Far Upper Right Corner

Some people are gifted. Mentally, physically, spiritually, financially.

Where do you place yourself in this mix?  Honestly, on a good day, I’d give myself an average at best, and quite possibly a below average in some.

And yet, there s a popular saying that says, don’t judge a book by it’s cover.

And so it goes for all of us. We look inside ourselves for our motives, our values, our determination, and even for the ever elusive indomitable will. And we have varying degrees of success. But mostly, failure.

And a few years ago, while taking a “coffee break” by the proverbial water cooler, two colleagues were talking about the Atkins diet they were following. And so I asked antagonistically.

“Why doesn’t anyone ever ask me what I do for my diet?”  And their ignorant, but honest, reply was instantaneous.

“You don’t need to worry about it.”  To which I replied.

“I worry about it every single day, that’s why I don’t need to worry about it.”

Put up or shut up.  But please don’t judge a book by it’s cover.

Feeling overwhelmed?  We all are.

There is hope.  It’s free.  But it’s not easy.

You must do the five simple steps from Lane 8’s blog post two days ago, if you intend to transform yourself.

You can (repeat, CAN) become conditioned to work on two or three impossible goals simultaneously.

But not until you’ve had some success doing it one at a time.

Look, you won’t find easy answers here.  You’ll find simple answers, but nothing here is going to be “easy”.

Will I ever make it to Lane 8?  No, but that won’t stop me from trying.  And in the process of never giving up, perhaps I’ll stay healthy for the rest of my life.

And maybe, just maybe, if the best runners in the world have their worst day, and I have the absolute best day of my life, maybe the finals in the worst lane, Lane 8, isn’t impossible after all.

And maybe reaching your impossible goal isn’t impossible either.

Lane 8's First Guest Blogger

Today’s Lane 8 post is from a West Chester University graduate, United States Marine, Husband, Father, and a man who understands what common sense means. Skip Gaskill also understands what self-discipline means. And it is an honor to introduce you to him now.  Skip, take it away:

“What characteristic is it that many of us lack on our journey to achieve excellence?

The self-discipline to stick to our chosen paths.

Why?  Because it is often too hard, too difficult, too painful, or down right inconvenient.  Do you compromise your integrity for convenience sake?  Do you rationalize your decision when you know you’re wrong to do so?

Self-discipline means doing the right thing when no one else is looking.  My kids think I’m “Goofy” (pun intended) for driving the extra half mile instead of making an illegal u-turn.  I choose to set the example for my children.

Lack of self-discipline can be conquered if you really want to improve yourself.  Start small, take baby steps if necessary.  You will have great joy and should be proud of yourselves when you actually accomplish one of your goals because you had the self-discipline to see it through.

Whether it is running a marathon, quitting smoking, eating better, or being a better person, self-discipline is a key ingredient in the recipe for excellence!”

The road to excellence has no finish line.

This Everyday Health article basically says what I’ve been saying all along here at Lane 8:

1. Pick one impossible goal, not several
2. Start small
3. Be creative with your motivation
4. Find a million ways to keep it alive
5. Don’t quit

Simple?  Yes.

Easy?  Not on your life.

This Everyday Health article shares six really common sense, and practical, tips for focusing on our sleep.

These things are painful to contemplate aren’t they?

Sleep, fiber, exercise, flexibility, colonoscopy, healthy body weight (BMI), cholesterol.

It is a sincere hope that you will appreciate Lane 8’s daily push (or maybe it’s a pull).  In his wonderful book about living, which he wrote as he was dying, Randy Pausch cautioned us to not hate people who nag us.

They nag us because they love us.  Start to worry when they stop pushing or pulling you to do better or differently.

Do you get that? I’m not trying to show off.  I’m  just trying to show.

It can be done.  You can do it.  But you have to want it. And you have to want it bad.

Our Body Houses Our Temple

It seems to me, in looking around at all the people going about their business, that very few make diet and exercise a priority.

Can we all agree on that?  Or, is this notion completely misguided?

The only thing that comes to mind right now is, “Why?”

Whatever It Takes

At what point in our lives do we accept defeat and completely give up on trying to do the hard work to get and stay healthy?

Be Inspired, Have Fun, Stay Healthy

You know it and I know it.  Don’t we?  It’s no secret.

The hardest thing to do when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle, is to continue our motivation for an entire lifetime.

So, here’s our number one excuse: Life is insanely busy and difficult.

Use this “blinding flash of the obvious” to your advantage.  This is extraordinarily powerful.  But only if you are willing to admit it and use it to overcome what most never do.

One of the best ways to overcome excuses is to find an “excuse” to get involved. And your “excuse” may change throughout your lifetime. Changing is not failure.  Quitting is failure.

Track and Field is what’s doing it for me. Track and Field is the number one participatory sport in the United States public school systems. Monkeys were made to climb. Fish to swim. Birds to fly.  Humans to walk and run.

Today through March 6, in Kamloops, British Columbia, the world’s best Master’s Track and Field Athletes will gather to represent their Countries in the “Senior” Olympics.

It was a goal to be there this year. Injuries have prevented that from happening.  But indomitable will has kept me running and hoping for the USATF Master’s Track and Field National Championships this summer.

And you?

So?

So a choice had to be made.  Same choice, day in, day out.

Exactly.  So who cares?  I get it.  Healthy people, especially healthy Baby Boomers rub the rest of the Baby Boomer group (the unhealthy ones) the wrong way.  So what am I supposed to do?  Slow down?