Make Your Someday Today Podcast : Reach Your Goal Weight and Become the Person You Deserve

We’ve all had it happen to us. We have a goal. It might be to lose 50 pounds, write a book, or start a podcast. We are full of energy, excitement and make steady–sometimes spectacular–progress. And then suddenly, we get stuck! No matter what we do, we are unable to move toward our goal. We might eve lose some of the successes that we created. In the world of weight loss, that is called a “plateau”. Authors call it “writer’s block.” It’s real. It can be devastating and demoralizing. And it happens to everyone. Since it will happen to everyone at some point, we need to have a plan in place to deal with it, even to use it to help us rise to greater successes. One of our Varsity Squad members, (and another LoseIt user, like me) Theresa, sent me an email asking for advice and help. Her question is directly related to her weight loss journey,  but my answer will apply to everyone who has been working long and hard toward an important goal. Stop. Take a breath. Let your mind and body wander. Try to find some way of destressing. Go for a walk on the beach. Plant some flowers. Take your dog for a walk. Go bowling. Photo by Benjamin Faust via StockSnap Let your mind and body recharge, re-energize your motivation battery, and then return to your journey, renewed and ready to tackle the challenges ahead. ————————————– As mentioned in this episode, LoseIt is my (as well as Varsity Squad members Theresa, Charles, Lace and Dan) recommended weight loss method. Get Lose It! Premium because it works. Music composed and performed by Jason Shaw, courtesy of Audionautix.com Voiceover courtesy of Matt Young. Matt is a professional voiceover artist. If you have any need of voiceover work, for your podcast, radio spot, or whatever, you can reach Matt by a variety of methods. He is on LinkedIn. On Twitter. And Google+. And you can read his really nice, contemplative blog. Matt was also my guest on MYST 54. Give his story a listen! Some links (but not all) within these show notes may be Affiliate Links, meaning that I may receive a small commission when readers click on them and then purchase something. This does not increase your cost at all, but it does help me cover some of the cost associated with this podcast. Thanks!

I’ve never been on a mission trip of any sort. Here I am leading 10 nursing students to Hagley Gap, St. Thomas Parish, Jamaica on a service learning experience where we walked the hills–mountains–and provided cares to villagers unable to walk to the clinic. I averaged 7 miles a day (16-20K steps) and since my Fitbit records elevation changes, I also know that I climbed the equivalent of 150-200 flights of stairs a day. On my bad knees. Bathing in the river (mountain rivers are very chilly) every afternoon helped my knees! This trip was through the Blue Mountain Project, based here in Wisconsin. Please check out their site, and if possible, help them if you can. They are a very small non-profit organization, and as in all such groups, always need more funding, volunteers and supplies. Serving as a volunteer with BMP can be as short as one week and has reasonable fees ($99/night) and will likely change your perspective as much as it changed mine. I cannot wait to return. My wife and I plan to return in the summer 2016, after my knees fully heal. I cannot believe how much this trip changed me. When was the last time you challenged yourself and broke through your comfort zone? I really recommend that you use an activity tracker to give you an accurate measurement of your daily activity.  You’re just steps away from better fitness.  Try Fitbit now. Music composed and performed by Jason Shaw, courtesy of Audionautix.com Voiceover courtesy of Matt Young. Matt is a professional voiceover artist. If you have any need of voiceover work, for your podcast, radio spot, or whatever, you can reach Matt by a variety of methods. He is on LinkedIn. On Twitter. And Google+. And you can read his really nice, contemplative blog. Matt was also my guest on MYST 54. Give his story a listen! Some links (but not all) within these show notes may be Affiliate Links, meaning that I may receive a small commission when readers click on them and then purchase something. This does not increase your cost at all, but it does help me cover some of the cost associated with this podcast. Thanks!

This is just a short episode today. While you are listening to this, I am working in a small village, up the Blue Mountain in Jamaica. The village is Hagley Gap, and I am one the leader who are with 11 health care students and together we are continuing the work of the Blue Mountain Project. I hope to record and upload video journals of my experiences while in the village. If I cannot upload them from the clinic, I will upload them upon returning to the United States. When I return, I will also add photos to the post. You will find the videos on my YouTube Channel. Thanks for listening and come back next week for a regular length episode!

