Deep thoughts: In many ways I should have stuck with teaching. I took today off from work and I think I am built for summer days with no job to have to go to...
Now I admit that the fact that my children are old enough to be pretty independent makes this reality a bit better than it would have been 5-6 years ago, but the fact is they are that old. So among the nice things I did today was accompany them to the pool. I don't necessarily have to get in the water with them any more (somedays I want to though so I do), so on a day like today when I don't want to, I sit and read a book. An hour to just read a book is such a gift. I could spend a lot of afternoons taking my kids to the pool before I got bored.
I am not a Type A person and the fact is that I need down time to accomplish things. In fact I need lots of down time to feel good and it's not always easy to admit that. I had to accept that when I was finishing college and had been trying to do it while working full-time. My mother had done it that way, the girl I was dating at the time had done it that way and I thought I should be able to also.
But I couldn't and when Iworked less and had down time, I was finally able to finish school. I'm a much better thinkier when I have more time to do so. What does that have to do with today? Well when I have down time on a summer day, I accomplish more of the things that matter to me and I make time to work out. I also don't spend any money, so I really am built to be off.
I'm not sure I really want to teach, but if someone could find a way to make my current job less than year round, I would listen intently:)
Exercise update: Today was the kick off of my Castle Rock Tri training. I swam for 30+ minutes at the YMCA pool. I've had a couple trainer sessions in the pool and I can feel a difference in how I swim. My wife would point out that she had given me much of the same advice, but it seems to stick better coming from someone I'm not sleeping with (sorry honey). I'm not fast in the water, but I do feel more efficient.
One of the ironies of this blog project is that there are results, just not always the ones I want. Swimming today was much easier than it would have been a few months ago. There is no doubt I am fitter, I'm just amazed at how you can be fit and fat at the same time.
I also noted when I made the training calendar for this event that I will be working out more than I have been. That was an eye opener. I knew I had been doing 30-60 minutes 4-5 days a week, but that really isn't that much if you are essentially sedentary the rest of the time. I'll be curious to see how a change to more of an event training focus will impact my weight and appearance goals.
On an "oh crap" note, I've been having some heel pain the last couple weeks. I fought a two year battle with plantar fasciitis from 2002-04. I do not want to go back there again, it is debilitating. I've returned to chiropractic care for it, which was the only thing that worked last time, so I hope I've cut it off at the pass.
Nutrition update: Today has been solid. When I'm home and busy (kids to pool, trip to Y, chiro appt, etc.), I tend to eat less. I'm not necessarily eating better nutritionally, but the calories are ok and in fact it is better nutritionally because I stay away from the burger joints. In fact, I took my kids to McDeath today and passed on it for myself. I think that addiction has been broken!. Of course fast food is a sneaky asshole, so I'll need to keep my eye out.
Tomorrow is weigh in day and frankly my expectations are low. If you've been reading, you know I've had a difficult 7 days since the last one. It's almost a form of self-sabotage. Last Tuesday was good so I drifted for three days to undermine myself. Good Lord, I am really a junkie of some kind. I can't name what I'm addicted to, but I am self-destructive.
Regardless of my low expectations, I'm ok with whatever tomorrow brings. I feel like I've learned a lot on the last few days. I've learned about my bingy habits and how I need to moderate to avoid them. Last night I learned that Domino's pizza makes me feel ill at 2:00 a.m. I think that's a sign that my body is starting to reject the garbage I offer it. Now I just need to find alternatives and untangle food from emotional comfort.
I must admit this whole deal is really, really slow (and maybe boring to read about), but it feels like permanent change and that is worth the time....I hope...
I'll report weigh in results tomorrow and I'm 8 days away from photo updates (he types reluctantly)
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