Belly Buster

So I'm exercising again. I say again because this has been a start and stop process over the past few years. I'm overweight, and it's kind of a bummer. I mean, I don't have trouble fitting into an airplane seat, and I don't get winded walking up a couple flights of stairs, but I know it's not healthy. And I'd also like all of my clothes to fit better again.

So once again, I'm exercising. But this time it's going to be different.

I know. I know. That's what I say every time, but I'm starting to learn what my limits are and what is or is not realistic for me. The last few attempts to get in shape involved gym memberships. Not only are they pricey, but I felt so self-conscious in front of other people. Plus there was the inconvenience of it. It's hard enough finding the motivation to exert myself, but now I have to get up and leave the house to do it? No way! So this time I thought I'd keep it close to home. Leslie and I bought the EA Sports Active Game for the Wii. How much closer to your home can you get then your living room?

We fooled around with it a bit and then it sat unused on our entertainment center for a while. Now I've got a program going with it. It's a 30 day work out challenge and I'm about halfway through with it.

That's the other flaw in my quest for fitness. Once I start working out I always brag to everyone in the world about it, how I'm doing this and that. Then because I made the mistake of telling people, they ask how I'm doing with it. Have I seen a difference? How often do I do it? Next thing I know it's all this imaginary pressure and I can't take it and I just quit. This time I wanted to keep up with it for a few weeks before I told anyone.

This week I completed the game's 30 Day Challenge, which is 20 days of work outs and 10 days of rest. With the 30 day challenge every day they throw a handful of exercises at you. Some are a little tough (fuck you in-line skating!) and some are pretty easy. Each session runs about 20 minutes and there's usually 18 or so activities. The personal trainer in the game is a bit of a douche, but otherwise the game is pretty fun. The activities are different enough that I don't get bored, and that's important to me. There is a lot of running in place type stuff, and there is also the sport stuff Wii is known for like tennis and basketball. What's frustrating is that the workout will start and they'll say, "Today we're going to focus on upper body!" and then you have to do 15 sets of lunges. And I fucking hate lunges.

My daily routine is that I wake up around 5 am, go downstairs to the living room to work out, shower and then go to work. The program suggests that you take a day off every two days, but I've been working out Monday through Friday and taking Saturdays and Sundays off. It doesn't seem to mind that I ignore its advice on rest, just so long as I'm not gone for too long. Outside of the living room I also make attempts to cut out some of the awful stuff I typically eat. Granted, I probably still eat a bit more than I should, and in a job like mine it's hard to turn away food, but I'm making an effort.

Now the big question: Have there been any results? Yes and no. I've noticed a slight difference in the way my clothes fit. Also I can tell that some of the exercises in the game are becoming a bit easier, so hopefully that means I'm increasing my endurance and/or stamina.

And that's where I'm at. I'm exercising. I'm never going to be a super thin or fit guy, but if I make an effort maybe I can get a bit healthier. Don't keep and eye out for me showing up at the neighborhood pool in a Speedo any time soon, but don't think I can't handle a nice long hike either.