So what does the title mean? Are you your best right now? How many listeners believe they are their best self, right now? Let’s change the question: How many here believe they are better than they were a year ago? That’s a better question. But we still aren’t our best yet. Why? Part of it is the fact that most people continue to improve, at least in some facets of their lives, almost until the end. So by a technical definition, you cannot be your best until you are no longer improving. But that’s a technicality. Let’s agree than “Best” is an illusory concept, and that what we really mean is “Be All You Can Be”—no, that was taken by the US Army. How about “Become What You Want to Be.” I like that last one. “Become What You Want to Be”. What would it take for you to believe—no, more than believe, to KNOW—that you are your best?  In other words, what do you want to be? If you cannot honestly answer that question, then my work is done. It’s hard to become something if you don’t know what that something is. Take a few seconds to visualize what your life would look like if you actually became the person you want to be. What did you see? More importantly, how did that make you feel? Let me tell you a quick story before we move into the actual work part of the “workshop.” In 2005 I was unhappy. I had a position with an insurance company, performing a job that I didn’t really enjoy, one that seemed to be a quagmire of stagnation. I had no self-control. I ate too much. And I weighed in excess of 295 pounds. On a flight with my wife, I actually could not get the seat belt to latch across my belly. And I was too proud to ask for a seat-belt extension, so I flew unsecured. I was willing to risk my life due to my pride. That’s okay. Someday, I will lose weight. In 2006, I needed knee surgery due to obesity. I was told I needed to lose weight. I will. Someday. In 2007, we adopted our little pug, Ozzy. It was difficult for me to walk him to the dog park, because it was three blocks away. I needed my inhaler to breather better. That’s okay. Someday. But finally, I had my wakeup call. I was an ER nurse, and I cared for a patient who was my age, and my size, admitted for a heart attack. At the time, I was 45. I couldn’t walk the length of a hallway without breaking a sweat and a flight of stairs are nearly impossible. I could not work on the code team, because I couldn’t get up the stairs fast enough. Suddenly, I realized that someday needed to become today, or I might next on that gurney. What had changed? I finally had a reason that made me act. That reason was fear, and while it is a negative motivator, it made me change. On July 28, 2008, I asked my wife for help. With her help, we started to change our lives. We ate differently. We walked more. And we did that together. On January 20, 2012, I weighed 199 pounds. I slowly dropped to a low of 180 pounds. As of today, I weigh 201 pounds. What happened? I got scared. But I made a decision. And I asked for help. And I never quit. I am becoming who I wanted to be. Not everyone wants to, or needs to lose weight. But everyone has that thing, that one gleaming dream, that image of who they really are. You probably have it carefully stored in a box, hidden deep inside your spirit. Maybe you look at it in secret on occasion. And you probably all think, “Someday….someday” and then you carefully rewrap your dream and return it to storage. We need some roadmaps. These are just like the maps you use when on vacation, but instead a roadmap for your life. When you go on vacation, you know where you are starting, and the destination, and also how the route you will take. It is probably rare that people hop in their car and just drive somewhere.

Are you a perfectionist? Do you need to control everything? Do you become upset when your plan go off-course? I will share my experiences, and lay open a side of my personality that few people see now, but one that was very prevalent even just a couple years ago. Learn to surrender control and become more successful–and happier! Look at your “to do” list and ask yourself this: * What could you do, if the “to do” list was gone? * How much could you grow? * What could you create? * Where would that take you? Music composed and performed by Jason Shaw, courtesy of Audionautix.com Voiceover courtesy of Matt Young. Matt is a professional voiceover artist. If you have any need of voiceover work, for your podcast, radio spot, or whatever, you can reach Matt by a variety of methods. He is on LinkedIn. On Twitter. And Google+. And you can read his really nice, contemplative blog. Matt was also my guest on MYST 54. Give his story a listen! Some links (but not all) within these show notes may be Affiliate Links, meaning that I may receive a small commission when readers click on them and then purchase something. This does not increase your cost at all, but it does help me cover some of the cost associated with this podcast. Thanks!

