Sep. 13, 2010 at 9:43am
Wicked Healthy: The Sean Cooke Chronicles As Americans we have a bipolar response to body mass.  We are directed to explore Xtreme Instant Health via miracle pills, but not to give up our venti-sized, triple-decker meals.  We pander to willowy supermodels and adore organic food…by eating eay too much of it.  We know we should be healthy, but we’ve got a death grip on our silverware.  In short - we know we want to be healthy but we’ve forgotten how to get there.  And the holidays are right around the corner.  Those little chocolate candies will come dancing in the door October 31st - oh, the horror! At TECHEAD, we’re looking forward to Halloween for a different reason. You’ll recall from earlier blog posts that we’re sponsoring a runner in the Blue Moon Wicked 10K, a fund run to assist the homeless children of Hampton Roads.  However, we’ll also get to share in the results of one man’s simple commitment to himself to cut out the whitenoise and be healthy.  Yup - a good old fashioned success story. Our Director of Training, Sean Cooke, will be running in the 10K as the latest step along a path to weight loss and better health.  So far he’s been at it for eight months straight, and has lost over fifty pounds.  Ask what his secret is and you’ll get a shrug and his trademark grin.  “The secret is to keep to keep it current,” says Sean.  “Ask yourself- what am I doing today that will help me reach my goal?”  It’s so simple you’ll wonder if he’s telling the truth. It was back at the start of this year that Sean and his family decided to take action.  Realizing they could save money and live a healthier lifestyle, the Cookes launched phase one:  stop eating sugar.  This led to an eventual decrease in many foods that were just plain unnecessary.  By March 2010, Sean had completely cut sugar out of his diet.  He no longer drinks soda and is not susceptible to the “sugar trap” of Koolaid.  Sean is proud to report that he’s eaten no cake since the last batch of 2009 family birthdays.  Since the initial decision to embark on the weight loss plan, it has been easier to let the sugary foods go.  Sean cautions you to go easy on yourself- don’t punish yourself with unrealistic expectations.  “Gradual change is required to stick with your goal, or else it’s a shock that will make you lose focus.”  This is why, contrary to branded weight loss strategies, Sean didn’t plan a “Before and After” photo to record his transition.  For him, it’s just as easy to live in the future of your idea as it is to dwell on the past.  “Just try to do better today than yesterday,” he says.  “It’s all about pacing yourself.” Keep reading, folks.  With just over a month until the race we’ll be chronicling Sean Cooke’s transition from hearty hellion to Raging Runner.  We’ll also share his strategies for encouraging health consciousness within your family, and how his choice to run for this goal has made a positive impact on everyone he knows.  Next up:  Sean is tearing up the pavement every morning - with his son in tow!  How does he do it!? In the meantime,  cheer on Sean’s work by donating to Team Techead and the Wicked 10K!

Wicked Healthy: The Sean Cooke Chronicles

As Americans we have a bipolar response to body mass.  We are directed to explore Xtreme Instant Health via miracle pills, but not to give up our venti-sized, triple-decker meals.  We pander to willowy supermodels and adore organic food…by eating eay too much of it.  We know we should be healthy, but we’ve got a death grip on our silverware.  In short - we know we want to be healthy but we’ve forgotten how to get there.  And the holidays are right around the corner.  Those little chocolate candies will come dancing in the door October 31st - oh, the horror!

At TECHEAD, we’re looking forward to Halloween for a different reason. You’ll recall from earlier blog posts that we’re sponsoring a runner in the Blue Moon Wicked 10K, a fund run to assist the homeless children of Hampton Roads.  However, we’ll also get to share in the results of one man’s simple commitment to himself to cut out the whitenoise and be healthy.  Yup - a good old fashioned success story.

Our Director of Training, Sean Cooke, will be running in the 10K as the latest step along a path to weight loss and better health.  So far he’s been at it for eight months straight, and has lost over fifty pounds.  Ask what his secret is and you’ll get a shrug and his trademark grin.  “The secret is to keep to keep it current,” says Sean.  “Ask yourself- what am I doing today that will help me reach my goal?”  It’s so simple you’ll wonder if he’s telling the truth.

It was back at the start of this year that Sean and his family decided to take action.  Realizing they could save money and live a healthier lifestyle, the Cookes launched phase one:  stop eating sugar.  This led to an eventual decrease in many foods that were just plain unnecessary.  By March 2010, Sean had completely cut sugar out of his diet.  He no longer drinks soda and is not susceptible to the “sugar trap” of Koolaid.  Sean is proud to report that he’s eaten no cake since the last batch of 2009 family birthdays. 

Since the initial decision to embark on the weight loss plan, it has been easier to let the sugary foods go.  Sean cautions you to go easy on yourself- don’t punish yourself with unrealistic expectations.  “Gradual change is required to stick with your goal, or else it’s a shock that will make you lose focus.”  This is why, contrary to branded weight loss strategies, Sean didn’t plan a “Before and After” photo to record his transition.  For him, it’s just as easy to live in the future of your idea as it is to dwell on the past.  “Just try to do better today than yesterday,” he says.  “It’s all about pacing yourself.”

Keep reading, folks.  With just over a month until the race we’ll be chronicling Sean Cooke’s transition from hearty hellion to Raging Runner.  We’ll also share his strategies for encouraging health consciousness within your family, and how his choice to run for this goal has made a positive impact on everyone he knows.  Next up:  Sean is tearing up the pavement every morning - with his son in tow!  How does he do it!?

In the meantime,  cheer on Sean’s work by donating to Team Techead and the Wicked 10K!