Everyone is motivated in a different way.  When it comes to fitness and weight-loss goals, some people use charts, small rewards or even these cute weight-loss jars (I’m considering doing this, by the way).

I prefer to celebrate my successes and not dwell on my failures. Let’s face it.  There will be bad food choices, bad workouts and days when I just don’t feel like tracking. That’s all part of the journey. I can learn from each of those mistakes, but they won’t define me or my weight-loss journey.

Negativity and shame don’t work with me. They never have. I used to look at pictures of myself at my heaviest and think — that’s my motivation. But they weren’t. My motivation comes in the form of positive mantras and feeling the changes in my body that don’t show up on the scale. I may not be all the way to my number goal, but I am in far better shape than I was a year ago.  And a year from now, I’ll be in better shape yet.  Even though I am still aiming for a number on the scale, my ultimate goal is just to stay active, strive for better fitness and challenge myself to do things I never thought I could. That’s how I measure my success.

Weight-loss goal: 40 lbs.

This week’s progress: +1.4

Progress to date: -17.8 lbs.

Non-scale victory: I had to skip my workout yesterday after sinus/allergy issues made me dizzy most of the weekend. I really missed working out.  To me, that signals that being active has become a habit and part of my daily life and not something extra. This makes me happy.

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Written by Cary Waldman on February 14, 2012 · Leave a Comment

Two crispy Belgium waffles drizzled with warm Canadian Maple Syrup, one hard boiled turkey egg, three Tennessee sausages and one large cup of Himalayan dark blend coffee.

By CARY WALDMAN

What in the world is going on with New York City’s FINEST.

No, not all the turn-your-head-around, drop-dead gorgeous ladies this fabulous Mecca of Goddesses attracts from around the world and the OMG American Dreams that walk our streets.

Today, on a very special day for sweethearts and friends, we are talking about this city’s beleaguered police department.

On Monday, Mathew Schindler, 39, a 14-year veteran and married father of three, killed himself on his way home after finishing his shift in Queens.

On a Valentine’s Day when couples should be celebrating the joy they bring to each other, the Schindler home is one of very deep sorrow.

Schindler is the fourth NYC Blue Blood who has offed themselves in less than a month. That stat has to be among the highest in a 30-day period in the history of this city. It may be the highest?

What a mess!!!!

The New Year has not started off well for Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly’s battered troops. Kelly has to be wondering what is going on?

Sure, being a police officer is an incredibly stressful and dangerous job in attempting to serve and protect the public.

And with almost 40,000 cops patrolling the Big Apple’s streets and subways, these peace offers are tremendous targets for thugs, thieves and criminal elements of all kinds.

Cops never know what’s lurking around each street corner they turn, or behind every door they open, or awaiting them at their next traffic stop.

There are approximately 30,000 suicides in the United States every year.

And over one million worldwide.

It is the 13^th leading cause of death globally.

Men are three more times likely to kill themselves than women.

And there are an estimated 15 million non-fatal suicide attempts worldwide each year.

 Most suicides are attributed to despair. Others are related to many mental disorders, substance abusers and having access to a firearm.

Makes sense. No gun means no gun shot.

In several studies, white male physicians, particularly dentists, were more prone to suicide.

So were Black male guards, including supervisors, crossing guards, police, protective service occupations, but not correctional institution occupations.

Also high on the kill-yourself-list were white female painters, sculptors, craft-artists and artist print-makers.

In another survey, it stated dentists were 5.5 times more apt to killing themselves than normal. I know I can’t stand going to the dentist. Dread it like the plague. They must know most of their patients dislike them so much, so maybe that’s why they end their own existence. Or is it the laughing gas they use, which makes them dazed and confused.

 Dentists are followed by musicians (3.6), actors (2.8), dancers (2.67), authors (2.6) – how about bloggers – and photographers (2.5).

 Whatever is going on with our cops, I hope their resent suicide run comes to an abrupt end.

Every day is a gift of life and love.

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Happy Valentine’s Day!!

Count me among those who used to refer to it as Singles Awareness Day. Even if you’re single the whole year, for some reason this day is the day you feel MOST single.  I understand completely.  I have been there.  I remember those days of watching all the flower deliveries come in, and go to everyone else.  They happened in high school, college and then in the workplace. It kind of sucks.

Last year, I decided to adopt a new perspective and view it and use it as a day to love me and pamper myself.  Sure, I can do that any day, but couples can also choose any day to say “I love you,” yet Feb. 14 is reserved for it.  So, this is my way of joining in the fun.

Here are five things I love about myself:

- My soft heart. Even though it comes with lots of tears, it also allows me to genuinely care about other people.

- My independence. I am fine going to movies, dinner, etc. by myself, and I’ve taken care of plenty of household repairs on my own.

- My eyes. They are my favorite physical feature even though my hair gets the most compliments.

