117 Found Days - A Win Anyway Blog

Day 117 was August 26 - the closing day of the Toastmasters 2017 International Convention. The framing of this challenge was essentially from the day I took second at Division in the International Speech Contest to the final crowning of the World Champion of Public Speaking, which actually occurred the night of August 25, when Manoj Vasudevan took home the big trophy - congrats to Manoj! So what did I do with all those found days - days I didn't need to be practicing for a semi-final, much less Finals speech, as I have so often done in the past? With the extra few weeks of found time before even the District Contest, which I've previously competed in the last 3 years, and 10 of the last 18? Not much, sadly, which was one of my fears before putting this transparent challenge out there. Which is why it's taken me nearly two weeks to fess up - the other being the common deflation I feel at the end of every contest cycle. WHAT DID I HOPE TO DO? Write my Speak & ...

Bought a new car today. Moving toward my goals at full-speed. This week, as has been mentioned, is full of appointments, first days and half-days of school, and more. My diet is non-existent the last 4 days, and I'm back up to probably 216 in the morning. Gout pain came back yesterday - haven't worked out past two days. May not have TIME to work out until Wednesday. Got another two podcasts up - http://winanyway.libsyn.com/podcast - take a listen. TEDx rehearsal just 5 days away. Really need to focus. I feel like I am, at times, going backward and forward all at once. Crazy, right?

Which, not so coincidentally, means in 2 weeks the 2017 World Champion of Public Speaking will be crowned. So much of my energy this week has been diverted by thinking about the house loan - and the fact we didn't qualify. And buying paint for the house while watching Kristi go nuts painting it. And thinking about going out to buy a new car. And realizing I really need to go out and get a job, even with school starting up, in the next 4-6 weeks - as we are about to lose SSI income at Braden's court hearing in 10 days. Frankly, there's a fair amount of stress around the house, and I'm going a little bit nuts. With two weeks left, I know I haven't done what I wanted to do with the first 103 days of these 'found days'. But you'd be amazed how productive you can be when the pressure's on. Unless you don't want to be, because it makes you feel bad about how you weren't productive enough when the pressure WASN'T on as much. The mental mindgames...

An up & down past four days. Meanwhile, the Found Days Finish Line is in sight. Weekends are always a bit challenging around here, but things weren't terribly busy. Worked out 2 of the 4 days, then my gout flared again Sunday, turned extremely bad yesterday, and has hung on today, though the massive amount of meds I've put into my system (no prednisone yet) seems to have calmed it down from a 12 pain level (almost ER worthy) to about a 7 right now. At least I can walk today. Last night, I could bare take a step. Diet-wise, I've been good - and this morning I was down to 210.4 after several days of 212, 214, despite doing the right things. We'll see if I'm on the losing trend tomorrow. Hoping to be 200 by next Saturday, when I have my TEDx rehearsal. I'm looking at adding Tumeric to my daily regimen - supposedly it's good for gout pain. And, if push comes to shove, I may have to let go of my Atkins diet, and go to a low-fat, low-cal, veggie rich diet -...

Or maybe it's just the steroids. Tough to say. Last two days, I've gained a client, started a Facebook group, worked out 2 more times, weighed in at a low of 210.2 before going on a break day for the day today, and had a good time at my home TM club tonight, serving as General Evaluator. Frankly, I'm excited and motivated, and don't have much more to say other than, excuse me for now, I have a bunch to do. If you're looking for a great group of folks to mastermind with and give & receive support from as you try to reach a higher goal in a shorter time - particularly regarding your income, come join the group at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/100Kin100Days/ In the meantime - Win Anyway!

Had a strong final three days of July, at least diet and family-wise. My weight this morning, despite my inability to work out due to my gout flare ups over the last couple of weeks, is 211.6 - before I go workout, which I am able to do thanks to the wonders of Prednisone. After the workout, I should be 210.6 - but I can't really count that chicken before it's hatched. Regardless - my July workouts, which started strong - (10 in the first 15 days) - ended weak - (4 for the final 16 days) - were about the same as last month - 14 for 31. My diet, however, was much more consistent - 16 of 31 days, including the last 8 days, giving me more than half the month, after only 1/3 the month in June. Proof, essentially, that the diet is more crucial than working out. Overall weight loss: July 1 - 216.0/Aug 1 - 211.6 - I'll go with 4 1/2 pds. Progress. August promises to be even better, as the last 8 days have been part of my new approach of '11 day cycles' - 10 days on...

