Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Kris Gethin's 12-Week Body Transformation: Week 4


Happy Tuesday! I'm officially in week 5 now, but I wanted to take this opportunity to report on my Monday morning weigh-in.

In this post, I'll share my official body measurements, give you an update on my meals, and offer a perspective on how I'm feeling during the transformation process. Ready? Let's go!

Body Measurements


Week four resulted in some pretty positive changes. The most obvious change was a loss of 3 pounds. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy about the progress, but I thought I'd be a bit further. I write that because a little over a week ago, I made it down to 223 pounds, which is something I haven't seen since. That's what I get for eating the small bag of chips, huh? 

Along with the weight loss, I have also noticed a reduction in the waist, neck, hips, and body fat percentage. Clearly, my stomach, which is the worst offender, will be the last thing to go.

Body PartWeek 3TodayDifference
Weight228 lbs225 lbs-3 lbs
Waist39.5 inches39.25 inches-0.25 inches
Neck15.5 inches15.25 inches-0.25 inches
Hips43 inches42.5 inches-0.5 inches
Thigh25 inches25 inchesNo Change
Calf17.5 inches17.5 inchesNo Change
Bicep16 inches16 inchesNo Change
Body Fat %14.8%12.7%-2.1%
Chest41.5 inches41.25 inches-0.25 inches
Stomach41 inches41 inchesNo Change
Upper Stomach36 inches36 inchesNo Change
Shoulders50 inches50 inchesNo Change
Lean Body Mass194 lbs196 lbs+2 lbs
Body Fat Mass33.7 lbs28.5 lbs-5.2 lbs

Meals


During week three, I made a mistake and ate a few small bags of potato chips. I felt really bad about it, so I have been pretty strict about not missing a meal and that seems to help with the cravings.

I'm eating about 5-6 meals a day, getting my multivitamins and supplements in, drinking nearly a gallon of water, and consuming both the pre and post-workout shakes.

A couple of small changes this week. The first one is this, I'm eating my eggs, oats, coffee, and consuming fat burners before the morning cardio session. The difference being that I used to eat breakfast after the cardio. However, I noticed that Kris would eat first, so I made the change to match his leadership.

Second, I'm keeping a very close eye on how often that I'm eating. At this point, I'm eating every 2-3 hours. Sometimes, I'm just not all that hungry. So, I graze.

Meals consist of broccoli, chicken, steak, brown rice, water, multivitamins, supplements, and protein shakes.

Other Observations


While I am excited about the weight loss and change in numbers, I have to admit that I just feel tired and exhausted a lot of the time. There are those moments where I'm beaming with energy, but at other times, especially around the afternoon, I'm just dragging. I kid you not, I felt like taking a nap, which is something rarely do. 

As far as sleep goes, I'm getting somewhere between 5 to 6.5 hours of sleep a night, which feels like plenty in the morning. 

With regards to my energy in the gym, I have enough to blast it, but I just thought I'd share that with you. It could mean nothing or something, I just don't know.

So, that's about it for now. I'll keep you posted on my progress, but I'm excited to hear about what you're doing. I've received a number of messages from people who have jumped on board. What's the experience like for you so far? Let's talk in the comment section below.

Until next time...

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Kris Gethin's 12-Week Body Transformation: Supplements

At the start of the transformation, I provided the meal and supplement plan as outlined by Kris Gethin. However, as the weeks went by, Kris began sharing additional nuggets of information related to supplements and when to take them. This post attempts to share what I know.

Pre-Cardio Supplements


  • Green Tea
  • Yohimbe
  • L-Carnitine
  • Black Coffee
Purpose: The purpose of this supplement stack is to help maximize your fat burning activities. By doing cardio immediately after waking up in the morning, the activity will produce greater results since your body has been fasting all night long. To support your cardio session, the body will tap into fat reserves, which is exactly what we want.

Timing: The recommended time to take this stack on an empty stomach at least an hour before cardio.

Observation: Thanks to the amount of caffeine I'm consuming in this stack, I definitely feel the surge of energy in the morning. Outside of that, I cannot tell you how effective or ineffective the other products are, but I have been losing weight and dropping inches. Is that caused by my increased activity level, supplements, or all the above? For now, I am going to continue taking them because I am seeing results and that right now is all that matters. 

Pre-Workout Supplements


  • Green Tea
  • Glutamine
  • Creatine
  • Carbohydrate
Purpose: The purpose of this stack is to prepare your body for a rigorous session in the gym.

Timing: This stack should be taken at least an hour before your workout. Also, consider eating a meal before the session as you will need the energy to make it through weight training.

Observation: The caffeine definitely helps in the afternoon/evening as it helps kickstart the workout. The creatine, carbs, and glutamine are helpful in getting through the session. After the first week, I haven't really experienced the soreness or down time I'd normally have during such a grueling working. I give credit here. 

Post-Workout Supplements


  • Whey Isolate Protein
  • Glutamine
  • Creatine
  • Carbohydrate
Purpose: The purpose of this stack is to feed your exhausted muscles with essential nutrients. Much of what we're taking has been used up during the workout.

Timing: This stack should be consumed within 10 minutes of your weight training, but before the second cardio session.

Observation: I believe this stack has helped refuel my body. I can't say that I feel any different afterwards, but muscle soreness hasn't been a problem. Is that just the way it is or is it affected by these supplements? I'm not sure, but I am getting stronger and recovery seems to be shorter.

Closing Thoughts


Prior to this latest transformation, I was adamantly against taking so many supplements. One, I didn't understand them and two, I didn't want to hurt myself taking the wrong stuff. 

In following Kris' advice and leadership, I haven't experienced any negative side effects. I have plenty of energy, I'm losing weight, and getting stronger in the process. 

