Category: food, eating habits, losing weight, better health, cooking

Covid- Teachers Perspective

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Covid is taking its toll on schools, students, parents and teachers all across this great country we call America. It is ravaging the world as well, but for my purposes I will write about what I witness on a daily and weekly basis as a local career educator and coach. Different states, cities, towns and districts all have different standards and protocols in place. This inconsistency has gotten things all jumbled up and out of sync. Governors are putting in mandates while others are leaving it up to the local school board to decide. Some washed their hands of it due to political reasons while others are doing what they want regardless of the polticial consequences.

Covid is very real and I am a survivor of the sickness. Last December right around Christmas while I was at home ordering food in, staying out of the public, wearing a mask, being careful and teaching from home online as directed by my school district I contracted the sickness. Within five days it had ravaged my body and put me in the hospital. I could not breath, walk or hardly talk as it took its toll on my lungs and body. I fought back and survived and Thanks to God I came home. It took 30 pounds off me quickly, messed with my lung function and put me at a high risk of other issues. So as I write about Covid I do so as a survivor that nearly died in the hopsital fighting to breath and not give up.

I see schools are trying to return to normal and have implemented mask mandates, staying six feet apart and other guidelines to protect their students, teachers, staff and families. But is that enough and are those simple little guidelines realistic to stopping the spread of Covid and saving peoples lives? I am not for nor against a mask and other guidelines. I am simply saying this Covid thing goes much deeper and farther than a guideline. If a person is exposed the guideline says this. If they are vaccinated it says this. If they are not it says this. All of this means nothing because when it comes down to it Covid scares many people and even others that will not admit it.

If you are a teacher you know that it is true that kids come to school all the time sick with colds, coughs, flu and other things. Parents send them to school to make sure they do not miss any work time or even do not have to keep the kids at home. I have seen the stress Covid is putting on the staff at schools and the anxiety it gives many of the students. Some act as if it is no big deal, but to others it is real because they have had it, seen someone fight it or even worse lost someone from it. Covid does not care if your young, old, healthy, fat, skinny, diabetic, sick, not sick, etc. Covid attacks us when we are weak and takes it toll on the body.

I know of several people I would conside fit as a fiddle that died within a week of it. I have seen case after case at school, exposure after exposure at school and your told look at the protocol. What they do not understand is a person that has a mother, father or older person at home does not care about a damn protocol. They are worried they may take it home and give it to someone else that could pass away. A paper of process cannot replace lives lost due to protocol. Covid will not be going away soon and will continue to ravage as it wants to.

How we react to it is what matters. Do we live scared? Do we live free of it? Do we proceed with caution? What do we do? Is remote learnig best? Is alternating weeks best? Is face to face with spacing and masks best? These are the things the politicians, school boards, administrators and leaders must face. But for the front line people, the teachers, nurses, police, firemen, and other civil servants it is more of how do we face it and move forward. I see people taking time off, stepping away, leaving the field and doing safer occupations. I see people on facebook talking about “if you do not like what you do or are scared then do not do it”. That is easier said than done when it comes to leaving a profession you love, giving up an income and not taking care of the family needs and wants.

Covid, you suck and need to go away. Our kids need to be in school. Our teachers need to be teaching them. Our kids need to play football, be in the band, hang with friends and live life. We need you to go away as quick as you came. Wishful thinking yes, but it sounds good to me for it to go away. As for me I will be at work, be as safe as I can and take care of my students, my family and myself. Prayerfully I can teach, coach, mentor and survive this thing called Covid.

Physical, Intellectual and Spiritual Growth

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Today as I was eating breakfast with my wife I looked over a side table and staring at me was a prized picture of my mom and dad. I had been thinking about growth and praying to God for guidance in that area. The mention of my parents is because when you look at the three types of growth mentioned above my folks would meet all three categories. Obviously they had physically grown into adults well into their 70’s prior to passing away and moving onto greater things. My mom physically was short in stature about 5’0 tall and medium build. She was dynamite in a small package. My dad on the flip side was 6’4 and 350 pounds. He was a full grown man that stood over people in any room and rarely would you see a man much bigger than him. Intellecually they were both very mature adults. I cannot remember one single time in my childhood or adult life around them when they fought or argued. I am sure they did at times but they knew that was to be done away from people and the kids so they did it in private.

