Follow my blog with Bloglovin It's a new year and that means many of you have vowed to work out more and eat healthier. Noble goals for sure, I'm doing the same (see the Operation Find Our Abs tab). But let my daughter, Brooke, derail your hard work. Girl Scout Cookies are once again on sale. There are all the usual favorites like Thin Mints, Samoas and Tagalongs (my favorite) along with newcomers Girl Scout S'Mores and Toffee-Tastic.
Cookies are $4 a box ($5 for the two new flavors) and a portion of the proceeds goes to Brooke's troop. She explains (not in great detail) what she enjoys about Girl Scouts. The program has been great for her for several years.
Overnight at the St. Louis Zoo in 2012
In addition to the fun field trips to St. Louis and right here in southern Illinois, the girls have learned a number of valuable skills. First aid and safety, conservation and crafting are just a few of the things Girl Scouts has taught our daughter.
Serving lunch at The Promise
Her troop has done several community service projects too. The girls have collected coats, hats and gloves for people in need in southern Illinois. Troop members have also served meals at The Promise in Marion.
Last year's sales
By purchasing a box of these delicious cookies you're making a difference in the lives of girls in your community. So whether you buy from my daughter or another girl in your neighborhood, I thank you in advance. My family does too.
Time for another accountability post, this will be the last of 2016. I had set big goals at the start of the year and unfortunately I did not keep up with those. My time at the gym dwindled after the first few months of 2016 as did my healthier eating habits.
My running is still going strong. The streak stands at 216 as of this posting. Last month I blogged about my new protein powder. It's a plant-based product called Vega. I mix it with spinach, milk and blueberries and it makes a great meal replacement.
Thanksgiving grub
Thanksgiving weekend didn't go well either. I ate enough to feed a small village in a third world country. But by the Monday after the holiday I was back on track and at least not eating as much junk. Now that it is December my concern this month is elf diet: candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup. I'm not so worried about most of those because I'm not a fan of candy canes, candy corns or syrup. But Christmas cookies are one of my favorites this time of year.
We're weeks away from 2017. I'll be back in the gym and get on track. Better food choices are on the menu in the new year too. Merry Christmas and thanks for reading.
Disclaimer: I am not an expert, but the advice dispensed here has been researched or is something that has worked for me in the past. Proceed at your own risk...
I'm starting something new here on the blog. It's called Motivational Monday. Most of us probably made a New Year's resolution last week. We're four days into 2016 and you may have already fallen off the wagon. If you have, don't fret. Here's an idea from the team at Cleveland Clinic: Pay yourself to succeed.
Here's how it works. Set your goal. For example if you want to work out more, come up with a schedule to go to the gym or to just work out. When you work toward that goal, put some money into a jar with the intent on spending it on an expensive item you wouldn't normally buy yourself. Maybe you have your eye on a new iPhone or a GoPro or a vacation.
Here's the important part, don't spend the money until you've reached the cost of the "prize." Determine how much you can afford to throw into the jar according to your budget. The idea is for this to take more than a few weeks to achieve. If you miss a day of working out, it's no big deal. Get back on track and continue to drop that money in the jar.
You can come up with a similar plan if your intention is to quit smoking. When you make it through a day without lighting up, put in the amount equivalent to what you spend on cigarettes each day. Or if you want to stop eating fast food, put the cash in when you don't go through a drive thru. Your money is still being spent, but you're rewarding yourself and changing a habit at the same time.
Day 2 of working out Gold's Gym, Marion
Experts say it takes about 63 days to change a behavior, so don't expect rock hard abs on January 30 or to have lost 30 pounds by the end of the month. Remember, you can do it. Share your tips here. Good luck and Happy New Year.
Let me clarify. The headline was admittedly to get you here. I don't really blame running on my recent weight gain. But my mindset after I run. In 2015 I ran more than ever before, logging 793 miles. I ran a half marathon, a full marathon, a relay race and several 5Ks. So it was a good year for running.
Wrapping up 2015
While my mileage went up, so did my weight. It's nothing drastic, but I am about 10 pounds heavier than I was a year ago. I weighed myself this morning (New Year's Day) and I'm at 193.6 pounds. I'm not complaining, but I'm not happy with the way things are right now.
When I run and see that I've burned hundreds of calories, I justify making a less healthy choice later that day. Over the fall I became addicted to peanut butter and apple butter sandwiches at lunch. I've also started using flavored coffee creamers, and after two or three cups a day, the calories add up. I'm now limiting myself to one coffee a day with the creamer, the rest of my cups are just black.
January 1, 2016
I'm not pregnant
For the last couple of years I've declared it the year I find my abs. Obviously, that's still not happened. I took that pic above this morning after weighing myself. I've also started the 30 Day Ab Challenge. I know that abs are built in the kitchen, and I'm changing my eating habits and trying to conquer my sweet tooth. It's not going to be easy, but I know it can be done.
In addition to the Ab Challenge, I plan to increase the number of times I hit the gym. I'll also work more DDP Yoga into my life and of course, I'll keep running. My first meal of the new year was a spinach, banana, blueberry and peanut butter smoothie. It's pretty good and good for me too (at least I hope).
