Sergeant Tony's Blog

“Great Expectations” is the name of a pretty interesting song by Elbow. The other day I listened to it over and over again. So much so that the next morning I woke up repeating one of the lines of the song. Has that ever happened to you?

Of course, “Great Expectations” is also the name of a famous book by Charles Dickens. I think the book should have been called “Dashed Hopes.” But that title might not have sold many copies.

Expectations are horrible little hobgoblins of the mind that will pump you up and get you excited and then stand off at a distance and act innocent when their first cousin, “Disappointment” moves in to ruin the party.

It’s said that a person’s happiness is in direct proportion to the degree to which their expectations are fulfilled. And the inverse is true about someone’s unhappiness or disappointment; in direct proportion to which a person’s expectations are unmet or unfulfilled.

Unrealistic expectations are part of the DNA of a person with a critical spirit, a perfectionist, or the self righteous. They impose upon the world a view of how THEY believe it should be and then criticize, judge, or complain when the reality of the situation doesn’t match their expectations.

Do you know someone like that? Maybe it’s you. Maybe it’s me. Thing is, we can all fall victim to it. Any one of us on any given day. Critical? Self righteous? Intolerant?

Nothing and none of us are perfect. Let me say that again … nothing, nothing, nothing and NONE OF US are perfect!

Expecting perfection is “ignert.” And because nothing is perfect, we can always find something to criticize about the world around us … the people around us … or ourselves. You don’t act like I want you to act. I don’t act like you want me to act. Lunch was not as good as it could have been. He isn’t as spiritual as me. I’m right, they’re wrong. I’m better than he is. My boss is a chowder head. My house isn’t big enough. Dinner tonight will not be as good as it could be. My run times are too slow. Your push ups are horrible. (hahahaha) It’s too cold outside. It’s too hot. My hair is always a disaster. My friends are stupid. My mother didn’t love me. My father was too distant. My family is dysfunctional. Whatever.

It takes no talent or intelligence to criticize or tear down. Ever notice how quick those guys can implode a building? They can tear down in minutes what took years to build. And don’t you grow weary of the person who’s only contribution to conversation consists of complaining and criticizing?

I know that it’s an overused phrase, but “it is what it is” is wisdom in five words. Things are the way they are. Period. The first step is to accept that truth without judgment or intolerance. Maybe things can be changed. Change it! Maybe they can’t. Accept it! We all struggle with the balancing act. We all need what Reinhold Niebuhr’s prayer mentions: acceptance of the things we cannot change, courage to change what can be changed, and the wisdom to know the difference … and peace in the process … with contentment.

And all of this is coming from a guy who DEMANDS perfection from you everyday! I know, I know, I’m a hypocrite! Demanding excellence and success from you is my job! You get healthier and stronger when I demand your BEST, when I push you! In “Boot Camp World” good enough never is!

But today … take it easy on your fellow man and your fellow woman … give everyone a break … you don’t know their story or the burdens they bear … and while you’re at it, give yourself a little slack too. Don’t beat yourself up … let ME do that for you! Appreciate the world you live in and the people around you. Appreciate your life and the contributions that others make in your life. Be grateful.

Be content.

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OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR A SUCCESS STORY!

If you’ve been a Boot Camper for any amount of time, you know that I’ve had my hands full with the hiatus of the Midtown Battalion, the awarding of Sgt. Tony’s Combat the Fat Weight Loss Challenge (congrats again, Tawnette!), not to mention Riverdancing my way across Memphis!

But even with all this on my plate — and other things too — the one thing that hasn’t changed is my commitment to you. Making sure that you’ve got all the tools you need to truly embrace good health and fitness.

So when my longtime friend, Rachel Young came to me and said that she had recently lost over 60 pounds…kept it off…and wanted to tell me exactly how she’d done it – I wanted to make sure you were included in the festivities!

She’s gonna ‘tell all’ on March 17th at 9pm EST (that’s 8pm Central Time for you Ole Miss grads). You can go sign up to get the call details here:

www.RachelDYoung.com

Keep in mind that I’ve known this girl for almost 20 years and she pulls no punches. (She’s even begun training for the Women’s Tri-Fitness Competition in 2010!)

I don’t know how many ‘seats’ she’s got available so you probably don’t wanna wait around on something like this.

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SERGEANT TONY’S $5,000 COMBAT THE FAT WEIGHT LOSS CHALLENGE

With friends and family gathered at Jason’s Deli this past Saturday morning, our champion was awarded a check for FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS!

Tawnette Baker won with a weight loss of 20.13%!
Andy Cook was second with a weight loss of 18.17%
Josh Miller came in third with a weight loss of 17.45%

Don Baker, Tawnette’s husband, probably had the second biggest grin in the room. His wife had promised to buy him new speakers for his stereo if she won!