The only other concern that affected my decision in the past was how expensive this stuff can be. During my first visit to GNC, I've spent over $120 acquiring the essentials. When you add six meals a day, plus supplements, and other related costs, it's not the cheapest endeavor. However, I asked myself, "Is it worth it?" Do I want to continue carrying around excess weight? Do I want to continue paying for blood pressure medication? Do I want to maintain this on-going risk of heart disease, stroke, or diabetes? The answer to all three questions is, "NO!" 

Pay it now or pay it later, but one way we're going to pay. I just choose to sacrifice my money for improved health, vitality, and an overall success story today, not tomorrow. 

Feedback


I would love to hear your story, answer any questions about my experience, or discuss the subject of supplements. Feel free to leave me a comment in the section below.

Until next time...

Friday, November 22, 2013

Kris Gethin's 12-Week Body Transformation: Week 3


It has been a few weeks since my last post, so I figured it was time to update you on the progress I've made in between weeks two and three. In this post, I plan to share my complete measurements and offer a few pictures to boot. So, without further ado, let's get started.

Body Measurements


One of the things that I regret not doing was taking my measurements and pictures prior to starting the transformation. It wasn't until week three that I finally got on my game. With that written, let me preface this section by saying that the last time I measured my progress was back in December of 2012. So, for this exercise, I'll take those numbers as some form of comparison, but just keep that in mind as you review the stats.

Body Part December Today Difference
Weight 248.4 lbs 228 lbs -20 lbs
Waist 42.5 inches 39.5 inches -3 inches
Neck 16.25 inches 15.5 inches -0.75 inches
Hips 45.25 inches 43 inches -2 inches
Thigh 26 inches 25 inches 1 inch
Calf 16 inches 17.5 inches +1.5 inches
Bicep 16.75 inches 16 inches -0.75 inches
Body Fat % 20.2% 14.8% -5.4%
Chest TBA 41.5 inches TBA
Stomach TBA 41 inches TBA
Upper Stomach TBA 36 inches TBA
Shoulders TBA 50 inches TBA
Lean Body Mass 204 lbs 194 lbs -10 lbs
Body Fat Mass 51.5 lbs 33.7 lbs -17.8 lbs

Note: I was unable to secure December measurements for my chest, stomach, upper stomach, and shoulders. However, based on the trends, imagine that they were probably a larger number. 

As you can see from the table, the transformation is working. To be fair, I began the 12 weeks weighing about 238 pounds. Additionally, my weight hit its lowest point of 223 pounds during week 3. Unfortunately, when it came time to weigh in, I was about 5 pounds heavier. This variance could be due to the time of day that I weighed myself (evening) and the amount of water I consumed (nearly a gallon). Moving forward, I plan to take measurements before my morning cardio session, which tends to be my lightest weight of the day. 

Visual Inspection


During week three, I decided to finally post some actual pictures of my progress. Like my measurements posted above, I didn't begin this transformation with a set of before pictures. So, I found a few images from my July 16, 2010 photo session and decided that I'd start there.

At first glance, you can see that I've lost mass in the shoulder, neck, back, and chest areas. It's most likely a loss of both muscle and fat. At the very least, I can summarize it to say that I'm slimming up and becoming a more lean, mean, fat burning machine.

Looking at my back, I can see more definition and the location where cuts will eventually shine through. My waist is getting smaller and I'm just carrying less fat around. Those are really good indicators. Not to forget that I've also had to buy smaller pants as everything I own is just too big.

I would be remiss if I didn't share with you another initial reaction that I had after looking at these pictures. The most memorable gasp came upon the front shot. I immediately said, "OMGoodness, I look sick!" My face looks so much skinnier and my upper body too small. Eeck!

On the bright side, I suspected that this was going to happen. With over a decade of carrying extra baggage, I knew that I'd lose both muscle and fat. It's the price that I was willing to pay for a healthy body. In saying that, just know that when I reach my goal, I'm putting a whole bunch of muscle on these bones. Lose the fat, keep as much lean muscle as I can, and then apply mass. That's the plan!

July 2010
Week 3
July 2010
Week 3
July 2010
Week 3

Final Thoughts


In reviewing the past few weeks of this transformation, I have been receiving tons of supporting comments and questions about what I am doing to lose the weight. I am so appreciative of the attention, but know that I am just getting started. There is still so much more work to do and heavy loads to lift. What I am doing, anyone can do. They just have to want it bad enough to get outside of their comfort zone and make the difference.

With that written, let me report that I have done a fairly good job of eating and working out according to the plan. Unfortunately, I have to also tell you that I've missed about four cardio sessions and gone off the meal plan to include parmesan cheese over my fish, feta cheese by itself, and two bags of chips. I'm not proud of it, but it's the truth. I also bought some whole grain noodles and added it to my diet, Kris said it was ok, but I immediately saw my weight shoot back up from 223 to 228 lbs. I stopped not long after.

Over the next week, my goal is to focus on making every cardio session as outlined in the transformation. Immediately out of bed, I'm hitting the stairs for 20 minutes of cardio.

In addition, I am going to write more often about my transformation and the lessons that I'm learning. I find that waiting an entire week is just too long.

Well, I think that's about it for now. Again, thank you for the support and return visits. If you have questions, comments, or just want to talk about the process, let's do it in the comment section below.

Until next time...

Friday, November 15, 2013

Team Diamond T-Shirts Are Now Available


Good news! The new Team Diamond shirts have arrived and I couldn't be more excited. I know, I know, you're thinking, "...but they're only t-shirts." Well, that may be true, but it means so much more to me. Here, let me explain.

