Tag Archives: people

Diets

Why are people addicted to junk food?

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Tuesday, October 18, 2016 

Recently, I was a guest speaker to a group of high school seniors. One student asked me my thoughts of why people become addicted to junk food.

The following reply is my explanation of why there’s an obesity epidemic that plagues our present-day society.

You see, back in the early days, there was only one parent working which was typically the father. The mother stayed home bearing all the responsibilities of raising children and house work.

Most all meals were prepared by mom using fresh vegetables and fruits from the garden or the local grocery store. All meats and fish came from area farmers and lakes. Eggs and dairy came from grass-fed cattle and chickens.

Now, I’m not saying all of mom’s meals were completely healthy because there was a lot of flour and grease used for cooking back then. But, it still wasn’t processed foods.

Fast forward to present day, and our American society has drastically changed. Now you have both parents working to create better financial security. Mom and dad put in a full day’s work and cooking becomes too great a chore. It’s much easier to grab precooked processed foods on the way home.

Your kids probably have multiple activities after school like dance rehearsals, baseball practice, karate lessons and so on. Both parents are going in multiple directions trying to accommodate the needs of each child. “Honey, you get food for Billy, and I’ll grab something for Suzie. See y’all later tonight.”

Also, present-day children’s lunchboxes are filled with foods that come in wrappers, boxes and juice packets. All these are loaded with sodium and sugar. Read the labels and you’ll be upset with yourself.

Lastly, I told the group of high school seniors, when you were kids, how often did you attend birthday parties on the weekends? Because we live in such crowded cities along with multiple activities, kids will have tons of friends. Which is fine, but they are probably eating birthday cake and ice cream almost every weekend.

So, how do we change these destructive eating habits in our crazy busy parenting lives?

You already know the answer. You must grocery shop and meal plan for the entire week. This includes breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks. Give your kids a variety of veggies, fruits and nut treats to find out which are their favorites.

Parents, I know you’re busy and tired, but you must take a step back and teach your kids a healthier diet. You’re setting them up for a better quality of life.

Inspiration

“The Power of You”

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Tuesday, October 25, 2016 

My sister Karen Tepera Franklin is a very successful business woman in the apartment management industry. Each year, Karen hosts an annual conference she created called WAM — Women’s Asset Managers.

Over the past few years, WAM has grown from three women to nearly 200, and has become a nationally known and recognized conference.

This year’s conference theme was “The Power of You.” Recently, Karen was in town visiting, so I had an opportunity to pick her brain about the theme.

Karen explained that all of us have a story that empowers us. Almost all successful people had dealt with tragedy and failure. It’s during these times we truly find ourselves and the will to power through it.

Now, how true is all that statement? I’m sure each of you, at this very moment, is reflecting on past or current struggles. Most common struggles are healthier lifestyles, occupational changes, relationships and self-worth.

Here’s how Karen and many others have used “The Power of You” to enhance their lives and accomplish goal setting.

You have to take on the mindset of a gladiator. In case you don’t know, the true term of a gladiator is a warrior that goes into each battle knowing that if you don’t give your all, you’ll die. This means you’ll empower determination to focus on a target and not stop until it’s been conquered.

Have you ever heard the phrase “burn the boats?” It’s when you land on an island to build a new life. You burn the boats so there’s no escaping and returning to failure. You’re forced to work and fight every day if you want to survive.

The beauty of this type of determined behavior is the final reward. You’ll win each day and be one step closer to your target. Even the days you get knocked down, you’ll learn from it, regroup, re-strategize and come out swinging.

One of my dad’s favorite quotes is, “It’s not that I want to. I had to”.

Inspiration

Make it a great day

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Recently, I was listening to a radio interview with Troy Aikman, Hall of Famer and former quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys. Aikman was asked about his former wide receiver Michael Irvin. His response was how Irvin can turn an average practice into a great one with his enthusiasm and work ethic.

Let’s all think about how we can apply that same mentality and turn our average days into something great.First, start by recognizing and being thankful for everything you already have. I sometimes remind my kids that there are thousands of other kids who would love to trade places, so appreciate what you have.

Take your average day at work: complete unfinished projects, help a colleague or decide to treat others with more respect and make everyone’s day better.

Maybe when you get home this evening, instead of plopping on the couch, take a brisk walk and enjoy the outdoors.

Take the family to the park, their favorite restaurant, get ice cream or just find time to interact with them. Kids want parents to listen to them and be loved. I sometimes try to be sillier than my kids. They think I’m the biggest dork, and I love it.