Congratulations to everyone who participated!

I’ve been asked about the next Challenge. Look for a new and revamped Challenge, maybe in June. Stay tuned for further details.

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SPRING HALF MARATHON TRAINING!

Half Marathon (13.1 miles) Training for the Country Music Half Marathon in Nashville on April 25, 2009 (or the Louisville Half Marathon or St. Louis Half Marathon) will continue at 0800 this coming Saturday, 14 March! We’ll meet in front of the Visitor’s Center at Shelby Farms.

Cost for the three month training is $100 for “friends” of Boot Camp and $75 for active duty BOOT CAMPERS!

The training schedule is posted on the blog page of our website: http://usmcfitnessbootcamp.com/blog/

IF IT IS RAINING, WE’LL MEET AT THE ZACH CURLIN PARKING GARAGE AT THE U OF M!

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THESE TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES

I try to promote and patronize Boot Campers in their businesses. I am also a member of a business networking group (BNI - Business Networking International) that meets weekly to promote one another’s businesses.

Every week I’ll be introducing you to three businesses, either owned by one of you guys or one of my BNI buddies. Maybe you’re not a business owner, but you work on commission and would like to be mentioned, please send me your info!

Today’s Big Three are:

1. Melissa Dixon (Boot Camper, BNI): Affordable Moving “Local and Long Distance Moving”, 901-388-3313

2. Taylor Taylor (Boot Camper) Summer Junior Tennis Camps at the Racquet Club taught by Taylor, a USPTA Professional, 901-765-4404. tayholden@hotmail.com (901) 292-7177 cell. Call or email her for class times and schedules.

3. Dr. Carl “Buddy” Flinn (Boot Camper), Peepers Optical 773 Estate Pl, Memphis. 901-681-4045. Specializing In Pediatric Eyewear, Pediatric Ophthalmology & Adult Strabismus. Sergeant Tony’s eye doc!

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Shameless, Shameless, SHAMELESS PLUG

My son, Nathan, a starving college student at MTSU has become a sales rep for Cutco, a knife and flatware company. He just started last week. He makes $15 every time he makes a presentation, irrespective of whether he sells anything or not. Nathan needs opportunities to give his 35 minute presentation when he’s home on the weekends. If you’d like to listen to a cute young college boy and help him out, or you’d just like a chance to heckle my kid in person, please give Nathan a call at 901-289-2738. Thank you Scot, Margaret, David, and Kay!

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This is from my good friend Troy Donald.

I Believe…
That just because two people argue,
doesn’t mean they don’t love each other.
And just because they don’t argue,
doesn’t mean they do love each other.

I Believe…
That sometimes when I’m angry I have the right to be angry,
but that doesn’t give me the right to be cruel.

I Believe…
That we don’t have to change friends if
we understand that friends change.

I Believe…
That no matter how good a friend is, they’re going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.

I Believe…
That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance.
Same goes for true love.

I Believe…
That you can do something in an instant
that will give you heartache for life.

I Believe…
That it’s taking me a long time
to become the person I want to be.

I Believe…
That you should always leave loved ones with
loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

I Believe…
That you can keep going long after you think you can’t.

I Believe…
That we are responsible for what
we do, no matter how we feel.

I Believe….
That either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I Believe…
That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I Believe…
That money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I Believe..
That my best friend and I can do anything, or nothing, and have the best time.

I Believe…
That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you’re down, will be the ones to help you get back up.

I Believe…
That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you’ve had, and what you’ve learned from them…..and less to do with how many birthdays you’ve celebrated.

I Believe…
That it isn’t always enough to be forgiven by others.
Sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I Believe…
That no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn’t stop for your grief.

I Believe…
That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are,
but we are responsible for who we become.

I Believe…
That you shouldn’t be so eager to find
out a secret. It could change your life Forever.

I Believe…
Two people can look at the exact same
thing and see something totally different.

I Believe…
That your life can be changed in a matter of
hours by people who don’t even know you.

I Believe…
That even when you think you have no more to give, if
a friend cries out to you……..you will find the strength to help.

I Believe…
That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I Believe…
That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.

I Believe…
That you should send this to all of the people that you believe in. I just did.

The happiest of people don’t necessarily have the best of everything;
They just make the most of everything they have.

Thank you God for all the wonderful people who help us
throughout this journey called Life..

To your continued good health and fitness,

Tony

Sergeant Major Tony Ludlow
USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP, Commanding
4888 Southern Ave
Memphis, TN 38117
901-644-0145

www.usmcfitnessbootcamp.com

www.shaklee.net/tonyludlow/main