Looking for life beyond the edge.

So, September came and went. I’ve been busy beyond what I ever thought I’d be. I promise that I’m going to return to blogging… soon. In the meantime I had a question that I thought I’d throw out there for my readers to comment on.

I’m not normally one to talk about current issues but this is something that is starting to come “close to home” for me so I thought I’d throw it out there. I am currently a customer of National City Bank (NYSE: NCC) and have my main checking and savings there. Since there has been all these troubles with banks and corporations like WaMu, AIG, Freddie and Fannie, Wachovia, etc… I started watching the financial sector on a regular basis (thanks to Google Finance) and have watched my bank TANK.

So now there are rumors of National City Bank shopping around for a buyer. I know the last thing that you’re supposed to do is panic, run out and withdraw everything you have but let’s just get honest here. I really don’t feel like dealing with my bank being purchased. If it was like Chase buying them it’s one thing but the two “rumored” banks are PNC Financial Services Group Inc. and Bank of Nova Scotia. I am not thrilled by either one.

This brings me to a question, short of pulling out my money and keeping it taped behind my toilet and under my mattress who would you suggest I go to for a bank? Before anyone suggests it, please read this – I WILL NOT JOIN A CREDIT UNION. I’ve been a member of several credit unions in the area and HATE THEM ALL. Maybe it is the ones in the area or the ones I qualify to join but they don’t offer competitive rates, lower fees and “extras” that everyone on the internet touts credit unions having. With the credit unions that I’ve been a part of they’re highly inconvenient because they have limited branches and I’ve always had trouble with customer service (just ask me about how one credit union tried to steal $125.00 in cash from me at an ATM then only after I forced the bank manager to watch the security footage did they refund my money and subsequent NSF fees). 

Currently I’m thinking about moving to Chase but I’m open to advice. Here’s what I’m looking for:

• Abundance of ATMs or “No ATM Fees”
• Some type of rewards program, current I receive two points for every dollar I spend via check card, up to 200 points on “debit” transactions, 25 per bill pay and check.
• EXCELLENT Online Banking Interface (Yet another thing that Credit Unions seem to lack on)
• Obviously has branches in the Central Ohio area
• I am not opposed to suggestions for 100% online banks. My “nest egg” is stored at an online bank (FNBO Direct) and I’m very happy with them but they don’t have a checking program

Have you ever had something happen to you when you were least expecting it and label the event a “coincidence”. Maybe you were feeling down and someone called to ask how you were doing? You’re struggling financially and that bonus or gift shows up unannounced. You feel down on your luck and then suddenly something happens to turn your luck around. Many people call these things coincidences. Things that happen merely by chance. Have you ever thought that it could be God just saying, “Hello.” I am a firm believer that everything, good and bad, happens for a reason. I think my life is living proof of that. Some of the worst situations and events in my life have enabled me to sit here today and be the person I am. Thankfully God gave me an optimistic attitude to help me along the way.

Recently as I’ve been writing “Fitness, Finance and Faith” I’ve been touching on some personal issues in my life. I’ve decided to discontinue “31 Days” as I liked to call it until further notice. A much larger story is playing out in my life right now and I think I’d like to return to my blogging of what is on my heart and mind. If it is fitness, then so be it; finance, great… Right now I have a lot swirling around me spiritually and I’d like to capture some of that and share it with you, my readers (what few are out there). I guess in a sense to return to my “roots of blogging”; to blog about what is going on in life and nothing more. Sure I’m not going to increase readership by the hundreds daily when talking about the personal aspects in life but maybe something I have to share can help someone else along or inspire someone. So, never fear, I’m still keeping up and will do a 31 day summary at the end of the month to let everyone know how I came out and what my thoughts were.

I’ll pickup where I left off in the faith section from 31 days. I did meet with my pastor on Friday. I was late and got to Starbucks and ran inside to find that he just showed up as well (so I didn’t feel terrible). After me being taken back that my pastor rides a Harley Davidson we ordered and sat on the sidewalk in Old Dublin to talk. Now, keep in mind, I’m sitting here thinking that I have no clue what I wanted to ask or say. I asked to meet with him a while back and due to schedules we just couldn’t meet up for two weeks. I seemed to forget my “agenda” I had for the meeting from the day I wrote the letter to actually meeting with Brad, my pastor. I completely believe that was in God’s plan. I was forced to speak from my heart and not mind so we talked.

