Yes it’s a trailer. Let’s keep it real. I have lived at a lot of different addresses. A few of them were trailers. Some of them were efficiency apartments. I’ve had roommates. I’ve had cats and dogs and rats (pet rats). I’ve had girlfriends and televisions and sofas and microwaves. Since 1992 I have owned over 25 vehicles, all registered in my name and Linn County. I won’t even tell you about my guitars and amps and jobs and haircuts. Someone told me I looked good with a goatee in 1996 so I kept it until 2008. I am terrible with shoes. I typically ruin them in a short amount of time. I prefer lots of sodium and/or sugar but I keep it to a minimum these days because I prefer being thin. My nose is rather large but then again so is my head as are my ears and by the width of my back alone you might think I am a gorilla in dim lighting. My legs are incredibly skinny. Too skinny. I think they stopped growing in 1984. My voice is deep and I have an under-bite. I have tattoos. I am spontaneous, random, absent minded, unorganized and at times completely oblivious. I am human.

As long as you have family and friends nothing else matters. Keep them close and keep them happy.

I am finishing up week 5 of the 10 week program at Farrell’s. I haven’t lost any weight yet but I am already in much better shape. I also, admittedly, haven’t been following the diet plan. I intend to kick it up a notch for the last five weeks. My main goal is to lose 5-10 lbs and more importantly 4-5 inches off my waist. The kickboxing is wonderful. I am having a harder time getting used to the resistance band training. My legs are really, really weak. In order to improve all around I need to have stronger legs.

The truth is that 80% of healthy weight loss has to do with diet. And by diet, I do not mean “eating less”, I mean “eating right”. Everyone has a “diet”. Some are much worse than others. Combine the right amount of exercise with a healthy diet and you will eventually be in the best shape of your life. I need to quit sucking down salty foods and extra beer on the weekend. I need to decide what is more important, a salty, tasty dish that last 10 minutes or a lifetime of feeling and looking good? It is OK to eat the tasty stuff here and there. Lately I have been getting carried away. Some may say “looking good” is subjective and I agree, partially. By “looking good” I am referring to what I personally see in the mirror. Yes, compliments from others are nice to hear but I take my shirt off and see a jelly roll on my stomach and I remember that giant bowl of ice cream I ate last weekend. It is depressing. Many people look good but aren’t healthy. When I look “bad” it is because of my own personal demons when it comes to eating poorly. It is not healthy. So I associate looking good with feeling good because I choose to eat well. I need to get back on the “wagon”. Goodbye french fries, hello steamed veggies (this is going to be difficult).

I realize I may have gone too far last year with my diet. The weight just kept falling off. This time around I am combining muscle training with cardio work (kickboxing). The end result should be more of a muscular look/build and I will not be near as light as I was last year (200 lbs). I will also feel better because of the added strength. This is a solid goal and the main reason I joined Farrell’s. Just doing cardio for a year or two , I ended up really skinny with little muscular build. I did feel better but to maintain the weight I had to eat very little and I wasn’t happy with that diet. More muscle means harder work during cardio training which means more calories burnt. You look better and feel better in the end.

Matty out

I know what it says. “Time is the essence”. I intentionally left out the word “of” between “is” and “the”.  I am not talking about punctuality. I am talking about free time. Time to enjoy life and all the wonderful things it has to offer.

Too many people work their butts off making “the man” rich until they are old enough to retire and they look back and think about all the shit they didn’t do. I say “do the shit”. Recently I have come to the realization that free time is far too valuable to be squandered. If you enjoy working 50-60+ hours per week for your boss, have at it. I will see you on the flip side and there is a chance my smile will be bigger. I am done chasing the wind and fighting the good fight. Money will be made and it will soon after be spent. It comes and goes like microwave popcorn or toilet paper. Find something you enjoy doing and go after it.  Spend the money and/or time it takes to seek it out and grab it by the gonads. Never let go. If anyone gets in your way tell them to step aside or suffer the consequences. Life is too short.

I play guitar and sing in a band. I ride a Harley Davidson Street Bob. I have a beautiful, loving wife who teaches kindergarten. I have two adorable dogs who like to cuddle. I have a caring, loving family. My goal is to create more and more free time for myself and Sara. If you call or send me an email I may not reply immediately. Do not take it personal, I am enjoying life and cherishing every free second.  Life has become too busy in recent months and I have learned some valuable lessons. It is now time to make more time for me and mine (sounds funny but go with it).