Spiritually they both loved the Lord and were great role models for my family in that part of life. My dad read the entire Bible 3-4 times from start to finish and kept notes in a notebook and his own Bible that I still have in my possession. Mom was a Sunday school teacher, mentor and volunteered at church and in the community. Rarely did you ever hear either of them say a curse word or something off the wall. They had been raised to be physically, intellecually and spiritually grown people. Even into their 70’s after their bodies started to reverse course and fail on them with achy joints, diabetes and other physical issues they continued to seek to grow intellecually and spiritually. Mom would read, watch TV shows and do puzzles to keep her mind sharp. Dad would read, listen to music, and still read the newspaper like the old days. They knew that being able to read and write were basic adult abilities and tools that could help you be successful in life.

I gave this background because that is the example of grown that I have seen and bless thier souls my parents are now in Heaven together and have reached full mature growth in all three areas. They have new bodies and are strong and able. They have been granted the intellecual thought of Heaven and know so much now we only wish we could know. And finally, they have made the final step in spiritual awakening when they closed their eyes and took their last human breath and were in the presence of God himself. So now I have to ask myself am I grown and in what areas do I need to increase my physical, intellectual and spiritual growth?

The good old internet had a definition of physical growth. The process of the body changing, growing and aging into full human growth. Typically this physical maturity occurs by the early 20’s for most people so I can check that one off the list. I am now in my mid 50’s so I am way past the physical growth stage of life. The intenet also defines intellectual growth as the process of growing ones mind, mental capacity, learning and retaining knowledge. As a career teacher I have studied lots of information, read books, sought information and I think I have reached a good adult level of intellectual growth. Lastly, the good old internet defines spiritual growth as: the increase in knowing God’s word, learning the process of fighting off sinful actions in your life. Spiritual growth may have other meanings to you based on your releigion or lack of.

For me spiritual growth is the process of getting closer to God through his word and study. It is the process of awakening the soul and making a life long connection to God. It is seeking out him and his will in your life. I have made great strides in this area, but am far from where I need to be. With that said I have read the Bible for guidance and prayed and came up with these ways to become a master of spiritual growth. Not a masters degree, that is intellectual growth. I am talking about being awarded the ultimate growth certificate and that is to know God, his expectations in my life and how to meet those requirements. I want to live my best life in all three areas so to keep growing physically, intellecually and spiritually I will do the follwing things.

Physical Growth- The only growth I see at this point in my 50’s is my belly getting bigger and weight changing. I made a decision a year ago to make physical growth a must in life and have since lost about 50 pounds and have a long ways to go. I feel better with less weight, take less medicine, get more exercise and have more energy so that is how I can continue to grow in this area. Be smart, do the right things and live my best physical growth life.

  1. Eat better foods
  2. Drink more water
  3. Stay off sugary products and eat more natural
  4. Walk, bike, run or work in the yard to get exercise
  5. Lose some weight if needed

Intellectual Growth- I like to read about topics of interest such as faith, paranormal, spirit and leadership. I plan to continue to grow as an intellect and reach all the potential I can in that area. An idle mind becomes less effective the older we get. So I will read, write, research, study, watch and even take a few more classes of interest to grow this area.

  1. Read books you like
  2. Watch documentories about history, life and culture
  3. Go back to school or take some online classes
  4. Write, Blog or make videos using your knowldege and background
  5. Attend seminars, Church, conferences and other events designed to motivate the mind

Spiritual Growth- This is the most important area for me as I am now at the point of a full spiritual awakening with God and his spirit in me. I will read his word, research, pray and meditate so I can seek him and his full guidance in my life. I dare you all to do the same and see how this helps you live your best life and reach full growth in a physical, intellectual and spiritual way.

  1. Read God’s word daily
  2. Pray daily
  3. Meditate
  4. Go to church, attend conferences, watch videos, and other online opportunity
  5. Seek God first and ask him to guide you
  6. Submit to his will and watch what happens

Spiritual Growth

Hebrews: 4:12; For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Physical Growth

3rd John 1:2; Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.

