Grateful 365 days/year…

When I think of what I am grateful for, the list is honestly endless. Gratitude is a fullness of life. The ability to see gratitude and everything – whether good or bad – is freeing. It brings the whole process of gratitude full circle, allowing us to learn and be full of gratitude in ways we never thought possible.  

I am grateful for so many things in my life that I can’t describe. Here’s just a few that come to my mind.

My wife.

My 3 girls.

My 7 grandchildren which is growing to 9 in May ’22 with my oldest daughter having twins!

My health.

My 3 son-in-laws.

My Mom and Dad.

My brother.

My friends and acquaintances.

My jobs.

My hobbies.

My skin cancer.

Life Is Grand…DO Grateful. DO Always Smile. DO Stay Happy. DO Give people hugs. Don’t Complain. DO Positive. DO Work Hard, DO Play Hard. DO Relax Harder. Say: I Love You, Please, Thank You and You’re Welcome. Laugh. Cry. Love.  Never talk about money, religion or politics. Put down your phone when driving. Listen to LOUD good music. Slow down, everything will get done. Do good for people. Leave your road rage in your residence. Let People Merge on Expressways. Use your turn signals. Life is short, enjoy everyday! Take your “ME” time daily. Call people on the phone.

Be grateful for intangible blessings such as improved health, financial stability and personal growth. Live life to the fullest. Be grateful for what you have and what you’ve earned. 

I could bore you with all the details of everything I’m grateful in my life, but I’ll just describe the most grateful thing in my life: MY WIFE!

My wife. Is the hardest working woman that I know. What she does for her family and me can’t always be talked about with words. Just witnessing with my own 2 eyes as to what she does for people is heartbreaking and rewarding. She does for others when others are not expecting something. I’ve seen her randomly give my girls and grandchildren something just to do it. She never expects anything in return. The kindness in her heart is just what she gives, She would do anything for anybody and the fanfare is not something that she publicly needs to announce to the world. I love her.

Talk / Text / Email me… Anytime.

Rick Gosser

talk or text  219-808-9888

email: gosserrick@sbcglobal.net

web: http://www.rickgosser.com

How old is old? Only as old as you feel.

I think back to when I was young, growing up and remember that first day when someone asked me How old is old? Well when you’re in your middle school years, 20 is old. When you are in your 20’s, 30 is old. When you are in your 30’s, 40 is old. When you are in your 40’s, 50 is old. You can see the pattern here. I became a runner at the young age of 51 after losing 135# during my 50th and 51st year of life. Before that I was just an average obese person who kept saying: I need to go on a diet.” For so many years I just kept buying larger clothes to fit my body as it got bigger. Nothing is worse than trying to wear clothes that are too small and feeling uncomfortable. It was just easier to keep buying the next size up thinking that I was going to lose weight and fit back into that size that was too small. When we went on vacation or visited an amusement park, it was normal (well, maybe not normal) for me to sit on a bench outside of a roller coaster and be asleep when everyone got off the ride. Oh, there is Dad… sleeping again! They would abruptly wake up me up and I’d say “I’m not sleeping, just resting my eyes.” In reality, I could sleep anywhere, anytime, anyplace and never even cared what other people thought. Like I said, it was normal for me. I was always tired. Being over 300# surely didn’t help.

In 2010, I had that light bulb click on in my head that said, enough is enough, I’m sick and tired of being, sick and tired. I weighed it at 310# when I finally decided to get serious and set a goal to lose 100#. What began at 310#, ended at my lowest weight of 175#. In 2011, I had emergency detached retina surgery and I had to have a quick physical the afternoon before my night surgery ands the doctor said I was too skinny. People kept asking me “Are you sick?, My response was YES… I was sick and tired of weighing 310# and I finally decided to do something about it.

Back to old age thing… at the young age of 51 and finally being fit, it was time to do some adventureous things that I never could do when I was fat. I losely can use the “F” word, FAT because for so many years I had been there, done that.

