New Year's Eve

Well we have about 6 more hours until 2013.  Have you written down those goals yet?   I finally weighed in................:)   181 chubby pounds.   Normally I'm in complete shock with that number, but with the way I've been eating, I figured I'd actually weigh more than that.  The diet starts tomorrow, ugh!!!    One never really realizes how much he or she eats until he or she stops eating.   Tomorrow will be my first 1200 calorie day.  I'm not really going to concentrate on the calories as much as I am the quality of the calories.  I mean, I can eat a BigMac and still remain below my 1200 maximum for the day, but I think I will opt for the chicken, the apple, or something else a little less fattening.  My goal is going to be 2lbs a week which should be pretty easy.   As crazy it may sound (if you had any idea how much crap I've been eating) I'm more motivated than ever to hit my goal weight this year.  I''m not sure why this year is any different then any other, but for some reason I'm extra motivated.  In fact, I'm so motivated that here is my first offer/challenge........any challenger that loses a greater percentage then me, I 'll give you $50.00 cash.    Oh and speaking of the challenge......... I really screwed up the finish date.  On the website, I said the challenge will end on April 8th but on the flyer I have it as April 30th.  I was hoping to keep it around 90 days, so the official end date is midnight on April 8th.  

This year we won't be blessed with the smart remarks from "Thunderthighs", she's apparently a bit under the weather, but the really cool thing this year, is I think almost 100% of my staff are on board.  This will bring the trash talking to a whole new level (though as their "boss" I have to be careful not to say anything "unprofessional" and possibly sue worthy.: )  One of my employees, I'll call her CC (not my wife) for now as she hasn't come up with an official challenge name yet, will be the funnest to pick on.  She's constantly reminding me, daily, of how many calories I eat.  It's going to be a great pleasure to kick her butt. 

So, a few of you have asked about the other things I plan on talking about over the next few months.............  some of it's going to be quite personal, other parts I need to get approval from my wife and a few friends before I can share it. 

I plan on sharing it though because I don't feel I'm alone in a lot of the things I went through.  Just know for now that in some of the most amazing of ways my life has been changed forever (all for the good).    I may have sent this poem to some of you so bear with me if I've already posted this once or twice.  I was given this poem in college and being a cyclist, I guess I was just able to relate a little more closely. 

A Tandem Ride With God

I used to think of God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was out there, sort of like a president. I recognized His picture when I saw it, but I didn't really know Him.

But later on, when I met Jesus, it seemed as though life was rather like a bike, but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed that Jesus was in the back helping me pedal. I didn't know just when it was He suggested we change, but life has not been the same since I took the back-seat to Jesus, my Lord. He makes life exciting. When I had control, I thought I knew the way. It was rather boring, but predictable. It was the shortest distance between two points.

But when He took the lead, He knew delightful long cuts, up mountains, and through rocky places and at break-through speeds; it was all I could do to hang on! Even though it often looked like madness, He said, "Pedal!" I was worried and anxious and asked, "Where are you taking me?" He laughed and didn't answer and I started to learn to trust. I forgot my boring life and entered into adventure. And when I'd say, "I'm scared", He'd lean back and touch my hand.

He took me to people with gifts that I needed, gifts of healing, acceptance and joy. They gave me their gifts to take on my journey, our journey, my Lord's and mine. And we were off again. He said, "Give the gifts away; they're extra baggage, too much weight." So I did, to the people we met, and I found in giving I received, and still our burden was light.

I did not trust Him, at first, in control of my life. I thought He'd wreck it, but He knows bike secrets, knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners, jump to clear high rocks, fly to shorten scary passages. And I am learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places, and I'm beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my delightful constant companion, Jesus.

And when I'm sure I just can't do any more, He just smiles and says... "Pedal."

(Author unknown)


I'm gonna leave you with that.  I hope and pray you all have a very safe and happy New Year.  Write down those goals!!!

Thanks for reading. 


 

Write Down Those Goals!!!!

