The Secret of Having Anything you Want!

Is anything really possible?  Can you really have anything you desire?  Can you really be happy?  Is the American Dream still alive?  In the last blog I talked about why New Years Resolutions fail but a further look at the statistics shows that our failures don't end with resolutions.  It is now reported that 95-98% of diets fail.  The failure rate of new businesses is reported to be around the same number 95% (depending on which businesses your include in the sample set).  With all of this failure around, is anything really possible?  What is the secret of the 5% who success against seemingly overwhelming odds?  I truly believe that we live in the greatest Country in the world with amazing opportunity all around so what's up with the failure rate?

We are immersed in the information age, with unprecedented access to information and yet we are failing at an extremely high rate.  There are a variety of opinions out there about 'how to get everything you want', everything from 'the law of positive attraction', to 'prayer', to reading books or attending seminars with 'experts.'  Is the secret to success and having what you want really as simple as sending out a 'prayer' or simply creating a desire for something you want and then it will find you?  Most 'experts' tell us that the key is to write goals, not just any goal but a SMART goal (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-based).  Most New Year's Resolutions are perfect SMART goals..."I will lose 30lbs by June".  Is that goal Specific, yes.  Is it Measurable, yes, just have to step on the scale.  Is it Achievable, absolutely. Is it Relevant, it is if you have more than 30 lbs to lose and is it time-based, yep, by June.  Does it fail?  Yea, a majority of the time our goals fade away and die.  So, what's the secret?

Let's start with looking at our current situation. We all live in a personal reality that was 100% created by us.  We are 100% responsible for where our life is and where it is going.  Yes, we are an accumulation of past experiences and circumstances but we are the ones who apply the meaning to these events.  We all live through various experiences and some people endure horrible, unthinkable experiences,  but it is precisely the meaning that we assign to them that determines who we are.  As we sit in our present situation and try to determine what action to take, we constantly reference our past experiences for guidance.  Acknowledging and learning from the past is very important, but too many people become victims of their past and they limit their decisions today based on what happened in the past.  We have a lot of help along the way, parents, teachers, coaches, family and friends all help us define who we are...'he's a great athlete', 'she's very uncoordinated', 'she's very smart', 'he's not the sharpest tool in the box' and on and on.  If we allow ourselves or others to define us and what we are capable or incapable of doing, then our window of opportunity is immediately decreased.  "Why don't you go to college?" and the story comes back "no one from my family ever went to college."  "I really want to lose weight but I've always had a weight problem."  and thus we further entrench ourselves in our proverbial 'Box.'   Opportunity does not live in our 'box', it does not live in the information that we know.  It lives in the realm of information that we either know, we don't know or that we don't even know that we don't know it.  Thus, the reason that the more we learn the more we realize that there is even more to learn.  OK, so by know you're probably saying OK, great, we need to learn more and we need to be open to opportunity, but what's the Freaking secret. 

The secret of having anything that you want or desire can be found in five simple questions.  Starting from your current state (complete honesty is essential) decide specifically what it is that you want and then ask your self:
1.  What am I willing to start doing that will move me closer to my goal?
2.  What am I willing to stop doing that is keeping me from moving toward my goal?
3.  What am I NOT willing to start doing to help me move forward?
4.  What am I NOT willing to give up?
5.  Am I willing to have the discipline that it will take to keep moving toward my goal.

Usually, the thing that stops us from getting what we want is not what we are willing to do to achieve it but what we are NOT willing to give up.  Is anything possible?  Living in America, the answer is yes BUT only if you are willing to do what is necessary to achieve the goal including giving up on the things that are holding you back.  Realize that success is a journey and not a destination and that our choices not luck or circumstance will determine our destiny.  It is not an easy road and it will take perseverance and determination to navigate, the question is how important is it to you??

Life Pioneers: The Edge of Possibility! by Tim Terrio (Oct 18, 2013)    

Available on Amazon and at All TERRIO Physical Therapy-Fitness locations.  www.myTERRIO.com

Why New Years Resolutions Fail!!

The holidays are passed and we look forward to that one last party to say goodbye to 2011 and welcome in 2012.  The typical American adds several pounds over the holiday season thanks in part to the excessive holiday parties and holiday treats.  The New Year also brings forth that wonderful tradition of New Year's Resolutions!  Hope springs eternal, especially at the start of a New Year, this will be the year that I lose that 30lbs. or this year I will quit smoking or drinking.  And off we go, to the gym or out to start jogging only to see our resolution slowly (sometimes very quickly) disappear.