We all make mistakes. It is one characteristic of being human. But mistakes are not always bad. In fact, if you follow these four simple steps, you can turn a mistake, an obstacle preventing you from making progress to your goal, into a strength that will power you to success. This topic is from Varsity Squad member Melanie, who sent me a tweet asking me to address this. You can follow me @TrevorLaRene Listen to Melanie’s earlier question (via my Speakpipe system) in MYST 69. As mentioned in this episode, LoseIt is my recommended weight loss method. Get Lose It! Premium because it works. Music composed and performed by Jason Shaw, courtesy of Audionautix.com Voiceover courtesy of Matt Young. Matt is a professional voiceover artist. If you have any need of voiceover work, for your podcast, radio spot, or whatever, you can reach Matt by a variety of methods. He is on LinkedIn. On Twitter. And Google+. And you can read his really nice, contemplative blog. Matt was also my guest on MYST 54. Give his story a listen! Some links (but not all) within these show notes may be Affiliate Links, meaning that I may receive a small commission when readers click on them and then purchase something. This does not increase your cost at all, but it does help me cover some of the cost associated with this podcast. Thanks!  

Dan, a Varsity Squad member from Palm Beach, Florida asked a question (via the MYST Speakpipe system) about which supplements (protein, vitamins or other) should be used for weight loss. I have my answers. But please note: my answers are correct for most people, but certainly not all. If you have a condition that would prevent you from following me advice, then please do not use my suggestions. We are all different and have different needs. Just because my “in general” advice is valid does not mean that you are “in general.” As mentioned in this episode, LoseIt is my recommended weight loss method. Get Lose It! Premium because it works. Music composed and performed by Jason Shaw, courtesy of Audionautix.com Voiceover courtesy of Matt Young. Matt is a professional voiceover artist. If you have any need of voiceover work, for your podcast, radio spot, or whatever, you can reach Matt by a variety of methods. He is on LinkedIn. On Twitter. And Google+. And you can read his really nice, contemplative blog. Matt was also my guest on MYST 54. Give his story a listen! Some links (but not all) within these show notes may be Affiliate Links, meaning that I may receive a small commission when readers click on them and then purchase something. This does not increase your cost at all, but it does help me cover some of the cost associated with this podcast. Thanks!  

The opening segment is from MYST 67 Trevitorial: Are Your Goals Dumb? NPR and their podcast TED Radio Hour can be found here. The specific show that I referenced in this Trevitorial is from November 26, 2014, and it is entitled “To The Edge”. It–and all of the other episodes–are fascinating! Challenging goals are important. Impossible goals are damaging to the person’s spirit. It is a fine balance, but it can be found. As mentioned in this episode, LoseIt is my recommended weight loss method. Get Lose It! Premium because it works. Music composed and performed by Jason Shaw, courtesy of Audionautix.com Voiceover courtesy of Matt Young. Matt is a professional voiceover artist. If you have any need of voiceover work, for your podcast, radio spot, or whatever, you can reach Matt by a variety of methods. He is on LinkedIn. On Twitter. And Google+. And you can read his really nice, contemplative blog. Matt was also my guest on MYST 54. Give his story a listen! Some links (but not all) within these show notes may be Affiliate Links, meaning that I may receive a small commission when readers click on them and then purchase something. This does not increase your cost at all, but it does help me cover some of the cost associated with this podcast. Thanks!  

