The Rambling Madman

Thursday, February 17, 2005

Getting in Better Shape

Throughout my youth I was always the skinny guy. For the life of me, I couldn't put on any extra weight. I ate like a pig, took weight gainers, and exercised constantly. No help. Mind you, I was very fit.

When I was sick, I lost a lot of weight. At my worst (in 2001) I was down to 123lbs. At 6' or so, that's pretty much all skin and bones. At the time I was likened (by one of my least tactful friends) as someone in a POW camp. Nice.

After recovering, I managed to gain my weight back, and more. Age and body changes from Addison's caught up with me and I ended up around 180lbs. I did exercise - I rode my bike quite a bit, ran when I could and worked out at home. For the first time in my life, I wasn't skinny or super fit. To tell the truth - I acutally had a few extra pounds around my waist! HOLY CRAP!

Since last summer I've been going to they gym pretty regularly. The weight training has helped me shift some of the "extra" weight from fat to muscle. I'm now much more muscular than I've ever been. I've leaned up a little and am down another 5lbs.

Recently I decided I'm going to drop (or convert) yet another few pounds. I'd like to get rid of some more of that extra fat that's around my waist. I know I could likley just stop eating, but that wouldn't be all that good for me, now would it.

Instead I'm changing my diet a bit. A while back I managed to cut down my sugar intake by switching from Gatorade to another (more expensive) brand and backing away from the slurpees a bit (only on weekends now).

Now I'm doing salads as my main side dish at lunch. No more "whatever yummy thing I can get my hands on" to go with my sandwich. Instead, a nice salad with cut up veggies. Generally, dinners are smaller (not much) portions too, with more veggies and less carbs. I already cook relatively low fat, so I'm safe that way. Clearly some nights, like Laura's b-day, temptation is going to win out and I'll stuff my face. MMmmM churros!

By summer, I hope this diet change, and more cardio (biking season is starting! WOO!) training, I'll be back to my reasonably fit self and a bit happier with my body.

Yes, I know I'm probably being silly, but hey, improving my body isn't a BAD thing, now is it???

-Mike | 2:23 PM | link |