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Today Is Weigh-In Day (1-15-23): Did I Hit My Goal Of Losing 170 Pounds? Watch And Find Out!
Today is #weighin day! Did I reach my initial #goal of losing 170 pounds and hitting 280 pounds??? Watch and see!
We also talk #Barbecue Sauce, #teacher resources, #farmersmarket hauls, #church, and more. -
Don’t Focus So Much On Removing The Obstacles In Your Life…Focus More On Overcoming Them!!!
I get it! Life is full of obstacles. But obstacles are made to be beaten…not the other way around. In 2022, our weight loss journey far exceeded anything we could have possibly imagined. The weight loss transformation came with hard work and an understanding of how to truly view the obstacles in our lives.
In life, we often encounter obstacles that seem insurmountable. Whether it’s a personal challenge or a professional setback, our first instinct is often to try to remove the obstacle from our path. However, this approach may not always be the most effective or fulfilling.
Instead of focusing on removing obstacles, we should focus on overcoming them. Here are some reasons why:
- Obstacles help us grow
When we face obstacles, we are forced to adapt and find new solutions. This helps us develop resilience and problem-solving skills. By overcoming obstacles, we become more confident in our abilities and better prepared to handle future challenges.
- Obstacles can lead to new opportunities
Sometimes, overcoming an obstacle can lead us down a new path that we never would have considered otherwise. For example, losing a job can be devastating, but it can also be an opportunity to start a new career or pursue a passion.
- Removing obstacles is not always possible
Some obstacles cannot be removed, no matter how much we try. For example, a physical disability may limit our ability to perform certain tasks, but we can still find ways to adapt and succeed. By focusing on overcoming the obstacle rather than trying to remove it, we can find creative solutions and make the most of our situation.
- Overcoming obstacles builds character
When we face obstacles, we have a choice: give up or persevere. Choosing to persevere and overcome obstacle builds character and strengthens our sense of self. It also inspires others and sets a positive example.
- Overcoming obstacles brings satisfaction
There is a great sense of satisfaction that comes with overcoming a difficult obstacle. It is a reminder of our own strength and resilience, and it can be a source of motivation and inspiration for future challenges.
Bottom Line Y’all…
Instead of focusing solely on removing obstacles, we should focus on overcoming them. By doing so, we can grow, find new opportunities, adapt to challenges, build character, and experience a deep sense of satisfaction. Obstacles are a part of life, but they do not have to hold us back. With the right mindset and approach, we can pretty much overcome anything that comes our way.
#Healthyfood and #exercise have pulled us up off the couch and planted us firmly on the path to a #healthylifestyle and years of #happiness to come!
Eat those #fruits and #vegetables and healthy #meats people!!!
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Burn The Ships!
In 1519, Spanish explorer Hernan Cortes made history when he ordered his men to “scuttle” their ships after they reached the shores of Mexico from Spain. The men had made the long grueling journey across the sea from Spain, and they were growing weary from war with the Aztecs. Cortes wanted to make sure there was no way for his men to retreat…so he ordered his men to burned the ships where they anchored just off the shore. This act of leadership guaranteed that there would be no chance of retreat from battle…or their mission to conquer, tame, and develop the new land. His decision to “burn the ships” quickly became the stuff of legend.
In the weeks leading up to the new year, I searched for an impactful “personal mantra” for the upcoming 2023. (I encourage you to find your own mantra for the year!) For months, I kept running into the story of Cortes, his men, and those ships. Either on the pages of books I was reading, podcasts I was listening to, or in the very steps I was taking on my ever-evolving journey to a healthier lifestyle. I’m a firm believer that if God keeps telling me something over and over again…it’s for good reason. So during my quiet time, I sat and pondered the significance of this story. What was God trying to tell me? How did this concept of “burn the ships” relate to my life at this particular stage? Then it hit me. I was literally living the concept of “burn the ships”.
