A Restart

It's been 2 years since I did anything with this thing, and frankly I can't believe it's still here. Although I doubt anyone ever really read it anyway. But the fact that this blog is still open seems to be a good omen, and I hate to see it go to waste.

There are a number of new quests in my life I am endeavoring to begin, so I figure what better way to document these than with a blog? Primarily, I am attempting to be healthier. IE eat better, exercise more, stop being such a fatass. I turned 35 this year, and although I don't think or act that way, suddenly my body is disagreeing with me. I worry about my overall health, want to dump a lot of the weight I'm carrying around. Things like diabetes and cholesterol and heart disease suddenly start to pop up into your head and you realize you can't act like you're an 18 year old kid anymore. Maybe I'm really, really late in realizing this, but I hope better late than never.

The other issue is being in better shape when the season starts in April. Last season, because of the weather I think, I never got that initial weight loss. Usually I get a nice weight drop in the spring as I start doing more physical work. Last spring was slow, a lot of rain, and it kinda continued on an off through the year. I don't think I ever dropped a lot of weight and it really slowed me down, affected my work. I want to start the season in better shape and ready to go. The last time I really got a good start to the year was in 2002 when I worked out a lot in the winter and was in great shape to start the season. I would like to recapture that.

This year I'm doing my New Year's resolution of no fast food. It's been a few years since I tried this, and my addiction to fast food had gotten out of control at the end of 2006. No fast food like McD's, Wendy's, BK, Taco Bell, etc. Pizza is okay as a meal, not a snack and in moderation. Subway is okay, and Quizno's is on the menu as well, in moderation. In general I want to stop buying lunches or minimeals and eat more self made food. I'm also trying to cut cholesterol, and getting rid of that fast food is a great start. So far I've made it through the past 6 weeks no problem. It was tough the first few weeks, very much like a drug and withdrawls. But I'm doing well with temptation and sticking to it now.

And I've gone back to working out again. Bought an exercise bike, cleaned off the weights and got back at them. Really since I smashed my toe when I dropped a 25 lb plate I've shied away from working out and that's bad. I want to keep at it during the season and get down there at least 3 times a week. There's a new powerhouse gym opening up by us as well, I might sign on there to get access to equipment I don't have, do exercises I can't at home. I really enjoy working out with my stuff, and as long as I keep the distractions to a minimum I'll be fine. I've had my weights and bench for 15 years now and I am still glad I bought those.

So I think I'll keep an informal running journal on here of what I'm doing and learning and hopefully gains I'll make. I'd really like to drop 50 lbs as a realistic goal, even if it takes all year. I'd REALLY like to drop 100 lbs, but I haven't been there since before 1993 and that's asking a bit too much imo. Getting lighter, building my muscles and endurance back, being healthier is the real goal.