Year in Review

Looking back....

• highest weight: 139, lowest weight 125.4
• became healthy enough to get back in the gym
• took up taekwondo
• took up skate-skiing
• freed self from Diet Pepsi addiction
• visited Paris
• single for the longest time ever and really enjoying it
• four stitches and a calf tear

What I learned:

• 90% is diet, the other half is exercise
• 90% means 90-100%, not 85% or 60%
• Work on task oriented goals until they become habits
• if I’m tired or feel cravings I should try to understand what the signals are telling me (without giving in to the cravings)
• When I start thinking I’m strong and conditioned I should take up a new sport or activity
• I don’t like ultimate goals. I don’t understand what the basis for this antipathy is, maybe I feel thwarted if steps aren’t accomplished according to schedule, maybe it’s childish rebellion, maybe I don’t like the word “goal”. Whatever! It’s not like I’m a slacker, I’m working toward my Ph.D and my black belt and I am clear on what I need to accomplish to get there, but I don’t really like to see them as “Goals” with sparkly stars around them. To me they are inevitable if I keep chipping away by being consistent and diligent. So that’s how I’m going to approach fitness and target body composition, my “success” is inevitable with consistency and diligence.
• I do have dreams (maybe that’s how I’m viewing “goals”). Wouldn’t it be cool to do conservation work at Monterey Bay or San Diego? I’d love to do the program to be an internationally certified TKD instructor. It would feel great to be rock-hard, wiry ball of vibrant health when I hit 40 (gack!)

So 2008 is upon us already so this is going to be the year of Optimum Health – Mental and Physical. Optimum diet fuels intense activity which will result in enhanced mental health and awesome body composition.

Stuff I need to work on:

• Don’t look at crappy food as special treats.
• Be honest. I have been looking the other way as I dump chemical creamer into my decaf. If I have to stop drinking coffee, then so be it. No cheating, it’s only hurting me if I ingest poisonous crud and pretend it’s ok to make an exception. A good cup of coffee with half and half will go nicely with a 10% meal.
• Honor thy workout schedule without killing thyself. Get up when the alarm goes off and get into the gym. If after the warmup I still want to curl up under the bench and cry, it’s ok to walk, watch ESPN highlights from the rowing machine, or kick the heavy bag, just do something for an hour.

2008 is going to be the year when I get it done, I've been chipping away for just about a year now and I'm healthy and armed with PN and I'm going to make it happen and enjoy the journey.

Here's wishing you and your loved ones all the joy, laughter, love and health you can stand in the New Year!!

and here's a lovely pic of where I've been skiing