I’m not even talking about desserts and fries…It’s everywhere.  Look at the salad dressing, look at the tempura batter, look at the macchiato, even your sushi is rolled in it (rice).   You can hardly eat anything.  I went to breakfast after my workout, I ordered eggs and bacon… I wanted some veggies and fruit.  I didn’t want the pancakes, hashbrowns, or toast.  The waitress looked at me like I was from another planet.  They didn’t even have it in the restaurant.

The problem with our collective health in society is mainly due to raised insulin levels in our bloodstream (hyperinsulinemia) due to the carbs and sugar.  Never before in our hunter-gatherer days have our bodies had to adapt to so much of it—because it didn’t exist.  Our diets consisted of organic meats from grass-fed animals, plants, vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds.  That’s it.  Period.  No dairy, wheat, potatoes, or processed foods.  We used to die of infections (mainly due to poor sanitation and no refrigeration for food) or traumas.

The agricultural revolution changed everything for us, and now we’re fat, sick, and dying fast.

There’s a carbohydrate dispensary at every corner.  Look around your vicinity right now.  Starbucks, Tim Horton’s (in Canada,) ice cream shops, convenience stores, vending machines…  It’s tough to miss.  Why are they there?  Simple.  Because we’re all addicted.

What? No carbs?

Can you imagine if the Health Gods snapped their fingers and instantly removed anything carb?  All processed sugars, sodas, all desserts, everything that wasn’t available 100,000 years ago is now gone in a snap?  Every human in North America would be found on the floor in the fetal position within 72 hours.

It all started out nice….but…

Today I woke up to the sunrise.  Instead of a workout, I opted for a meditation.  I felt like I needed it.  Running a busy practice with a lot of responsibility, if you don’t take the time to check in and reconnect to your higher self and your soul purpose, you will burn out.  I’ve been there.  It gets ugly.  This was the view I was awoke to this morning.  Amazing.  Meditation becomes easy when you are surrounded by beauty.View from my balcony this morning taken with my Iphone. Mount Baker in the distance.  Too bad this picture doesn’t do it justice..

I’m glad I did—because today was one of those days…

When I was 13 years old I had my first chiropractic adjustment that changed my life.  I knew then and there that’s what I wanted to do.  I would always be amazed at how I felt after my adjustments.  I would talk to the other patients at my Chiropractor’s office and they would tell me about the life-changing results they had.

There are some days where it seems that every one of my patients have miraculous results… and egotistically, I would take credit for the results.  Today was the opposite.  It seemed from my perception that every patient was progressing extremely slowly, or going backwards– and I took the blame.

The conscious, awakened Life Coach in me would say “Nima, where there is challenge, look for support”, but I didn’t want to look at it that way.  I wanted to see the glass as being half empty today.  As far as I was concerned, nobody was doing well, lots of no-shows, and one challenge after another—Calgon, take me away.  Must have been the carb- detox?

Funny cuz it's true.

On my way home, I felt the most insane sugar cravings I’ve felt in a long time.  All I wanted to do was to go to McDonald’s or get cookies… just something.  I needed a fix.  I believe this is what any addiction is like… could be cigarettes, could be alcohol, could be crystal meth, lapdances and a trip to the casino.  In my case—I needed sugar.

When you are stressed, Adrenaline and Cortisol (stress hormones) are being pumped into your bloodstream to prepare your body for an attack.  These changes are for your survival.  What are the building blocks of adrenaline and cortisol?  FAT and SUGAR. What do we crave when we’re in our “fight or flight” state?   Did you say fat and sugar?  Very good!  You’re so clever.

As I was driving home, I became acutely aware of my cravings.  Because my “Why” happens to be big enough ($500 is just the sting I need), I can make healthier choices.  Most people don’t have a big enough why.  In fact, when you sit and talk to them and pay attention, they reveal that they actually have a “why the hell not?”.

I had another chicken salad for dinner, and as I sit here and write, I’m still aware of my cravings, and it’s satisfying knowing I am much more powerful than my addictions if I can simply create a reason why I have to be.

It’s so simple yet difficult:  It all ties back to purpose.  If you don’t have a reason or purpose behind doing what you do every day, you fall victim to your addictions, you live unconsciously, and all sorts of anxieties and depressions will kick in.  Your health deteriorates.

I’m realizing this process is a lot more than shedding some body fat around my gut.

At this point, I really don’t care about losing the money anymore.  Even if I don’t reach my target, the amount I’ve grown in these 4 days is worth the $500 bucks.  But then again, I do want to beat Paul into the ground  :)

I’m looking forward to this weekend.  I’m going to San Francisco for a seminar with my buddy.  Oh Great.  I’m expecting it’s going to be harder because I’m not in my element, I don’t have my supportive wife to prepare a salad for me when I’m working, I’ll be inactive sitting in a seminar all weekend long, and in the United States, no offence my American friends… It’s damn near impossible to find something that ISN’T processed, or carb loaded.  Another challenge to overcome.

