From the Editor
In this issue Dr. Graham talks about goal setting and some of the goals he’s set out for himself. I’ve added a classic blog article from Dr. Graham about the benefits of 80/10/10 and recognizing your motivations and passions. This issue also revisits Dr. Graham’s thirty-two “Fundamental Elements of Health” list, so you can assess the next area(s) in which you might want to make goals for yourself. And finally, we introduce another article in the “32 Elements of Health” series—Inspiration, Motivation, Purpose, and Commitment—to assist you in successfully meeting your goals.
I’ve never really thought of myself as a goal setter, because I don’t tend to pick long-term specific deadlines for things. I realize now that I do actually set goals, just in a different way. I set short-term goals, lots of them daily, and leave my long-range plans more fluid. Most days when I wake up I think to myself, “What do I want to do today?” This includes not only recreational activities, but tasks I have to do as well … because I like to check those things off my mental to-do list. So I make a plan in my head of what I want to get done for the day, which is usually much more ambitious than can possibly be achieved, hehe, and the extra just gets carried over to the next day. Still, I get a sense of accomplishment for having completed so much of what I planned.
With my long-term goals, I think about where I would like to be in general and how to get there, which helps drive my daily goals as well. It is comforting to me to know that I am taking steps toward those long-term goals every day. I do not know how long it will take me to attain those goals, so I have trouble setting dates on the long-term ones. Instead, I just try to get there as soon as possible, and that’s been working well enough for me.
Do you set goals? How do you go about setting goals for yourself? Does it work for you? If not, perhaps the content in this issue will give you some ideas of how to reach those goals. If you are already successful in your current ambitions, perhaps this issue will help you aspire to new heights.
Whatever aims you set out to achieve, this “Doug-ism” is excellent advice:  “The three “Rs” of goal setting: make your goals Reasonable, Reachable, and Resettable.”
Aloha!
—Janie Gardener (JungleJanie)
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From Dr. Graham
Got any plans for a year from now? Studies have shown that most people c  annot begin to imagine how much they can accomplish in one year. Lately, I have had the pleasure of meeting some new people, athletes in my area.
Turns out, they are strength athletes of various sorts. Some look to lift as much as they can. Some are interested in getting bigger. Some follow specific disciplines such as powerlifting, Olympic lifting, strongman, and a few others. Each discipline has a specific and defined protocol. Some of the guys haven’t decided which to focus upon, or have decided that they wish to pursue more than one discipline.
One thing is obvious: these guys are seriously strong. They are lifting incredibly heavy weights, moving unbelievably heavy objects, and showing unrivaled determination. But the thing that has surprised me the most has been the short length of time that many of them have been involved in their sport.
One man, who is lifting double what I can lift, started just four months ago at a level near my current level. Another gent, who easily performs at triple my level, started only four years ago, and says that when he started, his performance was about the same as mine is now. Sure, these guys are half my age, and they are really focused on developing their strength. I have other interests when it comes to fitness, and I don't expect to make quite the kind of meteoric progress that they have. But they give me great hope. If I look week to week, the progress is slow. When I gauge my potential progress by theirs, and look at a longer time frame, I am encouraged.
Yes, already I am seeing progress. Weights that were scary four weeks ago I now lift with confidence. I don’t know how far I can progress in a year, but I am committing to giving this particular aspect of my fitness training a minimum of one year. I'll let you know how it goes, and hope you will keep us informed about your personal records and other peak performance, as well as your progress and enjoyment throughout.
Here’s hoping to see you at 811 Culinary Skills Week, or Yoga Health and Fitness Week.
By Dr. Graham
Read Dr. Graham's May 2009 blog entry, where he reflects on why he is passionate about the 80/10/10 diet.
Before introducing this week’s “32 Elements” article, we encourage you to review Dr. Graham’s “ Fundamental Elements of Health” list. Though not comprehensive, the list goes a long way toward enumerating most of the key aspects of healthful living.
We invite you to allow the list to inspire you to focus on areas you may not have fully incorporated into your lifestyle thus far. Doing so is sure to sweeten and enrich your life’s journey in countless unexpected ways.
The word inspiration comes from the Latin word inspirare, which means “to breathe into” or “to breathe upon.” In ancient Roman times, to inspire came to mean “to breathe deeply,” but it also took on the meaning “to instill [something] into the heart or the mind of someone.” Inspiration was considered the breath of God, and it was perceived as flowing into people, instilling them with new reasons to live.
Read more of this article …
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Yoga has a variety of approaches coordinated with deep breathing that range from relaxing to athletically strenuous. Discover how cross-training with yoga can improve your health and performance, and how other fitness activities will enhance your yoga practice, and inspire your life. Learn nutrition and fitness information, participate in fitness classes, enjoy gourmet 80/10/10 Simply Delicious Cuisine, and meet new friends. What could be better?
Doug-isms
“The difference between goals and wishes is that goals have a plan.”
Get yourself a copy of the Perpetual Health Calendar for more daily lessons/quotes from Dr. Graham.
“It is a course in health that you take one day at a time.”
— Dr. Douglas Graham
Events This Month
Woodstock Fruit Festival, New York
August 18-25, 2011
Raw Food Central, Connecticut
August 26-28, 2011
Did You Know?
...If we are honest with ourselves, there is simply no room for cooked food if we desire a vibrantly healthy existence. It is like any other journey. If you are going down the road that is taking you where you want to go, you will likely continue to follow it. If you find yourself going down a road that will not bring you to your desired destination, of course you will switch roads.
FoodnSport Events This September Include:
Come join the fun and inspire yourself to meet your goals!
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Newsletter credits: Janie Gardener (JungleJanie): editor-in-chief, graphics, layout; DanDann: photography of Doug-ism head shot; Grant Campbell: editing; Laurie Masters: editing; Ama Williams: photography of Dr. Graham eating plantain at Costa Rica Fasting and Feasting; Elan Sunstar: photography of woman jumping and original of header image; Gerald Daly: photography of Thomas Radtke doing yoga at Health and Fitness Week; Luke Sartor: knowledge x perceived need = motivation image.
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