Intellectual Growth

1st Peter 1:13; Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Faith- What To Do When You Need Patience

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Today as I am trying to pack to go on the yearly summer vacation I find myself needing patience. I am generally laid back and a pretty patient person (exceptions traffic and drive through Windows). I am not sure why but those two things tend to get under my skin especially a drive through if the people in the car with me do not know what they want or keep changing their mind. I get to the point of “just flipping order something”. Patience is required in life as we spend lots of time waiting at the doctor, stores, drive throughs, traffic, restaurants and in my case waiting on a woman (my wife and two daughters). Seems like it takes them forever to make up their mind on clothes and getting dressed.

Then when we go shopping it takes forever to go in the store and grab stuff. That turns into an all day shopping excursion and I have things to do at home. God wants us to be patient and patience in mentioned in his word in both the new and old testament. I have to exercise patience as a public school teacher and coach with teenagers. I have to get better at being patient and the only way I can do that is to work on it hard. Focus on it and ask the Lord for patience and grace in that process. Being patient is kind, loving, friendly, helpful, avoids stress and anxiety. Being patient is what God expects us to be when dealing with our family and friends. Being patient requires us to submit to Gods plan in our lives and live the best we can and “wait”. For me that is the hard part!

James 5: 7-8; Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

Psalm 37:39; Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.

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Faith- Lukewarm Spirituality

I am 100% convicted of the title of todays faith based lesson. I have been a spiritual person since I was just a young boy but have had times in my life when I was lukewarm at best. In fact, I have been less than lukewarm at times in my journey with God. The bible refers to this as non being mindful or watchful of God’s work in your life. Life throws all kinds of curve balls at us and the Devil loves to step in and get between us and the Lord. Lukewarm spirit can be compared to lukewarm work habits, relationships and family matters.

If we are lukewarm we will face things that we are not prepared for and those things will take us down. We have to constantly be in prayer and seek guidance from God to make sure that we stay Red hot for God and not go lukewarm. You do not have to church every week to be red hot on fire for God. We choose our relationships with family, spouses, co-workers and God. We build habits within ourselves that determine how we do in these areas of our lives. Laziness creates lukewarm behaviors and lukewarm results.

God wants us to be more than lukewarm for him. He seeks us daily and consistently watches over us and wants us to reach back to him. We must not just seek him in bad times but at all times. God is never lukewarm and we should not be either. If we are lukewarm in a marriage then it will suffer. If we are lukewarm at a sporting event or when playing then out performance will suffer. If we are lukewarm at work then out performance will suffer.

I had to look at myself and think about my Luke warmness in life at times. I had to look at myself in all aspects to make sure I stayed on fire for God and that he can continue to influence me and lead me to what he wants me to be. Avoid be lukewarm by doing the following things in your life daily. This will keep you on fire in your relationships, career, outside activities and most importantly with God himself.

1- Pray everyday without fail. Failure to pray is failing to seek God in your life.

2- Check yourself to see where you stand in all aspects of your work life, family life and spiritual life.

3- Change what is broken. Get rid of old habits by creating good ones that are productive and never be lukewarm in anything you have passion about.

4- Work hard at all aspects of life and go for red hot in everything that is important to you.

5- Pray, Pray and Pray some more and watch God become red hot in your life.

2nd Corinthians 13:5; Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!

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Life Hacks 101- 10 Things Coaches, Managers and Go Getters Look For

Today we are talking about traits that coaches value and look for in their student athletes that cost nothing but time, energy and work ethic.  These traits also are what business owners, companies, managers, leaders and other people looking for talent expect. These traits set you apart from others and can make you a great player, worker, leader, parent, teacher, business owner and whatever it is you want to be.  If I can get my athletes to learn these by my actions, behaviors and results then as a coach I have accomplished my goals and the rest will take care of itself.  

1- Time management skills- Are you on time, are you early for class, practice, work and ready to go when the bell, alarm or clock strikes and its go time.

2- Great work ethic- Do you exhibit a work ethic that people cannot deny and one that shows you are a true go getter.

3- Positive energy- Are you a positive person that exudes positive traits and thoughts. Do people want to be around you and grow with you.

4- Positive attitude- Do you see the glass half full or half empty.  Does your attitude reflect goodness, kindness, love and respect for others.

5- Being prepared- Are you prepped and ready for completing tasks, work assignments, school work and other demands life throws at you.  Do you do what it takes to be ready to roll, ready to work and ready to win.

