Returning To An Old Idea

It has been a while since my last post. I was able to enjoy Christmas with my wife and in-laws and had a little break from the rigor of life. As I was thinking about my life and my decisions I decided that it was time for me to return to an old idea I had not totally forgotten but for a time abandoned.

I know that writing is something that I can do well if I will set my mind to it and do the work. To that end I bought a book on Christmas Eve about getting started as a freelance writer. As I understand it writing as a business is not easy, but it is entirely possible to do and make a significant amount of money doing it. I know that the Bible says the love of money is the root of all evil, but I also know that money is a tool and the more you have that more opportunity you will have to experience things you would not otherwise be able to do.

I have decided that I will not be abandoning my exercise routine, but I will be turning down the intensity so that I can pursue my writing and turn it into a business. I am insistent that I will become self-employed as a freelance writer. This is something that I know I am able to do.

Less Wheezing

This afternoon I ran 2.01 miles at the Jordan River Parkway. I was able to increase my running pace percentage to over 50 percent. I ran about 1.26 miles of the total distance. I can see the day not far off when I can run the 2 miles without slowing to a walking pace at all. Another thing I noticed about my running is that the wheezing and coughing I was experiencing last Saturday was much less severe this time on the trail. I think my lungs will be getting stronger and stronger. My body is used to carrying around this extra weight and things are sure to get easier when I lose more fat.

This late afternoon I went to the gym and did my full body workout with a warm up and cool down on the treadmill. It was not easy, but I can see the results. I am getting stronger. I can see the weights or the repetitions increasing. This is helping me have a strong body for the athletic events and activities I will be doing.

Not Any Lighter, But a Little Easier

This evening I checked into my gym to find out my body weight is still exactly where it has been for a little while. I am not discouraged by this because I know I have been doing things right. I know my weight will go down again soon.

In addition to my weight in I did the 30 minute stationary bicycle cardiovascular workout. It seems like the resistance and the time was slightly less intense than it was the first time. It seems that I am gradually getting stronger and increasing my endurance. I know that things are getting better, I just need to be patient. This, as with most worthwhile things takes time.

Jordan River Parkway

Today I went to a local running store for the first time to see what their selection is like. This is the first time I have been to a store dedicated to running. It is as expected I suppose. There is a large selection of running shoes, other clothing, nutrients, a small section of books and maps and other miscelaneous items.

After I left the store I went to the Midvale section of the Jordan River Parkway. This is the first time I have been to the Parkway. The Parkway is a paved pedestrian, bicycle and equestrian trail used by runners. The trail extends north and south along the Jordan River. The trail runs from Utah Lake in Utah County in the south to the Great Salt Lake in Salt Lake County in the north. The trail is about 40 miles (64 km) long and is almost continuous. I got some of my information from the Wikipedia article about the Parkway.

I did a run/walk back and forth along Midvale’s Legacy Gold Medal Mile. I ran/walked just over 2 miles. I was surprised to find out I started wheezing after a few minutes at a slow running speed. I will not let my wheezing keep me from running. I expect my wheezing will probably get better as my general health improves.

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More Fun Today

So after my day I got in an evening cardiovascular workout on the stationary bicycle. It was the same program as before. A level one fat burn for 30 minutes, plus a 2 minute cool down. It was not at all easy, but it was more tolerable without the caffeine and sleeplessness.

I have not lost any weight since yesterday, but I understand that body weight can fluctuate from one day to the next. I am sure that I am still loosing weight over all. I am trying to decide if I am going to join any of the local running clubs or enter any of the running events before I reach my ideal weight sometime next Spring. I have a significant amount of weight to lose before my body mass index and my overall fat percentage are in the ideal weight and athletic range. I can feel my muscles, heart and lungs getting stronger. When I am at my idea weight my stronger muscles with have to lug around a lot less fat. That will make running and everything else I do easier.

My clothes are getting looser every week. I know that when I am done loosing weight I will need a whole new set of clothes. To motivate me to stay that size I will get rid of all my big person clothes that do not have sentimental value. I can also see my body getting thinner and less flabby. It is a great change.

Things Are Getting Better

Today was not filled with caffeine induced stress. I went to school and had a session with my math tutor. After I got the algebra pain out-of-the-way I was sitting in my car reading. I was reading the Wikipedia article about marathons.

