Today hasn't been a good day. I have been feeling sorry for myself today. Suprisingly the diet has been doing well, with another healthy day. Usually this type of day would see me stuffing my face with rubbish, but i haven't.
The reason have been felling down is i have been thinking of how my life is changing. My brother, once my best friend, is leaving for Australia next year. The fact he is leaving isn't what is upsetting me, its the manner in which it is being done. He has never spoken to me about it. I don't know how we got from being so close to being so distant. But over the last couple of years we have drifted apart. He is married with a young son, and obviously these things change people. But i don't think this is down to why we aren't close anymore. He is the same with my parents. My dad has lung cancer and my mum has recently fractured her ankle, yet he is as distant with them. I visited them today and Dave was there with his son harry. He hardly spoke to me then left after i had been there 20 minutes. With this likely to be my dads Christmas, and my brother emigrating soon the dynamics of my family will change forever. This is making me very sad. I think what makes it all the worse is that it could be so different. The problem is my family don't like to talk about these things. But if we don't talk it could be too late. So what do i do? Do i leave it and let it run it natural course? Or do i do something with the risk being I make matters worse? How could they be worse?
As i have said my dad has lung cancer, yet we have never spoke about it. Hey his choice i suppose and i need to respect that. I don't know how long he has left but i don't think he will be with us long. He has no quality of life and things will only get worse. And it is breaking my heart to know that my brother is set for a new life, and it will probably be the last we see of him. I pretend it isn't the case, but i am really hurt by his decision to cut us out of his life. Not the fact he is leaving for pastures new. But the way that he has kept all his plans secret from me. What have i done to him for him to not want to tell me, to discuss his future plans. I may never know.
So today hasn't been a good day. I have been reserved today, choosing not to discuss it, but would speaking about it make it any better? I need to decide what course of action to take with my family. Speak up, or shut up. Either way i don't hold much hope for a happy ending.
PS after doing a spell check for this blog I noticed how many times I have typed don't(and mispelled it). Maybe I need to change the don'ts to do's.
Sunday 30 November 2008
Saturday 29 November 2008
The weekend
i haven' posted for a few days. To be honest I had a quick thought to scrap the blog and start again. The reason? I haven't been doing good with the exercise. The diet is going well, apart from having a few beers after a bad day at work on Friday I have been sticking to my plan. Yes I could be doing better but the plan isn't to beat myself up and make it so strict I crack. The first major hurdle with the diet is the weekend. I don't know how many times I have started a diet, done well then hit the weekend and let it go. Takeaway meals, feasting on snacks at night. Somehow in my head, once i trip up i really go for it, pigging out while convincing myself I will start again the next Monday and everything will be fine. Well the stats prove that's not true. But so far this weekend has went well. There was no cooked breakfast at work which is the norm for a Saturday. Lunch was a sandwich which was good. Even at the football, when my mates were tucking in to Pittodrie's finest pies, i made do with a bovril to help heat me up. Supper was home made broth which i had made earlier. If i can make it through the evening by having some fruit only then i will have cracked my first Saturday on a diet for a very long time, then it will be onto Sunday!!
So onto the exercising. The truth is i found the first day really hard and made excuses to not go out again. But that has to stop. One of my problems is making excuses in my head which stop me doing the things i should be doing. I have to get this sorted, but i know it will be hard. One key in losing weight is to increase my metabolism. The two main things is to build muscles, and to exercise. So even if i go out and fail to meet my daily expectations, that is better than not going out at all. So on Monday i am determined to to drag myself out of bed and to do my programme, even if it is going to be dark and freezing cold.
Monday will be the first time i have weighed myself since i started. I'm not expecting anything great, especially because I have failed with the exercising, but any loss will be good.
On Friday my friend Pat got out of hospital and i think reading his blog should help me put into context what i hope to achieve compared to him. He has been so positive with his battle, and for me to achieve my goal i have to learn to think like him. when i wake tomorrow i will think of him and take inspiration from him.
