The fish are jumping all over Lake Macatawa. I see them everytime I pass by the black lake on my walks. Large carp & catfish leaping out of the water, reaching for that tasty morsel that is just above them. I'm still jumping on my weightloss journey, still reaching for that next level. How about you? Are you reaching for that next level or have you fallen back into a "woe is me" attitude because you've fallen off the trail?
Never say quit. I've gotten off track myself. Hell, today is the first day in 2 weeks that I am actually writing down my food & exercise. But I won't quit. I may be down, but I won't be down for long. I have too much riding on my successful weightloss to throw it all away. I have too many people I need to encourage and inspire to change their lives for the better. I've got too many friends and family members counting on me to stick with this.
Jump with me, jump up to that next level, that tasty morsel of pounds lost or clothes size decreases. I've heard it before, nothing tastes as good as thin feels...
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
Friday, June 12, 2009
Friday, June 05, 2009
Toxic People...
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
8 Toxic Personalities To Avoid
MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com
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/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)