After I turned 51, the adventures began running and completing the 2013 Chicago Marathon. I say completing, because 1-2% of the people who start that marathon, don’t finish it. So, between 500-900 people start but don’t finish. I also never fell down, vomited, crawled or passed out… Just finished! Those were my 5 marathon goals. I clearly remember a women who told me in 2012 that I could never run a marathon. “You Can’t Do That.” I ran the 2013 Chicago Mararthon! The 18-week training program was enough to kill me, but I was committed to running it. I don’t need to run a marathon every month to say that I’m a Marathoner… One and done is fine by me, I will always be a Marathoner!

Speaking of accomplishments, I’ve been able to do many since 2010 all after the age of 50:

Lost 135#’s

Got braces

Was on the NBC Today Show for losing over 100#’s

Had knee surgery

Had cataract eye surgery

Had emergency detached retina eye surgery

Ran 10-1/2 Marathons

Ran the 2013 Chicago Marathon 

Had my varicose veins removed in my legs in 2013

Skydived out of airplanes ✈️ at 18,000’

Did 8-Hustle Up the Hancock stair climbs

Got scuba diving certified 

Became a Triathlete 🏊‍♂️ 🚴 🏃 

Biked 🚴 numerous 100-milers all in one day

Welcomed 7 grandchildren into my life

Travel the world, thanks to my wife

Became a licensed softball and baseball umpire

Fast forward to 2021… at the young age of 62… I am once again having my varicose veins removed in my legs! I continue to watch 3/4 grandkids 3-days a week, I continue to umpire softball or baseball 5-6 nights a week (now indoors for the winter).

So, if you are down and out and think you will not, you won’t or you can’t do something in life… re-think and say YES, YOU CAN! Age set aside, everything is POSSIBLE, anything is POSSIBLE.

Talk / Text / Email me… Anytime.

Rick Gosser

talk or text  219-808-9888

email: gosserrick@sbcglobal.net

Weight loss, I’m not an expert or perfect! Just been there and done that many times over!

October 1, 2016 and I’m still 30# overweight! Ugh! As an overweight person most of my life and being 57 years old, losing weight has been like that roller coaster at an amusement park. It goes up and down and up and down and up and down. It’s always a struggle to get to that ideal weight in my mind. I’m not sure how to define that “ideal weight”, but my doctor said I was “too skinny” back in 2010 after I lost 135# to get to 175#. People started asking me if I was sick and I would say, NO, I just lost a lot of weight. My doctor said the charts say I should be right around 200#, the ideal weight for my age and height.

This year (2016) has been incredible:

I climbed the stairs for the 7th time at the Hustle Up The Hancock in Chicago. 812 stairs and 52 floors.
I ran #9 1/2 Marathon in Indianapolis… The Indy Mini!
I got scuba diving certified! Now I can swim 60′ down below the surface of the water with a buddy!
I did my 1st Triathlon. 1/4 mile swim in Lake Michigan, 12.5 mile bike ride, 5K run.
I biked my 1st 100-mile ride all in one day in Three Oaks, MI. I was literally pedaling for 8-hours!
I vacationed in Italy, Florida, Boston and Vermont!
I no longer have to take cholesterol medicine! Woot! Woot! No meds for me!

All while being overweight by 30#. The best part is I’m not 310# like I was back in 2009. I’m my hardest critic. I have to always remember that I have lost over 100#.

Back on 12.31.09 I weighed 310# and that’s the day that changed my life forever. I was tested for sleep apnea with the expectation of being hooked up to and sleeping with a new bed partner every night “The C-Pap Machine.” They told me I was free and clear of sleep apnea, but that I probably should lose some weight. Ya think, I weighed 310# at the age of 50. I was ready to lose weight.

Losing weight will always be a challenge for me, BECAUSE I LIKE TO EAT.

My ideal weight is to be right at 200# to be healthy, happy and good looking. LOL

Back to 2010, with no pills, no potions and no surgeries… Good ‘ole exercise and following the Joy Bauer Book YOUR INNER SKINNY and I was inducted into her Joy Fit Club on 11.29.10 for losing over 100#. I was even on TV: Here is my 5-minutes of celebrity fame (My FAT video), LIVE from the NBC Today Show 11.29.10 http://www.today.com/id/26184891/#40417906

Fast forward to 10/1/16… I’m 30# over my ideal weight. It’s not easy, and it’s been a bumpy road full of ups and downs. And it is still a struggle every day. There’s just not enough out there about food addiction. Being overweight and obese is a food addiction. I had a lady last week say to me when I was eating a Weight Watchers ice cream “hey, aren’t you on a diet?” First of all it’s not any of her business. But, I did reply: Nope, I don’t do diets. I’m not ready for the first 3 letters of that word, DIEt. It’s a lifestyle food change for me. I choose what goes in my mouth, not anyone else.