What Is Team Diamond?


Let's start from the beginning, shall we? In WorldVentures, the company I promote, representatives tend to build their businesses in packs or teams. I love the concept because I was always of the opinion that we can do so much more together than we ever could apart. 

In 2012, when I joined the club, there were two main teams: Team Vision, led by Carlos Rogers, and Team S.W.A.G.G., which is led by Dwayne Lodge and Lee Morgan. Both teams are actually related, with Team S.W.A.G.G. falling under the leadership of Team Vision. To a large extent, at least in the beginning, Team S.W.A.G.G. consisted of members within North Carolina while Team Vision was more on the national scale. Both have grown over the year and expanded beyond those borders. 

My team, Team Diamond, started around June or July of 2012. My friends and I wanted something that we could call our own. Following in the footsteps of our leadership, we wanted to brand our team and build momentum where we were. Most of us lived in or around the Raleigh/Durham area. 

Because the other teams were so much larger than us, by having our own team we could give recognition and support in a more intimate setting. As a result, we started having our own team conference calls (each Sunday night at 8:30 pm), email list, Facebook group, and team outings that we labeled LEAP Events. LEAP stands for Learn, Earn, and Play.

What Is The Meaning Behind Team Diamond?


Many of the "founding" members of Team Diamond were also members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Using the diamond made sense because of the fraternity's relationship with the jewel. The diamond represents excellence, achievement, and distinction. We all want to enjoy the finer things in life and the diamond is a reminder of that.

The two smaller diamonds resting in the "D" represent Fun and Money. Because WorldVentures is known as the Fun & Money Club, we wanted to show that our team is apart of the one big team.

In the middle of the words "Team Diamond," there is a small diamond with the letter "V." This is the logo for Team Vision. Similar to the Fun & Money Club, we wanted to pay homage to the team that covers us all.

On the back of the shirt, it reads, "Achievement At Its Highest Level." Again, this is a reminder that team members are about achievement in everything we do. We don't want to just do enough to get by, we want to excel and enjoy life to its fullest. It's about those peak experiences.

When And How To Wear The Shirt   


This t-shirt is available to anyone that joins Team Diamond. People who buy it should do so because they believe in what we believe. They should take action everyday to achieve at the highest level and in everything that they do. Whether it be at work, at home, or at play, we strive to be the best.

This is a shirt that may prompt questions like, "What is this Team Diamond?" In turn, members can use that opportunity to talk about the club, the team, and lifestyle we lead. 

This shirt should also be worn at national and local events. It shows solidarity among members and is a representation of our growing team.

Where Do We Go From Here?


Based upon the success of our branding efforts here, I can see us adding additional items like hats, sweatshirts, and even backpacks. Yes, exciting times!

So, put on your shirt and throw your diamond in the air. Let's go! For more information on how to join Team Diamond follow the Fun & Money Club links below. To get your t-shirts, hit me up at damondnollan@gmail.com.

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Why I'm Accepting the 120 Days To Director Challenge In WorldVentures


By now, many people know that I'm currently working on my health. It's all in a blog post I wrote about a 12 week video transformation with Kris Gethin. This entry won't talk much about working out or losing weight. Instead, this article will talk about changing my financial future.

It All Started May 2012


My frat brother, Lee Morgan, introduced me to a concept that has changed my life. I'm sure a lot of people say those kinds of things, but for me, it's true.

It was during a fraternity meeting that Lee introduced WorldVentures to me. He wasn't exactly showing ME, but I happened to overhear the presentation from afar. Truth be told, Lee tried to show me a year before, but I wasn't having it. I mean, it's Network Marketing. That's like a no-no in my book.

Everything sounded pretty great, but I wasn't ready to make any kind of decision that day. Instead, I did what any rational person would do, I Google'd it.

As I expected, there were good things and then there were bad things. I checked out the company, read up on the founders, watched a number of videos, and then signed myself up. Lee didn't even know I did it. That was until I called him and said, "Yo, I'm on the team, Bruh!"

Clearly, he was pleased with my decision and I was totally excited about getting started. What do I do? What's the next step?

In return, Lee provided all of the necessary materials, instructions, and tips. I just ran with it.

As I have come to understand about Network Marketing, there are a lot of people who felt like I felt. I was adamantly against it because of the negative connotations. You know, the normal stuff: It's a scam, it's a pyramid scheme, and get all of your friends and family to join.

I'm Not A Sales Person!


"I'm not a salesperson." I told myself.

Here is the cold hard truth, I was struggling and needed the money. While I make a great salary, the most I've ever made at any job, I was looking for something that would supplement my income. The problem was this, "I didn't have a lot of extra time on my hands." With a full-time job, a dissertation to write, a family to see, and a body to shape, when would I ever find the time to work a second job?

Answer: I didn't.

This is where WorldVentures really came to the rescue. With only a few hours a day, I could begin a business that would potentially add to my income each and every month. I mean, with student loans and kid activities, I just needed something extra to help out. This company was a perfect fit.

Despite my previously failed experience with Network Marketing, (cough) Amway, I found success pretty early. In fact, without even knowing it, I earned my "Wings" in just a few days. Days later, I earned a free membership, free business system, got all my initial money back, and then earned a couple of hundred dollars more. Wow!

If I can do that in a week, what could I do in two? I thought.

Over the coming weeks and months, I just followed the game plan laid out for me by my mentor. You know what? It worked.

By my tenth month, my team and I built a sizable network that afforded me the rank of Senior Representative (Senior Rep for short). With that rank came residual income. That means I would receive a monthly check each and every month. I was thrilled.