So onto the exercising. The truth is i found the first day really hard and made excuses to not go out again. But that has to stop. One of my problems is making excuses in my head which stop me doing the things i should be doing. I have to get this sorted, but i know it will be hard. One key in losing weight is to increase my metabolism. The two main things is to build muscles, and to exercise. So even if i go out and fail to meet my daily expectations, that is better than not going out at all. So on Monday i am determined to to drag myself out of bed and to do my programme, even if it is going to be dark and freezing cold.
Monday will be the first time i have weighed myself since i started. I'm not expecting anything great, especially because I have failed with the exercising, but any loss will be good.
On Friday my friend Pat got out of hospital and i think reading his blog should help me put into context what i hope to achieve compared to him. He has been so positive with his battle, and for me to achieve my goal i have to learn to think like him. when i wake tomorrow i will think of him and take inspiration from him.
Thursday 27 November 2008
Day 3 what fitness regime?
well only on day three and i miss out the exercise. What am I playing at? Well i know, i am making excuses. Got up later than i should have, and thought well its ok i will just do my exercises at night. But after getting our shopping, driving out with my mums shopping, then heading home it was 9.30pm and i was pooped.
My mum fractured her ankle on Monday and will need a zimmer frame for 6 weeks. My dad has lung cancer and a weak heart so is fully dependant on my mum. So the situation is hard. But not that bad that i need to make excuses about the exercise.
The diet is going fine, once again nothing glamorous, just eat healthy, cut out the junk food.
My mum fractured her ankle on Monday and will need a zimmer frame for 6 weeks. My dad has lung cancer and a weak heart so is fully dependant on my mum. So the situation is hard. But not that bad that i need to make excuses about the exercise.
The diet is going fine, once again nothing glamorous, just eat healthy, cut out the junk food.
Wednesday 26 November 2008
Day of Rest
So onto my second day, and this was a lot easier. Diet consisted of the same routine, breakfast with fruit juice, sandwich for lunch, and i finally got my stovies for tea last night. I had my three pieces of fruit as well. I also done more tiling to keep me away form the TV at night. Easy. i had a day of rest from the exercising which was welcolmed as my thighs were very tight and sore. I can't believe how sore I am after such limited exercise. But as they say no pain no gain.
I now know where I am going with my fitness and diet plans, and this will be a long journey.
I also need to look at the other parts of my life I want to change. My finances I am going to leave until the New Year. A couple of reasons for that. One, Christmas is upon us and this throws up costs that I wouldnt expect at any other time. Two, I will only be paid a straight month with no overtime due to me forgetting to fill in my timesheet on time. So that one can go on the back burner for now.
What I need to concentrate on his the cultural side of life that I want to change. Now dont get me wrong, i aint bad. I dont watch reality TV. But I am a couch potato, and that needs to change. SO to change that I am only going to watch specific TV programmes that interest me, and do something constructive the rest of the time. Now that could be playing with Aisha, or learning the guitar, or reading a book. Something that will challenge my brain.
I now know where I am going with my fitness and diet plans, and this will be a long journey.
I also need to look at the other parts of my life I want to change. My finances I am going to leave until the New Year. A couple of reasons for that. One, Christmas is upon us and this throws up costs that I wouldnt expect at any other time. Two, I will only be paid a straight month with no overtime due to me forgetting to fill in my timesheet on time. So that one can go on the back burner for now.
What I need to concentrate on his the cultural side of life that I want to change. Now dont get me wrong, i aint bad. I dont watch reality TV. But I am a couch potato, and that needs to change. SO to change that I am only going to watch specific TV programmes that interest me, and do something constructive the rest of the time. Now that could be playing with Aisha, or learning the guitar, or reading a book. Something that will challenge my brain.
Tuesday 25 November 2008
Day One Part Two
Well the stovies didnt go to plan, they were substituted with Macaroni Cheese and some mixed veg. No snacks after supper so a good start to the diet. Admittedly I was very hungry before i went to bed, but didnt give in to the hunger pangs. I also managed to avoid the TV for most of the night, putting up tiles in the kitchen instead. This is a good thing. I am getting on with the jobs around the house, and avoiding brain numbing TV. Ok so i did sit down after 9pm to watch some comedy programmes but thats a good start for me. One day at a time.