So, here I go on another ride… Hoping this one stops at my ideal weight!

Rick Gosser
219-808-9888
gosserrick@sbcglobal.net

If it’s important you’ll find a way, if it’s not you’ll find an excuse.

Forrest Gump’s Mama said, “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” I thought about that quote when I recently watched the movie, and it hit me. I try to live my life on the positive side of the coin and encourage people to do the same with the hope to inspire as many as I can. Back in 2009, my life changed dramatically as I went on a mission to lose weight when I tipped the scale I stood on at 310#. My initial thought was how am I going to lose 100#. I was tested for sleep apnea with the thought of having to wear a C-PAP machine when sleeping for the rest of my life. The good news was I didn’t have sleep apnea, but I was FAT. I got up the next morning after I heard 1/2 the good news and started walking with Molly & Belle (Our family dogs). My first time around the block was exhausting. I weighed 310#, so any kind of exercise would of been just that. I tell people all the time “Ya gotta walk before ya can run.” and I’m not really referring to becoming a runner. It’s just things in life. Don’t make excuses for why you can’t get it done. Focus on all the reasons why you must MAKE IT HAPPEN.

Make a long story short, I lost 135# in 10-months in 2010 and I became a runner and a person who exercises everyday. A man who jumps out of airplanes for fun. I’ll try anything once and if I like it, I’ll do it again over and over.

Right around Christmas 2015, someone asked me if I was going to do another weight loss challenge. I mean I am human, so I to did gain 34# back that does not make me happy. So, I created the “Nip Your Waist 2016 Weight Loss Challenge.” The thought was everyone pays $20 and the person who loses the highest % of body fat in 12 weeks wins all the cash. I blasted it all over Facebook for 2 days and 15 people said YES! This thing was happening quick. First weigh-in date was 12/28/15 and people had to pay by 1/8/16. The only reason I did this was to re-motivate me to Get Fit for Life and lose my 34#. People motivate people. Many people started to pay and then 3 more people said YES to joining late, so I said sure because I didn’t want to discourage anyone from getting on the path to success of losing weight. People have to take a picture of their scale weight every Monday and text it to me. Everyone was given a random # and those results would be posted on Facebook showing the running % of weight loss every week. It’s all anonymous and only I know who has what number and what they weigh. I’m not telling anyone who is who.

I said if you don’t pay by 1/8/16, you are out. It’s an accountability thing. We are all busy and chasing money for weight loss challenge was not one thing I really wanted to do. We are all adults, if you are in… you’re in and if you’re not… it’s just another excuse. 1/8/16 came and only 9 out of 18 people paid. So I thought maybe I’ll just send out a little reminder to “motivate” the ones that may need the inspiration the most. Then the excuses started coming in from “I’m not getting in because your text was rude, it slipped my mind, I forgot to mail the check, the checks in the mail, please remove me from the challenge because I’ve been getting sales pitches via texts from people.” Nobody is too busy, it’s just a matter of priorities. I just tried to make it fun for people by putting a little spin on losing weight. Pay $20, lose weight and may the winner WIN. All 16 people now will be winners in many ways, because of we can all lose some weight in 12-weeks (which we will), we will all be WINNERS!

Make whatever you do in life important. Find a way.
If you don’t, it’s just an excuse.

Rick Gosser
219-808-9888
gosserrick@sbcglobal.net

How To Improve Your Concentration!

Are distractions getting the best of you? Are you having problems concentrating? Or, does your head feel like it’s full of cobwebs? You may be experiencing mental block—something we all encounter from time to time. It’s when deadlines are pressing and ideas aren’t flowing that work may become especially stressful. Share these simple tips to improve your concentration as well as that of your team:

* Meditate: Meditation has the power to recharge tired minds; improve focus, memory and creativity; and increase energy. A simple online search will return several meditation apps that can help guide the process, but the concept is quite simple—all one needs to do is sit quietly with eyes closed and focus on breathing. You may even consider providing ear buds to help your team members quiet and focus themselves.

