January Firsts

[Mr. Bloom]

Well, thanks to this group for your interest and encouragement in my weight loss and exercise plan. You've challenged me, advised me, and assisted in setting me on a path to my goal.

It has gone MUCH better than I expected...but as I inventory my progress, I truly feel good and healthy. As of this morning, I have lost 16.5 pounds and have more stamina and energy that I can imagine.

In the process, here are my "firsts" for January:

• I bought fresh veggies at the grocery store
• I ate veggies and enjoyed them
• I rode a bike with Silver (when Indiana weather allows) and kept up
• I broke a sweat while exercising, rather than simply keeping my heart rate at 115
• I placed my morning and evening exercise as a priority, instead of the contest to see who can get into work earliest or stay at work the latest
• I devoted up to an hour per day to exercise
• I cooked REAL meals rather than simply unwrapping a meal bars
• I ponder what I will eat at a restaurant from a health perspective
• I put my wedding ring back on my formerly fat finger
• I got in a suit that I hadn't worn for years (last month, I couldn't fit a leg into it)
• I eat up to 6 small meals per day (instead of 3 big ones) and not gained weight
• I have gone one month without taking candy off someones desk at work
• I put a belt aside because it was TOO BIG
• I conquered my food cravings and they don't haunt me anymore
• I am looking forward to the spring so I can ride a bike daily

I really do feel great. Thanks for the help and encouragement. I am now highly confident that I will be riding the Hilly Hundred in the fall.

Ironically, yesterday someone say how much leaner I was and suggested that I get on my fraternity's team for the Little 5 at Indiana University. At 43. I think that's a pipe dream...I think I'll just pop "Breaking Away" in the DVD player instead