I noticed that Brad had no agenda either. He simply wanted to talk and see where the conversation lead. After the years of hurt in the church I’ve found it hard to trust pastors. It’s really sad that I feel that way but it is one of those things that after repetitious hurt you form an apprehension when speaking to someone like those from your past. Sitting there I found myself at ease. I easily poured my life out on the table. Sharing everything from my church history to school, family and my life. I listened to Brad as he spoke and he didn’t come across as holier than thou, religious snot, or any other stereotype that you can think of when it comes to “Christians” or “Church-Goers”. Brad came off to me as, human. Human with a heart for people. He actually showed concern and cared about what I had to say. He gave me no “text book” responses but spoke from the heart. Our talk helped me a lot and I continue to relive the moments to think about what was said and continue to pray that God directs me.

From there I spent the weekend helping a friend move. Friday night learned to play the game cornhole. Interjection of humor – I just found out there is an American Cornhole Association – http://www.playcornhole.org/. Please, everyone, take a moment to laugh. Back to the story, so I had a good time and Saturday was a lazy day filled with me coding at home and hanging out with the amazing Katy and doing laundry. Sunday was church and spending time with my family. I found myself going back to church that night to go to the BBQ that the church was having. Now, I’ve only been at the church a few weeks and really don’t know anyone so I figured I’d try this to see if I’d either feel like an outsider or get to know people. Well, everyone will be happy to know that I got to know some of the people from church. I guess most of them attend the early service (9:30 AM) but still it was cool to get to meet them. Talked with my friend Chris and got to hear about some things that God is doing in his life, which I think is awesome.

I still found myself Sunday evening trying to figure out what I’m doing and where I’m going. I think I have a connection at my church and life is changing but I just don’t know where I’m going. It’s one of those, I’m going to walk blind by faith and pray that God leads me where I’m to go. As I continue to toy with this idea in my mind I go to lunch alone today. I couldn’t decide where to go so I figured I’d go to my all time favorite Chinese restaurant on Sawmill, Pei Wei. I get my usual, Honey Chicken with White Rice and a Diet Coke and sit down at my table. I eat my lunch in peace and think about life and what I’m going to do. Lately I think I’ve been chattering too much to hear God. I’m learning how to practice the art of listening to God but it’s a work in progress. I opened my fortune cookie wondering what it would say. When I least expect it I get these small messages… “You do not have to know where you are going to be headed in the right direction.” Only twice this has happened and both times I find myself amazed to find something like this.

Now, I’m not trying to say that God lives in a fortune cookie or makes it His business to speak to His children via Chinese after dinner snacks. I just think that it goes to show that God can speak to us even when we’re not listening. Be it through a song, sermon, Bible, poetry, nature, art or even a fortune cookie… He’s there and He can do it. I’m still learning to let go of the “what direction” and focus on the “next step in front of me” but it takes time. So, for my readers, keep me in your prayers and stick around for the journey. Like my subtitle, I’m looking for life beyond the edge and I think that I’m on the road to find it.

Later,
- JM

Well, it’s update 3 and here I am actually sitting down to write this on an early Saturday evening. I’m impressed that I’ve kept up with the posting. Hopefully you all have been catching the updates, if not, look at the Category 31 Days to read the posts.

Today is just my personal update. I forgot to let Toni and Katy know that I’m updating every three days. I think to save space (and my fingers) I’ll have them post every other update, so be on the lookout next Tuesday for their progress.

Fitness

Well, after taking a short hiatus from training I got back on the ball Friday morning. Due to some things going on at work I was woke up around 4:00 AM on Friday. I decided that instead of going back to bed I would eat breakfast and go to the gym. I did just that and was very proud of myself. I spent about 15 minutes on the treadmill warming up and then switched to 30 minutes of HIIT on an elliptical machine. So, being at the gym extra early I finished and it wasn’t even near time for me to hit the showers so… I decided I’d go look at some of the resistance training equipment/area of the gym.

