A Covenant With Myself

I want to share a commitment I made to myself…putting it in print so I can be reminded of it from time to time……especially if I fall off the wagon.

No, I don’t have an alcohol problem…..Don’t have any other obvious addictions…..Don’t Tweet….Don’t take inappropriate pictures of myself…..and if I did….I’d have the good sense to resign from my career.

Actually, this is all about my health. I have renewed my commitment to live a more healthy life and, boy, it requires lots of moving pieces.

It started in January when my traditional New Year’s resolution was to simply promise that I would start spending significant time in the gym. I needed to make the promise to myself simple and difficult to break.

I have done this before. Decided I would work-out by heading to the gym after work. But I always found excuses to avoid a consistent schedule. I always have night meetings….So…I tried a different approach. I decided I would go in and work out BEFORE work. There are no scheduled meetings at 5:45 a.m. Then I promised myself that any day that I was going to work, I had to work-out. I figured out a plan that had me carry in my clothes and shower at the college’s Health and Physical Education facility. I started at New Year’s…and I have to say….I have kept my promise for almost six months.

And my most recent doctor’s check-up was really good. Lower blood pressure….much better blood sugars…much lower cholesterol.

My workouts are a combination of cardio (a stationary bike) and weightlifting. I have benefited from a local chiropractor’s obsession with obesity. He teaches weight use to slowly lower the percentage of fat in our bodies…changing it to muscle. His philosophy is sound.

But I still wasn’t losing weight. And I knew why……I really hadn’t changed my diet and I was really eating way too much.

My wife is a devoted “weightwatcher” and built a diet plan for me that is strong in fruits and vegetables and limits some of my tendencies to over-eat. I started two weeks ago and a couple of pounds have left. I am not looking for more than maybe a pound a week…and that might be a bit ambitious.

But the bottom line is: I am committed. It helps that this is summer…..because my job is a little less demanding at this time of year. I can devote myself to this cause since I am experiencing less stress and have greater opportunity for exercise.

I don’t share this to sound pompous or to…in any way… set myself up as something special. I am a paunchy, middle-aged dude who needs to take care of business if he is going to enjoy life longer….and hopefully with fewer maladies.

You have to make your own decisions concerning health.

As for me….I think I have made some good choices….and I plan to ride with them to see where they take me.