It is March 27, 2023 and I my head is spinning. The first three months of this year have flown by. There has been so much activity. Some good, some very good. Some not as good as I have wanted. That is the subject of today’s post.

One of the things I found in the last few months of 2022 was consistency. For 100 days I achieved all the goals I set for myself and then some. Then…I hit a plateau in my weight. From December to now I have not made any significant losses. I have maintained, but I have been stuck.

Has it been for a lack of trying? No. Not really. I have kept my diet in check…ish. Yes. I have enjoyed food a little more here and there, but for the most part I have stayed close to my daily calorie count.

Has it been for a lack of exercise? No. I am proud to say that I have been working out 5-6 times a week for well over a year. This is one area of my goals that I am very proud of. The program can always use some fine tuning, but I am happy with the work that I am putting in.

So, if it isn’t what I mentioned above? What is it? I have some theories that I am currently testing.

1. I have been on the same workout program for almost 2 years. I have built a lot of strength. I have built a lot of consistency. I think I have gotten too used to the program. So, I am switching it up as of today. I completed my new Day 1 today. It kicked my tail. I feel like I am back on the right track.

2. As I mentioned above, I have been close to my calories. But, I have not been diligent about my macros. I am going to focus in on this change over the next several weeks and see what progress I make. I have a feeling that things are about to start moving again.

3. I have been waffling on my goals. Sure, I have the original 7 that I set last year, but I have not solidified the goals I have for this round…until now. The laser is turned back on. Precise focus is making a return. In short, my goals got too familiar. It is time to reaffirm my intentions and work relentlessly.

My new 100 Days Strong has been set. I finish on the 5th of July. I will find freedom from this journey one day after independence day. At that time I will revisit the goals. I will refine them again. For now, the goal is set. My mind is made up.

1. Follow my exercise program.

2. Follow my eating program and my macros.

3. Drink 100 ounces of water per day and limit alcohol consumption.

4. Read/Listen to 1 chapter per day. I will share my new reading list soon.

5. Write daily to catalogue the journey and for creativity.

6. Take a daily progress photo and track my weight.

7. Encourage and spread the love each day as I go.

July 5th…I am coming for you. But for now, I am here. This is where I want to be. On this journey. Achieving my goals.

My God.

My wife.

My son.

My dad.

My mom.

My family.

My framily.

My work.

My home.

The list goes on.

I am thankful.

The world is loud. Have you noticed this? It keeps moving faster. It keeps getting louder. I find it harder and harder to focus through the chaos, but I know I need it more now than ever.

Here are three ways that I find focus even though the world is loud and demanding.

1. God has to be first. I am a follower of Jesus. My relationship with Jesus anchors my life. I start my week in church. I start my days in my bible. If God isn’t first, I am not focusing on the right things. He gives me the ability to focus on the right things and to do good.
2. My family is next. My ability to focus is greatly impacted by how things are at home. If my home has peace, I can deal with chaos because I have a safe place to return to. How do we do this? God is first in our home. We prioritize our marriage and actively work through conflict. We daily enjoy each other as a family. Laughter is a common thing. My son is a big part of that. He is a funny dude.
3. The third one won’t surprise you if you have read my blog for any time: fitness. Working out has to be part of my weekly rhythm. If I don’t do what I am supposed to do my body doesn’t work the way it is supposed to. I used to think that people in their 40s were joking about how their bodies changed and didn’t want to work…nope. They weren’t lying. If I exercise, things are operable. If I don’t…ugh.

I could mention several other factors about finding focus, but I will leave you with this quote:

Everyone’s time is limited. What matters most is to focus on what matters most. – Roy Bennett

For me, the three things above give me focus to do what needs to be done. What things help you find focus? What practices bring you clarity?

I got a compliment today I didn’t expect. Someone I had not seen in many months opened our conversation with, “wow! You’ve lost weight!” It was a definite boost and I was grateful.

I don’t need compliments all the time. They are very nice, but I’m able to do what I need to do without them. However, they sure do make you feel good. When you hear a complement, you did not expect, it could make your day.

Part of my 100 day journey last year was to encourage someone every day. I want to be a bright light that finds positive things to uplift people with. I don’t flatter, but I do tell the truth in kind of ways.

I have a challenge for you: find someone to encourage. Go out of your way to make them feel good about something good that they are doing. It will be beneficial for both of you.

I didn’t expect the compliment today. I also didn’t know that I needed it. When I heard it, it felt good.

I have a confession to make. There are days I want to quit. There are days I want to eat everything in sight because I can. There are days I want it to be easy. But…

I have to keep going. When I made the changes late last year, I didn’t make them to be temporary. I knew that I was changing my outlook on how I live going forward. This is not temporary.

I have to remind myself of this. This new path is one step at a time. Am I going to mess it up ever so often? Yep. Does that cancel the overall goal? No.

Perfection is not attainable. Consistency is. Keep going. One step, one day at a time.