Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Fat? Hmm, I think so.
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
15 down
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
The CURE!!

Saturday, February 28, 2009
A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E

~Ella Williams
Often your tasks will be many,
And more than you think you can do.
Often the road will be rugged
And the hills insurmountable, too.
But always remember,
The hills ahead
Are never as steep as they seem,
And with Faith in your heart
Start upward
And climb ’til you reach your dream.
For nothing in life that is worthy
Is ever too hard to achieve
If you have the courage to try it,
And you have the faith to believe.
For faith is a force that is greater
Than knowledge or power or skill,
And many defeats turn to triumph
If you trust in God’s wisdom and will.
For faith is a mover of mountains,
There’s nothing that God cannot do,
So, start out today with faith in your heart,
And climb ’til your dream comes true!
--Author Unknown
Today, I got beat up by my workout--and I only was told to do HALF of what was called for. Here is what was called for: "Do this as fast as you can--1 mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 push ups, 300 squats (body weight), 1 mile run."
I did half of each of those. On my final half mile run, my legs were jellied, my lungs were on fire, my arms/shoulders/etc. were hard to keep up, and my heart was pounding out of my chest. I walked 1/4 of that 1/2 mile. But as I approached the turn around spot to head back to the gym, I thought, "I could just cut this a few yards short. It wouldn't be a big deal..." Then I thought about something I read that Will Smith said about when he goes for a run, "when I go out/say I'm going to run 5 miles, I run 5 miles. Because if I listen to that voice in my head, I'll never finish it EVER..." So I thought to myself..." shut up voice in my head." Then I thought about what Seone from the biggest loser said durning a recent challenge when asked if everybody would be willing to stop the challenge where they were instead of finishing. He said, "you all do what you want, but I would feel like I would be cheating myself. I have been cutting short my whole life, that's why I'm here, that's why I'm fat. So, I'm going to finish..."
So I finished. I went all the way to every line. I did every thing that was asked of me. I had to change my attitude. We might not be in control of everything in life, but we most certainly control that. Choose to be grumpy and miserable, and that is what your life will be like. Choose to be happy in those exact circumstances, and you life will not remotely resemble that former life of misery--even amidst the same situations.
Push through defeat.
Push through change.
Push through self-pity and doubt.
It's rewarding, and besides, that is the only way to win the race.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Have I?
Hath often crossed me on my way,
Who sued so humbly for relief
That I could never answer nay.
I had not pow’r to ask his name,
Whereto he went, or whence he came;
Yet there was something in his eye
That won my love; I knew not why.
I found him by the highway side.
I roused his pulse, brought back his breath,
Revived his spirit, and supplied
Wine, oil, refreshment—he was healed.
I had myself a wound concealed,
But from that hour forgot the smart,
And peace bound up my broken heart.
In pris’n I saw him next, condemned
To meet a traitor’s doom at morn.
The tide of lying tongues I stemmed,
And honored him ’mid shame and scorn.
My friendship’s utmost zeal to try,
He asked if I for him would die.
The flesh was weak; my blood ran chill,
But my free spirit cried, “I will!”
Then in a moment to my view
The stranger started from disguise.
The tokens in his hands I knew;
The Savior stood before mine eyes.
He spake, and my poor name he named,
“Of me thou hast not been ashamed.
These deeds shall thy memorial be;
Fear not, thou didst them unto me.”
This morning, I was singing this song in the shower, and found that I couldn't sing it anymore. My heart was full. I thought, over and over about my life, and where I am, and what I'm doing. I couldn't help but think that I too have "myself, a wound concealed." I attempted to stem my emotions by singing another hymn.
"Have I done any good in the world today?
Have I helped anyone in need?
Have I cheered up the sad, or made someone feel glad?
If not, I have failed indeed."
Singing this song did not have the desired effect. I continued to think, "Have I?" I thought of the second verse to that song:
There are chances for work all around just now;
Opportunities right in our way.
Do not let them pass by, saying 'sometime, I'll try',
But GO and do something today.
So, for what it is worth, I am going to try and do something good today--to "stand up, and do something more than dream of my mansion above." I want to share with all my testimony of Jesus Christ. He is that poor wayfaring man of grief. And if he asked "if I for Him would die", my answer would be yes a thousand times over. I can't wait for the day that I can look upon him and see the tokens in His hands and feet. To kiss Him and bathe His feet with my tears of love and gratitude and with hope that I hear Him say, "of me thou hast not been ashamed".