Success is the goal, but what happens when we reach that finish line? How we do stay successful? How do we not slip back into out patterns of living? MYST Varsity Squad member Lace emailed me a question about these very concerns. Her question is about weight loss, but she could have asked about any goal. The answer will apply to anything you are trying to achieve. As mentioned in this episode, LoseIt is my recommended weight loss method. Get Lose It! Premium because it works. Music composed and performed by Jason Shaw, courtesy of Audionautix.com Voiceover courtesy of Matt Young. Matt is a professional voiceover artist. If you have any need of voiceover work, for your podcast, radio spot, or whatever, you can reach Matt by a variety of methods. He is on LinkedIn. On Twitter. And Google+. And you can read his really nice, contemplative blog. Matt was also my guest on MYST 54. Give his story a listen! Some links (but not all) within these show notes may be Affiliate Links, meaning that I may receive a small commission when readers click on them and then purchase something. This does not increase your cost at all, but it does help me cover some of the cost associated with this podcast. Thanks!  

Have your shared your goal with others? Scary, right? But there is real power in do that. Sharing opens us up to the view of others, but creates more accountability. Accountability drives us to success. Listen for a better explanation. Also, we have a Speakpipe voice message today! Melanies’s question was excellent and here are the apps, resources and devices I mentioned (and of course, these are only a few of the many possible choices!) Podcasts (the links are to their shows in iTunes): These are currently active podcasts * Mojo for Running Podcast with Running Coach Debbie Voiles * Running Stupid with Coach Ken * Runner Academy with Matt Johnson * The Running Lifestyle with Kari Gormley * The Running Podcast with Coach Jeff * Run-Run-Live with Chris Russel Apps: * C25K * Runkeeper * Run Trainer * Running for Beginners * MapMyRun * LoseIt!  As mentioned in this episode (and many others) LoseIt! is my only recommended weight loss app. It not only helps you count calories, but it encourages you to be more active by letting you log–and see–your activity. LoseIt also hold activity challenges so that you can pit yourself against everyone else. Get Lose It! Premium because it works. Devices: * Fitbit    I have worn a Fitbit device since July 12, 2011, and I won’t stop recommending them. * Strava * Misfit Shine * Jawbone UP Other Resources: * Runner’s World Magazine * Fitness Magazine * Find a local running group in your area * Find a local coach that will work with you. If you can’t find one, go to your local high school and find out the names of the track and running coaches. You should also be able to get their email. Ask them if they would accept a private student. _____________________________________________________ Music composed and performed by Jason Shaw, courtesy of Audionautix.com Voice-over is courtesy of Matt Young. Matt is a professional voiceover artist. If you have any need of voice-over work, for your podcast, radio spot, or whatever, you can reach Matt by a variety of methods. He is on LinkedIn.

“I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.” Bill Cosby As mentioned in this episode, LoseIt is my recommended weight loss method. Get Lose It! Premium because it works. Music composed and performed by Jason Shaw, courtesy of Audionautix.com Voiceover courtesy of Matt Young. Matt is a professional voiceover artist. If you have any need of voiceover work, for your podcast, radio spot, or whatever, you can reach Matt by a variety of methods. He is on LinkedIn. On Twitter. And Google+. And you can read his really nice, contemplative blog. Matt was also my guest on MYST 54. Give his story a listen! Some links (but not all) within these show notes may be Affiliate Links, meaning that I may receive a small commission when readers click on them and then purchase something. This does not increase your cost at all, but it does help me cover some of the cost associated with this podcast. Thanks!  

Photo courtesy of Unsplash.com, by Abigail Keenan A SMART goal is defined as one that is specific, measurable, achievable, results-focused, and time-dependent. Below is a definition of each of the SMART goal criteria. * Specific: Goals should be simply written and clearly define what you are going to do. This is the “What, Why, and How” of the SMART model. * Measurable: Goals should be measurable so that you have tangible evidence that you have accomplished the goal. You can create a single long term goal, or a series of shorter goal. Choosing to create a series of goal may be preferable as each goal completion brings greater confidence and strength to achieve the next goal. * Achievable: Goals should be realistic, yet require some effort. You must possess the appropriate knowledge, skills, and abilities (or be able to obtain those characteristics) needed to achieve the goal. * Results-focused: Goals should measure discrete outcomes, not activities that result in the outcomes. * Time-bound: Goals should be linked to a timeframe (deadline). This creates a practical sense of urgency. However, in weight loss goals, using this feature will not enhance success. As mentioned in this episode, LoseIt is my recommended weight loss method. Get Lose It! Premium because it works. Music composed and performed by Jason Shaw, courtesy of Audionautix.com Voiceover courtesy of Matt Young. Matt is a professional voiceover artist. If you have any need of voiceover work, for your podcast, radio spot, or whatever, you can reach Matt by a variety of methods. He is on LinkedIn. On Twitter. And Google+. And you can read his really nice, contemplative blog. Matt was also my guest on MYST 54. Give his story a listen! Some links (but not all) within these show notes may be Affiliate Links, meaning that I may receive a small commission when readers click on them and then purchase something. This does not increase your cost at all, but it does help me cover some of the cost associated with this podcast. Thanks!  

