Tag Archives: motivation

Inspiration

Look up and keep a positive attitude

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Remember when you were a kid standing at the top of a high diving board looking down and wanting to jump, but the water looked far away and scary?

But when you’re standing on the deck looking up, the diving board really didn’t seem that high. Then once you’ve finally jumped, you wanted to do it over and over.

To me, that’s how life is.

If you’re constantly looking down, the world can seem dark and scary. You’re only focused on negativity and wondering why the world is against you, which can cause depression.

Don’t miss out on the beauty that surrounds us. Look up and see all the glorious wonders of earth and the amazing people who are in our lives.

Guess what? You’re one of those amazing people, too.

We all have bad days and get disappointed in our actions or the actions against us. But look up and keep a positive attitude.

Learn to find the good in life and make yourself feel like it’s the best day ever. You’ll produce a positive charge, and the world will gravitate its goodness in your favor.

Believe me, I’ve had plenty of days where I just wanted to look down and play the blame game. But through the years and plenty heartache experience, I’ve taught myself to just shake my head, look around and realize that it’s never as bad as it first seems.

Bad situations are never permanent. Through a positive attitude and keeping our heads up, all adverse situations will work its course and good will overcome.

Now, next time you’re having a challenging day, get outside, start exercising and shout at the top of your lungs, “I’m an amazing person, so look out world, here I come!”

Diets, Fitness, Inspiration

Swing for the fences and have a great life

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Wednesday, October 14, 2015 

Have you not reached your diet and fitness goals? Are you still not making enough money?

What’s the problem and why are you still giving excuses?

Just know people around you know the truth. You can fool people and yourself for a while, but after time, your current occupational and health status is obvious.

Be honest, the only thing holding you back — is you. The best investment you can ever make is in yourself.

When it’s for better health, get a gym membership, hire a trainer or take cooking and nutrition classes.

If it’s time to increase income, then maybe you should take night classes, become an apprentice or research the path for the occupation you most desire.

What skill or skills are you good at? It could be sports, music, puzzles or a particular hobby. You should apply that same intense excitement to improve other areas of life.

Write down your income and health goals because they are important to reach quality and longevity. Be clear and realistic in order to be obtainable from your current position.

I’ve been following the baseball playoffs watching players make millions of dollars by only hitting the ball 20 to 30 percent of the time. How much more could they make by increasing batting averages?

Maybe your low wages and bad health is because you only give 30 percent effort. How would your life change if you increased focus and effort by an additional 50 percent? Only you can answer that question honestly.

We are all born with the capability to become successful. Embrace life and take full control of your destiny. Laugh at the challenges and turn them into opportunities.

Now, let’s all swing for the fences and have the life we truly deserve

Fitness

With cooler weather, time to exercise outdoors

 By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Finally, we have “no excuses” weather to exercise outdoors.

All summer long, you’ve been whining about it being too hot and humid in this Texas heat. Well, now it’s time to enjoy the cooler weather and get your bodies in motion. 

I typically ride my bike for at least an hour or so, but this past weekend, I took a 2-hour ride with energy to spare. I barely broke a sweat with the cool breeze against my body. Mother Nature was serenity, and I was one happy fella. 

Grab your spouse or friend and take a brisk walk through the neighborhood or drive to the Galveston seawall to walk 45 minutes in one direction so it takes 45 minutes to get back. 

Also, it’s time to get those outdoor chores taken care of. I’m sure your flower beds, trees and bushes need grooming. It’s amazing how much better your house looks when yard work is completed. 

I know retired people who won’t hire a lawn service because they use mowing grass and weed eating as their outside exercise, so maybe you should, too. 

As I’m getting older, I seem to appreciate my physical body. I’m slowing down, but at the same time, I’m making sure to stay in decent shape to enjoy life. 

Making excuses and being lazy is the easiest thing we can all do. Developing good habits takes time, but the reward is a longer and better quality of life.

Our bodies are designed for physical activity, and that’s how our ancestors built this country. Don’t be part of the obese epidemic of 34.9 percent or 76 million Americans.

Now, get your booty outside, play some music, dance around the yard and make the neighbors think you’ve gone crazy. It’s a great way to keep them away, but you might find yourself on YouTube.

Inspiration

What will you do on 4th-and-1?

 By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Every football team has faced the situation of fourth down and 1 yard to go to get a first down. The decision of going for it or punting is based on a few factors like the score, time on the clock and field position. Sometimes the outcome can determine a win or not.

How many times in our lives have we faced fourth-and-1? Sometimes we develop issues, problems or important situations, and we have to make life-changing decisions. 

The choice is to either punt and take the path of least resistance or create a strategy and go for it. This outcome most likely will be life-altering.  

