Oh say can you....

I'm fortunate enough to live in an area and sitting high enough on a balcony to view fireworks displays in every direction. And as funny as it sounds or reads in this case, the lyrics of Fances Scott Key dropped into my head...

And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there...

Perhaps its my sense of mortality, or the notion, that I should pass something of value on to my son but lately, I have been much more appreciative of the opportunities that have fallen my way. I notice that I am not taking for granted that I live in a country, where even a personal trainer/tennis pro can earn enough to live in a nice home, enjoy cable TV and be safe.

I started thinking about all the those who have not been as fortunate as I. Those who have not been given the same opportunities because they did not live in this county, those who do not enjoy the same freedoms we take for granted. Simple things like fresh water, abundant food and shelter are things that we tend to whine about rather than be grateful for.

No doubt the economy is a challenge, taxes are up, and costs continue to rise, but what about those who have no economy to complain about, who do not even think about the price of gas, because it is so out of their reality it does not compute. People who scrounge for food, or have never ridden in the comfort of an automobile.

O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave...O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

This week not only marks the birthday of a country that allows us more opportunities than we can comprehend, but it also marks the halfway point of the year. Are you doing what you can? Have you really taken advantage of the opportunities that have been availed to you? Or are you just coasting?

The entire first half of 2008 has already passed- there are now only six months to 2009.

How are those New Year's Resolutions looking now?
Are you on track with your goals?
If you wanted to lose 20lbs this year - are you down 10lbs already?
If your goal was to do 250 workouts - have you completed 125 ?

IF you wanted to make $10,000 more this year -- are you on track?
It's amazing how time passes so quickly.

Noticing the group of sailors that are passing below my balcony and headed to the local fourth of July celebration reminds me that life can turn quickly. These sailors will soon graduate from Great Lakes Navel Training Station and head somewhere to protect our freedoms. The challenges that they may face in this upcoming year remind me that we should not waste a single second.

If we do, not only do we take for granted the opportunities that our forefathers fought for us. But we also disrespect those who protect our freedoms now. I know how easy It is to get disappointed in our lack of progress and give up. But if those who fought for us today and those who created our country before us did that same thing what kind of country would we be living in today?

So I ask that you look at your life over this holiday weekend and be honest with yourself. Ask yourself one simple question... Have you done everything you could?

If your goal is fat loss- start today
If your goal is muscle building - start today
If your goal is (insert anything here) - start TODAY !
If you're just a little behind -- adjust your plan - make up for it!

50% of this year is gone forever. Will you make changes TODAY or will another 25% pass, then another 50% -- and before you know it -- it's 2009.....

I meet a lot of people in my line of work, and most will tell me "this" is going wrong or "that" could be better, or that they wish they could do this, or that.... (I'm not just talking about personal training clients, I'm talking about fellow peers, employees, athletes even family members)

But very few people actually measure and take stock of their efforts. If you are following a plan to lose or gain X - are you actually gaining or loosing X? And are you doing it at a rate that is acceptable for your efforts? Or are you blindly following a plan that doesn't work, and essentially ignoring that?

Do you track the progress towards your goals and measure them. Or do you hide from the data and "forget" to track your results?

If you remember "SMART" goal setting -(specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely)- one of the keys is 'M' - Measurable. Measure your results.

As we enter the second half of 2008, don't you think it's time to take stock of your efforts? Has your current return been worth the investment? 50% of this year is gone forever. Will you make changes TODAY or will another six months pass, then another six -- and before you know it -- it's Summer 2009.....

Please don't waste a single second.
Start TODAY.
Where will you be at the 75% point on October 1st ? That's only 13 weeks away. Will you be 13 weeks leaner, 13 weeks richer, 13 weeks smarter? -

No matter what, I do know one thing, that the time will pass anyway.... Now it is time for me to buy these sailors a drink and say thank you.

Happy Holiday.

Til next time...