  Resolutions are like Spam. When you first see the can (or say the resolution) it sounds great, but later, when you really get into it….it’s not as appealing.* A resolution is a statement, usually made without a lot of thought, which almost inevitably get thrown away quickly after the holiday. A goal, on the other hand, is a plan that grows with you, and enables you to reach more than you thought possible. We will talk more about goal-setting in upcoming episodes, but in this show, I share one of my goals for 2015. I haven’t mentioned this in detail before, and this is a large and someone intimidating goal. ———————————————- Music composed and performed by Jason Shaw, courtesy of Audionautix.com Voiceover courtesy of Matt Young. Matt is a professional voiceover artist. If you have any need of voiceover work, for your podcast, radio spot, or whatever, you can reach Matt by a variety of methods. He is on LinkedIn. On Twitter. And Google+. And you can read his really nice, contemplative blog. Matt was also my guest on MYST 54. Give his story a listen! Some links (but not all) within these show notes may be Affiliate Links, meaning that I may receive a small commission when readers click on them and then purchase something. This does not increase your cost at all, but it does help me cover some of the cost associated with this podcast. Thanks! * The truth is, I really enjoy Spam. But it is the food that is easy to belittle, and it fit the situation perfectly here.

In this so very busy time of year, my most heartfelt wish is that you find a few minutes each day that are just for yourself. Find those minutes–steal them if you have to–and recharge your batteries so you can continue to support those who look to you.   From my wife (Tammy), my sons (Ethan and Bennett) and myself, I hope that you find happiness, relaxation and a rediscover a sense of wonder at the world around you.  

–Peer pressure and social norms are powerful influences on behaviour, and they are classic excuses. Andrew Lansley, British politician –The conscience of children is formed by the influences that surround them; their notions of good and evil are the result of the moral atmosphere they breathe. Jean Paul, German author, 1763-1825 –My father taught me you have to believe in yourself and run on your own track. Jennifer Grey, Actress –Be what you are. This is the first step toward becoming better than you are. Julius Charles Hare, English theologian, 1795-1855 ———————— Farm City: The Education of an Urban Farmer, by Novella Carpenter. A fun read about running a small farm in downtown Oakland, California. Since I am so obsessed with eventually raising chickens, I like reading books like this. Meron Bareket’s “Inspiring Innovation” podcast can be found here.  He also has a free Podcast Tutorial Starter kit. You can also hear his story as my first guest on MYST 3. Kary Oberbrunner’s podcast “Igniting Souls” can be found here. His book, “Day Job to Dream Job: Practical Steps for Turning Your Passion Into a Full Time Gig” is on Amazon. I bought it and it is a great book! I used LoseIt! to lose my weight. Get Lose It! Premium because it works. —————————– Music composed and performed by Jason Shaw, courtesy of Audionautix.com Voiceover courtesy of Matt Young. Matt is a professional voiceover artist. If you have any need of voiceover work, for your podcast, radio spot, or whatever, you can reach Matt by a variety of methods. He is on LinkedIn. On Twitter. And Google+. And you can read his really nice, contemplative blog. Matt was also my guest on MYST 54. Give his story a listen! Some links (but not all) within these show notes may be Affiliate Links, meaning that I may receive a small commission when readers click on them and then purchase something. This does not increase your cost at all, but it does help me cover some of the cost associated with this podcast. Thanks!