After being sick yesterday, for the umpteen millionth time this year, it has been made abundantly clear to me that some lifestyle change is in order. I feel that this will improve many different aspects of my life and, let’s face it, these changes are long overdue.

I’m not a horribly unhealthy person. Yes, I am overweight. No, I don’t eat right. No, I don’t exercise. My blood pressure is good and my cholesterol levels are good, as well (huzzah for a couple positives!). Here’s the deal, though… my family is RAMPANT with diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, hypertension, etc. etc. etc. I’m currently 30 years old (going on 31 this year). I don’t want to be sick all of the time. I don’t want to be tired all of the time. I want to be able to irritate my wife and kids long into my 90s (or even 100s). To do all of this, some long overdue lifestyle changes are in order… not tomorrow, not next week, NOW.

Here’s the initial plan:

1. Change My Diet

This is, first and foremost, where I need the most help. I love fried stuff. I love sweets. I love salty, fatty, gut-bomb-that-wipes-you-out sort of food… and that’s not good. I’ve done Weight Watcher’s before and lost 43lbs doing it. Food was great, too. Then I got lazy and gained it all back… plus about 4lbs. I am back to only being able to wear about 1/3 of my pants and about 1/2 of my shirts. Not fun–and those of you who have been there, it feels great to put on a pair of pants and all of a sudden not have them fit anymore because your arse is too big.

Today, at the office, is weekly meeting day. That means doughnuts. Specifically, maple bars. Talk about weakness… put a maple bar and an apple in front of me and I don’t care if the maple bar is laced with cyanide, I’ll take the maple bar any day. That stops now.

Today’s breakfast? 1 Banana, 1 serviing each of sugar snap peas, broccoli, and baby carrots, and a Yoplait Strawberry Yogurt. Off to a good start.

2. Change My Activity Level

I work a desk job so daily activity is fairly minimal for me. Sure I get up and walk around the office regularly but that’s about as far as it goes. No exercise… anytime… at all. Not good.

I’m not a huge exercise person so I have to find activities that I enjoy or else I burn out. Gyms are great if I have someone to work out with… otherwise I won’t go. So what do I have at home and in my own accesible set of resources that I can use to get some exercise? I love to rollerblade–LOVE to. Where are my rollerblades? Packed in a bin in the garage. How long have they been in that bin? For at least 4 years… if not longer.

Time to break them out and use ‘em. It’s warmer out now so it’s not like I have an excuse NOT to use them. So 3 days per week, 30-45 minutes of cardio on rollerblades. Starting today (my tendency was to say tomorrow but that’s no good).

3. Change My Sleep Habits

Ever since I can recall, I have been a 4-5 hours per night sleeper (less than that when I was in college). I am coming to the realization that I can no longer sustain such habits and it can’t be good for my health. After talking to a friend and fitness nazi about it, he suggested adding 30 minutes every couple of days to my sleep regimin. In doing it this way, I will be more able to reprogram my biological clock and have better results. I like sleep so that’s a go.

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So there you have it… that’s where I’m at and that’s the plan. I’ll use this blog as a way to keep myself motivated and to document the process. I’ll even provide weekly weigh-ins so folks can see how I’m doing. I didn’t weigh myself this AM so I can’t post an accurate weight but will do so tomorrow (since morning is a better time to weight one’s self). I’m right around 235-240lbs and 6′0″ tall–I would love to see myself at around 185-190lbs again.

Wish me luck!

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