Yo, Chubby

I grew up skinny.  I was the "runt" of my class, a little bitty dude with bad teeth and skinny, skinny arms.  My mom used to hold my forearms in just one hand and comment on how skinny I was and that she was worried about me.  One day, I got fat and felt good about it. 

I recall eating everything I could find as those skinny, worried comments really stuck with me.  Then I got fat, then fatter, then even fatter.  What could have been passed off as a mere childhood worry morphed into a real live adult worry.  After retiring from the bmx scene and opting for the academic and work world, I ballooned up like a free range tick.  At the top of my fat acquisition program, I was up to nearly 245 lbs.  That is basically two people in just one body, hence, my multiple personalities. 

I made a decision about 75 days ago to change my life, my outlook, and my chances.  It is working wonderfully and I am so please with my results and my new lifestyle.  At times, I get to eat whatever I want.  I can have a frosted funnel cake fiesta with cheese and cream gravy every so often as long as the other 90 percent of the time I am living a healthy lifestyle.  It works.  In just a couple of months I am down well over 20 lbs and a couple of dress sizes!  My multiple chins are decreasing.  I am getting healthy, not skinny and I love how it feels.  I can do it. 

So, I've listened to modern doctors, philosophers, and diet product salesmen tell me how bad off we are in the United States.  They say we are in an epedemic of fat, diabetes, and choice related disease. The government, in their wisdom, initiated health insurance because of all the uninsured and sick people.  Ha.  I scoffed with great scoffiness.  Surely these people are wrong....uh oh, I just got back from the beach in Port Aransas.

THE STUDY:  BASED ON REAL SCIENCE AND MATH:

I decided to check the stats.  I had to walk a bit from my car to the funnel cake stand as we approached Sand Fest 2011.  I would make a count of people that were:

1.  Over 30
2.  Did not appear to have just had a child
3.  Males and Females randomly
4.  Chubby went into the "healthy" category, really fat went into the "fat category". 

Here is what I found out:  The government is right, we cannot OR will not take care of  ourselves, so they need to do it for us.  I am part of the problem, but I repent.  I reject bad health as a choice.  Here are what the numbers showed me and I am disgusted:

104 Sample People

78 Were grossly spilling out of their swimsuits and looked like three quarts of marshmellow fluff in a two quart pan. 

26 Were chubby or less, with some actually appearing to be athletic.  I did not count skinny kids of which I used to be one too. 

About 75% of the beach population has chosen to live a less than fulfilling life, or a life with less health.

What is bad health and good health?  Is good health just a lack of disease or symptoms?  Nah, good health is something up the scale a bit where you are strong and feel good.  Bad health is something less than zero on the scale.  We need to choose good health.  We need to treat the causes of our diseases where possible, and not treat the symptoms. 

Tomorrow I start another 24 day advocare challenge with the people in my life.  This time, I am stepping it up a bit and I don't even know what that means.  We are also starting "40 DAYS OF PRAYER" at The Solomon Group.  We sit around and pray with each other over our lives, our family, and our goals.  Those 40 days end about May 27.  If I hit my goals, and Audrey hits her goals, here is how May 28th plays out:

8:00 a.m.  Limo picks us up and takes us to breakfast at Kerby Lane

8:45          Head to the local shopping to shop like a rockstar.  Audrey gets 10 new outfits along with all relevant bling, shoes, hats, etc.  I get a new wardrobe as well. 


12:00        Noon  Limo takes us to Dave and Busters (Audrey's Fave!) where we have lunch and play games for a couple of hours

2:00           Head to local Apple store:  Audrey, Katy, Jenn, and I get to each purchase one item of our choice. 

3:00          Finish shopping requirements

5:00           Limo takes us all to dinner at Melting Pot

7:00          Movie

9:00          Ice Cream

9:30          Limo Driver is exhausted and gets to go home!

It is a good goal, and I am eager to succede.  Girls, this is for you. 

I am so thrilled that we live in a country where we still have a choice to the outcome of our lives.  Take that choice and make it count. 

Cash Matthews

Wow, Thanks, 23/68 And Beach

I need to blog more.  It is theraputic for me and for the one of you out there reading this, I am confident that my writing makes you feel better about your own life!  There is so much going on here, a blog is a great way to bring it all together and look at your mess from a top down view.

