I've noticed a pattern in my life regarding my fitness levels. It's a rather predictable pattern. It goes something like this:
In shape
Out of shape
In shape
Out of shape
In shape
The funny thing is this...the "In shape" part hasn't happened in quite a while now. The pattern I've been experiencing has been more like this:
Out of shape
In shape
Out of shape
More out of shape
Extremely out of shape
Hopelessly out of shape
All right, all right, it's not really THAT bad. There's never hopelessness either. There's always room for change and improvement. It's simply easier to make excuses and continue being slothful. But this has changed.
I've been going to the gym and cleaning up my diet ever since I've moved here to Brooklyn (new environments tend to stimulate me to get back to basics and make life changes in the physique department).
In fact, the last time I made a big move - remember August 2005...Grenada? - I stuck with a fitness plan and lost 17 lbs. and felt great! But then, it all fell apart because I got comfortable and then I let stress get the better of me, and then the excuses piled up and so did the fat n' flab.
Well, here I am on a new journey. A new place. Another change for the better and the results are coming - albeit somewhat slower than earlier years. I'm 10 lbs. lighter and I'm focused on losing smaller chunks along the way. My first goal was to get to sub-180 lbs. (about 6 weeks ago I was upwards of 192 lbs.!) and I am currently hovering at 178 lbs. to 179 lbs.
My next goal is to get to sub-175 lbs. Then sub-170 lbs. And so on and so forth. Small steps. Little chunks. Great success in time.
My training is coming along slowly as well. My strength is returning much faster than it did after the Kaplan course so that's definitely a plus. I just have to schedule more intense cardio sessions in the mix to maximize the fat burning process overall. I've hit the recumbent bike a couple of times (for 16 minutes at Level 4 and 5 respectively, going between 2.70 miles and 2.90 miles)...gotta keep trying to outdo subsequent sessions and maintain that gusto and fervor for maximal results (calorie burning, muscle retaining, fat loss).
I'm up for the challenge...after all, I'm getting married in less than a year so I better get back to my lean-elite self like I know that I can! :D
Time to climb.