Physical Fitness = Life Changing!!!

I fit many of the American stereotypes. I am 37 years old. I sit at a desk many hours during the day. My sugar levels had been gradually increasing over the past 10 years. I have a history of heart disease in my family with a mild history of diabetes on my father’s side of the family. My total cholesterol had eased into the ‘mid 200’s’ category. My liver was just on the verge of not being able to convert fat. (fatty liver) I found myself feeling low on energy and high on stress. It seemed like at least 2-3 days a month I kept a headache or a backache. My weight had crept up to approximately 255 lbs. This was not obese but certainly out of my range at a height of 6’ 1”.

About 9 months ago my doctor gave me the wonderful news. He said, “Kelly, you have a family history of diabetes and heart disease …………and you are well on your way to becoming a young diabetic with possible a stroke or heart issues.” To make matters worse, I was only a couple of months away from a rigorous travel schedule which would certainly be more difficult on any ‘diet’. I wondered how I could have gotten to this point within a few years of being a soldier in the US Army.

I walked away from the doctor’s office emotionally crushed that day. For a few days I was depressed and feeling sorry for myself but then it occurred to me that no one was going to do it for me so I could either settle for a possible heart attack or get busy. My wife and I got online and started seeking heart healthy food tips. We refused to engage in any fad dieting but rather opted for an old fashioned well balanced diet enjoying foods from all groups each day. We increased our raw fruit and veggie intake. We also began using whole grain breads and pastas. We trimmed down on the sugar and replaced soda with cranberry juice, orange juice and water with some limited tea.

It was soon after that I started walking a few minutes each day with a goal of being able to once again run 2 miles within the same time requirements as when I was in the US Army. I did not set a date but rather chose to start very slow and let it happen when it happened. With some encouragement from athletes at work (Paul McKeithan, Jim Plant and many more) I began to push myself a little more. Losing weight was never my goal. I simply wanted to live a healthier lifestyle and let my body decide what happened as a result.

Several weeks back I had my semi-annual physical. Blood pressure, Cholesterol, Sugar, Liver etc……….all back within the ‘perfect range’………I was 60 lbs. lighter. Needless to say I was as happy as I had been depressed before!

The one thing that has shocked me beyond words is not the physical impact on my life but the mental. My attitude towards life is improved. I wish that I could share in some small way my success with others. I’d love to help someone else if you are where I was a few months ago! It is worth it!

More to come…….stay tuned!!

kml

2010

Fat Sound Guitars .....Highly Recommended - Kelly Langdon

http://www.fatsoundguitars.com/

Every now and then I run across a group of folks that I would shop with myself.....or a group I'd actually recommend to family or friends. Fat Sound Guitars in Cary, NC is a company like that. The guys are actually 'gear junkies' themselves. They don't sell junk.....so if you are into junk, go to one of the chain stores but if you really want service....the kind where the folks spend all day if needed to help you really get that tone you are after....then Fat Sound is for you.

No, I get no kick-backs.....I get no deals.......I don't work there.....if you know me at all, you know I am a picky...picky...picky shopper....and if I offer a referral for a book, a store or any other service you better believe that I have faith they are good.

Check out their site.......if you are in the area, you must stop by the store......if you are not pleased, contact me and I'll buy your lunch.





kml
2010

regarding 'Safety & Sustainability' from my friend Mike Taubitz

From my friend Mike Taubitz......too good to not pass along...

http://www.fdrsafety.com/how-safety-fits-with-sustainability/

How safety fits with sustainability

March 24th, 2010 posted by Mike Taubitz 

Sustainability is a board level issue in most companies. It is a complex strategic challenge that balances social, economic and ecological issues for sustainable growth of the organization.

In its simplest form, sustainability can be remembered as “People, Profit and Planet.” The question for safety professionals is “where do we fit into this C-suite initiative?” If you have a sound safety process, my suggestion is to make sure that safety is a value within the organization.

Sustainability, “green” and environment are terms often used interchangeably. For clarification and purposes of this blog, let us agree that “green” and environment is essentially the same thing. While key, they are part of “planet” – just one piece of the overall equation.......................

and also this:

http://www.linkedin.com/groupAnswers?viewQuestionAndAnswers=&gid=2888693&discussionID=16224819&goback=.anh_2888693

Safety culture is a myth. So is “lean” culture...

