Posts Tagged Family
Being Thankful; Second Chances…
Posted by Matt Hoover in General on November 24th, 2010
My wife just left to do some more Thanksgiving shopping and she took the boys with her so I have a minute. As they were leaving I couldn’t help but think about how amazing my life has become and how much joy those three individuals bring to it.
Many of you who have followed my story may know parts of it, but probably don’t know a lot of it. My life hasn’t always been the way it is today. The crazy thing is that I value my “old” life as much as the new. Without it, I wouldn’t have ended up where I am now.
It is coming up on five years since I won NBC’s The Biggest Loser. Prior to going onto the show I was a mess. Yes, I had great friends and people that supported me, but inside I was a flat out wreck. I drank too much, ate too much, and spent too much money that I didn’t have. Although I appeared to be a carefree and cheerful guy, I was falling apart. I hated being alone because all I did was think about what failure I had become. I hated being sober because my head was clear enough to see the damage I was creating around myself.
When I left for the show I had $-100.00 in my bank account. I figured I may as well go on the show because I was already broke and not paying my bills. What would the bill collectors do to me? I already wasn’t paying them! I knew I needed a change.
People ask me all the time if I would have made the changes I have if I hadn’t gone on the show. My answer: NO. I know I wouldn’t have. The thing is, is that I knew I could, I just didn’t want to make the effort to do it. I had gotten comfortable being uncomfortable. To change my life was going to take a commitment that I was just not willing to make.
I was like any other kid when I entered college. I had big dreams and goals. My extracurricular activities were taking me further and further away from reaching those goals. I watched my goals and dreams slip away and eventually gave up on them completely. I quit wrestling, quit school, and then quit on myself.
I looked for happiness everywhere but inside of myself. I looked for it in bottles of rum, I looked for it in a girl that I thought should marry, I looked for it in pets, I looked for it in adventure. The shocker of it is, is that I was looking to find love for myself in other places and things and then was dismayed when I never found it.
Quitting became easy for me. School wasn’t working out, I quit. My first marriage wasn’t working, I quit. Job wasn’t fun, I quit. Quitting was my normal.
I believed that my life was turning out just how I deserved. I screwed up and this is what I got. I settled. In my mind I believed that I was going to struggle the rest of my life because I had screwed up my first chance.
I didn’t believe in second chances. I thought that if you messed up the first time you would probably mess up the second time so it was better to just accept it and live with it. I was wrong. One of the best things and worst things about being on The Biggest Loser was the fact that I was completely alone. Yes there were people all around, but they were strangers and I was alone without alcohol and my friends to make me feel better. I had to face myself.
Being on the show allowed me the opportunity to search deep within and see what I believed about myself. When I got on the ranch my goal was to win the money and prove to people that I wasn’t a failure. That was part of my problem, I was trying to prove to others that I wasn’t a failure rather than myself.
Along the way it stopped being about trying to prove myself to others and it became about proving things to myself. I was finally being given a second chance. I took it and I ran with it.
I wasted a lot of years believing that I wasn’t worth having a good life. Those years spent floundering make these days even sweeter. When I start doubting myself, I think back to the “good old days” and see how far I have come. I look at my wife and kids and see how good I have it. I look at my job as a speaker and author and see that I have the freedom to do the job I love.
I have been given a second chance. In fact, I’ve actually been given third and fourth and countless other chances. It wasn’t until I was ready to capitalize on that “second chance” that I found the life that I was destined to live.
For that, I am thankful.
Boys Week Lessons…
Posted by Matt Hoover in General on March 2nd, 2010
When Suzy decided she was going to go to the Biggest Loser Resort in Utah for a week I was excited and a little scared. I was excited that she was going to take some time for herself but I was a little scared because I was going to be with the boys for a week by myself. It seems kind of silly since I am their dad but I knew how much Suzy did when it came to taking care of the boys. At least I thought it did!