You might be in a bad relationship, and something needs to change. It might be time to ask for a pay raise or position advancement. Maybe you’ve made too many bad decisions and need professional or spiritual help. 

Years ago I was working in the biotech industry making a decent living, and another startup company made me an offer with less money, but the future potential was huge. 

I had to make a decision to continue with my comfortable life or to go for it and challenge myself to become more successful. Believe me, I wanted to punt, but with only seconds left on the clock, I chose to grip the ball hard and go for the win. 

Eight years have passed, and it was one of the best decisions I made in my working career. 

Now, next time you’re facing fourth-and-1, go for it by putting a winning strategy together, and score in the game of life. No matter the outcome, you’ll never have to say “if only I would’ve.”

If we all learn to embrace confidence, then winning championships will become a way of life

Inspiration

Life’s law of reaction

by DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Wednesday, September 23, 2015 

Newton’s third law of motion is “for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.” As stated in the definition, this is pertaining to objects in motion.

To me, you can spin this law and apply to all parts of life.

For example: you eat fat foods and don’t exercise — you get fat and out of shape. You excessively smoke, drink alcohol and use drugs — you destroy your life.

You’re kind to all people — good things will come to you. You become spiritual — happiness and fulfillment will follow.  

Whatever your situation is right now and whatever shape your body is in is from every decision you’ve made to date. 

If you’re not happy with current status quo, start producing positive actions to create positive reactions. This is the one area in life that you have full control.

Once you’ve become an adult, your life will shape under every decision you make — good and bad. When you take an action, you are taking responsibility for the possible reactions. 

I told my children that sometimes it seems like bad people are receiving all the riches, but eventually “bad” catches up and they’ll lose everything. And, sometimes it seems like good people are getting bad breaks, but eventually “great” will come into their lives and stay there. 

Just think, if we all produced positive and loving actions then wonderful amazing reactions would drown the negatives in our lives.  

Start today by making better diet and exercise choices. Try to be the kindest and gentlest person in the room and watch how uplifting and happy you’ll become.

“If you want your life to be different, you have to start reacting to life differently,” by Bryant McGill.

Fitness, Inspiration

Go for it and enjoy all of life’s experiences

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Wednesday, September 9, 2015

My daughter just completed a series of volleyball tryouts for her school in which she made the team. Daylyn told me about her friend Jennifer who tried out knowing that she really didn’t have a chance.

You see, Jennifer is not very athletic and has tried out in the past only to be one of the first girls cut from the team. But what struck me was that Jennifer didn’t care. She decided to go for it anyway because it was still a lot of fun. Wow, now think about that. None of us like to expose our weaknesses or enjoy the embarrassment of failure. We get too caught up worrying what others will think and possibly say.

Jennifer didn’t care about anyone’s thoughts but only about the great experience she was having along with her friends.

It’s obvious Jennifer will have a great time experiencing life. She will glide through adulthood never saying “I should’ve, would’ve or could’ve.” 

This is a great lesson as parents. How many times do we allow our children to quit or not even try? We teach our children to accept standing on the sidelines or to sit in the stands and watch instead of participating. 

Be the example in your family and try something that is out of your comfort zone. Even if it didn’t turn out as you hoped, the journey and the experience will far outweigh the results. Plus it builds confidence to try again or at least attempt another spectacular feat. 

So go tell your kids to go for it, and they will build confidence and have fun like a supposedly nonathletic girl named Jennifer.

Inspiration

Don’t look back, keep moving forward

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Wednesday, September 2, 2015

With family permission, this article is dedicated to a young man named Daniel. 

Recently, a beautiful blue balloon landed in my backyard and attached was a memorial card with Daniel’s name.  

I took the time to research him, spoke with the family and found out this 26-year-old man was very talented in music. 

You see, what touched my heart was that several years ago, I had an older son of the same age in which my two children, who are his brother and sister, also released balloons in his memory. 

My son Dustin and Daniel had lots in common, even in the field of music. 

I was impressed with one of Daniel’s favorite quotes, “Don’t look back, because that’s not where you’re going.” 

I found it important to share this quote with you because we can all use it for different parts in our own lives.

We have all experienced relationship breaks, unemployment, diet struggles and other situations that could cause depression. 

But, what’s important is to not look back, get yourself on the right path and keep moving forward until you’ve reached your destiny. Sometimes, you might not know what the true destiny is, but as long as you’re moving forward, you’ll get there.

I sometimes visit my sister in Dallas. I can’t see Dallas from Houston, but as long as I stay on the right path, I know I’ll get there.

So, take down the rearview mirror of life’s past and proceed with passion. 

