Living Out Loud!

December 30th 11:39

Summer 07

A few moments ago I was laying in bed reading Body by Design by Kris Gethen, a new book that was recently given to me by my employer, Bodybuilding.com. To be 100% honest I expected this book to be like any other "fitness" book on the market. I assumed that it would include almost impossible workout routines, meals that no one would want to eat and ingredients that are only found in the rain forest, and fitness models that you can tell are naturally lean. Well I was pleasantly wrong! Although I am only a few pages into the book I can already tell that it is going to be different. No, it doesn't have easy workout routines, fat free chocolate cake recipes and it actually has real people featured, some of whom I have met or spoke with on the phones (I work in customer service). This book actually takes the outside approach and not only asks but tells you to set your goals prior to stepping into the gym or grilling up your first meal. By clearly defining your goals and making them attainable is the first steps but not the most crucial ones.  What most people, including myself lack is outside accountability. How may times have you set AWESOME goals in your head and just left them there? I know I tell myself everyday that I am going to go to the gym and the end of the day rolls around. I am at home in my PJ's watching my favorite show. Why is that? I fully believed that morning when I woke up that I would go to the gym today! I felt good, energy was up and I didn't have a thing to do after going to work. Hell, I didn't even have a thing to do prior to work either. Well then I got to page 19 and I finally figured out what I have to do. I HAVE TO TELL EVERYONE THAT WILL LISTEN ABOUT MY GOALS! How can I accomplish my goals if I am the only one who knows about them?

My "Get fit for Life" journey starts here! I am going to write about my experiences, successes and even failures when it comes to getting in shape. As of January 1st ( I know everyone does this) I will be on a 12 week journey to get to my goal weight of 120 pounds and 15% bodyfat. At times this will not be fun and I will ask myself, "What in the HELL did you get yourself into? In the end I know that this short 12 weeks of my life can set the pace for the rest of my life.

One thing I have always promised myself is that I will never be that person who says, "If I knew then what I know now about my health...." Well as tough as it is to admit, I am not and will not be getting any younger! NOW is my time to Live Out Loud and set myself and my family up with a healthy life.

Fitness Model Jamie Eason and myself- December 2010

I have made some big changes in 3 years but now it is time to take it to the next level!

Bucket List

Rafting Down the Alps in Switzerland

Alright here it is! This is just a rough draft of my personal BUCKET LIST. I want to accomplish everything that is on this list by the time I leave this world! I will continue to add to this list as my life goes on. The one stipulation is that I cannot take ANY item off the list no matter how bad I want to down the road. I realize that some of these things may seam minor or even crazy but they are items that I truly want in my life!

I also promise to document each event in writing and share it with the world. Not only will this keep accountable for my list but it will also keep the memories fresh for me to relive.

1.     Complete the 60 in 60 in Bikram Yoga. This is 60 hour and a half classes in 60 consecutive days
2.     Tandem skydive
3.     Become a certified Scuba Diver
4.     Live in New York for at least 6 months
5.     Be in a Play (does not have to be Broadway!)
6.     Attend cooking school. Not just for personal but for business. I want to start a business that incorporates my new found skills!
7.     Compete in a figure competition
8.     Help someone that I truly dislike
9.     Be on a reality T.V. show (Hopefully the amazing race)

10.   Get arrested (crazy as it sounds I really do want this on my list, and only for something minor)

My Journey

 “The purpose of life, after all, is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experiences.”

A few months ago I started reading the extremely popular book Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. Yes, I know a few months IS a long time to read a book, especially one as great and well written as this. I knew from the very beginning... no rewind.. I knew from the fist time I saw the movie preview I knew I must read this book. While I did break the cardinal rule of going to watch the movie prior to reading the book it actually ended better than I thought. No, Not the movie!! I really was not impressed by the movie. I knew after all of the hype that the book had to be better. By watching the movie first it really made me appreciate and treasure the personal experiences that the author shares on this life changing journey.

Why am I writing about this you may ask? The personal journeys that the author goes on are all experiences that I have wanted to witness in my very own life. I want to travel the world not as a tourist but as a resident of the world. Visiting other cultures is not enough for me, I want to life as the locals do. Not only eat the local cuisine but learning how to cook it as well. I have a passion for life and want to know and experience everything that this world has to offer.

Now as I embark on my own journey in life I have to take on the mindset that Elizabeth Gilbert did and just go out in the world and get what I want and determine my own destiny. The experiences we desire come from within us and the they are solely driven by our own passion and cannot be given or forced upon us by someone else.

While I still may not know what my life changing journey is, I know that it ultimately has to be my decision and my blood, sweat and tears that are going to turn it from a dream into a reality and the experience that I have been waiting for.