- My loyalty. Someone really has to hurt me to lose my support.

- My passion for the things I love.  Sports and music own my heart. I like how invested I am in my favorite teams and musicians.

Here are five things I’m going to do for myself today:

- Buy chocolate covered strawberries. (I actually did that last night, but it still counts.)

- Buy flowers.

- Manicure. Probably while I watch my Tuesday night TV.

- Have a glass of wine.

- Spend the evening offline.

In January, I joined the 10-pound Challenge hosted by Newlyweds on a Budget. We are one-third of the way through the challenge, and in that time, I am down 5 lbs.!!  Wow.  I really can’t believe I’ve made that much progress. When the scale only drops a little bit each week, it’s easy to lose sight of how that can add up.

Weight-loss goal: 40 lbs.

This week’s progress: -1.4 lbs.

Progress to date: -19.2 lbs.

Non-scale victory: My new Zumba shoes arrived just in time for my Friday class. I’ve only gotten to try them out once, but so far, I really like them.  I promise to offer a review after a few more classes.

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In the US, we’ve taken a slightly different tack.  Instead of breaking away from the missionary traditions of our European forefathers, we’ve taken it to all new heights.  It’s not enough that American churches feel compelled to send evangelical missionaries all over the world to teach and convert, they also do the same at home.  And all too often these efforts are aimed at the most vulnerable among us: children.

It’s not just churches.  It’s also role models like sports stars.  When Tim Tebow and Jeremy Lin go beyond sports and feel the need to bring Jesus up in every interview, it’s a message to children.  It’s proselytizing.  When Josh Hamilton has to tell people that Jesus saved him from the drugs, that’s a message to children as well.  And as far as I’m concerned, raping children’s minds in this way is just as bad as what someone like Jerry Sandusky did.

There’s a very simple solution to all this:

So, how about it people?  How about we keep it in our pants?  I won’t show you mine if you don’t show me yours.

-A

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By CARY WALDMAN

Life just isn’t always fair!!!!

Not when it comes to peoples’ professional careers. Or with their financial situations.

Many of us just don’t like our jobs, make enough money or can’t stand whom we work with, or for.

And life isn’t always fair when it comes to relationships — with spouses, significant others, family members, friends, acquaintances, co-workers and bosses.

And maybe most importantly, life isn’t always fair when it comes down to our health and mental well being. If it’s not good, life is not good!!!!

I call it being dealt a bad hand, or getting a raw deal, especially when it pertains to good people, caring people, loving people.

People who make a difference in this world, big or small, and in one way or another.

In the business world, I also call it NOT PLAYING ON AN EVEN PLAYING FIELD.

This occurs when no matter what you do, or what you say, or how much you contribute and how hard you work, nothing seems to matter, or make much of a difference.

I have recently heard two horror-filled stories from very close friends in relation to the later.

For them, work just flat-out SUCKS, as great as they were/are at their jobs!!!!

Their stories are sad, somewhat pathetic (not on their part, by any means) and appalling.

One of my long-time friends was just given the pink slip from a major corporation he was employed with and dedicated to for over thirty years.

Yes, over 30 years!!!!

He worked in the state, regional and national offices for this sales-driven conglomerate.

He made the company millions of dollars 100 times over.

With just three years to go before collecting social security, and after having his most successful financial year ever in 2011, he was given the dreaded “you’re no longer needed” notice a few days after the New Year.

The reason: Headquarters said they were doing away with his position.

Yeah, right!!!

That’s it. That was all he was told. And – get this — then the company offered him a paltry 10 weeks of severance pay and a minimal batch of benefits.

Hiring an attorney seems to be in the not so distant future.

This for a highly-successful and decorated businessman and company leader who gave 32 years of blood, sweat and tears for his bosses and co-workers.

A company man all the way.

Yes, he made millions in salary and stock options, but he was so disrespected in every sense of the word on his way out the door, which they slammed shut behind him.

Now that’s PLAYING – UH, WORKING –ON AN UNEVEN PLAYING FIELD if anything is, and as he said, he never say it coming because there was just no WRITING ON THE WALL.

Then, just the other day, another good friend of mine, RJ Wobblestein of Midwood in Brooklyn, came over for dinner, a luscious homemade vegetarian dinner at that, and violently cried on my shoulder about how he too was not PLAYING ON AN EVEN PLAYING FIELD at work.

RJ’s eyes welled with puppy tears of sadness, and as he added, tears of a clown because he had been played for a fool.

RJ is a gifted male ballet dancer from Dallas with a world of potential. His artistic tip-toeing skills are second to none. RJ possesses the beautiful grace of a gazelle, the immense strength of a bull, and the enlightening smile of an angel.

But for the third time in 16 months, the University of Texas grad was overlooked for a leading role in a performace that would have taken him to major venues around the globe.