6- Passion- Are you passionate about your family, friends, job, sport or life.  Passion can override talent and lots of other traits many times.  Give me  passionate learner and I will take that over talent any day of the week.

7- Discipline- Do you show discipline in your actions, behaviors and life.  Do you have what it takes to be disciplined to work out, lift weights, run, manage your weight and help the team out.  Are you disciplined to get out of bed and get to work and produce for your family and to meet your goals.

8- Communication skills- Can you openly communicate with people in a positive and meaningful way.  Can you talk business like and not use slang and street terms in conversations.  Are you a good listener and have positive skills people see when you communicate with them.  Do you sound educated (I am not talking college educated).  

9- Good body language- Do you carry yourself in a positive manner.  Do you sit upright, keep good eye contact and other positive body language.  Do you know how to present yourself, shake hands and make people feel relaxed around you.  Are you too chilled at times and can you turn it on and off as needed.

10- Coachable- Lastly and most important to me.  Are you coachable, teachable, and able to be mentored. Can you accept feedback and loss with dignity and respect.  Are you part of the solution or part of the problem.  Do you take advice from someone much older, more knowledgeable and experienced and apply it to become better.  Or are you a hotshot know it all that will eventually fail because you know more about a 30 year veteran coach about your position or saw it on a video game.  (believe me folks, this is a reality nowadays)!

There are other things you could put on this list.  But these are the things that cost you nothing but time, energy and work ethic.  These are the basic skills needed in sports, work, life and play that can make you successful whether you are a backup, first string star or do a common job.  These skills will make you stand out in the crowd, rise above others and set you on a path that others envy and want to be on.  They may not admit it, but ultimately they see your success and skill set and desire to be like you.

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Americana- July 4th Fireworks, Family and Friends

My family has been celebrating the fourth of July for many years at a pool party with friends, family and lots of fireworks. My dad loved fireworks and would always drive down to South Carolina or have someone bring some back from the beach to shoot off at the party. He would sit on the diving board at the local pool we were members of and watch us boys (me and my brothers) fire off the fireworks. He took pride in his family, friends and that pool party. The highlight at the end of the night growing up was to see those booming fireworks going off.

Once dad got a bit older and could not set them off himself as I stated we would set them off and he and mom would sit and watch and celebrate. I can see him smiling now as the beautiful colors sparkle and bang in the air. My dad passed away on 2009 and we have continued to make sure this family tradition continues. My nephews have now become the firework setter off leaders. One of them is a fireman so he is the perfect person for the job. If he sets something on fire he can grab a hose and put it out.

I was helping them this time and we were spending some time talking and I looked both of them in the eye and told them that myself and their dads were getting a little older and will not always be here. I asked them to take it and run with it every July 4th. Family, Friends, Fireworks and food are a staple of my families July 4th and I cherish every memory made all of these years. I have been hit by random fireworks, ran from them, nearly got my fingers blown off and all kinds of trouble due to setting them off.

We celebrate a day that signifies life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness in the greatest country in the world. I am thankful for all of my family, friends and the fireworks and hope you had a great July 4th celebrating our independence. Americana is apple pie, holidays, baseball, fire works, summers at the lake, toys, traveling and so many other things. Enjoy and make your own Americana memories and tell your story. I hope you enjoyed the story of my dad, mom, our family and how important fire works is to us and our family bond.

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Faith- Finding Courage In Challenging Situations

You will be put in challenging situations and at times feel overwhelmed and let down. Life will let you down at times and often it is when we are either at the top of our game or at the lowest point.  When we are facing our darkest moments and weakest moments due to life events we must focus on God and look for an outcome that is positive. To make it positive we have to have faith and believe that the process of overcoming challenging times is going to be dealt with head on and with courage.

Challenging events in our lives are part of the process of growing, becoming more than what and who we are.  God wants us to be strong, have faith and walk through life with his light shining.  Life will knock you down and beat you up bad if you let it. We live our best life and know that the things we face in life such as losing a job, losing family, broken families, health crisis and other things make us stronger. God will never put us through something we cannot handle and is right there by our side helping us with it. He is carrying us through it and knows the outcome if we follow him and trust in his process.

