So I started a new full-time job and the hours can be looooong. But I enjoy it. Only problem? When to work out I had a rhythm going for a while. Up by 5:30 to work out and sleep by 11pm. But with this job I may not be back home until after 2am or later. So I'm still re-working my schedule but I was able to do a bit of running, curls, and lats today. I do know, from a very recent trip to the ER, that I can't sacrifice sleep or eating for exercise. Sleep and a proper diet are just as important. The mind, body, and spirit should be equally worked-out, and worked on. So my short term goal is to find time to work-out all three of those critical parts.
Tuesday (MT)
I've been waking up lately a certain phrase that's been playing in my head like a cadence. It goes like this... "Excellence over Ignorance equals success." This phrase has been playing over and over again in my mind. So finally I've created a diagram to illustrate the concept that goes along with it. The diagram means choosing an outstanding attitude when being rude is more convenient. Unfortunately, choosing an outstanding attitude doesn't always pay off in the short-run. Sometimes choosing to respond correctly comes with a price. I know aaalllll about that. And something else I've found is that such a response doesn't always have to be docile. It can be matter-of-fact. The point is being appropriate, self-aware and mindful of how your response will influence the situation at hand.
Wednesday (ST)
Either every night or morning I speak with my little one to tell her goodnight or goodmorning and hear about her day. Although my perspective on religion is a bit unconventional, I've decided to incorporate the use of The Lord's Prayer with her. She's so smart that she has already memorized the whole thing! But she just had a scary dream and I decided to teach her a prayer (scripture) that has often helped me through difficult times even in my adulthood. It's found in 1 Timothy 1:7 "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (also translated Self-Control). It's strange that in teaching her to strengthen her spirituality it has caused me to strengthen mind and gain a fresh appreciation for doing so.
Thursday (MT)
So I was visiting with some friends not to long ago when one of them said something that seemed to stand out. It got stuck in my head and I can't get it out. "When life gives you lemons... reach for the tequila." Now at first it sounds like a fast track to alcoholism ....I guess it depends on how many lemons get thrown at you in life. I have plenty already. Enough to have er body in tha club gettin typsy. Haha!.....
But no seriously...only recently have a realized that I have to make a conscious effort to do something with all the lemons I have sitting in my lap. These lemons are like my credit score... I can either ignore it completely and hope it gets better or actively engage it and make it better. Invictus!
Friday (PT)
Excited!!! I finally got back to a 7 minute mile! Mind you... I only ran one mile. But heck that's a big deal for me. I'm over 200 pounds. Mostly muscle. I hate running but my overall weight doesn't really help with motivation at all either. But I've been putting in the work and it's tough. When you decide to go run hills alone, come back all tired and sore... there is no crowd of people waiting to congratulate you on your hard work. At least not for me... it's just me, my headphones and my self-motivation. I rewarded myself this time with a trip to the theater. Sounds dumb, but I been excited to watch World War Z for a while now. So I did, but only as a reward for my own hard work. Sometimes that's what it takes.
Saturday (ST)
I realized today that I haven't been doing much to strengthen my spiritual self. So I'm thinking of doing some volunteer work. I'm huge on volunteering and humanitarian work. But I think receiving awards for it might have dulled my sensitivity to that kind of work. So lets see if I can't squeeze in a bit of volunteer work into my schedule next week.
Sunday (PT)
Sundays are usually my days to relax and recover from the rest of the week. But I try to perform some sort of physical activity. Typically I go mountain biking at the Metropolitan Park here in Austin, but after a slight crash I figure I'll invest in some protective gear before I do that again. I plan on getting some Go-Pro gear too so I can take my readers with me. I'm sure I'll wind up on anEpic Fail reelat some point.
So being physically healthy for me means gradually bringing your body to place where it reaches its full potential. In order to get better on my run I've begun to "smoke" vapor cigarettes. When I first heard of electronic cigs I was pretty surprised. They're easy to spot at those booths in the mall. I remembered them being huge and clunky at first, but vapor cigs have evolved alot and are now pretty popular. While on the vapor cigs I've been able to get back to a 7 min mile, which for me is a big deal. I highly recommend these vs regular cigs, but it's not uncommon to take a drag from a real one now and again.
Tuesday (MT) There's nothing more encouraging than a phone message from your kid like the one my daughter left me. I made it my ring tone for this week. When I'm needing to stay mentally tough I always have my daughter's voice to remind me what I'm pushing for. Listen...
Wednesday (ST)
Last week I mentioned how I was going to put forth some sort of plan to increase my spiritual toughness. Well I think I have an idea of what I can do. I'm going to try to dedicate a portion of my morning to meditation, reading, or prayer. I've already picked out the book I want to re-read from my small library of books. Wild at Heart by John Eldredge shines light on the concept of the tamed man and reveals how being wild at heart is actually a more freeing and authentic way of living out our lives as men. He takes a biblical approach. I may not always get things right, but hell at least I know that strengthening my spiritual self won't steer me wrong.
Thursday (MT)
Having fun with friends whom you can trust is healthy. July 4th I did just that and watched the Cedar Park Fireworks. I saved some video for you... check this out....
Mental Toughness is not just self-driven. You ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO HAVE a support system. If you don't have one...get one. But be careful because when choosing support figures because doing so is like being a team captain on a pick-up basketball team where 10 want to play but only 5 can be chosen. You can't choose everybody. You gotta pick people who will be there in a pinch without pinching you. Hmm... was that the right analogy to use? Well you get me right? Friday & Saturday & Sunday (PT & MTx2) Ok peoples. This topic is a big one. Probably will make it it's own blog post. Its about begining to live a LIFESTYLE of healthy living. This week I had the opportunity to drive to the grocery store nearby. But instead I realized the health benifit of biking there. I could have driven but I biked instead. And yes... all those people in the check-out line had to suffer as I stood there eminating an airid stench from the hill ridden trip. But I began to refelct on my way home and came up with some ways that could help someone, including myself, start living a LIFESTYLE of healthiness as opposed to just visiting a gym once in a while. I've seen more results adjusting my lifestyle than just by getting a quickie in the gym. So here it is.... 7 Factors for developing a LIFESTYLE of healthy living: 1.Reject convenience. Park further away. Ride a bike when you can drive. Go to work earlier or leave later so you can exercise. 2. Change habits. Eating habits. Sexual habits. Thinking habits. 3. Switch-out negative for positive reactions to stressors. 4. Reduce stress factors with better planning, reevaluating your inner circle of trust and refuse to perpetuate negativity. 5. Do something small each day that makes you happy. 6. Practice self-control. (i.e.temper/control sexual cravings, moderate emotional reactions, practice saying "no" to yourself, practice being still, practice not being in control) 7. Be good to yourself in the same way, if not more, than you have been good toward others.
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