As a culture and society we’ve been taught that it isn’t smart to stand out in a crowd.

Our parents tell us you should be more like little Johnny or go and do what the other kids are doing.

As we enter school, if you stand out, you are labeled a trouble maker or distracted.

By college most of us have fallen to the words of these well intended, but unfortunately misled elders in our lives.

It’s no wonder that many people feel trapped, afraid to break free from the rest of the pack in order to create, do and be something we feel inside.

We like to talk about what we want, sometimes becoming emotional and passionate about the subject, yet we do the exact opposite things which would lead us in the direction of our dream or do very little to nothing at all to go after it.

So, what are you afraid of?

What are you hiding from?

What do you think will possibly happen to you if you shed the ways of old and go after what you truly feel is in your heart?

Death? Probably not, unless you want to jump from a plane without a parachute.

Will someone take away your birthday? No, but it might be nice to skip a few.

I love this next one,

“Well, I don’t know how…” (you need to say it in a whiny voice for full effect)

You don’t know how? Everything we “know how” to do we were either taught or learned by doing.

Remember this, “if your WHY is big enough, the HOW won’t matter!”

Here’s another good one.

Will you lose friends or family? Ah ha! That might be it.

We’re so concerned with what other people will think or what we perceive they may think if we go after what we want.

Yeah, you may lose a few friends or family members trying to keep you down, but it’s very well worth it.

Why stay friends or in a relationship with someone that doesn’t allow you to or want you to be yourself and be the best you, you can possibly be?

If you look throughout history the greatest men and women didn’t stand in a crowd, didn’t bow down to mediocrity and didn’t settle for what others thought they should do.

They took a stand, studied the subjects they were interested in and took action towards their goals and dreams!

Will you choose to be afraid and trapped the rest of your life

or

will you choose to be the best YOU. The YOU that only you can see right now. The YOU that could bring greatness to your family, your community or even the world.

The choice is ultimately yours to make.

Make it a good one!

Posted under Motivational, Personal

CNN published an recent article saying, “As nation gains, ‘overweight’ is relative.”

I wrote an article several years ago about the retail store Old Navy and their misleading size labels on clothing.

But, now more and more retailers are adding extra material to the waist line and labeling it a smaller size.

Why? To make you feel like you really aren’t as fat as you think you are.

Well thank you very much, retailers!

Who’s telling us the truth these days?

Politicians?

Nope

Infomercials?

Nope

Clothing Designers?

Nope

Let me ask you… does it make you feel good to know that your waist line is 40 but you fit into a size 4?

Who are they kidding?  I believe it’s a slap in the face to actually think by lying to consumers about the severity of their weight problem you won’t hurt their feelings or self-confidence.

It’s kind of like having a sheltered childhood.  Parents think they’re helping by keeping kids from the “dangers” of the world, but once they’re out on their own, reality and shock set in.

The reality is that some people are fat and we need to do something solid and concrete, not shelter people from the truth!

If I were you, I would think twice before squeezing into those jeans and buying into the lies and deception of the retailers trying to sell you.

But, if living a lie is something you like, makes you feel good and you’ll worry about the consequences later, than by all means, be my guest.

Are you ready for a change?

Ready to make 2010 your best year ever, I mean really, “Your Best Year Ever!”

We’re here to help!

Check it out! TAKE 21

Posted under Media, Motivational, Programs and Courses, nutrition

I’m a QuikTrip guy. If there’s a QT around, I’ll choose them over other gas stations. (this is not a commercial to buy QT gas)

I went to get gas the other day. It was a normal day, just like any other trip to the gas station.

I pulled up, parked the car, got out and put my card in the card reader. I began pumping gas and something caught my eye.

I looked up and low and behold, there it was, the answer to the question of life. It read, “Life’s too short…”

Now if that statement was followed by something very motivational, inspirational or anything to enlighten the soul, then this would be one of those other blog posts you receive from me, but it’s not.

This is what it said, “Life’s too short for oatmeal.”

And the sign didn’t stop there. There was a huge picture of a delicious looking honey glazed, cinnamon bun on the sign too.

WHAT IS THIS?

Is it true? All my life I was eating oatmeal and never knew the real secret to a fulfilled life.

Honey buns for breakfast!

I’m glad I found out now.

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!

Well, most of you reading my blog posts know eating honey buns and any other brownie, croissant and Danish things for breakfast not only kills any chance of a fat loss goal, fat burning for the day is certainly out and you will probably end up leading a shorter life because of it.