As 2013 comes to a close, it's time to look ahead to a new year. I had some fun and success in 2013, with the biggest milestone being turning 40. I also reached my running goal of hitting 500 miles. Now, I'm writing up 14 goals for 2014. I hope by doing this I will be more accountable. I've learned when setting goals or making resolutions, remember KISS (keep it simple and specific).
When December 31, 2014 rolls around, I don't fully expect to have accomplished everything on this list, but I hope to have at least tried. So if you haven't written down your goals for the new year, join me in doing it. You don't have to share it with the world, but at least have something to track your progress. And before I forget, thanks for reading this blog and showing your support through the years.
1.Run a half marathon. Since 2011 I've started running again. In high school I kinda ran Cross Country. Some 20+ years later, I'm running more than I ever have before. In 2013 I hit my goal of running 500 miles. I've competed in two Warrior Dashes, a color run, and multiple 5Ks. It seems the next logical step is a half marathon. My plan as of right now (December 30, 2013) is to run the "Fly With The Eagles" half marathon in February.
Doing DDP Yoga
2. Do DDP Yoga at least 3 times a week. I started doing DDP Yoga about six months ago, but I have yet to find a balance and keep up with it. It's hard to strike that balance of running and trying to fit in the yoga too. But along with the yoga comes my desire to really improve not just my health but my appearance too. I'm going to be 41 in a few months, and I've never really considered myself to be "in shape." In 2014, that will change. Even though DDP advises against it, I think I need to hit the gym more often too.
3. Reach 750,000 page views on this blog. This is quite a lofty goal. After 3 years and 3 months of blogging, I'm at 405,000 page reads. Part of my plan for 2014 is to write at least 300 blogs. Since changing the focus from wrestling to other areas of life, more readers are checking out my writing (and Chad's when he's inspired to post something).
4. Reach 500,000 views on my YouTube channel. If you haven't already, please subscribe to my YouTube channel. I'm at just over 269,000 right now. I know I shouldn't be so focused on the numbers, but it's something I obsess about all the time. Like the blog, I'm posting about more than just wrestling over there too.
5. Start a Podcast. Now that From the Rafters Radio has officially wrapped up, I'd love to try to do a podcast. My biggest worry at this point is having the time to actually do one and do it right. Stay tuned for more details if this one starts to develop.
An apple a day...
6. Eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. For the most part, I eat pretty healthy, but there's room for improvement, especially on the weekends. When we do go out to eat, I'm passing on the twisted potatoes (a weakness of mine) and getting a veggie side instead.
7. Give up the extra sodas during the week. I am obsessed with fountain Coke Zero with a splash of vanilla flavoring. Earlier in 2013, I had weaned myself off daily sodas and started drinking coffee. I was only drinking soda on Friday and Saturday. But then I got to the point where I was grabbing a soda when I was out on a story or having one on Sunday because I'm so addicted to the caffeine. I know I should give them up completely, and I will work toward that someday, but right now I'm good with cutting myself back to just those two days a week.
8. Watch more wrestling. I know my wife will not want to hear that one, but really, I only watch Monday Night Raw on a regular basis. 2013 I watched very few episodes of SmackDown!, Impact, or NXT. I think to be a wrestling blogger, I should broaden my horizons. I want to see more indy stuff too, but I don't know how realistic that will be in this area.
Holiday World 2012
9. Spend more time doing family things. I know I'm painting myself in a corner with some of these aspirations and goals. The good thing is, I get home from work two to three hours before my kids come home from school. With some improved time management, I can get things knocked out while I'm home alone. That will free up more time in the evenings and weekends to do more family oriented things. My oldest son is in 8th grade, and before you know it, he'll be heading off to college. I don't want him to leave and think "I wish we would have done more together."
10. Sleep at least six hours a night. Again, I see the conundrum, but I have to make this work. Right now I get about five hours of sleep a night. Some nights it's less. Fewer nights it's more. I think to be able to tackle all these other lofty goals I'm going to have to be well rested and in turn that will help me to function better.
11. Help more with the finances. As I'm writing this, my wife asked "Are you going to add something about helping more with the finances?" So like any smart man I said yes. After all, happy wife, happy life. I am notorious for letting her handle all that stuff. I did finally figure out how the online banking system works and will be helping more in that regard each month. Now, if only there was a way to get more green added to that account.
Book worm? Hardly
12. Read three books. That doesn't sound like much, but I'm addicted to my iPad and iPhone and have not read a book cover to cover since wrapping up the Harry Potter series three years ago. I think reading more and playing less Song Pop, Words with Friends, and various other apps on my phone will be a good thing.
13. Have more date nights with my wife. Now that are kids are getting older, we don't have the excuse of not wanting to hire a babysitter anymore. I want to spend more time as a couple. Family time is important, but I love when we're able to get out just the two of us. These don't have to be expensive outings either. I'm thinking of simple things we can do that won't cost an arm and a leg.
14. Focus more time on anchoring the news. I've been anchoring the morning news for more than nine years now. Of course through the years, I have improved, but I need to pick up my game. My stumbles need to go away. I'm working hard to accomplish this one.
Okay, that's my 14 goals for 2014. Check back again in a year and hopefully my year in review I'll have checked some of these things of the list. Thanks again for reading and the support.