Looking back over the ten months, I can tell you that I worked hard for it. Despite my initial hesitations about Network Marketing and the fear of how people would look at me for doing it, I realized that it was my shot. It was my way out. If I was going to take care of my kids and set up a solid financial future, this company was the answer and I knew it. What other solution did I have? Not many.

Don't get it twisted, Senior Rep wasn't retirement money, but it was residual.

You Deserve What You Earn


Once I earned the rank of Senior Rep, I grew comfortable. I remember a good friend warned me against it, but I didn't listen. He said, "Congratulations on this huge achievement, but don't stop here. Keep doing what you were doing to get here in the first place." I nodded as if to agree. I mean, I did agree.

Unfortunately, I didn't follow the advice all that well and my network started going backwards. Wait! Stop! Hold Up! I thought. But, honestly, I didn't deserve to keep it. How could I ever expect to keep it alive when I wasn't feeding it, watering it, or tending to its needs? Simply put, I went into management mode and that's not good.

As a result of my poor decisions, I lost my residual income and my previous rank. In fact, I sat here and watched my personal referrals drop off like leaves in the fall. It took the air out of me and it was my own fault.

For months, I dibble dabbled and really didn't put in the quality of work that I use to apply. I grew sensitive and content with the way things were. I wasn't happy with my progress, but I didn't change either.

Follow The Leadership


Then, I took a huge leap of faith. In the face of financial challenges, which I deserved, and fear of the unknown, I flew down to Dallas, Texas to attend the View from the Edge and it changed my life. No, not the event itself. I mean, it was great and all, but it was the walking on faith that changed me. See, the kind of person that I needed to be in order to face my fears and do it anyway was the person that I needed to become.

You will never have the things in life that you want until you're willing to change and do the things necessary to have them. For me, it means becoming the person who deserves to have what my heart desires. For this to happen, I needed to let go and simply follow the leadership.

If I want what the leaders have, then I need to do what the leaders do. I cannot accept the advice or opinions from people who do not have what I want. That is the fastest way to end up where they are.

This leads me to where I am today. Thanks to the successful progress that I'm making with the body transformation, I realized that all I really needed to do was to follow the plan. It worked before and it will work again.

We all fall down, but it's the one who gets up one more time than he's down that will succeed in life. That's me. I'm like Rocky Balboa. I won't stay down for long.

120 Days to Director


So, here's the plan. You know that I had to have a plan. I'm green for crying out loud!

Similar to my 12 week body transformation, I am going to start my 120 Days to Director Challenge.

Over the next 4 months, I am going to follow the 9 Core Commitments, as outlined below.

Commitment #1 - The Game Plan Session

For every new representative that joins my team, I am going to personally conduct a game planning session within the first 24-48 hours. This will ensure that they get started the right way.

Commitment #2 - Two Exposures Every Day

For each of the 120 days in this challenge, I am going to personally expose two people to the company and its awesome product offerings. By day 120, I should have reached out and touched at least 240 people.

Commitment #3 - Attend A Weekly Live Event

There is nothing more exciting and motivating that being around the team. I commit to attend a least one live event per week.

Commitment #4 - Plug Into The Fast Start Training Classes

For all new representatives, I will get them plugged into the Fast Start Training Class. This can be done online or in-person, but definitely a must do.

Commitment #5 - Attend Monthly Super Saturday and Regional Training Events

Both events are AMAZING and not something I ever plan on missing.

Commitment #6 - Attend the National Events

There are four main events each year. I always get something new and exciting from these events. Not to mention the building of friendships.

Commitment #7 - Commit to Personal Development

Each day, I will commit to reading at least 10 pages of personal development book and 15 minutes of an uplifting/training audio.

Commitment #8 - Have a Workout Partner

Currently, my frat brother and I are holding each other accountable to doing what we said that we would do. Either way, I will maintain an active workout partner.

Commitment #9 - Be Here A Year from Now (Doing 1-9)

With a year already under my belt, ten vacations, and two more already booked, I'm not going anywhere. With that said, I will be here.

Additional Thoughts


In addition to the 9 Core Commitments, I will also be using the WorldVentures' Focus Board to help track my progress toward Director. 

Similar to my weekly body transformation updates, I'd like to also share updates on how this challenge is going. What are my successes and failures? What lessons did I learn and how will I apply it moving forward? What books and audios am I listening to? 

For those marketing representatives that want to join me on this journey, please feel free. For those not already associated with WorldVentures, but interested in learning more about the product or business, please follow the Fun & Money Club links on the blog and then let's talk. I would love to work with you personally and help build this thing together. 

In the end, I'm not about selling or convincing anyone of anything. I'm simply looking for people who want more fun, freedom, and fulfillment in their lives. In the beginning, I didn't know if I could do it, was reluctant about Network Marketing, and didn't have extra money to spare, but I did it anyway. I knew that the only way I'd ever achieve my goals was if I stepped out on faith and just did it. 

What's the worst that will happen? I thought. Shoot, I'd take some badly needed vacations, save money on stuff that I'm already doing, meet some amazing people, and just have more fun in my life. 

Knowing that in order to reach the highest ranks in this company, I would have to go all in for the next 3-5 years. Shoot, what's the alternative? Working for the next 20-30 years with no hope for generational wealth? No, I'm 100% in with WorldVentures and I'm going to make it to the top (multiple times). I'm just looking for those who want to go there with me.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it. 

Until next time...

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Using Reloadable Prepaid Cards for Carpooling, But Which One Is Best?


We wanted a way to pool our money together and buy gas for the commute to work. In my opinion, this was as simple as walking into Wal-Mart and buying a reloadable debit card. Right? Well, kinda.

