Expert in the Rough, Brian Monahan

Over the 4th of July weekend my wife and I put together a plan to train for a Triathlon (Not an IronMan) in October.  Part of the plan included fitness and conditioning and part of the plan included a healthy diet (for me mostly), she already eats healthy.  Part of my plan was eating a high protein low fat breakfast everyday.

After the Holiday my wife and I stocked up on supplies for the week and my journey began.  Egg Whites, Egg Beaters, Protein Pancakes and Spinach were/are my primary options.  I will be honest these are not bad options compared to a “Honey Bun” for breakfast (hard to hide the wrappers).  By mid week, however, my commitment was beginning to slip.  Twice I almost ran out the door with breakfast a sure failure but something kept me on track (I think they call it a wife).

Week two on Sunday I realized I had made it 7 days and I was actually excited to go shopping for my breakfast supplies.  On Tuesday of week two I had lost 2 pounds and now I was getting excited.  By the end of the second week my internal voice had made a shift, it said “Brian, why are you so special that you think you can skip a health breakfast?”  Yes, I responded and yes,  I just might be crazy but “Who am I to skip breakfast anyway?”

My new found voice has me confident and beaming as I realize, I just hit the magic habit creation mark of 21 Days.

It has been said it takes 21 days to develop a new habit by numerous scholars, philosophers and self help gurus.  I have employed the principle numerous times in my life but this is the first time I have noticed it in reverse.  I must say after 21 days of successfully eating a healthy breakfast, I do feel I am well on my way to a new habit.  I did not set out to make it 21 days specifically but with 3 weeks of breakfast under my belt, I do feel momentum taking hold.

I wanted to share this with you on a number for a number of reasons.

1. If you are unfamiliar with the “21 Day Theory” you can add it to your “trick bag” of success tips.

2. If you are using the the “21 Day Theory” be sure you take it day by day.  I had no real pressure on myself for this commitment, I just decided to do it.  I am really very amazed at how easy it was.

FYI – for the record we are not going to do the Triathlon now, but we are still training in a similar manner.

21 Day Theory Link

Good Luck with your new habits.

I have been blogging over a year now and for the most part it feels like an outbound experience.  My goal has been to share a little bit of myself and hope that you might find some gems of  widsom or ideas you can use in your life.  They always say it is better to be interested than interesting so tell me a little about what makes you tick.

I know many of my readers get my blog posts via Facebook so you can comment on Facebook or take a peak at my blog at http://www.expertintherough.com and use the comments section at the end of the post.

What you can share.

• Whatever you want.
• A link to something cool
• Something you would like me to write about
• Your greatest passion
• Your greatest fear
• What you would do with your life if you had no chance of failure and money was not an issue
• What is your favorite color
• What is your favorite vacation spot
• Who is your favorite celebrity, why?
• Just about anything.

Thanks in advance for sharing a little about yourself.

If you forward this post to 5 Friends you might piss 5 people off.

If you forward this post to 20 Friends you might piss 20 people off.

I was just checking if you were still reading.  Seriously don’t forward this post and quit forwarding emails that guilt trip you with bad luck or promises of great fortunes or a free laptop.

Seriously tell me about yourself!

It’s your turn to talk.

The story of the day is Americans are staying home to celebrate Independence Day due to the economic conditions.

Vacations, fireworks shows and celebrations have been canceled or scaled back.  For some this may be discouraging but I find it refreshing.

Americans have been spending money they do not have for a long time and a dose of responsibility is what this nation needs to rebound.

In my sheltered world do we really have it that bad?  Many of us may not be able to spend money we do not have this Independence Day but we will have the opportunity to enjoyit  in the fashion we decide.  We are free to do as we choose.  Yes the government interferes with our money and commerce but the big picture is we don’t live in Iran or North Korea. If you really don’t like it here you might want to check out the other options available.

When we are unhappy about something our government does not shutdown Twitter or prevent us from communicating our opinion.  We are free to have our own opinion and share it.

In the United States our biggest worry is how will I maximize my life in a system that is for the most part free.

Here is my top ten list for what it means to be American.

1. I am not a victim, I live bold and free
2. I love America and do not bash it but serve it
3. Serve others (even those without obvious needs) (we all have needs)
4. I am thankful for those who have sacrificed for me.
5. I support our troops and their welfare.
6. Our President is American not Democrat or Republican.
7. If you don’t like something do something about it
8. Responsible – I am repsonsible for my own lot in life, period.  Nobody is going to bail me out.  Not even Obama.
9. Freedom is in our spirit, not our laws.
10. I have an opinion and I share it without fear of government.

Thankfully, I have no worries about being killed or jailed today for sharing my opinion.  I live in the United States of America.

What does it mean for you to be free?  Seriously!