No more lurking from behind sand dunes...

[nogodsjustwriters]

Right... So here goes nothing then. I've been lurking from behind the sand dunes of one of the better known countries in the Middle East for a while. I came across NF last summer when I tried to find a way out of various holes I had dug myself into and at first I was like "Woot, woot?" and then "Ah, alright..." and I started to try out a few things, many of which stuck.

 

I was never overweight as such, although I did carry excess weight, but more than that I really didn't exercise at all. I was a skinny dude who'd turned fat(ish) over the years thanks to a combination of not exercising and eating a poor diet. I also worked a lot.

Last summer I was engaged in a particularly mentally challenging assignment and, at the same time, faced several real life issues which severely drained my energy. I worked all hours and lived on a diet of junk food, fizzy drinks, coffee, and cigarettes until I collapsed at my desk one afternoon. I spent the next few days sleeping and, once I was able to think clearly again, decided it's time to make a few changes.

I started working out, first in the privacy of my own home, but eventually "graduating" to a small gym near my work. I changed my diet completely and turned vegetarian with a tendency to go vegan more often than not. I took up meditation. Results started to show, my confidence grew and I lost about 15 kilos in the process. I'm now the same weight I was 15 years ago when I was a student, but unlike back then, I'm a lot leaner and fitter.

 

So why stop lurking just now? So far, the memories of last summer and everything that went on powered my workouts. A lot of stuff happened then that made me very angry - anger is a great motivator at times, but not one that should be sustained forever. I decided that it's about time I let go of the past, which is overall a good thing, but also means I need to find new ways to motivate myself to keep going. So it's good-by anger and hello NF community, I suppose :-)

 

Other than that, as the handle suggests, I write a lot. I role play, and I ride motorbikes (mainly because, like running, riding focuses the mind). I have lived in several countries and speak a few languages more or less fluently. 

 

I haven't yet decided on which guild should be my home away from home, although for various reasons I feel drawn to the druids. I'm sure I'll find out sooner or later. 

 

In the meantime: Hello! ;-)

 

[Guzzi]

Hey! Welcome on board. Congrats on your weightloss and getting healthy, that's excellent! You'll find plenty of encouragement and motivation on here to help you get to where you want to be.

Can't help myself, gotta ask, what bike you got?

[nogodsjustwriters]

Hi there & thanks for your reply!

 

Right now, I sadly don't actually own a bike - half the year it's too hot to ride here and the other half the traffic is too biker unfriendly. I do rent bikes every now and again, though...

 

I used to ride a Triumph America - awesome bike, even better with a different set of pipes. Else, I'm a big fan of riding "country or task specific bikes" - I did Route 66 on a Road King. You can only really do Route 66 on a Harley, anything else just wouldn't do. At the same time, a Harley doesn't make sense in countries where roads actually have corners and you need to lean your bike more than 5 cms. :-)

I did India on an Enfield - huge laugh, 500cc, one cylinder. If it breaks (and it broke frequently!), you can take it apart and put it back together again with just a screwdriver and a hammer.

 

If I were to buy another bike right now, I think I'd buy this one: http://www.triumphmotorcycles.com/bikes/rocket/2014/rocket-iii-roadster - I rode one when it first came out. It was one of the biggest hoots on wheels I've ever seen...

[Guzzi]

Ooooh....! Nice!

You gotta give Triumph credit for building that thing. I mean, that takes big balls. And it's a nice big "Up yours!" to all those pansies trying to bring in restrictions on engine size.

I've got a one of these...

Buell M2 Cyclone.That's not mine, just stole a pic off google for illustrative purposes.

Kudos on the touring btw. Was that on dedicated riding holidays, or have you lived out there or...?

[nogodsjustwriters]

That's a mean looking bike right there. I rode one of them once when I was in the States. To be honest, sports bikes ain't for me - I came off one once many moons ago and it kinda ruined it for me. I'm happy to ride more relaxed machines these days :-)