The point is this, you have options. While standing in the cashier's line, there are Wal-Mart gift cards. Next to the gift cards are the reloadable prepaid cards. You can get one from American Express, Wal-Mart, PayPal, Green Dot, and others. Then, there are levels of services and fees that range from FREE to a couple of dollars per event.

Which is best? I asked myself.

From a very shallow review, I found that if I pay more money upfront, I can minimize the amount that I pay later when I reload the card. Assuming that I plan to reload it.

There are monthly fees, ATM withdrawal fees, daily deposit limits, and a number of other fine print that deterred me from buying.

In the end, I just settled on the Wal-Mart MoneyCard for $6. That was until I learned about the American Express BlueBird. In short, I can spend $5 one time and have access to a prepaid card that I manage via a mobile device. It had fewer fees than any of the other options and more of the benefits. I'll get it!

What I didn't realize at first was that the card is only temporary. You load it once, at the time of purchase, and then register for a permanent card. Not a bad idea, but just thought I'd share that minor detail.

Once the permanent card arrives, you can reload it as many times as you'd like.

Registering the card takes only a few minutes. Be prepared to provide your social security number, birth date, and other contact information upon sign up. They don't run a credit check, but rather to determine if you're an American citizen.

Scratching Record...Hold Up...Wait...Denied?


The final step in registering for the American Express prepaid card was to hit "Submit." Unfortunately, I got an error message telling me that it could not register my card. Eh, and why not? I asked in frustration. Because I already have an American Express Serve card, that's why.

Not exactly sure why I'm unable to hold both cards, but it's true. I cannot hold an American Express Serve and BlueBird card at the same time. So, a choice had to be made. Do I keep Serve, which I've had for some time, or do I upgrade to the new BlueBird?

Without going into detail, I reviewed the two cards and decided to stay with Serve. For the most part, the two cards are quite similar. The biggest differences that I saw dealt with limits on how much you can load, how you can load, and what you can do with it.

If you're interested in getting more details, I would recommend that you compare them yourself. Here are some direct links:

American Express Serve
American Express BlueBird

For a third-party comparison of both services, this article on BlueBird vs. Serve is a great place to start.

For my carpool partners and I, either would work for our needs, so I'm just going to go with what I already have and stick with Serve.

What Do You Use?


So tell me, what are you using? Have you made a decision on the Serve vs. BlueBird debate? Which route did you take and why? Is there another service that we should be aware of? If so, let's talk about it in the comment section below.

I'm Down 54 Pounds And Counting...


Growing up, I always thought of myself as a pretty healthy kid. With each doctor visit, the family physician would announce my good bill of health. It became such a common occurrence that I just expected it.

Of course, I can't take all the credit. My mother, who was known for her healthy meals, made sure that we ate a balanced diet. There were always colorful vegetables, lean meats, and complex carbohydrates. As a kid, I didn't like it, but have since learned to appreciate her investment in my overall health.

It Began Here...


I was around 17 or 18 when I first realized that I was gaining weight. By this time, I had moved out of my mothers house and began eating whatever I wanted. I had a preference for noodles, hamburger, cheese, pizza, chips, and ice cream. When I got into college, I had my fair share of Chinese food, too.

At first, the weight didn't bother me. That was until it affected my speed on the track field and bumped me up to the unlimited class in wrestling. I wasn't ready for that kind of change.

Over the next 15-20 years, I wrestled with managing a healthy weight. Each year, I would promise myself that this was the year I'd lose weight, gain muscle, or get a six pack set of abs. I went from 180 lbs all the way up to 280 lbs at my highest point.

In my mind, I kept telling myself that I wasn't that bad. I had muscles and they weighed more than fat.

I was in denial.

While I may not have been "obese," at least that's how I described it, I was definitely not in shape. I did not have the body that I wanted.

The Bad News...Dum...Dum...Dum


A few years ago, while visiting the doctor, I was first alerted to my pre-hypertension state. It began with headaches. I thought that the headaches were related to allergies, so I started taking over-the-counter medication for it and cleaning my sinuses with a Neti Pot. None of it worked.

After a visit to the doctor, he explained that my blood pressure was higher than normal and needed to be watched. He gave me some tips on how I could lower my numbers and I successfully brought it back down.

Unfortunately, I let myself go again and it went back into the pre-hypertension phase. This time, I couldn't lower the number. I took out the salt from my diet, started working out again, and just made an attempt to do better. Nothing worked. So, the good doctor put me on Lisinopril, a blood pressure medication.

My question to the doctor was, how long do I have to be on these things? He responded that it depends on me. Either my genetics will determine that answer or my lifestyle.

With high blood pressure comes increased risk for heart disease, kidney failure, stroke, and any number of ailments. None of which I wanted anything to do with.

Enough Is Enough!


In my mind, I knew that I could lose the weight. If genetics was not against me, I promised myself that I would do what it takes to get off these pills and get back to my best self. At the time, I probably weighed somewhere between 245-253 lbs.

In the past, I had successfully dropped nearly 30 pounds just by eating differently and doing cardio. I knew that I could do it.

Slowly, I worked my weight down to about the mid-230's, with an occasional dip that wouldn't last. I knew that I had to raise the bar if I was ever going to break the plateau. Enter Kris Gethin and the 12 week transformation.

"Follow the leadership!" That's the message that brought me to Kris Gethin's digital door. If I wanted what he and others had, a nice body, then I needed to do what those people are doing. In other words, follow the leadership.

While I knew enough to lose 40+ pounds, I wanted to totally transform my body.

As I write this, I am really only three weeks in to a twelve week program. However, I can say that I have some great news to report. First, through this program, I have finally reached 226 lbs on the scale. Do you know how long it has been since I've seen 226 pounds? I would say well over a decade.