The bible tells us that God will not put us through anything we cannot handle, but doing it on our own often leads to more trouble, anger, strife and fear.  Ask God to help you, guide you and lead you and he will.  These times cause us to have all of these emotions and can make us mentally and physically sick. Tough times can also make us spiritually sick which allows the Devil to step in and cast doubt, anger and frustration. When times get hard, we must fight back and seek God for his grace, guidance and mercy.

You will look back and laugh at those times knowing it was all a step forward in your spiritual journey.  Even though it may have felt like a step backwards at the time. What seemed like a step in the wrong direction can often be the steps forward that propel us to become stronger in our faith and relationships with family, friends and God. When it gets tough, fight back. When times challenge you, push back. When a crisis happens in life, step up to the challenge. When life kicks you in the teeth, call on God and overcome!

Faith- Life Lessons #1

God has a plan for all of us, we have to ask for his guidance in the process and be obedient to him. There are two plans in life. Our plan and Gods plan and often the two are not the same. God is all knowing and has already planned our role in the world. We plan our own role as well and it often clashes and we somehow see things constantly getting in the way or progress towards our plan. God will not shut you down, but he can offer help if we seek his guidance in the process.

Humans tend to need and want things, it is a natural part of living.  What we often do not think about is what God needs for us to have.  Everything we own, work for, have, buy and accomplish is because we have a loving God that permits it. I look at my career, family, money, hobbies, health and other parts of my life as borrowed from God. We are all on borrowed time and with his blessings we will have the things we desire, need and want. Until those things get in the way of right, good, and just thinking, actions, behaviors and living.

He needs us to have a relationship with him, he wants us to honor him.  Honor God by honoring your commitment to him because he is 100% committed to you. Seeking a daily relationship with God is a must for me. I cannot imagine living without God interacting in my life, my family life and work life. I probably should restate the title of this paragraph to “We need a relationship with God” and that will honor him. Do everything with good intention, honor, commitment and faith and you can conquer the world in the process and achieve all your goals and dreams.

The bible speaks about desires of the flesh, getting lost in our way and being greedy.  Often, what we need is really not what we want.  I broke down and bought a new truck last week, well actually a good used truck bit compared to the old 1997 paid for truck I had it was a bigtime upgrade. I didn’t have to buy a truck but the time had come to where the old red one was starting to see its better life gone before it. I wrestled with the fact of spending money, buying a newer vehicle and using credit. Those are things I do not like to do. So I prayed about it, thought about, made a list of pros and cons about it and then made a decision.

Pray to God and ask for his guidance in buying, pursuing and having things. Ask God to show you the way. Be patient, observant and diligent in the way you pursue things using sound Biblical principals of finance, thought, behavior and work ethic and the world will treat you well. God will bless you, guide you and lead you to his plan and an ultimate victory for you. May God bless you and Keep you!

Health- Getting Refocused on Weight Loss Goals

I began a weight loss journey around a year ago and tried various ways to lose some pounds I was carrying around with me for far too long. I worked out at the gym, drank water, cut out all sugar, eat veggies, walked and tried Keto and other plans. I always would lose some weight and then would plateau and get frustrated. In January of 2021 I had just gotten out of the hospital from a Covid sickness and had dropped about 15 pounds in an obvious unhealthy way. I just could not eat much and didn’t feel like eating at all so the pounds came off quickly and I looked terrible. I decided once I got my energy and appetite back that I would use that bad experience as a kick start to a healthier me.

I had eaten unhealthy for too long and honestly probably got Covid because I was a classic case of symptoms being overweight, diabetic and unhealthy. I almost died in that hospital and at that point I vowed to never go back to the old habits I had. Well that commitment is easier said than done. Talking about something and doing something about it are two different things. That is when I seen an old friend that had lost about 75 pounds and he looked amazing. He had completely changed his way of eating and living and I took his advice and began my weight loss journey. It was hard at first and still remains a challenge but with patience and perseverance I know I will accomplish my goals.

I began a plan and stayed on it solid for the first six weeks and by early June I had dropped about 40 pounds and was feeling so much better. I had went from 340 pounds to 300 and that was one of my biggest goals was to see that 300 pound marl again for the first time in over 25 years. Then I got sick and my wife got sick and it set me back a few weeks but I continued to fight and do the best I could and then I got down to 290. I was amazed that I was at that weight and I know that sounds like a lot of weight but to see that total was truly a blessing. Then a few things came about in life that began to set me back.

