SiscoVanilla Hits The Bricks

I know I talk about being positive, especially when it comes to ones employment but man I really need this week off from my day job to recharge my depleted batteries. So in honor of my last day of work before vacation, here are these funny images that echo how I'm feeling. 🤪 And on that note have a great day folks. Until Then Keep Stepping, #SiscoVanilla  #SiscoVanillaIsStepping  #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks 

Dontcha hate when this happens? Luckily for me I've been able to avoid this happening until the end of the evening. But man, it must suck when you get a good solid walk and your Fitbit has run out of juice. You end up like this little guy right here. Keep a spare charger on your folks. I got my spare from Walmart for under $7 bucks. You can find one here: Walmart . Also here: Amazon . Ok folks, keep those Fitbits charged and don't be like Jackie Chan over here: Have a great Friday!!!! Until Then Keep Stepping, #SiscoVanilla #SiscoVanillaIsStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks

These combination of quotes by Reverend Charles R. Swindoll really are true. How we approach our day has everything to do with how we are feeling. If we start shitty, then we'll carry that shitiness throughout the day and affect those around us. Now it's easier said than done to start the day "Hunky Dory" or "Peachy Keen," but it really does behoove us to try and start our days in a positive manner. Outside forces can put up obstacles and roadblocks, but do try to not let anything derail us as we make our way through our day. Have a great day folks. Until Then Keep Stepping, #SiscoVanilla #SiscoVanillaIsStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks

It's that time again folks. Here are my steps for the week of September 10 - September 16. As you can see, the numbers for most of the metrics have improved over the last week with the exception of active minutes and restful sleep. I have to admit, sleep hasn't been as restful as of late though I find that I am going to sleep earlier and earlier. Maybe I am going to sleep too early in the night. Any how, here are the individual steps for September 10 - September 16: September 10 20,494 steps September 11 14,053 steps  September 12 22,412 steps  September 13 10,747 steps  September 14 18,694 steps  September 15 16,895 steps  September 16 19,185 steps Wendesdays are always an interesting day for me to get steps. I usually get between 2K-4K steps on the tail end of my bar shift on Tuesday night. If I am closing the café on Wednesday night, I'm usually guaranteed to finish that night with over 20K steps. As you see the Wednesday the 12th was my ...

Another Monday is upon us and the lamenters, whiners and Monday haters are chirping loudly. People, stop bitching about Mondays. It's a good enough day to get your shit together. We all take a tumble, it's up to us to whether we want to get up and keep taking our lumps and persevere. Monday is good for that. Get up, wash yourselves, get a fresh perspective and conquer not only today but the week. Make a difference. Have an amazing day folks. See you soon. Until Then Keep Stepping, #SiscoVanilla #SiscoVanillaIsStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks

It's crazy to think that we are on the horizon of the fourth quarter of 2018. Start this Autumn by doing like the trees and shed yourself of whatever it is that bothers you. Just let it fall off of you. Get yourself ready for the new beginnings that the New Year of 2019 can bring. Make things right with yourself.  Have a great Sunday folks. For the many of you that are off, I hope you enjoy the day of rest and recharge yourselves for the upcoming work week. I'll be grinding as usual since my grind never ends. See you soon. Until Then Keep Stepping, #SiscoVanilla  #SiscoVanillaIsStepping  #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks 

For those of you who have had a rough week, rest assured, Friday is here. Now that doesn't quite apply to me not because I haven't had a bad week but because my work week (this week) starts today. Finish this week strong and don't leave anything incomplete. Have a great day and take the unicorn's advice. It knows its the real deal 😉. Until Then Keep Stepping, #SiscoVanilla #SiscoVanillaIsStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks

I announced across my various Social Media accounts that I would be raising funds while walking in the Breast Cancer Walk on October 14, 2018. So far we've been able to raise $195 of the original donation goal of $250 dollars. I've raised the donation goal to $450 with the hope of not only reaching $450 but hopefully more than that. You can donate at my personal page for the American Cancer Society or at my donation page on Facebook. Any little but will help and would be greatly appreciated. Here I am giving a few words for what I want to accomplish by undertaking this walk for Breast Cancer: I thank you all in advance.  Until Then Keep Stepping, #SiscoVanilla #SiscoVanillaIsStepping  #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks 

Welcome back folks to another post about my stepping escapades with the Fitbit App. The week from September 3 to September 9th was a rare one for me. Due to the Labor Day holiday, I ended up having an extra day off from the café. After working my Tuesday night shift at the bar, I had the rare two days off in a row on Wednesday and Thursday. For those of you who don't know, I work six days a week so getting two days off in a row is a definite luxury. Given that I had two days off during this week, I took it a bit easier that I would usually have done. The heat during Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday was just downright oppressive and the steps reflect that. Had it not been for the heat, I could have feasible hit my step goal for the entire week. Here are my steps for each day: September 3: 19,191 September 4: 18,429 September 5: 10,792 September 6: 14,165 September 7: 15,391 September 8: 17,579 September 9: 18,537 What are you guys and gals doing to try and increase y...

