Accountability Blog: A picture speaks a thousand words

By Chad Smart

@chadsmart & @my123cents on Twitter
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January 1: 190 Pounds
March 1: 173 Pounds

It’s only been two months since I started the #OperationFindMyAbs in earnest, but I can already see the results. This was made clear last week when Facebook reminded me how out of shape I was by bringing up a past memory. Earlier in the week I had joked with a friend after watching an episode of My 600 Pound Life that if my face ever looked like a live version of the happy face emoticon to let me know. I guess Facebook took my suggestion seriously because I couldn’t believe how much 2014 me could have been used in a text message to express happiness. 

Happy face emoticon 

When I decided to get serious about trying to get in shape, I told Kevin my short-term goal was to get down to 170 pounds by the time Wrestlemania week rolled around. While I should be able to hit that goal by the time we roll into Dallas on April 1, I’ve still got a ways to go to reach my ultimate goal. I still can’t see any abs and I need to work on building muscle now that I’ve gotten rid of most of the fat. This next month is going to be a real test of my willpower. 

As Kevin mentioned in his accountability blog for this month, there were some moments of weakness and setbacks in the last month. I had to go home for a funeral then went straight from there to San Jose for a weekend of hockey. I actually put on two pounds during that week due to lack of exercise and poor eating. 

At the end of March, in addition to spending a week in Texas for WrestleMania, the week before I’ll be going around upstate New York, Montreal and Ottawa in the ongoing quest to see all 30 NHL teams play at home. Two weeks on the road avoiding fast food and making sure to get in a daily workout won’t be easy. Even if I should suffer a setback, my determination will not be broken. The journey of 1000 miles starts with one step.

Birds of a feather...

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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The Fabulous Freebirds will join Sting and the Godfather in the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2016.  This has been speculated for some time and is a long overdue honor for Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy, Buddy Roberts and Jimmy Garvin.

Hayes & Kerry Von Erich scuffle

I grew up in the 80's when wrestling was going through a rebirth.  One of my favorite promotions at that time was World Class Championship Wrestling.  I was a huge mark for Kerry Von Erich.  In fact the moment when Gordy slammed the steel cage door in Kerry's face while he was wrestling Ric Flair is one of my first wrestling memories.  I became hooked as the Freebirds and Von Erich brothers engaged in one of the greatest rivalries the business has ever seen.  

'Birds in New York (the first time) 

The 'Birds briefly left Texas for WWF, but not with much success.  Eventually they would return to World Class and Hayes would align with the Von Erichs in one of the most unlikely, but awesome relationships in wrestling.  Hayes would reunite with Gordy in WCW as "Bam Bam" helped P.S. win the U.S. title from Lex Luger.  

WCW Freebirds

Hayes and Freebird ally Jimmy Garvin would bring new life to the team and win the WCW World and U.S. tag team titles.  They quickly became a duo I loved to hate.  While they lacked the luster of the original trio, I always thought Hayes and Garvin were underrated as a unit.  I'm glad WWE is including Garvin in the induction.  Thanks for the memories.

March is coming in like a ... PIG

Oink!

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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Forget the lion and the lamb.  For this guy, March is moving in more like a pig.  February was a rough month keeping on course with my fitness and nutrition goals.  I can sit here and list excuses as to why I didn't hit the gym as often as I was supposed to or why I ate and drank in excess several times, but that's a waste of all our time.

Ab workout

Excuses don't mean anything.  The time has come and gone and I'm refocusing on the task at hand.  By this point in my program, which started January 3, I was hoping to see better results.  Looking in the mirror, I don't notice any significant changes.

I take responsibility for this set back.  I'm going to take the lessons learned over the last 29 days and make different choices.  March too will be a rough month.  I'm already mentally planning what I'm going to eat and when I'm going to workout when we hit Disney World.  

Beer:30

On a positive note, I've kept my intake of sweet treats pretty low. February's gluttony included alcohol, a lot of Mexican food and more diet soda than I normally drink. I slacked in the last week of the month with workouts too.  But as we flip the page on a new month, I'm reminding myself this is a fresh start.  

Zack Ryder

Warmer temperatures in the spring months and training for an upcoming relay race should add some miles to my running app and I've found a new workout program courtesy of WWE Superstar Zack Ryder.  Hopefully by the end of March the pig is gone and I'm roaring like a lion.

Motivational Monday: Start with the man in the mirror

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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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 saw this quote "If you're searching for that one person that will change your life, take a look in the mirror."  and immediately thought of the Michael Jackson song Man in the Mirror.  I've pondered the quote and the words from the song over the last few days and really if anyone is going to save you, it has to be you.

No matter what element of your life you want to change, the most important thing is doing more than just WANTING to change.  And make sure you really do want to change and understand the challenges involved.  Set up smaller daily goals to help reach the ultimate prize.  For example if you want a promotion or a new job, don't wait for someone to call you.  Be your own advocate.  Apply for at least three new jobs a week.  Follow up and continue to update your resume.

Running through the snow...

Over the weekend I was a part of the Southern Illinois Men's Expo.  One of the speakers is a marathon runner.  He said during his discussion if you really want to be a runner you have to train all the time.  If it's raining, prepare to get wet.  If you don't feel well, run anyway.  Too busy?  While you're waiting for your kid to finish soccer practice, run around the field.  