Over a two week period, from Christmas to New Year’s Eve (Courtney and I are teachers…we were blessed to be off for 2 weeks), Courtney and I (and our daughters) had been working through the Japanese custom of Oosouji (Oh-Soh-jee). It’s a concept that I discovered about 6 years ago. Basically, traditional Japanese families take the last few weeks leading up to the new year to completely deep clean their house, and in the process, get rid of everything that they don’t need anymore. But it goes further than physical “clean”. They believe that the Oosouji is a great time to get rid of any mental baggage as well. Releasing one’s self from past experiences, stresses, and anxieties that might have held them back the throughout the year. I’ve been wanting to attempt Oosouji since the day I read about it. It only took 6 years, BUT WE FINALLY DID IT! It was great. We threw so much “crap” away that we haven’t used in years, that our street was filled with garbage bags in the days leading up to trash pick up day. I’m pretty sure I’m going to have a larger than normal utilities bill next month to cover the extra garbage we had for the city workers to pick up. (sorry fellas)
In addition to our Oosouji deep clean, Courtney and I had the opportunity to go through our closets and get rid of the massive amounts of clothes we had hanging up that no longer fit. As I was bagging up clothes to be hauled off to Goodwill, my mind kept reminding me of a few times that I had been told, “Don’t throw away all of your clothes…you might need them again”. With every shirt or pair of pants I bagged up, I said to myself, “Nope! Not going back!” Even before I locked in on my “battle cry” for 2023…I was living it out. BURN THE SHIPS! I was not going to allow myself to go back to that old lifestyle! The act of getting rid of those old (much bigger) clothes…was me burning my ships!
I didn’t stop with clothes! Throughout my 75 Hard experience and my continued process of living healthier, I had grown accustomed to the whole “no alcohol” thing. Since starting the 75 Hard Program and the Live Hard lifestyle, I may have had 3 glasses of Jamison Black Barrel. That’s three alcoholic drinks in the span of 8 months. SO…I really saw no reason for me to have my rather massive stash of bourbon (around 60 bottle of various…expensive…kinds of bourbon). So on New Years Eve, after we threw a pretty large party at the house (and poker game in honor of a fallen comrade), I made the announcement to my friends and family that the liquor cabinet was open, and if there was a bottle that they wanted, they could have it. The Blanton’s, Eagle Rare, and Wellers were gone in a matter of seconds. After the night’s events, the liquor cabinet is pretty sparse, which is totally fine. I don’t miss…or need the alcohol. On the rare (very rare) occasion that I want a drink…I’ll buy a glass…no need for a bottle. Please note, I’m not against drinking, bourbon, or any adult beverage (in moderation), that’s just not a part of my past life that I want to include on my new journey to overall wellbeing. Nope! Burnin’ That Ship!
These past few days have brought even more clarity with reference to the Burn The Ships mindset. I now spend time doing 10 minutes of personal visualization a day (a part of 75 Hard Phase 1), and I’m noticing that things that I used to hold near and dear to my heart aren’t in the version of our future that I’m visualizing. TV shows that we used to watch religiously (we haven’t spent more than 5 hours watching a “TV show” since we started down the path of physical, mental, and spiritual growth), restaurants and bars that we used to visit on a weekly basis (we may have eaten out 8 times since May 15, 2022), and even certain isles of the grocery store (we try and avoid the middle isles and do our grocery shopping on the perimeter walls), no longer take priority. Nope! Burn Those Ships!
The plain truth is, IF WE ARE GOING TO TRULY BETTER OUR LIVES…we’ve gotta make sure we don’t retreat back to the things that caused us to be unhealthy. Just like those early conquistadors, we can’t leave a path back to the habits and mindsets that damaged us physically, mentally, and spiritually. BURN THOSE SHIPS!!! It’s a simple concept…but it can be hard as heck.
I’m currently going through and cancelling an abundance of subscriptions (memberships, channels, magazines, etc.) because I want true financial peace. I don’t want these monthly bills to nickel and dime my finances to death. We are teachers and money is already tight. There are a lot of things in motion this year (2023) that are going to require extra income…and I’m not willing to compromise anything to the detriment of these newly formed goals. God has given me a vision of what can be IF ONLY I PUT IN THE WORK AND STAY FOCUSED…so I gotta burn the ships to maintain His plans for my life.
