Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Progress

What has it been, about a week? Getting serious about getting fit is paying off already. I am down about 7 lbs already. For me those first few drop pretty easy. I am feeling better too. Stronger, more energy, better mood (usually).
Night shifts really seem to throw a wrench into the works. Lack of good sleep, too much caffine, and eating at strange times makes routine impossible. I thrive with a good routine. That is not always possible. I am trying to make the best of the situation. Here is the plan. Go easy on the lifting when I am not rested. Walk instead of going too hard. Save the heavy stuff for days when I'm recovered. Don't eat much if anything on night shifts. Not sure how to handle the caffine. It can be a lifesaver sometimes, literally. Pace my intake maybe. One last thing to remember. Don't blog when I have 3 hours sleep in the the last 24 hours.

Friday, July 22, 2011

No Excuses

I am a master of the excuse. Between excuses, self justification, and procrastination I have managed to derail any momentum I had built from my previous weight loss. I know what works for me and yet I still manage to do the opposite. Even when it makes me feel like crap later I still eat what I shouldn't. Even when I feel great after, I still don't exercise for weeks. The point I'm getting to is there are no good excuses. Yes life gets in the way. Time is in short supply sometimes. Money is a factor almost constantly. No excuses just speedbumps. Or maybe challenges would be an even better way to look at it. I think I will list some of my most common excuses and complaints and my response to each for my own future reference.

FOOD
Plan ahead when possible
You don't have to eat every few hours
You can go to the store without getting a snack
You don't need just one more
Just because it is there doesn't mean you have to eat it
You will not start eating better tomorrow
Cake gives you a headache
Pizza gives you a stomach ache
You will not eat just one
Eggs are cheaper than nachos
EXERCISE
It doesn't take very long to exercise right
Just do something
The dishes wont mind waiting twenty minutes
You probibly need a shower whether you exercise or not
Drag the kids with you
The dog needs a run anyway
The wife wants to spend time with you but she thinks sweat is sexy
You are sweeter to the wife and kids when you feel good about yourself
You don't "need" any new equipment to workout

That was good for me. I may revisit this again later.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Accountability

    First of all I am no writer. I am also not a dietitian or a fitness expert. I am not writing this for anyone else but me. I thought a blog would be a good way to keep track of my goals and progress. Being a blog I have some built in accountability if I were to share my address with anyone. We will see how this goes.
    Here are a few goals. I want it all. I want to be stronger, faster, leaner, just plain better. I am two months short of 40 and around 295 pounds. I'm guessing at least 70 pounds over ideal. I have been as heavy as 360 lbs. but haven't changed much in the last year or two. I am sucking wind after much more than 400 meters jogging. Someday I want to be able to do a 5k without much preparing. Maybe even one of those short triathlons. I would also like to be able to keep up with my kids for as long as possible, as well as do the things I enjoy for a long time still.
    I will skip the gruesome before pictures but I do hope to see a difference soon. I'm not sure what will come of this blog but at least I hope it makes me more accountable for my health.