I think by now everyone is familiar with Oprah’s revelatory January ’09 issue where she essentially came out of the closet about “falling off the wagon”. While I, along with millions of others, have followed her weight loss battles over the past two decades, I found this admission, accomampanied by the before and after picture on the cover of her magazine, to be particularly admirable.
Given my own experience over the past six months or so, I found it resonated pretty profoundly.
I began this blog, or more accurately, plog (practice + blog), to provide some additional motivation to implementing and maintaining a regular practice schedule in addition to initiating a forum to connect with others plagued overwhelmed with good intentions. At the time I began writing here over a year ago, I was close to the best shape of my life. In the months following, my fitness continued to improve as I trained for two shorty triathlons, and when all was said in done after these events, the last being July 1st of last year, I was feeling- and looking- pretty darned good.
However, sitting here eight months later, for a variety of reasons and excuses, the story is dramatically different. I am up two pant sizes… my practice is, as I’ve mentioned in previous posts, undulating… and, between work, travel and winter, my usual training routine has never really re-gained any real traction.
And so, in the spirit of emerging spring, I enlist the power of my plog yet again. This time however, it extends beyond merely a motivational tool for getting on to the mat. No, this time, it is a record of my challenges- huge as practice is vastly different 15 pounds and two sizes heavier- and ultimately, my progress, in overcoming certain hurdles- as per above- with regards to my health and fitness.
The cold, hard truth… I should post pictures, but ummm… no. As of Friday, March 13th, I am 150 pounds. Verging on a size 10.
My plans for getting the ol’ bod back in fighting… OK, fit and healthy, form:
For cardio… beginning with walking, and in a few weeks or so, graduating to an alternating daily schedule of power walking and light running;
For strength training… for the first time, instead of implementing any work with weights- I’m just not in the mood for dumbbells- a fairly vigorous, rigorous and regular yoga practice of at least three days a week;
And the clincher… a daily practice of meditation, vital to remaining aware and connected. Given my efforts in this area already, it’s the component I’m probably most excited about! It’s never really been a part of any program before…. I’m eager to experience the difference I’m sure it will make;
Oh… how could I forget… a diet of yummy, whole grains, good proteins and high quality, nutrition packed carbohydrates. Limiting sweets… and POTATO CHIPS!! Given my penchant for bread and cheese, and more bread and cheese, and um, POTATO CHIPS…. likely the most difficult of all!
As with everybody else, I have a whole lot going on outside of my better health and fitness goals, so everything about this program, from exercise to eating has to provide the most bang- energy- for my buck….
It should be an interesting project. And one I intend to record here! How’s that for motivation?!
