I read an article the other day that talks about 8 different toxic personalities and why to avoid them. I identified several of these types of personalities in friends and acquaintances that I think are contributing to keeping me from my full potential. Here's the article, tell me which personalities can you see in the people you associate with:
8 Toxic Personalities To Avoid
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Friday, June 05, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
It works if you work it...
I was thinking about that today. I joined an online think-tank type website that is a pool of people that gather together to share ideas and ask questions. I thought it might help me with developing some sort of product, service, or inspire some writing ideas to help get my little company (413 Fitness Concepts) off the ground. But I haven't had any success with it. I get emails from the group from time to time but really haven't reached my expectations from the group. But then it hit me - I haven't been an active participant. If I expect to get something out of the group, I need to expect to jump in and use the resources of the group.
On the subject of 'working a program', I've gotten a bit off track with my weightloss recently. For one reason or another I just haven't felt all that motivated. I have been keeping up with my morning exercise and afternoon walks but haven't gone for a run in about a week. I am thankful that I have kept up with some exercise but haven't keep a food diary for at least a month. I got a new food scale for my birthday but have yet to use it. And yet I am afraid to get on the scale tomorrow for my weekly weigh-in knowing that I've been off-track. The number tomorrow shouldn't be a surprise, I haven't been working my personal program so how can I expect a weightloss?
Bren told me a couple of weeks ago about an aquaintance that had bragged about being in this month's issue of Reader's Digest because of her weightloss. She had been (still is) on one of those medical 'milkshake' diet programs and had lost 100 or so pounds. The way it was portrayed to Bren was that this person was going to have a story in the magazine. Bren thought, "Geez, my husband lost over 200lbs on his own without some special diet. He should be the one getting a story in RD!" Well, Bren got her hands on a copy of RD and found not a story but rather a 1-page advert for the diet program with her picture featured.
Why bring this up? Well, for one I have decided that one of my goals is to get a story in RD on my weightloss accomplishment and for second she was on a program and worked it. Using the tools and following the guidelines she met her goal. It works if you work it...
Where does that leave me? Well, it leaves me with the choice - the choice to get back up and dust myself off or continue to wallow. I choose to get back up.A side note - I got the story on Kirstie Alley and how she packed the pounds back on. Apparently when her contract ended with Nutri-System, she fell back into her old eating habits. That particular program doesn't deal with behavior-modification I guess...
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
On the subject of 'working a program', I've gotten a bit off track with my weightloss recently. For one reason or another I just haven't felt all that motivated. I have been keeping up with my morning exercise and afternoon walks but haven't gone for a run in about a week. I am thankful that I have kept up with some exercise but haven't keep a food diary for at least a month. I got a new food scale for my birthday but have yet to use it. And yet I am afraid to get on the scale tomorrow for my weekly weigh-in knowing that I've been off-track. The number tomorrow shouldn't be a surprise, I haven't been working my personal program so how can I expect a weightloss?
Bren told me a couple of weeks ago about an aquaintance that had bragged about being in this month's issue of Reader's Digest because of her weightloss. She had been (still is) on one of those medical 'milkshake' diet programs and had lost 100 or so pounds. The way it was portrayed to Bren was that this person was going to have a story in the magazine. Bren thought, "Geez, my husband lost over 200lbs on his own without some special diet. He should be the one getting a story in RD!" Well, Bren got her hands on a copy of RD and found not a story but rather a 1-page advert for the diet program with her picture featured.
Why bring this up? Well, for one I have decided that one of my goals is to get a story in RD on my weightloss accomplishment and for second she was on a program and worked it. Using the tools and following the guidelines she met her goal. It works if you work it...
Where does that leave me? Well, it leaves me with the choice - the choice to get back up and dust myself off or continue to wallow. I choose to get back up.A side note - I got the story on Kirstie Alley and how she packed the pounds back on. Apparently when her contract ended with Nutri-System, she fell back into her old eating habits. That particular program doesn't deal with behavior-modification I guess...
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Consequences...
Having to deal with some consequences of an insured already this morning. From time to time insurance companies run what are called in the industry UDI reports - Undisclosed Driver Information. We as agents can do the same thing, the reports are generated from the Secretary of State's database of registered vehicles and drivers in the state of Michigan.
I can type in an address and it will give me all of the vehicles and drivers listed at that particular address. This is helpful when people can't give me their spouse's drivers license or don't have access to their vehicle's VIN (for quoting purposes).
Anyway, one of our insurance companies has been running UDIs for the past week and coming up with drivers not rated on auto policies. It's up to us as agents to contact the insured to find out if the person is a member of the household and has coverage elsewhere. It's up to the insured to provide the information as far as other residency or other coverage. Most of these cases have been children that have gotten licenses but the parents "forgot" to call the agency to add them to the policy. This happens often when insureds are trying to save a buck.
One particular UDI I got today was a WOW moment. Can't give details, but parents will not be happy with the insurance premium if they cannot prove other residency or coverage elsewhere. It's THAT bad...
Consequences for our actions. My wife and I are constantly trying to instill this in our son. Don't clean your room = no Xbox 360 for a week. Spend all your money at the dollar store = no money for garage sales on Saturday. I myself am still learning the concept of consequences, don't exercise & overeat your daily calories = weight gain. Wait until the last minute to mow the lawn = a super-heavy overfilled yard waste dumpster. Listen to crap in the morning = poor attitude all day.
Sooner or later our actions will catch up to us with the consequences. Some may not be immediate, they may appear over time - but make no mistake, the consequences of our actions will come.
Like my wife and I ask Javan almost daily - "Are you going to make the right choice today?"
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
I can type in an address and it will give me all of the vehicles and drivers listed at that particular address. This is helpful when people can't give me their spouse's drivers license or don't have access to their vehicle's VIN (for quoting purposes).
Anyway, one of our insurance companies has been running UDIs for the past week and coming up with drivers not rated on auto policies. It's up to us as agents to contact the insured to find out if the person is a member of the household and has coverage elsewhere. It's up to the insured to provide the information as far as other residency or other coverage. Most of these cases have been children that have gotten licenses but the parents "forgot" to call the agency to add them to the policy. This happens often when insureds are trying to save a buck.
One particular UDI I got today was a WOW moment. Can't give details, but parents will not be happy with the insurance premium if they cannot prove other residency or coverage elsewhere. It's THAT bad...
Consequences for our actions. My wife and I are constantly trying to instill this in our son. Don't clean your room = no Xbox 360 for a week. Spend all your money at the dollar store = no money for garage sales on Saturday. I myself am still learning the concept of consequences, don't exercise & overeat your daily calories = weight gain. Wait until the last minute to mow the lawn = a super-heavy overfilled yard waste dumpster. Listen to crap in the morning = poor attitude all day.
Sooner or later our actions will catch up to us with the consequences. Some may not be immediate, they may appear over time - but make no mistake, the consequences of our actions will come.
Like my wife and I ask Javan almost daily - "Are you going to make the right choice today?"
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Friday, May 15, 2009
What's Your Trigger??
There are different triggers for different people that cause them to run to food for comfort. There are a few big ones that I have dealt with (and still continue to struggle with):
Stress – Although I am getting better, I deal rather poorly with stress. I used to delve into food as a lifesaver from the “drowning” feeling I sometimes get when feeling pressured or stressed out. At the time, a family-size deluxe nachos with extra salsa & sour cream made the pressure seem to float away with the lofty aroma of the seasoned beef & cheese, but ultimately it only made things worse. Thus the cycle would roll into another trigger: guilt.
Guilt – another trigger that many people deal with, guilt can be just as bad as stress. Whether the guilt is deserved or a “phantom’ guilt, either one can be dangerous to your journey.
Emotions – If you are a very emotional person, this one will get you every time. I always seem to eat when I am in a poor mood. Eating out of disappointment, sadness, loneliness, if my spirits are low I thought that food could lift me above the mire and out into the sunshine of happiness. Honestly I have never heard of someone bingeing because they were happy; bingeing seems to occur when bad things happen to us.
Boredom – We all seem to fall into this trigger from time to time. Flipping through the channels with a bag of chips or popcorn, staring blankly into the refrigerator, nibbling on munchies at work in the lulls of the afternoon.
Habit – Buffalo wings at the bowling alley, that extra piece of cake at the wedding reception, 3 trips to the Chinese buffet, I’m sure you can think of other social situations where your unconscious habits tend to be on “auto-pilot”.
In all of these situations you need to take a step back and make some conscious choices. You need to rationally think and pray about these and other potential over-eating triggers. If you tend to over-eat at a buffet, then in the beginning of your journey you need to avoid going to a buffet restaurant and stick with a take-out or sit-down restaurant until you feel comfortable in your walk to venture into those types of places.
If stress is your downfall, then prayer and relaxation needs to be your alternative to food. Listen to a nature sounds CD, go for a brisk walk and praise God for the work He is doing in your life. Talk it out; rationalize whether or not this stress is real or misplaced. Sometimes we stress about things that we either have no control over or are not responsible for.
Emotional eating is a difficult (but not impossible) trigger to avoid. With your support system in place, you will have that as a substitute for the “comfort” foods you used to run to. Don’t leave feelings bottled up inside, talk to your pastor, friend, or find a counselor to help you through what ever you are experiencing. Don’t forget to include the ultimate counselor, Jesus Christ, whenever you feel down, depressed, or disappointed.
Bad habits take time to break; the apparent “rule” is that it takes 21 days for something to become a habit. So it will take 21 days of trial and error to break yourself of your old habits and form new ones.
Boredom can be combated with things like a new hobby, reading a book, listening to an inspirational CD, fill that empty void with something that will improve and enrich your life.
I myself still struggle with many of these triggers, but I am getting better everyday. Keep your eye on the prize to a healthier, happier you and the pull of these triggers will lessen. They may never go away but their strength will be diminished if you actively pursue alternative solutions to beat them.
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Stress – Although I am getting better, I deal rather poorly with stress. I used to delve into food as a lifesaver from the “drowning” feeling I sometimes get when feeling pressured or stressed out. At the time, a family-size deluxe nachos with extra salsa & sour cream made the pressure seem to float away with the lofty aroma of the seasoned beef & cheese, but ultimately it only made things worse. Thus the cycle would roll into another trigger: guilt.
Guilt – another trigger that many people deal with, guilt can be just as bad as stress. Whether the guilt is deserved or a “phantom’ guilt, either one can be dangerous to your journey.
Emotions – If you are a very emotional person, this one will get you every time. I always seem to eat when I am in a poor mood. Eating out of disappointment, sadness, loneliness, if my spirits are low I thought that food could lift me above the mire and out into the sunshine of happiness. Honestly I have never heard of someone bingeing because they were happy; bingeing seems to occur when bad things happen to us.
Boredom – We all seem to fall into this trigger from time to time. Flipping through the channels with a bag of chips or popcorn, staring blankly into the refrigerator, nibbling on munchies at work in the lulls of the afternoon.
Habit – Buffalo wings at the bowling alley, that extra piece of cake at the wedding reception, 3 trips to the Chinese buffet, I’m sure you can think of other social situations where your unconscious habits tend to be on “auto-pilot”.
In all of these situations you need to take a step back and make some conscious choices. You need to rationally think and pray about these and other potential over-eating triggers. If you tend to over-eat at a buffet, then in the beginning of your journey you need to avoid going to a buffet restaurant and stick with a take-out or sit-down restaurant until you feel comfortable in your walk to venture into those types of places.
If stress is your downfall, then prayer and relaxation needs to be your alternative to food. Listen to a nature sounds CD, go for a brisk walk and praise God for the work He is doing in your life. Talk it out; rationalize whether or not this stress is real or misplaced. Sometimes we stress about things that we either have no control over or are not responsible for.
Emotional eating is a difficult (but not impossible) trigger to avoid. With your support system in place, you will have that as a substitute for the “comfort” foods you used to run to. Don’t leave feelings bottled up inside, talk to your pastor, friend, or find a counselor to help you through what ever you are experiencing. Don’t forget to include the ultimate counselor, Jesus Christ, whenever you feel down, depressed, or disappointed.
Bad habits take time to break; the apparent “rule” is that it takes 21 days for something to become a habit. So it will take 21 days of trial and error to break yourself of your old habits and form new ones.
Boredom can be combated with things like a new hobby, reading a book, listening to an inspirational CD, fill that empty void with something that will improve and enrich your life.
I myself still struggle with many of these triggers, but I am getting better everyday. Keep your eye on the prize to a healthier, happier you and the pull of these triggers will lessen. They may never go away but their strength will be diminished if you actively pursue alternative solutions to beat them.
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Tulip Time Run Results...
Bib #419
Name Matthew Vanderplow
Residence Location Zeeland MI
Sex M
Age Division 35-39
Current Age 35
Chip Time 43:16
Clock Time 43:16
Overall Place 427th
Sex Place 270th
Age Division Place 18th
Global Division Place 30.4%
Soooooo, what does all that mean?
- I didn't place last overall (485 contestants, I passed at least 12 people including 2 teenage girls, 2 teenage guys, and a plethora of kids)
- I didn't place last for the men (303 male contestants, although a lot of the "men" were kids from some youth group that decided to try the 5k instead of the kid's fun run)
- I didn't place last in my division (20 males, 35-39 age division, even I was shocked)
- I placed in the 30.4% of other 35-39 males that completed a 5k race in the same timeframe around the globe (anything over 60%, or a time of 22 minutes would place me in the normal class for my age group)
There was 1 first in there, I wasn't last for my age division. All this on a bum ankle... Well, onto the next race!
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Name Matthew Vanderplow
Residence Location Zeeland MI
Sex M
Age Division 35-39
Current Age 35
Chip Time 43:16
Clock Time 43:16
Overall Place 427th
Sex Place 270th
Age Division Place 18th
Global Division Place 30.4%
Soooooo, what does all that mean?
- I didn't place last overall (485 contestants, I passed at least 12 people including 2 teenage girls, 2 teenage guys, and a plethora of kids)
- I didn't place last for the men (303 male contestants, although a lot of the "men" were kids from some youth group that decided to try the 5k instead of the kid's fun run)
- I didn't place last in my division (20 males, 35-39 age division, even I was shocked)
- I placed in the 30.4% of other 35-39 males that completed a 5k race in the same timeframe around the globe (anything over 60%, or a time of 22 minutes would place me in the normal class for my age group)
There was 1 first in there, I wasn't last for my age division. All this on a bum ankle... Well, onto the next race!
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Entitlement...
I read an article the other day and shared it on my podcast, 'The Fattening of America" about airlines beginning to charge overweight passengers more for passage on their planes. They reason that if you cannot fit into one seat, you should be required to purchase the additional seat you will be occupying.
Now I can see some backlash coming down the pipe with this arrangement. Some lawyer could create a class-action suit claiming discrimination on the airline's behalf by making obese people (the poor people that cannot stop themselves from being obese) pay more for their flights. As if they have entitlement to not having to pay more.
Hey, 5 years ago I would have had to pay extra for a seat on an aircraft and probably wouldn't have made a stink about it. It's embarrassing enough to have to ask for an additional seat plus a seatbelt extender. It was my own fault I became obese and being "soft" on me is no way to help me make better choices but rather it would only allow me to wallow in my obesity.
Maybe I'm rambling, but we all have choices to make. Sometimes we make the right choices and other times we do not. We need to pay for the consequences of those choices regardless. If that means paying more for health insurance or an airline ticket - so be it. Maybe by hitting people where it hurts most - the pocketbook - we could begin a trend of people making healthier choices in their lives and reduce our nation's obesity ranks.
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Now I can see some backlash coming down the pipe with this arrangement. Some lawyer could create a class-action suit claiming discrimination on the airline's behalf by making obese people (the poor people that cannot stop themselves from being obese) pay more for their flights. As if they have entitlement to not having to pay more.
Hey, 5 years ago I would have had to pay extra for a seat on an aircraft and probably wouldn't have made a stink about it. It's embarrassing enough to have to ask for an additional seat plus a seatbelt extender. It was my own fault I became obese and being "soft" on me is no way to help me make better choices but rather it would only allow me to wallow in my obesity.