"I have myself a wound concealed", but I know that he can bind up my broken heart. I may stumble through the rest of my existence struggling with my "wounds", but I want anyone who is listening now to know that my testimony of the Savior is real. I hope that one day, my words can mean the same as Pres. Hinckley's did when he said, "I love him. He is my friend. He is my redeemer." I too love Him, and He IS my friend. My entire body is filled with the Spirit's confirmation that Jesus lives. That He died for me willingly. He is the way, the truth, and the life. He is Jesus Christ, and He did it all for me--despite my imperfections, my sins, my stumbling blocks, etc. He loves me. I Love Him.
Have I done any good in the world today? I hope so.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Success!
Today we did a lot of dumbbell clean and jerks. I'll refrain from explaining what those are to any of you who might not know (I suggest going to youtube or google and looking up clean and jerk, then imagine that with dumbbells). Anyway, we were going for a 3 rep max. When the dust settled and the smoke cleared, I had the highest weight lifted. Jason (the trainer) suspects it might last the whole day. He said, "I have some really strong, muscly guys, but you have better form than they do, so I suspect you will be able to hold out." Monday, February 09, 2009
I cannot go to school today said little....
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Let's get physical....ly fit.
My clothes don't fit, frustrations drip, and when I moved my tummy shook.
My back is tight, my two knees fight to keep me moving when I walk.
I'm snoring now, my face is round, my chin has ripples when I talk!
The time has come to get things done, I face the mirror and say:
"Be gone you slob, unsightly blobs, look out! Get out of my way!"
No more will food that's not so good be thrust inside my face.
For I will push and push and push, until I win this race!!
I know this is a silly poem, and I just whipped it together, but it sort of sums up how I feel a lot of the time. When I'm wearing scrubs and stuff, I don't REALLY notice where I am. But when I get dressed each morning for work and look in the mirror, I inevitably say, "what the?? Man, I don't know how I got to this point!" Be strong all, and keep to the grind. I know I am!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Rising up
There's a saying that I'm sure everyone knows, and will some day become (if not soon) a cliche. But, I think it's apropos for the human situation. "It doesn't matter how many times you fall, but rather, how many times you get back up." And that is the case here with me and any and everyone else like me.
I have to say that my blog will be an up and down thing, because I like to joke around. But until I reach my goals, there will be set backs. So, I make light of them. Despite that, I do take them seriously.
The new year is tomorrow and my goals have not changed. I might like to add to them, but I believe in the domino affect--achieve one, and many more will follow because of it. So, my goal to prepare physically for my next tri will lead to my goals of better disciplined eating and more productivity. So, I'm still hear, I'm still focused, and I am looking forward to success this year.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Hey Blog, It's Me...
Marg...er...Porter.
Yeah, yeah, I know. Don't worry though, I won't be this sloppy forever. Mostly because I have these really cool, inspiring songs from you. Thanks.
P.S. Some other things I ashamedly have forgotten how to do recently: Bathe, shave, dress properly for any occasion, use ladders, eat carrots, communicate with adults, not wander around in my underwear--and the list continues.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Do you have the eye?


This is just a note before bed and a question for all of you out there. Do you have the eye of the tiger? Clubber Lang had it. Rocky got it back. Take a second to listen to that song on my page and then ask yourself, "do I have the eye of the tiger?" What the H. E. double hockey sticks is the Eye of the tiger (other than a GREAT song)? The eye of the tiger is the power to overcome ANY mental wall we might be fighting. I can tangibly feel something inside me that is different. I did something I didn't think I could. Now I know I can, so now I am going to do something else I haven't thought I could do, that is drop weight. You ALL can do whatever you want. I know that now. Get that "eye of the tiger", look your foe in the face, and claw the hell out of his/her eyes, then move on to the next obstacle and do the same. GO TEAM!!
Will Smith said, "when I hear that inner voice telling me to stop or I can't, I ignore it..." (not an exact quote) Ignore that negative voice.
Triathlon number one...done
On Thanksgiving morn, Dixie, Eric and I headed out to the Goodyear YMCA for our sprint triathlon. I woke up at 3:45 a.m., and then again at 4 because I was ready to roll. What can I say, I'm a pro. Anyway, we all left my parents house around 5:15 or so. I won't bore you with all the details. Pictured above is Eric and I before beginning the race. These shots below are me just finishing the run portion and getting ready for the bike. I had to give Lana a "money shot" of me chuggin' down the liquid refreshment...