These things began to get in the way of my daily schedule I ran and how I was eating. I became less disciplined and was eating things I had gotten away from. I was starting to gain some weight back and was moving away from my goal instead of going towards it. Today I was 296.5 so I am up 6.5 pounds from where I was a few weeks ago. I looked in the mirror today and scolded myself a bit and told myself I had to be accountable for my actions and be disciplined when it came to managing my health, body, emotions, and actions. So I did some reading and found some tips that have helped me get back on track.

I will get back to the 290 mark and then head for 280. Then 270 and so on with an eventual goal of 220. It will take me over a year or maybe even longer to see 220 but I will do it if I follow the plan, stay on track, make good decisions and stay disciplined. Below is a list of ways you can get back on track if you get off target or track from reaching your weight loss and health goals. God Bless and I pray you all have a wonderful remaining and healthy 2021.

  1. Take a look at where you are and how you got there. If you set a goal look at it and see how you are doing towards it.
  2. Be honest with yourself and know that losing weight, getting healthy and correcting the mistakes of the past will not be easy and will come with bumps in the road.
  3. Refocus on your eating patterns, the foods you are digesting and how often you eat.
  4. Never eat when your famished. That causes you to over eat and gives you temporary satisfaction but is a big setback to goals.
  5. Drink a minimum of 64 ounces of water daily. Drinking lots of water is very healthy and also keeps you full.
  6. Avoid the pitfalls of old habits like eating fatty foods, greasy foods, and unhealthy snacks. These are the things that created the situation you are currently in so doing this only sets you back.
  7. Set new goals, track them by logging what you eat, weigh every now and then and watch the results take place.
  8. Stick to it. Do not give up. Do not make excuses. Do not let food overtake you. Stay focused and win the battle of the bulge!
  9. Pray for Gods guidance, grace and mercy in your life.
  10. Win by eating to live and not living to eat!

Are You Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired

Yesterday on the way home I was thinking about the past 15 months and all this Corona 19 mess and the health issues that not only myself but hundreds of thousands of people have faced this last year. We had no idea the Corona Virus would take such a toll on us physically, mentally and at times spiritually. Corona Virus did lots of damage, took lives, damaged the body and left all those people missing someone or working hard to recover from the stupid cough, headaches, lack of energy and other lingering effects. I was talking to a co-worker about this past year and she made the comment that she was “sick and tired of being sick and tired”.

That made me begin to think about my own journey this past 15 months and the health related issues I faced due to Covid 19, its lingering effects and the reasons it may have taken such a hold on me. I was the classic candidate if you follow the “so-called” experts. I was in my 50’s, overweight, diabetic and had a previous heart condition. All of those things combined put me at a higher risk and unfortunately Covid 19 struck my family and me. It made me very sick and put me in the hospital. Like so many others I spent time recovering and for a few days I was not sure I would leave the hospital at all, breathing that is.

I came home and after a long recovery and some continued lingering effects I had become tired of being tired. The struggle was real and then I became sick and tired of being sick and tired. So I sat down with my wife and we decided together to lose weight, become healthier and live our best life. Life and the things that happen in it will make you become tired of being sick and tired. No energy, headaches, achy joints and back aches become a nuisance to people. Then they become a habit or something you just get used to living with. However, to change the past we have to redirect our intentions, habits and behaviors to overcome the same old sick and tired.

When you become sick and tired of being sick and tired you’ll make the decision to change your life and press forward. I am now down 54 pounds, 5 or 6 pant sizes and into a brand new shirt size for the first time in forever. I feel better than I have in thirty years and am working hard and consistently to overcome the past mistakes, break old habits and live my best life. I say ask yourself, are you sick and tired of being sick and tired? Seriously, are really sick and tired of being sick and tired? When you decide you are then you will attack life and go after it so you then begin to feel better than ever because you feel better than ever.

Step one is to become sick and tired of being sick and tired. Step two is now that you realize your sick and tired. Take action towards fixing what made you become sick and tired of being sick and tired. Step three is to change old habits, go hard, work hard and overcome. Step four is to feel better than ever and know that you never have to once again, be sick and tired of being sick and tired.