RJ has been with his ballet company for three years, but doesn’t play the kiss-up role to anyone.

Wobblestein said in a weakened voice to me that it might be time for him to move on and take an insurance sales job as an independent agent working for himself since he already has his accident, health and life licenses.

“If I can’t make it on my own merit, on my skill level and my overall desire, I don’t want the spot, no matter how bad I want it or how much it truly means to me,” Wobblestein said, head buried in his hands, sobbing away. “That’s the way things should be. Our production manager and producer always gives the best roles to the dancers that kiss up to them. It’s dreadfully disgusting.”

It’s also, RJ, called PLAYING ON AN UNEVEN PLAYING FIELD.

And now, RJ, do u see the WRITING ON THE WALL?

Hope so.

It’s time to move on Wobblestein.

Go sell some insurance.

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There’s no denying that modern medicine has had an overall positive effect on sports, allowing players to come back from injuries that would have ended careers even a few decades ago.  Cortisone shots get players back on the field after seemingly devastating ankle sprains and allow pitchers to continue throwing the baseball when they’re as old as Jamie Moyer.  Tommy John surgery not only brings pitchers back, sometimes they even come back stronger than they were before.

Doctors can now attach toes to hands when thumbs go missing and unless you look closely or know what you’re looking for, you’d never even notice.  Organ transplants happen everyday and surgeons even performed a face transplant on a woman who was mauled by a chimp.   I can personally attest to the transformative medicinal power of lasers after undergoing Lasik and waking to find that I could see without glasses for the first time in my life.

No, medicine is truly amazing. Except for one thing:

It’s 2012 and still, here we are.

-A

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The Buckeyes opened up as a 2 point favorite, but the money has been steaming in, pushing the line up to OSU -4, as of Saturday morning. That has a lot to do with the ease with which Ohio State has been putting teams away these last 2 weeks, winning by an average of over 22 points.

Also, the Buckeyes have revenge on their minds. Last year when they visited Madison, they were 24-0 and the top ranked team in the country. In that game, they had a 15 point lead in the 2nd half. But the Badgers star guard Jordan Taylor caught fire, scoring 21 points in the 2nd half, and led Wisconsin to a 71-67 win.

Ohio State has not won at Wisconsin since 2000.  But all teams have had difficulty beating the Badgers at Kohl Stadium. Under coach Bo Ryan, Wisconsin ended 2011 with an incredible  home record of 120-10 over the 8 year span, including going 61-5 in Big 10 games. At one point they had won 38 in a row on their home court.

This year, however, they have not been as dominant, going just 11-3 at home. This Saturday’s game is the biggest of the season, and the home crowd should be raring to go and will be a huge factor.

Both teams play excellent defense. Wisconsin is ranked first in all Division 1 hoops, giving up just 49.5 points a game. Ohio State is ranked 7th, allowing just 55.6. So this should be a low-scoring, grind-it-out type game. Its the type of game that: A. favors the home team, and B. is a game when you would prefer to have the underdog. You get both with the Wisconsin Badgers.

The Buckeyes have the edge on overall talent. They are led by player of the year candidate forward Jared Sullinger, who averages 17 ppg and 9 rebounds. Deshaun Thomas and William Buford both average around 15 ppg, and can light it up on any given day.

Wisconsin is sparked by their unquestioned leader, senior point guard Jordan Taylor. Taylor puts up 14.1 ppg and averages 4.3 assists a game. He will need to limit turnovers and play his best basketball in order for the Badgers to spring the upset. Being that he is a senior, I expect that he will be poised under fire, and will bring his “A” game.

These teams play again on Feb 28th, at Ohio State. So, if Wisconsin does win, Ohio State will have a chance to get them on their home court. It will be a whole different story that day.

But today, I look for Wisconsin to play inspired ball, in front of the fired-up crowd, and put on a show. I give the Badgers a big chance to win the game outright, I like them a lot to keep the game within a bucket, win or lose …

The Pick:

****** Wisconsin, +4

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Italian Hour’s new podcast is available starring Nicolette Tropiano, Karen Ciasca Zeltman, and Anthony Campeggio. Italian Hour covers the world of entertainment, dining and wine, and Philadelphia sports.

You can listen on MTRMedia.com’s new 24/7 online radio station by clicking here.  You can hear the show On Demand by clicking here. You can also subscribe to our Podcast in iTunes. (Search for MTRMedia.com) or listen by clicking on the link below.

Listen to MTR Radio on your Android Device by clicking here, on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod by downloading our FREE new app from the iTunes Store (search for MTR Radio), or on your Windows Phone, Blackberry, Palm, and Samsung Bada by clicking here for the FREE app. Search for MTR Radio and add it to your presets.

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Italian Hour with 2012 Wingbowl winner Takeru Kobayashi and manager Maggie.