For your entertainment purposes I’m going to explore this Sugar Craving thing more on my next blog (stay tuned), because I know chances are if you are reading this, you have a carbohydrate addiction as well.  For your entertainment purposes as well, on my recent trip to New York, I happened to stop by Serendipity’s to have the famous Frozen Hot Chocolate and did an experiment.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Once again, thanks to Maria for putting the video together. Muah!

And by the way.  I gotta tell you guys…. I am humbled by the fact that so many of you have emailed and commented, put in your 2 cents (funny how everyone’s an expert), and most humbling for me—that you’ve let me know that you are inspired by my journey and have made a decision to change your lifestyle with me.  I love and appreciate you for it.  I thank you so much for spreading the word about this Challenge too.  My goal is to inspire even more people.

My legs feel like Jello.  Shane of Gymnos Evolution did a number on us today.  Like I said before, I’m no stranger to exercise, but this style of callisthenic (Nazi) military burst training—I haven’t done before.  It’s intense.  And worst of all—did I mention I have to wake up at 5:30?  Are you kidding me?  I’m turning in to someone I used to resent (but secretly admire because I was jealous).

Stretching has never been so grueling.

No I'm not a hip hop dancer here. This is an actual exercise.

This TACFIT business is something neat… the principles are simple:  Bursts of intense activity, focusing on form rather than numbers, followed by short periods of rest before we go on to the next exercise.  Repeat.  Over and over again until you are about to puke.

Both a stretch and an exercise at the same time. It's as uncomfortable as it looks.

Tobin from PhoTobin Photography brought his camera to snap some photos… From the pics you can see that the sun is just about to peek out.  There’s something very soothing about watching the sun rise.  I highly recommend it.  I don’t quite know how to put the experience into words.  Stressbuster tip:  Just try it.

I’m getting emails and facebook messages… “What are you eating?”  Basically, everything I used to eat before… minus anything with sugar in it… or any other carb.  That means no rice, no potatoes, no cookies, no, caramel macciato’s, no chocolate bars, no popcorn.  It’s not rocket science, people.  We all know what’s good and not good for us.  Carbs and grains like rice and corn– not really good for us.  ”Whole Grain” is not a health food.  Grains turn into sugar and raise insulin levels.  We eat way too much of them.

Now I realize there are many delicious raw food desserts that are sugar free, but I don’t have the time to go all the way downtown every day to Vancouver’s only raw food restaurant—Organic Lives.

I’ve never had a problem with exercise and eating healthy… I just really like carbs, and I am aware that evenings are tough for me with those damn cravings.

But oddly enough, as I’m aware they are still going strong, I’m not compelled to eat carbs.  And it’s quite simple why I’m so certain I’m going to be successful.  I’m not being cocky here—I’m just certain — it’s simply because my “Why” is big enough.

I sit here writing this blog and my wife is watching “Friends” and “Sex in the City”… her favorite shows… (even though they’re all re-runs).  I’m watching Courtney Cox, and Jennifer Aniston and Sarah Jessica Parker among all the other actors on the screen and I acknowledge something:  They all are in great shape, but it’s not because they’re anything more special than the rest of us… It’s just that their “Why” is much bigger.  Like… would 1 million dollars per episode entice you to say no to the cheesecake?  Hell ya, it would.

I happen to know that these actors are militant with portion control and eat extremely well 99% of the time.  Why?  It’s their JOB.  They lose their job if they don’t.  So I guess a $500 penalty and risking public humiliation is a big enough “Why” for me.  If you can’t come up with a reason big enough for you, then you won’t do it.  You’ve lost the weight– when you had to look good for your wedding… for your high school reunion, for a beach vacation.  That’s the importance of having goals that you can think about each and every day.  Every moment you make decisions to help you reach it.  My suggestion to all of you guys who’ve emailed me and told me you’re joining in the “program” (even though it’s not a specific program) is to create a “Why” that’s big enough.  Then the “How’s” will take care of themselves.

This morning after my workout, I was invited as a guest lecturer to the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine’s 4^th year class.  My job was to talk to the students about things they should keep in mind during their transition from student to Doctor.  It’s a scary time for any 4^th year of any professional school because at that time, you have so much information crammed in your head, but you don’t have the experience transferring that information to a real live human who’s coming to you with problems.

My message was simple, and it’s the same message I’m working at living up to every single day, which I think is the secret to being a successful Doctor of any sorts:  Be present and aware with every moment.  Be grateful for what you got, because this moment is as good as it gets.  Commit yourself to increasing your self-awareness and your healing consciousness.  Take every opportunity to grow.  Don’t stop learning.  Save your money.

And most importantly, become a role model to your patients.  They’re coming to you mostly because they are not living a healthy lifestyle.  Live one yourself, and be a teacher to them first.

Still working at it.  I’ll let you know when I get there.