Second, and this is huge, my blood pressure has been registering NORMAL for the past few weeks. That is a win in my book. While it may be a bit premature to announce that I'm able to get off the blood pressure medication, I can say that this program has helped me reduce my numbers into a healthy range. For that, I am extremely thankful and inspired. If I can get down to 226 lbs and earn a normal blood pressure, which I did, I know that even more awesome things are in store.


With that being written, I would like to thank Kris for his leadership. It is because of his 12 week video training program that I have a deeper understanding for nutrition, supplements, and physical training. Not only that, but he has helped me see how one can overcome objections (no time, too many meetings, travel too much, etc.). If you're a leader, you'll find a way.

Along with Kris, I would also like to thank YOU for supporting me. For every compliment, encouragement, share, and like, I know that you are out there rooting for me. However, I think it's also important to note that if I can do it, so can YOU. If you're tired of doing the same thing and getting the same results, step out on faith and get involved. Find a leader that has what you want and do what they do. It won't always be easy and you won't always feel like doing it, but in the end it'll be worth it. Trust me!

So, that's it, guys. I wanted to take a moment and share my story with you. If you're interested in doing what I'm doing, make sure you visit Kris Gethin's program. If he's not for you, there are plenty of other trainers who are available to help you (at no cost).

Remember, you're not in this thing alone. We're in this together! So, get up, get out, and do something. Don't let another minute pass you by.

Until next time...

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Building A Team? Start With A Recognizable Symbol


Yesterday, while sitting in a fraternity meeting, I noticed that we members are extremely passionate about being apart of the bond. From the stories that we tell to the songs that we sing, membership for us has truly become a lifestyle. With our fathers, uncles, brothers, and cousins having joined the organization, why wouldn't the men in our family follow suit?

Then, I started thinking about my WorldVentures team, Team Diamond. How do I bottle up the love, passion, culture, and memories developed in Kappa Alpha Psi and apply the same lessons to Team Diamond?

People Want To Be Apart Of Something


To begin, I realized pretty quickly that people want to be a part of something that they can believe in. They want to join something that shares like values and dreams. Be it a fraternity, social organization, church, or any other group, people want to be a part of a whole.

A Symbol To Stand Behind 


So, if people want to join something, how does one know what's available? I believe the answer lies initially in the brand or symbol that represents the group.

For members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, we have a number of symbols. We have the diamond with a "K" or we have the word NUPE or NUPES. When people see those words and symbols, they immediately associate the person with the brand of Kappa. Therefore, by wearing a t-shirt with a logo or symbol, one says that I believe and subsequently associate with the members of this organization. That's powerful!

In WorldVentures, we have a company logo. However, I am also aware that there are numerous teams within the company. Each team may represent a region of the country, a specific leader, or a cause. Members who believe what the team believes wear the paraphernalia (or nalia, for short) with pride. It's powerful to watch.

Similarly, Kappa men wear nalia all the time. We not only wear the brand of the organization, but we also wear nalia that represents our chapter (or team). This could be as general as the chapter or as specific as the year one became a member. Either way, there is an association that people relate to.

Begin With Leader(s)


Knowing that teams exist, how does one begin? In my mind, it begins with a leader or leaders. Someone who wants change to happen or will help guide others down the same road of success, whatever that means to you. This could be more money, more fun, or more fulfillment.

Establish a Symbol That Represents The Group


Like my fraternity and business, we need a symbol to identify with. This symbol, when recognized, will help bring team members together and advertise to non-members that an association exists. Outsiders may not understand what the symbol means or even how to join, but it is a start.

Grow The Brand


As members join, leaders should invite new people to buy in to the organization. This may initially happen with a t-shirt or other associative paraphernalia. It also includes the adoption of accepted behavior and other norms. As a member of this group, we expect a certain level of behavior. Some call it protocol and etiquette.

Use the visual brand on websites, letterhead, business cards, hats, sweatshirts, Facebook, and any place where people can see the sign. The more we use it, the more people want to use it, too. The more influential its members, the more influential the people wanting to join will be. 

Live Up To The Hype


Up until this point, the idea was to create a brand or association that people can stand behind. Well, it's one thing to attract people, but it's something else to keep them. 

While I don't have any written documentation, I can tell you that people join stuff and people quit stuff. It's just the way it goes. However, what I can tell you is that leaders encourage growth by living up to the hype. What does this mean? It means showing people what you're about but then also living what you believe.

If we're supposed to be about having fun and traveling within WorldVentures, then we need to keep it up. As a team, this should be priority number one. 

Know and be able to recite the core values of the organization. What do we believe? Let's make sure we demonstrate that each and every day...in everything that we do.

The Birth of Team Diamond


With all of that written, let me share with you the main reasons for this post. One, it is to announce the purchase of Team Diamond t-shirts. Within a week, I should have in my hot little hands a tangible representation of the team we're building. On the front, it'll read, "Team Diamond." On the back, "Achievement At Its Highest Level."

For me, this is just the beginning of our marketing campaign. Not only will these t-shirts begin to identify members, but it also represents those who believe what we believe. We believe in having fun. We believe in providing financial freedom, time freedom, and the freedom to chose. Lastly, we believe in aiding the individual with living a fulfilling life of success and charity.

Two, this post will simply serve as a starting place for change. It's a moment in time where put a line in the sand and decide to achieve at the highest level. We are apart of the WorldVentures, Team Vision, Team S.W.A.G.G., and now Team Diamond.

To get more information about the Fun & Money Club (and join Team Diamond), simply follow the links below. To secure your own t-shirt, hit me up at damondnollan@gmail.com

Feedback


I would love to hear your thoughts on this subject. What do you think is important when developing a team, club, organization, or group? How do you encourage group? Leave me a comment in the section below.