The countdown has begun (is begun a word?).  Are you ready for the new year yet?  Have you written down your resolutions/goals yet?  Remember, they are really only a thought until you put them down on paper.   I think I mentioned this already, but I'm really looking forward to 2013.  On just about every level possible, I'm anxious for a good year.  It's going to be a year of new challenges, personal growth, more valued family time, company growth, etc.   Over the next few months you will understand why I'm looking so forward to this next year.  2012 was a tough year, but it ended on the best note possible.  This blog is probably going to be more personal then it ever has been.   I've got lots to share and in due time will share with you as much as I can.   I think I've learned more about myself in the past two months then I have my entire life.  As always, this blog will rarely be about business, but I hope to be able to share some things that many of you can relate to.

I've already received several entries for the Weight Loss Challenge.  I have no idea what to expect the first time I get on the scale.  I've been eating a lot of food and a lot of crappy food on top of that.  For the first time in the history of the challenge, I'm going to team up with my wife this year.  We both love to cook so we've decided to work together to cook up some healthy meals for the family.  Our other goal will be to rarely if ever, eat dinner after 6 p.m.  Late dinners and late night snacks are what destroy a diet.   My old cycling coach used to always say, eat like a king for breakfast, a prince for lunch, and peasant for dinner.  So my actual plan is going to be to eat a small to moderate breakfast (I've never been a bfast eater), a good lunch, and a small dinner.  My goal is to stay around 1200 calories with the majority of it being protein.   I will post a list of those who have signed up already and do my best to update it daily.   I realize many of you will have weight loss as one of your resolutions. If you don't want to wait until the7th to start the actual challenge, send me your current weight and get started on the 1st.  Your starting weight will be your initial weight on your entry form.  

So, between now and New Year's Eve, take a seat and write down your goals for the year.  Then write down some strategies on how your going to reach each goal.  Make the strategies as detailed as possible.  Once 2013 is here, it's time to kick some butt.  If you have a down day, don't let it ruin your entire plan.  Just start again the next day.  We all stumble, it's getting back up that makes the difference.

It's getting late and I still have a ton of paperwork to do.  Hope you all have a super day tomorrow (New Year's Eve).  



PS:  After finishing this post, I came across this article  (Don't set goals for 2013).   No matter what this guy says, I'm a fan of setting goals.   I think the majority of successful people would agree, especially when they are personal goals.   I"ll leave it up to you, but like I said, a goal not written down, is merely a dream in your mind.  Write it down and put your strategies into action. 

2013 Weight Loss Challenge

Well it's almost that time of year again.  The 4th annual AOM Weight Loss Challenge is almost upon us.  I'm hoping we'll see as much success as we did last year.  We're going to start a week later then last year  (January 7th), and go for 90 days ending on April 1st.   Last years winner (Ashley) did an amazing job and looked even more amazing in her before and after picture.  In the end, we all found out (along with her hubby) that she was pregnant.  I wonder if we will see her battle to retain her title from last year. 

  I gotta say, I was blow away when she sent this picture.  If this isn't motivation then I don't know what is.  I'm not sure what I weigh right now, but I'm guessing it's around 180-185.  My goal weight is 160- 165.   If you have some extra pounds you want to lose, join us in a little friendly competition.   

I'm thinking there are a bunch of you out there that want to see the same success.  All it takes is a little dedication, a little sacrifice, and hopefully when doing it with others it will make it a lot more fun. 

So for the next week, set those goals,  finish off those holiday left overs, then set your heart and mind on losing those pounds.  Make it your goal to be able to take the same picture as Ashley did.  It's completely possible,  you just need to want it bad enough. 

Stay tuned to the blog for more info over the next few days.  Put www.alphaoxymed.blogspot.com in your favorites.  Make 2013 your year.  Set those goals, develop your plan, then put that plan into action.   It's gonna be fun. 

On a whole other note, I realize I've been out of commission for while, at least as far as this blog is concerned anyway.   I've got lots to share and over the next few months I'll share lots.  It's been an interesting year and I hope that what I've been through can motivate some of you to get through whatever it may be you are going through (if anything at all:)  ) 

It's getting late and I've got lots of end of the year stuff to finish (there's no way I'm going to finish it all) so I'm going to call it a night.   

Have a great night.  (good to be back online again)

Phil 4:13  I can do all things through Christ who strenghtens me.  (And I believe you can)