This text message I received from Paul today after I posted my first blog early this morning:

“Oh ya, thanks for making me puke in my mouth when I saw that semi-nude pic on your blog.  I’m still nauseated now just thinking about it.  Jeezus it burns my eyes!”

Here is a picture of Paul in 6 months if he didn't BEG me to do this challenge with him.

The gloves are officially off.  Paul, the worst part of my day was looking at your pics on your blog and realizing that I’m only around 6-7% less body fat than THAT.  If that’s not an inspiration to change, I don’t really know what is.

All kidding aside, we both commented on how liberating it is to just make your privates public on those pics and come face to face and share your own imperfections.  I’ve had lots of messages from you guys saying that you’re going to make some changes within your own lives too.  Hey, that gives me a warm fuzzy feeling inside, because it’s my mission to help others heal on different levels and become more self-aware, and self-actualized.  If I’m on this journey, and I can see a little further than a few, it’s because I’ve stood on the shoulders of giants, and want to help point the way.  This journey requires that I get a few “giants” on my team.

If you want to achieve anything great, it’s wise that you understand that you won’t get there nearly as fast if you did it alone.

My first “giant” I’ve hired is Shane Heins of Gymnos Evolution.  His mission is to help transform lives with a specific, unique form of exercises called “TACFIT” and “Circular Strength Training”.  My morning started at 5:30am when I woke up.  Uuuugh.  It was dark out, it was cold, but as I drove from my apartment towards downtown Vancouver, I noticed how peaceful and serene it was.  We met under the Cambie Street Bridge at 6:15 and began the most unique workout I’ve ever had.

I’ve done so many different workouts, with weights, without weights, yoga, pilates, P90X, etc… but I’ve never been pushed to move in these unorthodox ways before.  It was like learning a new dance.  I’ll report more about it as I learn what the heck he’s doing with me, but all I know is that this evening, every joint in my body is sore in the sense that it’s been pushed beyond it’s usual limit– in a good way.  But the exercise isn’t going to be my greatest challenge—I’m not a stranger to regular exercise at all.  There’s something way deeper here.

A Journey to Clear my own “Crap” surrounding my Carb Addiction

This Challenge has also made me become a more present, alert self-observer.  I listen to the cravings of my body from a 3^rd person-perspective, which is the only thing that has been helping me overcome them.  After our workout, I took my photographer buddy Tobin Smith out for breakfast.  I sat there, eating my fruit, bacon and eggs (no toast), watching Tobin down a stack of the most delicious looking pancakes I’ve ever seen.  Slathered with butter, drenched with syrup, he offered me a bite, and it took every single last bit of power out of me not to take one.

My lunch today: Spinach, romaine lettuce, shredded carrots, tomatoes, strawberries, raw beets, red pepper, cucumber, pumpkin seeds, olive oil, balsamic vinegar. To wash it all down? A spinach/banana/blueberry smoothie.

An interesting thing happens when you step out of your cravings and become and observer to them.  You realize that you are not your cravings.  They don’t have any power over you than the power you give them.  Most of us are so uncomfortable being uncomfortable, we go for the first thing we can reach for to fill the emptiness.  For some, it’s gambling.  For others, it’s a relationship.  For most, it’s coffee, alcohol, and carbohydrates.  Why?  Because these addictions are the quickest way to get the reward centers in our brain firing to cover up the emptiness and suffering.  Once we temporarily get our “fix”… it’s only a matter of time before we’re suffering again, and we spend our entire day/ life following this mostly unconscious pattern.  Does this sound familiar?

I made the decision to become conscious and aware of my suffering.  Then I realized that I’m not the one with the cravings.  Only when we are unconscious of them do our addictions run us to the point we can’t stop them.  When we have food addictions, our ego can become so unaware that it defends it’s right to be addicted.

“I deserve to eat this, I just worked out like crazy this morning, I’ll work out harder tomorrow, I’ll start tomorrow, I’ve already cheated today—I’ll just keep going” is what the ego says to justify succumbing to the craving.  I caught myself several times falling into that trap.  This challenge has been extremely enlightening for me.  When I awaken to the presence of the moment and become aware of my self and my body, I realize that I can overcome my cravings not by trying to make them go away, but by simply becoming aware of them.  I can feel them right now as I type, but again… that’s not me.  Who I actually am is the observer of the cravings, therefore I can be more powerful than them.  Interesting how you can use your greatest flaws as an access point for the magnificent present.  Some of you will know exactly what I’m talking about… others won’t have a freakin’ clue.

You just have to come up with a reason for yourself.  $500 is enough for me.  Do YOU have a “why” that’s big enough to make you healthy?  If you don’t, the day will come when you will be FORCED to have a why… and you can pray it won’t be too late.  As always, looking forward to your comments, retweets, share’s and recommends.  Let’s start a health revolution.  As I learn more about myself each day, I realize what someone has to go through to break the habit of being themselves. It’s quite challenging, and it’s quite liberating.