Looking back at 2020, I’ll say a few things and then give one very big reason for hope for everyone for 2021.

We’ve been very fortunate in 2020. Most people had a rougher time than we did. I’m grateful for my health, my wife, my work, my family & my friends.

1/

This was a dreadful year for many. Many contracted COVID or had a family member/close friend do so. Nearly everyone feared it to some extent.

People died alone, kids fell behind in school, many lost employment, and the economic desperation across the country is profound.

2/

I do not underestimate the psychological toll of 2020 on people. We lived in fear for much of the year. We limited human interaction. Churches, schools, offices & bars were closed. Few people took vacation. Lockdowns have a human cost.

It will take time for many to heal.

3/

For us, my work had some uncertainty. I couldn’t travel for business development. My wife worked from home (rather than at the state capitol). She left Austin twice since March (Dallas for Texas-OU and Turks & Caicos for Xmas vacation). She loves travel and needs it.

4/

These realities for us were very minor.

Nearly everyone I know had it worse.

It’s heartbreaking to think of the small businesses that have closed. It’s devastating to see food banks with cars for miles. Without an eviction ban, millions more would be homeless tonight.

5/

It will be important for everyone to come together in 2021. To be kind to each other. To help others. To serve others. To give back.

Especially those who have been fortunate.

You never know what’s going on in someone else’s life.

6/

For us, there were some positives for 2020.

We completed some home projects that we had been wanting to do.

We spent a lot (!) of time with our dogs.

We spent a lot of time together.

And here’s the biggest reason to be hopeful for 2021 ...

7/

I weighed 247 pounds in March.

I would tell myself I wasn’t overweight, but I hated the way I looked, hated that clothes didn’t fit, hated how I felt, and hated that I was on a path to diabetes or heart problems or both.

So I joined Orange Theory.

8/

I liked the treadmill section. The rowing was ok but tough. I didn’t love the weights. But it at least got me doing stuff.

I combined that with a Fitbit, which I’d never had before.

Soon I didn’t need Orange Theory. If I walked 10,000+ steps/day, I could lose weight.

9/

So I started walking everyday. This was mid April. I walked a minimum of six miles everyday. Some days I’d go twice and do 10-12 miles. At least 100 steps/minute.

No days off for two months.

Within three weeks, I was down to 220.

10/

That felt great. But it wasn’t where I needed to be.

So I kept walking.

Some weeks I’d do 100 miles. Most were 45-60 miles. Maybe six days a week.

I’d devote 1.5-2 hours a day to this. Take my phone. Make calls. Listen to podcasts. Listen to music.

11/

I combined that with reasonable dietary changes.

1) No fast food
2) No food after 8:30
3) Limit carbs a bit
4) Eat a little better

I hit a plateau and got down, but I stayed after it. I wanted to get down below 200.

12/

So I kept walking.

There were other benefits.

I got (and kept) a great tan. Every single day someone would tell me how great I looked (that becomes a motivator). And of course I felt better.

In July/Aug, it’s 100 degrees+ every day. I kept walking.

13/

We live in a beautiful area of Austin with hills and a few trails.

It got to where walking was something I looked forward to, not exercise that I dreaded.

It was great time to clear my head.

As the year went on, I kept losing weight.

I’m now 203. Really close to 200.

14/

I tell you this because I want to inspire everyone that reads this. I’ve already inspired several friends who started walking.

Everyone can walk. It’s not hard. It’s not expensive. There is no equipment or skill required.

Determination is the only requirement.

15/

You can’t walk 2-3 days/week. You can’t go for a stroll. You have to walk with purpose at least 6 days/week.

It’s entirely up to you whether you do it. But if you do, I promise you will see results.

No one is more surprised about my this than me.

It’s saved my life.

16/

So the hopeful view for 2021 is this: You can make your life better. Starting right now. Today.

Maybe walking does it for you. Maybe it’s Peloton. Maybe it’s meditation. Maybe it’s a treadmill. Maybe it’s eating better.

There’s a lot we can’t control.

17/

But we can control our choices, our determination and how we spend our time.

Choose wisely.

Make 2021 the best year of your life.

You can.

END