I have it pretty good. When I have to go workout, I go. If I have something to do, Suzy always says go ahead. She is always willing to stay with the boys and allow me to go do what I need to do. It took about 30 minutes for me to get a glimpse of how much work she has to do when I am out and about.
Our boys are active. REALLY active! If they are awake they are moving and exploring. Rex likes to watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse in the morning and then the TV is off the rest of the day and he wants to be outside. For some reason I had it in my brain that when I was out and about Suzy was doing things that she needed to do and the boys sat and played quietly. I was wrong!
Rex and Jax like to explore everything. When I was building the chicken coop last week I ran inside to get some water. I came back out, he was up on the ladder trying to nail where I was just at. His brother was coming up right behind him with his plastic hammer to help. Lesson learned: Take the ladder down when I am not using it immediately.
The one thing I never gave much thought to was planning meals. Suzy always feeds the boy healthy and nutritious meals. When she wasn’t home I kind of thought that they would magically appear. They didn’t. Sometimes I forget to eat. The boys don’t. We have had them pretty well scheduled since they were born and they know when lunch time is. I may as well come clean. There was one day that the boys ate toaster waffles for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Lesson learned: Plan meals ahead and try to add a little variety.
Nap time was a little difficult. Rex is at that age where he feels like he doesn’t need a nap even though he does. Jax would go right to sleep but it took a while for Rex. In order to keep him from waking up his brother I would put him in our room. More than once I would go back to check on him and find that he had turned on the television and started a dvd to watch. I wanted to be upset but I was kind of proud that he was smart enough to figure out how to do all that.
The most interesting thing I learned is how difficult it is to make time for yourself, especially workouts. My gym has child care so I was able to take them there in the mornings. I had to make arrangements so that I could go back and get my second one in everyday. The thing I learned is that you have to plan ahead and make that commitment.
One of the most common questions I get at my events is “How do you make time for the gym when you have kids?” My new answer is “Figure it out and do it.” Most gyms do have childcare and almost everyone has a person in their life that they can ask for a little help. If you are like me, you may not like to ask for help. After this week I realized that it is ok to ask and people are most often more than willing to help out.
I couldn’t have made it through the week with out the help of Aunt Sandy and Grandma and Grandpa Preston. They made things a lot easier for me and checked in to see how things are going. There was a time in my life that I would have gotten frustrated by people offering to help me. Thank God those days are behind me. Because of their help I was able to maintain some sanity.
Last week was a growing week for me. I learned that I can take care of my kids by myself. I learned that my wife is awesome and works so much harder than I ever imagined. I learned that I have a support system that is invaluable. I learned that being a parent takes as much work as any job, and most importantly I learned that I have two amazing little boys that help make my life even better.
See you tomorrow!
Boys Week Day 4…
Posted by Matt Hoover in General on February 25th, 2010
So I take off for the gym this morning and I was so proud. I packed up the diaper bag with a couple bottles and some extra clothes and undies for Rex. Got the boys loaded up and off we went.
I get to the gym and go to grab the bag. It’s not there! Dang it! I figured I’d only be about an hour so we would probably be all right. My workout partner Kevin Theis (season 3 of BL) was there right on time.
Our trainer told us that the other guys we workout with couldn’t go till eleven. Kevin had to leave by then so he and I did our own workout. As we were getting ready to go my other partners came up and started razzing me a little.
Long story short, I decided to go again. After another circuit workout we decided to wrestle. After my first go I heard my name called on the intercom to report to childcare. ”Oh great, the boys have had enough.” I thought. Turns out the boys were fine and having fun. The problem was that the childcare was closing until 4.
I grabbed Rex, put Jax in the stroller and ran up to wrestle my next go. I think the boys liked watching daddy wrestle. I know Rex did. He was mad that we didn’t bring his workout gear and shoes. Before we left we had to do Rex’s “push-ups”.
