The Goal and The Underlying Motive

One of my New Year’s resolutions for ’09 was to become more active.  I set a goal to workout or do some type of physical activity for at least 30 minutes every day.

Since I have left the life of being a student-athlete in college, I have seen the pounds slowly add up and the bad habits multiply.  It was getting to the point where all I was doing on a daily basis was sitting and eating, no exercise whatsoever.  This goal is my attempt to win back my life and prevent myself from slipping deeper into the hole.

Plan of Attack

When this goal first started at the turn of the year, I told myself that I am not necessarily looking to lose weight.  I am just looking to be healthier.  With this mindset, it is less likely I become discouraged for the lack of weight loss.  Discouragement that could lead to quitting this good habit.

The plan was to use the eliptical machine my wife and I have if the weather was unfavorable or to go for a run outside.  That is of course if I didn’t already have an activity planned for that day such as playing softball or raking the leaves.  Even the slightess activity can become more strenuous if you make it your purpose to workout.

Update

Some days have been tougher than others to keep up with my goal.  In fact, I had to miss one week when Stacy Ann was born.  But I think that was a pretty good reason to put this goal of mine sidelined for a while.

Outside of the week my first child was born and two days around the untimely death of my grandmother that I hadn’t seen in a few years, I have not missed a day.  I am proud to say that I have made it a part of my daily routine.  Though I have to admit it can be a pain at times to set aside 30 minutes I feel I do not have, but it is definitely for the better.

Good thing I had the mindset of just being healthier as compared to trying to shed some pounds.  The first two months I managed to lose zero pounds with some weeks of actually gaining weight!  But the last 4 weeks, I have averaged losing about 2 pounds a week.  I am pleased with that, but what I am more pleased about are the strides I have made in my fitness.

I can already tell that I am more active throughout the day.  Not just while doing my daily 30 minutes, but with every little thing.  My couch-potato-ness is not quite as bad as it once was.

The Future

Now I am not trying to get into olympic-competing shape.  I’m simply hoping to lead a healthier lifestyle.  A lifestyle I can use to lead by example as it relates to my children.  I am just taking the proper steps I need to get to where I want to go.  Where do I want to go?  Weighing in at about 275 at the turn of the year, I would like to get back down to the 200 pound range.  My baseball playing weight, at my best, was 195-205.

Whether it takes me one year or three, one thing is certain.  I am in the right direction.