Wow.  Almost two years has gone by since we opened the new Solomon Group building, with all of the hopes and dreams so fresh.  Today we reached another milestone, at least for me.  Without too much fanfare, we made payroll.  And rent.  And a major website to support our http://www.taxelope.com/ program.  And a few other things....not often do I get to pat myself on the back, but for some reason today I am feeling some major relief. 

 God has blessed us so richly with love, kindness, and opportunity.  Our "B.O.N.G. events have flourished and I continue to find myself surrounded by believers who are for us.  Our North BONG sold out and had standing room only.  One of our goals is to help promote ethical commerce in Austin, and then the U.S. and to help the small business person thrive.  Somehow, we seem to be accomplishing these things and I know that all the credit has a Divine origin.  I continue to meet individuals who amaze me, and this cannot be an accident. 

PEOPLE WHO AMAZE ME!

1.  David Temple.  Our 2010 Advisor of The Year at The Solomon Group.  David is one of the most dedicated learners of our business, and he continues to grow and thrive in ways that truly inspire me.  I love his quick wit and his manner around our office.  David is truly a team player and someone I admire greatly.

2.  Ben Randle.  Another outstanding fellow, Ben has grown into a hihg-caliber business person and his ability with people one-on-one is so impressive.  He is one of those who you just love when you meet him, and it shows in how people respond to him.  We are lucky to have Ben and Tammy as part of our growing company and I look forward to watching him as he has set his sights high for the coming months and years!

3.  Kevin Hollemans.  Wow.  I don't care if you spell WOW backwards or forwards, but Kevin is a WOW factor.  This guy is on fire in so many ways, people are showing up just to watch!  He is on fire for God, for his family, for his business, and it is so cool to see a man of his caliber making and accomplishing goals.  Wow.  Did I say wow yet?

4.  Jennifer Eskina.  Possibly the most talented person I know.  Perserverance would be one word for her.  Dedicated could fit in there also.  Gobs of talent, and all of it is something she has worked for.  Tomorrow she will be speaking to hundreds of at risk girls.  Her talk is about girls/business and her relationship with God.  She juggles so much, and always makes time to do the right thing.  Lives get changed tomorrow, and there are going to be kids who will benefit their whole lives through after this program at First Independant Baptist Church.  Jenn, you are THE MAN!

God has put so many great people in my life, and I am thankful for them all.

Ok then, this is day 68 and I am still down 23 lbs and a bunch of dress sizes.  Well, belt loop holes!  I feel better too, which is nice.  I didn't realize I was just a decision away.

Tomorrow I am off to the beach house to do some work.  Sand Fest is coming up.  Wanna come and play? 

Goodnight Sarah and Audrey...It is impossible to say how much I love you both. 

Woof. I am a lucky dog.

Above:  Audrey....wow, super cute !

Above:  Me with Sarah at Port A...No fish,but an excellent time!

Above:  Jennifer Eskina, SGI Executive VP, a rare photo of her NOT working or saving the day!

Girls!  Lots and lots of girls!

Fat Party

Mark the date...April 18, we are getting a crew of folks together who might like to encourage each other and do the "24 Day Challenge" at the same time.  It would be amazing if we could get 100 people to do the challenge with us and if we each lost 10 lbs, that would be 1000 pounds!

The 24 day challenge info can be found on Katy's Advocare site at www.advocare.com/08044226

Join us for better health!

This is day 50 or so for me with the new lifestyle change.  Just yesterday I tried on a shirt that two years ago was much too small.  Yesterday, I wore the heck out of that shirt.  Yes, it fit.  Ahhhhh............I am doing this.

People I Love!

David and Windy Temple...David was our Advisor of the Year for 2010!

I am so blessed to work with a great group of people.  I just want to post their pic here and say a few things about them.  Mostly, I want to publicly say thanks to those folks who are willing to work with me, support me, or be part of this journey.  I love you all, and am honored to be near you.

Pastor Mike Marcellus,(left) First Independent Baptist Church...my close friend and advisor!

Dawn Dotson....Mortgage genius, Wonderful friend!

Donna Haas....Kenny married UP!

Ivette Zuliani...definitely one of the good eggs!

