SiscoVanilla Hits The Bricks

I've realize that I've been kind of puttering about when it comes to my exercise. So I decided that I would try to ramp up the Peloton bike riding. Now, I regularly do the scenic bike rides on the Peloton. I like them. But I find that they are limited in terms of discipline. What do I mean by that? The scenes are timed...and that's it. The rider can change the resistance (pressure) and cadence (speed of cycling) at any time but there are no cues as to when to do so. The classes are a bit more disciplined since the instructor continually tells the rider the ranges of the ride they are giving, in terms of resistance and cadence. In following their cues, you find that you have a much more intensive workout than just pedaling to a scenic video. Again, I like the scenic rides and will continue to ride them but I will just do them when I want to get my time on the bike. But I want to start using the classes a bit more for a more diverse workout. Today I did a five minute w...

Love this quote by author Og Mandino. It's absolutely true. Hard work will always yield the best rewards. Some benefit from cutting corners and not putting in the effort, but more times than not getting your hands dirty and rolling up your sleeves will beat half-assing. So go out there and do your best. Happy Fathers Day to all the Fathers out there. Until Then Keep Stepping, #SiscoVanilla #SiscoVanillaIsStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks

One of my best stepping days in a long time. Enjoyed walking to and from the Ferry Station and walking the entire circumference of Roosevelt Island. Look forward to the next adventure. Until Then Keep Stepping, #SiscoVanilla  #SiscoVanillaIsStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks

Rest day is done and today means it's time to get back to the grind. As the image shows, there definitely is a lot of hard work to do to get from point A to point B. The key is to keep the goal in mind and work hard to get there. Don't let anything get in the way for your goals. You do you. Until Then Keep Stepping, #SiscoVanilla  #SiscoVanillaIsStepping  #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks 

Much thanks to my friend Elizabeth for sending me this message the other day. This affirmation by Brad Gast encapsulates everything that I do when it comes to trying to improve myself physically, mentally, spiritually and financially. The road is long, twisted and full of obstacles. Its easy to be discouraged when faces with these perceived insurmountable trials. But the key is not to fall prey to it. Keep moving forward, keep improving, and get your shit done!!!! Have a great day. Until Then Keep Stepping, #SiscoVanilla #SiscoVanillaIsStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks

I have to be honest, I saw this quote in an article so I'm not sure of the original context of the quote. But taking it at its face value, this is one powerful quote. One of the things that I relearned after my unemployment in 2014 was my discipline. I've worked hard to try to eliminate those things that I had lacked discipline in. Getting up earlier than usual to get a head start on my day is an example. Discipline is what provides the foundation for hard work. I honestly can say that without re-evaluating where I was in terms of my personal discipline, I wouldn't have been able to rebuild myself as I have. Anything you guys and gals do in terms of discipline for yourselves? Drop me a line in the comment box and let me know!!! Have a great day folks. Until Then Keep Stepping, #SiscoVanilla #SiscoVanillaIsStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks

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 

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 

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

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 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

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

Here's a quartet of Wednesday wisdom quotes to get you over the hump on this Wednesday August 16, 2018. Don't let the hump hold you back. Climb over that hump and keep moving forward. Don't quit. Don't give up. Tomorrow is a new day. Until Then Keep Stepping, #SiscoVanilla #SiscoVanillaIsStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks

Couldn't have said it better myself. Until Then Keep Stepping: #SiscoVanilla #SiscoVanillaIsStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks

Happy Monday Folks. Yes, I said Happy Monday. For those of you complaining that it is Monday and your weekend is over...TOUGH!!! At least you had a weekend. I worked and still have two days left of this six day week. And you know what? For as tired as I am, I'm grateful for it. I know what the alternative feels like. I know what it is to not have a job and be broke after blowing through savings. So I'm happy this Monday morning August 13, 2018. I woke up, I'm breathing, I'm upright and I'm alive. And that means I'm in the game. Have a great day!!! Until Then Keep Stepping, #SiscoVanilla #SiscoVanillaIsStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks

Many of you out there have Sundays off (not me 🤨) so spend your day doing exactly what the message says. Refuel your soul for the upcoming work week. Be ready for whatever life throws at you and meet it head on. Also give thanks and be grateful for everything you have in life. Everyday we spend alive is indeed something that we've been blessed with. Not everyone got a chance today to see a new day. Make the best of it folks. Have a great day. See you soon. Until Then Keep Stepping, #SiscoVanilla #SiscoVanillaIsStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks