The purpose of this lesson is to provide
you a variety of motivational techniques that Ken Martin uses to
maintain a healthy life style.
The Ken Martin
Story
Ken weighed in at 248 lbs. and been a hard driving Army Colonel
for years. In 1999 Ken thought it was the right time to begin an
exercise program to lose some weight and realign his life. Wisely,
before undertaking an exercise program at his local YMCA, he consulted
his doctor who advised a “stress test”. Much to Ken’s
dismay, he flunked the test. A blockage of a coronary artery was likely.
He was immediately referred to a cardiologist who ultimately recommended
angiogram to determine the location and extent of the blockage.
Ken was shocked to find there was an 85% blockage in the circumflex
artery. A stent was implanted in the artery to facilitate blood
flow to the heart. This life saving procedure would allow Ken to
begin an exercise program and gradually build up to an appropriate,
regular exercise routine. After the procedure, Ken was both scared
and grateful for the opportunity to take a close look at his life.
He asked himself, “Do I want to die in the next ten years?”
At that point he made a choice to change his life style and embrace
the principles of healthy living.
Two years later, in 2002, Ken returned to
his physician who declared,” If I didn’t know better,
I would swear you never had heart disease.”
Ken’s choice of TOTAL LIFESTYLE
CHANGE paid off. After two years of TLC he was down to
193 lbs.; had lowered his total cholesterol to 136 and his triglycerides
to 82. Most importantly, Ken has begun enjoying life and is looking
forward to many years of active fun with his grandchildren.
Joining forces with Dr. Paredes to promote
prevention of cardiovascular disease has allowed Ken to spread the
word. He currently travels with Dr. P. letting folks know,
TLC is possible; cardiovascular disease is preventable and even
reversible. He begins by asking, "How many of you would like
to die of cardiovascular disease in the next ten years?"
He ends his talks with, "In order for things to change for
you, you are going to have to change yourself”.
Following three steps allowed Ken to reverse his
heart disease:
1) Commit to Total Lifestyle Change
2) Develop a “can do” attitude
3) Use prayer or meditation
To maintain his motivation, Ken follows the
teachings of many motivational experts. Following are a selection
of some his favorite teachings.
Ken’s Favorite Motivational
Tool
Sowing and Reaping: We get back more than what we give in terms
of effort and deep satisfaction. Ken approaches life in terms of
sowing and reaping after listening to Jim Rohn, a success trainer
and motivational counselor; he says, “Life is like
the seasons. We cannot change the seasons,
but we can change ourselves.” The following is a synopsis
of his “Four Season of Life”.
The Winters of our Life
Learn how to handle the winters. Some are long, some are short,
some are easy, and some are hard. Winter always follows fall. The
pattern never changes. There are winters when everything seems to
go wrong. There are winters when our hearts are smashed into a thousand
pieces. So what do we do about the difficult winters of life? We
work to get stronger, wiser, and better. The winters will not change,
but we can. Don’t wish it were easier, wish you were better,
don’t wish for fewer problems, wish for more skills.
The Springs of our Life
Spring is a time for opportunity and new beginnings. Spring follows
winter, day follows night. Opportunity follows difficulty. All with
regularity, we can count on it. However, we must keep in mind fall
in on the way. We must plant and create during the springs of our
life. Without planting in the spring, we will have nothing to reap
in the fall. There are just a hand full of springs that have been
handed to each of us so use them well.
Life is brief. What ever you are going to
do with the rest of your life, don’t let the seasons pass
you by.
The Summers of Your Life
Summer is a season to nourish and protect your crops. Without proper
care the busy bugs and the weeds are out to take over. All previous
efforts and growth will be lost. Every crop must be tended and protected
all summer. If we do not develop preventive skills, we will wind
up with nothing of value and ultimately we will have nothing to
reap and little to give.
Reaping in the Fall
In fall crops mature and we see the result of our effort or the
lack of it. Take full responsibility for the outcome. Revel in your
fruits of labor or accept the losses. Learn how to reap in the fall
without apology if you have done well and without complaint if you
have not.
“It is not what men eat, but what they
digest, that makes them strong; not what we gain, but what we save
that makes us rich; not what men read but what they remember that
makes them learned, and not what we preach, but what we practice
that counts. These are great but common truths, often
forgotten by the glutton, the spendthrift, the bookworm, and the
hypocrite”. -- Lord Bacon
"There is this difference between happiness
and wisdom; he that thinks himself the happiest man, really is so;
but he that thinks himself the wisest, is generally the greatest
fool." -- Colton
"Make a firm decision to try to control
your environment and not let it control you."
"The most important thing in life: Do
not to capitalize on your gains, any fool can do that. The really
important thing is to profit from your losses."
"Plan for Success."
"Maintain Self Esteem to Maintain Motivation
for Healthy Living."
Revised October 30th
2009
