I'm So Mental!!

This is an experiment, so we will see how it goes.  Do you know how you get a certain taste for a food and you just can't stop eating?  I read a tip somewhere about brushing your teeth as quickly after a meal as possible.  So, what the heck.....let's give it a shot.  We all know how that toothpaste and orange juice combination works, so I'm guessing that Crest can help kill the craving for a chocolate chip cookie.  So, with Crest and brush in one hand and Colgate Whisps in the other, I boldy tread into new territory of eating moderation and self control.  Plus, I'm sure this method of weight loss is approved by 10 out of 10 dentists.

Your Worst Enemy-Your Brain.

Ok, I woke up this morning and heard the sound of rain.  Guess what my first thought was....stay in bed.  I eventually did get up and went out for my walk, but it was difficult as I was not in the mood.  So, here is the game plan for the week...well, cardio wise.

Monday-walk for 30min+
Tuesday-walk for 30min+
Wednesday-Rest
Thursday-walk for 30min+
Friday-walk for 30min+
Saturday-walk 5+ miles (time does not matter)
Sunday-Rest

I am forcing myself to walk until May 15th until I slowly begin to add some light jogging to the cardio.  There are a few important reasons for this:

1. I have been a lazy bum for a long time and my heart is not ready for a massively increased work load.  Half an hour of elevated heart rate is good for weight loss and it lets the ticker ease into the new routine.  As long as your heart is beating out a rock jam or  ticking away like it does after a double shot, venti, skinny mocha from Starbucks, you are good.
2. I'm a big man and my bones actually need the time to restructure and reshape themselves to deal with the new stresses of alot of weight bouncing on them.
3. Running takes balance and coordination.  Walking gives my balance and core muscles time to strengthen and adjust to the new movements of wildly swaying fat rolls.  (TRY AND GET THAT IMAGE OUT OF YOUR MINDS!!!)

Well, Monday's cardio is done and I can mark it off the the To-Do-List for the day.  Take care and remember, "one step at a time".

I Had Better Do This Disclaimer Before I Get Rockin' and Rollin'

WHAT I'M NOT....

1. I am not a doctor.
2. I am not a nutritionist
3. I am not an exercise guru or physical trainer
4. I AM NOT AN EXPERT AS PROCLAIMED BY MYSELF OR OTHERS.

WHAT AM I.........

1. I'll be honest....I'm a fat guy.
2. I have lived 14 years of bad eating habits.
3. I have enjoyed the sedentary lifestyle.  (That is until it caught up with me.)
4. I am a guy who will fail in his quest to become healthier.........
5. I am going to do my best to get back up after I fail.
6. I am going to do my best to be realistic and know that my transformation to a fat guy took 14 years and will take a long time to find the inner athlete.
7. I will be honest with you about my successes and failures and will need encouragement.

I GUESS SOMETIMES FITNESS BEGINS WITH TYING YOUR SHOES SOMETIMES!!!

Things Have to Change

4/29/12-Ok, here it is.  For the past 14 or so years, I have been slowly commiting suicide.  This self destruction did not come in the form of pills, a gun, or any other nefarious means, but at the hands of hamburgers, chips, pizza and ice cream.  I am one of those people who "lives to eat", instead of "eating to live".  Over the past years I have eaten for a wide variety of reasons; entertainment, to alleviate boredom and just for the sensory pleasure of taste.  Weight gain sneaks up on you.  You don't wake up one day and realize, "Holy s**t, I'm a fat a**."  (I don't normally talk like that, but one day some of us do wake up and realize that.)  I know every excuse in the book:  "It is just a few pounds", "I can still fit in my pants.", "I can suck it in.", etc, etc.  The problem is that when realize that we put a few pounds on, we forget how many times we put a few pounds on.
     The wake up call came in October when my doctor told me that I was healthy other than being overweight.  It was his professional opinion that I had let myself go so badly that surgery may be the best way to protect my heart and increase my lifespan.  Thank God for such a good doctor.  He does not pull any punches and he is not a prescription happy type of medical professional.  He would much rather  have you fix it yourself, than give you a drug.  I knew I was in trouble when he said that in 6 months I had to lose 12 pounds or laproscopic surgery was going to be his preferred option. I'm a tough guy, but I don't like the idea of surgery.  Even worse is knowing that if I got this procedure, I would spend weeks or months of drinking my meals or eating mush.  (See how important food is to me?)  The appointment took place just a few days ago  Well, lets say that the results weren't great, but he was happy with the fact that I could tell him about the exercise I had been doing that he postponed the surgery.  Needless to say, I am one of those people who needs motivation and consequences.  This blog is a cry for that, a cry to be held accountable, a cry to be pushed by the faceless masses.
     So here it is, a time to make some changes.  I'm not going to put any disgusting photos of me on here, but I am going to post my goals and let you know in which direction I am going.

Goals:

1. Lose the pounds to reach a healthy weight  for my age AND at a healthy pace.
2. Be able to run in 5K and 10K races and show improvement.  (No marathons, just fun races)
3. Compete in a Cross Fit challenge when I and my doctor feel that I am healthy enough to do so.
4. Bench press my own weight.  (Losing weight so I can lift a lighter, but still manly weight.)
5. Join a gym for cross training
6. Feel strong, lean, and confident enough to venture into Chicago and take Krav Maga classes. (Martial arts/defensive combat used by the Israeli military.)

Well, wish me luck and stay on my hopefully shrinking backside.