Duffbert's Random Musings :: Time for one of those "line in the sand", things have to change posts...

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OK... this is one of those non-technical, personal, "I'm sick of my status quo" posts. If you're looking for book reviews or off-base technology analysis, you're free to move on.

So I turn 48 in less than a week. Mentally, I still feel like that 14 year old awkward teenager who doesn't quite know how to fit in to the world he finds himself in. Physically, I keep thinking that all those workouts I did in my late teens/early twenties are still evident. And then you see the pictures... and you find yourself breathing hard after doing something that you think only old people should have problems with. You see people who you consider overweight, and then you check the charts, only to find that you would be diagnosed as "morbidly obese". Couple all those things together with all the stress at work and other areas, and the picture isn't pretty.

Basically, I'm 48, I'm in the worst shape of my life, and I'm killing myself.

Starting next Monday, I start a program at work called Kinetix (http://www.kinetixliving.com/home.php). It's a comprehensive program of eating and exercise, designed to get you to a healthy state. Within that program, our work has a number of "lottery slots" for four week programs where you work with a personal trainer for an hour a day, five days a week. I could sit here and tell you I know everything they're going to tell me about cardio and strength training, as I've been there before. Sad that I've let that all go to waste. During the upcoming week, I'll be getting "assessed", body comp analyzed, and all those other things that make you come face to face with the fact that... well... you're fat.

I normally bemoan the tendency of media and people in general to use ever-increasing hype and sensationalism to make points or to get attention. Therefore, to sit here and say "this is a last chance" would probably be overly dramatic. On the other hand, It's not a stretch to look at my current state and say I'm living on borrowed time.

Kinetix won't fix all my other problems, such as my pigpen of an office, lack of focus, feeling pulled in 20 directions, etc. But if I can at least get something moving on my health, I would hope that it would translate to more energy to clean up other areas. And to say I *know* this will work would be a lie, as I've said the same thing about weight watchers, jenny craig, and every other attempt to battle my weight over the years. But I've not undertaken those at apoint in life (likely fewer years looking forward than back) and realized that the 3rd quarter is clicking down, and the score doesn't look good for the home team.

So if I seem a bit withdrawn over the next few weeks, you'll know that my mental state isn't the greatest. Either that, or I'm unable to move after the trainer has gotten done with me...

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Comments

1 - Good for you, Tom. I'll be rooting for you, and I'm sure I won't be alone.

Posted by Rob McDonagh At 20:10:05 On 03/05/2009 | - Website - |

2 - Tom, Not to worry, you might be in better mental shape too afterwards.
Then again with friends like us....

Posted by Keith Brooks At 20:13:20 On 03/05/2009 | - Website - |

3 - Any program of diet and exercise preceded with a baseline assessment to measure yourself against is a good start. Keeping yourself motivated during or after such a program is always a problem, but setting yourself realistic expectations of the outcome is also important. 48 is certainly not too late to start, I am 56 and every few years I assess how I feel and what I can do to feel better. To be honest, I find the biggest barrier is not where you end up but having the motivation just to start. Even a heroic failure is better than nothing, but once you start, it generally takes about 28 days before it becomes a habit.

I feel that another important factor is having someone else to motivate you, a personal trainer, neighbour, peer worker, relative, partner, anybody else. You need someone else involved so that you have to justify to someone else why you have stopped or fallen behind in the program. Guilt is a powerful motivator as is positive encouragement and external recognition of your achievements. We all tend to be overly critical of what we actually achieve, others are generally more objective.

I also find having a fixed time frame works for me. Set yourself a date in one or two months time and see how you feel compared to when you start. Also include something you really enjoy into the plan, in that way all of the pain will include at least one gain to offset against. If you are still sticking to the plan in two months then you will feel the benefits. Even if the outcome does not fit into the "average" for your age group. As a side comment on the goal weights that we should all aspire to for our age range, I wonder why if the percentage of morbidly obese people in Western society has been steadily increasing at an alarming rate over the last two decades, why the "averages" have also not increased accordingly. Makes we wonder how they mathematically justify these figures.

Posted by Ian Randall At 20:27:11 On 03/05/2009 | - Website - |

4 - You can do it!!!

You go boy!

Posted by Ray Bilyk At 22:08:42 On 03/05/2009 | - Website - |

5 - Your friends will support you! And remember the great Coach Lombardi's words - "It's not whether you get knocked down, it's whether you get up."

Posted by Marie Scott At 04:43:56 On 04/05/2009 | - Website - |

6 - Go for it, Ewok-boy! I'll be right there with you, sweating like a pig... Emoticon

---* Bill

Posted by Bill At 05:30:08 On 04/05/2009 | - Website - |

7 - Tom,

I'm standing behind you buddy!

All I can say is build a habit of workouts and such, and stick to it! It's really helped me out over the last 7-8 months, and I'm sure it will help you too!

Posted by Phil Randolph At 05:35:16 On 04/05/2009 | - Website - |

8 - Good luck, and a wise choice. I've been mulling what I should do, and I am a decade+ younger. I'm not quite at the point of requiring professional help, but I'll get there. This summer, my day will not begin until I get out back with a soccer ball for at least 30 minutes. I'll see how that goes, since that's all I'm willing to do right now. I can't just "run". In need something to do. Soccer worked for 20 years before, why not now?

