Three in a row

I have now exercised for three straight days (let's hope that a habit is being formed.) I walked around the neighborhood tonight. It was pretty cold, but that just means less sweating !! I walked a bit farther than I did yesterday on the treadmill, 0.86 miles. My knee didn't like the hills so much, especially going down hill, but it was bearable. The 800mg Ibuprofen the Dr. prescribed helped out too :-)

Since I am closing tomorrow, and the Gym closed at 5:00, I will rest tomorrow. I plan on walking even farther on Sunday, on top of taking down all of the outside Christmas Lights, so it should be a pretty good day.

2 for 2

We despite my Job's best effort to get me off track, I made it back to the Gym tonight. I had to work late (almost 10pm.) this evening to get caught up on some work. But I changed into my workout clothes as soon as the store closed, so I didn't have an excuse not to go.

I am building up my walking on the treadmill, I walked 3/4 of a mile (up from a 1/2 last night.) I also did 60 crunches and some leg work, to try and strengthen my knee.

The Peak Fitness in Harrisburg is no longer open 24 hours :-( They close at 11pm Monday through Friday, so I should still be able to make it after work when I am on the closing shift.

I plan on walking the neighborhood Friday and Saturday or Sunday (since the Gym will be closed.) So pray for no rain for the next three days !!

Found the Gym

After some extensive searching on Google Maps I found where the Gym is located ;-) and discovered that the will in fact let me come inside. It was very busy tonight (all the New Years resolution people.) I realized how out of shape I had gotten in the past two months. I walked a 1/2 mile on the treadmill at a pretty slow pace. I also did 40 crunches and 30 back extensions. I am going to gradually build myself back up to full workouts. It was nice to get back there, and making the time to go. I have all my work out gear ready to go for tomorrow, so I should be 2 for 2. Wish me luck !

My Heart was broken on Christmas

I had an eye opening moment today (Christmas Day.)

My daughter Bailey had just finished opening her Christmas presents, and we were relaxing watching the Walt Disney World Christmas parade on TV, and eating breakfast. Our "traditional" Christmas breakfast is Blueberry muffins and candy from our stockings.

We had opened a box of See's Candy, and I had enjoyed several pieces of chocolate. After eating a few of them Bailey walked upstairs to her room. I had assumed that she was going up there to play with some of her new toys. My wife called me upstairs a few minutes later. I went into Bailey's room and found her crying in Mommy's arms. I asked her what was wrong but she refused to tell me. Finally my wife told me what had upset Bailey.

She was upset that I had had eaten too much candy and that I would stay "Big" and keep getting bigger. She was afraid that people were going to make fun of me and my size. She was also afraid that my "Sugar" was going to get too high and make me sick. She was very very upset, and crying real tears.

Needless to say I was absolutely heartbroken when I heard this. I did not know what to say. I wanted to reassure her that everything was going to be fine, (but I couldn't, if I don't change, that will be a lie, and things won't be OK.) I gave her a huge hug, and thanked her for her love and concern. I wanted to cry so badly, but I wanted to be strong in front of Bailey and make her feel better. Now after I have reflected on it all day, and can sit here at the keyboard in my home office (and "privacy" of the the Internet) and let it all out.

I can't remember a time when I felt so bad as I did at that moment. I felt like the worst father in the world. Not only am I hurting myself with my eating and exercise habits, but look at what I am putting my Daughter through as well. My guilt is overwhelming. I am trying to figure out a way to turn this moment into something positive, but it is very difficult.

I am going to try and remember this feeling, and how I made Bailey feel today, when ever I am going to do something unhealthy. Maybe that will give me strength and help me not do the things that are killing me. Pray for me and my family, I will need all the help I can get !!

Bad Month/ Turning 40

Well I finally turned the big 4-0.

I do not care about Birthdays too much. I am not hung up on turning round numbers. Being forty is no different that being 39 or 41. but having my Wife and Daughter along with my Mom and Dad here made me appreciate what I have and how much there is to loose.

Obviously I have not posted in over a month (always a bad sign.) I am back off track (AGAIN !!) My knee has really been bothering me, and prevented me from getting much exercise (along with a healthy dose of laziness.) Going hand in hand with the lack of exercise has been bad eating habits.

I have gained most of my weight back (if not a bit extra.)

Once I get through the Holidays, I will redouble my efforts and restart my healthy lifestyle (AGAIN) . I have new work shoes and running shoes (Thank you Mom and Dad !!) so that should help my knee problem a bunch.

I hope every one has a safe and happy Holiday Season !!

Another mile

After dinner, and once every one was in bed, I went for another walk tonight. Two walks in one day is a lot for my, and I hope my knee is not too sore tomorrow. It was much colder than I had anticipated (it was 50 degrees when we took our walk earlier) it was in the low 30's with frost forming on some of the cars. I found my gloves to wear and that helped, but I was still wearing shorts !! Once I got moving it wasn't so bad.

I think I walked just over a mile (plus the two from before.) I say "I think" because I have lost my darn Nike+ iPod Dongle again :-( I am very frustrated with myself because I vowed to keep better track this one when already miss having it and having accurate data of my walks. Wish me lick in finding it !!

So proud of Bailey

Sunday turned out to be a great day !!

We found out last week that Bailey (my Daughter) will be in the Concord Christmas Parade next week, with her Girl Scout Troop. She is very excited to be in a parade, and so are we, but I was a bit worried. We were not sure if she was going to be on a float or walking the whole way. It turns out that they will be walking the entire parade route (two miles or so.) I really started to get concerned, because Bailey doesn't get as much exercise as she should, just like her daddy :-( Normally when we walk for any period of time, Bailey says she is tired and wants us to carry her or side in the shopping cart (just not practical for a four foot tall plus 6 year old.)

I wanted to make an effort to get her is some sort of shape for walking in the parade, so we gave Mommy some alone time, and headed off the the local Greenway Park. Bailey usually rides her scooter here, but today I made her walk. I told her it was practice for the parade, and I even tried to get her to practice her "Parade Wave" to passing cars, but she said that was too silly :-)

Bailey did fantastic !!! We walked the entire two mile walking trail (she even did some running to boot.) She kept up a good pace and didn't complain once. I told her we were going to try and walk again for a 1/2 hour on Tuesday, and for another 2 mile walk on Wednesday (my day off.) If she can do as well Wednesday as she did today, she will do great in the parade (I had nightmares of having to pick her up in my car 1/2 way through the parade.) I am very proud of her, and I hope this effort will give her the inspiration to do more walking with her Daddy.