Jackie and Sue Mills...Solomon's MVP for 2010!!!

Jennifer Eskina...Executive Vice President and Master of The Redfish!

Kevin and Shari Hollemans..Director of Money Matters Ministry

Laura Deaton, my life long friend from first grade...

The Hope Award Winner for 2010...she is heroic

Ben Randle, Leonard Rice, David Temple

Fishing 2010

Sunrise Service...The Whole Gang!  August 2010

40 days of Prayer Group!

There are many more for whom I do not have photos of, but thanks to all of you who are so fantastic and such a major part of my life.  Please know, that if we are friends, I count YOU as a blessing!

Notes From A Former Fatty Fatty Fathead March 14 ,2011

I am about 42 days or so into this new lifestyle thing and somehow the changes are coming easier each day.  I continue to learn about the formation of my habits and the lessons and misseps behind those habits.  Not all  habits are good, and not all bad habits are that bad either.  I am not here to beat myself up,just to share so that I can reflect, and possibly be some help to my family.

When I get stressed, bad food seems to be my "go-to playbook".  Wow, it really is "what's eating you, not what you're eating".  I thought that was such a silly statement.  The last 6 weeks or so have been an awesome learning possibility for me as I continue to work on myself and my business.  Each time something has presented itself as a challenge, I have been able to track it backwards to its origin, and to contemplate the feelings and needs behind those feelings.  Somewhere along the way, the 8 year old boy turned into a man and that boy still resides somewhere inside me.  This period I am in is ME shaking the little 8 year old Me up a bit and making a few changes based on the current me.  Make sense?

I have shed about 20 lbs and done so in a gradual and healthy way.  However, I am still a tub of goo.  I have always been a GREAT starter and a lousy finisher.  Don't be impressed by the 20....When I have kept it off for a couple of years and made a few other changes, then we can both pat me on the back.  Not until then, however. 

I want a long-term win.  I want to be the champion of my life.  I am making changes, decisions, mistakes, and plans.  I have some things I want to accomplish.  The music is still in me. 

Alrighty then...I have vented for the day.  I shall now go watch Beaches and weep openly. 

Mattel X 15 tricycle....I wanted one as a kid...well....I am still a kid! 

When No Means Yes...

I am reposting this from a few months ago.  It seems topical today for some reason.  I re-read what i had written and it had a profound impact on me.  I hope you find something here also.  Best wishes....from Port Aransas, Texas. 


WHEN NO MEANS YES....Reprised

Last Friday night I had the honor of being asked to speak in front of 200 or so young men and women at the First Independent Baptist Church here in Austin, Texas. The pastor of the church, Mike Marcellus asked me to participate with his youth minister, Daniel, in talking to these kids about our testimony and how our lives had been impacted by our faith. My message was a simple explanation of how God has a real plan for each of us, and that sometimes, we hear NO so that sometime later we might hear Yes!


Sometimes No means Yes. Sometimes no means yes in a big way. And most often, that no seems permanent and final, when in fact, it is temporal and directional. Sometimes No means Yes.

I was a kid who wanted a motorcycle. I have mentioned this in other writings, but I am not sure if I accurately explained how much I wanted a motorcycle. My uncle Jerry was a famous motorcycle racer and I wanted to be like him. All the cool kids in our area had motorcycles, I got to go watch motorcycle races, motorcycle motorcycle motorcycle! Yep, I wanted one bad. I would cut out pictures and leave them around the house. My mom or grandmother would ask what I wanted for dinner, I would say, "Honda Mini Trail 70" motorcycle! They got sick of it. In fact, I think secretly they just wanted to see if I would explode at some point if they DIDN'T get me a motorcycle. We couldn't afford a motorcycle, they weren't safe, and blah blah blah blah blah. I want a motorcycle.


I NEVER GOT A MOTORCYCLE. I became a Christian at the age of 13. I thought God somehow was the cosmic order taker of my wants, not really having a mature vision of Him being the Supreme Overseer and guidance counselor. It's sort of why we don't give flamethrowers to 6 year olds I think. He never sent me a motorcycle. I still wake up on birthdays and Christmas and groundhog day and national peanut butter day and other important holidays thinking somehow the universe just might have gotten me a motorcycle. Nah. I ain't getting a motorcycle. NO........