The point is you can make excuse after excuse for not achieving a goal.  Stop doing that and get started now.  When things get tough, trudge through.  Change isn't easy, but your life may be after change is made.  Believe in yourself more than anyone else and make the people who do support you proud.

  

Hall of faming ain't easy

Godfather as IC champ
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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Earlier in the week the Godfather was announced as the next member of the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2016.  So far he and the legendary Sting are the two confirmed inductees.  I haven't seen the "leaked" list of others, so I'm limiting my thoughts to just the Godfather in this post.

Chad & Papa Shango

We started a conversation on Episode 66 of My 1-2-3 Cents the podcast about Godfather's induction.  The character was certainly over with the fans during the Attitude Era, myself included.  But I also liked the Papa Shango character Charles Wright (the man behind Godfather) played.  So is he Hall of Fame worthy?  The debate comes up each year.

While there are men and women who I think should be in the Hall of Fame sooner rather than later, I don't think anyone currently in should not be there.  Each Superstar, Diva and announcer is there for a reason.  Guys like Koko B. Ware, Junkyard Dog and Big John Studd may have never wore gold in the WWE, but each person enshrined has made some kind of impact on me as a fan through the years.  (I'm not going to comment on the Celebrity Wing.)

Chad & The Godfather

Another factor WWE considers is name recognition.  As Chad pointed out on the show, more fans today know who The Godfather is than say "Superstar" Billy Graham.  Remember, it's a business.  WWE will cash in with merchandise sales and a desire for fans to meet the new inductees during Axxess.  

On the more morbid side of things, there are a lot of greats who are no longer with us and may never make it into the HOF based on that.  It's been reported the company doesn't like to do a lot of posthumous inductions in the same year.  There's a growing list of worthy men who aren't in as a result.

Ho train
Courtesy: WWE

Final thought, is WWE being hypocritical by keeping Chyna out of the Hall of Fame because of her adult film past and inducting a pimp who was always accompanied to the ring by hos?  Share your thoughts here or on the Facebook page.

Motivational Monday: Fall seven times, get up eight

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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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...

"Fall down seven times, stand up eight," is a Japanese proverb that should really be taken to heart by all of us.  I recently saw an example of this come into play.  

I was at a cheerleading competition waiting for my daughter's team to perform.  Another squad was on the floor, when one of the fliers tumbled from her stance.  As she fell, she took down two other girls with her.  All three hit the mat with a thud.  Despite gasps from the crowd, the trio sprung back into action.  I was impressed with their determination to keep going.  Whatever uneasiness or fear they felt, they hid it.  

You don't have to literally fall to get back up.   Falling isn't failing.  We all get off course from time to time.  If you miss a day or two at the gym or decide to eat a doughnut instead of an apple,  don't dwell on it.   You may have to tweak and adjust goals along the way.  Just don't make excuses.  You'll never see results if you do.  Fall down, get up, dust yourself off and keep going.  Repeat when necessary.

Three Wrestlemania opponents for The Undertaker

Undertaker at Wrestlemania 29
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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Speculation is running rampant on who the Undertaker will face at this year's Wrestlemania.  Even though the Dead Man's winning streak ended a couple of years ago against Brock Lesnar, the Undertaker's match is one of the most anticipated.  

This year's rumors have ranged from Braun Strowman (which have since apparently been squashed) to John Cena.  Now there are reports the Undertaker's opponent will be someone not on the current roster.  That can be interpreted as someone from the past returning or a wrestler on NXT stepping up in a huge way.  Here are a few ideas.

Roman Reigns
Courtesy: WWE

Roman Reigns: This isn't my idea, but I like it a lot.  Greg DeMarco of Breaking Wrestling News discussed the reasoning on a recent episode of My 1-2-3 Cents the podcast.  Dean Ambrose should win the Triple Threat at Fastlane and go on to face Triple H for the WWE Championship.  Brock Lesnar takes on Bray Wyatt and a frustrated Roman Reigns turns heel and tries to prove himself against the iconic Wrestlemania Superstar.

Finn Balor
Courtesy: WWE

Finn Balor:  He's the pick from NXT.  His "demonic" character against the Deadman writes itself.  This could become a very significant torch passing moment.  However, I don't know if WWE would put an NXT wrestler (even if it's the champion) in such a high profile match at the biggest Wrestlemania in the history of the company.  That's not a slam against Balor or NXT even though it probably comes off that way. It's late, I'm tired and I can't articulate myself the way I want on this point.  

The Rock
Courtesy: WWE

The Rock:  I know it's a long shot.  And I don't even know that I really want it to happen.  But here's how it could become a storyline (thanks to reader Jason DeBoer for the prompting on this).  The Rock has beaten three of the biggest names EVER in the wrestling business at Wrestlemania.  The Great One has beaten “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Hulk Hogan and John Cena at Mania.  Even though he's off to Hollywood, he could say he's running out of time when it comes to beating The Undertaker.  

Other ideas: 

If he were healthy, I'd definitely would have made the match against John Cena this year.  I don't think Cena will return early from his injury, but I won't be surprised if he does.  Samoa Joe would give 'Taker a good match too. If WWE doesn't go with Ambrose vs. Triple H, but the Lunatic Fringe in there against Undertaker instead.