One thing in my favor was that they shortened the run from 2 miles to 1.5 because the rain had ruined part of the "track". Eric and I started 15 min. before Dixie. He finished the run a couple minutes or so ahead of me. Then I took off on the bike. It was a three "lap" ride. Each lap was 4 miles. After the first lap, my mind started fighting me, "Just go slower. No one is expecting anything less. In fact, act like you're going to barf or something. No biggie. Take as long as you need..." It was at that point, I had a breakthrough mentally, and realized that I can do what I put my mind to. I kept saying, "Just one more, just one more, just one more." Pretty soon, there was no more to do. (Here I am doing a little backstroke to get some relief!! And the other shot is one Lana took of me from the final lane--finishing strong!)
Eric beat me, and although Dixie didn't pass me, she beat me too. But I felt great about what I had just accomplished. I realized that with better eating habits (number one), and harder, more dedicated training, I could do MUCH better. So, that's what I'm doing. I'd go so far as to say, I think I could beat Dixie. But, I won't say that until I actually feel that way. I don't feel that way now for sure. Well, except for a 100 yd dash--I can still win that one. hehehe.
A great experience! Everyone should start training to do one of these things. Lana and the kids came too. That felt extra special when I saw how proud of me she was. How rewarding.
Crossing the finish lane...and the aftermath...:) "Please don't puke, please don't puke...." However, my brother was behind me ralphing all over--his wife got a picture of that. :)
Here is Eric (talking with our dad on the cell), Dixie and me after recovering for a second. We were all feeling pretty good after it all. Well, I think Dixie never really needed much recovery, but who cares?!
Here's a picture of the family getting ready to head back home. Lana and the kids drove out with her brother Dallin to watch and take pics. Dane was pretty exhausted and slept the entire hour drive back home. I was too pumped to think about sleeping!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Hmm...That was different
Over the last couple days, I have realized something. I have learned another life lesson about myself. Each of us are sent to this earth to learn anything and everything we can about the world around us, God, and ourselves. We are given the right to choose. To make choices that will make us and God ultimately happy, or to make choices that might give us temporary happiness but in the long run will make us and God miserable. Each of us has been given some type of trial we, and only we will have to face, fight, and eventually either succumb to or overcome. I will not speak for anyone but me in this. But I have been given my own personal challenges to fight. But the lesson I learned this week, is where all of my personal trials stem from. Whether it be a trial of faith, or a trial of eating, or a trial of organization, or any other daemon I have been faced with. This week I found the source. I have talked about it forever, but my heart finally realized the battle that will be mine to overcome in this life. And it's not eating, organization, addictions (sorry Costa Vida), or anything that we see in the world. Any of those personal struggles are only manifestations of my trial of the flesh that God has given me to fight. I learned that my trial is pride. I felt it so clearly and powerfully that I now know what God wants me to focus all of my energy on fighting. I am not a bad person by nature. I don't judge people (most of the time, wink wink). But for years, I have rationalized my prideful nature by comparing my strong points in pride to other's weaknesses. "I'm not so focused on possessions like 'Bill'" or "I don't rip on 'Joe' for being Peter Priesthood" or whatever. Instead though, I would ignore peoples needs, "I just don't have time" or whatever my rationalizations might be. It was so clear to me that these selfish feelings are what lead me to have any number of other trial manifestations. I know this is total rambling, but I think this is true of everyone.
In the human society, a lot of what we see people do isn't really a representation of their real problem. Someone who is addicted to drugs or eating for example, really has another underlying problem that they haven't put their fingers on yet. Maybe they feel like their personal needs aren't being met so their true problem is feelings of self-worth, so they manifest their hurt by eating or drinking or whatever. Maybe someone feels like they will never be successful so they steal. Is stealing their problem? Nope. It certainly is a problem. But poeple will stop that problem when they find that inner need that isn't being met or addressed. Whatever it is, usually the problem we see, is not the real problem. That was the long way of me saying that this week, I finally pinpointed my real problem. A problem that I see in myself much more than anyone else might. So, when I feel like quitting, or I feel like giving up on my workouts, or I feel like eating that cookie, I now can step back and say, "Don't let your pride get in the way of your success." Every reason I have to sabotage my success is completely selfish. I'm only thinking about how to avoid being uncomfortable--who cares how this might affect anyone else. Well, those days are over. Will I be perfect--not a chance. But now I know what I'm fighting. SO SORRY I went off on that thought. But hey, it's my blog. :)
I know I can win in my struggles. I might get discouraged at my progress, but I am on my way to being fit and to being the kind of person I know that God can be happy with.