Health: Eight Ways To Avoid Getting Sick Post Covid

Like millions of people I had the Covid-19 virus and was in the hospital in pretty bad shape. It took a toll on my overall health and made me really consider how I would go forward protecting myself from viruses like Covid, the Flu bug and other communicable diseases. I have always been a daily multiple times user of hand sanitizer because my profession is teaching and coaching high school kids. Unfortunately they come to school sick, coughing, with fevers, and other flu and cold symptoms routinely. I try not to use the same pens and have always kept a line between my desk and where they sit. I have been fortunate to not get too many colds or flus from my students but with the Covid recovery still ongoing and trying to gain my total strength and stamina back I am more cautious now. With that said I came up with some quick ways that most people know for protecting themselves and their families post Covid from other infectious and communicable diseases.

1- Wash you hands routinely for 15 or 20 seconds. While washing them make sure to scrub your nails and the palms of the hands good as germs will ride in those areas.

2- Use hand sanitizer often and make sure it is one that kills 99% of all germs. I buy mine at the Dollar Tree and it works well.

3- Do not share pens, pencils, utensils and other things we use daily with people. I have my own set of pens to write with and nobody but me uses them.

4- Maintain a proper distance even after Covid moves on. I have always kept my students out of my space and do my best to stay out of there space also. Personal space is important to me and always has been.

5- Stay home if you are sick. Do not be that person that risks making everyone else sick because you are hard headed or do not care. Making other people sick costs them time, money and energy that could have been avoided by just staying home.

6- Clean and disinfect surfaces, door knobs and other items that people touch on a routine basis. I spray Lysol everyday after my class ends and clean the door knobs. We do this daily and so far it has been an effective way to avoid major illness.

7- Respect other peoples rights to wear a mask if they chose to even after Covid 19 is over. I have found that wearing a pullover type mask is actually good for many other things like working outside, hiking, mowing the yard, cleaning the house and other things we do.

8- Do not let people touch or use you phone. Peoples hands can be nasty and full of germs. Those germs get left on your phone and your touching it, using the screen, putting it to your ear and beside your face. I do not like people using my phone so if a student needs to call someone to get a ride I dial the number and put them on speaker to avoid the contact and potential issue of getting sick.

I am not afraid of Covid, the Flu bug or a common cold. But with the experience we all had the last 14-15 months it has shown us that we need to be more diligent in how we spend time around others, touch surfaces and protect our families. Covid was real tough on me and I do not want anymore to do with it, the flu or any other common communicable disease. Stay safe and live your best life!

Coach B

Health: What’s Your Why

My wife and I began to take our health much more serious in late 2020 after two close calls I had with my overall health. We sat down and talked about our future goals in life. What we wanted to accomplish together as individually. We talked about where we were and how we were going to get there. The first thing we realized was the we needed to know our why. You may ask, what do you mean by our why? When you set goals in life for relationships, financials, overall health and other areas that are important to you just making a list and going after it is not the best way. You have to look at things, analyze it, break it down and then figure out what is you “why”. We decided that we wanted to focus on our relationship, family, finances and spiritual growth going forward. We wrote these things down and then started thinking about what is our “why” for each of these.

Financial- Our why was to be independently secure with enough money to live the life we want to when I retire in around five years or so. To do this we have to decrease what little debt we have, save more and invest in our near future. The why is to be financially secure!

Spiritual- We have always kept the Lord present in our marriage and life’s and it is an important piece of our total package. The why is that God has been and still is good to us and we need to be better at talking to him, praying to him and finding his peace in our busy lives. Our why is that God loves us.

Physical Health- As stated above I had a few scares with my heart (twice) and Covid 19. This brought us back to reality that we had to take better care of ourselves, get more exercise, relax more and eat better. This why was an easy one to figure out. I want to be here for my wife of 28 years and grown daughters. So the why is to live.

Relationships- We have a very strong relationship and marriage. We have two awesome grown daughters and are very close to them. We cherish those relationships with family, friends, co-workers and other people in our lives. So our why was to build on those relationships and get the best we can out of them with what time we have.

Now you know my why. What are your why’s and how do you plan to attack them and accomplish the goals, dreams and visions attached to them? It all starts with self reflection and figuring our where you are and where you want to be. What is important to you and why. Go find your why and live your best life!

Coach B