Monday, June 21, 2010

Looking out for Buses

Thirty some odd days ago I started an exercises routine/program. Since starting that program I have also taken up running. Here are some of my observations about diet and exercise.

Running sucks.

Dieting sucks.

Exercising is not so bad.

I have become one of those annoying people who does nothing but talk about dieting and exercising.

I really think that people who diet and exercise and say they "lost" weight are selling themselves short. You lose your keys. You lose your cell phone. Dieting and exercising to drop pounds is hard work.

The worst nights to run in my neighborhood are Monday and Thursday nights. Trash night. Trash cans line the street and on hot humid nights the smell from the cans can cause pockets of gag inducing stench. Establishing an inhale-through-the-nose breathing rhythm is very difficult on trash night.

I am down 14 pounds since I started working out. I need to work off another 14.

Counting calories is very difficult. There is no guidebook that tells you how many calories are in the cut off crusts of your kids peanut butter and fluff sandwiches. Or how many calories are in the last few bites of a bowl of Rice Krispies your kid did not finish.

The people you see everyday do not notice your physical changes. It is nice to invite friends over who you have not seen in over a month so they can compliment you on your looks.

I used to be one of those people who would say "What's the point of eating healthy and exercising, I could get hit by a bus tomorrow." Now, I am on the look out for buses as I run across and down the road.

Music choice is very important when running. I noticed I do better when I listen to a "live" album. I imagine that the people cheering in the song are actually cheering for me. I try to time the end of my run to coincide with Peter Gabriel's Solsbury Hill live version. Having "people" cheering is not important for the entire run but it definitely helps at the end of the run so I suggest having at least one 2 to 3 minutes "live" song on the ipod.

I find myself getting more done in other aspects of my life such as yard work, house work, playing with the kids etc. Dieting and working out has giving me more energy for other things.

Speaking of having more energy for other things, does Barry White have a "live" album? You know what I'm saying? You know what I'm saying? Again, I would only need a 2 to 3 minute song. (Boom. I just saved you the comment Anonymous.)

17 comments:

teri said...

Congrats, Bill. Keep up the good work.

Anonymous said...

Yes dieting is hard. I like the plan outlined in the book, "Body for Life". You eat healthy by cutting out sugar, white flour, and high fat foods for 6 days, then the 7th day you eat whatever you want. It makes it easier because you can tell yourself you can have what you are craving on your day off.

Anonymous said...

I was hoping you would have ended this post with Biko.

Anonymous said...

All the pounds I ever lost have found me again, along with the friends they made when they were out on the streets.
Good for you and your hard work!
I recommend some ZZ Top on your iPod.

Anonymous said...

William Comes Alive !


I want you...
to show me the way.

for a different kind of girl said...

Great job on the weight loss, and the running. I've been working out a little more than normal lately. Cripes, I hate it! Well, I hate the idea of it. Once I get involved, I'm OK (even if sometimes I'm counting down the minutes until the program ends). Of course, I should be working out now...you know what, pretend I wasn't here...

Queen of Dishing said...

Wow I'm right there with you on the diet and exercise (but no running for me-history of stress fracture.) I'm down 10 lbs in a month, just cutting out a lot of alcohol and stopping eating stupid stuff (like no mexican 3x a week dang it.) Keep it up and we'll both be looking slim and trim in no time!

BKP said...

So Solsbury Hill is your PowerSong? Good song... but that reminds me of some pretty bittersweet times so it couldn't be mine. BEP - Pump It... now you're talking...
and it's 3:33 to be exact. Ha.

James (SeattleDad) said...

Way to go Bill. But, don't you now wish you would have saved up for The Biggest Loser?

Whit said...

Congrats. I could lose a few pounds myself. I'll let you know if I need to borrow the Barry White album.

Anonymous said...

Way to go, Bill! I'll take back that XL shirt I got you and return it for an L. Keep up the good pace. Fourteen pounds in a month is good. One more month, and you'll have reached your goal.

Anonymous said...

I am so glad that you abandoned your bus theory- you know that never made any sense to me! If it were easy, everyone would be in phenomonal shape. I am very proud of all your hard work- you're doing great!

Meegs said...

"I try to time the end of my run to coincide with Peter Gabriel's Solsbury Hill live version. "

LOVE this song.

Congratulations and good job!
Are we going to get an after picture?

Anonymous said...

pI started running last November. Until then, I was a 51 year old who hated every second of exercise. But even though it is hard, I think I like running. It's a constant mind game with me. I still run really slow, and my goal is just to finish my 3.1 miles without walking and without throwing up. Both of which happen a lot, but I still keep doing it, so I must be getting something out of it. So keep it up and enjoy the results!

Debbie

Anonymous said...

My heart going boom boom boom.

Teach-ME-Mom said...

How did you start running? Just go? I have never run before (never really exercised purposely until a year ago) and decided to run. I have had great luck with coolrunning's Couch to 5k program. It eases you in with interval training so you don't burn out. You can find the program for free online. I've found a bunch of podcasts with great music and prompts to switch between running and walking.

And do you have a Beachbody coach for P90X? My friend just got started with it and it's really great. She went through Chalean Extreme and is now almost done with P90X, moving onto Insanity after. And she is unrecognizable from her previous shape. Amazing! Keep up the good work!

And if you're into competition, check out the Game On! program. You go up against other people for prizes, and earn points and such. Very fun!

Bogart said...

Bringing Sexy Back!

Does this mean no more Scrapple?