I first posted here over ten years ago, then again two years ago when I was heading to Sedona for my son's wedding. Each time it was to shed something, in these cases, pounds and also a kind of paralysis which takes hold sometimes alongside depression, sadness, anxiety, etc.
In that interregnum, I have had cancer, a broken leg, a broken foot, a badly sprained ankle, and three falls of substance, once after being garroted by a metal wire off my bike backwards and onto my back; once when I passed out and smashed my face on a metal object; and once when I fell face first onto concrete.
So here I am again, not seeking to lose 20 pounds as I think it would be impossible, but close to it--16 would be ideal.
I am planning to use this blog (which took an amazing amount of time to find again) to chronicle my efforts in the hopes that this will result in success that occurred over a decade ago.
Over the last few days, I am already T-1, so I will start there to represent a successful start, attributable to more walking (including a bit of running) and various kinds of exercises (pilates, yoga, HIIT). I am recommitting to what I dedicated myself to before: six days a week of exercise.
I'm doing this as we have record heat and humidity, so I may not walk every day or as far, but my aim, let me say, my commitment is the following:
- Walk/run mornings or late day: 3-5 miles 5 days a week
- Add other exercise: yoga, pilates, P90, or other exercise I once did almost effortlessly and not tax me to various degrees): at least 3-4 days a week
- Strength training: HIIT class plus at least 2 more times/week (total 3 days a week)
- Whatever I do should total at least 45-60 minutes six days a week
- I want to grow old in a more healthy way and avoid some of the negative consequences associated with being too sedentary ("sitting is the new smoking")
- Enjoy family and friends more and longer
- Live long enough to pursue goals and values
- Health, health, and health (improving cardiovascular fitness and overall core strength and spinal integrity; also told by docs that it's good for cancer recovery)
- Reducing accidents (improving balance, strength, etc.)
- Feeling better in my skin (not a search for thinness for thinness sake, but to avoid the uncomfortable feelings of tightness in my joints, pulling along too much weight on hikes, etc.)
- Using clothes that I have stored for "the day I lose 10 pounds"