 In the book "Nudge" the authors compare humans to a person riding an elephant.  If you have ever seen someone riding an elephant you realize that the control of the elephant is merely based on training and if the elephant decided to no longer follow instruction then the person would be helpless.  The 'rider' represents our analytical side and the 'elephant' our emotional side.  Thus, if the 'rider' decides that the 'elephant' is going to go down a new path but fails to prepare the path he is set up for failure.  The first time the elephant (our emotional side) decides to turn around and go back or wander off the path the man has limited ability to redirect the elephant.  Why is this important?  It is exactly the reason that 98% of diets and New Year's Resolutions fail!  We are all creatures of habit and we have just spent the last 30+ days letting our elephants roam free, doing as they pleased.  Now we decide it is time to reign in the elephant and have him walk on a strange new path that he has never had to walk on.  Then, we are surprised when the elephant decides that he doesn't like the new path and wants to return to roaming freely.  Our 'rider' tries to force the elephant to stay on the new path but soon runs out of energy trying to fight the beast and gives in.  But, wanting to save face the 'rider' soon starts to rationalize the situation..."well, it really wasn't that important"  or "OK, I'll only have one cookie, how much harm can that do" and on and on.

So, do we stand any hope of reeling in our out of control 'elephant' and making the changes we realize that we really must make?  The first step is an interview with the 'rider' face to face (in a mirror).  You must have full awareness of the situation at hand and a completely honest assessment of where you are and where you really need to be. What is the specific goal of what you want to accomplish?  General goals are easy to change, specific ones pin point down a specific outcome on a specific date.  If you need help, then go to your MD and get a physical, those are real numbers you can't avoid or ask a trusted friend or loved one. Now the rider knows exactly where they are going.    Next, what is the emotion behind the change? What is it that you are missing in your life that you could accomplish if we were to meet the goal you set?  What pain is caused by your current situation?  What are you afraid of losing if don't make a change? Again specifics are crucial, not lose weight so 'I feel better' but lose 35 lbs and decrease my cholesterol to be healthy enough to go hiking with my children.  You see this is all part of prepping the 'elephant' for the trip, let him know where you are going and why. 

The next step is to clear the path for the 'elephant' by removing any obstacles in the path.  The more obstacles you clear the better chance of keeping the 'elephant' moving forward down the path.  This can be anything and everything that could cause an issue.  Is there someone else who can help you clear the path?  Is there someone else who wants to take their 'elephant' down the same path?  Is there someone who is putting obstacles in your path?  Take a serious inventory of the "reasons" (excuses, stories, justifications) that you have used in the past to not continue and start removing them.  If you don't know where you're workout clothes are, put them next to your bed.  If you don't have the right food in the house, go get it.  If the idea of working out for an hour is too much then start with a 5 minute walk.  The point is that you have to get things moving, even if it is small steps at first. 

Making a real change in our lives is not an easy thing to accomplish but remember we are all creatures of habit and the only way to make a change sustainable is to replace one habit with another one.  If you can replace an unhealthy habit with a healthy one then our 'elephant' is actually working with us and not against us.  This year instead of a  New Year's Resolution, plan out a New Year's Solution and if it includes losing weight or getting healthier then sign up for our 5 Ton Challenge and commit to completing the challenge and we'll help clear the path for your 'elephant'

A Key to Diabetes Management and Prevention

Source

Morris S, Wylie-Rosett J. Medical nutrition therapy: a key to diabetes management and prevention.

Clinical Diabetes [serial online]. 2010 Winter 2010;28(1):12-18. Available from: CINAHL Plus

with Full Text, Ipswich, MA. Accessed August 29, 2011.

Kern County ranks 57th out of the 58 counties in California for deaths due to Diabetes.  Our goal at TERRIO is to treat the entire individual and to this end we have 3 awesome Registered Dieticians on Staff to help.  Here is an abstract from a recent research article about the importance of Nutritional Therapy for those battling type 2 Diabetes. 

Because of the direct correlation between diet and diabetes management, medical nutrition

therapy (MNT) provided by a registered dietitian is a key complement to traditional medical interventions

in diabetes treatment. This article describes MNT, summarizes evidence for the effectiveness

of MNT in preventing and treating diabetes, and provides physicians with information about

how to refer patients for MNT.

The link between diabetes and diet has been well documented, as has the importance of diet in

conjunction with medical interventions for diabetes. Patients often look to their primary care physicians

for advice about general diabetes care, including diet, but survey studies have revealed

that doctors feel uncomfortable advising patients on the sensitive issues of weight loss and diet.1

Research is increasingly demonstrating that medical nutrition therapy (MNT), administered by a

registered dietitian (RD) or nutrition professional, is a key component of diabetes management

and a complement to treatment of diabetes by physicians.

