Jun 20, 2010 update by dr. Nick-1
<- Photo taken on	Jun 20, 2010
Journey start date	Apr 1, 2006	Currently at 88.2% of goal
Total loss since start	220.5 lbs	Now has 29.5 lbs left to goal
Since last update	Gained 1.5 lbs
Weight at this update	246.5 lbs
43 of 43
Layover contemplations!		My Picture Progress

Greetings, hugs and happy father's day wishes to all the Health Steward daddies!

I am on a layover in Seattle Washington en route home from an incredible fishing trip in Sitka Alaska.  For the last four days, my brother John, sister Pauline and our family friend Basil were together for a time of a line in the water fellowship.  This was a very emotional journey on many accounts.  First and foremost, it was this week last year that we were scheduled to be here with my late precious father.  Instead of fishing, I spent the week with him in the ICU until he passed away.  Secondly, it was in Sitka nine years ago that one of the most significant events happened during my radical sabbatical journey across the Country.  It was in Sitka that I caught the life changing 103 pound Halibut that had such a monumental impact on my life and perspective.  The attached pic is of me holding a much smaller shark that I caught and released  (the little guy should be thankful that he's not edible)

Overall, life has been dynamic and a bit more hectic than comfie.  I have been blessed with ongoing opportunities to share the Health Steward message with speaking engagements across the country and Mexico.  My consulting work with the county of San Diego has taken on a new sense of relevance with all the radical health care reforms that have been happening at a national level.  We are wrapping up what has been a dynamic and very impactful weekly Health Steward session here in Escondido  (so appreciative of the Stewards who have been providing summaries of our weekly meetings).  I have also been intentional in trying to spend as much time as possible with my wife and daughters given the critical time of the precious little lives and development. 

As for my own Health Steward journey, for the most part things have been going well.  Much of what I had to be intentional with has become a routine.  Its a given that daily physical activity is happening and I still love to combine pleasure and benefit.  I am such a sports geek and so enjoy watching baseball and world cup games that I frequently find myself combining my tv watching with physical exertion.  I have done a couple 3 hour weekend work outs over the last few weeks that I have totally enjoyed.  Surely makes the time fly by having my mind engaged and distracted rather than thinking about "how uncomfortable this is" or "how much time do I have left?"  I will admit that with the stress of my current lifestyle that there has been some occasional late night wasted calories that I still struggle with on occasion.  Its a challenge as I usually have so much email and reading to do late at night when in reality I should be sleeping.  During the day I would much rather take my daughters to the park or the playground and try to minimize my computer time while they are awake and eager for relational attention.
This is my first father's day without my earthly daddy around.  I am so thankful for all he did and invested in me.  As a daddy to two little girls I am seeking to honor his legacy by loving and cherishing them the way he cherished me.  On this father's day I also consider my heavenly father.  My creator.  The generous giver of my precious gift of health.  Being a healthy man is being a loving man.  Being a health steward is a statement of appreciation, honor and love.  God bless you all.