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Kris Gethin's 12-Week Body Transformation: Week 2


As I head into my 14th day of Kris Gethin's 12-Week Body Transformation, I want to take a few minutes to share my experience and results with the program. Moving forward, I plan to post a regular update, maybe once a week, so that you can see the transformation in progress.

Meal Plan


Over the past two weeks, I have done a fairly great job of following the meal plan as outlined in the original post (Click here to view). Where I feel most proud, though, is when I took a vacation to Dallas, Texas and made due without a single microwave or freezer.

While I didn't have the comforts of home, I still ate like a king and didn't cheat. Don't get me wrong, I was tempted by friends almost daily, but I held firm to my commitment.

During the first week, I spent considerable amounts of time trying to figure out how to cook stuff. Do I grill the talapia (fish) on the George Foreman or cook it in a pan? How long should I cook this sweet potato? Questions, questions, questions.

For the record, a sweet potato takes about 8-10 minutes in the microwave, not 15 minutes. I learned that lesson the very first week and I think my house still smells like burnt potato. Fish is best cooked in a pan. Thin cuts of steak, on the George Foreman Grill, take about 5 minutes to finish, while chicken breast takes somewhere between 10-13 minutes. Brown rice, which is actually pretty good, takes about 45 minutes to cook where white rice only needs twenty.

In review, eating according to Kris' plan isn't all that difficult to do. However, I will admit that it's quickly becoming a bit bland and boring. Where my tongue is craving spices, sauces, and toppings, I'm forced to eat the food without anything extra. Ugh!

I can hear some of you saying, "Get some Mrs. Dash!" My response, I have and it's still not enough. I want to throw some butter, cheese, and other great tasting foods on top of this stuff, but I won't.

Water

Over the past 14 days, I have only finished drinking an entire gallon of water one time. This doesn't mean I'm failing to drink water, it just means that I'm not drinking enough. So far, I'm finishing about 3/4 th of the water by bed time, which is around 9:30. 
NOTE: Drinking too much water before bedtime is a bad idea. Nobody wants to get up at 2:30 in the morning to use the bathroom, at least I don't. My tip to you, try to get as much water down earlier in the day.
One suggestion that I received regarding water consumption, try putting times on the side of your container. This will help you gauge how much water you need to drink by certain times of the day. So far, it seems to help balance things out a bit.

Supplements


At the beginning of week one, I already had a box of GNC's Mega Man Sport Vitapak as my multivitamin, which also included Burn 60 and amino acids. I also had a container of Omega 3,6,9 for heart health. What I needed to get was creatine, probiotics, and whey protein isolate. 

By week two, I decided to up my game and get a little tighter with my supplements. As a result, I stopped by GNC and got the following:

  • L-Glutamine
  • L-Carnitine
  • Creatine pills (that do not require a loading phase)
  • Green, White, and Black Tea
  • Carbohydrate powder  
  • Yohimbe 
During week two, I stopped taking the GNC Mega Man Burn 60 and its related amino acids because I had enough in the new stack. So far, I feel great. Energy is good, pump is good, and recovery time seems adequate between days.

Weight Training  


Similar to the meal plan, I have been following the weight training as outlined in the program. Much of the first week was spent finding a starting point with weights. By week two, I'm still fine-tuning the right weight amount for maximum failure in the prescribed rep range. By week three, I should have it straight and working every set with full intensity.

Was I sore? (Laughing) Heck yeah! Week one left me extremely sore, but not to the point that I couldn't work out. With Kris' videos, I stay encouraged and motivated to push through the discomfort.

Body Statistics   


Unfortunately, I failed to measure anything but my weight so far. When I began the program, I weighed in at 238 lbs and this morning I was down 12 pounds to 226 lbs. Might I add that this is the lowest I've been in YEARS!

Next week, I'll be certain to find my baseline body measures and take some pictures for comparison. 

Overall Observations


As I bring week two to a close, I am proud to say that I have already accomplished a lot. I am the lightest that I've been in a decade, I'm learning about supplements and a variety of weight training strategies, and having fun in the process.

What I like most about this program are the daily videos. It really feels like I'm doing this program with Kris. Not only does he demonstrate exercises, but he talks about food, traveling, and dealing with sick days. It's very informative and inspiring.

For next week, I plan to make the following adjustments:

  • Cook my meals the night before. Unfortunately, I have been waiting until the morning to cook breakfast and lunch. This leaves me little time to get dressed and out the door for work.
  • Purchase a pre-workout booster. During my recent visit to GNC, I decided against a pre-workout booster because I felt the current stack was sufficient, but I'm interested in trying the Cellucor C4, which keeps getting rave reviews.
  • Make sure to get all of my cardio sessions in. For the first week, I struggled with the morning cardio. Kris simply walked the stairs in his home, which is easy enough. For me, I just had a hard time getting up early enough to fit it in, get dressed, cook meals, and out the door. Secret? Go to bed earlier so I can get up earlier.
Well, I think that's probably enough for now. If you're participating in the program, I'd love to hear your stories, too. Leave me a comment below.

YouTube Now Uses Google+ Comments


On Wednesday, November 6, 2013, YouTube announced its adoption of the Google+ comments. Here are a few of the highlights

Comments You Care About Move to the Top


Because the comment section of YouTube uses Google+, users have a choice between reading the top comments, which include engaged discussions, people from your Google+ Circles, and popular personalities, or reading the newest first.

Join the Conversation Publicly or Privately


Similar to Google+, users can chose to comment to the world, to a specific Google+ Circle, or just a few friends. The choice is yours.