Maybe I'm rambling, but we all have choices to make. Sometimes we make the right choices and other times we do not. We need to pay for the consequences of those choices regardless. If that means paying more for health insurance or an airline ticket - so be it. Maybe by hitting people where it hurts most - the pocketbook - we could begin a trend of people making healthier choices in their lives and reduce our nation's obesity ranks.
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
My race results...
Bib #138
Name Matthew Vanderplow
Residence Location Zeeland MI
Sex M
Age Division 35-39
Current Age 35
Chip Time 41:35
Clock Time 41:48
Overall Place 74th
Sex Place 37
Age Division Place 5
Global Division Place 31.7%
Soooooo, what does all that mean?
- I didn't place last overall (79 contestants, I passed 4 people including 2 teenage girls)
- I didn't place last for the men (38 male contestants, I passed an older gentleman that really tried hard)
- I did place last in my division (5 males, 35-39 age division, I was twice the time of another 35yr old)
- I placed in the 31.7% of other 35-39 males that completed a 5k race in the same timeframe around the globe (anything over 60%, or a time of 22 minutes would place me in the normal class for my age group)
ANDDDDDDDDD, according to the computer chip I was 6 minutes and 12 seconds FASTER than my first 5k race time. This is a HUGE deal to me, my hard work is starting to pay off. I am beginning to see results both on the scale and with my endurance. Wished I had some of my friends there to celebrate with, today was definitely a day to celebrate...
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Name Matthew Vanderplow
Residence Location Zeeland MI
Sex M
Age Division 35-39
Current Age 35
Chip Time 41:35
Clock Time 41:48
Overall Place 74th
Sex Place 37
Age Division Place 5
Global Division Place 31.7%
Soooooo, what does all that mean?
- I didn't place last overall (79 contestants, I passed 4 people including 2 teenage girls)
- I didn't place last for the men (38 male contestants, I passed an older gentleman that really tried hard)
- I did place last in my division (5 males, 35-39 age division, I was twice the time of another 35yr old)
- I placed in the 31.7% of other 35-39 males that completed a 5k race in the same timeframe around the globe (anything over 60%, or a time of 22 minutes would place me in the normal class for my age group)
ANDDDDDDDDD, according to the computer chip I was 6 minutes and 12 seconds FASTER than my first 5k race time. This is a HUGE deal to me, my hard work is starting to pay off. I am beginning to see results both on the scale and with my endurance. Wished I had some of my friends there to celebrate with, today was definitely a day to celebrate...
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Life in general...
I recall a quote that I read once from a soldier that returned from duty in Iraq, "Every day above ground is a good day..."
How often do we wake in the morning and set ourselves up for failure? Wake up late, hurry and get dressed, complain about traffic, get to work on time (barely), sit and stew for 8 hours, go home and talk about how sh*tty a day it was.
The old computer axiom is still valid today - "garbage in/garbage out". It's what we set our minds on that determines our day.
So tell me, what are you setting your mind on today? Another day of failure? Another day of regret?
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
How often do we wake in the morning and set ourselves up for failure? Wake up late, hurry and get dressed, complain about traffic, get to work on time (barely), sit and stew for 8 hours, go home and talk about how sh*tty a day it was.
The old computer axiom is still valid today - "garbage in/garbage out". It's what we set our minds on that determines our day.
So tell me, what are you setting your mind on today? Another day of failure? Another day of regret?
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Friday, April 03, 2009
Lose, Fatboy, Lose Update - March 2009
Got up in a bad mood this morning. Bren had gotten up with Logan @ 1am and here it was 4am and he was up again. After trying to calm him down in our bed I decided to just take him with me into the living room so that Bren could get some more sleep before getting up for work. I really wanted to run this morning but with Logan being as clingy as he was, I would have to skip running today.
Logan was still fussy and when he finally fell asleep I tried to put him in his bed, but he awoke the minute I laid him down and started wailing all over again. Had to skip exercise because by the time he was in a deep enough sleep, it was time to get ready for work. I grumbled and groaned as I got on the scale and saw the 314lb number, blaming Logan for not allowing me to exercise or run that morning to provide a more accurate reading (I always weigh in after my morning exercise and before I get dressed). But that was the wrong attitude, he's teething and can't help waking up in pain and needing comfort. So I missed running this morning - it was rainy & cold, I can make up for it tomorrow. The exercise can be done tonight when I get home from work, will be good to shake off the sluggishness I feel after sitting in an office chair for 8 hours a day.
I'll weigh in soon to get a more accurate reading, no biggie.
But it's always been more than numbers on a scale to me. Sometimes I think that shows like "The Biggest Loser" are counter-productive by instilling the impression that losing only 2 or 3 pounds a week is not a good thing. The safest weight loss has always been 1-2lbs a week, and that is for long-term weightloss (keeping it off).
Looking to my right I see the application for the next 5k race coming up. I was on the fence on whether or not to compete, but the more I think about it the more I have the desire to do it. On March 16 I competed in my first 5k race in over a year. 47:47 was my time, a time that I am damn proud of. Proud because of 2 things - I completed the race and I never stopped running. Others may have beaten my time even with stopping to fast-walk, but I never quit. It's the same with my weightloss journey - I WILL NEVER QUIT. A big thanks to those that supported me at the finish line - Bren, Javan, Logan, Nick, & Gary (sorry you had the time mixed up, I know you were there in spirit!). I'll post event details for the next race, hopefully I can have an even bigger crowd this time around!
I'm only one week away from completing my first intervals series from Podrunner.com, thanks to the program I am able to run for 30min non-stop which is a HUGE accomplishment for me. I've had to forgo working out at the aquatic center because of the limitations of their treadmills, which now with the better weather ahead I am not lamenting one bit about doing the workouts on the road.
Sitting here listening to "Brian Wilson" by Barenaked Ladies and thinking about the line in the song, "Lyin' in bed, just like Brian Wilson did..." I don't know the whole story behind the line but am familiar that the former Beach Boy spent an entire year in bed battling mental illness and depression. He gained a lot of weight during that time as if he just gave up on life and found comfort in the most basest of needs. Truth be told, I've thought about giving up. Having trouble staying on task, not seeing the scale needle move in the direction I want it to go, seeing others succeeding at their endeavors - the excuses seem to keep piling up.
But the reasons outweigh the excuses. I have people looking up to me, I have a wife and 2 sons that look up to me, I have an innate desire to inspire, encourage, & help people. I have mission to fulfill. I am realizing that more and more as I write blogs, as I produce podcasts & videos, as I look at those around me and see the need.
Take care, my friends and supporters. Think of me in the coming weeks as I take a hard look at my exercise routine to increase my strength and endurance.
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
PS - Anyone have a lead on used bikes (less than $50)? Unfortunately my Walmart cruiser will need to be retired (costs more to fix than it's worth)...
Logan was still fussy and when he finally fell asleep I tried to put him in his bed, but he awoke the minute I laid him down and started wailing all over again. Had to skip exercise because by the time he was in a deep enough sleep, it was time to get ready for work. I grumbled and groaned as I got on the scale and saw the 314lb number, blaming Logan for not allowing me to exercise or run that morning to provide a more accurate reading (I always weigh in after my morning exercise and before I get dressed). But that was the wrong attitude, he's teething and can't help waking up in pain and needing comfort. So I missed running this morning - it was rainy & cold, I can make up for it tomorrow. The exercise can be done tonight when I get home from work, will be good to shake off the sluggishness I feel after sitting in an office chair for 8 hours a day.
I'll weigh in soon to get a more accurate reading, no biggie.
But it's always been more than numbers on a scale to me. Sometimes I think that shows like "The Biggest Loser" are counter-productive by instilling the impression that losing only 2 or 3 pounds a week is not a good thing. The safest weight loss has always been 1-2lbs a week, and that is for long-term weightloss (keeping it off).
Looking to my right I see the application for the next 5k race coming up. I was on the fence on whether or not to compete, but the more I think about it the more I have the desire to do it. On March 16 I competed in my first 5k race in over a year. 47:47 was my time, a time that I am damn proud of. Proud because of 2 things - I completed the race and I never stopped running. Others may have beaten my time even with stopping to fast-walk, but I never quit. It's the same with my weightloss journey - I WILL NEVER QUIT. A big thanks to those that supported me at the finish line - Bren, Javan, Logan, Nick, & Gary (sorry you had the time mixed up, I know you were there in spirit!). I'll post event details for the next race, hopefully I can have an even bigger crowd this time around!
I'm only one week away from completing my first intervals series from Podrunner.com, thanks to the program I am able to run for 30min non-stop which is a HUGE accomplishment for me. I've had to forgo working out at the aquatic center because of the limitations of their treadmills, which now with the better weather ahead I am not lamenting one bit about doing the workouts on the road.
Sitting here listening to "Brian Wilson" by Barenaked Ladies and thinking about the line in the song, "Lyin' in bed, just like Brian Wilson did..." I don't know the whole story behind the line but am familiar that the former Beach Boy spent an entire year in bed battling mental illness and depression. He gained a lot of weight during that time as if he just gave up on life and found comfort in the most basest of needs. Truth be told, I've thought about giving up. Having trouble staying on task, not seeing the scale needle move in the direction I want it to go, seeing others succeeding at their endeavors - the excuses seem to keep piling up.
But the reasons outweigh the excuses. I have people looking up to me, I have a wife and 2 sons that look up to me, I have an innate desire to inspire, encourage, & help people. I have mission to fulfill. I am realizing that more and more as I write blogs, as I produce podcasts & videos, as I look at those around me and see the need.
Take care, my friends and supporters. Think of me in the coming weeks as I take a hard look at my exercise routine to increase my strength and endurance.
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
PS - Anyone have a lead on used bikes (less than $50)? Unfortunately my Walmart cruiser will need to be retired (costs more to fix than it's worth)...
Friday, March 27, 2009
Getting ahead...
I've been afraid of getting ahead. Sabotaging my successes to avoid moving to a different level, thinking I was undeserving of such. I listened to a podcast the other day that drove that point home for me.
Dan Miller on a recent podcast mentioned having a rather famous sports "bad boy" moving into his neighborhood. It wasn't until this person moved in that Dan had ever seen police out in his neck of the woods. He mentioned many other highly-paid sports figures that tended to get into trouble and end up in jail or in court. He said they were subconsciously sabotaging their success because they themselves didn't believe they were worth what they have been paid. By getting into trouble they are sending a message to their coaches and team owners of "Hey, I know I'm not worth it and you know I'm not worth it..."
For years I've lived with a low self-esteem and negative self-worth. Once I began to lose weight and started to get noticed by the media and others is when things started breaking down for me. I am ill-equipped to handle success because I somehow feel undeserving of it. Years of broken dreams, broken hearts, and ridicule had resigned me to a life of "just getting to tomorrow".
I am thankful that I realize the problem and am beginning to put together a plan to eradicate those feelings and replace them with a "can-do" attitude.
Feeling like you're not worth it? Guess what? No matter what others say, situations you're in, you ARE worth it! Today is your day!
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Dan Miller on a recent podcast mentioned having a rather famous sports "bad boy" moving into his neighborhood. It wasn't until this person moved in that Dan had ever seen police out in his neck of the woods. He mentioned many other highly-paid sports figures that tended to get into trouble and end up in jail or in court. He said they were subconsciously sabotaging their success because they themselves didn't believe they were worth what they have been paid. By getting into trouble they are sending a message to their coaches and team owners of "Hey, I know I'm not worth it and you know I'm not worth it..."
For years I've lived with a low self-esteem and negative self-worth. Once I began to lose weight and started to get noticed by the media and others is when things started breaking down for me. I am ill-equipped to handle success because I somehow feel undeserving of it. Years of broken dreams, broken hearts, and ridicule had resigned me to a life of "just getting to tomorrow".
I am thankful that I realize the problem and am beginning to put together a plan to eradicate those feelings and replace them with a "can-do" attitude.
Feeling like you're not worth it? Guess what? No matter what others say, situations you're in, you ARE worth it! Today is your day!
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Being Bold...
"Put a grain of boldness into everything you do." - Baltasar Gracian
There comes a time when we need to be bold in our lives. A time when we need to say to ourselves that enough is enough and its time to take a stand. Will 2009 be the time when you finally stand up and be bold?
"Freedom lies in being bold." - Robert Frost
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
There comes a time when we need to be bold in our lives. A time when we need to say to ourselves that enough is enough and its time to take a stand. Will 2009 be the time when you finally stand up and be bold?
"Freedom lies in being bold." - Robert Frost
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Friday, December 19, 2008
Getting Lost...
"Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves." - Henry David Thoreau
Ever get lost while driving? Unfamiliar roads, towns, bypasses. Sometimes I like to get lost, because then you tend to see things that you may have not seen before or maybe experience something that you may never get to experience.
When my wife and I were dating, we would go on day trips, just pick a direction and go. We visited wineries, old country stores, even checked out a little drive-in diner that was way-y-y-y-y-y out there. Discovering, learning, growing.
Sometimes you need to just get lost...
"There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered." - Nelson Mandela
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Ever get lost while driving? Unfamiliar roads, towns, bypasses. Sometimes I like to get lost, because then you tend to see things that you may have not seen before or maybe experience something that you may never get to experience.
When my wife and I were dating, we would go on day trips, just pick a direction and go. We visited wineries, old country stores, even checked out a little drive-in diner that was way-y-y-y-y-y out there. Discovering, learning, growing.
Sometimes you need to just get lost...
"There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered." - Nelson Mandela
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Goals...
"Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal." - Henry Ford
So 2008 is coming to a close. Time to start looking at goals for 2009. Will it be a better year? What to you want to accomplish this next year that will bring you to a new level?
Some of my personal goals:
- run 5mi 3 times a week
- learn the guitar
- learn spanish
- speak to at least 3 groups a quarter
- lose these last 80lbs
Write down your goals, commit them to paper. Goals not written down are just wishes...
"If you don't know where you are going, you will probably end up somewhere else." - Lawrence J. Peter
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
So 2008 is coming to a close. Time to start looking at goals for 2009. Will it be a better year? What to you want to accomplish this next year that will bring you to a new level?
Some of my personal goals:
- run 5mi 3 times a week
- learn the guitar
- learn spanish
- speak to at least 3 groups a quarter
- lose these last 80lbs
Write down your goals, commit them to paper. Goals not written down are just wishes...
"If you don't know where you are going, you will probably end up somewhere else." - Lawrence J. Peter
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Friday, December 05, 2008
Belief...
"Some things have to be believed to be seen." - Ralph Hodgson
I believed I could do it. I knew deep down I could. It's been 9 months. But that little voice, that wee little voice kept hounding me, "You can't do it. You can't. It's been too long. You're a fat tub and always will be..."
I focused. I focused hard. My legs ached. My body wanted to quit. But I focused. That blinking red light. That blinking red light coming closer, closer. Relief, exhaustion, fatigue, elation. I made it. I did it. I knew I could do it. I ran a mile without stopping...
"This is how humans are: we question all our beliefs, except for the ones we really believe, and those we never think to question." - Orson Scott Card
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
I believed I could do it. I knew deep down I could. It's been 9 months. But that little voice, that wee little voice kept hounding me, "You can't do it. You can't. It's been too long. You're a fat tub and always will be..."
I focused. I focused hard. My legs ached. My body wanted to quit. But I focused. That blinking red light. That blinking red light coming closer, closer. Relief, exhaustion, fatigue, elation. I made it. I did it. I knew I could do it. I ran a mile without stopping...
"This is how humans are: we question all our beliefs, except for the ones we really believe, and those we never think to question." - Orson Scott Card
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Friday, November 21, 2008
Resistance...
"If you want to make an easy job seem mighty hard, just keep putting off doing it." - Olin Miller
It's been snowing here. I like it when it snows because it makes my noon walks more productive. You see, the snow provides resistance when I walk. The more resistance, the more my legs and lower torso have to work, the stronger they get.
Some resistance is good, but not all. Resisting change is one thing that we all tend to battle with from time to time. But if we defeat that resistance and breakthrough - it's there that our beings become stronger.
Don't be closed-minded and resistant to change. Look at the positives and not just the negatives to every change...
"If it weren't for the last minute, I wouldn't get anything done." - Author Unknown
It's been snowing here. I like it when it snows because it makes my noon walks more productive. You see, the snow provides resistance when I walk. The more resistance, the more my legs and lower torso have to work, the stronger they get.