When’s the last time you surprised your spouse with a random heartwarming hug along with a passionate kiss? Look at them and say “just because,” then walk away and leave them in shock. This could be your lucky day — wink wink.

Listen, we all battle the brutal world during our average days. Don’t let yourself get caught up going through life just making ends meet while being stuck in the same old routine.

Tap into your creative mind and start thinking outside the box. Find what you truly have a passion for and apply it into your daily life.

I have a passion for many things, but I get the biggest kick out multiple acts of kindness throughout my day.

I typically work in a variety of hospitals each week. So, I interact with complete strangers all day long via parking garages, elevators, offices and operating rooms. I always hold the door and greet people with a smiling, head-nodding hello.

At least I know, for one brief moment, that person had an opportunity to smile. They might be having a bad day, and that one smile helped them get back on track to a great day.

Now go for it and make it a great day, too.

Inspiration

Let’s hit a walk-off home run

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Tuesday, October 4, 2016

As a batter in baseball, there’s not a more compelling hit than a walk-off home run. I’ve never accomplished that, but it has to be the most amazing feeling to know you’ve won the game with one powerful hit.

It’s a moment of glory as you stroll around the bases while the fans, family members and teammates are celebrating you as the game hero.

It’s truly amazing that so many years of hard work, determination and patience can be rewarded in a split second. If you think about it, we’ve all had a moment of a walk-off home run feeling.

As we go through life, there are many situations we battle trying to accomplish success. Maybe you were diagnosed with a major health issue and conquered it.

How many years does it take to reach a high school diploma, a college degree, buying a house, job promotions, retirement, and so on?

All the late nights of studying, long hours of work and never letting negative influences keep us from accomplishing our dreams.

Life will constantly throw us curve balls trying to get us off course. We’ve all been knocked around, bruised and punched. But because of our strong will and pride, we get back up and kick the world’s butt.

My son Dylan has been training for six months for his first physique contest which is in a few weeks. He spent the summer months before his senior year of high school training and eating like a champion.

How difficult do you think that was for a teenager, giving up time with friends and eating junk food? Not Dylan, because he stayed focused with a “win and take all” attitude.

Remember, there’s no situation or person who can stop you. You’re on a mission to improve your life and swing for the fences. So flip the bat, shake your fists and scream at the top of your lungs because you made it.

Of course, hopefully, you had a support system of family members and spouses to be thankful for because they will be the ones cheering as you round the bases of success.

Now go ahead, strap on your helmet, step up to the plate and hit a walk-off home run because you’re the game’s hero.

Inspiration

Don’t regret what you’ve done

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Tuesday, September 27, 2016

It’s easy to look over our lives and regret the things we’ve done. But really, we should be regretting the things we didn’t do.

We all wish that we’d spent more time with family, saved more money, traveled the country and took better care of our bodies.

Don’t let your past decisions and tragedies define you. They are only lessons in life that help move us forward to make better decisions.

I’m sure there are many of you who pour a lot of time and energy into your job because financial success is essential for a quality of life for your family. Then, at some point, you realize your kids are grown or almost grown, and you didn’t spend quality time with them.

Also, you might regret not visiting elderly relatives, especially aging parents. All parents desire the love of their children, no matter what age.

There’s a reason for a more than 40 percent obesity rate in America. We’ve allowed ourselves to fall into the trap of a continual bad diet. Now, you’re facing health issues — and possibly a shorter life span.

We’ve all said and done things to others that weren’t necessary, plus you’re probably embarrassed or ashamed.

Listen, we cannot escape bad decision making, but now, it’s part of the past. The beauty of all the negative examples I just wrote about can be turned around immediately.

Today is the day to strap on a pair of sneakers and start the journey to a healthier body. You’ve also decided to eliminate fried-foods and sugary sodas because you now have control.

You must find time to step away from a busy career and enjoy the beauty of our amazing country. Take a long weekend or vacation with the spouse or family and realize there’s more to life than working.

Pick up the phone and call all the necessary people who’ve impacted your life. Tell them you’re sorry for your actions and you want them back in your life.

Go visit your parents while you still can. I have had coffee with my parents almost every Sunday morning for the past many years. They are some of my biggest fans and my best friends. A week doesn’t go by that I don’t get to hug them and tell them how much I love them.

