Friday, July 28, 2006

What Motivates U??

"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results." - Benjamin Franklin

What's your motivation? Mine began 2 1/2 years ago when I decided that what I was doing was not getting me where I wanted to be. I wanted to be alive in 10 years, I wanted to see my son (and hopefully daughter) grow up into responsible adults. I wanted my wife to enjoy growing old with her husband. It took 20 or so years for things to finally fit together for me where I was able to receive the motivation I needed to get out of the rut I was in.

Ben was right, doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results is pure insanity. Are you happy in your job? Why not? Pinpoint the reasons why and decide to do something about it. Happy with your life? What do you want to accomplish? Make a list of things you want to accomplish in the next week/month/6 months/year/3 years/5 years. Make goals and strive to achieve them.

Dave Ramsey tells a story of an old farm dog. A city slicker stops by and old farm to ask for directions and notices an old farm dog quietly whimpering while laying on the porch. "Mister, what's wrong with your dog?" to which the farmer replies, "He's laying on a nail." Puzzled the city slicker says, "Well, why doesn't he move?" "It must not hurt enough..."

If we are unhappy in our careers, life, health, whatever, then we need to get out there and do something about it. We've become too accustomed to sit and have this "woe is me" attitude thinking that the lot in life we've been given cannot be changed. Bull crap. We need to get out of that mindset and into the mindset that WE CAN CHANGE WE CAN DO THIS!

How's the list coming? What? Not finished yet? An unknown author once wrote, "Aim at nothing and you are bound to hit it every time..." What the list is going to become is a sort of roadmap for your life with measurable milestones or points on that map (accomplishments). Just as a snowball picks up snow and momentum as it rolls down a mountain, so these accomplishments will hopefully help you continue your momentum to change your life.

It's easy to get bogged down in the day to day hum-drum and rigamarole, mired in the "why me"s and "if only"s. You can change that and this list is one key to doing that. So what are you waiting for? Dream big, but attain reachable goals along the way. Whether it means to smoke less, walk more, whatever it may be, you CAN change your life! It all starts with you.

As some more motivation, I found that I lost another 4.5lbs this morning bringing the total to 229.5lbs in 29 months! If you need some encouragement, shoot me a message, I am just about always around...


Matty (I weighed more than Jared from Subway)
481/251/225
(starting weight/current weight/goal weight)

First mini goal achieved - 104lbs lost 10/26/04
Second mini goal achieved - 137lbs lost 01/28/05
Third mini goal achieved - 183lbs lost 09/30/05
Fourth mini goal achieved - 204lbs total lost 01/30/06
Fifth mini goal - 231lbs total lost by 09/30/06

Friday, July 21, 2006

Golf...

"Golf combines two favorite American pastimes: taking long walks and hitting things with a stick." - P.J. O'Rourke


This week a friend of mine took me to the golf course for a little driving and possibly 9 holes. Never been golfing before in my life (at least in reality, I own Outlaw Golf, Outlaw Golf 2, and the 2 expansion packs for Xbox) and had come across some old golf clubs that someone was going to toss out. Everyone in my church seems to golf and I thought if I got into it I might make some friends. Not looking for pity, but I really don't have any male friends that I go out and do things with. Dave and I had talked about going and thankfully he kept asking me to go and time became available.

I can say that I need a lot of practice. But Dave said I did fairly well for my first time. I was excited when I hit one ball 150 yards! It's a lot harder than it looks and you can find yourself overthinking which can ruin a good shot. I find that happens in my weightloss journey as well. Sometimes I overthink what we are having for dinner and will go overboard. Or going out to the grocery store with a list in hand and end up going over in the food budget because I overthought and didn't stick to the plan.

Life is a journey and sometimes you just need to let go and allow the ebb and flow of life take over. That's how I was able to hit that 150 yarder. I began to overthink after that and could not hit another one past 100 yards (many ended up as 'worm-burners', as Dave called them).

"My handicap? Woods and irons." - Chris Codiroli


Matty

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

The Storms of Life...