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) 2009 clinical practice recommendations state that “individuals

who have pre-diabetes or diabetes should receive individualized MNT as needed to

achieve treatment goals, preferably provided by a registered dietitian familiar with the components

of diabetes MNT.”2 Furthermore, the ADA's position statement titled “Nutrition Recommendations

and Interventions for Diabetes” emphasizes the importance of MNT in preventing diabetes,

managing existing diabetes, and preventing and slowing the onset of diabetes-related

complications.3 The integration of MNT into diabetes care has the potential to improve patients'

diabetes management and to lessen the burden on physicians to provide nutrition information.

Evidence In Motion Joins Forces With TERRIO Physical Therapy & Fitness

Evidence In Motion (EIM), a provider of physical therapy education and practice consultation, is pleased to announce an official partnership with TERRIO Physical Therapy & Fitness (TERRIO), a progressive provider of rehabilitation services in throughout Bakersfield, Fresno and Clovis, California.  As part of the collaboration, TERRIO becomes a Network Partner EIM’s Orthopaedic Residency, Sports Physical Therapy Residency, Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy Fellowship and Certification Programs.
“We are very excited to be teaming up with EIM.  One of our values at TERRIO is constant improvement and we feel that this partnership with EIM will help elevate the quality of physical therapy in the Central Valley.  We are proud to partner with EIM as the only host site in Southern California,” said Tim Terrio, CEO and founder of TERRIO Physical Therapy & Fitness, Inc.  “Our goal has always been to provide the absolute best quality physical therapy available and with the knowledge and expertise of EIM we feel we can accomplish that goal for our clients in the Central Valley.”
Several of the offerings included in the Residency and Fellowship curricula will also be made available to other TERRIO professional staff, enhancing lifelong learning and quality improvement initiatives for all personnel. EIM residents and fellows will be exposed to a vast community of evidence-based professionals and trained to apply the best evidence for patient care.
Using the most up to date research and cutting-edge technology, EIM is transforming the way physical therapists are trained and educated, allowing professionals to complete the majority of the coursework online.  EIM’s Orthopaedic Residency, Sports Physical Therapy Residency, Orthopaedic Manual Fellowship, and Transition DPT in Musculoskeletal Management training programs are delivered to the physical therapists where they live and work.  Web-based educational “distance learning” platforms, complimented by on-site weekend intensives conducted at Network Partner locations, and a thorough mentoring program provide a flexible learning experience for all students.   
Based on educational research, the hybrid model of online education and on-site intensives demonstrates a best-in-education approach.  This is the exact approach that EIM was founded in and has successfully used to graduated over 55 physical therapists in its APTA credentialed Residency and Fellowship Programs.
Many members of EIM’s faculty are recognized internationally for their contributions to education, research, and clinical practice. EIM’s faculty have received ninety-five-plus research grants, totaling over $10.5 million.  EIM faculty members have also taught 220-plus university level courses, founded over forty different business organizations, and held appointed positions in forty-plus state and 115-plus national and international professional associations. Under their supervision, Residents and Fellows have the opportunity to receive the highest caliber of training and become distinguished leaders in evidence-based orthopaedic and manual physical therapy practice.
About TERRIO Physical Therapy & Fitness:
TERRIO Physical Therapy & Fitness is a locally owned company that has facilities in Bakersfield, Tehachapi, and Fresno. The largest provider of outpatient physical therapy in the Southern San Joaquin Valley, TERRIO offers a comprehensive program that includes Physical, Aquatic, Occupational and Speech Therapy, Nutritional Counseling with Registered Dieticians, science based weight loss programs, sports specific training for athletes and personal and corporate wellness services.  A compilation of creative professionals TERRIO has developed a reputation of developing innovative programs to meet the needs of the community. For more information, please visit myTERRIO.com. You can also find TERRIO on Facebook and Twitter.

About Evidence in Motion:
Evidence in Motion (EIM) is an education and consultation company whose sole reason of existence is to elevate the physical therapy profession and the role of physical therapists in healthcare delivery. A strong dedication to fostering the creation and assimilation of an evidence-based practice culture within the physical therapy profession is a cornerstone of EIM’s mission. They have put in place evidence-based practice treatment pathways in many facilities and aims to promote the global sharing of information and ideas, thus advancing evidence-based physical therapy practice, research and education around the world. EIM offers Continuing Education, Residencies, a Fellowship Program, a Musculoskeletal Transition DPT, and an Executive Program in Private Practice Management with optional Transition DPT.  For more information, please visit http://www.evidenceinmotion.com/.  You can also find EIM on Facebook and Twitter.