Poor oatmeal, getting a bad rap from QT.

Here’s the skinny on the Honey bun vs. Oatmeal battle.

In the blue corner weighing in at…

Serving Size 1 Roll

Calories 813

Calories from fat 288

Total Fat 32g

Saturated Fat 8g

Trans Fat 5g

Cholesterol 67mg

Sodium 801mg

Total Carbohydrates 117g

Dietary Fiber 4g

Sugar 55g

Protein 15g

The undisputed fat gaining, cholesterol raising, artery clogging champion!

“Honey Buns aka Cinnabon!” (since it’s the most popular)

And now,

Fighting out of the red corner…

The reigning supporter, in the battle for weight loss champion; lowering cholesterol for years, is a great source of dietary fiber and carbohydrates, weighing in at…

Serving Size ½ cup (dry)

Calories 150

Calories from fat 25

Total Fat 3g

Saturated Fat 0.5g

Trans Fat 0g

Cholesterol 0mg

Sodium 0mg

Total Carbohydrates 27g

Dietary Fiber 4g

Soluble Fiber 2g

Insoluble Fiber 2g

Sugar 1g

Protein 5g

The slow cook, old fashioned  Ooooooootmeal!

It appears after an intense battle, Oatmeal has once again prevailed over the forces of evil weight gain and quick death due to stroke and heart attacks.

Yeah, I know oatmeal may not look or taste as good as a cinnamon bun, but you will definitely have a better chance of living a longer, healthier life eating it.

Note: If “Plain Jane” oatmeal isn’t for you, here’s a recipe to spice it up a little bit. Remember, you have to watch your sugar consumption if fat loss is the goal!

“The original hearty (and healthy) breakfast starts with old-fashioned, real rolled oats. To prevent spoiling, store in an airtight container. As a reminder, cut the expiration date from the package and slip it into the container. Try our Cozy Oatmeal, or simply tailor a plain bowl of oats to your own taste. Mix in golden raisins or dried fruit such as cranberries or apricots at the end of the cooking process; cook until they plump

up. Or serve with fresh fruit: Top with sliced banana or a handful of raspberries. A drizzle of maple syrup and cinnamon remains a can’t-miss combo. Sprinkle with toasted nuts, and enjoy. “ CountryLiving.com

Posted under nutrition

I wrote a similar version of this several years ago for a fitness newsletter. It still seems appropriate.

Have you noticed that New Year’s Eve makes liars out of many normal, honest, upstanding citizens?

Close to the end of the year, you’ll catch them say things like,

“This year will be different” or “I’m going to do better this year.”

Perhaps I’m talking about you.

The clock strikes 12:00 am and for a brief moment you believe it will be different; this will be your year!

Maybe it’s the champagne?

January 1st rolls around and you start thinking,

“I don’t need to start right now.”

Besides, you might have a hangover from the celebrating you did the night before. By January 2nd the New Year bells are silent, and now those big plans are starting to fade.

Reality sets in and you start saying things to yourself like,

“Those were silly thoughts. I can’t do that.” At this point, you begin making changes to your goals. Some you might scratch completely.

Others you modify to make them fall within your comfort zone. Next you experience procrastination. It’s the first of the year, and you convince yourself you don’t have to start right away. You’ll get comfortable with the beginning of the year and get settled, and then you’ll start on your goals.

Does all of this sound familiar?

Why do you think it will be different this year?

It’s starting out just like the last one. And if you don’t do something fast, you’ll end up at the end of 2010 feeling just like you do right now.

In order for your life to change, you have to change.

The bigger the changes, the bigger the commitment, and the bigger the commitment the bigger the results!

There’s no quick and magical way to get out of life what you want unless you have a plan to get it.

“Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, he will achieve.”

Napoleon Hill

There is absolutely no thought or idea that you have that cannot come true.

We are born with the ability to think and create anything. From airplanes and space ships to electricity and automobiles, there isn’t anything in our life that wasn’t first created in someone’s imagination first.

Starting today, make the effort to set, track and achieve the goals you have for this year and your life!

You’re going to live out this year just like 2009, this time why not be, do and have more!

“When you develop yourself to the point where your belief in yourself is so strong that you know that you can accomplish anything you put your mind to, your future will be unlimited.”

Brian Tracy

Posted under Motivational