Monday 24 November 2008
Day One Part One
That was tough. Well I knew it would be but not that tough. I got out of bed at 5.30am, changed into my training gear and headed out. There was still snow on the roads, though most had melted away, and the temperature was just above zero. I put my ipod on and headed out for the first part of my fitness regime, 20 minutes of walking and jogging, two minutes of each at a time. Easy I thought. Walking was fine, not a problem. Jogging not so. The first set was fine, the second not quite so, but by the third I felt my chest was going to snap. I managed a fourth jog but the fifth was beyond me. Now for the record, for when in a few months time I look back at this blog, i couldn't walk and jog for 20 minutes. When i got home my face was bright red, I was sweating, and my legs felt like jelly. I sat in the living room for 10 minutes trying to compose myself. My routine also had some other exercises in it, such as press ups, but I just wasn't fit to face them. They can wait until tonight.
Okay so the exercising was harder than I thought. The diet shouldn't be so hard. I started the day with a bowl of Special K, well at least Tesco's economy version of Special K, and a glass of fresh orange. That's one of my five a day ticked off. I then had an apple for mid morning snack, followed by two sandwiches and some diluting juice for lunch. So far so good. This afternoon i have a banana and a kiwi fruit to look forward to. Then tonight a small plate of stovies and some veg for tea.
My next challenge will be to avoid sitting in front of the TV all night. Kims out of the house, so I need to occupy myself. That means only one thing, DIY. I have plenty of small jobs to be done, so once Aisha is in bed I will pick one and get it done.
Okay so the exercising was harder than I thought. The diet shouldn't be so hard. I started the day with a bowl of Special K, well at least Tesco's economy version of Special K, and a glass of fresh orange. That's one of my five a day ticked off. I then had an apple for mid morning snack, followed by two sandwiches and some diluting juice for lunch. So far so good. This afternoon i have a banana and a kiwi fruit to look forward to. Then tonight a small plate of stovies and some veg for tea.
My next challenge will be to avoid sitting in front of the TV all night. Kims out of the house, so I need to occupy myself. That means only one thing, DIY. I have plenty of small jobs to be done, so once Aisha is in bed I will pick one and get it done.
Sunday 23 November 2008
The Weigh In
So the weigh in has taken place, and I got a bigger shock than I expected. I knew I was in a bad shape, but Christ I didn't expect the results I got. First off my weight. I came in at a massive 15 stone 6 pounds, or 99 kilos. Ouch. My ideal weight for my height(5' 9" or 1.79metres) is 76 kilos or 11 stone 7 pounds. This means I need to lose 33 kilos or roughly 4 stones. This change ain't gonna happen quick!! My BMI is 32, but should be 23.81. This is going to be tough!! I am officially obese. But I need to see this written down to make me take action. Now for the other stats
Waist - 41"
Hips 43"
Thigh - 21.5"
Chest - 42.5"
Neck - 17"
Bicep - 14"
I cant believe the size of my waist!!!!! But hey, its down there, and the only way is down. The revolution begins now! I plan to measure my stats once a month, and my weight each week. This will help me to see the results. I know though, that the best measure will be the way I feel, and how my clothes fit on me.
Tonight will be early to bed as I will be up early tomorrow to start the fitness regime. That will be followed by a healthy breakfast to set me up for the day. Lets hope this journey isn't too painful.
Waist - 41"
Hips 43"
Thigh - 21.5"
Chest - 42.5"
Neck - 17"
Bicep - 14"
I cant believe the size of my waist!!!!! But hey, its down there, and the only way is down. The revolution begins now! I plan to measure my stats once a month, and my weight each week. This will help me to see the results. I know though, that the best measure will be the way I feel, and how my clothes fit on me.
Tonight will be early to bed as I will be up early tomorrow to start the fitness regime. That will be followed by a healthy breakfast to set me up for the day. Lets hope this journey isn't too painful.