What does this look like for you? I have no clue. That is between you and God. Maybe you need to walk away from a toxic relationship that has you so screwed up mentally that you can’t think straight. Maybe you need to walk away from an addiction that’s been holding you back from being all you can be (food, drugs, alcohol, porn, gambling). Perhaps you need to stop eating certain foods that are causing your body to age more rapidly that normal and shortening your lifespan. Maybe you need to find a new job…one that encourages advancement and rewards you for being the awesome employee/leader you truly are. Maybe you need to stop looking for reasons to run from God, and start realizing that His grace, love, and mercy are the tools you’ve been needing to help you break the chains of depression, self harm, and self loathing. Whatever it is that has kept you from being the best you that you can be…you need to leave those ships out in the bay and BURN THE SHIPS!
As a youth pastor, head pastor, and church planter, one of the concepts that I try to teach people is the idea of “repent”. If you’ve been in a church service of 5 minutes or longer, you’ve heard the term. We often view it as a negative word because it’s usually being shouted at us by a preacher who just informed us how wicked we are and that we’re, “GOING TO HELL IF WE DON’T REPENT!” The fact of the matter is, the word repent means to understand that what we’ve been doing is not in our best interest AND then do all we can to turn and walk away from that particular act or situation…and do all we can to not ever “go back”. It’s two parts. Turn! Walk away! As we attempt to create a better life for ourselves, we need to “repent”. We gotta turn from old destructive habits, relationships, and situations, AND walk toward something better. God! Health! Mental Clarity! Purpose! Family! Once we start walking, we have to make a conscious decision to NOT GO BACK! In other words, we have to BURN THE SHIPS! Leave no chance of retreating back into “old ways”. We cannot go back to the person (habits, and mentality) we once were!
Take the time to do a deep dive and decide what ships need to be burned. In your personal life. In your business. In your relationships. In your very thoughts. Thoughts? Yes, thoughts! We have to stop thinking negatively about ourselves and our potential, and start trying to think about how we can be the “best us” we can be.
A great first step to start burning our ships is to find a tribe of folks who are likeminded and want what’s best for us. Family, friends, and co-workers who are willing to hold us accountable and will let us know when we screw up. Accountability partners who don’t mind stepping on our toes and telling us like it is. I encourage you to purposefully plan out HOW you’re going to find these people, and pray about WHO best fits into the position of “accountability partner(s)”.
As we start the process of planning out our strategy and goals for this new year…we need to be intentional. Be specific. Be prolific. Be consistent. And most of all…be ready to BURN THE SHIPS!
~Mitch
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Happy New Year (1-2-23): New Me; New You; New View; Let’s Crush Goals; Loving Our Healthy Journey
#HappyNewYear! This year’s theme in the Fairchild home is #Crush New #Goals in 2023. Last year (2022) was a huge eye opener that showed me (and Courtney) what we could do if we put our mind to it AND KEPT OUR FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL!
Our pivot to a #healthylifestyle has been a true #blessing that we would not have accomplished without the power and #strength of #Christ. We’ve been blessed with new friends along the way, and we can’t wait to meet more friends this year as we continue our #health #journey. This year we are focusing more on #ministry and #finances as we steadily #build our lives upon #God’s plan for us.
We want you to join us in our #adventure and we want to be able to #encourage and #inspire y’all as you’ve been an #encouragement and #inspirational driving force behind our health centered success. May God richly bless y’all in 2023!
~Mitch
75hard #andyfrisella #1stphorm #legionofboom #cantstopme #weightloss #motivation
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Be The SOLUTION To Your Own PROBLEM! No Excuses…Just Actions That Lead To Awesome Outcomes Y’all!