Some resistance is good, but not all. Resisting change is one thing that we all tend to battle with from time to time. But if we defeat that resistance and breakthrough - it's there that our beings become stronger.
Don't be closed-minded and resistant to change. Look at the positives and not just the negatives to every change...
"If it weren't for the last minute, I wouldn't get anything done." - Author Unknown
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Freedom...
"Nothing is more difficult, and therefore more precious, than to be able to decide." - Napoleon Bonaparte
We have the freedom to chose in EVERY situation whether or not we think we have the freedom to do so. Some may say, "Well, if I am robbed at gunpoint I have no freedom to chose." This is true but you can make the choice of giving up your stuff willingly and without crying or you can choose to try and be the hero and possibly get shot.
We make choices everyday, some good and some bad. We need to remember that in EVERY situation we have a choice. If there is a situation where there is no obvious choice we need to dig a little deeper as the choices are not always crystal clear.
Choose today to do the best you can, be the best you can in ALL situations...
"Freedom is that instant between when someone tells you to do something and when you decide how to respond." - Jeffrey Borenstein
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Get a FREE Xbox 360, no strings attached. Learn more here!
We have the freedom to chose in EVERY situation whether or not we think we have the freedom to do so. Some may say, "Well, if I am robbed at gunpoint I have no freedom to chose." This is true but you can make the choice of giving up your stuff willingly and without crying or you can choose to try and be the hero and possibly get shot.
We make choices everyday, some good and some bad. We need to remember that in EVERY situation we have a choice. If there is a situation where there is no obvious choice we need to dig a little deeper as the choices are not always crystal clear.
Choose today to do the best you can, be the best you can in ALL situations...
"Freedom is that instant between when someone tells you to do something and when you decide how to respond." - Jeffrey Borenstein
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Get a FREE Xbox 360, no strings attached. Learn more here!
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Attitude...
"If you don't get everything you want, think of the things you don't get that you don't want." - Oscar Wilde
Attitude does affect all aspects of your life. Discouragement, apathy, uselessness - all are culprits that can get us off track. When these attitudes creep into your life, you need to reach deep down inside and find the strength to change your outlook. Think of accomplishments, think of your future.
You have control over your actions AND your attitudes...
"The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes." - William James
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Attitude does affect all aspects of your life. Discouragement, apathy, uselessness - all are culprits that can get us off track. When these attitudes creep into your life, you need to reach deep down inside and find the strength to change your outlook. Think of accomplishments, think of your future.
You have control over your actions AND your attitudes...
"The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes." - William James
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Differences...
"When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves." - Victor Frankl
We're all different, that's what makes each one of us unique and interesting. I look around at all the different ways to lose weight. Many it seems are geared towards a "cookie cutter" mentality - meaning that one particular path will work for everyone. I find this to be rather untrue. For example, I tried Weight Watchers back in the day and found that the lack of accountability for myself (I was the only guy in a group of middle-age to elderly women) was one of the major setbacks for this path for me. Others may not be able to do without starches or meats for the rest of their lives.
My particular plan draws on several different methods that I had researched. I fit together my weight loss plan through modifying these methods to fit my personality/ability/mentality.
What fits you? Frustrated with your plan? Do research and modify the plan to fit you.
"Change always comes bearing gifts." - Price Pritchett
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
We're all different, that's what makes each one of us unique and interesting. I look around at all the different ways to lose weight. Many it seems are geared towards a "cookie cutter" mentality - meaning that one particular path will work for everyone. I find this to be rather untrue. For example, I tried Weight Watchers back in the day and found that the lack of accountability for myself (I was the only guy in a group of middle-age to elderly women) was one of the major setbacks for this path for me. Others may not be able to do without starches or meats for the rest of their lives.
My particular plan draws on several different methods that I had researched. I fit together my weight loss plan through modifying these methods to fit my personality/ability/mentality.
What fits you? Frustrated with your plan? Do research and modify the plan to fit you.
"Change always comes bearing gifts." - Price Pritchett
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Time
"Time is what we want most, but... what we use worst." - Willaim Penn
Time is everything. We are given 168 hours each week, no more, no less. It's up to us to figure out how to wisely use that time. We can waste it in front of the television, or we can use it to better our lives.
Successful people have found ways to use their time wisely. How are you spending your time?
"Men talk of killing time, while time quietly kills them." - Dion Boucicault
MattyV
http://www.iweighedmorethanjared.com/
Time is everything. We are given 168 hours each week, no more, no less. It's up to us to figure out how to wisely use that time. We can waste it in front of the television, or we can use it to better our lives.
Successful people have found ways to use their time wisely. How are you spending your time?
"Men talk of killing time, while time quietly kills them." - Dion Boucicault
MattyV
http://www.iweighedmorethanjared.com/
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Small steps
"Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something." - Author Unknown
After a lot of procrastination and false-starts, I finally think I am getting back on track with my weight loss regimine. At first I felt overwhelmed, I mean last year at this time I was jogging 5 times a week, biking 5 times a week, and doing 45min/day of exercise on top of walking and other things.
I've heard an old African proverb again and again and it's true - "How do you eat an elephant?" "One bite at a time."
I may not be back to where I was a year ago, but I am doing something. Eventually I will get back on par to where I was and then some.
Don't procrastinate any longer. So you can't jog or even walk without problems. Do chair exercises, bicep curls with soup cans.
You can do something...
"Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do." - John Wooden
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
After a lot of procrastination and false-starts, I finally think I am getting back on track with my weight loss regimine. At first I felt overwhelmed, I mean last year at this time I was jogging 5 times a week, biking 5 times a week, and doing 45min/day of exercise on top of walking and other things.
I've heard an old African proverb again and again and it's true - "How do you eat an elephant?" "One bite at a time."
I may not be back to where I was a year ago, but I am doing something. Eventually I will get back on par to where I was and then some.
Don't procrastinate any longer. So you can't jog or even walk without problems. Do chair exercises, bicep curls with soup cans.
You can do something...
"Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do." - John Wooden
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Adversity...
"Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional." - M. Kathleen Casey
With the economy heading towards a depression not seen since the later 1920's, it's easy to panic and react adversely and irrationally.
When we have adversity in our lives, whether it be finances, work, relationships, whatever it is that causes a little panic inside of us - we make poor choices.
Adversity will come, no one is immune. I'm sure the monks that live high in the Himalayas have their share of adversity. We need to remember to be pro-active when it comes to adversity rather than reactive.
"You can't run away from trouble. There ain't no place that far." - Uncle Remus
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
With the economy heading towards a depression not seen since the later 1920's, it's easy to panic and react adversely and irrationally.
When we have adversity in our lives, whether it be finances, work, relationships, whatever it is that causes a little panic inside of us - we make poor choices.
Adversity will come, no one is immune. I'm sure the monks that live high in the Himalayas have their share of adversity. We need to remember to be pro-active when it comes to adversity rather than reactive.
"You can't run away from trouble. There ain't no place that far." - Uncle Remus
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Effort...
"All the so-called "secrets of success" will not work unless you do." - Author Unknown
I spoke at my Toastmasters club today. I shared a speech that was previously given by General Douglas MacArthur back in 1962. In that speech he talks about not substituting words for actions nor choosing the path of comfort. That stirs something in me. To many times I spend in "lip-service" or "do as I say, not as I do" or don't put forth the effort to make changes.
Success takes effort. Effort takes determination. Determination takes responsibility. Responsibility begins with you (or me).
"Put your heart, mind, intellect and soul even to your smallest acts. This is the secret of success." - Swami Sivananda
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
I spoke at my Toastmasters club today. I shared a speech that was previously given by General Douglas MacArthur back in 1962. In that speech he talks about not substituting words for actions nor choosing the path of comfort. That stirs something in me. To many times I spend in "lip-service" or "do as I say, not as I do" or don't put forth the effort to make changes.
Success takes effort. Effort takes determination. Determination takes responsibility. Responsibility begins with you (or me).
"Put your heart, mind, intellect and soul even to your smallest acts. This is the secret of success." - Swami Sivananda
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Clutter
"You can never get enough of what you don't need to make you happy." - Eric Hoffer
Had a garage sale this past weekend, cleared out some junk that we felt we needed at the time but ended up in the basement/garage/closet. Made a little cash, pennies on the dollar, but still cash and actually restrained ourselves from visiting other sales and buying more crap to replace the crap we just got rid of.
Do you have clutter? I don't mean just physical clutter, but mental clutter. How do you spend your week? Do you look at the end of the week and wonder where your time went? I suggest sitting down and mapping out your week. You get 168 hours, no more, no less. Successes have used their time wisely, finding ways to increase their success in all areas of life.
How's your time map looking? Spending time on 'clutter'? Change it!
"He who buys what he does not need steals from himself." ~Author Unknown
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Had a garage sale this past weekend, cleared out some junk that we felt we needed at the time but ended up in the basement/garage/closet. Made a little cash, pennies on the dollar, but still cash and actually restrained ourselves from visiting other sales and buying more crap to replace the crap we just got rid of.
Do you have clutter? I don't mean just physical clutter, but mental clutter. How do you spend your week? Do you look at the end of the week and wonder where your time went? I suggest sitting down and mapping out your week. You get 168 hours, no more, no less. Successes have used their time wisely, finding ways to increase their success in all areas of life.
How's your time map looking? Spending time on 'clutter'? Change it!
"He who buys what he does not need steals from himself." ~Author Unknown
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
The Future...
"The course of life is unpredictable... no one can write his autobiography in advance." - Abraham Joshua Heschel
I recall a scene from the movie "Terminator 2: Judgement Day" where John Connor is having a conversation with his terminator protector about something his mother carved onto a picnic table - "The future's not set. There's no fate but what we make for ourselves..."
We often resign ourselves to our own self-imposed prisons by telling ourselves that it's our fate - we are where we are and that's all. Our minds have been conditioned over the years to a thinking pattern that keeps us from our true potential.
The statement above is true, the future isn't set. We have the ability to change our lives, our careers, our health (to some extent), we have the ability to act and not react to what comes our way.
Choose your own fate, follow your dream...
"The past can't see you, but the future is listening." - Destin Figuier
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
I recall a scene from the movie "Terminator 2: Judgement Day" where John Connor is having a conversation with his terminator protector about something his mother carved onto a picnic table - "The future's not set. There's no fate but what we make for ourselves..."
We often resign ourselves to our own self-imposed prisons by telling ourselves that it's our fate - we are where we are and that's all. Our minds have been conditioned over the years to a thinking pattern that keeps us from our true potential.
The statement above is true, the future isn't set. We have the ability to change our lives, our careers, our health (to some extent), we have the ability to act and not react to what comes our way.
Choose your own fate, follow your dream...
"The past can't see you, but the future is listening." - Destin Figuier
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Faith...
"To me faith means not worrying." - John Dewey
Take it the way you wish, but miracles & blessings happen all the time. Some go unnoticed, while others end up being newsworthy. When you look for them, you will find them. Maybe it's that parking spot in a busy parking lot that opens up right in front of the store you need to visit. Maybe it's finding the exact change needed to purchase an item or finding a $20 bill when you thought you only had a $5 bill.
I had a noticeable blessing today. I have been belly-aching about this for quite a long time. I am a member of a local Toastmasters club, a group of people training and practicing to become better public speakers. I fell into this group when I lost weight and wanted to tell my story. It has helped me hone my public speaking skills and speaking style. I've met a lot of people and there is a core group of people that are there each week to support each other.
I've advanced in the group and I believe currently I am the highest ranking person with the designations of Advanced Communicator Silver and Advanced Leader Bronze. I am also currently serving to the best of my ability as president of the club.
Dues for the next semester are coming up on October1st and with Bren without a job and our emergency fund getting dangerously low - I was going to have to step away from the group. It was a hard choice to make, but we didn't/don't have the $40 to continue the membership. I let the officers know last week of our situation and that it may be time for me to step down until our finances got back to normal.
After the pastor's sermon on Sunday, I began to think about my decision to quit the club. I was going to let the group know today (Tuesday) at the meeting that I would be unable to continue in the club after October 1st. Instead I decided to let God lead, if He wanted me to continue my training as a public speaker, He would provide the money to do so. I was leaving it up to Him and trusting his direction.
I talked to the treasurer after the meeting and asked about possibly making payments or working out some sort of arrangement so that I could continue leading the club. He told me that the other officers had discussed the situation and felt led to pay my dues for the next semester out of the club treasury.
So, there was my answer. I guess I need to continue leading and training. I would have been a little bummed if it didn't work out, but if it did happen that I couldn't continue - I know deep down that there is somewhere else that I needed to be at that point in my life.
Keep the faith and let God lead. You never know where you'll go, but where you end up is where He wants you to be...
"Faith makes things possible, not easy." - Author Unknown
MattyV
http://iweighedmorethanjared.com/dead.aspx
Take it the way you wish, but miracles & blessings happen all the time. Some go unnoticed, while others end up being newsworthy. When you look for them, you will find them. Maybe it's that parking spot in a busy parking lot that opens up right in front of the store you need to visit. Maybe it's finding the exact change needed to purchase an item or finding a $20 bill when you thought you only had a $5 bill.
I had a noticeable blessing today. I have been belly-aching about this for quite a long time. I am a member of a local Toastmasters club, a group of people training and practicing to become better public speakers. I fell into this group when I lost weight and wanted to tell my story. It has helped me hone my public speaking skills and speaking style. I've met a lot of people and there is a core group of people that are there each week to support each other.
I've advanced in the group and I believe currently I am the highest ranking person with the designations of Advanced Communicator Silver and Advanced Leader Bronze. I am also currently serving to the best of my ability as president of the club.
Dues for the next semester are coming up on October1st and with Bren without a job and our emergency fund getting dangerously low - I was going to have to step away from the group. It was a hard choice to make, but we didn't/don't have the $40 to continue the membership. I let the officers know last week of our situation and that it may be time for me to step down until our finances got back to normal.
After the pastor's sermon on Sunday, I began to think about my decision to quit the club. I was going to let the group know today (Tuesday) at the meeting that I would be unable to continue in the club after October 1st. Instead I decided to let God lead, if He wanted me to continue my training as a public speaker, He would provide the money to do so. I was leaving it up to Him and trusting his direction.
I talked to the treasurer after the meeting and asked about possibly making payments or working out some sort of arrangement so that I could continue leading the club. He told me that the other officers had discussed the situation and felt led to pay my dues for the next semester out of the club treasury.
So, there was my answer. I guess I need to continue leading and training. I would have been a little bummed if it didn't work out, but if it did happen that I couldn't continue - I know deep down that there is somewhere else that I needed to be at that point in my life.
Keep the faith and let God lead. You never know where you'll go, but where you end up is where He wants you to be...
"Faith makes things possible, not easy." - Author Unknown
MattyV
http://iweighedmorethanjared.com/dead.aspx
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Shortcomings...
"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again. Because there is no effort without error and shortcomings, he who knows the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the high achievement of triumph and who at worst, if he fails while daring greatly, knows his place shall never be with those timid and cold souls who know neither victory nor defeat". - Theodore Roosevelt
Feeling like a failure today? At least you tried. Think of those that don't try, stay in the shadows of the "comfortable and familiar" and get up to try again!
I've failed time and time again. I've failed as a father, a husband, a friend, a co-worker, a leader. But I continue on knowing that my destiny is much greater than my weaknesses suggest.
"Be true. STAND!" - Mother Abigail, "The Stand"
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Feeling like a failure today? At least you tried. Think of those that don't try, stay in the shadows of the "comfortable and familiar" and get up to try again!
I've failed time and time again. I've failed as a father, a husband, a friend, a co-worker, a leader. But I continue on knowing that my destiny is much greater than my weaknesses suggest.
"Be true. STAND!" - Mother Abigail, "The Stand"
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Communication
"People love chopping wood. In this activity one immediately sees results." - Albert Einstein
I was thinking communication recently. My youngest son turns 3 months today and we are beginning to understand his way of communicating with us. We have determined different cries mean different things. One cry means "I'm bored!" while another cry means "I'm in need of changing!". It took a little bit to understand what he wanted through this rudimentary form of communication but now that we understant him - we see instant results once we alay whatever the need is.
Communicating with yourself is important. Learning what makes you hungry, what hunger is for you, even what triggers you have for overeating or non-exercising are all important things to know in order to lose weight.
