ENEMY # 1

Welcome everyone...12 months ago I started research and study
program regarding exercise and it's effect on men and women age
50 and older. I didn't have any preconceived ideas. I personally got
involved for 30 days. Data and results are about 24 men and women and me. So, let me share what we have thus far. Participants had to stop their normal exercise/training routine. Their
exercise was limited to walking for 60-90 days. Withdrawal was
evident immediately. Indecisiveness, lack of goal setting, attitude
and personality changes. Weight gain, craving for unhealthy foods.
Alcohol consumption increased. Quality of work went south. Their
outlook on life became negative. They began to see themselves as
failures, not winners as previously. They became withdrawn. Social
life suffered. Now getting back into an exercise routine was not easy.
Attaining that mental toughness was the most difficult. I will update you on our conclusions in future blogs. So, don't stop working out. My take...don't become my worst enemy.
Have a meaningful life everyone...Jimmy O
Reference: www.secondwindfitnessfilm.com

TAPE MEASURE

Hello and welcome everyone...one of the toughest things to do for
each of us..."describe yourself/define yourself." And why do people
need New Year's resolutions to start or end something? Most people race through life as though we will never die and then we die as
though we never lived. Failure is not fatal...refusing to change may
be fatal. So, we project our training programs, do we continue doing
the same thing or change some thing. What are the results expected.
What are your limitations? Thinking vs being amused. What events
will you be competing in...when? Write it down. Three weeks ago,
I began my "tape measure" theme in my training. Each week I
measure my neck, biceps, chest, stomach, upper leg and calves. I
am doing mostly stretching with push ups, tighten my abs and plyo.
In four weeks, I will phase into speed bursts...sprints for 30M and
then slow to a jog for 20M and then back to 30M sprint. One set
is for five each. Do three sets. The rest period is the slow jog. I will
add the rope climb in a week. Climbing 10 feet at first and increase
to 20 feet in week three. Planning, purpose and patience are keys.

Have a meaningful life everyone...JimmyO
Reference: www.secondwindfitnessfilm.com  
 

GPS

Welcome everyone....Happy Holidays to all of you. Last blog for 2013. Endings are tough and beginnings are stimulating. GPS...do you have one. We all need direction, a plan in whatever we do in life;  job, profession, family, sports and so on. Most of us have heard of "genome," map of one's life. We need a "genome" GPS as we map out our plan for 2014 for fitness in 2014. Perhaps the greatest threat to our health is a lack of movement. Some of you are gifted athletes, pros or beginners.
No matter the level we perform at, we will always need a GPS and to follow it. Passion and patience come onto play. How strong is our will to succeed in our goals. Passion and patience are the building blocks to sustain our ambition. We also need to encourage others to follow. There is  or should not be an ending to fitness. That's one reason no one ever graduates from any of my classes. When one stops, one quits. No such thing as status quo in my vocabulary...we either go up or down. Life is so
fragile...treat it as such. As my father would say, "water the flower before it dies." See you next year.

Have a meaningful life everyone. JimmyO
Reference: www.secondfitnessfilm.com

AWESOME FEAT

Hello and welcome everyone...struggled with organizing all the
thoughts for this blog. And the title. Let me start this way...my
philosophy of life. Be yourself...be true to yourself in everything
you do. You must weather at least one storm in your life. You must
learn to survive. It's hard to beat a person who never gives up. If you give up, you quit. When you think about quitting, think about
why you started. The one constant in life is change. Everyone will
experience at least one life defining moment...a life changing
moment...take advantage of that moment, it's precious. Share your
talent/gift with others. I wonder why some people, physically or
mentally challenged can accomplish so much...can conquer the
impossible. Kyle Manard, congenital amputee, climbed Mt Kilimanjaro. A teenage man from China, put in a foster home at
age three. Abused for two years and ran away at age five. Homeless
since age five. He appeared on a talent show recently in China.
Blew everyone away with his singing. A teenage woman, homeless, works as a janitor to make ends meet. Last year she was
admitted to Harvard Law School. For years now I have conducted
classes for men and women with disabilities. Classes for fitness
and learning how to play various sports. Title for the classes...
The Hero Program. So rewarding! I have a waiting list of people
wanting to help me instruct. People will forget what you did, what
you said and what you were wearing...they will never forget how you made them feel.
Have a meaningful life...Jimmy O
Reference: www.secondwindfitnessfilm.com

The Beyond

Welcome everyone...I will begin this way...you are as good as your
thoughts picture you. You perform according to your thought
processes your action...your past. Most of us cannot envision what
we could do...be like. There in lies the problem. Goals are one thing. Performance beyond the past is quite another. How do we touch, feel "the beyond." If you have never been to a place, can you describe where you have never been? You can? How?! The year is 1984, LA, Olympics. Bob Richards was addressing sports
writers and answering their questions. He was asked "how many
records will be broken?" Response, "all of them." Then Bob said
"follow me" and he led us to the field house filled with swimming
pools. And Bob asked "do you see these 8-9 year olds swimming?"
They are going to break records that haven't even been set yet!
Think about that! These kids can see and describe places they
have not been yet. They feel it and visualize themselves as already
being there. Passion! Feel it! See it! Do it!

Have a meaningful life...Jimmy O
Reference: www.secondwindfitnessfilm.com

Underdog!

Welcome everyone...emotion plays a role in this blog. I will be
emphasizing a special person...the underdog. For those of you, who
have followed me over the years will recognize my thoughts and
words. Since the year 2003 I have devoted my time and worked with the physically and mentally challenged. 100's of men and women with disabilities have participated in my fitness classes and
various sports classes. I have spoken the words several times...
" I am overwhelmed by people with less, do more." Throughout my
life, I have always thought of myself as the underdog. Aside from
people with physical and mental challenges, a great majority have
less physical and athletic ability and skill...and yet, they still WIN.
Why? These men and women think "outside the box." They are
forced to create a strategy...to win. This is true in business as well
as sports...in all of life. Never underestimate the power of the
underdog! My book recommendation this month is David and
Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell. He appeared on 60 minutes about a
week ago. A must read!

Have a meaningful life everyone...JimmyO
Reference: www.secondwindfitnessfilm.com

In Thanks

Welcome everyone...since I was 10 years old, Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. Just family, friends and turkey.
I am the chef on this day. For more years now than I can count, I
always invite a family to join us...a family on hard times. And make a meal for shut ins. Makes me feel better. My father once told
me, "if you do something expecting a thank you, you are doing it for the wrong reasons." So, do something for someone. My thanks
to all of you and for being a part of my life.
Best wishes to you and your loved ones and to someone you
helped today. JimmyO