Back in the Saddle, Again

It's the first of the month (sort of) so we need to post Tim's progress. Tim Weighed in at 256. That's a one pound gain. Whew! He talked about his back acting up, about falling off his diet. I got news for you Tim, I went through the same damn thing. Part of my goals and training involve getting my weight down, too. I was doing really well until I left for Florida. I gained 4lbs that trip. I thought I would get back on track, but I didn't. Part of the problem was that the weather was so damn bad the last few weeks, plus cabin fever kind of set in.

The important thing to note, is that this is perfectly normal. Every best laid plan has set backs, without exception. How we bounce back from these setbacks, ultimatly, define our success or failure.

Every January, the numbers at the YMCA gym I attend swell, until it gets hard to even move around in the locker room. Yet, by March, the numbers dwindle to their pre January numbers. That's about 40 launches, and 39 failures.

I haven't fallen completely off the horse, but, my foot is just kind of caught in the stirups and I'm getting dragged behind. As far as workouts, I was just kind of going through the motions. I quit doing the the two-a-days. I was following my diet ritual during the week, but, on weekends I would gain everything back, too lazy to cook, so I'd go to Hi-Boys for a big-boy, or to Clems's (local greese shack) for a pork tenderloin and curly-Q's. And I was hitting the bottle again. Yep, I was getting the cabin fever blues.

How do we get back on course? Back in the saddle? The tool I use is visualization. If weight loss is your goal, then visualise what you'll look like at your goal weight. Chances are, you weighed that weight before, so just pull out the old pictures. One of my goals is to win a Corporate Challenge medal. I try to visualise myself crossing the finish line ahead of everybody else. Then, I see myself standing on the podium and getting the medal placed over my neck (by a beautiful chick, of course).

Another visual, is to just see yourself getting on a horse and charging in the right direction. Hi Ho Silver!

I don't know if it was the race last weekend that kick-started things, but Monday I felt great and was raring to go. I ran the hilly 31st route, 5.6 miles, hard. Tuesday, I did my first 2-a-day in a long time, 4-mile run, 6-mile easy bike ride. Yersterday I ran intervals. I felt a twinge in my hamstring on the third half, so I cut it off there. I still felt like I got a good workout in, though. I've lost 4-lbs in the last 3 days. I'm back in the saddle again!