And So It Begins...

[Stalos]

And a new rebel joins the cause... undoubtedly he is not the chosen one destined to bring balance back to the Force, but he is a new rebel at least.

 

Hello, there!

 

My Story

 

I don't even know where to begin with my introduction and story. Maybe back when I was a teenager. I was always a scrawny dude... gangly and bony, looked like I could easily be snapped in two. But I was also a year round swimmer from the ages of 12-17. Never worried about what I ate, what I put in my body. I'd down Coke like it was nothing, eat fast food constantly, and never even came close to an unhealthy weight-- at least unhealthy in terms of fat. Being ~115lbs at 5'6" seems unhealthy looking back on it.

 

Fast forward to today. Five years plus an off year of college is over. I've been working as an accountant for the past five years. And my weight is ~170 lbs. My face is fatter, my neck flirting with the idea of a double chin... where has my youth and vitality gone? I'm 29, successful in my career, and yet disgusted with my body. I had tried off and on to get serious about fitness and nutrition more than a few times over the past few years. Waking up early, trying to cook my own meals, gym memberships... nothing ever would sustain. I even looked into Nerd Fitness earlier in the year and thought to myself "Here's a program! But I'll just stick to the free items. I got this."

 

Nope. Then something clicked. Last Tuesday morning, I'm sitting at work and I get the email about the NF Yoga program. "Well, I've been meaning to do yoga. Maybe I'll think about it." Went off to lunch (Moe's SW Grill), came back to the office and gave the yoga program a glance. And there I was with a fountain soda in my hand (having gotten the necessary refill, mind you) and looking at buying this yoga course. I was so disgusted with myself that I got up, drained it in the nearest sink, filled up the water bottle I had in my work bag but never use and bought both the yoga course and academy and started this journey.

 

I haven't had the opportunity to begin the yoga yet, but I'm working my way through the Nutrition module of the Academy right now. And I'm feeling positive and enthusiastic about this so far. I know it won't last, I know some day soon that wall is coming where I have to prove to myself that I REALLY want this, that I won't just get another Coke when I'm feeling stressed/anxious, that I know I'm not feeling it but I need to get a workout in, etc. So here I am, another rebel in this cause and looking to sustain this time around.

 

Challenges and Fears:

Work travel - I'm moving to IN at the end of the year. Until then, I'm on the road a lot, between NE TN and NE IN. It's been hard to keep me motivated to do anything when on the road, but the hotel does have a couple fitness rooms (one with dumbbells, one with treadmills) so I can always get a workout in if I try. Plus I bought a resistance band pack months ago for this purpose (but never used, cough).

 

Wrists - Sometime over the last year or three, I seem to have caused problems with my wrists. Not full blown carpal tunnel, but they can be stiff and sore some mornings. This year I've noticed I basically cannot do a pushup any longer. I'm not sure if it's because I'm long out of practice plus my weight or if it's because of my wrists. The pressure I put on them when I try to push against the ground causes a pain that I'm not sure I can work through just yet. I know I can use them for other motions and exercises just fine, but the combination of the pain and occasional stiffness has me concerned (and practically giving up) on the pushups front. Not an ideal mindset.

 

My Quest:

The same as everyone else, to get fit, healthier, and have a more positive quality of life.

 

I will be walking the path of a Ranger/Druid for the time being. My master level, lofty-peak goal is that someday I want to do a salmon ladder. (If you've ever seen Arrow, it's that exercise Oliver does where he goes up and down on the different levels of the squat rack looking device). I know it will take a lot of work and dedication to get there, but if I can ever pull it off... massive level up.