* Eat smart food: Include smart foods in your daily diet, such as blueberries, salmon, avocado, eggs, nuts, leafy greens and even dark chocolate, to optimize brainpower and improve concentration. On the same note, avoid highly processed foods or those loaded with saturated fat and sugar. Consuming these foods can affect focus and productivity. If you bring donuts to the morning meeting or award employees with food, opt instead for an array of fresh fruit or mixed nuts.

* Exercise: Regular exercise is associated with improved concentration, reasoning, problem solving and memory. It can provide temporary respite from everyday stressors and work-related concerns, and boost energy in the process. Participants need not adopt the latest extreme home workout video or challenge. In fact, walking just two miles or cycling for ten miles five days a week may improve the brain’s health and performance. Even a short, impromptu power walk can clear your mind and invite focus. Encourage regular exercise with a friendly challenge. Invite employees to log their daily miles or minutes for a chance to win a health tracker, personal fitness kit or walking kit.

* Succumb to distraction: Sometimes, succumbing to distraction is a better strategy than fighting it. If your mind is wandering, consider indulging in whatever is tempting you. For instance, checking emails, browsing social media or sending that text you vowed to put off until after your project was complete may be just the temporary respite you need. Taking a quick break and allowing yourself to temporarily lose focus allows you to turn your attention back to work when ready.

* Turn on the background noise: Findings from a Journal of Consumer Research study show that small levels of background noise can actually heighten focus and creativity. Working at a local coffee shop or listening to relaxing music may boost concentration.

Use these helpful tips to say “goodbye” to mental block and “hello” to focus, memory and creativity. Good luck!

Rick Gosser
219-808-9888
email: gosserrick@sbcglobal.net
web: http://www.rickgosser.com

#8 Half-Marathon is in the books! How important is training!

Although I complete my 8th 1/2 Marathon on 9/13/15… It was not pretty!

Many runners race a 1/2 marathon every weekend, but when I was 310# back in 2010, the thought of even running was mind boggling to me. Now 135# lighter, the thought of running is contagious. As a runner it’s an addiction. A good addiction, but messes with your mind when I really can’t run because of an injury.

8 weeks into my training program I hurt my left knee while dancing at my 3rd daughter’s wedding. Although the idea of dancing all night was good, the jumping up and down with the little kids was not. I suffered some knee issues which ultimately affected my running training for this half marathon.

Completing a scheduled training program is crucial when deciding to run a long race.

In 2009 I weighed 310# and was morbidly obese according to the weight charts of being 6′-1″ and my % of body fat at 39%. It wasn’t until I was tested for sleep apnea and told that I didn’t have it, but probably should lose some weight. LOL, some weight… I was FAT and just sick and tired of being sick and tired. That little light bulb came on in my head which said “Hey, fat dumb ass, you better lose weight so you can be around to see your girls have grand children.

I set a goal in August 2010 to lose 100# by Thanksgiving 2010. On 11.1.10, I had lost 105# all of my own with no pills, no potions and no surgeries. Just good ‘ole exercise and following the book “Your Inner Skinny” written by Joy Bauer from the NBC Today Show. However, being 175# was not my ideal weight. People kept asking me are you sick. So based on the weight charts my ideal weight was going to be 200#.

As a FAT person, it’s so easy to fall back into those bad habits of just eating wrong and getting lazy. Therefore, I’ve gained some weight back, so now I’m on a mission to lose 30# by 7.14.15 to get measured for the Father’s Tuxedo for my last daughter’s wedding in August 2015.

Now that #8 is over, the idea of buying a bicycle is on my mind. Maybe this whole running thing is for people who are not suffering from knee pain. Riding a bike is probably better for my knees. Maybe I’ll give it a whirl.

Rick Gosser
219-808-9888
gosserrick@sbcglobal.net

Never ever say never… you still have time. MAKE THAT CHANGE in Your LIFE!