Some good things going on this week. First of all, despite some 'popcorn challenges' at War for the Planet of the Apes and Valerian, I am down to 213.8 from 219.6 earlier in the week. Which reminds me, I need to do a couple of video reviews. Looking at adding a challenge to Facebook to help people make $100K in 100 Days - something I was going to pair with another speaker on, but, as it turns out, I will now be doing primarily on my own. I've already connected with a few people that will be a part of this project. Also, a few people who have simply been very encouraging to me regarding this project and my speaking career. One concern with this project was that it might take away from my primary goals. On the other hand, if I focus on my primary goals, this new goal can certainly be achieved as a by-product.  A win-WinAnyway prospect. Kristi and I are also looking to make a big change for our family. Prying eyes might be reading this blog, however, so I'll have to ke...

The month is flying by - Rachel spent two weeks at camp, Bailey & Braden a week at camp and currently on an 11 day trip to see their bio-dad - and a whole lot of life in-between drop-offs & pick-ups. Diet & Working Out continues to stall. Heck, life is stalling. Some motivational speaker I am - can't lose weight, isn't getting anything done, except, y'know, keeping up with six kids, working with several coaching clients, heading up a Professional Toastmasters group, prepping for TEDx... Well, ok, I'm propping myself up a bit, just to keep my own ego from shrinking like a popped water balloon on the hot sidewalk. Meanwhile, I have enough awareness to know I can be doing more. I can help more people as a coach. I can help more people as a writer. I can help more people as a speaker. I can be a better person. Maybe that's what these 117 Days will end up being about. I still have 32 days, just over a month, to actually have some concrete production to talk a...

8 days gone by. Crazy I tell ya. Wanted to blog within a day or two of my last post, and thought, 'no, too soon', and now it's 8 days. I've worked out 6 of those 8 days, and been really good on the diet all 8 days, and am down to 213.4 this morning, down from 218.8 the date of my last post. Progress. I signed a new keynote coaching client, which eases the financial pressure at home a bit, but a job may still be in the offing. Life is still filled with lots of little appointments - including my own visit to Urgent Care on Tuesday with a swollen and painful left hand - gout flare up, despite my daily management meds. Prednisone almost has it cleared up. Picked up Rachel from Camp yesterday, got an oil change - you know, all these things add up, and finding time for all those things like websites, etc., just seem to get eaten up by the urgent needs of now. I've been focusing on my Twitter account more lately as well - averaging about 2000 impressions a day, wit...

I gotta say, not much happened over the Long Weekend. I took three of the kids to Despicable Me on Saturday - they loved it, I tolerated it. I worked out Sat & Sun, but not Mon & Tue. I stayed on my eating plan Sat, but not Sun-Tue. We caught up on the last 8 episodes of Gotham. We bought and Kristi put up a screen door - something she's wanted to do since we moved into this house 7 years ago this month. Didn't really do anything for the fourth - I'm not a big fireworks guy - all the walking & waiting. We ordered pizza, watched a movie, and Kristi drove the kids around and found a spot to watch the fireworks for awhile. The Long Weekend, when I wasn't in the midst of doing, was a lot of thinking about what I SHOULD be doing, without actually doing any of it, because I was also thinking about what ELSE I SHOULD be doing, while doing what I did. Which made it a Long Weekend. No holidays for awhile. Just a couple of camps, a few doc appts., school starti...