Preperation
today is preparation day. I went out and got myself a stop watch and jogging bottoms. I also bought a load of fruit and veg. Tonight is the big weigh in. This is the part I am really not looking forward to. But I have to face up to this. This will be the platform from where I start to change my life.
Tomorrow morning I plan to be up at the crack of dawn for my first fitness session. As stated earlier, the first two weeks are simple programming, nothing to heavy. This coupled with a healthy diet should be all I need to start turning my life around. No fancy diets for me!! My thinking is that if I cut out the junk food, and put more thought into what I am eating I should find it easier to stick to my plan. I will be eating the same food as the rest of the family. For meals we eat quite healthily already. No chips on our menu. The problem really comes from sweets and crisps at night, and takeaways at the weekend. But even a small change, like making my own pizza instead of buying a takeaway pizza will be huge. Oh and it will save me some money. That cant be a bad thing.
Later on tonight I will be taking my statistics, and will post the results up here.
Tomorrow morning I plan to be up at the crack of dawn for my first fitness session. As stated earlier, the first two weeks are simple programming, nothing to heavy. This coupled with a healthy diet should be all I need to start turning my life around. No fancy diets for me!! My thinking is that if I cut out the junk food, and put more thought into what I am eating I should find it easier to stick to my plan. I will be eating the same food as the rest of the family. For meals we eat quite healthily already. No chips on our menu. The problem really comes from sweets and crisps at night, and takeaways at the weekend. But even a small change, like making my own pizza instead of buying a takeaway pizza will be huge. Oh and it will save me some money. That cant be a bad thing.
Later on tonight I will be taking my statistics, and will post the results up here.
Friday 21 November 2008
5 Portions of Fruit and Veg a day
Now that I have decided on the fitness regime I will work to, I need to decide no my diet. This is simple. I won't be going on any sepcific diet. What I will do is take note of what I am eating. I will take far more interest in the food I eat. I will try and fall in love with food. I Won't see it as feeding an empty hole. I will see it as something to enjoy, but also as fuel for my body. I will eat 5 portions of fruit and veg every day. I will think carefully about each meal. I will put more preperation into each meal. I will eat small regular meals, coupled with healthy snacks. No Atkins diet for me. Just sensible eating. This wont be a sprint.
I'm looking forward to this change in my life. I know it wont be easy. I know i will slip up. Nut it will all be documented here, no more hiding for me.
Today my thoughts are once again with Pat, his girlfriend Kaz and his son Perry. The news from the hospital wasnt what they wanted to hear. I've been reading his blog each day, but haven't left a comment yet. I suppose I didnt know what to type. But I'm just off to enter something, just to let them know they are in my thoughts.
I'm looking forward to this change in my life. I know it wont be easy. I know i will slip up. Nut it will all be documented here, no more hiding for me.
Today my thoughts are once again with Pat, his girlfriend Kaz and his son Perry. The news from the hospital wasnt what they wanted to hear. I've been reading his blog each day, but haven't left a comment yet. I suppose I didnt know what to type. But I'm just off to enter something, just to let them know they are in my thoughts.
Thursday 20 November 2008
Fitness Regime
I have decided on the fitness aspect of my revolution. Well the first part at least. I am going to start the TA fitness regime. This will start on Monday 24th. it is a 14 week programme, the first two weeks being a conditioning programme, followed by 3 x 4 week programmes. These are designed to increase my fitness at a steady pace.
Now for the hard bit. On Sunday I am for the first time in years, going to weigh myself. Ouch, this is going to hurt. But to conquer this I must face up to the hard cold facts. I will also take my BMI. I am 5' 9" so my correct BMI is between 18.5 & 25. I will also take my waist measurement, thighs, biceps, chest and neck. This will give me a starting point to work off. Measuring my fitness should be easier. When i stop huffing and puffing after walking up the stairs I will know I am making progress.
One big target is to lose my man boobs. I am so embarrassed by them i choose clothes from my wardrobe to hide them. In the summer I couldn't wear t-shirts, preferring short sleeved shirts as they hid your figure more(how much of a girl do i sound like) Well that is gonna change. I may not end up looking like an Adonis, but I wont be embarrassed about my weight any more.
