Top story of 2022: I reached a turning point in my health. 

It wasn’t anything serious, mind you. Still, the wake-up call came when I was told by my doctor to start taking small amounts of cholesterol and blood pressure medication. 

I Got Angry about the state I was in.

Average choices lead to average outcomes. I resolved to make changes and focus on nutrition — adding protein and dropping sugar.

I elevated the cost of straying from the plan and quickly saw results that motivated me to keep going. After 15 weeks, I had lost 22 pounds. I slept better and no longer had cravings.

Did I mention, you have to Get Angry? For me, this has happened once before. 

More than a decade ago, I left behind a book of independent work I’d built over years. I chose to go work on an out-of-town project that was fueled with a lot of hype and promises, only to see it fail in a few short months. 

Dismissed and dejected, I returned to Austin feeling sorry for myself. Briefly.

I refused to accept the situation. I redirected all those negatives, turning instead to energy and effort. I got back to my earlier goals and aspirations. Happiness ensued.

Resistance and cardio also helped… I resumed running/walking as well, and landed a new business project that I’ve had for 13 years now.

In the last 12-18 months I’ve been able to reconvene with many old friends, my age, and attend events anew that had been on pause. 

It struck me that many people have been persuaded by recent events to give up trying to maintain their health. Some of it is understandable.

When I saw in 2021-22 that too many people in my cohort (let’s call it the “approaching retirement age” demographic) had simply given up, it really bothered me. How many people just stopped giving a damn because society encouraged them?

You could say I was riled up.

There was more, way more, downtime than there ever needed to be. The past year-plus taught me that we don’t have that much time for slowdown in this life. We need to be in touch, going places, doing things.

I took a hard turn away from giving up. Whatever that looks like, I’m doing the opposite.

Through a renewed focus ‘at the plate’ and in the gym, stepping away from distractions and going back to the basics, I am determined never to join the ranks of the ‘used to be’.

It’s been interesting. Advancing in my 50s later this spring, I have renewed vigor. I’m not exactly sure what all I’m going to do with it just yet, but I know this year is going to be a great, busy year. 

If you ask me, the secret is always to Get Pissed Off at your situation.