We got home and I put the boys down for a nap. While they were out I cleaned the house and then Gramma GiGi and Auntie came and got the boys so I could have a break. I thought I would just lay down and watch some TV. It’s weird, but it was almost too quiet.
I got up and went to our room and organized all the drawers. Seriously, socks, underwear,jeans, tshirts, both mine and Suzy. By the time it was done it was time to go workout again.
The thing I can’t get over is how quickly time goes. My wife makes everything look easy. It’s not! I will definitely think twice before I decide to take off for a training camp or something like that next time. I can’t wait till Suzy gets home but this time with the boys has taught me a lot.
I have definitely grown this week and it is only going to help me be a better dad and husband. It’s been tough but it’s been good and it is only temporary thankfully.
See you tomorrow!
Boys Week Day 3…
Posted by Matt Hoover in General on February 24th, 2010
Day three of Suzy being gone and we are all still alive! Rex got to wear his wrestling shoes and Iowa Hawkeye Wrestling gear today at the gym. We went on the mats and “wrestled”. He was so excited!
Being in the gym was so fun for him. He would mimic what other people were doing around the gym. He was doing squat jumps and push-ups and sprints. Rex really liked doing front and back bridges like Daddy. Jax was happy to sit in the MMA ring watching us roll around.
Of course I am partial but I was really impressed by Rex’s “push-ups”. He was trying so hard! We spent the rest of the day working on Suzy’s chicken coop. Rex got mad when it got dark and we couldn’t work anymore.
Aunt Sandy came over so I could go to church and get another quick workout which was much appreciated. Of course we had another poo story that I will share tomorrow because I am so tired. I don’t know how single parents do it!
See you tomorrow!
Boys Week Day 2…
Posted by Matt Hoover in General on February 23rd, 2010
Today was pretty laid back. The boys go to Gramma GiGi’s on Tuesdays so they were there most of the day. I got most of Suzy’s chicken coop done and got my workout in.
The morning started off a little hectic though. I heard Rex rustling around in the bathroom. He is potty trained but still wears a diaper at night. He likes to take it off as soon as he wakes up.
Usually he takes it off and goes pee. This morning though there was a little extra surprise. When he took his diaper off he flung little poopies all over the bathroom. He then went to throw it away and dropped a trail to the trash can in the kitchen.
I wasn’t mad, just a little surprised when I stepped on one after surveying the damage in the bathroom, cleaning it up, and then going to make breakfast. Rex wants to be such a big boy and was just trying to help. Quite the way to start the day.
Grandma complimented me on how clean the house was when she got there. I was too embarrassed to tell her that 15 minutes before she got there there was poop all over!
Sent the boys to GiGi’s and then it was off to Lowes the first time to get what I needed to hopefully finish Suzy’s chicken coop. Three trips to Lowes later, I am still not done. It is looking good though. Strong enough that if she gets tired of chickens we could get a lion or something.
I picked the boys up from Grandma’s and headed home. Jax was out cold but Rex was wide awake. Tonight at the gym the little kids were having wrestling practice. They all looked so tough/cute in their little wrestling gear and I got excited for when Rex tries out wrestling if he wants.
When we got home I got the wrestling shoes I got when he was born out just to see how much longer it would be before he gets to start wrestling (again,if he wants). They were a little big so we stuffed paper towels in the toes.
After he got the shoes on he wanted to wrestle. All of the sudden he stopped and said “Hold on Daddy.” He ran to his room and grabbed his Iowa Wrestling sweats and t-shirts that he got from Allison Schwab (Doug’s wife and our friend) and Dan Gable’s daughter Annie. He loves them and wants to be a Hawkeye!
When he got back we put everything on and then “wrestled” he kept saying “Get off your back Daddy!” I did let him win.
Now it’s off to bed. I have the boys all day tomorrow so I am sure there will be stories to tell by the end of the night!
See you tomorrow!