Today my thoughts are also with my friend Pat. He goes into hospital today for his operation tomorrow. Thinking of you mate, looking forward to seeing you soon.
Now for the hard bit. On Sunday I am for the first time in years, going to weigh myself. Ouch, this is going to hurt. But to conquer this I must face up to the hard cold facts. I will also take my BMI. I am 5' 9" so my correct BMI is between 18.5 & 25. I will also take my waist measurement, thighs, biceps, chest and neck. This will give me a starting point to work off. Measuring my fitness should be easier. When i stop huffing and puffing after walking up the stairs I will know I am making progress.
One big target is to lose my man boobs. I am so embarrassed by them i choose clothes from my wardrobe to hide them. In the summer I couldn't wear t-shirts, preferring short sleeved shirts as they hid your figure more(how much of a girl do i sound like) Well that is gonna change. I may not end up looking like an Adonis, but I wont be embarrassed about my weight any more.
Today my thoughts are also with my friend Pat. He goes into hospital today for his operation tomorrow. Thinking of you mate, looking forward to seeing you soon.
Wednesday 19 November 2008
the next step
so its out there. I finally started the blog. Getting it out there is only the beginning, Now i have to decide how to move things forward to change my life. I think the best way is to split my life into sections, and to focus on each one seperately. So the sections of my life will be
Health and Fitness
Finance
Family
Culture and Arts
Career
Let me discuss each catagory on its own
Health and Fitness - this will cover my aim to lose weight and get fit. I will be looking into working a fitness programme. I wont be doing any diet other than cutting out the crap and eating healthily, thinking of what i am putting into my body.
Finance - this will be something that will continually evolve. The aim in the long term is to remove all debt and to reduce my mortgage to such a level that i am not restricted to where I work. This will have a big benefit to me and my family. One point though. This wont be done to the detriment of my family. I dont want them missing out on things ever. We will still holiday, spend time together, but with more focus on our finances.
Family - This doeasnt just mean spending more time with my family, it also means adding to it, as me and Kim hope to add to our family sooner rather than later. But it also means more than that. It means spending better quality time with all the family. Making more of the time we have together. Anyone remember the advert last year with the kids sacking there dads. Then the question was asked "who do you work for?" well that gave me a reality check. Who do i work for? The answer must always be, Kim and Aisha.
Culture and Arts - This will cover a variety of aspects of my life. Lets start with TV. I have got to start using TV instead of felling used by TV. I need to watch what i want to watch, then learn to switch off and do something more contructive. For example, last night I wanted to watch a biography about Kurt Cobain. Instead of keeping myself busy until it started at 10pm i sat and flicked through the TV channels until it started. Christ at one point i was watching Christmas number ones from the past 25 years!!! This needs to stop!
This catagory will also cover my desire to add new activities to my life. Two that I have already decided on is learning to play the guitar, and learning to speak French. These can be achieved, i just need the motivation to do it. All i need is to look at my wife and i have the inspiration.
One other part of this section is reading. I like reading, but I probably limit myself with my choice of books, autobiographies mainly. I need to widen this selection.
Career - My final catagory. I haven't been happy at work for a long time. I need to move job. But I need to make the correct move, nothing hasty. At this moment with my firm shedding jobs, and the country moving into a recession it isnt a good time to move. But that shouldnt stop me making plans and taking steps to move when the time is right.
So thats the sections decided, now I need to plan how to make each section workable.
Health and Fitness
Finance
Family
Culture and Arts
Career
Let me discuss each catagory on its own
Health and Fitness - this will cover my aim to lose weight and get fit. I will be looking into working a fitness programme. I wont be doing any diet other than cutting out the crap and eating healthily, thinking of what i am putting into my body.
Finance - this will be something that will continually evolve. The aim in the long term is to remove all debt and to reduce my mortgage to such a level that i am not restricted to where I work. This will have a big benefit to me and my family. One point though. This wont be done to the detriment of my family. I dont want them missing out on things ever. We will still holiday, spend time together, but with more focus on our finances.