Its like the saying by Norman Vincent Peale states: “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars,” Perfection is unattainable. But if we do chase perfection, we can catch excellence. Never stop striving to the best that you can be. Never stop chasing the dream. Never quit. Coach Lombardi was a master motivator and educator. He coached football and taught at Fordham University and at U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Afterwards, Lombardi would coach in the NFL as the Offensive coordinator with the New York Giants and the Head Coach of the Green Bay Packers and later the Washington Redskins. Coach Lombardi's quotes are legendary. Give him a read at the Quotes page of the official Vince Lombardi w ebsite . Until Then Keep Stepping. #SiscoVanilla #SiscoVanillaIsStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks

That self doubt can be crippling. If you want to do something. Just go for it. If it doesn't work, then so be it. At least you can say you tried it instead of saying I was afraid to try it. Life's too short for that drama. What kind of things do you gals and guys do to push through the sounds of self doubt. Let me know by dropping a message in the comment box. Until Then Keep Stepping, #SiscoVanilla #SiscoVanillaIsStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks

Just wanted to give you guys and gals some inspiration thus Sunday morning in the form of @fatgirlfedup When you reach the point that you feel you can't do whatever it is you want to accomplish, take a look at her story: "Same girl & gym but 312lbs 👇 on my own. No shortcuts, no secrets, no meal plan, no trainer, no surgery, no magic pill - just hard work. It was worth all the blood, sweat, and tears. It's worth all the sacrifices, early mornings, late nights, struggles, & the trade offs. Losing weight isn't easy, but it's always worth it. Let the hard times motivate you and push you towards who you want to be. Start today!" If she can do it, so can you!!! Great job @fatgirlfedup Keep kicking ass and taking names. ROCK ON!!!! 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼 #Motivation #SiscoVanilla #SiscoVanillaIsStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks #Repost @fatgirlfedup (@get_repost) ・・・ #weightloss #weightlossjourney #fit #fitfam #fedupfam #dietbet #fitfam #fedupfam #fatgi...

I'm just going to leave this here and let it sink in. Until Then Keep Stepping, #SiscoVanilla #SiscoVanillaIsStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks

I recently got this badge from Fitbit based on my steps logged from February 2017 to today. Wow. I knew I was near the 4,000 mile region but even I was surprised to see that I've basically walked the length of the River Nile. Looking at the numbers really put it in perspective. Here's to another 4,000 miles. Until Then Keep Stepping, #SiscoVanilla #SiscoVanillaIsStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks

This is the mood this Thursday Morning. Brooding like the Dark Knight himself over a piping hot cuppa joe. Having just worked 4.5 café shits along with 2 late night bar shifts in the last 6 days means that big daddy is tired. But there is hope in this little cuppa joe.  I was just flipping through Momma-San's October 2018 issue of Women's Health Magazine and uncovered the following tidbit: Any little bit helps, right? Now I drink a lot of coffee. I'll give any brand a try at least once. Which means I have had some real good coffee and some really crappy coffee. Since today is Primary Day in New York State, I endorse Lavazza's Coffee brand as a quality coffee producer. Now, at first I would see this brand on the shelves and was somewhat put off by the price. I am frugal after all. But it was through that frugality that I gave it a shot. As I've mentioned before, I use a number of apps to maximize my grocery shopping experience and in relation to the Lav...

Hey peeps. Sorry that I have been a bit lax in posting my steps. To be honest I've just forgotten to do so. Work has been busy on both jobs and with the Holiday season right around the corner, it's only going to get busier. But I promise to try my best to post my weekly steps. As you can see I hit my step goal is six of seven days with my only day off from both jobs that week being Wednesday. I always try to get at least half of my 15,500 daily step goal on my off days. This week I was a little short on Wednesday. Every other metric aside from "Active Minutes" increased from the week before. Overall a very productive week of walking. Here are my steps for the week of August 27 to September 2: August 27: 15,593 August 28: 16,800 August 29: 6,678 August 30: 16,369 August 31: 20,847 September 1: 23,018 September 2: 18,617 Wow. We're in September already??? Where did the summer go. Anyways, hope everyone has a great week. Let me know how you're cr...