In our day-to-day lives, we encounter numerous problems that require solutions. Whether it’s a minor issue like fixing a leaky faucet or a more significant problem like dealing with a health issue, finding the right solution can make a big difference in our lives. However, one often overlooked aspect of problem-solving is being the solution to our own problems.
Being the solution to our own problems means taking responsibility for finding solutions rather than relying on others to do it for us. This approach requires a mindset shift that empowers us to take action and make the necessary changes in our lives. Let’s look at why being the solution to our own problems is essential and how it can benefit us in the long run.
First, being the solution to our own problems gives us greater control over our lives. When we take responsibility for finding solutions, we are in charge of the outcome. We don’t have to wait for someone else to fix things for us or rely on others to make decisions on our behalf. Instead, we can take charge of the situation and make things happen.
Second, being the solution to our own problems promotes personal growth and development. When we take ownership of our problems, we are forced to confront our weaknesses and areas for improvement. This self-awareness can help us develop new skills, overcome obstacles, and become more resilient in the face of adversity. By being the solution to our own problems, we can become better versions of ourselves.
Third, being the solution to our own problems can improve our mental health and well-being. When we rely on others to solve our problems, we can feel helpless and powerless. This can lead to feelings of anxiety, stress, and even depression. However, when we take control and find solutions to our own problems, we feel empowered and in control. This sense of agency can have a positive impact on our mental health and overall well-being.
Finally, being the solution to our own problems can be beneficial in our professional lives as well. Employers value individuals who are self-starters and take the initiative to solve problems. By being the solution to our own problems, we can demonstrate these qualities and stand out in the workplace.
Bottom Line Y’all…
Being the solution to our own problems is crucial for personal growth, development, and well-being. By taking ownership of our problems, we can gain greater control over our lives, develop new skills, and improve our mental health. Additionally, being the solution to our own problems can be an asset in the workplace. So next time you encounter a problem, don’t wait for someone else to solve it for you. Be the solution to your own problem and reap the benefits that come with it.
Stop waiting AND Start doing! #successful people #learn how to #solve their own #problems…not make #excuses for why $#!+ isn’t getting done!
BE A DOer…NOT A DON’Ter!!!
healthcare #food #diet #fitness #betheone #workout #fitnessmotivation #fitfam #hard #motivation #gym
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Merry Christmas Y’all: We Love And Are Grateful For Each Of You! New Friends! Jesus Is The Reason!
Merry #Christmas from the Fairchildren! Have a #blessed #NewYear. Set your goals and crush them in #2023! We love each of you, and look forward to #encouraging you through your #healthy #journey. We are thankful for all of the encouragement y’all give us, and we can’t wait to return the favor! We’ll see ya at the #farmersmarket!#PivotThenLiveIt
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Working Out: Christmas Edition! Christmas Light, Beautiful Wife, Below Freezing Fitness Goals
Working out in 25 degree weather while looking at #Christmas lights. Beautiful night out with my lovely #bride. Getting our #workout in on Christmas Eve.
countingcalories #fatloss #sustainablediet #balanceddiet #foryoupage #fitnessmotivation #nutrition #75hard
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Train Yourself To Embrace Discomfort! It’s Inevitable! Traveling Outside Your Comfort Zone Grows You!
We gotta learn to embrace #discomfort! It’s inevitable! When we choose to step outside our comfort zone is when we grow…#spiritually, #physically, and #mentally! GET UNCOMFORTABLE Y’ALL!
Resilience is a critical trait that allows us to navigate life’s challenges with a sense of strength and adaptability. It’s the ability to bounce back from setbacks and hardships and continue moving forward, no matter what life throws our way. However, resilience is not something that comes naturally to everyone. It’s a skill that needs to be learned, and often, the best way to learn it is through embracing discomfort.
Bad things will happen to all of us at some point in our lives. Whether it’s a relationship breakup, a job loss, a health issue, or some other type of setback, these experiences can be incredibly difficult to endure. However, it’s often through these challenging times that we learn the most about ourselves and our ability to persevere.