Now, let me be the first to state that I’m “resistance training stupid”. So I often have a fear of looking stupid while trying to figure out what to do. Thankfully all the weight machines have instructions and are laid out according to the body area you wish to work out so navigating the equipment wasn’t as hard as I thought. Now, coming up with a training plan is a whole other story (more on that later). I hesitantly sat down at the back extension machine to give it a try first. I was kind of nervous because again, I wanted to keep from looking like the gym newbie or making a fool of myself. Then I remembered an article I read the other day about training that said that the first thing you should do at the gym is… chuck your pride at the door. I’ve learned to do that and I’ve also learned that no one cares what you do. Did I feel like an idiot as I did triceps extensions with only 20lbs of resistance? Yep. Did any of the 15 or so people who paraded by me notice or care… not so much. I did about twenty minutes of resistance training when I decided that was enough and it was time for work.

I headed to work and found myself energized and confident to start the day. I have noticed so much more energy throughout the day and I have slept so much better at night. Now granted there have been a few evenings that I’ve taken a nap but I think that’s my body getting adjusted to the fact I went from zero physical activity to 45 – 60 minutes per day now (with a rest on Sunday). It’s getting better, I only took an hour nap today but I did go to the gym for an hour and half (and did resistance training for an hour… can you believe that?) then came home and washed the car in the blazing sun then forgot to eat and ate “lunch” at 3:30… I think that kind of pushed me over the edge. 

Did I mention that I drink water like crazy now? I’ll have a diet drink maybe once or twice in a week… that’s it. I’ve noticed a lot of benefits of the water drinking. I’ve always had dry skin and that has slowly began to clear up without me changing anything besides the increase of water intake. I also agree that drinking water helps you not eat as much. I drink water all day long at work and don’t find myself as hungry as I once was and then eat less at each meal.

I have some tasks this week to do in relation to 31 days and thought I’d share them with you:

1. Create a new eating plan.
   Currently I’m doing what I would call “clean eating” or “making healthier choices”. I cut out fast food, fried food, and all the other things we think of when someone says “bad food for you”. I’ve increased to eating six small meals a day with a good snack before bed (like cottage cheese) and not eating dinner real late. 
2. Create a formal resistance training plan.
3. Increase interval cardio to 45 minutes and change the intervals

Finance

Faith

Back in the day when I was young and very into blogging I used to write in series. It’s been quite some time since I’ve done this and decided that August would be the perfect month to do this. I wanted to do something that was informative yet personal. What better than three important things in my life – Fitness, Finance and Faith.

In talking with people within my circle of friends it seems that I’ve inspired a few to join me on this journey, at least in the fitness aspect. I have two people joining me and we thought it would be cool to bring you the progress of three different people and their 31 days of fitness.

Well, first, you have me. A twenty-something, male, with no previous gym experience and/or resistance training. According to my recent fitness assessment I have a goal of 50+ pounds to lose. I also personally am working on building core and upper body strength at the same time.

Then we have my friend Katy, she’s a twenty-something female who is going to focus on increasing physical activity using the Wii Fit. She’ll be joining us later in the posting as she’s waiting for her new Wii Fit to ship to her.

Finally we have a co-woker of mine who due to the fact that I forgot to ask her if I could use her name, we’ll leave it at co-worker for now. She is recovering from knee surgery and has limited mobility when it comes to exercise. She was excited to take this challenge and wanted to share some of her point of view as to what she is doing to accomplish her goals.

Technically we began on August 1, 2008 but since this wasn’t formally planned I’m going to say the first weekend was transition. Since I’ve not been able to meet with the other two I’ll share five things I’m doing for the 31 days:

1. I joined a gym. I work out 5-6 times a week alternating between weight training and cardio. I tested it out last week and find that I prefer to work out before work because it seems to give me energy for the day.
2. I committed (for the most part) to a regular sleeping schedule. I’m not quite getting 8 hours, but very close. I am now getting up at 4:30 AM and going to bed at 9:00 PM. Tonight being the exception because I had a small allergy issue this weekend and the meds I was on caused me to sleep… A LOT. So I’m wide awake right now but soon will head off to bed.
3. I stopped eating out. I get one meal per week that is not from home (typically on Friday, lunch and whatever I want). Again, tomorrow being the exception for lunch because I was so busy this weekend I couldn’t get to the store. What I do eat will be on my eating plan.
4. I’ve developed and committed to an eating plan. Based of Men’s Health “The Abs Diet” and all around healthy eating I’ve decided to eat much better. I wouldn’t call it a “diet” per se, it is a new way for me to eat. I’ll be sharing more about this in the coming days.
5. I’m “reassessing” all my bills and reducing where I can. Finding ways to save money and/or easily make extra money.