Sunday, November 09, 2008
On your marks. Get Set...PUKE!
I'll leave out the rest of the boring details of the day and get down the the "brass tacks" of the story. Whilst chatting at Dixie's, the subject of shoe purchases when we were younger came up. She joked about (and very accurately I must add) how I used to have my mom buy me shoes based on the traction design on the bottom of the shoe. Why? Because they made me faster, that's why! So we laughed about how much faster the shoes actually didn't make me, but how I beat her most of the time. I bucked a little at that (thinking in my mind that I NEVER lost a race across my front yard to her). Anyway, we started joking about who might be able to win a race now. Long story short...we ended up at the nearest jr. high school in total non racing attire. I called my dad because I knew he didn't want to miss this. He says, "Man, I'm not sure who to put my money on." Again, the hurty stab in my heart.
Let me say this: Dixie, at this point in time in our lives, can beat me in probably every physical activity that goes longer than 25 yards. I mean beat me bad. With one exception--this 100 yd. dash. I was not about to let this happen.
So, we lined up and then....We were off! For and accurate description and pictures, go to her blog at www.thedaytondixonline.blogspot.com. But, I want to let you all know what was going through my mind.
As we took off, my first thought was, "hey, what's wrong with my legs? They aren't keeping up with my arms." Then, I noticed that I was pulling ahead. So, around the 50 yard mark I says, "Self, start high striding it and kick it into 4th gear." Self said, "No way. Self is trying to keep you upright." "OK, says I. What do I need to do?" Self says,"Tilt that big fat head of yours back. Further. Further!!" So I followed orders. Dixie wasn't gaining, but I sure as heck wasn't pulling away. My back was perfectly arched, and I felt like I was staring at the sky. But, I prevailed. Of course I did. I put my hands on my knees and smiled, "I did it. I kew I could." Then Dixie says, "Shane missed the picture. Let's do it again...well a 50 yd dash." "No way!" I said. But then I thought, "hey, I already won the bet, what's 50 more yards."
We lined up at the 50 yard line, and were off, and again, I was ahead. Less this time. Then I felt the shift. The legs clocked out early. My weight started moving forward. More forward, more forward. My back arched and arched until finally I had to shut it down. She coasted past with 15 yards to go and that was that. But, once in my car, I felt the damage. My body was P. Oed. I was shaking, and nearly lost my lunch the whole ride home, and some time after. Anyway, I sent Dixie a text you can read on her post. A learing experience for me for sure. So, I have a LOT to do before the triathlon and LITTLE time to do it. But, I'm planning on enjoying it as much as possible...not winning it. The next one I might try to beat Dixie. I'll have more prep time.
Thanks for reading this rediculously long and silly post. Bye.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
It's official
2 a days are in full swing
This evening, I hit the pool. I thought I should try the 400 straight away. So, I dove in (against the rules...oops) and swam without stopping. Snap. I'm pulling a lot of stuff here. I was DEAD. So, after a brief rest I did a fifty sprint, almost yacked, then did butterfly nearly the length of the pool, almost yacked, then eased my way to a couple more laps and called it quits. I'll swim again tomorrow and run too. I'm very positive that by the time of the race I will have ZERO prob. with the swim. I'm still leery about the run, but we'll see.
As for the eating. Today I was aces. Straight up awesom. Until dinner. But even then I ate great. If I eat like this every day, I will be sveldt and saxy. I won't go as far as saying I'll be a "wild and crazy guy" but I'll keep that in my back pocket because you want to be prepared in case you are. So, things are going well. We'll keep our digits crossed that I keep it up.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Hi there it's me
P
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
I think bombs would work
Costa Vida must be destroyed. I want to take a bath in the tamatillo ranch dressing--splashing it on my face while washing my back with fistfuls of sweet pork. I shampoo my hair with finely aged and greatly processed queso dip--using the chips like pummus on my calloused feet. I dream of quenching my thirst with horchata and medium burrito sauce laced with queso and pico cubes. I'm a hopeless addict. I have to give it up though. I have to walk away, and I will. I have a triathlon to train for. Pray for me, one and all. I will need it. I am kicking the habbit, and the habbit is NOT happy about it.
P.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Try this on
I plan on swimming tomorrow, but the bulk of my training this week and a half will be running. My running muscles and endurance are FAR from where they will need to be--even if the triathlon run is only 2 miles. I know, I know, "two miles?" Should be easy. Well, for me it isn't so GET OFF!! :) See you at the gym y'all.