From the Couch to the Finish Line

Holy crap, can you believe it's March already!?!  Geez!  So I've turned 28 and I'm not getting any younger, and my metabolism isn't going to magically speed up; in fact, it tends to slow down over time.  And for someone like me who was always active growing up, getting used to a desk job and the calories that are NOT burned on a daily basis is a huge wake-up call.

Yeah, I've put on the 'Career 30' and I most definitely haven't kept my activity up, though my caloric intake has averaged beyond my BMR for quite some time, meaning I've earned every pound I've gained.  That's right, weight gain, heft, fat, roundness, and anything else you want to call it is something that is attained over time through our own 'efforts.'

Sound like I have no remorse for anyone who's overweight?  Exactly!  And why's that?  BECAUSE NO MATTER WHAT EXCUSE YOU GIVE, IT'S SOMETHING YOU HAVE 100% CONTROL OVER!!!  That's right, I can't stand Handi-Fat people (those who are so fat that they require acknowldegement under the ADA) because they could begin reversing their rotundness today...if they cared enough to do something about it.

But enough of my ranting about lazy fat people who are a drain on this country's healthcare system.  This is about me and the size that I've gotten to due to the fact that I have been pretty lazy for a good while, too.  Difference is....I'M GOING TO DO SOMTHING ABOUT IT!

No, I'm not going to start running 1/2 marathons like my fiance (though I may end up trying to complete one sometime), but a 5K never hurt anybody, and I'm pretty sure I could eventually swing a 10K.  I'm not saying I'll have even a competitive time, but the Finish Line is what counts.

MODERATION

While I plan on tackling my 1st 5K in over 5 years on April 3 at Santa Anita, by no means am I going to A) starve myself to shape up for the race, or B) constantly work out so that i'm in top shape.  Here's what I AM going to do....

*Eat sensibly - This is really ALL about portion control.  Not that I'm going to, but I could still concede to McD's once a week or so, as long as I'm hooking up the small fries and soda to go along with my McDouble, and remain on track to a lower weight and fitter me.

*Get out and Move! - No, I can't run 5K right now.  But I sure as hell can walk 4 miles and burn a good amount of calories.  And after a few days, I probably will feel like jogging sections of the walk, who knows?  I absolutely will keep everyone posted on my progress.

*Monitor my Intake - I've been doing Weight Watchers for a couple of months, and I'm actually about 20 lbs down from my peak weight.  However, tracking is essential for accountability, so I need to be more diligent in my monitoring.  I'd like to be back under 240 before summer rolls in, which, at 1 lb. per week, is just enough time!

*Remember to have fun! - Sure, I've got a route chosen for my walk/jog right now, but as soon as I begin to tire of it, I'll be working on a new one to keep it interesting.  Also, along the no starving lines, I've got a Winter session of the Venice Beach Beer Olympics to particiapte in prior to the 5K, and a quarters event that I need to defend my Gold in.  And I'm still going to lose weight on a week to week basis.


So here we go, FROM THE COUCH TO THE FINISH LINE!  A new series to follow on The Spot, these entries will continue to document my progress towards a 10K, my playlist picks for a good run,  good walk/jog routes in LA, and of course, an update on the Beer Olympics!  Be sure to check back for subsequent entries to this sereis as well as an introduction to a few new series' that I'll be interchanging in and out of the spot, as interest dictates.