I kind of think we've been lulled into some sort of Pavlovian sense of having to eat meals at certain times of the day - even when we might not be hungry. Try this some time - fast for an entire day, drinking just water for a 24 hour period. Whenever you get a hunger pang - drink some water and wait to see if it goes away. If after 15 minutes or so it doesn't, take another glass of water. You will soon get to understand what a "false hunger" and "real hunger" pang feels like so you can better understand your body's need.
You may not need to eat until 9am or 10am or can go until 2pm to eat lunch. Once you understand your body, you will begin to see better results because you will be eating only when truly hungry and not when you're "supposed to"...
"The sculptor produces the beautiful statue by chipping away such parts of the marble block as are not needed - it is a process of elimination." - Elbert Hubbard
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
I was thinking communication recently. My youngest son turns 3 months today and we are beginning to understand his way of communicating with us. We have determined different cries mean different things. One cry means "I'm bored!" while another cry means "I'm in need of changing!". It took a little bit to understand what he wanted through this rudimentary form of communication but now that we understant him - we see instant results once we alay whatever the need is.
Communicating with yourself is important. Learning what makes you hungry, what hunger is for you, even what triggers you have for overeating or non-exercising are all important things to know in order to lose weight.
I kind of think we've been lulled into some sort of Pavlovian sense of having to eat meals at certain times of the day - even when we might not be hungry. Try this some time - fast for an entire day, drinking just water for a 24 hour period. Whenever you get a hunger pang - drink some water and wait to see if it goes away. If after 15 minutes or so it doesn't, take another glass of water. You will soon get to understand what a "false hunger" and "real hunger" pang feels like so you can better understand your body's need.
You may not need to eat until 9am or 10am or can go until 2pm to eat lunch. Once you understand your body, you will begin to see better results because you will be eating only when truly hungry and not when you're "supposed to"...
"The sculptor produces the beautiful statue by chipping away such parts of the marble block as are not needed - it is a process of elimination." - Elbert Hubbard
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Mistakes...
Won a speech contest today. Based the speech on the topic of making mistakes. I've made plenty and expect to make many more over my lifetime. I learned a few things about mistakes:
1 - Everybody makes them (don't kid yourself)
2 - You need to learn from them (see examples below)
3 - Don't dwell on them (probably THE most important thing to remember)
The Apple LISA was a commercial flop. What did Apple learn? Enter the Apple Macintosh & Apple's OS X software (both have roots in the LISA computer)
The Ford Edsel was also a commercial flop. What did Ford learn? Enter 2 of the most popular Ford lines, the Mustang & the Taurus
Wilson Greatbatch developed the implantable pacemaker (including it's corrosion-resistant battery) years after he put in the wrong part into an external heart monitor.
I love speaking. I can't explain it. It was envigorating being up there and sharing the speech I had prepared. I need to develop this talent...
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
1 - Everybody makes them (don't kid yourself)
2 - You need to learn from them (see examples below)
3 - Don't dwell on them (probably THE most important thing to remember)
The Apple LISA was a commercial flop. What did Apple learn? Enter the Apple Macintosh & Apple's OS X software (both have roots in the LISA computer)
The Ford Edsel was also a commercial flop. What did Ford learn? Enter 2 of the most popular Ford lines, the Mustang & the Taurus
Wilson Greatbatch developed the implantable pacemaker (including it's corrosion-resistant battery) years after he put in the wrong part into an external heart monitor.
I love speaking. I can't explain it. It was envigorating being up there and sharing the speech I had prepared. I need to develop this talent...
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Courage
"Every man has his own courage, and is betrayed because he seeks in himself the courage of other persons." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
This past weekend I was watching some episodes of a television show and happened upon a little nugget that was hidden in amongst one of them.
In an exchange with two characters, one was telling the other that they had more courage than the other. They had the courage to be themselves. They had the courage getting out of bed knowing that they had to be themselves.
Of course the entire exchange was meant to be comedic in its intent, but there is a lot of truth in that exchange. Most of us are scared of being who we truly are. Afraid of what others think of us, conforming to what we think they find "acceptible".
Do you have the courage to be who you are? Or are you conforming to what the "world" wants?
"Courage is doing what you're afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you're scared." - Edward Vernon Rickenbacker
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
This past weekend I was watching some episodes of a television show and happened upon a little nugget that was hidden in amongst one of them.
In an exchange with two characters, one was telling the other that they had more courage than the other. They had the courage to be themselves. They had the courage getting out of bed knowing that they had to be themselves.
Of course the entire exchange was meant to be comedic in its intent, but there is a lot of truth in that exchange. Most of us are scared of being who we truly are. Afraid of what others think of us, conforming to what we think they find "acceptible".
Do you have the courage to be who you are? Or are you conforming to what the "world" wants?
"Courage is doing what you're afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you're scared." - Edward Vernon Rickenbacker
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Fear...
"Many of our fears are tissue-paper-thin, and a single courageous step would carry us clear through them." - Brendan Francis
Fear can motivate. Fear can immobilize. We need to have a healthy respect for fear ONLY when it deserves such. I have been and still am afraid of many things - failure, abandonment, etc. but these fears do not deserve the respect that I give them. We need to grow past our fears in order to move towards where we want to be. One person was quoted that in order to succeed we need to double our failure rate. Those are interesting and yet true words. How can we achieve success if we do not fail?
Figure out what you are afraid of and see which ones deserve the respect and which ones are "paper-thin" that can be broken through to access the next level in your life.
"There are very few monsters who warrant the fear we have of them." - Andre Gide
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Fear can motivate. Fear can immobilize. We need to have a healthy respect for fear ONLY when it deserves such. I have been and still am afraid of many things - failure, abandonment, etc. but these fears do not deserve the respect that I give them. We need to grow past our fears in order to move towards where we want to be. One person was quoted that in order to succeed we need to double our failure rate. Those are interesting and yet true words. How can we achieve success if we do not fail?
Figure out what you are afraid of and see which ones deserve the respect and which ones are "paper-thin" that can be broken through to access the next level in your life.
"There are very few monsters who warrant the fear we have of them." - Andre Gide
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Assistance...
"It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do little - do what you can." - Sydney Smith
I asked my oldest son if he would like to go to Home Depot with me to pick up some weedkiller. His response melted my heart and made me laugh at the same time, "I would be glad to assist you at the store..."
It was sweet, but also very poigniant at the same time. I know he couldn't do much but be company on the trip but at least he was willing to do that little part. Look around you today, how can you be of help to someone? Giving up your seat on the bus or subway. Help someone load their groceries into their vehicle. A tiny act of kindness can not only help others but also makes you feel good and uplifts your spirits. What kind of assistance can you give today??
"Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something." - Author Unknown
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
I asked my oldest son if he would like to go to Home Depot with me to pick up some weedkiller. His response melted my heart and made me laugh at the same time, "I would be glad to assist you at the store..."
It was sweet, but also very poigniant at the same time. I know he couldn't do much but be company on the trip but at least he was willing to do that little part. Look around you today, how can you be of help to someone? Giving up your seat on the bus or subway. Help someone load their groceries into their vehicle. A tiny act of kindness can not only help others but also makes you feel good and uplifts your spirits. What kind of assistance can you give today??
"Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something." - Author Unknown
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Words
"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." - Proverbs
I whispered into my new son's ear last night. I try to do this every night. What do I whisper? Words of encouragement, words of strength, positive words. I grew up on negative words. Words like, "stupid", or "idiot", or "worthless". Those words were planted deep into my mind and the fruit from those words was bitter and hurtful.
I told my son that he was going to grow up strong and handsome and smart. I told him that both he and his brother were going to do far greater things than myself. I tell my older son that he can do anything he puts his mind to. I am planting positive seeds in the hopes of seeing better things come to fruition in both my children's lives.
What words are you planting in your daily life? Words of hope or words of despair?
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
I whispered into my new son's ear last night. I try to do this every night. What do I whisper? Words of encouragement, words of strength, positive words. I grew up on negative words. Words like, "stupid", or "idiot", or "worthless". Those words were planted deep into my mind and the fruit from those words was bitter and hurtful.
I told my son that he was going to grow up strong and handsome and smart. I told him that both he and his brother were going to do far greater things than myself. I tell my older son that he can do anything he puts his mind to. I am planting positive seeds in the hopes of seeing better things come to fruition in both my children's lives.
What words are you planting in your daily life? Words of hope or words of despair?
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Inner Strength
"When the world says, "Give up,"Hope whispers, "Try it one more time."" - Author Unknown
Sitting here looking at a photo that someone had taken last October of me running my first 8k race. That was a grueling time for me, there I was 34 years old and 280lbs running up and down hills around the city of Zeeland. Many racers were "professionals" looking for a quick win and accolades from the crowd. Others were teens that ran track or cross-country. There were even moms, looking for a time to chat and get a t-shirt (one pair of moms had matching shirts that said "Incredi-Moms" a play on the Disney/Pixar movie "The Incredibles").
Looking back on that time, I never quit. I was tired and suffering from "side-stitch" (dehydration causing pain in your sides) but I never quit. I knew if I had quit, I would not start again and I would be done. Teens that passed me, soon I passed as they had stopped and began to walk. They may have caught up and passed me - but I didn't stop to walk, they did.I am gathering strength from remembering that time. I didn't quit then, and I sure as hell am not going to quit now.
"The race is not always to the swift, but to those who keep on running." - Author Unknown
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Sitting here looking at a photo that someone had taken last October of me running my first 8k race. That was a grueling time for me, there I was 34 years old and 280lbs running up and down hills around the city of Zeeland. Many racers were "professionals" looking for a quick win and accolades from the crowd. Others were teens that ran track or cross-country. There were even moms, looking for a time to chat and get a t-shirt (one pair of moms had matching shirts that said "Incredi-Moms" a play on the Disney/Pixar movie "The Incredibles").
Looking back on that time, I never quit. I was tired and suffering from "side-stitch" (dehydration causing pain in your sides) but I never quit. I knew if I had quit, I would not start again and I would be done. Teens that passed me, soon I passed as they had stopped and began to walk. They may have caught up and passed me - but I didn't stop to walk, they did.I am gathering strength from remembering that time. I didn't quit then, and I sure as hell am not going to quit now.
"The race is not always to the swift, but to those who keep on running." - Author Unknown
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
An Update & Today's Thought
Just an update, took some time off after the birth of my second son. Gave me some time to think about the weekly blogging and how I want to press forward. I've decided that I am changing the weekly blogs to Tuesdays because Fridays are already hectic with trying to post an audio Podcast and a webshow on YouTube. I think I will also break that up by posting the audio Podcasts on Wednesdays and leave the YouTube show to Fridays. Trying to do too much packed into one day has worn me out a bit. So, stay tuned each Tuesday for a new thought for the day...
"An idea not coupled with action will never get any bigger than the brain cell it occupied. " - Arnold Glasow
There is another old saying that goes, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions..." which is true for the most part. We can talk all we want about what we plan to do with our lives, but it's when we actually sit down and put things to action that causes change to happen.
What is in your craw, deep down that you wished you could change? Write it down and then execute it.
"Small deeds done are better than great deeds planned." - Peter Marshall
Matty V
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
"An idea not coupled with action will never get any bigger than the brain cell it occupied. " - Arnold Glasow
There is another old saying that goes, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions..." which is true for the most part. We can talk all we want about what we plan to do with our lives, but it's when we actually sit down and put things to action that causes change to happen.
What is in your craw, deep down that you wished you could change? Write it down and then execute it.
"Small deeds done are better than great deeds planned." - Peter Marshall
Matty V
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Friday, May 16, 2008
Freedom...
"It is easy to take liberty for granted, when you have never had it taken from you." - Dick Cheney
Freedom isn't free. It's not a right that everyone is entitled to. It's something that was fought for, died for, and unfortunately we as a country have taken much of it for granted. We have the freedom of choice of what to eat at any time of the day or night. From the fridge to the corner store, to even fast food restaurants open at all hours of the day or night. Freedom of choice, but it's up to us to make the right choices as far as our eating habits.
The more processed and preserved food we choose over making something from scratch, the more we perpetuate the cycle of obesity in our country and what we pass down to our children.
I am going to try harder to make better choices in what I eat and what I feed my family. Join with me to break this cycle in America!
"In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved." - Franklin D. Roosevelt
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Freedom isn't free. It's not a right that everyone is entitled to. It's something that was fought for, died for, and unfortunately we as a country have taken much of it for granted. We have the freedom of choice of what to eat at any time of the day or night. From the fridge to the corner store, to even fast food restaurants open at all hours of the day or night. Freedom of choice, but it's up to us to make the right choices as far as our eating habits.
The more processed and preserved food we choose over making something from scratch, the more we perpetuate the cycle of obesity in our country and what we pass down to our children.
I am going to try harder to make better choices in what I eat and what I feed my family. Join with me to break this cycle in America!
"In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved." - Franklin D. Roosevelt
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Friday, May 09, 2008
Setbacks...
"Adversity is like a strong wind. It tears away from us all but the things that cannot be torn, so that we see ourselves as we really are." - Arthur Golden
I've had some setbacks the past few weeks. Boy, can really bring you down, down to the ground and have you begging for mercy. But sometimes that's when break-throughs occur, some sort of enlightenment happens. Thomas Edison failed at creating a lightbulb over 10,000 times. But each time he was able to get back up and try again.
Reminds me of the movie, "Real Genius" starring Val Kilmer. His character's laser project failed spectacularly and thought he was at his absolute lowest. Then he had a break-through moment where everything seemed to click. He went back and solved the problems and succeeded (although to dire consequences - which were later rectified).
Setbacks are times to step back and maybe take new look at an old problem...
"You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you." - Walt Disney
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
I've had some setbacks the past few weeks. Boy, can really bring you down, down to the ground and have you begging for mercy. But sometimes that's when break-throughs occur, some sort of enlightenment happens. Thomas Edison failed at creating a lightbulb over 10,000 times. But each time he was able to get back up and try again.
Reminds me of the movie, "Real Genius" starring Val Kilmer. His character's laser project failed spectacularly and thought he was at his absolute lowest. Then he had a break-through moment where everything seemed to click. He went back and solved the problems and succeeded (although to dire consequences - which were later rectified).
Setbacks are times to step back and maybe take new look at an old problem...
"You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you." - Walt Disney
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Friday, May 02, 2008
Boredom...
"Grasp your opportunities, no matter how poor your health; nothing is worse for your health than boredom." - Mignon McLaughlin
I struggle with boredom and have been falling into old habits of eating when I am not hungry and just bored. There are plenty of things I could be doing, but rather don't have the gumption or energy to do them.
That's when I (and possibly yourself) need to take a stand and just find something to do. Something that engages our brains and our bodies, something that takes our pre-programmed synapses of eating mindlessly and transfers that energy to something more productive.
Join with me, won't you? Let's try hard to re-program our brains to better ourselves when we are bored...
"Boredom is an emptiness filled with insistence." - Leo Stein
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
I struggle with boredom and have been falling into old habits of eating when I am not hungry and just bored. There are plenty of things I could be doing, but rather don't have the gumption or energy to do them.
That's when I (and possibly yourself) need to take a stand and just find something to do. Something that engages our brains and our bodies, something that takes our pre-programmed synapses of eating mindlessly and transfers that energy to something more productive.
Join with me, won't you? Let's try hard to re-program our brains to better ourselves when we are bored...
"Boredom is an emptiness filled with insistence." - Leo Stein
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Friday, April 25, 2008
Gratitude...
"If a fellow isn't thankful for what he's got, he isn't likely to be thankful for what he's going to get." - Frank A. Clark
I was reading in the book, "A 2nd Helping of Chicken Soup for the Soul" and in it was a section on obstacles. One of the stories caught my attention and made me think. The gist of the story was that of a man walking down the street and noticing a friend with a forlorn look on his face. The man greeted his friend and ask how things were and instead of a quick dialogue it ended up to be a long diatribe of problems.
The friend said that he would donate $5k to the man's favorite charity if he knew of a place that he could go without problems. The man took his friend up on the offer and walked him down to the local cemetary. The dead, you see, have no problems.
Whatever problems or adversities you are facing today, be thankful for them. I know that sounds weird, but really - if you had no problems, then you wouldn't be growing. Problems prepare and stretch us...
