Weight Loss Coaching

Each May, the Berkshire Hathaway shareholders meeting is held at the Century Link Center in Downtown Omaha. This year, nearly 40,000 people descended on this charming Midwestern city to hear Warren Buffett speak. I was one of those people.

Publicly traded companies are required to hold an annual shareholders meeting. Most attract somewhere around 100 shareholders. So you might be wondering, why is this particular meeting so popular?

Simple. It’s an opportunity to listen to the most successful investor of all time answer questions (candidly) about investing, the state of the world and life. And LOTS of folks want to hear what Warren has to say. Check out the crowd above.

What impresses me most about Mr. Buffett is not how much money he’s made, but the way in which he has lived his life. He is 100% true to himself. And with all of that money and fame, he has remained grounded. This is NOT a typical billionaire’s home.

When it comes to generosity, the man breaks the mold. In 2006, Mr Buffett committed much of his wealth (we’re talking billions) to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Thought he ranks among the wealthiest people in the world, his friend Charlie Munger says that Buffett is also one of the happiest people he knows.

I’d like to share with you a few passages from Warren Buffett Speaks, written by Janet Lowe.

Believe in Yourself

“I keep an internal scoreboard. If I do something that others don’t like but I feel good about, I’m happy. If others praise something I’ve done, but I’m not satisfied, I feel unhappy.”

Work For the Fun of It

“When I go to my office every morning, I feel like I’m going to the Sistine Chapel to paint.”

“I feel like tap dancing all the time.”

Think For Yourself

“You have to think for yourself. It always amazes me how high-IQ people mindlessly imitate.”

Surround Yourself With Good People

“I don’t interact with people I don’t like or admire. That’s the key.”

Keep Life in Perspective

“Money, to some extent, sometimes let you be in more interesting environments. But it can’t change how many people love you or how healthy you are.”

We tend to look to self-help gurus for guidance and wisdom. Sometimes it’s nice to recognize someone in the “big bad” corporate world who is equally deserving of our admiration. To learn more about Warren Buffett, I highly recommend the following books:

Warren Buffett Speaks

Pilgrimage to Warren Buffett’s Omaha

Now about his diet. Oy vey! Mr. Buffett, if you’re reading this, give me a call. I’m taking new clients.

I thought that title might get your attention. It’ll all make sense, promise.

Curiosity

A few years ago I picked up a little book by professor and clinical psychologist, Todd Kashdan. I can’t recall how I stumbled upon it (maybe twitter), but Dr. Kashdan’s Curious changed my life. You should read it. Good stuff.

While reading that book, I had my very first aha moment. I heard Oprah talk about aha moments over the years. A moment of clarity. The instant at which the solution to a problem becomes clear. A defining moment where you gain real wisdom.

All just words, until that day.

Something about the book flipped a switch in my head. Happiness isn’t something you find or stumble upon or buy. It’s a result of inquisitiveness, learning new things and living in awe.

Carburetors

When I left the gym this morning, there was an old, avocado green Chevy pickup parked next to my beloved 2002 Land Cruiser.

Like this one, only more well “loved”. I stood there, curiously studying it.

The owner was standing nearby, noticed my stare and asked if he parked too close to me. I chuckled, told him no and mentioned that I’m simply fascinated by old trucks. Amused, he proceeded to tell me the year (1971), when he bought and restored it (1991) and how old Chevy parts are so much cheaper than old Toyota parts.

Have I mentioned how much I enjoy talking to strangers?

For several years, I’ve been obsessed with purchasing an old Ford Bronco. Why? Because it’s a badass truck. And I love badass trucks.

After my conversation with the parking lot stranger, I decided that I should learn more about working on and restoring old trucks. I told my hubby (he was thrilled), started researching classes and ordered a few books. I instantly felt that warm and happy glow of curiosity fill my spirit.

Will I actually learn to restore an old Ford Bronco? Who knows and who cares. Maybe I’ll get bored after a week. Maybe I’ll make tons of dough restoring and selling old trucks. Maybe it’ll be the best thing I ever did.

Weight Loss

Robyn, how does this post have anything to do with weight loss?

After reading Todd Kashdan’s book, I decided that it was time to take life to the next level. I decided in that moment to lose the last 15 pounds and become a personal trainer.

I’ve never been much of an athlete AND my friends and family told me I was insane AND it would require money, time, hard work and studying for a certification exam. I could have easily talked myself out of it. But I didn’t. Instead, I became curious. Could I really do it? I wanted to find out.

Curiosity doesn’t always lead to a new career or passion. I’ve tried lots of new things that ultimately, just weren’t for me. Knitting. Belly Dancing. Working in Corporate America. That doesn’t make the experience a waste of time. Failure is success if we learn from it.

Get Excited

You can’t suffer or fight your way thin. I’ve seen too many women try this approach (and fail). I’ve been that woman. You need to be excited and curious about the journey. It’s the same for anything in life.

If you dread gardening, how can you expect to have a healthy and glorious yard full of flowers? Gardens need patience, nurturing and love. SO DO WE!

If you’re struggling to lose weight, try getting curious about life. Figure out what excites you and inspires you to get out of bed in the morning. Explore a new passion. Create more joy. Talk to strangers. And accept yourself as you are at this very moment.

THEN try to lose the weight. It’s so much easier that way. Believe me, I know.

One more thing. I’m curious – why does curious have a “u”, but not curiosity? Drove me mad while writing this. Hooray for spell check!

Robyn,

What do YOU eat and what is your exercise routine?

Good questions! No one wants a coach or trainer who doesn’t “walk the talk”. I eat a diet of unprocessed foods containing lots of fruits and veggies, low glycemic starches (rice, buckwheat, oatmeal, sprouted bread, sweet potatoes), healthy fats (avocado, olive oil, nuts, seeds), organic/grass fed meats, free-range poultry, fish, low-fat dairy (greek yogurt, cottage cheese) and pastured eggs.

Am I perfect? Heck no! I believe and teach moderation and DO NOT subscribe to restriction or fad diets. I teach my clients to enjoy “JOY” foods 10% of the time when trying to lose weight. What’s a “JOY” food? It’s the most delicious thing you can imagine eating. My favorite, chocolate macaroons baby!

Current Exercise Schedule (updated 4/2012):