Occasionally Life Throws you a Curve...

Occasionally Life throws us a curve ball and recently it threw one at our family.     If you have ever seen a pitcher throw a great curve ball you will know that it can freeze a batter.  The batter is forced to try and figure out what to do with it, to take a swing or let it pass and so it is in life sometimes.  A couple of weeks ago my Mother-in-law passed away and it is funny how the passing of someone close to us gives us a time to pause and reflect.  While the family continues to wrestle with the finality of not being able to pick up the phone and call her or plan another family vacation together there is also the attempt to put life into perspective.  In the past I have talked about longevity of life, but this curve ball has me thinking that we need to have a qualifier on the longevity of life.  While we would selfishly like to hang on to our loved ones as long as possible, the conversation of quality of life has to enter the equation at some point.  By all accounts, my Mother-in-law lived a great life.  She rasied eight incredible children who have all become very successful and were all present as her health turned.  She was honored by her 18 grandchildren during the services and everyone made the trip from around the country to be there.  Not only was she truly loved by her children and grandchildren but all of us inlaws as well.  She also travelled right up to this spring. 

I believe that we all have the desire for our lives to be the best that they can be and that life is about the quality of relationships that we create.  At the end it is all about the relationships and the experiences we have shared together.  So, if for no other reason than to be able to go and experience life with our families, we need to start making better decisions each day.  We can choose to get more activity and eat better so that we have the energy to enjoy experiences with our family and friends.  We can choose to minimize or eliminate the use of tobacco products.  And we can choose to spend time with the ones we love because at the end, that is all that is going to matter and it is these experiences that can live on in our memories when someone we love passes. 

The Fragile Nature of Humans

Take a walk through any large museum and look for the care used when handling rare pieces of history or art.  Look at the care and expense we go to preserve the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution.  The priceless pieces of art that are kept in rooms with the exact temperature and humidity to assure they are not spoiled.  It is truly amazing!  Now compare that to how we handle the most precious of all gifts, human life.  Do we take every painstaking step to assure that our bodies are kept in the right environment to assure the maximum life?  Do we expose our lives to things we know are dangerous?  Things that will deteriorate a master piece?  That will speed up the aging process?  Why are we willing to spend the money and set up the processes to assure that certain pieces of paper and art are preserved for future generations and yet when it comes to our health and vitality we don't give it a second chance. 

Lately, I have been struck by the number of my friends and family that are struggling with loved ones who are ill.  You can't turn on any media or have a conversation without the topic of cancer coming up.  Recently in Bakersfield the Relay for Life group raised an amazing $2.1 M for cancer research.  So many charities set up to raise money to battle diseases and there has been some amazing success stories about survival and overcoming odds to beat back a disease.  And yet with all of the angst and heart break these diseases cause I am perplexed by the other statistics about increased obesity, use of tobacco and alcohol.  Believe me,  I am no Health Saint who makes the right decision every time, hell, even most the time.  I know how the human body functions and the delicate balances our bodies function in and yet I make bad decisions about eating and drinking, skipping my cardio and stretching, but why?  Even without years of college, I believe we all know what we are supposed to do for activity and eating.  We just choose not to do it, but why?

I think we skip the things we know we need to do because there is no immediate effect.  Once we figure this out we know that nothing bad will happen if we eat a little extra, drink a couple extra beers or skip a work out. Actually, if we are being honest in the short term a lot of these things are actually more pleasurable than doing the right thing and thus the path is set.  The short cuts become the norm and we lose site of where we initially started.  This is exactly the difference between priceless papers and works of art and the human body.  If you drop a priceless vase, it shatters and if you burn a priceless document it is gone forever but if you skip a couple of workouts (don't exercise for years) or eat junk food your body doesn't shatter or burst into flames and so we march on.  That is until one day after the momentum of bad decisions catches up with us and we are sick.  We suffer and those around us suffer but there is no rewind button.  I'm not saying that every disease is directly caused by our actions and decisions but maybe if we all treated our bodies like the priceless, irreplaceable items they are there would be a little less disease and then we would have more resources to focus on those diseases that can't be eliminated by improved health.  Maybe we all need a life curator to make sure we are taking care of the priceless, irreplaceable work of art called, us. 

A simple plan for better nutrition