Back in the day… when I was younger, married with 3 daughters and we would go on a vacation, I could sleep
anywhere, anytime and in any position on anything. It was always the family joke, “Dad’s sleeping again.” The old: who, what, when, where, why.

Who?… was watching, I didn’t care.
What?… was the reason… I was fat.
When?… anytime and just because.
Where?… anywhere and in any position.
Why?… why not, it was the thing to do.

In the end, I was just sick and tired of always sleeping. So in 2009, when I was picked up by a police officer for sleeping at a stop sign at 11:30pm with no alcohol involved and I was hooked up to a Breathalyzer machine (and passed)… The light bulb went on! I need to lose some weight so that I stop sleeping, eating and working.

It’s Never. Ever. Too Late in LIFE to GET FIT. NEVER! Make that CHANGE!

After being tested for sleep apnea in early 2010 and being told I didn’t have sleep apnea, but that I should lose probably lose some weight… PROBABLY? I weighed 310#! At the same time I made this decision, I also decided that my crooked teeth needed some attention after 50 years, so I decided to get braces. YES, braces at the age of 50! February 2010 I was fitted for braces that were going to be one for 19 months. I’m also hard headed so I didn’t want any broken brackets and followed the DO NOT EAT food. So hand-in-hand this CHANGE in my life was gonna happen.

Making a long story short… I lost 135# in 10 months and never broke a bracket in 19 months. I was not on a D.I.E.T., because I’m wasn’t quite ready for the first 3 letters of that word. It was a lifestyle food change for me. The book my wife bought written by Joy Bauer “Your Inner Skinny”, not only saved my life but made me a believer that I could do anything in my life.

LIFE after 50 years old!
I lost 135#.
I have straight teeth and a beautiful smile.
I became a runner… 5K’s, 10K’s, 15K’s, 1/2 Marathons, and even a MARATHONER (Chicago 2013).
I was on National TV (see my fat video on my website), http://www.rickgosser.com
I am in a book published in 2012 (my weight lose story), The Joy Fit Club Cookbook, Diet Plan & Inspiration.
I walked 2 of my daughters down the aisle to get married, and the 3rd one on 8/15/15.
I am a grandfather to a sweet baby boy (May 2015). Our “LITTLE MAN”.
I will be a grandfather times 2 in September 2015. Our ‘LITTLE LILY”, a girl.
I have been married 36 years to my high school sweetheart.
I have skydived and jump out of airplanes for fun.
I have been the Fenway Park to see my Boston Red Sox during the 2013 World Series post-season.
I have ran up the stairs of the John Hancock Building in Chicago many times.

I could go on and on, but my point is… If you ever think doing the things in life is TOO LATE, then think again and make that CHANGE. I CHANGED MY LIFE… CHANGED MY ENERGY… CHANGED MY BUSINESS… Just because I decided to lose 100# in 2010. All of the things above have been done after I decided to make a CHANGE.

And so can YOU!

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Rick Gosser
219-808-9888
sales@gossercorpsales.com
http://www.gossercorpsales.com

Get Fit For Life… Just not an expert!

Today is 1.29.15 and I’m feeling really good about getting Fit For Life.

Today, I read an article about Drinking Water.

Drinking water in the morning will give you energy, starts your rehydration, and will help you lose weight.

– The water you drink first think will kick up your metabolism right away and the coldness seems to be a bit invigorating.

– When you drink water in the morning you will find that you have less appetite since you already have the water in your stomach fooling your brain into thinking that you are not hungry.

– We lose our hydration at night from breathing out moist air and since we take nothing in and are losing water to digestion we really do get dehydrated.

On 1.25.15 I jumped on the scale and weighed 227.6, up 10# from 12.31.14… SHIT! What I am doing?

This week I started back on drinking a crap load of water, and eating less. By drinking water, it fills me up and I eat less. As of today 1.29.15, I weighed 220.2 down 7.4#. NOTE TO SELF: STOP eating, START drinking more water.

My goal in 2015 is to get back to my goal weight of 200#.

Losing weight will always be a challenge for me, BECAUSE I LIKE TO EAT.

Rick Gosser
219-808-9888
gosserrick@sbcglobal.net

TOO SKINNY! My lifetime struggle with weight… A good 2014!