Just don’t let tomorrow come and you’re regretting the things you didn’t do yesterday. Take a deep breath and know it’s all going to be ok.

Diets, Fitness, Inspiration

Keep it simple, stay consistent

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Through the years, there have been many people asking me for advice with diets, exercise and stress relief. I typically guide them in the proper direction, according to their situation.

So, I chose to combine all three categories and try to give some ideas that each of you might be able to take away.

Listen, the best advice is to keep your life as simple as possible and stay consistent.

There’s no secret, diets and exercising can add stress when you’re determined to change your life. But, don’t be so drastic because you’re probably setting yourself up for failure.

Don’t worry about elaborate dishes, casseroles and multi-foods. Just make a simple one protein, one carb and veggie dinner — something quick and easy. It really comes down to the seasoning to make it delicious.

When exercising, find the one cardio you enjoy the most. For me, it’s riding my bicycle. I look forward to getting on my bike and enjoying the sunshine.

Most importantly, you must find a way to remove certain unnecessary stresses in your life.

You don’t have to be as extreme as I have been, but over the past few years, the following has made my life much easier and happy.

I downgraded my house to a small three-bedroom in a nice neighborhood. The extra money helped buy my son a car.

The yard is of moderate size, which is easy to maintain. I do all the yard work myself for the exercise and can complete it in less than an hour.

My social circle is very small, but I really spend most of my spare time doing hobbies I enjoy. You must find a hobby or interest to help feel accomplishments and relieve stress.

Years ago, I got rid of all my man toys. No more unnecessary expenses and responsibilities of a motorcycle, boat and sports car.

I cook six days out of the week with the types of meals described earlier. The one night a week we dine out, we cherish the elaborate meals of different restaurants.

Bottom line, write down all the stresses you face. I’m sure you’ll discover a lot of negative influences that aren’t necessary. Start the process of elimination to create a life of simplicity and consistency. You’ll feel much better — I promise.

Inspiration

Change your destructive family patterns

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Have you ever noticed obese parents typically have obese children? How about athletic parents raising children athletes?

Of course this is one extreme to the other, plus this only pertains to percentages. There will always be outliers in every category.

You can use the same statistics for parents who have destructive habits. Why do their children take on the same behaviors? How come this pattern keeps being passed along the bloodline?

Maybe you were raised in a questionable environment. The good news is that you are the one who is willing to stop it. You are the family member who chooses to start a new tradition of a healthy environment for your children, who, in turn, will pay it forward.

I was fortunate to be raised by a father who was a high school coach. My sister Karen and I were exposed our whole lives to a variety of sports, especially football.

Recently, I was apologizing to my 15 year old daughter Daylyn for not exposing her to more girlie types of activities. She happens to be raised by a single dad who only knows sports.

Daylyn is so funny. She told me she hates high-heel shoes, and would rather be wearing sneakers and putting her hair in ponytails, anyway.

You see, I don’t have any artistic ability either. I just had to come to the conclusion that I can’t sing, draw, paint, play any musical instruments or cut-the-rug on a good day. My poor kids have the same DNA.

Believe me, I personally tried to do all the above, but to no prevail. So, I can only pass the family pattern of a healthy environment of exercise and diet.

What about all of you parents? Just know your kids are a product of their environment. Their success in life depends on your teachings. This doesn’t mean what you say, it means what you do.

I know a family whose children were raised in an active, healthy lifestyle. One child grew up and raised their children the same way. The other child grew up and decided to become lazy and undisciplined, and now their children suffer from adolescent diabetes.

Be the hero in your family and start a new branch on the family tree of strength and success. You just need to leap out of the destruction basement and hit the ground running.

You’ve got this!

Inspiration

What choices will you make today?

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Friday, July 29, 2016

Each morning, we wake to a full day of choices. Every thought and every action is based on a series of choices.

One of the greatest beauties of being human, is we get to make our own decisions about how we live our lives.

You get to decide on clothes, cars, neighborhoods, friends, spouses, diets, exercise and so on. But, most importantly — how you treat others.

Whatever and wherever you are in life, is due to all the choices you’ve made to date. Now think about that for a moment.

If you’re not happy or you’re miserable, then maybe it’s time to change your thought process by being a more positive and caring person.

Take a hard look in the mirror, reflect on yourself and understand why life hasn’t gone as planned.

To turn it all around and get back on track, start by changing your stinking thinking. Recognize when your thoughts are negative and find something positive to focus on.

