Did you ever have the experience of knowing something but not really knowing it?
It can be pretty jarring when the thing you were actually in denial about is confirmed as true. In my case, it's the fact that I could be a lot fitter. My mirror is only chest high in the morning and I wear glasses, so I never really see myself. Most days I wear the middle age schlub uniform of baggy khakis and a button down shirt, so I maintain my illusion/delusion. The illusion being that I'm holding up ok, admitting some minor refurbishing was probably necessary.
Even at the pool in the summer, I spend more time sucking in my belly and making sure other dads are chunkier than worrying about me. I also can mask my lack of fitness by a pretty good capacity for exercise which is really more an old athlete's mind being determined than anything else.
Then I threw on a swimsuit in house light and let my daughter take some pictures for my blog...
I was amazed the guy in the photo ran a 5k just 3 weeks ago. The guy in that picture needed a wake-up call and this is it. So, I'm swallowing pride (remember I have old girlfriends on the interweb and this is not "winning":)) and putting it out there for my readers, which number in the single digits!
I'm less embarrassed than I am determined, and if I ever needed a reminder that cardio alone will not get me where I want to go, this is it. I need to alter my nutrition and make sure strength training is part of my life. I'm going to post the same kind of photo every 30 days and I believe it will change my whole outlook.
On the good news front, I did go to the Y today. 30 minutes on the elliptical and probably 20 minutes of Cybex weight stuff. Looking forward to a workout at the pool with Danni (my trainer) tomorrow.
On the food front, not a great day. Did well at home tonight, but the siren song of Culver's got me at lunch. I was traveling for work and God help me, I love the fast food. Wish I'd have had these pics with me at lunch time!
I've also picked events for the calendar.
It can be pretty jarring when the thing you were actually in denial about is confirmed as true. In my case, it's the fact that I could be a lot fitter. My mirror is only chest high in the morning and I wear glasses, so I never really see myself. Most days I wear the middle age schlub uniform of baggy khakis and a button down shirt, so I maintain my illusion/delusion. The illusion being that I'm holding up ok, admitting some minor refurbishing was probably necessary.
Even at the pool in the summer, I spend more time sucking in my belly and making sure other dads are chunkier than worrying about me. I also can mask my lack of fitness by a pretty good capacity for exercise which is really more an old athlete's mind being determined than anything else.
Then I threw on a swimsuit in house light and let my daughter take some pictures for my blog...
I was amazed the guy in the photo ran a 5k just 3 weeks ago. The guy in that picture needed a wake-up call and this is it. So, I'm swallowing pride (remember I have old girlfriends on the interweb and this is not "winning":)) and putting it out there for my readers, which number in the single digits!
I'm less embarrassed than I am determined, and if I ever needed a reminder that cardio alone will not get me where I want to go, this is it. I need to alter my nutrition and make sure strength training is part of my life. I'm going to post the same kind of photo every 30 days and I believe it will change my whole outlook.
On the good news front, I did go to the Y today. 30 minutes on the elliptical and probably 20 minutes of Cybex weight stuff. Looking forward to a workout at the pool with Danni (my trainer) tomorrow.
On the food front, not a great day. Did well at home tonight, but the siren song of Culver's got me at lunch. I was traveling for work and God help me, I love the fast food. Wish I'd have had these pics with me at lunch time!
I've also picked events for the calendar.
- I'm going to sign up for the Castle Rock Sprint Triathlon on July 23rd.
- I'm going to complete the Lake Geneva Olympic Tri on September 10th, provided I can arrange some child care that day. I suspect that won't be an issue.
I think that makes me the pig in the Bacon/Egg breakfast, I'm committed.
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