Easily Moderate Comments


Google has made it even easier to moderate comments before they go live. Page owners can decide to block certain words or pre-approve messages from certain people.

To see the new commenting system in action, take a look at this video.



User Feedback 


Based upon comments posted within Twitter and Google+, some users are not happy with the change. Chris Pirillo, a popular YouTube personality out of Seattle, Washington had this to say:

Have you had a chance to view the new YouTube comments? If so, what do you think? What do you like/dislike the most? Let me know in the comment section below.

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Conducting A Comparative Case Study on Web Governance in Higher Education


On October 6, 2013, I wrote a post about changing my dissertation topic from organizational commitment to web governance in higher education. Since that time, I have completed RES/724, which focused heavily on qualitative methods and designs, to now being enrolled in RES/728, which looks specifically at qualitative case studies.

I chose the case study because I wanted to understand how universities within North Carolina were governing their web infrastructure. Questions that I intend to ask will look something like this:
  • Do you have a web strategy? If so, what does it look like? What elements are discussed? How did it come into being? Who was involved in establishing your web strategy? How often is it updated and by whom?
  • Do you have web policies, procedures, and standards for content, design, and technology? What does it look like? 
  • What kind of support does the web receive (staffing, funding, etc.)?
  • How do you measure business objectives related to the web? What metrics are used? How involved are the administrators in this process?
  • What are your challenges related to governing the web infrastructure? What are your successes? What issues did you overcome? What problems do you foresee coming?  
In addition to interviewing web professionals, administrators, and others closely related to the web, I plan to also review documents (policies, procedures, manuals, and guides) and observe how universities manage the web asset. 

To establish a robust research project, I would like to do a comparison case study where I look at different universities for common themes.

The result of this study will be to further web governance within higher education and develop a model by which web professionals can apply within their own organizations.

Feedback


While the concept of web governance is not entirely new, as I am aware of a few colleges and universities that are pushing it, this study will help further the concept. 

I would love to get some ideas and discussions going around this topic. Hey, maybe even initiate a small community around the idea, assuming there isn't already one out there. 

If you have some insight, experiences, or stories that you would like to share regarding web governance in higher education, or business in general, please leave your comments below.

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Higher Education Websites Are Like The Titanic When We Really Need Speedboats


Managing a university website is a big deal. There are a lot of moving parts and people with various opinions. What is the best way to navigate through all of the noise and get to something that really matters? That's the challenge.

My initial thought, when asked how we might dramatically change the university website, was to start from scratch. Yes, get out a blank sheet of paper and design the site with the end in mind. What are the university goals and how can the website assist in making that happen?

Seriously, it feels like we're driving the Titanic, when speed and agility are really what's needed. Unfortunately, to design a website that is effective, efficient, and light-weight, a lot of the excess has to be let go. A laser focus on what will bring the greatest return should be our guide.

I recognize that this problem is not new. Universities, along with other companies, are looking at how they can maximize the web. I believe it's more than just a marketing billboard, it has function, too.

The greatest challenge, as I see it, is in organizing and unifying the campus toward achieving the same objectives. While everyone may not agree on how we get there, the end result should be the same. Unfortunately, due to the nature of the institution, everyone has a slightly different agenda. Some areas only care about highlighting their department, but that can't work for everyone. This is where decisions have to be made. As I see it today, you can't please everyone all of the time.

How Do We Fix It?


So, how do we move forward? As I regroup and think about where we go from here, I believe the answer lies in identifying the goals of the institution and then developing a plan to align the web to deliver on those goals. It means that tough decisions will have to be made and it won't always go over well. However, if we keep our goals at the forefront of our effort, we can rest assured that we're heading in the right direction.

Second, we need to invest more time in a governance model. To me, this means clearly identifying responsibilities, processes, and procedures, so that everyone knows how this system is going to work. Again, this concept is not exactly new as information technology departments have been governed in one way, shape, or form for years. However, I would like to continue exploring the details of a web governance model for higher education.

Yes, if you've been following along lately, you already know that I have recently switched my doctoral research project to focus on a web governance model for higher ed. This means that I'll be spending more time exploring, researching, and writing about this topic in effort to help us resolve this giant challenge and maximize on our assets.

What Has Been Your Experience?


I would love to begin a dialog with other university web professionals on what they're doing in this area. What are the challenges that you're facing? What are you doing? What's worked? What hasn't? In the end, know that my research project will seek to answer some of those very questions.

If you're interested, please leave a comment below and let's get this conversation rolling.

Friday, November 1, 2013

DreamTrips Now Include Disney Theme Parks, Super Bowl, Final Four, and Kentucky Derby


WorldVentures, during our annual 'View from the Edge' event in Dallas, Texas, announced that its DreamTrips membership now includes vacation packages for Disney Theme Parks. Talk about exciting! With this new deal, only made available to club members, I can take my kids to the happiest place on Earth for less.

Not only does the package provide accommodations, transportation, and tickets into the park, it also includes a welcome check-in and Meet & Greet party. This is truly a memorable experience.

Do You Like Sports?


In addition to the Disney Theme Parks, DreamTrips also provides a trip to the Super Bowl 2014, Kentucky Derby, and the NCAA Men's Final Four 2014.

What an amazing development! I am thoroughly proud of what our company is doing and even more excited about getting on some of these once-in-a-lifetime experiences. It's only going to get better from here.

Disclaimer: I am a DreamTrips Life member and a WorldVentures representative. If you're interested in getting more information on DreamTrips vacations or making a living...living, please click here: Fun & Money Club.


Damond L. Nollan, M.B.A.

Toll-free: (919) 912-9121
E-mail: Contact Me

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