<h3><span style="color: #0000ff;"><strong>PAMPY’S POST - 41.14</strong></span></h3>
<h3><span style="color: #993366;"><strong>THE GUS WORLAND PROJECT PART 2</strong></span></h3>
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Hi Team,

In Part 1, I covered Triple M Grill Team Member Gus Worland’s dec<img class="alignright wp-image-1625 size-medium" src="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/gussy-300x168.jpg" alt="gussy" width="300" height="168" />ision to embark on a life changing journey, climaxing with attempting to complete a once seemingly impossible
challenge – The New York City Marathon. With the encouragement and support from his best mate Hugh Jackman, and importantly his family, he bought into making wholesale, and necessary, improved lifestyle changes.

<strong><span style="color: #993366;">PART 1</span> - http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/ - go to my home page</strong>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

His entire journey is to be featured on Foxtel’s A&amp;E channel – Episode 1/6 Nov 8th – “Gus<a href="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/gus-w.jpg"><img class="alignright wp-image-1628 size-full" src="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/gus-w.jpg" alt="gus w" width="187" height="115" /></a>
Worland Marathon Man”. I’ve been privy to a few snippets, and the production company (Mint Pictures) have nailed it. You won’t be disappointed. Be sure to dial in.

&nbsp;

The race is in 6 days.

Today I will cover his transformation, discuss his race prospects, and offer you his race plan. I will NOT discuss weight loss &amp; body shape changes – I’ll leave that to the BS glossy mags. I’ll also limit info regarding his training schedule and food choices – I’ll save that for the book.

My first meeting with the affable, engaging, and approachable Gus Worland went something like this; listen mate, I don’t want all this to change my personality, I’m the funny fat guy right! I don’t like running as it f^&amp;ken hurts and come to think about it, it really seems like a big waste of time. Mate, I’m a busy, and, well...., quite frankly, a fairly important guy, alright! Oh yeah, and mate, I enjoy the odd beer with the boys, which usually leads to a bit of fast food. Oh, and my best mate is Hugh Jackman.

Right then......

What becomes clear to me early in our journey is that we need to interrupt 30years of <a href="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/gus22.jpg"><img class="alignright wp-image-1634 size-thumbnail" src="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/gus22-150x116.jpg" alt="gus22" width="150" height="116" /></a>reinforced, negative conditioning – particularly when he’s under pressure. He opts, (most of the time sub-consciously) for 1) sub-optimal food choices, and/or 2) bailing on exercise he perceives to be “too hard”. How or why he chooses these two options I don’t really know or care but, I do know if this pattern of negativity continues, we’ve got no chance! NO CHANCE AT ALL!

<strong>He is his CEO – the maker of all his decisions and choices. He is his coach – NOT me.</strong>

I arm Gus with a carefully periodised training plan – with very conservative starting intensity, and a real-food meal plan that meets his energy requirements, lifestyle and taste interests. He agrees to all this. From a distance I simply reinforce routine and the need for process. I repeatedly offer him usable and hopefully convincing info for why real food is, and will always be, his only choice. Under no circumstance do I feel the need to create a new version of Gus. I am simply offering information and motivation for to him to choose healthier lifestyle options - and - with repetition, lay down healthy habits - forever.

<img class="alignright wp-image-1633 size-thumbnail" src="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/GUS3434-150x119.jpg" alt="GUS3434" width="150" height="119" />

<strong>ENTER – PRESSURE</strong>

When exercising, (I’m still unsure about his food choices) I note his self –talk (dialogue between positive Gus and negative Gus) particularly when challenged, (during longer sessions or increases in speed), results an easy WINS for negative Gus. Of course we ALL have this constant internal conversation going on – with about 70% being negative (so they say). When in an endurance event (or pretty much most sports), it is said to escalate to
90% negative. The battle begins. I notice Gus’ brain is seriously guarded against protecting itself – keeping him safe and comfortable beyond all doubt. He believes his discomfort threshold is low (very low) (and I agree). More so, he doesn’t seem to have either conscious or unconscious tools to; 1) dissociate from pain, or 2) the ability to NOT generate pain in the first place.