Today, 12.31.14 and I stepped on the scale for the last time in 2014 expecting to be lighter than I was on 12.31.13 RESULTS = Down 6#. Some will say “so what” six pounds, but to a 55 year old young man who has always struggled with being FAT & OBESE, that’s a huge number.

Back on 12.21.09 I weight 310# and that’s the day that changed my life forever. I was tested for sleep apnea with the expectation of being hooked up to and sleeping with a new bed partner every night “The C-Pap Machine.” When they told me I was free and clear of sleep apnea I was ready to lose weight.

With no pills, no potions and no surgeries… Fast forward to 11/2011, I lost 135#. Good ‘ole exercise and following the Joy Bauer Book YOUR INNER SKINNY and I was inducted into her JoyFitClub on 11.29.10

My real point is losing all of that weight was awesome, but I did gain back and weight has always been like a roller coaster for me. In the winter of 2014, I gained 40# in 3 months and lost 35# of that during The Greatest Weight Loss Challenge I, where 12 friends said hey let’s lose weight. We all paid $20 each to do it and winner take all after 12 weeks. Well, I won that challenge. I’m #42.

And in Challenge II, I was #6… It was hard to win this one as I lost 23# in Challenge I.

Losing weight will always be a challenge for me, BECAUSE I LIKE TO EAT.

Weighing 175# in 2011 was actually TOO SKINNY!!! People were asking me are you sick. I didn’t need to weight 175# to be healthy. I need to be right at 200# to be healthy, happy and good looking. LOL

My 2015 goal is to get back to my ideal weight 200#. So today is my last indulgence, as 2015 starts 1.1.15.

Who’s with me?

Rick Gosser
219-808-9888
gosserrick@sbcglobal.net

Stupidly gained 40# of weight over the winter. Lost weight and won $$$

I have done many stupid things in my life. One of the worst was allowing myself to buy a XXXXL shirt back in 2009 and to get my poundage up to 310#. It was that shocking size of a shirt that made me decide to lose weight one more time in my life. I lost 135# in 2010. The long winter of 2014 we all faced was bad in many ways. For me, it lead to gaining 40#, and I wasn’t having a baby. Just one more stupid thing I allowed myself (ME) to do. On tax day 2014 (4/15), I decided it was time to lose that 40# forever. Since that tax day I’ve lost 35# (7/1/14 weigh-in) and will not stop until that 40# is gone. My biggest help this time around has been T25 and Shakeology daily. I’ve promised myself that the only roller coasters I’m going on are the ones that go fast and upside down and eventually stop. Happy 4 1/2 years later to be wearing size LARGE shirts. One thing that I didn’t mention is I’ve done all of this in my 50’s. In July 2014, I’m turning 55. Never to old or to young to get Fit For Life. Want some info on what I’m doing, just ask me.Some people never have or never will struggle with being overweight, but for those that have or still do, I hope this helps you and ME since I struggle with this every day of my life.

But now that has changed and I’m feel like Michael Jordan “I’M BACK”. On 4.21.14 I weighed in for the Greatest Loser Challenge and in addition to that I started T25 fitness challenge to stay Fit For Life.

On 6.16.14 I weighed in and had lost 8.5% of my body and was the WINNER of The Greatest Loser Challenge. I lost 19# in the challenge and the highest % of body amongst 11 contestants.

You too can join this T25 challenge with me. It’s an exercise program that you do in your house for 25-minutes a day. No equipment is needed or required. http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BCPT25205?referringRepId=386623

My motto: If YOU are not moving, YOU are not losing… If YOU say YOU can’t, YOU won’t… I know believe ME! My point is if YOU say YOU can’t, YOU won’t, and that has to do with everything in life. Do some kind of exercise everyday and keep moving. If YOU are moving, YOU are losing something. At the end of the day, YOU will feel better that YOU accomplished something today, that YOU didn’t do yesterday. The thing about it is, YOU have to do it everyday.

Never say “NO” to anything YOU want to accomplish in life. Just go for it!

Watch my video from my appearance on the NBC Today Show back in November 2010 when I was inducted into the Joy Bauer Fit Club for losing over 100#. SeeVideo

Rick Gosser
219-808-9888
gosserrick@sbcglobal.net