Italian Hour’s Karen Ciasca Zeltman and Nicolette Tropiano interview 2012 Wingbowl Champion Takeru Kobayashi in an exclusive interview at Tony Luke’s in Philadelphia just a few hours after he won the competition by eating 337 wings.

Listen to Italian Hour live every Friday at 9pm EST on MTRRadio.com.

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By CARY WALDMAN

The fitness industry is a big-time business.

Over 50 million Americans – one-sixth of the United States population – participate in one form or another of fitness training to further develop their minds, bodies and souls.

And most importantly, to help them enjoy and live healthier lifestyles.

There are an estimated 80,000 gyms and fitness centers of varying degrees spread throughout our 50 states.

Some 25,000 are health spas. Close to 19,000 are health studios and gymnasiums. Just under $25 billion dollars are netted from membership fees alone. And approximately 500,000 people are employed by this industry.

The majority of people, both young and old, use gyms, from large franchises to small mom-and-pop facilities, to get their workout fixes.

Of course, there are hundreds of other great and creative ways to stay fit, but the majority hit the gym, fitness center and spa to sweat, get their hearts bumping and the endorphins flowing full speed ahead.

Carol and Gary Scott play intricate roles in giving gym goers the biggest bang for their buck.

“It’s just amazing how far the fitness industry has come over the past two decades,’’ Carol said. “It’s sometimes hard to believe.”

The Long Beach, Long Island residents created a local fitness training and seminar convention company 20 years ago out of their home that has become one the largest of its kind, especially on the east coast, particularly here in New York City.

The East Coast Alliance (ECA) was created by the Scotts in 1991 after dabbling in different, diverse areas of the fitness industry for over a decade.

The dynamic wife and husband tandem changed their company’s name to ECA World Fitness Alliance in 1994 when they realized their popular product was also a fit for other parts of the country (Dallas and Las Vegas).

Carol is the CEO. Gary is the COO.

Even their 11-year-old son Jesse, a sixth grader, helps out. To many who know the Scott trio, they are often called, “The Three Musketeers.’’

“Jesse keeps asking us all the time when can he instruct a class,” Gary chuckled. “We love this being a family business. We complement each other in every way.”

Their conventions in Manhattan, Fort Lauderdale, Boston and out West introduce gym owners, trainers and class fitness instructors to the newest workout machines, training schemes and state-of-the-art class-oriented techniques.

Also included are lectures, workshops and cutting edge workout formats and presentations featuring many of the top trainers and instructors from around the country.

“Fitness is still evolving,’’ said Carol, 52, who started her career in the industry three decades ago when one of her class instructors didn’t show for a class she was taking, so she subbed.

The rest is history.

“Group fitness used to be a jack of all trades,” Carol continued. “Now it’s really an area of expertise. You still have instructors who teach several different types of classes. Our organization brings all the newest things together related to this industry into one setting.”

“We love what we do,” said Gary, 53, who started as a personal trainer before developing and owning a small-sized gym out on the Island. “We’ve come a long way over the years. And there’s still tremendous potential for overall growth.”

The 2012 event here in New York City will attract professionals from all segments of the industry on March 8^th though the 11^th at the Marriott Marquis in Manhattan. The ECA/OBOW NYC 2012 Fitness Show is expected to draw close to 3,000 participants. Many of this city’s finest fitness gurus will be in attendance eager to learn the newest tricks of their trade.

The Scotts employ eight full time employees who work in an office in the back of their home. The convention will also be hosted by 40 workers, 100 volunteers and 100 presenters.

 “We know this show will be the best one we have ever had,” said Carol. “We work all year-round to make certain of that. We are excited to bring the best of everything to our attendees.”

Gary also hosts instructor training seminars in New York City and out on the Island twice a year.

“The fitness business has been great to Carol and I,” said Gary. “We enjoy giving back because of what it has afforded us. We love helping people better their life, lifestyle and professions.”

Carol is also a noted public speaker and author. She is presently writing a book, “The Seven Secrets of Success.”

At one recent networking event in Manhattan, she spoke about her “Seven Secrets of Success,” which are streamlined to unlock one’s potential and to help them learn how to avoid the pitfalls that stand between people and their ultimate dreams.

Carol discussed how individuals can conquer all the barriers that get in their way, thus helping them make more money, create more happiness, and subsequently, opportunity.

 Here’s her “Seven Secrets to Success”: Fill or Create a Need; Have a unique or excellent Brand; Differentiate yourself from the pack; Create Disciples; Tell the World; Don’t Be Afraid to Fail or make a Mistake and Keep innovating.

  ” I have always felt that people are held back by their own boundaries,” Carol said, “And I have found great fulfillment in being able to help people shed those boundaries and reach their potential. I have always used fitness as a medium to create change and bring joy into people’s lives.”

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