This is for all of you who lament the fact that the weekend is over and its Monday once again. Maybe changing your perspective from "Woe is me" to "Damn, I was given another day. Let me make the best of it!" will help you realize how blessed you are to see Monday or any day. We aren't guaranteed Tomorrow, let alone to even to see the end of today. Instead of bitching, moaning and kvetching that its Monday, grab Monday by the lapel, kick its ass and get your shit done. Until Then Keep Stepping, #SiscoVanilla #SiscoVanillaIsStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks

It took me a long time to realize this after I lost my job in 2014. I lamented not only my job but probably most importantly the earnings that I was no longer making and the savings that I eventually burned through due to my unemployment. It was a major blow to the ego to not only be fired but it was the first time that I was unemployed in my adult life. The longing for what I lost was an unhealthy way of coping. I couldn't move on and I couldn't heal myself until I finally started on a new road; which has led me to where I am today,  We all need to move on from whatever we have from the past that ails us. Life is definitely meant to be lived in the now and the future. What are some of the ways that you have all dealt with the past and how have you prepared yourself to move on. Drop me a line in the comment box and let me know. Until Then Keep Stepping, #SiscoVanilla #SiscoVanillaIsStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks

Love this quote attributed to Ernest Hemingway. If anyone knew how to live life to its fullest it was the man affectionately known as Papá. Life is indeed short and as my friend Luis said yesterday "our time is finite." So do your best on this Saturday to follow these words by Hemingway. Do try to live life to its fullest on this Saturday September 8th. Until Then Keep Stepping, #SiscoVanilla #SiscoVanillaIsStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks

For those of you who have followed me for a while both here and even longer on my personal Instagram: SiscoVanilla know that one of the keys to the success of my walking program since February 2017 has been the ability to create steps. Many people like to say that they want to lose weight but when the time comes down to putting in the work, the excuses rise to the top. If I want to stay on top of my regiment, then I can't let the weather stop me. Hence why I walked the following routes to, from and while doing laundry in the oppressive 91 degree weather in the Bronx on Thursday morning. Its the same when the weather is cold. I just bundle up and hit the pavement. I haven't lost more weight that the roughly 23 pounds I've lost, but I'm sure as hell not going to gain it back as much as I can control it. So I basically followed my own advice and created the steps when I could. I just have to do it. When I was done (after an additional mile that I didn't track...

I saw this quote by Samuel Beckett (1906-1989) at the Full Shilling (160 Pearl St #1, New York, NY 10005) and it really stood out to me. We often like to say "If I knew then, what I knew now..." whenever we discuss things that are happening in life, missed moments or pretty much anything. But who we are today is directly made up of those experiences that we had during out "best years," for good or bad. We were built in the forge of youth to be the hardened piece of steel that we are in our middle years. We just need to keep building on those experiences, to adapt, to grow and evolve. Have a great day. Until Then Keep Stepping, #SiscoVanilla #SiscoVanillaIsStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks

Yes folks, this summer has been one long slog of hustling. Sitting here on September 5th, I've worked the last 30 of 35 days without two straight days off from both jobs. Compound that with my working pretty much every Saturday and Sunday this summer. It's nice to finally have what so many people take for granted: a two day weekend. It is probably a longer stretch but I dont even remember how many days I worked in July after I took those few days off in the beginning of that month. The struggle is indeed real folks. But if I don't do it this way, I can't get to where I want to get, which is debt free by 50. Im going to brew a few cuppas of joe and plan the next couple of months. Have a great day. And a special thanks to @therock for that amazing shout out on the mike 😎 Until Then Keep Stepping, #SiscoVanilla #SiscoVanillaIsStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks

First and foremost, Happy Labor Day. Ok, now that I got that out of the way, as the title to this post suggests: What Significance Does Labor Day Have For Me. Well true believers, Labor Day holds a dear place in my calendar. I am damned appreciative that I have a job, two actually. Shit, I remember (not fondly mind you) being unemployed Labor Day of 2014 and being downright miserable and bordering on desperate (I hit desperate a month later.) I'm grateful for the blessings that have come my way, improving as the years have progressed from 2014 to now. I'm grateful that I have been able to turn the corner from the dark place from where I was to the brighter location where I am today. But I am not one to rest on my laurels. No sir, and neither should all of you who are in a good place. Never stop trying to improve yourself and your place in the world. Keep reading, keep researching, learn new skills, improve on old ones. Increase your value daily. For those of you who are ...

Its Sunday. Relax and chill people. Sometimes, actually most times, all that drama is just not that serious. Breathe and move forward. Have a great day, Until Then Keep Stepping, #SiscoVanilla #SiscoVanillaIsStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks

Yes folks, as you can see I've officially gone three months without eating meat. To be quite honest, it's been rather easy so far. The only threat being 🥓🥓🥓. The smell of bacon can be intoxicating. LOL. I would say the most challenging part is just trying to put quick meals together in my busy schedule. I need to try and find more time to meal prep in order to take food to work. I find that I don't particularly miss eating meat. Now granted, I haven't put myself in a situation like going to a BBQ, a cookout, a steakhouse or a churrascaria where meat can be plentiful. It really is just a matter of finding suitable nd filling alternatives. All I can say and do is to take things day by day. Any advice? Suggestions? Recommendations? Leave them in the comment box below. Have a great day. Until Then Keep Stepping, #SiscoVanilla #SiscoVanillaIsStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks