This was a taxing day. If I could have had an extra three hours it would have been easier. The day started normally at 6:00 spinning class. Spinning has not gotten any easier yet; it is still a hard cardio workout.

After the usual shower and all, it is off to work. Leaving work a little earlier it is time for the first chiropractic adjustment. According to my evaluation I will have to see the chiropractor three times a week for the next three to four weeks or so, then it will be cut down to two times and etc. I felt really good after the adjustment and the rest period on the massaging table.

The next task for the day was to go and teach my class on Maryland Basic Boating. The class was over at 9:30 and then there was the drive home. Long day!

The thing I am having the most difficulty with is consuming the amount of water they tell me I should be drinking and the numerous small meals I am supposed to be eating. I don’t like water and they won’t let me substitute a sports drink or soda. I’ll keep trying though. My day is so busy that every time I look up I am supposed to be eating something, a snack or a meal ... some tree bark, twigs or Madagascar monkey milk or something. The things I like aren’t on the lists. In spite of that I will just hold my nose and swallow. 120 oz of water a day?????

More tomorrow!

3⁄26⁄06

Today is an easy semi rest day. I got to choose between a Precor treadmill and an elliptical trainer at Leisure Fitness. I chose the elliptical trainer as I feel it is a more difficult and exhausting workout for me. The harder it is the faster I will make gains and the less time it will take to maintain fitness when the challenge is over. Along with the elliptical trainer there was a raft of medicine and exercise balls and training straps. This was a really great prize and will allow me to continue to make and maintain fitness gains in the future.

The second element of the day was my first meeting with my nutritionist.

Well this went as well as it could. I am kinda resistive to some of the nutrition concepts and the foods I am supposed to eat and when I am supposed to eat them. Only 2200 calories a day spread over 4 to 5 meals and snacks? Well if it will get me to my goals and help me maintain, I guess I can do it. Fourteen almonds and 8 ounces of water is a snack? Well she knows better than I. I guess I can comply.

After that I got to spend some quality time with this strange lady that I haven’t really seen for a week. You know -- her -- she is the one that sleeps in the bed with me, my wife. Normally she is sleeping when I leave and I go to bed before her. She is really a great person and supports me 100% in this journey. I just like to see and talk with her every so often.

This was a good day!

More tomorrow!

3⁄25⁄06

This was a busy day; it started with my first Hapkido (Karate) defense lessons. I was a little leery of this as I have had martial arts training in the past and did not want to go through that super strict regimen again. Grand master Kim was super pleasant and set out a plan of self defense rather than a plan to become a competing member of the sport. His superb understanding and experience in teaching law enforcement personnel is very evident. The class went very well. It was a workout, but I made it and look forward to my next class with enthusiasm.

After about an hour and a half I was back in Royal Fitness’ gym again. This time I had a trainer and went through at least 15 machines with his guidance. This is what it is all about, I loved it. It was hard work and I complained a lot but felt great for accomplishing my goals. God bless the person who invented the Jacuzzi. That and the stretching made me feel like a new man. There is still too much of me, but I can’t expect the years of poor fitness and nutrition to be reversed overnight.

I can do this! I like the feeling of having worked muscles I forgot I’ve had. Bring on the rest of this regimen. The only way I will stop this is if they put me in a box. Have you ever felt like you have exercised everything including your toenails? That is what it feels like.

This was a great day!

More tomorrow!

3⁄24⁄06

The day started with a spinning class. I am starting to do better. I would say my participation was at 75% of the instructor’s pacing. He is taking it easy on us beginners.

I am feeling pretty good. Beginning to notice that along with my excess weight I have lost my posture over the years. I am making a conscious effort now to remind myself to stand and walk more erect. I think this will improve with the stretching and weight training.

Beginning to feel more energy, I am not as tired during the day .

I had my first outing challenge. Today was the Happy Hour I needed to go to with some friends. I think I did well. I had one light beer, three buffalo wings, 4 celery sticks and 3 carrot sticks and good camaraderie.

This was a good day!

More tomorrow!

3⁄15⁄06

This is my first entry in my journal. I will try and express my thoughts and expectations as I begin this new journey.

After my meeting with the Gazette folks that put together this Healthy Challenge program I was very encouraged. They showed a tremendous commitment and professionalism to helping the participants in our quest toward not only weight loss but also a healthy lifestyle.

In starting this journey, which hopefully I will be following for the rest of my days here on earth, I realize that this is not a journey that I cannot do myself. With that realization I am looking forward to the assistance and support that the sponsors of this Healthy Challenge program have so generously offered.

I liken my physical being to an automobile, an older automobile ‘tis’ true, but a serviceable one. I know a little about cars and can fix most of those things that go wrong. I have however let this auto get into a mild state of disrepair. I need the help of professionals to guide me in the prioritization of the repairs.

Weight loss is an important aspect of this journey but it is not the most important element to me. Core strength, flexibility, range of motion and better overall general health are my priorities. I don’t just want to look slim and fit, I want to be fit. I want this auto to have the capacity to compete in NASCAR. Yes I said compete. I want to be able to use this body of mine for activities and to resist the trauma one can get from illness and injury. In short this old auto can do just fine with some repair, modification and souping-up. With the help of the sponsor professionals and some effort on my part these are the first steps toward my lifelong healthy lifestyle.

-Thom H

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