If you follow me on social media, you've probably already heard I was selected for TEDx Colorado Springs. I am, of course, over the moon about this development, and look forward to keeping you abreast of my progress through their coaching and rehearsal process. The big event is Nov. 4th, 2017. I count this as the biggest success, career-wise, for me during this 117 found days period. As of this morning, post-workout, I am at 216.2 lbs. Down all of one pound since June 1. I've been tracking my eating and my workouts closely in May and June (I've been tracking my eating for years), and the results are telling. I stayed totally true to my diet (low carb, no sugar) only 7 days each month. less than 25% of the time. I worked out 13 times in June, and 18 times in June, so basically once every 2 days. When I'm off the diet, most of the time, about 3 out of 4 days, I'm WAY off the diet (popcorn, Junior Mints, Ben & Jerry's, Twizzlers, chinese food, etc.). In ...

Saturday I auditioned for TEDx Colorado Springs. 20 people auditioning for 10 spots - and we 20 were narrowed down from 80 submissions. Won't find out til July 8 whether or not I'm in the final 10. Enjoyed the experience - not quite the same as a contest, nerve-wise - reminded me more of trying out for parts in college. I know I spoke well, but I'm not sure my content is quite what they are looking for, despite my attempt to tailor my Win Anyway message into their 'Just Around the Corner' theme. Didn't work out Sat, Sun, or Mon, but did today. Struggles on the diet, what with going to the movies, watching movies with the family, and not doing a good job avoiding popcorn, ice cream, junior mints, etc. Even last night I succumbed to pizza - we bought three of them for Rachel's summer party. We promised her a party since her birthday is near Thanksgiving, and it creates party issues. We offered Riker one too, but he hasn't been overly anxious about it. ...

This is a second deck view, we were on the first level. This week has been a good one - though it certainly hasn't been 'less busy', by any means. Mom flew home Tuesday, after a good visit out here. Bad timing, though, since she got all the hot weather and this weekend Denver is nice and cool. Oh well, the visit to the ER for heat exhaustion and dehydration was exciting... Wednesday was the Rockies game, which I've documented fairly well on both FB and Twitter. Ian Desmond, who plays 1st base and/or Left Field for the Colorado Rockies, befriended a child with Neurofibromatosis during his time with the Washington Nationals, and now does a tremendous job raising money and awareness for NF. Part of that is bring NF families to the ballpark. All 8 of us were able to go, watch batting practice, meet Ian, get autographs and pictures, then spend the night watching the 1st place Rockies get pounded by the Diamondbacks. C'est la vie - baseball is about the long run...

Almost two weeks without an entry. Really glad I didn't commit to a daily post... The last twelve days have been busily restful - taking kids to camp, spending a few days with Kristi focusing on just us, and finishing up with a visit - the first in three years - from my mom. She's actually still here, so I won't spend too much time on this post, but I wanted to at least check in. And, oh yeah, I turned a year older the day before celebrating Father's Day. And gave a speech that I videoed as a tryout for TEDx Colorado Springs (but I haven't heard back, so that's probably out). And outlined Kristi's sequel to her book. What I haven't been doing is working out or dieting much, and the scale reflects it. Back up to 220 today after getting down to 213. Sigh. With 67 Days left in this 117 Found Days journey, the first 40 have proven to be challenging to me, mentally, and my schedule has been packed. Even tomorrow I have to take mom to the airport and immed...

...and only 10 days til I hit 49 years old. Crazy. The last week has seen some advances - I'm making progress with my website, I've been in touch with clients and potential clients, I've made arrangements to video a speech tomorrow night as an audition for TEDx Colorado Springs. Summer is in full swing - with most the kids leaving for camp tomorrow, and one coming back. Lots of sleepovers happening as well, though luckily no one seems to come over HERE... Finally got to see Wonder Woman - as good as the reviews say it is. Taking a 'staycation' this weekend with Kris, who gets some paid vacation now that she's in management - it'll be nice with kids gone, and us staying somewhere other than home for a couple days. Job situation is still in 'hold' - and will be thru end of June - though I'm still sending out some feelers. Weight-wise, even though the 'diet' isn't going as well as I'd like, I'm working out most days, and fi...

