6 days until the next adventure

Well, I finally made it back here.  It's been a whirlwind the past two weeks.  First, my lovely 3 year-old passed on his strep throat to me.  Then, a week later, I got a stomach virus which put me out of commission for six days (I lost almost ten pounds).

But here I am again, and I gearing up for my next adventure.  If there is one thing I suggest for eveyone, it's to make your own Bucket List.  You know, the list of things you want to accomplish before you leave this world.  Here are a few of the things on my list:

Fly a plane (Done)
Write a movie script
Skydive
Learn to play the guitar
Run a marathon

Well, did the first one, and getting ready to start the last one.  I've committed to running the inaugural St. Louis Rock and Roll Marathon in October.  This means I begin my base training next week.  I'm looking to get a solid running distance set before the actually marathon training starts in June.  I'd like to be able to run 8 miles without a problem.  I can do about 4 now before my ankles and shins start to hurt.  I'll be hitting up Fleet Feet for a new set of kicks on Friday, so that should help.  If you'd like to join me on this adventure, I could always use a running partner.

So I encourage you to make your list and pick one thing to cross off this year.  Dream big and then go big!

Two months down, ten to go.  What have you done so far?

Adios.

When is it too late?

Happy Super Bowl Sunday everyone! 

I was deep into thought about what my next topic should be when I over heard a comment someone was making about being overweight and out of shape.  The person basically said, and I'm paraphrasing here of course, that if she had to do it all over again, she would have paid more attention to her diet and exercised more.  Yea, me too.  But then I dug deeper into that comment for meaning, and it made me realize that some people think it's too late to change or improve their overall health. 

That cannot be farther from the truth.  If you are reading this blog you obviously are alive (Thank God).  And if you are alive you have a pulse.  And if you have a pulse, it's not too late.  I don't care if you are 20, 40, or 80.  There's always time for change. 

Now that we have established that, what's next.  Well, there's good news and bad news.  The good news is that it's up to you to decide what to do with this information.  The bad news is that it's up to you to decide what to do with this information.  To steal a quote from the book, The Slight Edge, "What's easy to do is also easy not to do."  The hardest step is always the first.  After that, it's all downhill. 

I've already shared with you information regarding workout programs, nutritional supplements, and ways to become accountable to your goal.  But how many of you have taken that first step?  I know, it takes courage and guts to admit that we need to change.  I admire you for even thinking about it.  But it's time to change the thought into action.  Make that first step.  If you want to crawl, I'll crawl with you.  You want to walk?  I'll walk.  Feel like running?  Let's go. 

Anything worth doing in life is hard.  You are worth it. 

Until next time...

Tools to help you succeed.

I wanted to take a minute to share with you a few tools that can assist you as you work towards your health and fitness goals. Accountability is always key when striving for certain results and there are two programs or systems that I think you should know about: WOWY gym and stickK (not a typo!). I've briefly discussed WOWY, but I think it deserves more recognition.

What is WOWY? 

It stands for Work Out With You and it's Team Beachbody's Online SuperGym.  Think of it as the Facebook for fitness.  In the WOWY SuperGym you are never alone.  Log in to schedule and track your workouts, join friends or fitness groups, chat instantly with other members, and build a sense of accountability into your workout program.  By tracking your progress you'll reach your health and fitness goals faster.  The SuperGym is always full of like-minded individuals, just in case you need a little extra support and motivation.  And here is the best part.  Become a Club Member and log in each day to be eligible to win cash and prizes.  I'm talking hundreds of dollars, cameras, camcorders, etc. given away daily.  And once a week, someone wins $1000 - just for logging in working out!

Do you need to be doing a Beachbody fitness program to use WOWY?  NO.  Log your running, biking, swimming, walking, or anything you do for fitness.  The idea here is to get up, get moving, and track your progress.  That's it.  It truly is that simple.  Give it a try for yourself by clicking here.



What is stickK?

My good buddy Chad Graue introduced me to this little nugget.  Everyone has a goal they want to reach, whether it's losing weight, stop smoking, making more money, stop watching Jersery Shore, whatever. stickK is designed to promote a healthier lifestyle for you by allowing you to create "Commitment Contracts."  A Commitment Contract is a contract that binds you into achieving a personal goal.  Here's the catch.  If you don't achieve your goal in whatever time frame you set, they'll tell your friends about it.  Don't care what your friends think of you? Oh yea, there's one more catch.  When you make the Commitment Contract, you are also setting a dollar amount that is tied to your goal.  Reach your goal, keep the money.  Don't reach the goal, and not only do they tell your friends, but you forfeit your money to whatever charity, anti-charity, group, or organization you want.  Make it $5 if you want, or you can be like my man Chad.  Chad currently has $1000 on the line to achieve a certain level with his business.  Actually it's the same business I'm in, but he has more cojones than I do.  And where does his money go if he fails to reach his goal, which is by June 15th?  Chad is a strong Christian, so his money is going to an abortion organization.

I encourage you all to do the same.  Set a goal, make a commitment contract, and strive to reach it.  What's the worst that can happen?  You lose your money, but at least you actually tried to achieve something.  I'm getting ready to sign a commitment contract myself.  And where will my money go?  To the one organization that is despised by everyone in the St. Louis area; an organization that brings a foul smell with it when they come to town; an organization that makes my blood boil whenever I hear their name.  Of course, I'm talking about the Chicago Cubs! YIKES!  Better hope I achieve my goal.