As I have grown older, I've realized that I'm not as young as I once was. As my fellow... non-young? time-challenged? aged? can attest, the body has various insistent, if not eloquent, ways of speaking up on the topic.
After a short but spirited period of consideration and contemplation this past Spring, I concluded that I could not get any younger. But perhaps I could get lighter which, for most people, is the same thing. I resolved to launch a fitness program (of sorts).
I made no attempt at any dramatic lifestyle changes. In terms of diet I hoped to simply "Be good." or "Be better." I would continue to eat the same types of foods, eat out, etc... I was convinced that the more grandiose and severe the program was, the less chance of any lasting compliance and ultimate success. As an aside, I think there's a greater lesson to be drawn here. If you cannot get yourself to your goals, simply invert the proposition and bring the goals to yourself. Warning: I'm half-kidding. But for diet, this was mostly true. I hoped to cut calories around the margins. I would not switch to a macrobiotic diet, but I would give portion control a try, stay away from sweets, etc... The primary focus of the program was exercise. Could I eat the same (mostly), but expend enough calories to make a difference?
The answer, happily, is yes. On Morning #1 (May 14) I weighed in at 176.0 pounds. On Morning #100 (August 21) I weighed 162.7 pounds. My ostensible weight goal is 155 pounds. Hopefully the next 100 days can be half as effective as the first. Facts (which surely interest only me):
Heaviest: Morning #16 (May 29) 175.2 pounds
Lightest: Morning #90 (August 11) 160.6 pounds
Total Weight Loss: 13.3 pounds
Miles Run: 103.5
Miles Cycled: 375.1
Minutes Elliptical: 810
Aren't spreadsheets great? The world needs more spreadsheets. I periodically fixate on obscure (to put it mildly) facts that are utterly unknowable and, if known, useless. For example: How many bees are alive in the world right now? How many German soldiers in World War II were killed by animals? How many times has my heart beat? That kind of thing. Fortunately, in this case, someone was paying attention so if someone ever asks me, "How many miles did you cycle in a hundred day period starting May 14, 2007?" I'll be ready.
I want to be clear about something. I'm not under any illusions that I'm truly fit or healthy. I'm American after all! But, pathetic though it may seem, it IS somewhat empowering to find that I can be older, wiser (debatable), and lighter.
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Congratulations, Kava Kid! While the hoi palloi get heavier (and even obese) you have managed to get lighter (and fitter). The masses listen to noisy corporate con men. How did you manage to find a place quiet enough to listen to your own body?
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