/mike

Yup, I really do. As a friend of mine used to say, I feel like 10 pounds of crap in a 5 pound bag. I could list a bunch of reasons for why this is but I’m not going to. Breaking it down, the only excuse I have is that I’m a lazy procrastinator. Each and every reason I could have listed boils down to that one, simple fact. I want to change that.

Last year, and for the last half of 2006, I was on a mission to live a healthier lifestyle. It was working too. I started making better choices at mealtime, I was exercising regularly, and I had a great daily schedule/routine worked out, then I moved to California.

Living out here is a total shift from what I was doing in Pennsylvania. I’m surrounded by a larger group of physically accessible friends — my friends in PA are awesome, I just didn’t have many — and there is simply more going on in San Francisco than rural PA. This has played hovac on my old routine.

Last week I really started putting more thought into getting back to the healthier lifestyle I used to lead. In fact, after 6 or so months of not living it, I’m longing for it. Starting next week I will be getting back to it. I’d like to rope a few friends into living healthier as well so at least I have some company and outside influence to push myself.

While watching TV last night, I sat down and took some measurements — I don’t weigh myself because muscle is heavier than fat, among other reasons. I took measurements of my neck, chest, bicep (AKA, the pythons), abs (if you can call them that), and thigh. Using a formula I was given by a friend, I also calculated my body fat percentage. Here are the results:

• Neck: 15.5″
• Chest: 40.25″
• Bicep: 12″
• Abs: 38″
• Thigh: 21″
• Total body fat: 59%

That was a hard pill to swallow and it hurt a little bit on the inside. But that’s the point of this, to motivate myself. Starting on Monday, January 21st, 2008 I am going to be eating healthier, going to the gym in the morning, and doing my best to get a good night’s sleep during the week. Each week I’ll be taking measurements and most likely every month or so I’ll be taking progress pictures. As far as blogging my progress I’m not sure what I’ll do. I do know that I won’t be posting my progress pictures right away. Possibly down the road I will, but I’m not quite comfortable enough doing that yet.

For finally getting motivated, I have to thank James Mathias and Colin Devroe. James is a constant inspriration to me through his own journey to a healthier lifestyle (he’ll even be talking about it at SXSW ‘08). Colin, Chris, and I were the orginators of “The Diet” and while Colin (Chris as well, I believe) has basically kept up with it, I certainly have not. Seeing him Twitter about going to basketball is a constant reminder that I need to get into gear, again.

Alright, enough talk. Time to get my schedule figured out and decide which gym I’ll be going to.