Personal Health

So for the first time in my life I am setting reasonable health goals.

After my return from Europe, I decided I needed to make some serious decisions about the way I think about food and fitness:

Realization Number One: My back hurts. I'm 24 and I occasionally get some minor back pain from sleeping poorly or doing something strange with my body. This is not good. I need to shed this extra weight from my frame if I want to be free of chronic pain.

Realization Number Two: Fatty foods do not make you feel good. Fat is satiating, but at the same time it slows down your metabolism. I just want to sleep when I eat fat. Protein is the way to go.

Realization Number Three: It's easy if you keep it simple.

And, lastly...

Sad, Sad Realization Number Four: I drink way too much amazing beer. Crap. I wish I could blame everyone else (Justin, Dan, Chris, BevMo) but it's my own fault. Cutting back on the alcohol is happening, though not completely.

So when I started school again, I signed up for the gym and picked convenient times to go that correspond with my schedule. I started with an easy duration and frequency, and then when I started to get bored I would increase duration. If it's easy and comfortable, you're doing it wrong. Embrace the pain.

Also, once a week, I go on a 2-3 hour "fun" hike where my objective is to breathe clean air and do some serious thinking. And of course obliterate my legs. I get a lot of thinking done while I'm on the trails. The iPod stays at home. I use it while I'm at the gym, but that's because there is already music playing over speakers. Sometimes it's nice to just clear your head of all the distractions and just go on an inward journey. Maybe it's the increased flow of blood to my brain and the endorphins. Whatever it is, I feel free.

So exercise is both for health and thinking. I quite like that thought. The more meaning I attach to it, the better. The more I overcome discomfort and pain, the stronger I feel. That is empowering!