"You can overcome anything if you don't bellyache." - Bernard M. Baruch

Last night we had a major storm that hit the area. I woke up to go out jogging (as a part of my daily routine) and saw firsthand the aftermath. Lightning had struck one of our pine trees and cut it almost completely in half. I was dark out yet so I really couldn't see what other damage was done. What I did see around the neighborhood was tree branches and other debris littered the streets, sidewalks, & yards.

When light broke through the darkness I could better assess the situation. Dead limbs, twisted branches, and other miscellaneous debris littered both my yard and the neighbor's. It took all my strength to take the pine tree to the road. Spent time clearing the yard and getting all the dead stuff out to the street for the city to pick up, all the while thinking about this:

Like the storm that came through last night, sometimes we need the storms that enter our lives to shake us up, breaking free the dead wood so that we can clean it up and discard it. From medical emergencies to car breakdowns or financial woes, when the storms of life come we need to thank the Lord for them. Because through them we will learn what true faith is - where our hearts truly lie. If we fret and worry then we do not fully trust the One who created us. But if we are patient and thank Him for these trials and ask for the strength and wisdom to overcome these obstacles, we will grow and mature.
Sure it's easy to automatically go into panic mode and a 'woe is me' attitude. You have a choice - you can allow the storms to victimize you or you can stand up in faith and learn from the situation. The choice is yours to make.

"If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it." - Mary Engelbreit

Matty

Sunday, July 16, 2006

Honesty, pt. 2

"Truth is such a rare thing, it is delightful to tell it." - Emily Dickinson

On Friday I was all set to take the van in for a transmission fluid change. Had a coupon and let the guy know when I made the appointment on Monday that I had it. They had me in their system and knew all the particulars about my vehicle beforehand.

Anyway, I get there, drop of the keys and sit down with my book in preparation for the hour or so it was going to take. The guy that owns the place took my keys and verified the information on the van. Then he says, "Did you get a quote for the cost?" to which I replied, "Yes, I have a coupon."
"I'm sorry, that coupon isn't valid for your vehicle. The transmission fluid is a special type and a bit more expensive. The cost for your vehicle is $103." I took the keys and told him that I was prepared to pay the $50, but not $103.

I'm not so sure he was being totally honest when I left. I thought about it afterwards and remembered that they did the fluid service the last time I needed it done and they accepted the coupon without hassle. This was a couple of years ago, but I don't think my van all of a sudden needs a more expensive type of transmission fluid.

I was thankful that they did not start work on it and then tell me this. But if they had, I would have politely demanded they honor the coupon because when I made the appointment with them on Monday, the guy should have known the coupon was not valid on my van nor did the coupon say 'not valid on all vehicles'.

When it comes to our food diaries, we need to be honest as well. Include all food and drink calories, "cooking calories"(sneaking bites or 'tasting' to see if the food is done) "kiddie calories"(those leftover fries or chips on the kids' plates) or "convenience calories" (the morning cappucino or quick drink from the 7-11). I have been guilty of all of the above lately and it is starting to become habit. Today is a new day and time to step up to the plate.

Each new day brings us a clean slate to start over again. Use that opportunity.

"Always tell the truth. If you can't always tell the truth, don't lie." - Author Unknown

Matty

Sunday, July 09, 2006

Summer...

"Do what we can, summer will have its flies." - Ralph Waldo Emerson



I think summer is a magical time of year. Fresh produce at farmer's markets, people out and about enjoying the sunshine, just a time where laziness finds honor and nobility.

It's harder as well to keep up with the exercise program as the heat and humidity seem to sap my energy and strength. But I press on through the sweat and fatigue. I need to continue the struggle and overcome these lazy tendencies.

Had a wonderful time with my wife's family on the 4th of July. I was able to keep up with my son and nephews, doing cannonballs, climbing and swinging, just having a grand old time. They kept commenting how much weight I've lost - we don't see eachother so often so they can see a difference.

I sent out the first batch of letters to local organizations offering speaking engagements. I pray that I receive some sort of response. I really feel that this is my calling - talking to people about weightloss and inspiring them to change their lives for the better. Time will tell...

Keep pressing on, the journey is long and hard but it is worth it.


"Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it." - Russel Baker


Matty