Day 5

You'll note that my posts are usually one day in arrears. I get up in the morning and report on the previous day. That's usually because I'm just too tired at night to post before I go to bed. If I miss a day, I will try to make up for it by doing two daily reports the next day.

Day 5 was the first missed exercise day. Probably not the last either. I ate well, but had to be up extra early and traveled most of the day and got back very late. It just was not conducive to travel. This is where I usually fall down with resolutions (or diets, or exercise plans). Once I fall off the wagon, I'm usually off. But not today. I'm pushing on with the idea that it's what I do most of the time that really matters. Time will tell.

Until tomorrow.

Day 4

Today was not a bad day. I did 170 CTX reps (notice how I am increasing a bit each day) and pretty much ate well. I did overdo it a bit at dinner. Christy made a very good rice/vegetable dish with baked chicken for dinner but we got a bit exuberant with the sourdough bread we had bought off the day old rack. Still, more good than bad today.

Until tomorrow.

Day 3

On Day 3 (Monday, January 3, 2011), I did pretty well. I got up on time, put some time on the CTX (160 reps) and got to work, more or less, on time. During the day I ate ok. Lunch was out and I had a piece of baked chicken and some other chicken dish, but avoided the overly fatty foods and desert. Should have had salad, but was not in the mood.

At dinner we had rotisserie chicken and salad with some red wine. All in all not a bad day. I'd like to add some walking in the evening. We'll see if I can work that out.

Until Tomorrow . . .

Day 2

These entries will like be short unless there is something interesting or important to discuss. First, I exercised for the second day in a row, which is worth mentioning for no other reason than it is a rare thing for me to have done. I did another 150 reps on the CTX, but mixed it up a bit to give my biceps a bit of a workout as well as my shoulders.

Yesterday I ate appetizers for dinner (a planned New Year's day meal) and had some ice cream for desert. Not horrible, but not as good as I will do. Today's eating will include a planned holiday dinner which will also not be perfect. But, as I've said before, I'm hoping this will work despite imperfections.

I hope to post a picture today, and then once a week for the year. I'm not tech savvy, so it may take me some time to get the picture thing figured out, but I will.

Until tomorrow . . .

The Starting Point

This blog is for me, not for you. If you get something out of it then good, I'm happy for you. But this is here as an accountability tool for me, and as a way to see what happens when I make small changes in a very hectic and stressful life.

About Me: I'm almost 52 years old and have been practicing law for about 20 years now. My job is stressful, hectic and sedentary. The most exercise I get on any given day is getting out of my chair and walking to my car. I am happily married and we have one child, a 7 year old daughter. I don't eat too badly, but I do have some bad habits. I'm a stress eater and from 9 pm to 11 pm is my weakest point.

My State of Health: I am 5'10" and weigh 330 lbs (sad but true). I have the usual problems that an aging, sedentary, fat man has, pre-diabetic, sleep apnea, marginally high cholesterol, flexibility issues and a general feeling of unease. I've had no real health problems in my life, but I can't shake the feeling that if I don't make some changes, problems are just around the bend.

The Plan: My plan is simple, I'm going to do some exercise every day. It may be walking, using my Nordic Track CTX, or lifting weights, but I am going to do it every day. I'm not going to obsess about walking farther or faster, or lifting more weight today than yesterday. I am simply going to do something every day. I am going to eat what my wife prepares (she is a very good cook and generally cooks healthy food). When she does not or cannot prepare meals, I will eat reasonably. I will not eat after 8:30 pm.

Tracking Progress: I will attempt to report on this blog each day what I did and how I ate. I will attempt to post a picture of myself at least once per week so that I can see what if any progress I have made that can be seen visually.

Tomorrow I will begin posting pictures. As for today, I did 150 reps on the CTX trainer. I will not eat great today (New Year's Day Dinner), but that has to be part of the journey. Things happen and I will not always be able to eat perfectly. In the long run, I hope that what I do most of the time is what will make the difference.

Time will tell.