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Cliff Ravenscraft

Well it's been a while since I've posted how I was doing with my own health, fitness, and accountability goals. I hate to admit it, but I still have not set any official goals for this new year just yet.

Lately, I've been more focused in the area of my spiritual health, as I described in episode 484 & episode 485 of Pursuing A Balanced Life.

With that said, I do hope to get some inspiration and motivation to get back into my daily routine of intentional physical activity. If you have not seen me post any updates about this matter within the next seven days, I invite you to reply to this post and give me an encouraging nudge in the right direction. ;)

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Cliff Ravenscraft @GSPN on January 19, 2011 at 10:29am

Okay, so here's my first update.

It's Wednesday January 19th, 2010.

My Current Strengths:

I have been doing pretty well at counting my calories and watching the types of food that I eat.

I've been doing extremely well when it comes to getting enough sleep. I've gone to bed between 9 and 10pm most nights and only stayed up till 11pm on a few rare occasions.

I've been waking up at 5am each morning and have consistently spent time reading The Bible as my first action of the day.

Where I continue to need accountability:

I am still finding it difficult to fit in my intentional physical activity on a daily basis. I really want to get back into the routine of walking/jogging/or running 3 miles a day, five days a week. However, the snow and ice keep me from doing it outside and the following items have kept me from going to the gym.

Not enough margin in my day. I'm getting up early enough. But with all the recent tasks I've taken on with Plus Membership changes, additional content production, weekly webinars, consulting calls, and a desperate need to get with my accountant regarding my taxes, I'm just strapped for time.

I'm working on the schedule and the margin in my day. Though, it may take a week for the dust to settle from the Plus Member Transition. I'm going to take my consulting down to one day a week until March so that I can focus on the webinars and building the community here.

I will attempt to do some physical activity here this evening. If it's snowing, I'll simply have to make myself go to the gym.

Permalink Reply by Rachel Jurado on January 19, 2011 at 4:18pm

Hey Cliff, it sounds like you've got the hard part out of the way (getting up early) so I'm sure it'll just take a little tweaking to get the rest of your ideal agenda together. Are you not an at-home workout kinda guy? I like running primarily and I didn't think I'd go back to the at-home stuff, but they're easier to fit in first thing in the morning.

Like you, I am getting up early so I can give my first moments of the day to God, but sometimes I find that working out before prayer ensures that I get the workout done and makes my prayer time better because my mind is clear and I'm wide awake, but yeah, no need to change your first-thing-in-the-morning routine if you don't really need to.

Anyways, good luck! Keep us updated.

Permalink Reply by Cliff Ravenscraft @GSPN on January 19, 2011 at 8:18pm

Thanks so much for the encouragement and feedback. I do still wish to make my scripture reading first, as I feel if I put this off, it's not likely to happen later in the day. Whereas, a workout is more likely to occur. My main issue has been the snow on the ground, covering all the sidewalks. I'm simply going to have to force myself to get out to the gym if that happens.

Good news.. I'll post an update below.

Permalink Reply by Denise Medve on January 20, 2011 at 2:12am

Good for you, Cliff! I'm an early riser myself, and enjoy the quite time in the morning before the sun comes up. I find it sets the pace for the day. The recent snows and cold weather have made exercising outside a challenge, but, in a few shorts months, that will switch.

Thanks for "putting yourself out there". Keep up the good work!

Permalink Reply by Cliff Ravenscraft @GSPN on January 21, 2011 at 6:54am

Thanks Denise. I really appreciate the encouragement!

Permalink Reply by Cliff Ravenscraft @GSPN on January 19, 2011 at 8:20pm

I did it. I finally got out for some intentional physical activity. The cool thing is that I recorded an episode of Pursuing A Balanced Life while I was out. I'll be posting episode 487 very soon. :)

Permalink Reply by Zen Runner on January 21, 2011 at 10:58am

Nice work Cliff. Good to see you walking that talk. What's always helped me is targeting a specific date or event out on the horizon to achieve are certain physical goal. In my case that would be the National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer which I've signed up to run on Feb 13, 2011 in Jacksonville, Florida. While your goal doesn't have to be as audacious as running a marathon - I can tell you having accountability to an event outside of yourself really helps to give you "context" into which you can set your fitness plans. I learned this a long time ago training to become a martial arts instructor. The classic "karate school" model of moving through "belts"( or levels) that are based on tests on a specific future date really works... and if you keep at it someday you can look back and say "Wow, I'm here - how cool!"

Permalink Reply by Cliff Ravenscraft @GSPN on January 22, 2011 at 7:15pm

I appreciate that. I'm am usually very motivated by the gspn.tv community and my wife to get my activity in daily. I had a bit of illness that got me out of my routines back in December. I'm slowly getting back into a place of balance in this area of my life. I appreciate the encouragement!

Permalink Reply by Cliff Ravenscraft @GSPN on January 20, 2011 at 5:27am

I am so excited! I just stepped onto the scale this morning. In the past 7 days, I've lost FIVE POUNDS!!

Permalink Reply by Denise Medve on January 20, 2011 at 6:50am

Jillian Michaels always teaches us that a good nights sleep is critical to successful health and weight loss goals, as it helps regulate metabolism, and allows your body to repair and recover from daily stresses. Perhaps this is "case in point" with you! Nice going!

Permalink Reply by Cliff Ravenscraft @GSPN on January 21, 2011 at 6:57am

It's so nice to have a healthy approach to waking up early. It the past, I used to try making myself get up, no matter what time I went to bed. Now, I simply attempt to go to bed between 9 and 10pm. If I go to bed later, I simply set the alarm for six hours beyond that.

Life is good as an early riser:) I think it did have a lot to do with my weight loss as well.

Permalink Reply by jenn2davis on January 24, 2011 at 10:36am