So I did the next best thing and got a bicycle. Yep. Pedals. Schwinn Stingray to be exact. I made motorcycle sounds with my mouth while I rode. I put a playing card up into the spokes for that ultra cool MX motorcycle sound at a fraction of the cost. And a bicycle, not a motorcycle, would make all the difference. I won't go into the inner workings of the sport of bmx, but somehow I got involved in the VERY early stages of a sport that is now on the world staqe being a part of the Olympics. It has a National Hall of Fame of which I am now a member. This year, as the MC of the National BMX Hall of Fame, I get to induct the inventor of the coveted Schwinn Stingray, Mr. Al Fritz. Bicycles seemed to make a big difference for him as well. Yep, I get to lead the party where the inventor of The Schwinn Stingray get's his props. Me. A Kid without a motorcycle. I get to do it. Really? How about that? That is Eskimo cool. Cool in a way that I don't have words for. Gnarly. It is excellent.

God has a plan for our lives. Sometimes, it doesn't become evident till some time later. As I stood on the stage in 2006 accepting my own induction into the National Bmx Hall of Fame, my dad was present in the audience. And at that moment it occured to me, "If I had gotten my own way, this moment may not have ever happened". I spoke to my father there on the spot in a departure from my carefully planned speech and thanked him for NOT letting me get a motorcycle. God has a plan for our lives, and sometimes he uses those around us to make sure His plan gets implemented. I am usually bewildered by life, but this one I am certain of. I've messed up so many times, fallen short so often, and managed to hit the nail squarely on the thumb with a frequency that is quite unimpressive. However, this one did indeed turn out right.


I asked, and No was the answer. It meant Yes to something much greater for me, my family, and my friends who celebrated with me. No can mean Yes---if you let it. Now I get it. Finally

Cash Matthews

It turned out pretty good for me.....Audrey, fishing....this is the good stuff!

Old guy with baby!  Fun!!! (September 9, 2008!)



Courage. Discourage. Encourage.

I have often prayed for courage and God has listened.  Unfortunately, the only place you might need courage is when fear is present.  So when some post-prayer scary situation happens, I know God is in control, and that He is indeed in control.  It took me a while to get what was happening so I prayed for patience.....right after that a little old lady driving about 5 mph pulled in front of me and taught me patience.  Whew, God sure has a funny way....His ways are not my ways.

When I am encouraged, I can do anything.  Perhaps there is some thing accurate in that mustard seed/faith parable in the Bible.  When I think I can win, I often do.  As a man thinketh.....

When I am discouraged, I am at my lowest point.  The devil knows this and uses this devastating tool to distract me.  When someone tells me I am looking good with the new lifestyle, I am encouraged.  When I fail to be able to do just 3 simple sit ups (p 90 x style!) I am discouraged and feel worthless.  It makes me want to quit.  Quitting is so easy.  For whatever reason, quitting seems to be the first alternative when things aren't perfect.  Why am I that way?  Discouragement.  And I don't believe it is an accident.  How do I fight discouragement?

I have to keep my goals in mind first.  The goals keep me moving in the face of discouragement.  That little voice that talks inside your head was formed by the time you were 8 years old, and you have to realize that an 8 year old is inside your head making important play calls....grab ahold of that little braniac person and shake him a bit until he sees it your way.  Once you decide....the universe opens up to you and for you.  I have a decided heart about things.  Do you? 

The origins of the word "decide" are this:  Middle English, from Latin decidere, literally, to cut off, from de- + caedere to cut...

Basically...no other choice but to do the thing....so here I am a little more than a month after "deciding" to change my life.  It is working. 

If you know me, please encourage me.  Let's encourage each other.  It is time for me to get past what I used to be and get on with what I am supposed to be.  God has a plan for me, and I don't believe 75 pounds over weight was part of that plan.  I came up with a new saying for myself...

"WHAT YOU WAS AIN'T WHAT YOU IS"

I am very encouraged today.  You be as well.  Things are great and only getting better!

Happy Birthday to Jeana Nicely...here is her baby picture!!!

Here is her grown up picture:

Happy birthday, Jeana!  What you was ain't what you is either! You are awesome and I hope you have a wonderful day!