How many HSE professionals are actively dealing with the integration of lean, green and safety? Are safety pros still talking about compliance, OSHA recordkeeping and “safety culture.” In another LinkedIn forum, I had several positive responses to the challenge that “safety culture is a myth.”

There can only be “organizational culture” and safety must be a value within that culture. A sustainable organization cannot have competing cultures. Every time, I read about “safety culture,” I wonder about the company’s “quality culture,” “lean or production culture,” “service culture,” etc….

Can an organization that plans to survive and thrive in a sustainable manner have competing cultures? Answer: NO…


Respect for employees and environment and integration of functions is key to sustainability.

What are you seeing in your company or with your client base?

Your thoughts?

kml

2010

Reality Check by Guy Kawasaki

I don't often plug a book but this one is a keeper. It is segmented for easy reading and is chock full of timeless material. Check it out......I did and felt I had to pass the word along.

http://www.guykawasaki.com/books/

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1591842239/guykawasakico-20


kml
2010

Finding Solutions

Often times I am asked, “What is the best way to find a solution to my problem?” In business many problems (or opportunities if we are being politically correct) arise. I am often in meetings and someone will present a problem but they rarely have thought through the moment and considered possible solutions. One of the prerequisites to presenting problems in meetings that I chair is that for each problem I ask the presenter to offer at least 3 possible solutions. Any person can find problems within processes but it takes a real jewel to find the problem and also think through several scenario fixes.

It is my belief that identifying problems is the easiest of processes. In fact, human nature creates this inclination within each of us to be somewhat critical.  Human beings are analytical creatures. We are constantly searching for and finding problems. We can do this at home, at work or even when discussing politics. In fact, in the United States we are especially accustomed to complaining and finding fault. In business, I always try to seek out those folks who bring problems and then real solutions to the table. Those folks who also bring solutions are the ones I want to expose for advancement.  It is easy to measure the growth of employees based on a collection of little things. The new hires usually are pushing for advancement and many times are highly critical in an effort to be noticed. Over time, you can watch these folks grow and if they are ‘keepers’ you will notice they become agents of 'solutions' as well.

I ask each of you to perform a self-evaluation. Are you simply a critic or do you also find solutions? Successful employees can and will do both.

Your thoughts?

kml

2010

FMA Safety Conference 2010 - People, Profit, Planet

Mark your calendar if you are a Safety Professional, CEO, Risk Manager or are in the HR field.  Amada America, Inc. will be hosting the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International Annual Safety Conference this year at their Schaumburg, Ill. facility. Check out the link here:

http://www.fmanet.org/training/event.cfm?eventid=379

I will be speaking this year on Wednesday April 14, 2010. Look forward to seeing you there.

kml
2010

Clearly Communicating in Business, Part II

It is not enough to simply communicate……now we must dig a little deeper and explore different personalities and how these personalities require different approaches.

I am one of those folks that prefer a straight forward approach to conflict resolution and general communication. I want all of the news ‘right now’ and I want it ‘honest’ and I want it ‘unfiltered’.  I suppose I would be considered a ‘Type A’ personality in North America. ‘Type A’ personalities do not always understand why the rest of the world can’t view all things through the same ‘mental lens’ in which they view them. We might wonder why everyone doesn’t want all of the news ‘right now’ and ‘unfiltered’.

It is imperative in the business environment that managers and directors really ‘know’ the people and the personalities in which they work with! Clearly communicating with all people in the same way as communicating with ‘Type A’ personalities would be a fatal error. Oftentimes I think about my employees much the same as I would my children. I have two daughters and each of them respond very differently to discipline…………same parents………same environment…………but they respond VERY differently. We must remember that employees are in fact human beings. I fear that all too often we treat our employees like ‘machines’ when we should connect with them as human beings first and foremost.

Clear Communication is when all involved parties understand an issue within the same context. There are no questions left as the people leave the discussion.  Managers must focus on the delivery and the context of each personality.

International business is a perpetual classroom. Those who communicate clearly……..they succeed in the long term. At our next writing, we will discuss methods of gaining ‘employee buy-in’ within large companies.

Feel free to contact me via email to purchase a full presentation on this subject matter.

Your thoughts?

kml

2010