Back in the Saddle

I got back on the treadmill today for the first time in almost two years. I walked for 30 minutes at about 3.5 mpg. Two years ago that was taking it easy. Today? I had a healthy sweat going. Thank God for DVR. Today I had RuPaul's Drag Race going, and I'm stock piling some good TV so I have motivation.

Honestly? This is a bit humiliating for me. In September 2006 I ran in the Main Line 5k. I kept up with my brother in law, who is a 6' 4" prison guard (i.e. he has to run fast for his job). OK, he said that he wasn't killing himself, but I finished seconds after him. My sister said I was an animal.

Today I was pushing it on something that would have been a warm up for me.

I'm trying to approach this logically, not emotionally. I enjoyed my couch potato days - watching Heroes with a pile of Pringles in front of me; going to the movies and getting extra butter on my vat o'popcorn - and trust me, I had many a night of doing just that. Now my TV time is spent with a mug of herbal tea or fat-free olestra potato chips. The weight didn't pile on overnight, and it isn't going to come off overnight, no matter how much I wish it would.

I caved in and bought a Wii and Wii Fit - a great motivator. Between the "oh!" when I get on the board for my daily assessment and the knowledge that I will be asked to account for my whereabouts if I skip a day, I have motivation to spare.

Step by step, inch by inch, pound by pound, here's hoping that there will be less of me in volume, and more of me in spirit.