I figured it was time to come from behind the keyboard and show myself on video. I put together this short video to update everyone on my weight loss progress and give some tips and advice about what I found has been working well for me.
Posts Tagged exercise
It’s that magical time of year again – you know the unofficial holiday that takes place right after Christmas. I’m talking about weight loss and fitness. It seems this time ever year, as we prepare to hang up a new calendar, the television ads are non-stop about how everyone should run out and buy a bunch of gear, supplements, diet foods, etc. and take off those pounds.
Now I’ve tried to get in shape many times – but it was always something that got in the way. Work kept me busy, I was caught up in personal life items, it was raining out, I just didn’t feel like it, etc., etc. This year however I finally found my motivation – myself.
I thought if I was going to do this I was going to do it right – no New Year’s resolution crap, we all know that doesn’t work. If you are serious about something why don’t you start on it right now? So that is what I did. I started on losing weight and getting into shape right now – today as a matter of fact.
What better way to keep the motivation up but to blog about it? I’ll throw in some Twittering and Facebook as well just to keep all the social networks busy. Sorry MySpace users, but you are out of luck – I don’t touch MySpace with a virtual 10 foot pole.
So let’s run through some stats shall we?
Height: 5’11”
Age: 35 (36 in January)
Weight: <ugh> 304lbs
Waist Size: 40 (I got serious beer belly and I don’t even drink beer!)
Cover your eyes, because I’ve even attached some pictures for your viewing displeasure.
The first order of business was how to go about doing it. I’ve tried it on my own many times. Exercise bike, weight bench, walking the Katy Trail. Now all of these had some benefit, but they all fell short and eventually the weight just crept back up. Exercise bike was boring (Hulu was a great distraction, but after a while I found I ran out of things to watch or the episodes weren’t long enough and I was fitting my exercise to the episode length and not doing nowhere near enough), weight bench was too basic and the Katy Trail was great, but when it’s cold, rainy or snowy (about 1/3rd of the year here) it becomes something you can only really do in the warmer months.
This time around I signed up for the gym – the YMCA as a matter of fact here in Boonville, MO. I figure there is no better motivator than a financial one. If it’s costing me money you better bet I am going to make sure I get my money’s worth and a whole lot more out of it! I have to admit, here in the Boonville our Y is really well equipped. I guess we can thank the casino and the tax revenue it generates for that.
Second, I’m enlisting the help of a friend of ours who is studying sports fitness in college up at Central Methodist in Fayette, MO. I figure when you have an expert available you might as well use them!
Finally, I’m just saying “NO” to the distractions and “YES” to making it happen. An hour a day, at least 5 days a week – that is the plan. Make it happen.
So over the next few months (and perhaps years!) I’ll keep you updated on what I’m doing and what is working for me and what isn’t. I’m not promising to turn into a super stud (how can you enhance perfection, right?) and I know it won’t happen overnight. However hopefully along the journey I can pass along what did work and give you some inspiration and motivation to get fit yourself. After all, if I can do it then what’s your excuse?
Today was day #1 at the gym. 30 minutes @ 3.2mph pace on a 5.5% incline; 100 reps on the ab crunch machine (that was interesting to say the least!) and 125 reps on the machine that, well, can’t remember it’s name but it helps strengthen your back and abs. The who-zi-dowiger.
And you know what, after all of that sweat and heavy breathing, I actually left feeling pretty darn good! It turns out that perhaps exercise can be rewarding in many different ways. Either that or the pain hasn’t caught up with me yet.