Family - This doeasnt just mean spending more time with my family, it also means adding to it, as me and Kim hope to add to our family sooner rather than later. But it also means more than that. It means spending better quality time with all the family. Making more of the time we have together. Anyone remember the advert last year with the kids sacking there dads. Then the question was asked "who do you work for?" well that gave me a reality check. Who do i work for? The answer must always be, Kim and Aisha.
Culture and Arts - This will cover a variety of aspects of my life. Lets start with TV. I have got to start using TV instead of felling used by TV. I need to watch what i want to watch, then learn to switch off and do something more contructive. For example, last night I wanted to watch a biography about Kurt Cobain. Instead of keeping myself busy until it started at 10pm i sat and flicked through the TV channels until it started. Christ at one point i was watching Christmas number ones from the past 25 years!!! This needs to stop!
This catagory will also cover my desire to add new activities to my life. Two that I have already decided on is learning to play the guitar, and learning to speak French. These can be achieved, i just need the motivation to do it. All i need is to look at my wife and i have the inspiration.
One other part of this section is reading. I like reading, but I probably limit myself with my choice of books, autobiographies mainly. I need to widen this selection.
Career - My final catagory. I haven't been happy at work for a long time. I need to move job. But I need to make the correct move, nothing hasty. At this moment with my firm shedding jobs, and the country moving into a recession it isnt a good time to move. But that shouldnt stop me making plans and taking steps to move when the time is right.
So thats the sections decided, now I need to plan how to make each section workable.
Sunday 16 November 2008
The First day of the rest of my life
Well here it is, the first day of the rest of my life. I have decided my life can't go on the way it has for the last 37 years. Don't get me wrong, I am not unhappy with my life as such. I have a wonderful wife who i love with all my heart. I have a 5 year old daughter who fills me with joy every day. These are the good things in life. But there are many things I am not content with. And these are things I can make changes to.
There are many things in my life i am not happy about. The number one thing is i am overweight, or obese as the doctors would call it. I have long had a problem with my weight. Most people who know me would tell you it doesn't bother, me. It does. It really does. I hate the fact i avoid buying nice clothes because of my size. I hate the fact i avoid playing sports because i know within 5 minutes i will be out of breath, with a bright red face, looking like i am about to collapse. i also worry my wife doesn't fancy me anymore. Why should she? She still has a great figure, where as I, well i don't. I know i can change this. Easy. Stop eating, exercise more. Bingo. But it isn't as easy as that. Or it hasn't been. As much as I have wanted to get into shape, I have always managed to find an excuse not to. I am also one of these people who live life on a cycle. On Wednesday I will decide to go on a diet. But not on Wednesday. I will wait until Monday, so that gives me four days to stuff my face. Then on Monday I have a bad day at work, get home, and while slumped on the sofa, fill my face. Then I remember I was on a diet, and promise to be better next Monday. But I never am.
I know my unhealthy lifestyle is affecting my health. I can feel it. I feel lethargic, especially in the evening. I don't have the get up and go I used to. And I want it back.
Another thing in my life i am not happy about is my financial situation. Now don't get me wrong, i ain't in financial trouble. But earlier this year i started looking for a new job(more on that later) and i found i was so restricted by my financial situation. I work long hours, so make a decent wage. To reduce my hours a week i would need to take on a job that pays less, and i just cant. I know how beneficial it would be to my home life if i was there more, but money dictates that ain't possible just now. So that needs to change.
I am also unhappy about other aspects of my life. I can't speak a foreign language. I cant play a musical instrument Why not? I watch far too much telly, and don't do enough of the things that my head is saying I should be doing. Like reading the classics. Or painting. There is so much more to life that I am missing out on. And why. Because I am lazy. I make excuses up in my head to justify why I don't do the things I really want to. And that's why i am overweight and unhappy with it. So no more. Time to start the revolution. Time to start making my life interesting, fun, happy.