Embracing discomfort means facing your fears and pushing past the pain. It’s about recognizing that life is not always easy, but that you have the power to rise above the challenges and come out stronger on the other side. When you embrace discomfort, you learn to become more resilient, more adaptable, and more capable of handling whatever comes your way.
Resilience is a valuable skill in all areas of life, whether it’s personal, professional, or academic. In today’s fast-paced world, we are constantly faced with new challenges and uncertainties. Those who are resilient and adaptable are better equipped to navigate these changes and come out on top.
In addition to developing resilience, embracing discomfort can also lead to personal growth and self-discovery. When we push ourselves, we discover new things about ourselves, our abilities, and our potential. We may uncover hidden talents or strengths that we never knew we had. We may also learn to let go of limiting beliefs or self-doubt that has been holding us back.
Ultimately, the importance of embracing discomfort lies in the fact that it teaches us to be more resilient and adaptable. When we learn to face our fears and push past our limits, we become stronger, more capable, and more confident in ourselves. We learn that we have the power to overcome any obstacle that comes our way, and that is a powerful lesson that can help us achieve great things in life.
Bottom Line Y’all…
Embracing discomfort is an essential step towards developing resilience. It’s about recognizing that bad things will happen, but that we have the power to rise above them and come out stronger on the other side. By pushing past and facing our fears, we develop the skills and mindset necessary to navigate life’s challenges with grace and strength. So the next time you’re faced with a difficult situation, remember that embracing discomfort is the key to developing resilience and achieving great things.
1stphorm #iam #legionofboom #duespaid #1stphormathletesearch #wedothework
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…Baby It’s Cold Outside…
I’m Mr. White Christmas
I’m Mr. Cool.
I’m Mr. Icicle
I’m Mr. 10 below
Friends call me Snow Miser!My new way of thinking has me doing things I never would have done a year ago. Today we had a cold front blow through and drop the temp down to 25 degrees (currently 21 as I post this), and I wanted to push myself to workout in extreme cold (OK…extreme for Central Texas).
So Courtney decided she would join. We’re growing closer together in more ways than one as we journey through this new chapter. It was COLD…but extremely rewarding!!! AND…we had great conversations!
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Force Yourself Out Of Your Comfort Zone! Life Is Better When You Push Yourself To Excel!
When we step outside our #comfortzone, we allow our #mind AND #body to grow #stronger. We increase #endurance and we increase our knowledge of what our bodies can actually do! Our continuous #goal is #peakperformance.
When we stay within our comfort zone, we limit ourselves from experiencing new things, achieving our full potential, and discovering our capabilities. Stepping outside our comfort zone is a way to challenge ourselves and grow in mind, body, and spirit. It is only when we push ourselves to new limits that we begin to realize our true potential.
By stepping outside our comfort zone, we allow ourselves to experience new situations and learn from them. This process helps us to increase our endurance, both mentally and physically. The more we challenge ourselves, the more we learn and adapt to new environments, which ultimately results in growth and development.
Stepping outside our comfort zone also helps us to increase our knowledge of what our bodies can actually do. We often underestimate our abilities and limit ourselves by staying within our comfort zone. However, when we challenge ourselves, we discover new strengths and abilities that we never thought we had. This newfound knowledge can help us set higher goals and strive for peak performance.
One of the keys to achieving peak performance is continuous growth and development. Stepping outside our comfort zone helps us to achieve this by allowing us to learn from our mistakes, take risks, and overcome obstacles. By doing so, we become more confident and develop a growth mindset, which enables us to achieve our goals and reach our full potential.
Bottom Line Y’all…
Stepping outside our comfort zone is crucial for growth and development. It helps us to increase our endurance, gain knowledge, and achieve peak performance. By challenging ourselves and pushing beyond our limits, we become stronger and more capable of achieving our goals. So, the next time you find yourself staying within your comfort zone, remember that growth and development come from stepping outside of it.
fitness #healthylifestyle #wellness #healthy #motivation #workout #walking #love #lifestyle #fit #coldweather
Pivot Then Live It: The Blog
Mitch Fairchild 
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