The last week is a blur. Heck, it kinda feels like the whole month has been a blur. Final week of school - everyone's out now, and we have six kids at home. I've spent the last six days focusing on eating right, working out, getting kids where they need to go, talking with clients, and figuring out what's next. Had a family meeting Friday, and asked the kids what their goals were. Got an interesting mix of response. The 16 year-old is working with a clear goal of getting her license and a car. My 12 year old, who's been reading Jack Canfield's Success Principles, wants to earn some money, work on his animations, and go on a mission trip (this final one was a surprise). My 19 year old wants to build his muscles, and the others just mostly want to have a fun summer. The job search is in flux - partially because of scheduling. In the next month, we have camps to shuttle kids to, and my mom's coming out to visit. I'm still looking, but I'm looking...

I've spent the last few days being just plain sick. Went to the doc Friday, they told me I should be better by Monday - viral, not strep. Today I'm still tired, still stiff, and have now missed three days at the gym. Still have a bit of a sore throat, but this evening seem to be improving. Hope I don't jinx that by typing it. Haven't done much of anything other than the must-do's of life. Tonight I went to Alien: Covenant with Kristi, and 2 of our teen kids. I give it a B-, which is still better than I expected. Hopefully I'll be rebounding physically tomorrow, and focus on some of the big rocks of the week - finishing the resume, working on the website, applying for some jobs. On a semi-related note - the 2017 District 26 International Contest is taking place at this very moment. This is the first time in years I haven't been competing, and I have to say, it's a weird feeling. I'm sure the contest is going well, and I will support whoever co...

Yesterday was mostly a day of to-do's, as I outlined in the previous post. Pick-ups/drop-offs, getting tires, workout. Got all that done, because, well, I HAD to, right? I'm in the middle of a full-on cold - which is rare for me. I hardly ever get sick. So, stuffy head, runny nose, sore throat, a little achy. Wah. Poor little me. Stuck on my diet yesterday for the first time in ages - no sugar, low, low carbs. After getting as high as 226.8 Sunday night, I'm back down to 218.2 after today's workout. Still, I've been hanging between 215 and 225 for almost a year, after getting to 200 last September. I have 30 days til my birthday, and no holiday obstacles between now and then. Just have to focus on eating the right foods and working out. And not having popcorn at the movies. The biggest win yesterday was writing a post in my Speak & Deliver blog - which has laid dormant since last August. I started it in 2009, and it reaches a fair amount of readers - even i...

Yeah - Anxiety . It comes in many forms. Day 13 - buying a grill. There's anxiety . Had to buy a new one after one of my kids set our old one on fire last year. Accidentally. Figured Mother's Day weekend would be good - Kristi loves to BBQ. So we bought one, couldn't fit it in the van, and had a neighbor pick it up in her truck. Had it in the front, but anxiety (Kristi's, not mine) hit again. Worried that someone might steal it after seeing it from the street, we moved it to the back. Day 14 - Mother's Day. Kris worked til 3 in the morning at the theatre - so there's anxiety there. Took kids to church, then headed to Wal-Mart to pick up a card. Yes, I left the kids at church, skipped the sermon (not the music though), and went to the store. Mother-in-Law came over - not much anxiety there on my side - though she's a ball of anxiety all her own. Still, a relaxing afternoon watching Pirates of the Caribbean (Kristi's choice). Relaxing as in sleep ind...

My last post garnered a fair amount of attention, thankfully none as negative as I might have feared. Yesterday and today have been fairly busy, family-wise, though I still managed to go see a movie with Kristi today - Snatched - which is a movie I would only see if I could get in free. Some funny moments, but outweighed by the trashy moments. Pretty much have the finances figured out for the next few months, and am resetting a few goals. Had a meeting with a temp agency today, and they are confident they can place me in a local company - not a ton of money, but steady for three months, with opportunity. The biggest opportunity, still in my eyes, is to buy time to pursue speaking and coaching. It's not like I'm not coaching NOW, mind you. I just need to build a steady stable of clients. What I'm NOT doing much of is speaking - and that needs to change. With an 8-5 job, it'll be trickier than before, but I'm sure if the situation warrants, I'll either get the tim...