Almost my 59th birthday.........

Today is Sunday, July 31st, 2011; with this coming Friday (August 5th) being my 59th birthday! I talked about my Independence from petty things in my life as being the purpose of this blog, but more importantly it needs to be my Independence from an overweight lifestyle.

My weight has always been a problem for me because I just plain enjoy "FOOD"! I don't really drink (maybe an occasional beer), I don't smoke,........ but I love good food! My biggest culprit is the carbohydrates in bread, bagels, rolls, and pasta. This condition; coupled with the lack of physical activity has had me with Type-2 Diabetes for many years. Fortunately I've been able to control it with medication, but as I get older it will get harder, and I hope I won't eventually have to go with insulin as shots to control my blood sugar! This is wholly of my own making! It's my "life choices" and my choices have been very poor....... for a lot of years!

When I talk about medication; I talk about seven (7) different medications! When you have Type-2 Diabetes now; they treat all the underlying factors very aggressively! High sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure, are treated at the same time; each medication with its own side-effects!

The last time I was in shape was 1976; the year of the Bicentennial! I dropped weight from 225 pounds to 168 pounds. I was into Shotokan Karate and trained 4-5 nights a week. I used to run out to Colliers Mills in the sand at least every other day, and I had a very physical job as a Commercial Landscaper, than working in a Feed Mill. I really was a "lean, mean fighting machine"! As to "what happened"? I just got lazy, life got easier, and my life-styles changed for the worst! My biggest regret is leading my wife down this path. Not intentionally, but through my actions! I'm sorry Maryann!

This brings me to today; July 31st, 2011 and the question is "what am I going to do about it"?
I've tried small diets and have gotten bored and went off them! I said to Maryann; "what would be a good motivator for me"? How about to continue to "LIVE". This is just wearing my body out, and I really want to be around for my wife and my kids, and especially for ME!

I got an idea from my wife this morning and will actually put together an outfit today of old and smaller clothes. These clothes will be in a prominent spot to allow me to chart my progress based on fitting into old clothes. Other ideas include writing down what I eat and looking at old pictures of my "smaller" days. I have some "goals" set in my mind, but I'm not ready to share them with this blog yet!

Stay tuned and I'll describe my journey in this blog. Hopefully my next post will contain some pictures of my "downfall", as well as my journey back!

The beginning.......

I've always attempted to make life changes based upon a significant calendar event, to allow me some type of remembrance of these changes.

Today is July 4th, 2011; Independence Day! What better day to try and change my life for the better; in a sense "my Independence from petty things in life"!