"We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude." - Cynthia Ozick
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
I was reading in the book, "A 2nd Helping of Chicken Soup for the Soul" and in it was a section on obstacles. One of the stories caught my attention and made me think. The gist of the story was that of a man walking down the street and noticing a friend with a forlorn look on his face. The man greeted his friend and ask how things were and instead of a quick dialogue it ended up to be a long diatribe of problems.
The friend said that he would donate $5k to the man's favorite charity if he knew of a place that he could go without problems. The man took his friend up on the offer and walked him down to the local cemetary. The dead, you see, have no problems.
Whatever problems or adversities you are facing today, be thankful for them. I know that sounds weird, but really - if you had no problems, then you wouldn't be growing. Problems prepare and stretch us...
"We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude." - Cynthia Ozick
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Friday, April 18, 2008
The Past...
"The one charm of the past is that it is the past." - Oscar Wilde
I love that quote. It's true, the past is the past. Although nothing can change it, we can learn from it and start from now to change the future.
I still get haunted by the past from time to time but when that happens I try to remember that whatever happened then cannot be changed. I can only deal with the here and now. Each day is a new day to learn from the past and press forward with that knowledge.
"What you need to know about the past is that no matter what has happened, it has all worked together to bring you to this very moment. And this is the moment you can choose to make everything new. Right now." - Author Unknown
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
I love that quote. It's true, the past is the past. Although nothing can change it, we can learn from it and start from now to change the future.
I still get haunted by the past from time to time but when that happens I try to remember that whatever happened then cannot be changed. I can only deal with the here and now. Each day is a new day to learn from the past and press forward with that knowledge.
"What you need to know about the past is that no matter what has happened, it has all worked together to bring you to this very moment. And this is the moment you can choose to make everything new. Right now." - Author Unknown
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Friday, April 11, 2008
Strength...
"The shortest answer is doing." - Lord Herbert
Where do you derive your strength? Is it in the accolade of others? In your abilities? In your desires? When the chips are down, the race is only half over, defeat is on the horizon - where do you find the strength to press on?
The accolades of others wane. Your abilities can be robbed of you in an instant. Your desires can often be false to what you really want. Is your strength in your sense of self-worth?
No one can rob you of your self-worth unless you give them the opportunity.
"All know the way; few actually walk it." - Bodhidharma
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Where do you derive your strength? Is it in the accolade of others? In your abilities? In your desires? When the chips are down, the race is only half over, defeat is on the horizon - where do you find the strength to press on?
The accolades of others wane. Your abilities can be robbed of you in an instant. Your desires can often be false to what you really want. Is your strength in your sense of self-worth?
No one can rob you of your self-worth unless you give them the opportunity.
"All know the way; few actually walk it." - Bodhidharma
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Friday, April 04, 2008
Boldness...
"Put a grain of boldness into everything you do." - Baltasar Gracian
Ever dare to be bold? Dare to try something new even though you might fail? On this weight loss journey I have been bold plenty of times and I am always looking for more things to try. Some things stuck with me like running races while others weren't cohesive to my personality or interests.
You need to break out of your mold, step out of your comfort zone and dare to try things. I started with donating blood. Something simple. And it grew from there, 5k races, charity walks, chili cook-offs, speaking in public.
Try something different. If it doesn't work, it doesn't work. How will you know if you don't try?
"Freedom lies in being bold." - Robert Frost
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Ever dare to be bold? Dare to try something new even though you might fail? On this weight loss journey I have been bold plenty of times and I am always looking for more things to try. Some things stuck with me like running races while others weren't cohesive to my personality or interests.
You need to break out of your mold, step out of your comfort zone and dare to try things. I started with donating blood. Something simple. And it grew from there, 5k races, charity walks, chili cook-offs, speaking in public.
Try something different. If it doesn't work, it doesn't work. How will you know if you don't try?
"Freedom lies in being bold." - Robert Frost
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Friday, March 28, 2008
Passion...
"Chase down your passion like it's the last bus of the night." - Glade Byron Addams
I've found that when it comes to doing something that matters, you need passion. You have to believe in what you are accomplishing. I think that's why so many people fail at losing weight, they don't have that passion that helps them to carry on through the stumbling blocks that are inevitable.
I recall a story that has been shared by both Dave Ramsey & Dan Miller about a study that was done in the 1960's. A group of men were paid a good wage to dig a ditch then asked to fill the ditch back in. This was all they were told to do. The next day, 40% of the workers didn't show up. The wage was doubled and they were told to dig a ditch and fill it back in. The next day, another 40% didn't show up. This comes to the conclusion that you have to have passion in what you are doing, otherwise your efforts are futile and in vain.
Come with me, join with me. Let's encourage one another and stoke the fire of passion in eachother's soul. You can succeed, I can succeed. We will overcome and become the victors we know we are!
"Follow your passion, and success will follow you." - Arthur Buddhold
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
I've found that when it comes to doing something that matters, you need passion. You have to believe in what you are accomplishing. I think that's why so many people fail at losing weight, they don't have that passion that helps them to carry on through the stumbling blocks that are inevitable.
I recall a story that has been shared by both Dave Ramsey & Dan Miller about a study that was done in the 1960's. A group of men were paid a good wage to dig a ditch then asked to fill the ditch back in. This was all they were told to do. The next day, 40% of the workers didn't show up. The wage was doubled and they were told to dig a ditch and fill it back in. The next day, another 40% didn't show up. This comes to the conclusion that you have to have passion in what you are doing, otherwise your efforts are futile and in vain.
Come with me, join with me. Let's encourage one another and stoke the fire of passion in eachother's soul. You can succeed, I can succeed. We will overcome and become the victors we know we are!
"Follow your passion, and success will follow you." - Arthur Buddhold
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Friday, March 07, 2008
Appearance...
"Things do not pass for what they are, but for what they seem. Most things are judged by their jackets." - Baltasar Gracian
Too many times do we judge books by their covers. I find myself guilty of this time and time again. Many times I find that I have grossly mis-judged someone, thinking one thing and finding out something totally different.
Out on my walks I like to people-watch. It has become one of my favorite pastimes. Once I even sat and wrote down descriptions of people that I saw, hoping that the descriptions would one day make it into a fiction novel I will write.
I've seen many, many overweight people in my journies. And every time I catch myself with some sort of "air" about them - some deep-seated disgust. I don't know them. I don't know their life. They could have health issues that caused the weight gain. They could have some problems at home that they thought food could solve. But I stand there, thinking like some others may think - "laziness, slovenly laziness".
That's one thing I still struggle with, self-loathing. I hate being overweight and yet this hate is not motivation to keep going. I need to find focus on something else. Self-loathing behavior is not healthy or a self-esteem builder.
I will try harder...
"Men in general judge more from appearances than from reality. All men have eyes, but few have the gift of penetration." - Niccolo Machiavelli
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Too many times do we judge books by their covers. I find myself guilty of this time and time again. Many times I find that I have grossly mis-judged someone, thinking one thing and finding out something totally different.
Out on my walks I like to people-watch. It has become one of my favorite pastimes. Once I even sat and wrote down descriptions of people that I saw, hoping that the descriptions would one day make it into a fiction novel I will write.
I've seen many, many overweight people in my journies. And every time I catch myself with some sort of "air" about them - some deep-seated disgust. I don't know them. I don't know their life. They could have health issues that caused the weight gain. They could have some problems at home that they thought food could solve. But I stand there, thinking like some others may think - "laziness, slovenly laziness".
That's one thing I still struggle with, self-loathing. I hate being overweight and yet this hate is not motivation to keep going. I need to find focus on something else. Self-loathing behavior is not healthy or a self-esteem builder.
I will try harder...
"Men in general judge more from appearances than from reality. All men have eyes, but few have the gift of penetration." - Niccolo Machiavelli
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Friday, February 29, 2008
Impact Resistance...
"It's not who you are that holds you back, it's who you think you're not." - Author Unknown
This week I found a pair of sunglasses on the side of the road. They looked like they were alright so I picked them up. The arms of the sunglasses fell apart in my hands, someone had run them over with their car. All that was left intact was the lenses themselves. Neither was scratched, only one lens had a couple of chips around the rim.
Impact resistance. Something I wished I had. It's easy to get off-track when the perils and problems of life rear their ugly heads. I felt that way this month when I got in the car accident and was unable to exercise for a few weeks. The impact of that accident impacted more than my spine, it impacted who I was and the goal I was striving for.
I was angry and depressed, I used food as a stress-reliever. It had taken 30 years of training to develop that stress-coping skill, it won't unravel overnight. But I will continue to strive for impact resistance, reminding myself of that pair of sunglasses...
"Whether you think you can or think you can't - you are right." - Henry Ford
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
This week I found a pair of sunglasses on the side of the road. They looked like they were alright so I picked them up. The arms of the sunglasses fell apart in my hands, someone had run them over with their car. All that was left intact was the lenses themselves. Neither was scratched, only one lens had a couple of chips around the rim.
Impact resistance. Something I wished I had. It's easy to get off-track when the perils and problems of life rear their ugly heads. I felt that way this month when I got in the car accident and was unable to exercise for a few weeks. The impact of that accident impacted more than my spine, it impacted who I was and the goal I was striving for.
I was angry and depressed, I used food as a stress-reliever. It had taken 30 years of training to develop that stress-coping skill, it won't unravel overnight. But I will continue to strive for impact resistance, reminding myself of that pair of sunglasses...
"Whether you think you can or think you can't - you are right." - Henry Ford
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Friday, February 22, 2008
Blame...
"Most people are more comfortable with old problems than with new solutions." - Author Unknown
A few weeks ago I was in a car accident. A head-on collision with another vehicle that totalled my van. It also totalled my back & neck in terms of muscle/nerve strain ("whiplash"), which in turn totalled my exercise program.
I've been reluctant to get back on the exercise journey, partially because I had fallen into old habits and had been using the car accident as an excuse. I checked the scale and it said I had gained 8lbs over the past few weeks. This is inaccurate, I couldn't have conceivably done so unless I stayed in bed all the time and ate 10,000 calories a day. I chalk most of the gain to salt, but I do believe that I had gained back at least 3lbs due to the lack of exercise.
Last night I finally looked in the mirror and said, "Dude, you need to get back on track. Stop using the car accident as a crutch or excuse. You need to do this not only for yourself, but for your supporters as well." So I did, although I am sore - it felt good to get back out on the road again. Today was my first full exercise/walking day, jogged 3.5mi walked 3.5mi and exercised for 30min.
It's easy to place the blame on something. I think that is the reason we are such a "sue-happy" society. We refuse to put the blame where it belongs - squarely on our shoulders.
Don't play the blame game. Go out and do something about it!
"Stubborness does have its helpful features. You always know what you are going to be thinking tomorrow." - Glen Beaman
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
A few weeks ago I was in a car accident. A head-on collision with another vehicle that totalled my van. It also totalled my back & neck in terms of muscle/nerve strain ("whiplash"), which in turn totalled my exercise program.
I've been reluctant to get back on the exercise journey, partially because I had fallen into old habits and had been using the car accident as an excuse. I checked the scale and it said I had gained 8lbs over the past few weeks. This is inaccurate, I couldn't have conceivably done so unless I stayed in bed all the time and ate 10,000 calories a day. I chalk most of the gain to salt, but I do believe that I had gained back at least 3lbs due to the lack of exercise.
Last night I finally looked in the mirror and said, "Dude, you need to get back on track. Stop using the car accident as a crutch or excuse. You need to do this not only for yourself, but for your supporters as well." So I did, although I am sore - it felt good to get back out on the road again. Today was my first full exercise/walking day, jogged 3.5mi walked 3.5mi and exercised for 30min.
It's easy to place the blame on something. I think that is the reason we are such a "sue-happy" society. We refuse to put the blame where it belongs - squarely on our shoulders.
Don't play the blame game. Go out and do something about it!
"Stubborness does have its helpful features. You always know what you are going to be thinking tomorrow." - Glen Beaman
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Friday, February 15, 2008
Remembering...
"Memory... is the diary that we all carry about with us." - Oscar Wilde
On the way to work I passed a marker on at street corner that marks the spot where someone had died. You see them all over the country now, little roadside altars to remind people of tragedies. Even in the bible people had created altars from rocks to mark special places, piles of rocks & whatnot so that others that passed by it would see it and remember the reason for it being there.
I kept a pair of my old jeans and an old shirt. I keep them as reminders of what once was and (God-willing) will not happen again. I keep them to refresh my memory, to remember when I used to be over 500lbs. Sometimes I put the stuff on and it really hits me on how big I really was.
We all need reminders in our lives, reminders of where we have been and also reminders of where we are headed. My mom and also a friend of mine had mentioned the recent Oprah episode with the author of the book "The Secret". I need to check on the concepts talked about the book about a "dream board" or something where you put together all the things you want in/from your life. Not a bad idea, kind of like a road map of where you want to go in your life...
"The existence of forgetting has never been proved: We only know that some things don't come to mind when we want them." - Friedrich Nietzsche
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
On the way to work I passed a marker on at street corner that marks the spot where someone had died. You see them all over the country now, little roadside altars to remind people of tragedies. Even in the bible people had created altars from rocks to mark special places, piles of rocks & whatnot so that others that passed by it would see it and remember the reason for it being there.
I kept a pair of my old jeans and an old shirt. I keep them as reminders of what once was and (God-willing) will not happen again. I keep them to refresh my memory, to remember when I used to be over 500lbs. Sometimes I put the stuff on and it really hits me on how big I really was.
We all need reminders in our lives, reminders of where we have been and also reminders of where we are headed. My mom and also a friend of mine had mentioned the recent Oprah episode with the author of the book "The Secret". I need to check on the concepts talked about the book about a "dream board" or something where you put together all the things you want in/from your life. Not a bad idea, kind of like a road map of where you want to go in your life...
"The existence of forgetting has never been proved: We only know that some things don't come to mind when we want them." - Friedrich Nietzsche
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Friday, February 08, 2008
Experience...
"Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely." - Auguste Rodin
Got into a car accident earlier this week. I'm a little sore yet and am not ready to resume exercise yet, but I am going to start slow next week and build myself back up again. Whether a car accident, job loss, family problem, or whatever - we can use these events to gain experience.
I am gaining experience through this accident as far as how insurance claims work. What forms need to be filed, who needs to be contacted for what, lots of little behind-the-scenes details that I was not privy to before. Sure it's a downer to be in an accident or have some other bad event happen. But it's our attitudes that will either make or break us. We can wallow and refuse to learn from it, or take a deep breath and look at the event with an outsider's eye and try to gain some nugget of wisdom from it...
"Do you know the difference between education and experience? Education is when you read the fine print; experience is what you get when you don't. " - Pete Seeger
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Got into a car accident earlier this week. I'm a little sore yet and am not ready to resume exercise yet, but I am going to start slow next week and build myself back up again. Whether a car accident, job loss, family problem, or whatever - we can use these events to gain experience.
I am gaining experience through this accident as far as how insurance claims work. What forms need to be filed, who needs to be contacted for what, lots of little behind-the-scenes details that I was not privy to before. Sure it's a downer to be in an accident or have some other bad event happen. But it's our attitudes that will either make or break us. We can wallow and refuse to learn from it, or take a deep breath and look at the event with an outsider's eye and try to gain some nugget of wisdom from it...
"Do you know the difference between education and experience? Education is when you read the fine print; experience is what you get when you don't. " - Pete Seeger
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Friday, February 01, 2008
Raw Materials
"Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation. Through your goodness we have this bread to offer, which earth has given and human hands have made. It will become for us the bread of life." - Jewish prayer
Each one of us has been blessed with the "raw materials" needed to change our lives. It's up to us to decide what to build with those materials. We can use what we have an dig a dank dungeon, devoid of light or happiness - or we can build a castle tower that stretches into the sky.
I read over that prayer and also think about an email someone sent to me that touches on the subject of having the tools to change our lives. We need to step back and lay out a plan, just as a builder draws up blueprints before he begins building. Only when we can see the finished product can we know what "raw materials" are needed to complete the project.
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Each one of us has been blessed with the "raw materials" needed to change our lives. It's up to us to decide what to build with those materials. We can use what we have an dig a dank dungeon, devoid of light or happiness - or we can build a castle tower that stretches into the sky.
