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It’s only been two days since my last episode of Pursuing A Balanced Life. Since the last episode was focused on bringing you up to date with all that had gone on during the past three months, I figured I’d go ahead and share this episode to give you a full picture of where I am today.
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Hey Cliff. Tom Snively here. Newsih to Livefyre and I didn't set it up where my name shows up...
I think in this episode, and in others, you've kind of said that your health has to be your first prioirity. I agree. But you don't really seem to have your health goals at the top. I think the 10,000 steps or so and not going overboard on eating have to be there very high up on the list.
As I said on the GSPN fitness board, I am using Fitbit based on your recommendation, and am on a similar weight loss journey. I use LoseIt for tracking food. I've realized that the amount of exercise and kind of diet I have for weight loss will have to turn into similar exercise and diet for the rest of my life. It has to be something that is sustainable for decades. (I have gotten down to 180 lbs twice in the last 20 years, but with not maintaining exercise and diet I bounced back up, and being older and having slower metabolism is not helping.)
The weight loss needs to be slow and gradual, and I think keeping on examining goals and having encouragement will keep us at our desired weight, once we get there.
Last year your weight loss goal was ambitious. Sometime around Oct or Nov you were behind on your goal, but you still said you were going to keep the goal and had a new plan of losing 2 or 2 1/2 lbs per week to get down to 200. I didn't comment at the time but that seemed like a goal that was way too ambitious.
From here you may be able to lose a lot for the first month, but then you may get into a place where you can only lose 1 lb per week, or maybe even 1/2 lb per week as you get closer to your goal. I hope to lose 1 lb per week, get down to 200, and stay under 200 for the rest of my life.
I like your idea of dreaming big and coming up with big goals, and you should be able to get down to 200 lbs, but get going at a slow steady healthy pace.
The seasonal or post-vacation stuff may have you feeling down now, but you should not have low confidence when it comes to business. You are THE leading expert on podcasting, and you've helped countless podcasts to get started and go to the next level. You earned a good income last year and spent more time with your family.
I really look forward to meeting you on the Disney cruise. 200 attendees was an ambitious goal, but you are right, if the group is smaller, the relationship building can be bigger. I don't know what kind of things you wanted the group to do, but that is not that important to me or my family. I am a huge introvert and wouldn't enjoy being in a room pretending to mingle with 200 people.
You did so well last year, hitting 8 or your 12 big goals. You really should make your list of new goals for 2013. That might help get you going to where you want to be.
-Tom
@MakingMyMusic Tom, Thanks so much for coming to the site and leaving a comment here. It will certainly take a bit from me to associate MakingMyMusic with Tom Snively, but if you simply sign "-Tom" at the end, I'll know who you are for sure.
I had actually lost over 50 pounds between 2010 and 2011, most of which has been chronicled here in this podcast. I had made the lifestyle changes back then necessary to make it happen. The problem is that I allowed my lifestyle to change again, getting back to a place where I valued time spent on my work over anything else.
I am certain that I'll be able to turn this back around. I am a person of extremes. It's hard for me to not set crazy goals. Crazy goals are extremely motivating to me. Though then again, when I see myself get to the place where I see the goal is no longer possible, due to circumstances like broken ribs, this can be a major drop in motivation.
I do understand the value of slow and gradual change. But there has to be some sort of balance I can find between setting goals that challenge me to push hard and understanding that this going to take time. More than anything, I have to get my mindset all straightened out again.
Thanks for the note about the confidence. You know, I do have "full confidence" in my current status of where I stand within my profession. When I talk about lack of confidence, I should explain that that I mean lack of confidence in where I am heading, what my goals are for the future, etc.
But you know, The year ended quite hectic, but I did spend more time with my family in 2012 and I had more margin in my life than I have ever had and I ended up generating a very nice income. I am thankful for this reminder! It is true and I am very happy about the outcome of 2012.
As for the Disney cruise. 200 attendees was actually a totally doable goal had my original vision for the cruise not changed. You see, I was originally going to do a 5 days cruise where I would not only have amazing gspn.tv community networking opportunities, but I was also going to host a business type conference on the ship as well. These plans were foiled by the simple fact of the date that we had chosen for our cruise and committed to.
I have invited you to a private group project discussion board for the cruise. There is so much more that I shared about all of this there. I do hope that you'll join us in that conversation as you have an opportunity to do so.
Most of all, it means a GREAT DEAL to me that you are just as happy with 9 adults and seven children as you would be with over 50 members of the community. Each time I think about the cruise, regardless of what has happened, I am 100% confident that it was the right decision to do the cruise and it's all going to end up the way that it ends up for a reason. Looking forward to meeting you and your wife!
I have it on my to-do list for this coming week to set aside some quite time to make my 2013 goals.
Thank you so much for all your feedback!
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As a friend who is simply further up the path of life...Lord willing, you'll wake up one day realizing your children are now having children. You'll wonder where the time went. Investments made today in time, effort and priorities will be realized.
Regarding health, I had an epiphany years ago after my wife and I visited a man in the hospital whose wife was destined to care for him full-time. We exited the hospital, got in the car and I looked at my wife and said, "I can't do that to you." In that instant, I dedicated myself to making my own health a priority. No, it wasn't (nor is it today) my number 1 goal in life, but it's a non-negotiable priority. I go to the gym daily. Period. I don't gorge myself. Period.
