This blog serves as an inspirational and entertaining progress report on my seemingly never-ending journey to 200 pounds.

Friday, January 2, 2009

2nd Month - I'm only human...


Adversity doesn't take a holiday. At least, that's what I'm telling myself.

December brought with it a back injury, and a mental lapse which led to a physical relapse. Though the scale may say that I'm worse off than when I started, it's not all bad news, though that's exactly where I'm going to begin.

Performing intense physical activity no less than 5 times per week is a difficult task for even the heartiest of competitors. To subject myself to such torture was a necessity, in that it kept me off the couch and in a solid routine. Two consecutive days without regimented exercise would have me looking to those bad habits that I'd been working so hard to forget. After one particularly grueling session, I had trouble getting out of the car, but just figured that it was standard soreness. I foolishly proceded to sit the night away. After all, I'd earned it, right? After a short while I attempted to get up, and found that I couldn't straighten my back or my legs. I crawled upstairs to the bedroom to try and stretch out the pain, but it wasn't about to start cooperating. After a visit to my chiropractor, we determined that it was a muscle injury, and I'd be back on my feet (and to the gym) in a week or two. I spent the following days stretching my back and legs, but I was otherwise immobile, shuffling around like an arthritic octagenarian. In that time, coupled with a few holiday meals, I managed to undo most of what I'd accomplished. The muscles that were still just developing have gone back to their original mushy state, my cardio conditioning has all but vanished, and my belt has had to be loosened by a notch (or two). But, I'm not discouraged in the slightest.

Now that my back is healed, I'm prepared to start over once again. Though I know the progress I'd attained is now in the past, I feel exhilerated to return to the form I once held. I'm going to be running at least one half-marathon this year, and my lovely cousin is making a special trip across the country to join me. It's always easier to get up for a workout when you know there's someone else depending on you.

Though it may seem that I've taken a step back, I finally feel mentally prepared to focus all my energy towards my goals. The past will remain history, and the future is ready to be shaped by the actions of the present. I don't think I've ever felt this confident, I'm honestly ready for this.

Digg this