It is packed with all sorts of useful information. I was reminded of the story of Pheidippides. If this story is true it is inspiring that this military messenger would run from the battlefield to Athens, then die after delivering his message of victory.

Later in the day I did a full body resistance training workout with a cardiovascular warm up and cool down. This workout was for the most part uneventful, which I think is good, because this means I did not have any major pain.

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No Sleep

Yesterday I drank most of a 2 liter bottle of diet soda. Other than the personal testament my drinking this much soda gave to the good taste I got a sizable dose of caffeine along with the flavor. This led to it being very difficult to settle my body and I had no sleep Tuesday night. Other than the deleterious effects this had on my mood and alertness it also led to pronounced stress in my workout.

I repeated the same stationary bicycle cardiovascular and resistance fat burning workout today that I did yesterday. Something I really noticed today was that the resistance made it very hard for me to keep up the cadence for 30 minutes. I was definitely feeling the ache in my legs. I was also sweating a lot. I do not remember if this was the same as yesterday or if my muscle wear and tiredness exaggerated the situation, I just knew it was serious perspiring. One more thing I noticed was that I burned 31 more calories today for the same amount of time. The only explanation other than insomnia fatigue I can think of is that I accidentally raised the difficult above level one.

Lesson learned, do not drink that much caffeinated soda, especially in the after noon. Despite my difficulties I still got in a wonderful workout and two hours of moderately physical work in at my job. I know that this bicycle workout is strengthening my legs and core in addition to my heart and lungs. I am getting an average heart rate in the fat burning and aerobic ranges from this workout.

Stationary Bicycle Workout

I just finished my first stationary bicycle workout in quite a long time. I did the level one fat burn program for 30 minutes plus the 2 minute cool down. This was plenty of resistance for me to sustain at a reasonable speed for the whole workout.

This experience reminded me of the 11 months I spent in the year 2000 using a good quality mountain bike as my daily transportation. In that year I lost about 90 pounds and got down to my ideal weight. This time when I get there I will not let it go back up on the scale.

I will be gradually working my way up to more difficult levels. I hope to work my way to a resistance level consistent with the realities of riding a road bike. I will be getting a road bike for races, training and a little transport when I can.

Today’s Workout

Today I did my first full body workout of the week. I followed the workout given to me by one of the trainers at my fitness center. He also has advised me to change the workout from time to time.

I started and ended my workout with brief very brisk walks on the treadmill. I am increasing my speed and strengthening my heart and lungs for greater endurance. I am not at running speed yet, but I can see it coming.

I also lost two pounds since my last weigh in. I am happy with my steady progress. If this trend continues I will reach my weight loss goal in the first half of next year.

Why Athletics Matter To Me

Since mid-October I have lost about 34 pounds of body weight, most of which has been fat. I have been working in a small local fitness center with resistance training and cardiovascular endurance. Before we had the blizzard the day before Thanksgiving I had been spending weekend days doing brisk three-mile walks in one of the larger city parks and the sidewalks near home. I will be taking the opportunity to check out the sidewalks and park to see if the pavement is safe for fast walking.

I have one general goal and two specific goals with my health. My first goal is to get from just slightly over 300 pounds to under 200 pounds of body weight and to never go back.

I also want to get good at martial arts and long distance, endurance sports like running and cycling. I hope to eventually complete full length marathons and triathlon events such as the Ironman St. George. I know it will probably be at least the second half of next year or more probably 2012 before my body condition and training are ready for that much rigor.

In the mean time I am glad to be looking better and feeling better because I am more healthy. I see progress and accomplishment by small degrees in my workouts. My resistance training is getting my muscles stronger and my working heart rate is getting lower. I know this means my body is getting stronger, which is a wonderful thing.

As far as the martial arts are concerned, I am registered for a class in wing chun style kung fu starting in January at Salt Lake Community College. I am sure this will be good for me in all sorts of ways. I am more particularly interested in this style of kung fu because this is the style that Bruce Lee was taught when he was a child. Bruce Lee seems to be a great role model for me regarding physical fitness and a good life philosophy.

I hope that by sharing my fitness story with others it will inspire the reader to get up and do some good for yourself for a longer, healthier and more fulfilling life.