For me, when situations aren’t going well, I’ve trained myself to find all the reasons to be thankful. I recognize life could be so much worse.

This starts first thing in the morning when I wake. My first thought of each morning is, “Wow, I’m alive and I get to go out into this beautiful world today.”

It took some time, but once I forgave everyone who wronged me, unnecessary stress vanished. Now, I find beauty in everyone and life has never been better.

My kids have learned to interact with people because I’m always striking up conversations with total strangers. To me, everyone has a story, plus I’m truly interested. That’s why I share so many stories in my column.

Just remember, your thoughts become actions, and your actions will determine your true character. That character is how we perceive you.

So, what choices will you make today? Choose to be happy because you can turn your life around with just one choice.

Inspiration

Use exercise to slay demons

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Tuesday, July 19, 2016

We all carry different levels and types of demons within ourselves. We know our personal flaws, some of which are very destructive to our daily lives and those around us.

Many years ago, a friend of mine, whom I’ll call Mark, revealed to me that he was a weekend alcohol binger. Mark’s friends would come over, and his house always turned into a party.

At that time, Mark was a husband and a father of two toddlers and didn’t want to expose his kids to that lifestyle anymore.

Mark asked me for some help because he was sick and tired of being sick and tired.

I told Mark let’s take it one weekend at a time, and I’ll help you for the next two months.

I’d pick Mark up every Friday and Saturday evening during the time he would normally start drinking. We would spend one to two hours at the gym, where I put him through vigorous training.

Because Mark was worn out, he’d eat dinner, go to bed and get a good night’s rest. To Mark’s surprise, he started feeling amazing in the mornings, especially due to no hangover.

After those two months, Mark signed up for Saturday fun-runs, mini-triathlons, team bike rides and ran his first marathon.

Just know, once your body gets into shape, it will crave the surge of endorphins it receives from exercise. There is truly not a better high.

Mark finally dumped his drinking friends and only hung out with good people and parents whose common goal was to raise kids in a healthy environment.

Mark’s life became overwhelmingly productive. There wasn’t time for any destructive behavior. He looked forward to enjoying weekends to the fullest. He fell in love with himself and who he truly was as a person.

You see, Mark is just like all of us. We all have this passion to help each other, love neighbors and give our hearts around the world. You just have to find it within yourself like Mark did through exercise.

Accept and recognize your demons are out of control. Of course, there are many of you who need professional and spiritual help, but I challenge you to go outside this evening and take a long brisk walk.

Put on your headphones or just do some soul searching self-talks. Feel the sweat on your body and holler, “Hallelujah, I’m alive, I feel amazing and this world is better because I’m in it

Inspiration

Learn to take in the ‘now’

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Tuesday, June 21, 2016

I’m sure everyone has some form of stress in their lives. The only difference is how we deal with it. It’s so easy to let our minds get overwhelmed and give ourselves different levels of depression.

I too, will sometimes catch myself dwelling on negative situations that occurred in the past, including forecasting negative stress that might not even occur in the future.

Lately, I’ve been training myself to take in the “now.” It’s right now where life is the best. I’m as healthy as possible for a 54 year old man. My kids are happy and experiencing the life I’ve created for them. My medical job has crazy stress, but I’m fortunate to make a decent living.

The emails I receive from you readers gives me an overwhelming sense of worthiness to people outside my family circle. I share most of them with my kids to which it has tremendous impact on their desire to help others as well.

You might not realize it, but all of you out there are helping me raise teenagers to be compassionate adults.

I don’t want to go back in time because I’m so much wiser, humble and love all people more than I could ever imagine.

I know a man in his mid-40s who still whines and complains from a dysfunctional mom he had growing up. To this day, he uses that excuse as a reason for all his misbehaviors and inability to find happiness and success.

I told him that it’s impossible to re-ring that bell. Nothing can change the past, but you have complete control of the now. You get to write your own destiny.

Think of all the situations that could be worse and appreciate the now. Don’t even think about tomorrow. Overwhelm yourself with the emotions of how incredible life is right now. Go-ahead, make yourself laugh, cry or both. Take deep long breaths and feel the presence of the now.

Recently, my son Dylan had his first flat tire on his car. It occurred during all this crazy rain we’ve been experiencing. I thought of this moment as a great learning experience to which he learned to change a flat in adverse weather conditions.

To me, it was a cool moment because I was taking in the now. I blended in with Mother Nature and enjoyed every drop.

No matter what is going on in your life, you are here today and this is the now.