I can't change my age but I can fix the other two. Or at least I hope too. When I hit 41 I didn't feel so good. Nothing serious just getting older, fatter, and generally out of shape.
I decided to make a change, some for myself but mostly out of fear of not living long enough to see what becomes of my kids, who they grow up to be, how they change over the years and I sure as hell didn't want someone else walking my daughter down the isle. I'm not going to miss out on the chance to terrorize the poor little twerp that ends up marrying my daughter.
My real motivation kicked in with a continuous and persistent sore throat. Since I was smoking at the time, the hypochondriac in me bellowed "IT'S THROAT CANCER"... It isn't, turns out just acid reflux. but I used that as motivation to quit smoking and on June 10th 2013, I smoked my last cigarette.
Moving forward I didn't really feel any better. Over the next year I put on a little extra weight capping out at 198lb, felt pooped pretty much all the time. A year and a bit after quitting I started phase two. I started using "My Fitness Pal" to keep track of my eating habits. I didn't alter what I ate, just started keeping track of it. After a couple weeks of that I set a goal for 2000 calories a day, and tried to get "close" to it. I wasn't too stringent just, tried to finish in that general area. I think by just logging what you eat, it keeps everything right in the forefront of your mind. When you look at that extra snack, you tend to say no.
My feet suck. (I have no segue for this) Not sure if it's the years of combat boots, lack of activity, weight gain or what, but my feet are now flatter than the Kansas plains. On top of that I hate running. I mean I really hate running. If I had Freddy Kruger, and Jason Vorhees behind me I would still take time to debate if it was really worth the effort of running. And i'm guessing that 9 times out of 10 I'd probably say "nah" So I needed something other that running to help with my fitness.
Hello Rowing machine. If you are anything like me and hate running as much as I do, I recommend a rowing machine. What other exercise device let's you sit down the whole time you are exercising. The only thing that could improve it is a bacon dispenser attached to the front to motivate that push forward.
So I picked up a rowing machine and a Polar H7 Heart monitor. Using that along with the Polar Beat app has helped make sure that I didn't over do it and exercise my out of shape butt into an early heart attack.
I'd recommend any machine that tracks your distance, time etc. The rower I got has very nice performance monitor. The Manufacturers website has a lot of support and challenges to keep you motivated. but you don't need one of their rowers to use it. log.concept2.com.
So as a goal I decided to try and complete the Million Meter Challenge http://www.concept2.com/indoor-rowers/motivation/million-meter-club. I'm pretty sure that I can't help but be in better shape after that. I started working out on it around the 5th of November, 5 times a week. I've been doing 30 minute workouts 4 days a week and rowing a 10K on saturdays.
After 5 weeks of tracking what I eat and 3 weeks of rowing I've lost a little over 10 pounds and feel better than I have in a long time.
Running didn't work for me, but rowing is. I guess what I'm trying to say is... Exercise equipment needs bacon dispensers.
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