Diversify Your Investments

People are people. As much as we like to think we are individuals, we are more alike than we would care to admit. For example, if 100 people were to go on a diet at the same time, and we asked each one of them what their goal is, each of them would tell you that they have a goal weight. Why is that? We all seem to want to measure our progress with a factor that is trackable, that shows progress in a tangible way. I call BS on using the "what does the scale say?" method. Why is that? I will tell you. Much like in the economic world, you have to diversify your investments for success. You can't put all your money in that volatile stock, you also have to find that safe investment that may not realize great gains, but will make sure you don't lose what you invested in it. When you are on the train for getting healthier, you can't simply look at a scale number, you have to recognize all the mile markers. Look for those non-scale victories!

I have been back on track of eating better for the most part and getting MUCH more organized exercise in, as well as being more active in my life generally, such as playing outside for an hour with the kids, or doing housework on weekend mornings rather than sitting around reading my ipad. I hopped on the scale recently, and I had lost a whopping 1 pound. That's it, just one measly pound. And that seems discouraging. But here are the things I can't write down on paper that I have recognized to have changed. My pants are baggy, the tensile strength of my 2X shirts is no longer being tested, and when I walk now, it is no longer an effort. I glide along, all light an airy like!! And lastly, when I am sitting down and realize that I need to go do something, I don't immediately try to figure out how I can put it off and sit more, I just get up and do it!! So look here Mr. Scale, you will not define my progress, you will not steal my thunder, you will not hold me back anymore!

Wagon Train!

Back in the 1800's, when the west was still "undiscovered country", often times folks that were looking for opportunities out west would get together and form a wagon train. Now in our culture, that is an odd concept to us. Most of us don't even want to travel with our own families, much less extended family or, gasp, strangers. But there was a purpose for the wagon train. There is strength in numbers folks! I can't fight off the wild animals at night and get sleep for tomorrow's journey. I need more people so that we can rotate nights of watching for the animals.

I am glad to report that my family and I have formed a modern day wagon train! Me, Kathy and Lauren are all in the groove here lately. Kathy has started to cook healthy meals for us at supper, and as the chief purchasing agent for the house, she is keeping crappy snacks out of the house and getting us to eat more veggies and other healthy snacks. I am the whip cracker when it comes to hounding everybody to get their exercise in, and Lauren is the most in shape of us and gives Kathy and I the desire to get in better shape just to hopefully one day show her up!

I can't begin to tell you how much easier it is to have the whole family on board! I did lose 100 pounds once, and I honestly believe that if our whole house had been in the same groove I was alone, that I would never have put it back on. And the best part is the part where I have to be cautiously optimistic is over. We have been doing this for more than a month I believe. I know that between my personal workouts and Kathy and I walking together, I have been feeling better of late and my clothes are starting to reward me for it. I did weigh the other day and while I am not particularly happy about the number, it is not deterring me. 280 is much better than the 315 I was at for my highest weight!

I also have the benefit of the fact that the office I work at has other folks in it that are gym goers, and my schedule permits me to take off long enough to get a good workout in and get cleaned back up for the office. I went to the gym 3 times this week and had excellent workouts. I am shooting for 4 times this week. Also the weather forecast seems to favor Kathy and I getting our evening walks in as well.

Yes sir, the wagon train has left and it is making its way into undiscovered country where the future is boundless! Go Griffins!