The inspiration for this blog, and this whole idea is my good friend Pat. Pat has liver cancer, and started a blog, partly to keep friends updated with his feelings and how his treatment is going, and partly to help himself by getting his thoughts out there, not to bottle things up. And i can tell you it was some inspiration to me. Here was a guy who was fighting the very thing that threatened to destroy him. And he will win in the end. Reading his blog I started to look at my own life compared to Pats. Where Pat took action, I made excuses. And that's when i decided i had to change. My fight to change my life in no way can be compared to Pats fight. But if he can win his battle, surely i can win mine. Surely i can change my life for the better. Another inspiration is my wife. She recently started an Open University course on Volcanoes, Tsunamis and Hurricanes. Why? Because she wanted to better herself, maybe one day make a career out of it. So why cant I do something like that?
I don't expect anyone to read this blog. I wont be advertising it. This is for me. Maybe by getting things down on file it will help me see the bigger picture. But change will happen. So what have I got so far? Lose weight. Get fit. Sort out finances. Learn the guitar. Learn a language. Conquer the world!!!!
There are many things in my life i am not happy about. The number one thing is i am overweight, or obese as the doctors would call it. I have long had a problem with my weight. Most people who know me would tell you it doesn't bother, me. It does. It really does. I hate the fact i avoid buying nice clothes because of my size. I hate the fact i avoid playing sports because i know within 5 minutes i will be out of breath, with a bright red face, looking like i am about to collapse. i also worry my wife doesn't fancy me anymore. Why should she? She still has a great figure, where as I, well i don't. I know i can change this. Easy. Stop eating, exercise more. Bingo. But it isn't as easy as that. Or it hasn't been. As much as I have wanted to get into shape, I have always managed to find an excuse not to. I am also one of these people who live life on a cycle. On Wednesday I will decide to go on a diet. But not on Wednesday. I will wait until Monday, so that gives me four days to stuff my face. Then on Monday I have a bad day at work, get home, and while slumped on the sofa, fill my face. Then I remember I was on a diet, and promise to be better next Monday. But I never am.
I know my unhealthy lifestyle is affecting my health. I can feel it. I feel lethargic, especially in the evening. I don't have the get up and go I used to. And I want it back.
Another thing in my life i am not happy about is my financial situation. Now don't get me wrong, i ain't in financial trouble. But earlier this year i started looking for a new job(more on that later) and i found i was so restricted by my financial situation. I work long hours, so make a decent wage. To reduce my hours a week i would need to take on a job that pays less, and i just cant. I know how beneficial it would be to my home life if i was there more, but money dictates that ain't possible just now. So that needs to change.
I am also unhappy about other aspects of my life. I can't speak a foreign language. I cant play a musical instrument Why not? I watch far too much telly, and don't do enough of the things that my head is saying I should be doing. Like reading the classics. Or painting. There is so much more to life that I am missing out on. And why. Because I am lazy. I make excuses up in my head to justify why I don't do the things I really want to. And that's why i am overweight and unhappy with it. So no more. Time to start the revolution. Time to start making my life interesting, fun, happy.
The inspiration for this blog, and this whole idea is my good friend Pat. Pat has liver cancer, and started a blog, partly to keep friends updated with his feelings and how his treatment is going, and partly to help himself by getting his thoughts out there, not to bottle things up. And i can tell you it was some inspiration to me. Here was a guy who was fighting the very thing that threatened to destroy him. And he will win in the end. Reading his blog I started to look at my own life compared to Pats. Where Pat took action, I made excuses. And that's when i decided i had to change. My fight to change my life in no way can be compared to Pats fight. But if he can win his battle, surely i can win mine. Surely i can change my life for the better. Another inspiration is my wife. She recently started an Open University course on Volcanoes, Tsunamis and Hurricanes. Why? Because she wanted to better herself, maybe one day make a career out of it. So why cant I do something like that?
I don't expect anyone to read this blog. I wont be advertising it. This is for me. Maybe by getting things down on file it will help me see the bigger picture. But change will happen. So what have I got so far? Lose weight. Get fit. Sort out finances. Learn the guitar. Learn a language. Conquer the world!!!!
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