We should all think real hard on Daniel’s quote, and use it to help guide us through our own lives.

I have one request for Daniel — when you see Dustin, tell him I miss him, I love him, and I’ll see you in time.

Diets, Fitness, Inspiration

Who is the hero saving your life?

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Wednesday, August 26, 2015

If you’ve been following my column, you’re familiar with my work in the medical industry. I’ve been involved with well over 1,000 knee replacements, plus I work with some outstanding medical professionals.

Recently, there was a situation where a patient went into cardiac arrest and my friend Ramon, who is a physician assistant, performed chest compressions for about 15 minutes and saved this man’s life.

Ramon was very humble over the situation and thought of it as another day on the job. 

Of course, we commend all other non-doctors who save lives like firefighters, EMS, nurses, policemen and women, and many others.

But, since this column is about “Simple Fitness,” it made me think about other professions that help save lives.

Let’s take nutritionists and personal trainers who do their best to change lives, but for some people, they’ve saved them or at least prolonged their lives.

There are people with diabetes, obesity and unhealthy lifestyles that are on the brink of catastrophe. They desperately needed guidance, planning, training and education to start or return to a healthier lifestyle.

But really, who is the biggest hero when it comes to saving your life? That person is you.

You’re the one who recognized that there’s a problem with what’s happened to your body. You realized that you no longer have control and a quicker death is inevitable. And now, you’re taking positive steps in seeking help.

You only have one life, take control for not only you, but for all the people who count on you. They deserve it and so do you.

Abdominal Reanimater, Diets, Inspiration

Be aware of ‘the zone,’ take life to a new level

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Wednesday, August 12, 2015 

If you’ve ever played sports or at least watched sports, you’ve seen players get into what is called “the zone.” It’s the pinnacle of achievement for an athlete to perform at his or her best.

This phenomenon happens in all sports, but lets’ take basketball for our example. 

There were many instances during the basketball playoffs in which a team was down by 20 points, then all of sudden, they would get into the zone, and make a run for a lot of points. Typically, the opponent’s coach would call a timeout to get the other team out of the zone.

There have been multiple studies about the zone, and they all have a common explanation. First, an athlete must have mastered the basic fundamentals then clear their minds for all body senses to synergize together and become one. This is usually temporary but will take an athlete to their top performance. For an athlete, there is not a better intrinsic feeling and reward. 

Now, think about if we could tap into the zone in other areas of our lives. 

What would happen to your income if you could learn with consistency to tap into the zone at work? I’m sure raises and promotions would be in the immediate future. 

We’ve all experienced being in the zone — like house projects, studying for a test, cleaning house or cars, athletic events or even spiritually. 

What’s important is to become conscious of the zone then concentrate on getting your mind and body into it when it’s time to focus on something substantial. Imagine how productive and successful you’ll become. 

I once had a photo shoot for my abdominal invention and needed to lose substantial fat weight to dial in a ripped stomach. I consciously tapped into the zone and lost one pound a day for almost two weeks. 

We all have different needs and wants. Consciously tap into your zone and find a way to accomplish those needs. The reward of accomplishment puts you into a euphoric state of mind. 

Be aware of the zone and take your life to a whole new level.

Inspiration

There’s magic in volunteering and helping others

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Recently, I attended a comical magic show in which the magician pulled me on stage to perform some amazing magic tricks. He did his best to embarrass me, and it worked.

After the show, we had an opportunity for a brief discussion. The magician told me that he had went to school to be a psychologist, but chose magic as a profession because it made people laugh and feel good.

This made me think about my own life, and for others. Of course, we all can’t choose a profession that would make others happy because the world wouldn’t function, but what about our spare time?

How rewarding would it be if everyone volunteered or found ways to help others? It doesn’t matter how busy our lives are, we can still find ways of doing this. My mom volunteers at a local hospital and loves all the people she meets.

There are endless year-round youth sports in need of volunteers, coaches, referees and scoreboard help. 

My children and I collected used children’s books and school uniforms for Clear Creek ISD and Galveston ISD, volunteered at The Jesse Tree Foundation to help feed hundreds of families, walked the dogs at League City Animal Shelter, and played Superheroes at Space Center Houston teaching families and children about “Stranger Danger.”

When I was younger, I would mow an elderly neighbor’s yard and buy their prescriptions. 

Read your local newspapers and search the internet. There are numerous organizations looking for volunteers. Take you family, grandchildren, sports teams or anyone you know and lead them to help others. 

How about starting a volunteer program at your work and be the exceptional leader?

Of course, the biggest reward is how good you’ll feel knowing you made a difference in strangers’ lives.

There isn’t a magic show that can pull that out of a hat.