So here’s what we work on to filter both the internal (and external) negative s^&amp;t talk, and, build his belief so he can 1) tolerate s%^t, and 2) ultimately conquer his goal. Basically prove to him – with an empowering attitude change - he won’t die if he gets close to his perceived limit. I personally don’t see “rev ups” or “pump up flicks” working on changing his beliefs, we need to create long term change, particularly when he’s under pressure, not a one-off max session. Most of its BS!

<em><strong>Here is our practiced list of positive building triggers.</strong></em>

1. We train (and will race) using an exact ratio of 9 minutes of running (to an assessed heart rate ceiling – NOT speed) and 1 minute of walking. The mindset being that he only has to run for 9 minutes, finishing with a well earned rest – something to look forward to. The goal is both realistic and provides regular endorphin rush WINS. Physically, the walk phase lowers his HR, breathing rate, body temperature, (so he momentarily feels good) and allows him to ever briefly absorb MORE and much needed calories and fluids. It’s a reset if you like.

2. He will repeat this ratio during his 2 longer training sessions of 4 hours each. The mindset is - just complete 1 set Gus, now do the same thing, exactly the same thing AGAIN, and again, and again. You would always rather fight the guy who practices 100 kicks once, opposed to the guy who practices 1 kick 100 times. Download the pattern Gussy, so it holds up under pressure.

3. We have determined Gus’ most economical stride pattern (different to mine, but succinctly smooth for Gus). He has reduced impact costs to a minimum. He has 3 repeatable cues. (TALL-RELAX-LIFT) He simply roles out the movie in his mind – featuring HIS most perfect bio-mechanical running form. If he does happen to generate negative self limiting emotions (which he now knows are just illusory), he dials into his personal movie till they pass. When they pass, and running becomes effortless (and they will) he’ll go back to – well – thinking about nothing. Just go with the flow Gussy. I will also cue Gus with tunes. Being a triple M boy – Chisels, Oils, Angels, &amp; Aca-daca are loaded up. Dissociating with tunes definitely helps for MOST people. 4. We’ll let his brain know every 20minutes that sugar/ energy is always close at hand (gels and electrolyte sports drink) – and – will NEVER run out – so all is good Mr Gus Brain (just relax). Gus will start the race with about 2000 calories of stored sugar (glycogen). He’ll have about 250cals in his gut from breakfast pre-race. At his sustainable pace/ intensity, and the type of fuel we will be using, he’ll be able to absorb (only) about 500cals per hour. So all up we’ll have about 4900cals to play with as I figure he’ll be out there about 5.30 hrs. OK, here is his challenge. Given his weight and pace, he’ll chew through about 1000cals per hour, meaning he burns more than he can absorb – yep, the dam is emptying. When his stored glycogen gets down to about 250cals the red alert goes off. Mr Brain kicks into overdrive protective mode – informing Gussy to Slow, Stop, or GIVE UP. Signs like, my ankle is sore, I’ve got a blister, I’m too hot, I’m too cold, I’m thirsty, my legs are killing me, I’m out of breath, or just plain old “I’m fked”!

Well Gussy boy, I make it your tank will be pretty much dry at the (give or take) 39km mark. Hmmmmm, best you go back and download points 1, 2, &amp; 3 once again. You KNOW this allows you to hit your peak performance. Or, if all this doesn’t work.....well.....simply HTFU!

I am not a fan of hunting or craving the outcome. Our primary focus is on repeating and<a href="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/ny2.jpg"><img class="alignright wp-image-1629 size-full" src="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/ny2.jpg" alt="ny2" width="258" height="195" /></a> practicing a simple process. He now enjoys real food without thinking, he feels like crap if he doesn’t exercise, and when running, his focus is on movement patterns not splits. The unnecessary stress of finishing, losing weight, or wearing size 34’s simply happens without conscious effort.

For all this, he is now IN THE GAME (on the field) – and not just on the sideline commentating. Go Gussy!

Our relationship hasn’t been without incident, with much of it being caught on film. At some point in his journey it clicked that he can’t use my legs, can’t buy the medal, can’t win it on an FM station, and the euphoria of achievement only comes from extra-ordinary (but really just ordinary) commitment. But all up, I’m a GW fan. He’s done everything to ensure his every success on race day. Big Apple here we come.

I’ll let you know how he goes – but – I suspect based on what you read above, considering his transformation through preparation, I think you already know the result.

BP

F<strong>eel free to send him well wishes  <span style="color: #00ccff;">Twitter</span> - @GusWorland</strong>