	Posted by fellow HealthSteward Peggy-136 from California on Jun 20, 2010 I loved your update...I loved your dad... I am so glad you were able to get away and relive the moments of catching that BIG fish... You have been missed...and Tuesday night will be a fun evening of celebrating the lives you have encouraged to "take a hold of their health" like me....Tomorrow I hit my 100 miles of swimming...I never thought I could do it!!!! Thank you for all the challenges you have made to help so many open their eyes before their lives are taken from them....You have blessed our socks off!!! Hugs to you...and a BIG thanks again.. Peggy/CA
	Posted by fellow HealthSteward Rob-101 from Wisconsin on Jun 20, 2010  WOW, it's hard to believe it's been a year since your daddy went home to be with Jesus!  How wonderful that you could get back up to Alaska and spend some down time just enjoying the beauty of His creation! I love Alaska and am looking forward to the day when I can take Patty there.  We have family in Fairbanks and it's alway a blast visiting them. I pray that you will continue to know how to find that balance in your life ... I can't even begin to imagine the pressures that must pull at you ... but oh how I respect you for the quality time you are investing in your family!  There's nothing more precious than family.  We had a beautiful day just hanging out at home.  Both Alex and Becca will be in Florida next year so Patty and I will be empty nesters.  We are both back at the gym and working hard to get our health back on track.  I had a nasty relapse that I'm just now coming out of.  I'm back in the pool again and I'm loving it! Our dear friend Brother Ray is back as well and with the Lord's help we are going to make it.  In many ways, I'm thankful for the tough lessons I have learned because I have gained even more compassion for those struggling with obesity. We are celebrating Becca's graduation this coming Saturday and I'm excited to welcome my pops and sister and niece here.  We are so thankful for Becca's continued healing.  Her jaw surgery was a huge success and she's healing up so well.  Will send you some pics. Know that I pray for you often! Thanks for all you do for this community!  You are such a blessing and inspiration to us all!
	Posted by fellow HealthSteward Valerie-238 from Michigan on Jun 20, 2010 Dr. Nick, I consider you, in a lot of ways to be like a father to me in a journey to better health.   You have shown me what I could be and are a living example of what a health steward is all about.  You have supported me and admonished me when I have been bad.  I so remember an email you sent me after I had taken too many liberities on a cruise vacation.  You did not mince words and that is what I needed most, even though it was hard to hear.  So...thank you for taking on this role in my life, even though you may not have wanted it  :o).  I felt accountable and empowered to be better than I was.   I believe that God has placed you in all of the health stewards lives for a reason.  Be blessed as you ministry to us and live a "renewed life" with your family.  Your father is proud of what you have accomplished.  Even though it is hard to be without him, you can rejoice in knowing that he is in heaven with your/his Heavenly Father.  This is truly a great Father's Day. Valerie
	Posted by fellow HealthSteward Cathy-241 from California on Jun 20, 2010 Hey, Boss.. You're not a "sports geek"...  You're a "sports Greek geek".. hahaha.. just kidding. :) I'm so glad you had an opportunity to take the fishing trip with your brother and sister. That is wonderful. Was the captain happy to see you?? :) I think you honor your dad everyday with the level of commitment, passion and dedication you give to your family, and your job. Your family is so lucky to have you.. :) I'm so sad that the HS session is basically over for another season...  I will hope and pray that your schedule will allow for it in the fall.. The problem you have with nightime munchies is the problem I have with mid morning munchies. I have to make sure I'm eating a healthy snack every few hours... And I try very hard (sometimes unsuccessfully, but sometimes with success) to not have bad snacks in my immediate surroundings.... Have a great rest of your Father's Day... You deserve it. :)
	Posted by fellow HealthSteward Theresa-333 from California on Jun 21, 2010 I've been praying you and your family members would have a blessed time there fishing, knowing how much you would be missing your father. This isn't the first Father's Day since my father passed away, but I still found myself missing him today more than usual. Well, it's only been about a year and a half since he passed away. Fathers touch our lives in special ways, like no one else can. Not even mothers. And when we're very fortunate, such as you and many of us are, you have a father who demonstrates the love of our heavenly Father in such a tangible way we are thus able to comprehend Who our heavenly Father is to us. I am blessed to be a child of God, a part of the family of God, and equally blessed to be a part of the Health Steward "family" SEA!! Happy Father's Day to you and yours as well!!
	Posted by fellow HealthSteward Ray-115 from Texas on Jun 21, 2010 What an awesome update! Dr. Nick I only wish I could have known your dad, but I do know this......  your dad was and is so proud of you!  You have helped to change the lives of so many people!  I just somehow see your dad smililing down from his heaven.  Ya know buddy....when I think of that 103 pd Halibut.......I can not help but think of all the people you have helped and continue to help.  It certainly weighs mor than a 103 pd Halibut.   Little did you know at the time.....that over thousands of pounds would be lost because of your one decision.                                  Daddy is proud! Nick.....one of my biggest wishes in life right now is, that I lived in San Diego California.  I am going to make it back to Maintainance and mostly because of you!  You are and will remain my hero! Ray Pastor Ray-115
	Posted by fellow HealthSteward John-331 from California on Jun 21, 2010 Brother Nick, as your father was - so are you. Your girls have a wonderful Daddy and will no doubt reflect the man that you are as they mature under your watchful eye. I included your dad in my prayers yesterday as I thought of special dads and grandfathers lost. Although I never met him, I know you and your love for him. That's enough for me. Thanks again for all you do, I can never say it enough. And thanks for posting, it's a special treat to be able to respond.