I read over that prayer and also think about an email someone sent to me that touches on the subject of having the tools to change our lives. We need to step back and lay out a plan, just as a builder draws up blueprints before he begins building. Only when we can see the finished product can we know what "raw materials" are needed to complete the project.
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Friday, January 25, 2008
Vices...
"How like herrings and onions our vices are in the morning after we have committed them."
- Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Have your bad habits gotten the best of you? Have you given up on your lifestyle change (or New Year's resolution) because it became too difficult? Experts say that it takes 21 days to break a bad habit or form a good habit. I keep trying to pound this one truth home - falling off the wagon is not failure - failure is not even trying.
I have fallen time and time again, gone over in calories - refused to exercise or jog, and I have beaten myself up over it. Then I get right back onto the plan and start over again. Each day is a new day to start over. Why beat yourself up over past mistakes? Start with a clean slate and positive state of mind!
"It is good to be without vices, but it is not good to be without temptations." - Walter Bagehot
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
- Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Have your bad habits gotten the best of you? Have you given up on your lifestyle change (or New Year's resolution) because it became too difficult? Experts say that it takes 21 days to break a bad habit or form a good habit. I keep trying to pound this one truth home - falling off the wagon is not failure - failure is not even trying.
I have fallen time and time again, gone over in calories - refused to exercise or jog, and I have beaten myself up over it. Then I get right back onto the plan and start over again. Each day is a new day to start over. Why beat yourself up over past mistakes? Start with a clean slate and positive state of mind!
"It is good to be without vices, but it is not good to be without temptations." - Walter Bagehot
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Friday, January 18, 2008
Hope
"You've gotta have hope. Without hope life is meaningless. Without hope life is meaning less and less." - Author Unknown
Hope. It all comes down to hope. Hope is one of the things that drives us. Drives our passions, drives our motivation, drives our being. If we have no hope, depression & gloominess, despair & lonliness invades our very soul.
Sure things come into our lives that cause pain and depression - but we should all have that hope that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, a rope or ladder reaching down into the depths of our depression waiting to lift us out.
How is your hope today? Are you hoping for a better future? Set your eyes on the prize and Go For It!
"Hope is grief's best music." - Author Unknown
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Hope. It all comes down to hope. Hope is one of the things that drives us. Drives our passions, drives our motivation, drives our being. If we have no hope, depression & gloominess, despair & lonliness invades our very soul.
Sure things come into our lives that cause pain and depression - but we should all have that hope that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, a rope or ladder reaching down into the depths of our depression waiting to lift us out.
How is your hope today? Are you hoping for a better future? Set your eyes on the prize and Go For It!
"Hope is grief's best music." - Author Unknown
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Friday, January 11, 2008
Nowhere...
"Gotta get away from the day-to-day, everybody knows this is nowhere..." - Neil Young
So, how's the new lifestyle change coming for 2008? First full week is behind us with another 51 weeks ahead. Are you going to be in that 20% that sticks with it, or the 80% that gives up by January 31st? Dan Miller often talks about the definition of insanity being doing the same thing over and over but expecting different results. Are you in a rut? Make a change, any change, however small, to get yourself out of that day-to-day grind.
So, come on. Are you gonna make this year the best ever? Or are you going to flounder in your rut, wishing and hoping?
"It's so hard when I have to, and so easy when I want to." - Annie Gottlier
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
So, how's the new lifestyle change coming for 2008? First full week is behind us with another 51 weeks ahead. Are you going to be in that 20% that sticks with it, or the 80% that gives up by January 31st? Dan Miller often talks about the definition of insanity being doing the same thing over and over but expecting different results. Are you in a rut? Make a change, any change, however small, to get yourself out of that day-to-day grind.
So, come on. Are you gonna make this year the best ever? Or are you going to flounder in your rut, wishing and hoping?
"It's so hard when I have to, and so easy when I want to." - Annie Gottlier
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Friday, January 04, 2008
Self-Discovery...
"Every one of us has in him a continent of undiscovered character. Blessed is he who acts the Columbus to his own soul." - Author Unknown
http://www.madison.com/wsj/topstories/index.php?ntid=263791
A neat story of self-discovery. A pastor in Ohio challenged his congregation with the parable of the talents from the book of Matthew. Adults were given $50 each, children were given $10 each and had 7 weeks to double the money in some way.
Elderly people rediscovered old talents like woodworking & knitting, little kids used their creativity of origami, others were inventive by offering motorcycle & plane rides, one lady may end up parlaying her creative talent into a business (she decorated flip-flops & sold them).
Not only is this a story revolving around a biblical story with a purpose - it can be grasped by the non-religious as well. Discovering what you can offer the world through your talents, that each person has something unique about them.
I may not be the most talented singer or painter, but I like to write and produce audio/visual material. Go on your own road to self-discovery. Find out what you have to offer the world. You may be surprised at what you find!
"Your work is to discover your world and then with all your heart give yourself to it." - Buddha
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
http://www.madison.com/wsj/topstories/index.php?ntid=263791
A neat story of self-discovery. A pastor in Ohio challenged his congregation with the parable of the talents from the book of Matthew. Adults were given $50 each, children were given $10 each and had 7 weeks to double the money in some way.
Elderly people rediscovered old talents like woodworking & knitting, little kids used their creativity of origami, others were inventive by offering motorcycle & plane rides, one lady may end up parlaying her creative talent into a business (she decorated flip-flops & sold them).
Not only is this a story revolving around a biblical story with a purpose - it can be grasped by the non-religious as well. Discovering what you can offer the world through your talents, that each person has something unique about them.
I may not be the most talented singer or painter, but I like to write and produce audio/visual material. Go on your own road to self-discovery. Find out what you have to offer the world. You may be surprised at what you find!
"Your work is to discover your world and then with all your heart give yourself to it." - Buddha
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Friday, December 28, 2007
New Beginnings...
"A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other." - Author Unknown
So, the new year is almost upon us. New Year's resolutions are on everyone's lips, the newspapers and news programs are talking about how to accomplish those resolutions, radio DJs are cracking jokes about breaking them before the new year has started...
80-85% of Americans that make resolutions for the new year fall out of keeping them within the first 30 days. I think it may have something to do with the non-focus of the resolutions and the half-hearted promise that is made in keeping them.
Do something different this year, try something new. Make a "Lifestyle Change" resolution instead. Have a goal, make a plan to reach that goal. Track your progress on the way to that goal. Be one of the 20% that succeeds in the new year...
"New Year's Day is every man's birthday." - Charles Lamb
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
So, the new year is almost upon us. New Year's resolutions are on everyone's lips, the newspapers and news programs are talking about how to accomplish those resolutions, radio DJs are cracking jokes about breaking them before the new year has started...
80-85% of Americans that make resolutions for the new year fall out of keeping them within the first 30 days. I think it may have something to do with the non-focus of the resolutions and the half-hearted promise that is made in keeping them.
Do something different this year, try something new. Make a "Lifestyle Change" resolution instead. Have a goal, make a plan to reach that goal. Track your progress on the way to that goal. Be one of the 20% that succeeds in the new year...
"New Year's Day is every man's birthday." - Charles Lamb
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Monday, December 24, 2007
Childhood...
"Childhood is the most beautiful of all life's seasons." - Author Unknown
Christmas eve is here. Can't wait for tomorrow morning, I am a little more excited than my son is for this time of year. Excited to see the looks on his and my wife's faces as they open presents. When I was younger, I anticipated anxiously to see what I had received from Santa - the joy of receiving was all my little heart could understand.
Now that I am older, I am understanding the other side of it - the giving side. I hope my gift to you over the past year has been encouragement, comfort, and maybe a little wisdom thrown in for good measure...
May you and yours have the merriest Christmas ever!
Happy Holidays from Matty, Brenda, Javan, & baby Vander Plow (no name yet)
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Christmas eve is here. Can't wait for tomorrow morning, I am a little more excited than my son is for this time of year. Excited to see the looks on his and my wife's faces as they open presents. When I was younger, I anticipated anxiously to see what I had received from Santa - the joy of receiving was all my little heart could understand.
Now that I am older, I am understanding the other side of it - the giving side. I hope my gift to you over the past year has been encouragement, comfort, and maybe a little wisdom thrown in for good measure...
May you and yours have the merriest Christmas ever!
Happy Holidays from Matty, Brenda, Javan, & baby Vander Plow (no name yet)
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Friday, December 14, 2007
Progess...
"He who trims himself to suit everyone will soon whittle himself away." - Raymond Hull
Sometimes we try to progress in ways that really cause us to regress. Like trying to fit into someone else's shoes or lifestyle, for example. We all run our own races and have our own lives. My problems and trials are different from your problems and trials. I have my own idea of what success is, and that may differ from what you perceive success as.
Wherever you are on your lifestyle journey, remember - the only person you are competing against is the person you used to be. If you can beat that person each and every day, that right there is progress.
"Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else." - Judy Garland
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
"Dead Man Walking: A Weight Loss Journey" e-Book is now on sale!
Sometimes we try to progress in ways that really cause us to regress. Like trying to fit into someone else's shoes or lifestyle, for example. We all run our own races and have our own lives. My problems and trials are different from your problems and trials. I have my own idea of what success is, and that may differ from what you perceive success as.
Wherever you are on your lifestyle journey, remember - the only person you are competing against is the person you used to be. If you can beat that person each and every day, that right there is progress.
"Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else." - Judy Garland
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
"Dead Man Walking: A Weight Loss Journey" e-Book is now on sale!
Friday, December 07, 2007
Chances...
"If you woke up breathing, congratulations! You have another chance." - Andrea Boydston
Ever wish for a second chance at something? Guess what? Every day you wake up, you get a second chance. A chance to start over, a chance to begin anew. Fail today? Feel like a complete failure because you stumbled into that same trap you always fall into? Again, if you wake up breathing, you get another chance to try again.
Too many times we focus on the downside of life, the times we failed, the times when we were passed over, when we didn't catch a lucky break that we deserved or needed.
Buck up little camper, tomorrow's a new day filled with promise!
"Breath is Spirit. The act of breathing is living." - Author Unknown
Matty
http://www.iweighedmorethanjared.com/
"Dead Man Walking: A Weight Loss Journey" e-Book is now on sale!
Ever wish for a second chance at something? Guess what? Every day you wake up, you get a second chance. A chance to start over, a chance to begin anew. Fail today? Feel like a complete failure because you stumbled into that same trap you always fall into? Again, if you wake up breathing, you get another chance to try again.
Too many times we focus on the downside of life, the times we failed, the times when we were passed over, when we didn't catch a lucky break that we deserved or needed.
Buck up little camper, tomorrow's a new day filled with promise!
"Breath is Spirit. The act of breathing is living." - Author Unknown
Matty
http://www.iweighedmorethanjared.com/
"Dead Man Walking: A Weight Loss Journey" e-Book is now on sale!
Friday, November 30, 2007
Hiding...
"Respect your efforts, respect yourself. Self-respect leads to self-discipline. When you have both firmly under your belt, that's real power." - Clint Eastwood
Here's the deal:
The other night my son and I were in the van coming up to a red light, the vehicle next to us decided to run the light. Just so happened that a sheriff was on the opposite road and witnessed the whole ordeal. The light turned green and he made his turn, I was thinking that he was going to let it go. Next thing I see is bright flashing lights as he pulled the car over. Busted.
I relay that story to the fact that you always get found out, lies fall apart, falsities are brought to light. Sometimes people weave so many lies that they begin to believe them - I can look around at other overweight people and wonder that myself. Did these people just give up on life, believing the lie that they are trapped and doomed to be overweight the rest of their lives? Who gave them that Kool-Aid to drink?
I myself need to come clean, through secret snacking and intentional over-eating I have gained 25lbs over the past year. My pattern of nervous eating, frustration eating, stress eating has crept back into my life. I admit that, and that is the first step. It came to light for me when I had to go out to the used clothing stores to purchase some larger-in-the-waist pants (went from a 42 to a 44) but I didn't want to face it. The ordeal with the sheriff rang as an alarm bell in my head.
Self-respect and honesty are important to living a life of freedom, freedom from criticism and ridicule. Being forthright is more virtuous that anything else. So here I am.
Be honest with yourself, you won't regret it...
"Self-respect cannot be hunted. It cannot be purchased. It is never for sale. It cannot be fabricated out of public relations. It comes to us when we are alone, in quiet moments, in quiet places, when e suddenly realize that, knowing the good, we have done it; knowing the beautiful, we have served it; knowing the truth we have spoken it." - Whitney Griswold
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
(more honesty - PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE buy my e-Book! It's on sale for $9.95!)
Here's the deal:
The other night my son and I were in the van coming up to a red light, the vehicle next to us decided to run the light. Just so happened that a sheriff was on the opposite road and witnessed the whole ordeal. The light turned green and he made his turn, I was thinking that he was going to let it go. Next thing I see is bright flashing lights as he pulled the car over. Busted.
I relay that story to the fact that you always get found out, lies fall apart, falsities are brought to light. Sometimes people weave so many lies that they begin to believe them - I can look around at other overweight people and wonder that myself. Did these people just give up on life, believing the lie that they are trapped and doomed to be overweight the rest of their lives? Who gave them that Kool-Aid to drink?
I myself need to come clean, through secret snacking and intentional over-eating I have gained 25lbs over the past year. My pattern of nervous eating, frustration eating, stress eating has crept back into my life. I admit that, and that is the first step. It came to light for me when I had to go out to the used clothing stores to purchase some larger-in-the-waist pants (went from a 42 to a 44) but I didn't want to face it. The ordeal with the sheriff rang as an alarm bell in my head.
Self-respect and honesty are important to living a life of freedom, freedom from criticism and ridicule. Being forthright is more virtuous that anything else. So here I am.
Be honest with yourself, you won't regret it...
"Self-respect cannot be hunted. It cannot be purchased. It is never for sale. It cannot be fabricated out of public relations. It comes to us when we are alone, in quiet moments, in quiet places, when e suddenly realize that, knowing the good, we have done it; knowing the beautiful, we have served it; knowing the truth we have spoken it." - Whitney Griswold
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
(more honesty - PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE buy my e-Book! It's on sale for $9.95!)
Friday, November 16, 2007
Limits...
"Trust yourself. You know more than you think you do." - Dr. Benjamin Spock
Limits. We all know our limits, we know how far we can go in pretty much any situation. But do we really? Dan Miller (www.48days.com) mentioned in one of his books a story about a high jumper. A high jumper never knows how good he/she is until they trip the bar. By tripping the bar, they know their limit at that point. They know what they need to work on to get past that barrier.
Have you tested your limits? Gone back to that restaurant that you used to go overboard at? Tasted that food that you previously couldn't get enough of? Have you stretched yourself in your exercise routine to see what your body can do?
If you fall and overeat or overexert yourself, you know your limit in that area and what you need to work on. Don't be afraid to test your limits, that's the only way you'll be able to grow...
"Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill
Matty V.
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
"Dead Man Walking: A Weight Loss Journey" e-Book is now on sale!
Limits. We all know our limits, we know how far we can go in pretty much any situation. But do we really? Dan Miller (www.48days.com) mentioned in one of his books a story about a high jumper. A high jumper never knows how good he/she is until they trip the bar. By tripping the bar, they know their limit at that point. They know what they need to work on to get past that barrier.
Have you tested your limits? Gone back to that restaurant that you used to go overboard at? Tasted that food that you previously couldn't get enough of? Have you stretched yourself in your exercise routine to see what your body can do?
If you fall and overeat or overexert yourself, you know your limit in that area and what you need to work on. Don't be afraid to test your limits, that's the only way you'll be able to grow...
"Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill
Matty V.
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
"Dead Man Walking: A Weight Loss Journey" e-Book is now on sale!
Friday, November 09, 2007
Rest...
"We live in a very tense society. We are pulled apart... and we all need to learn how to pull ourselves together.... I think that at least part of the answer lies in solitude." - Helen Hayes
Rest. That's what I think my body needed this week. I came down with a head cold that my loving son decided he needed to share with me. I started the week doing my usual routine, feeling a little rundown but in overall good spirits. Then the cold hit. I felt like I was bogged down, like suddenly I was in a groggy fog - not feeling like doing anything. Housework has suffered, my exercise has ceased, just an overwhelming need to sleep and rest.