Posted by Mike Lazar At 05:35:35 On 04/05/2009 | - Website - |

9 - Tom,

I'm right there with you. @53 I feel all the same things that you do. About 10 years ago I did the Body-for-Life program, dropped 35 lbs and was in the best shape of my life. I then got lazy and put on 60 lbs. A month and a half ago I started NutriSystem. Got the portions under control without having to think about it. 25 lbs lighter and ready to hit the gym again.

Of course, it's easy to do the nutrition part. I NEVER go a day without eating! But sticking with the gym is the harder part. So easy to skip a day, 2 days or more with the busy schedule, long commute, etc.

But you can do it. Just have to 'wanna' enough. And it sounds like you finally hit that point! Go for it, and let us know how you're doing. Now that you put it out there in public, you can't let US down! (one of those things they say will help motivate you. You have to report your successes AND failures to us.)

Posted by John Palmer At 06:01:33 On 04/05/2009 | - Website - |

10 - Tom...you will rock it! Best of luck to you my friend. More than work and anything else, this is an important thing to do for yourself. If you need anything, drop me a line.

Posted by Chris Blatnick At 06:16:01 On 04/05/2009 | - Website - |

11 -
Tom,

I am so proud of you for taking this step. I have been having the same issues with starting and stopping because "life" gets in the way. Just remember that all your friends are here to support you so if you feel down just give us a shout...believe me it helps.

Now get down and give me 10!!!

Good Luck!

Lettuce

Posted by Colette Burgess At 06:29:47 On 04/05/2009 | - Website - |

12 - Good for you man!

"Mentally, I still feel like that 14 year old awkward teenager who doesn't quite know how to fit in to the world he finds himself in. Physically, I keep thinking that all those workouts I did in my late teens/early twenties are still evident. And then you see the pictures... "

I know EXACTLY what this means!

Posted by John Vaughan At 07:04:06 On 04/05/2009 | - Website - |

13 - Tom, one of the things I've admired about you is how willing you are to openly discuss anything. I bet a majority of us can identify with you on this one. As you know, and others have stated, making the program a habit is key. When I was doing 2 workouts a day, I'd sometimes skip one. Then I'd find a crazy day with work and life and end up not working out at all. After a while I was working out just once a day...then I'd skip a day...then skip a couple of days. Now I'm back to one-a-day...and I tell you, it is a challenge to ensure that I get that workout in. I haven't gotten that 28-days-in-a-row thing yet this time...but I *WILL*. And YOU will. Let's all be buff for next Lotusphere!!

Posted by Joe Litton At 07:59:27 On 04/05/2009 | - Website - |

14 - "If you are going to win any battle, you have to do one thing. You have to make the mind run the body. Never let the body tell the mind what to do... the body is never tired if the mind is not tired."

-General George S. Patton

Posted by Tim Lorge At 08:36:11 On 04/05/2009 | - Website - |

15 - Tom,

Excellent introspective, Tom. Keep us updated on your progress and your goal attainment...accountability can be very effective goal achievement. Great post to read. Very happy for you.

We want a victory for the home-team, with a convincing score. Go Duff! Go Duff! Go Duff! Go! Go! Go Duff!

Get your plan ready and execute. We'll be waiting for you in the end zone with a cooler full of Gatorade ready to celebrate!

--BillMal

Posted by Bill Malchisky At 09:49:44 On 04/05/2009 | - Website - |

16 - See Tom Go! Go Tom Go!
My only suggestion is make this all about a lifestyle. If it isn't sustainable forever Emoticon

then it's just a rollercoaster ride.

Posted by Brad Stoddard At 09:51:05 On 04/05/2009 | - Website - |

17 - I could have written this post. I can relate, big time. During my outside spring work, I've noticed how out of breath I am. I do a lot of walking but it doesn't increase my aerobic ability much. If we can help in any way with motivation, give a shout. Good Luck!

Posted by Curt Stone At 13:08:51 On 04/05/2009 | - Website - |

18 - Good for you Tom.

I had a similar awakening last fall. I came out of building after using about 2/3 of a bottle of air. I hadn't really worked all that hard inside, but I was beat. The number one killer of firefighters is heart attack.

I started seriously working out again in January and I've come a long way back. You can as well.

Our profession (the computer geek one) is a killer. All the hours in the comfy chair writing code or managing systems is as deadly as can be.

Good luck, man.

Posted by Andrew Pollack At 18:36:57 On 04/05/2009 | - Website - |

19 - Tom,

Good luck with your new "quest". The important thing is that you feel good about yourself.

All the best,
Pedro

Posted by Pedro Quaresma At 14:32:27 On 06/05/2009 | - Website - |

20 - Best of luck Tom , irrespective of why you are doing it I always work better and feel happier when I'm fit. Let us know how you get on.

Posted by Eileen Fitzgerald At 23:56:43 On 11/05/2009 | - Website - |

21 - Well Done Tom - Stick with the program mate !

I know exactly how you feel - I've just upped my exercise program, am trying to eat healthier and am trying hard to reduce my alcohol intake.

Keep us updated !

Posted by Coatsie At 02:31:52 On 12/05/2009 | - Website - |

22 - Look how many people are rooting for you (myself included, there). I am probably as out of shape as you. Yes I am. Yes I am. Oh yes. I am. Quit arguing! Emoticon

Anyhow, I'm proud of you. If you have any pointers you'd like to share, that would be awesome. Thanks for being an inspiration. Yes you are. Yes you are...oh whatever. Emoticon