Boys Week…
Posted by Matt Hoover in General on February 22nd, 2010
Well, Mommy is gone this week. Posts will be short and I am going to share how the week goes for the Hoover boys. It’s just me, Rex (2) and Jax(1). This is our first extended stay at home together alone. I am excited and already exhausted!
It’s going to be interesting trying to balance workouts, work, and taking care of the boys. I recently went to Boise, ID to train for a few weeks and had no idea how difficult it must have been for my wife. I am finding out now. It really makes me appreciate all she does.
The day started with us all going to the gym. There is a daycare there and it was odd to be using it. They did a great job with the boys. I was glad that I got my workout in.
When we got home the boys took a nap and then we all went to work on Suzy’s chicken coop. She wants to get a few chickens so that we can start having our own eggs as well as teach the boys responsibility.
I was working away when Rex asked if he could write on some boards. I thought “Why not?” I figured he’d use a pencil but he grabbed a permanent marker from my tool bag and proceeded to write on the boards and then on himself.
He drew a great beard all over his face and colored his hands completely black. We spent quite a bit of time in the bath scrubbing. Hopefully it will all be gone before mom gets home.
I sent a picture to Suzy because I figure it is better for her to know that we are all surviving with only minor incidents. It was really tough for her to leave but I am glad she is taking some time for herself.
So as for today we are all doing great and am looking forward to our adventures tomorrow!
See you tomorrow!
Surprise Surprise….
Posted by Matt Hoover in General on February 2nd, 2010
Rex was quite a surprise for us. As a good friend of mine likes to say,I couldn’t have been more surprised if I woke up with my head stapled to the carpet, when I found out Suzy was pregnant again. Jax, our second son, was definitely not on our schedule.
It was tough on Suzy because she was only a few pounds away from her goal weight again when we found out Jax was on his way. I was doing well too. This time we pretty much just let loose. We were dealing with a 5 month old and we just gave in. Once again Suzy and I packed on the weight together.
The odd thing is that since we were doing it together it wasn’t so bad in our minds. After all, I was just trying to make my wife happy. I guess that is one of the things about having been on the show together. I think it kind of gave us a false confidence. “We may have gained weight, but we can lose it when we want.” It was true that we could lose it when we wanted, but it was going to take a lot longer than when we were living on the ranch.
I talk all the time about how people in the real world shouldn’t expect to see double digit weight loss numbers every week like they see on the show. I know from experience that it takes hours of activity and pretty excessive calorie restriction to get those numbers. Knowing all this, in the back of my mind I thought I should still be able to do that.
I can’t. Not only can I not lose double digits each week, I don’t want to. I don’t want to live on 1200 calories a day the rest of my life. I like to eat food and enjoy it. I don’t want to feel guilty every time I eat something I’m “not suppose to”. I want to be able to go out to eat with my wife and have some bread. I want to enjoy living a healthy life.
After having our second son, Suzy and I decided to make it our goal to be a healthy family. Not a family on a diet with an exercise obsession, but a healthy family. We decided that we would eat healthy as a family and be active as a family. This meant taking the boys with us when we went for walks. It meant working our schedules out so that each of us could get our own workouts in. It meant making healthy meals and staying away from the fast food joints.
Suzy made all of the boys’ baby food. We never bought a jar of baby food from the store. Doing this made us more aware of how we were eating as well. Just before Jax was born we went for a hike. On the way down from the mountains Suzy wanted to stop and get some ice cream at Dairy Queen. Well, I didn’t want her to have to eat ice cream alone so I got some as well.
About 2 minutes after we got our ice cream Rex started squaking in the back seat. He wanted some ice cream. Suzy said “No Rex, this isn’t for little boys.” After she said that we both looked at each other. We couldn’t tell our kids not to do things if we weren’t willing to not do them ourselves. We tossed the ice cream.
We knew that Rex was getting old enough to see what we were doing. We couldn’t fake it anymore. This crazy life of ours has just gotten crazier as the boys get older but we are doing our best to change our family’s legacy when it comes to health.
See you tomorrow!