Sometimes I think we need that - a time to just relax and regroup. A refreshment comes with rest, a time of reflection and possibly strategy for the future. But this is not the same rest that is talked about in Proverbs:
"A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest and poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber." - Proverbs 6:10-11, NLT
The rest talked about above is that of laziness. The rest of recuperation and regeneration is different than that of lax laziness. Rest for a short time but then get back to the program. Rest is good for the body, mind, & soul in limited quantities. Any longer than that and it becomes a detriment to our spiritual, mental, & physical health...
"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul." - John Muir
Matty V.
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
"Dead Man Walking: A Weight Loss Journey" e-Book is now on sale!
Rest. That's what I think my body needed this week. I came down with a head cold that my loving son decided he needed to share with me. I started the week doing my usual routine, feeling a little rundown but in overall good spirits. Then the cold hit. I felt like I was bogged down, like suddenly I was in a groggy fog - not feeling like doing anything. Housework has suffered, my exercise has ceased, just an overwhelming need to sleep and rest.
Sometimes I think we need that - a time to just relax and regroup. A refreshment comes with rest, a time of reflection and possibly strategy for the future. But this is not the same rest that is talked about in Proverbs:
"A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest and poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber." - Proverbs 6:10-11, NLT
The rest talked about above is that of laziness. The rest of recuperation and regeneration is different than that of lax laziness. Rest for a short time but then get back to the program. Rest is good for the body, mind, & soul in limited quantities. Any longer than that and it becomes a detriment to our spiritual, mental, & physical health...
"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul." - John Muir
Matty V.
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
"Dead Man Walking: A Weight Loss Journey" e-Book is now on sale!
Friday, November 02, 2007
Mediocrity...
"Sometimes I worry about being a success in a mediocre world." - Lily Tomlin
I heard somewhere that a rut is just a grave with the ends kicked out. Do you hate the "daily grind", the "rat race", the "hum drum existence"? In our weight loss journey, this is called a "plateau" - no weight gain/no weight loss. I hate it and I am sure those that experience it hate it as well.
We need to use this time, this feeling of mediocrity as a staging for daring to change - do something great, something challenging, something out of the ordinary. If we are not comfortable or like where we are in life, then we need to make a change. Dare to dream, dare to excel, dare to fly in the face of conformity and comfort.
I rally today to plan out a break from the mediocre. You and I were destined for more than that!
"Mediocrity is a hand-rail." - Charles Louis de Secondat
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
"Dead Man Walking: A Weight Loss Journey" e-Book is now on sale!
I heard somewhere that a rut is just a grave with the ends kicked out. Do you hate the "daily grind", the "rat race", the "hum drum existence"? In our weight loss journey, this is called a "plateau" - no weight gain/no weight loss. I hate it and I am sure those that experience it hate it as well.
We need to use this time, this feeling of mediocrity as a staging for daring to change - do something great, something challenging, something out of the ordinary. If we are not comfortable or like where we are in life, then we need to make a change. Dare to dream, dare to excel, dare to fly in the face of conformity and comfort.
I rally today to plan out a break from the mediocre. You and I were destined for more than that!
"Mediocrity is a hand-rail." - Charles Louis de Secondat
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
"Dead Man Walking: A Weight Loss Journey" e-Book is now on sale!
Friday, October 26, 2007
Halloween...
"There is nothing that gives more assurance than a mask." - Colette
The above statement is true, we tend to be more confident hiding our "true" selves behind a mask or illusion for fear of being ridiculed. I've hidden behind many masks and illusions over the years, portraying myself as the "funny fat guy" or the "trusted 3rd wheel".
We all could benefit from taking off our masks, tear down our illusions, and just contemplate our own person for a while. Get to know our "true" selves, learn to like our inadequacies, our quirks, the things that make us unique instead of trying to fit in with the world.
I feel the need to do this myself. I've been putting on heirs and have been trying to be something/someone I am not to try and fit in. But I can no longer deny who I am and if others cannot connect with me because of it - so be it.
We are all beautiful people on the inside and I have faith in knowing that if we truly believe that, the beauty on the inside will begin to emerge on the outside...
"When black cats prowl and pumpkins gleam,May luck be yours on Halloween." - Author Unknown
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
"Dead Man Walking: A Weight Loss Journey" e-Book is now on sale!
The above statement is true, we tend to be more confident hiding our "true" selves behind a mask or illusion for fear of being ridiculed. I've hidden behind many masks and illusions over the years, portraying myself as the "funny fat guy" or the "trusted 3rd wheel".
We all could benefit from taking off our masks, tear down our illusions, and just contemplate our own person for a while. Get to know our "true" selves, learn to like our inadequacies, our quirks, the things that make us unique instead of trying to fit in with the world.
I feel the need to do this myself. I've been putting on heirs and have been trying to be something/someone I am not to try and fit in. But I can no longer deny who I am and if others cannot connect with me because of it - so be it.
We are all beautiful people on the inside and I have faith in knowing that if we truly believe that, the beauty on the inside will begin to emerge on the outside...
"When black cats prowl and pumpkins gleam,May luck be yours on Halloween." - Author Unknown
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
"Dead Man Walking: A Weight Loss Journey" e-Book is now on sale!
Friday, October 19, 2007
Vanity...
"Vanity is so secure in the heart of man that everyone wants to be admired: even I who write this, and you who read this." - Blaise Pascal
Struggling with this myself. Vanity. Who would have thought that me, myself, I would be struggling with vanity? I guess I never had anything to be vain about appearance-wise. I was a 500+lb guy with a limited wardrobe and no real sense of style.
Now with losing almost half my bodyweight, I am seeking out the "hip" clothing from "cool" designers and clothing stores. I drool over getting deals on Polo, Nautica, American Eagle, & Hollister clothing. Sometimes I feel like a kid in a candy store when I see clothes in MY size.
I need to rein things in a bit. I am on this lifestyle journey for one reason - to get healthy and inspire others to do the same. I did not choose this change to be able to flaunt it, but rather to be a beacon to others that they too can change their lives for the better.
I need to teach myself this lesson, it's not just about me - it's about others as well...
"The surest cure for vanity is loneliness." - Thomas Wolfe
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
"Dead Man Walking: A Weight Loss Journey" e-Book is now on sale!
Struggling with this myself. Vanity. Who would have thought that me, myself, I would be struggling with vanity? I guess I never had anything to be vain about appearance-wise. I was a 500+lb guy with a limited wardrobe and no real sense of style.
Now with losing almost half my bodyweight, I am seeking out the "hip" clothing from "cool" designers and clothing stores. I drool over getting deals on Polo, Nautica, American Eagle, & Hollister clothing. Sometimes I feel like a kid in a candy store when I see clothes in MY size.
I need to rein things in a bit. I am on this lifestyle journey for one reason - to get healthy and inspire others to do the same. I did not choose this change to be able to flaunt it, but rather to be a beacon to others that they too can change their lives for the better.
I need to teach myself this lesson, it's not just about me - it's about others as well...
"The surest cure for vanity is loneliness." - Thomas Wolfe
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
"Dead Man Walking: A Weight Loss Journey" e-Book is now on sale!
Friday, October 12, 2007
Persistence...
"There is no telling how many miles you will have to run while chasing a dream." - Author Unknown
I ran my first 8k race this past weekend. I have entered a few 5k races, I jog 5k 4 days a week, and I have even pushed my self a couple of times to hit 7k. 8k was a stretch for me, I was nervous and scared. They had different starting positions for those that could run a mile in 2min all the way to 10min. I run a mile in about 12min, which is better than last year.
By mile 3 my body wanted to quit. People were passing me, most of them were already on their way back to the finish line. Then the hill came. A steep hill down, cut across a few streets, a steep hill back up. My mind was screaming at me to stop. But my spirit persisted. My legs felt like jelly, but I persisted. People were passing me, but I persisted.
I ran 8k (5mi) in 63min 42sec, the fastest I have ever run before. My 7k jaunts took 70min, I smashed that to hell. I ended up 8th for my age group, and my family was there rooting for me at the end of the race. It was great.
I passed people along the way that quit running and walked. "Desperate house-moms", the "Macho-I-Was-In-The-Military-Back-In-The-Day-I-Can-Handle-8k" older guys, even teenagers. I passed teenagers that had given up. A 270lb fat guy passed teenagers in an 8k race???
Persistence is important, but it is good to know when to stop. The old adage "Winners never quit" is untrue. "Winners KNOW when to quit..."
"I may not be there yet, but I'm closer than I was yesterday." - Author Unknown
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
"Dead Man Walking: A Weight Loss Journey" e-Book is now available!
I ran my first 8k race this past weekend. I have entered a few 5k races, I jog 5k 4 days a week, and I have even pushed my self a couple of times to hit 7k. 8k was a stretch for me, I was nervous and scared. They had different starting positions for those that could run a mile in 2min all the way to 10min. I run a mile in about 12min, which is better than last year.
By mile 3 my body wanted to quit. People were passing me, most of them were already on their way back to the finish line. Then the hill came. A steep hill down, cut across a few streets, a steep hill back up. My mind was screaming at me to stop. But my spirit persisted. My legs felt like jelly, but I persisted. People were passing me, but I persisted.
I ran 8k (5mi) in 63min 42sec, the fastest I have ever run before. My 7k jaunts took 70min, I smashed that to hell. I ended up 8th for my age group, and my family was there rooting for me at the end of the race. It was great.
I passed people along the way that quit running and walked. "Desperate house-moms", the "Macho-I-Was-In-The-Military-Back-In-The-Day-I-Can-Handle-8k" older guys, even teenagers. I passed teenagers that had given up. A 270lb fat guy passed teenagers in an 8k race???
Persistence is important, but it is good to know when to stop. The old adage "Winners never quit" is untrue. "Winners KNOW when to quit..."
"I may not be there yet, but I'm closer than I was yesterday." - Author Unknown
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
"Dead Man Walking: A Weight Loss Journey" e-Book is now available!
Friday, October 05, 2007
Moving On...
"You can't unscramble eggs..." - Joel Osteen
I heard this while on my jog this morning, I was listening to Your Best Life Now by Joel Osteen. The point he was making with the above quote is that you need to move through whatever pain, guilt, or whatever is holding you back. You can't continue to live in the past, remembering each and every time you fell down on your journey. You need to move on and start fresh, the past is the past.
Sometimes we find ourselves dwelling a little too long on things that have gotten us off track. We need to remember that each day is a new day, a time to start fresh. The chains of the past are broken, the future is ahead of us - full of promise and excitement.
I've been struggling with this for a little while now, not letting go of somethings that have been chaining me to the past. Today is different. I am choosing to move on and look forward to the excitement that awaits me and my family.
Tonight I am participating in the annual chili cook off here in town, my third year. I've used it to promote my speaking business and website. Now that my book is available, I will promote that as well. Hope I make an impression...
"Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent." - Eleanor Roosevelt
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
"Dead Man Walking: A Weight Loss Journey" e-Book is on sale now!
I heard this while on my jog this morning, I was listening to Your Best Life Now by Joel Osteen. The point he was making with the above quote is that you need to move through whatever pain, guilt, or whatever is holding you back. You can't continue to live in the past, remembering each and every time you fell down on your journey. You need to move on and start fresh, the past is the past.
Sometimes we find ourselves dwelling a little too long on things that have gotten us off track. We need to remember that each day is a new day, a time to start fresh. The chains of the past are broken, the future is ahead of us - full of promise and excitement.
I've been struggling with this for a little while now, not letting go of somethings that have been chaining me to the past. Today is different. I am choosing to move on and look forward to the excitement that awaits me and my family.
Tonight I am participating in the annual chili cook off here in town, my third year. I've used it to promote my speaking business and website. Now that my book is available, I will promote that as well. Hope I make an impression...
"Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent." - Eleanor Roosevelt
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
"Dead Man Walking: A Weight Loss Journey" e-Book is on sale now!
Friday, September 28, 2007
Anniversaries...
"Love one another and you will be happy. It's as simple and as difficult as that." - Michael Leunig
My dearest Brenda,
11 years ago today you and I became husband and wife. It's been a strange and wonderful trip. We have had our share of good times and bad times over the years. I am thankful each day for you. I am thankful for finding someone that was able to look past the exterior and see into my heart.
Both of us have matured and our love for eachother has grown exponentially, founded in our faith in Jesus Christ.
I know this may sound odd, but sometimes secular musicians get some sentiments right in their music. I heard this lyric and it reminded me so much of us:
"Trust I seek and I find in you,
Each day for us something new,
Open minds for a different view,
And nothing else matters..."
I don't know what the future holds, but I do know that I don't want to experience any of it without you.
I can't offer you much in the way of gifts this year for our anniversary, but what I can offer is my undying love and the culmination of my efforts to live a healthier lifestyle.
Today is the day that I chose to release my book to the world. A book that without your love, support, & encouragement would never have been written. I dedicate it to you and my prayer is that others would be touched and inspired through it.
Thank you for loving me no matter what...
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
"Dead Man Walking: A Weight Loss Story" e-Book is now available!
My dearest Brenda,
11 years ago today you and I became husband and wife. It's been a strange and wonderful trip. We have had our share of good times and bad times over the years. I am thankful each day for you. I am thankful for finding someone that was able to look past the exterior and see into my heart.
Both of us have matured and our love for eachother has grown exponentially, founded in our faith in Jesus Christ.
I know this may sound odd, but sometimes secular musicians get some sentiments right in their music. I heard this lyric and it reminded me so much of us:
"Trust I seek and I find in you,
Each day for us something new,
Open minds for a different view,
And nothing else matters..."
I don't know what the future holds, but I do know that I don't want to experience any of it without you.
I can't offer you much in the way of gifts this year for our anniversary, but what I can offer is my undying love and the culmination of my efforts to live a healthier lifestyle.
Today is the day that I chose to release my book to the world. A book that without your love, support, & encouragement would never have been written. I dedicate it to you and my prayer is that others would be touched and inspired through it.
Thank you for loving me no matter what...
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
"Dead Man Walking: A Weight Loss Story" e-Book is now available!
Friday, September 21, 2007
Pity...
"Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional." - M. Kathleen Casey
Ever been in a pity spiral? I can tell you that it can be a scary place. Sometimes you feel good about the "woe is me", but then you find it creeps into every fiber of your being. That's when the depression starts, thoughts of failure cloud over your mind. Sometimes it gets so intense that the only way out (at least the only way you can see through the cloud) is suicide.
I've been down that road a few times, and let me tell you - it is not a fun place to be. We all get down on ourselves, thinking that we aren't good enough or living up to our true potential. Sure we can trip up and fall into the pity pool and wallow in it for a bit. But we need to climb out as soon as possible, otherwise that pity pool will turn into a spiral and it will get harder and harder to get out.
When you feel like you've failed or given up, remind yourself that you are human - and that humans make mistakes. Think of the positive things that you have accomplished. Set new goals for a new day. Take a deep breath and tell yourself that this is a minor set-back, the race is not over. The journey has just begun...
"It's not easy taking my problems one at a time when they refuse to get in line." - Ashleigh Brilliant
Ever been in a pity spiral? I can tell you that it can be a scary place. Sometimes you feel good about the "woe is me", but then you find it creeps into every fiber of your being. That's when the depression starts, thoughts of failure cloud over your mind. Sometimes it gets so intense that the only way out (at least the only way you can see through the cloud) is suicide.
I've been down that road a few times, and let me tell you - it is not a fun place to be. We all get down on ourselves, thinking that we aren't good enough or living up to our true potential. Sure we can trip up and fall into the pity pool and wallow in it for a bit. But we need to climb out as soon as possible, otherwise that pity pool will turn into a spiral and it will get harder and harder to get out.
When you feel like you've failed or given up, remind yourself that you are human - and that humans make mistakes. Think of the positive things that you have accomplished. Set new goals for a new day. Take a deep breath and tell yourself that this is a minor set-back, the race is not over. The journey has just begun...
"It's not easy taking my problems one at a time when they refuse to get in line." - Ashleigh Brilliant
Friday, September 14, 2007
Defeat...