When I was your age, I had my wife and children as a priority. Now, I've added a son-in-law, a daughter-in-law, three grandsons and one granddaughter. My tribe has increased and so has my obligation to give them my best, not my worst. These are the people who matter most to me. They deserve my best.
You get it. Just look forward and see your children as adults, as parents themselves. If you think they need you now, you ain't seen nothing yet! :D Push forward, transform yourself toward a better you...and I'll leave you with a message I posted over a year ago that might inspire you to take better care of yourself: http://bulanetwork.com/one-day-i-may-need-a-stranger-to-pick-me-up-off-the-pavement/
All the best to you - and yours!Randy
@RandyCantrell Randy, thanks for sharing my friend. I'm watching that video right now! Blessed to have you share your journey with me! Thank you so much!
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As someone whose been struggling with his own weight lately (265!) along with some winter blues, car breakdowns and an emergency room visit (ear infection), I've really enjoyed your last two episodes. I relate to people more through their struggles than successes. I appreciate your authenticity.
You reminded me of how I need to get back to basics like relying on God's providence (while doing my part) and having more quiet time which means hiking in the woods for me. It was easier for me to trust God when I had nothing than when I have a little something to lose, it seems. Also, gratitude. I've been in a slump lately, probably from being wore out last year and not taking a vacation or some break. As Jon Taffer (Bar Rescue) says: "It's your decisions that are causing you to fail". Eating less and walking daily costs nothing.
Here is a great blog post by @Kevin Miller about what people really want. This caused a change in my perception of success and may be helpful:
I appreciate you Cliff and thank you for being authentic and humble enough to share your troubles.
@SuttonParks Sutton. Thank you so much for taking the time to comment on on this episode of my show. I am blessed to know that, after three months, you are still listening. ;)
Sorry for the delay in responding, somehow, your comment got caught in a spam filter.
I'm praying that you'll get some time away and that you'll be able to experience some quiet in your own life. I'm still working things out on this end, but I'm a great deal further ahead than I was when I recorded this episode.
I hope you have an amazing week! Sincerely, Cliff
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Great episode and thoughts, Cliff. One thing about Albuterol, at least for me, it seems to be addictive. I know when i was using it every night before bed a few years ago, when I stopped, it became very difficult to breathe so much that I "needed" it. It was really hard to get myself off of it. So after some bad health last year, my doctor recommended it, I was very, very careful and concerned.
I just got my withings scale in today, and look forward to continuing my weight loss journey with you through your podcasts.
@TroyRutter Thanks for the feedback Troy. In all my years with bronchitis, this is only the third time I've had an albuterol inhaler. It is something that only gets used when I simply can't breath at all. So far, I've only had to use it eight times since this time around and those times are fewer and father between.
I'm really feeling the benefits of the doTERRA essential oil blend call "Breath." There have been a few times where I would have used the inhaler where this oil blend was enough to help me catch my breath. Awesome stuff.
I'm looking forward to hearing about your weight loss my friend.
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Hi Cliff. I was going to send in an audio-feedback response after hearing this episode, until I heard you mention at the end that you'd prefer to have responses left here in the blog post comments. Thank you for putting out this episode (as well as the one a few days ago). I always enjoy listening to Pursuing A Balanced Life. PABL always seems to be a more intimate conversation (even more than Family From The Heart).
As a long-time listener, I distinctly remember listening to your Dark Days of December 2010 episode, on a rainy day here in California, on my way to get my haircut. I remember sitting in my car, after that 12/2010 episode of PABL ended, and praying for you and your creativity and motivation.
I often pray for the "ministry" that you and Stephanie have as leaders of the GSPN Community, and your Podcast Answer Man Business. Today, I specifically pray God will continue to bless you, your creativity, your desire to get more physically fit (so you can continue to function at a high level), and your need to clean up your office space. I can certainly relate to all of those desires. I too need to clean out my studio/office space, and to get healthier.
Thank you Cliff. My Pocket Casts app is always ready for the next episode of Pursuing A Balanced Life (and PAM and FFTH).
Wayne
@WayneHenderson Wayne, I simply enjoy hearing from you and regardless of what I say, you always have the right to call the listener line at any time. Though, truth be told, I'd actually see your feedback here before I'd get to the audio feedback these days.
I'm so incredibly thankful for all your prayers over these years and I'm blessed to know that you still listen to every episode of PABL. More to come soon! THANK YOU!
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Great episode Cliff! God has really blessed you over the last few years. I love the quote from Stan Lee that says "With great power there must also come ... great responsibility". You are in a position of influence now. Thank you for using that the right way... to set an example, encourage community & inspire others to take all aspects of their lives to the next level. You are very creative Cliff. Ignore the thoughts that indicate otherwise. I was reminded of 2 Peter 1:3 this week ... "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." You have everything you need Cliff! I applaud your stewardship so far. I am excited to see & hear what is in store for you over the next 2 years! The GSPN conferenxe in Orlando! The Podcast Answerman Book! The Downton Abbey podcast!! Lol. I wish that my family & I could make it to the cruise this summer, but I would love to catch up with you in Orlando before or after the cruise if your schedule permits! Keep pursuing a balanced life Sir! You are impacting many people every week!! Awesome! Please listen to Violent Femmes on your next treadmill walk! Thanks for sharing this episode.
@jaredeasley Thank you so much for the feedback on this episode. I am very much looking forward to working with you on some great things in 2013.