"No one ever excused his way to success." - Dave Del Dotto
I was thinking about this the past couple of days. I guess it has become a theme this week, my audio podcast & video show also deal with this topic. Those thoughts that tend to creep into our minds, telling us that we are worthless or try to get us off task really can be pursuasive. I fought like hell this week with thoughts of sleeping in and not jogging or exercising, thoughts of defeat because I was unable to get out to walk before work because of traffic. Worries about personal & family problems, that voice telling me to just splurge and eat to make myself feel better.
If anything it would make things worse. Sometimes we fall into that self-defeat pit and quickly need to get out of it. The longer we wallow in it, the harder it is to see daylight and hope. We start believing these thoughts and that only pulls us down deeper.
If you get a negative thought, you need to replace it right away with a positive one. Have a bad experience? Train yourself to look for a positive in that negative. Life is a learning experience...
"Pessimism is an excuse for not trying and a guarantee to a personal failure." - Bill Clinton
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
A free sample chapter of my new book is available for download!
I was thinking about this the past couple of days. I guess it has become a theme this week, my audio podcast & video show also deal with this topic. Those thoughts that tend to creep into our minds, telling us that we are worthless or try to get us off task really can be pursuasive. I fought like hell this week with thoughts of sleeping in and not jogging or exercising, thoughts of defeat because I was unable to get out to walk before work because of traffic. Worries about personal & family problems, that voice telling me to just splurge and eat to make myself feel better.
If anything it would make things worse. Sometimes we fall into that self-defeat pit and quickly need to get out of it. The longer we wallow in it, the harder it is to see daylight and hope. We start believing these thoughts and that only pulls us down deeper.
If you get a negative thought, you need to replace it right away with a positive one. Have a bad experience? Train yourself to look for a positive in that negative. Life is a learning experience...
"Pessimism is an excuse for not trying and a guarantee to a personal failure." - Bill Clinton
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
A free sample chapter of my new book is available for download!
Friday, September 07, 2007
Contentment
"Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed." - Mohandas K. Gandhi
This week's episode of "The Fattening of America" deals with contentment. This is a really tough issue to deal with in today's society. I often find myself wishing and dreaming for a new car, new house, new video game hardware and the like. I know deep down that none of that stuff will satisfy me. We tend to compensate for poor self-image by acquiring things to make us look more important or to garner some feeling of envy from others.
Contentment is something that I struggle with daily. I need to keep telling myself that I need to be content with who I am first. I need to come to grips with my strengths, weaknesses, talents, & skills and tell myself that I am valuable.
Be content with WHO you are but never WHERE you are... There's a difference...
"You can never get enough of what you don't need to make you happy." - Eric Hoffer
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
A sample chapter of my book is available for download!
This week's episode of "The Fattening of America" deals with contentment. This is a really tough issue to deal with in today's society. I often find myself wishing and dreaming for a new car, new house, new video game hardware and the like. I know deep down that none of that stuff will satisfy me. We tend to compensate for poor self-image by acquiring things to make us look more important or to garner some feeling of envy from others.
Contentment is something that I struggle with daily. I need to keep telling myself that I need to be content with who I am first. I need to come to grips with my strengths, weaknesses, talents, & skills and tell myself that I am valuable.
Be content with WHO you are but never WHERE you are... There's a difference...
"You can never get enough of what you don't need to make you happy." - Eric Hoffer
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
A sample chapter of my book is available for download!
Friday, August 31, 2007
Mistakes...
"If you don't make mistakes, you're not working on hard enough problems. And that's a big mistake." - F. Wikzek
Mistakes are made daily. We forget things, we mis-type something, send a fax to the wrong number. Mistakes are meant to be learning tools, we should learn from and not dwell on mistakes. Each day is a new day, a new start, a clean slate. We should look at our past mistakes, learn from them what we can and move on.
Let's start fresh. A new month starts tomorrow, a new day is dawning. Let's discover life while making a few mistakes along the way...
"The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing." - John Powell
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
A sample chapter of my new book is available for download!
Mistakes are made daily. We forget things, we mis-type something, send a fax to the wrong number. Mistakes are meant to be learning tools, we should learn from and not dwell on mistakes. Each day is a new day, a new start, a clean slate. We should look at our past mistakes, learn from them what we can and move on.
Let's start fresh. A new month starts tomorrow, a new day is dawning. Let's discover life while making a few mistakes along the way...
"The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing." - John Powell
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
A sample chapter of my new book is available for download!
Friday, August 24, 2007
Determination...
"Go for it now. The future is promised to no one." - Wayne Dyer
Been listening to the album, "1984" by Van Halen. A highly energetic album filled with a lot of positive messages. I dare say that it is the best Van Halen album with "Diamond" Dave at the helm. One song that really gets my blood pumping isn't the commercial anthem, "Jump" that everyone associates with this album - but rather the song "I'll Wait".
The chorus of the song goes:
"I'll wait 'til your love comes down,
I'm coming straight for your heart.
No way you can stop me now,
As fine as you are..."
Determination. It's all about determination. He is going to get the girl, no matter what. Even though she may resist or think that he won't - he will. That's what we all need to focus on in our own lives, where is our determination? Where is our drive? How did we lose it? What will it take to get it back?
I fought with this concept this morning. My right ankle has been bothering me so I have been favoring it. I thought about cutting my job short this morning but pushed through. I thought about not biking this morning but pushed through. Thought about not exercising this morning but pushed through. Thought about cutting my morning walk short but pushed through.
Excuses were running through my mind on why I shouldn't continue. But then I flashed on watching the show "Fat March" and how several people had been making the same excuses for quitting the show. Some quit. Others pressed on. I wanted to press on. That's determination.
"If you woke up breathing, congratulations! You have another chance." - Andrea Boydston
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
PS- the much-anticipated book of mine is coming along great! You can download a sample chapter from my website's store! Enjoy!
Been listening to the album, "1984" by Van Halen. A highly energetic album filled with a lot of positive messages. I dare say that it is the best Van Halen album with "Diamond" Dave at the helm. One song that really gets my blood pumping isn't the commercial anthem, "Jump" that everyone associates with this album - but rather the song "I'll Wait".
The chorus of the song goes:
"I'll wait 'til your love comes down,
I'm coming straight for your heart.
No way you can stop me now,
As fine as you are..."
Determination. It's all about determination. He is going to get the girl, no matter what. Even though she may resist or think that he won't - he will. That's what we all need to focus on in our own lives, where is our determination? Where is our drive? How did we lose it? What will it take to get it back?
I fought with this concept this morning. My right ankle has been bothering me so I have been favoring it. I thought about cutting my job short this morning but pushed through. I thought about not biking this morning but pushed through. Thought about not exercising this morning but pushed through. Thought about cutting my morning walk short but pushed through.
Excuses were running through my mind on why I shouldn't continue. But then I flashed on watching the show "Fat March" and how several people had been making the same excuses for quitting the show. Some quit. Others pressed on. I wanted to press on. That's determination.
"If you woke up breathing, congratulations! You have another chance." - Andrea Boydston
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
PS- the much-anticipated book of mine is coming along great! You can download a sample chapter from my website's store! Enjoy!
Friday, August 17, 2007
Impatience...
"Experience has taught me this, that we undo ourselves by impatience. Misfortunes have their life and their limits, their sickness and their health." - Michel de Montaigne
The waiting game. We've all played it from time to time. Anticipation gives way to frustration. Fear of the unknown clouds our minds. I have struggled well with impatience, and have lost the battle many times. Our impulsiveness and "need it/want it/gotta have it" attitude tends to be our downfall.
Baking a cake takes patience. Painting a masterpiece takes patience. Raising a child takes patience. Starting a new lifestyle change takes patience.
When impatience starts to take control, sit back - take a deep breath and count backwards from ten. Meditate, keep your mind occupied, try not to dwell on the situation or problem causing the impatient reaction...
"One moment of patience may ward off great disaster. One moment of impatience may ruin a whole life." - Chinese Proverb
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
The waiting game. We've all played it from time to time. Anticipation gives way to frustration. Fear of the unknown clouds our minds. I have struggled well with impatience, and have lost the battle many times. Our impulsiveness and "need it/want it/gotta have it" attitude tends to be our downfall.
Baking a cake takes patience. Painting a masterpiece takes patience. Raising a child takes patience. Starting a new lifestyle change takes patience.
When impatience starts to take control, sit back - take a deep breath and count backwards from ten. Meditate, keep your mind occupied, try not to dwell on the situation or problem causing the impatient reaction...
"One moment of patience may ward off great disaster. One moment of impatience may ruin a whole life." - Chinese Proverb
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Friday, August 10, 2007
Time...
"Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you." - Carl Sandberg
It seems as though there aren't enough hours in the day to get things accomplished. We've compromised our health by giving in to our tiredness by visiting fast food restaurants or "preparing" instant meals. "But it's easier, no hassles" you tell yourself.
Think of it this way - in the time it takes to drive to a fast food restaurant and wait in the drive-thru (because you know there are others with a similar mindset) and finally drive home, you could have prepared a simple meal at home that would taste 100 times better than any fast food fare.
"But I don't have time to exercise" is another excuse I have heard lately. I think when people hear the word "exercise", they imagine some huge production that takes at least an hour to complete.
I submit this - can you find 10 or 15 minutes to walk around? Have a stressball at work? Squeeze that ball 20 times in each hand (10 reps/2 sets), there's your exercise. It doesn't have to be an involved process. 10 minutes of exercise is better than no exercise at all.
You can find the time to make a good meal or exercise, you must be committed to that end...
"Time is an equal opportunity employer. Each human being has exactly the same number of hours and minutes every day. Rich people can't buy more hours. Scientists can't invent new minutes. And you can't save time to spend it on another day. Even so, time is amazingly fair and forgiving. No matter how much time you've wasted in the past, you still have an entire tomorrow." - Denis Waitely
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
It seems as though there aren't enough hours in the day to get things accomplished. We've compromised our health by giving in to our tiredness by visiting fast food restaurants or "preparing" instant meals. "But it's easier, no hassles" you tell yourself.
Think of it this way - in the time it takes to drive to a fast food restaurant and wait in the drive-thru (because you know there are others with a similar mindset) and finally drive home, you could have prepared a simple meal at home that would taste 100 times better than any fast food fare.
"But I don't have time to exercise" is another excuse I have heard lately. I think when people hear the word "exercise", they imagine some huge production that takes at least an hour to complete.
I submit this - can you find 10 or 15 minutes to walk around? Have a stressball at work? Squeeze that ball 20 times in each hand (10 reps/2 sets), there's your exercise. It doesn't have to be an involved process. 10 minutes of exercise is better than no exercise at all.
You can find the time to make a good meal or exercise, you must be committed to that end...
"Time is an equal opportunity employer. Each human being has exactly the same number of hours and minutes every day. Rich people can't buy more hours. Scientists can't invent new minutes. And you can't save time to spend it on another day. Even so, time is amazingly fair and forgiving. No matter how much time you've wasted in the past, you still have an entire tomorrow." - Denis Waitely
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Friday, August 03, 2007
Results
"Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending." - Author Unknown
On some of the previous episodes of "The Fattening of America", I shared from my garden. One episode focused on growth and how just like I weeded, water, & nurture the garden, we also need someone to nurture and grow us in our journey.
Then you start to see results. I am starting to see results in my garden in the form of tomatoes, peppers, and coming this fall - pumpkins. On our own journey, our results don't just include numbers on a scale. It could also include other things like things we can accomplish, clothes that fit better, or physical/mental/emotional changes.
Just because the needle on the scale isn't moving doesn't mean that you are failing. Sit down and make a list of accomplishments that don't include pounds lost. I'll bet you will feel good when you look over the list and see some of the results...
"Sometimes the path you're on is not as important as the direction you're heading." - Kevin Smith
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
On some of the previous episodes of "The Fattening of America", I shared from my garden. One episode focused on growth and how just like I weeded, water, & nurture the garden, we also need someone to nurture and grow us in our journey.
Then you start to see results. I am starting to see results in my garden in the form of tomatoes, peppers, and coming this fall - pumpkins. On our own journey, our results don't just include numbers on a scale. It could also include other things like things we can accomplish, clothes that fit better, or physical/mental/emotional changes.
Just because the needle on the scale isn't moving doesn't mean that you are failing. Sit down and make a list of accomplishments that don't include pounds lost. I'll bet you will feel good when you look over the list and see some of the results...
"Sometimes the path you're on is not as important as the direction you're heading." - Kevin Smith
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Friday, July 27, 2007
Running...
"If you don't get lost, there's a chance you may never be found." ~Author Unknown
Was listening to a podcast from Joel Olsteen, pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, TX. The message was all about identity and who we are. How we shouldn't feel like we are competing with others by driving the better car, having a better job, being smarter - what have you.
We are each in our own race and we need to remember that. He made the analogy of someone's neighbor praying for an hour every day and they don't even go to church. How that would make someone have to "compete" or "out-do" that person in some way. I've found that I have been guilty of that, seeing some of the totals on the weight loss support group. Seeing some people's numbers going down and my own as stagnant. I want to whine and just say "to heck with it" or get a burning desire to try and "out-do" that person.
What I get is burned out and depressed. But thanks to Joel, I can actually encourage and praise those people for their efforts instead of being bitter. They have their race, I have mine. Their goal maybe closer than mine, but we will both see the finish line.
Neil, EXCELLENT JOB! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND KEEP ON INSPIRING OTHERS!
"Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves." ~Henry David Thoreau
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Was listening to a podcast from Joel Olsteen, pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, TX. The message was all about identity and who we are. How we shouldn't feel like we are competing with others by driving the better car, having a better job, being smarter - what have you.
We are each in our own race and we need to remember that. He made the analogy of someone's neighbor praying for an hour every day and they don't even go to church. How that would make someone have to "compete" or "out-do" that person in some way. I've found that I have been guilty of that, seeing some of the totals on the weight loss support group. Seeing some people's numbers going down and my own as stagnant. I want to whine and just say "to heck with it" or get a burning desire to try and "out-do" that person.
What I get is burned out and depressed. But thanks to Joel, I can actually encourage and praise those people for their efforts instead of being bitter. They have their race, I have mine. Their goal maybe closer than mine, but we will both see the finish line.
Neil, EXCELLENT JOB! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND KEEP ON INSPIRING OTHERS!
"Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves." ~Henry David Thoreau
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Friday, July 20, 2007
Moving On...
"The past is a good place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there." - Author Unknown
Got back on my bike this week after a long hiatus. It felt good to get out there again. One thing I noticed this morning while riding was all the houses for sale. I counted at least a dozen in my neighborhood.
It's always good to move on, doesn't necessarily mean on to bigger & better things, but moving on to a better situation. Hanging onto the past doesn't allow you the opportunity to embrace the future with open arms. Whatever mistakes that were made in the past, learn from them and move on. If the row gets harder to hoe, don't wish for the times that were easier.
Grudges, now I have a hard time with this one, need to be set free and let go of. By holding grudges you are allowing the people that originally hurt you to continue to do so with the constant reminder in the back of your brain. You may not be able to forget, but you should be able to forgive.
Moving past the roadblocks in our journeys are imperative if we want to succeed. What may seem like Mt. Kilimanjaro now, may in reality be a simple mole hill when we look back on it when we have moved on.
Keep that in mind today, what roadblocks are in your way today? What do you need to change in order to move on?
"When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us." - Alexander Graham Bell
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com (updated!)
Got back on my bike this week after a long hiatus. It felt good to get out there again. One thing I noticed this morning while riding was all the houses for sale. I counted at least a dozen in my neighborhood.
It's always good to move on, doesn't necessarily mean on to bigger & better things, but moving on to a better situation. Hanging onto the past doesn't allow you the opportunity to embrace the future with open arms. Whatever mistakes that were made in the past, learn from them and move on. If the row gets harder to hoe, don't wish for the times that were easier.
Grudges, now I have a hard time with this one, need to be set free and let go of. By holding grudges you are allowing the people that originally hurt you to continue to do so with the constant reminder in the back of your brain. You may not be able to forget, but you should be able to forgive.
Moving past the roadblocks in our journeys are imperative if we want to succeed. What may seem like Mt. Kilimanjaro now, may in reality be a simple mole hill when we look back on it when we have moved on.
Keep that in mind today, what roadblocks are in your way today? What do you need to change in order to move on?
"When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us." - Alexander Graham Bell
Matty
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com (updated!)
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