October 9, 2022

Day 4 of my thirty-day challenge. 

12000 steps, not bad for a fifty-two-year-old guy. That doesn’t include my workout at the gym.

That’s right I went to the gym. 

My daughter has been going to the gym for the last six months and this day she wanted me to go with her. It felt really good connecting with my sixteen-year-old girl. At the gym of all places. She led me through her routine and we spent two hours trying out different machines and pushing our bodies. 

My goal for the next month is to lose ten pounds. I have dedicated a few steps to that process. 

1.  No alcohol. This should be easy – but it’s not. I was supposed to start a few days earlier but I was in the sunshine at Big White at the end of the day and the temptation to have a beer was too great for me to pass up. So my thirty-day challenge started on the fifth of October instead. Next time I will get non-alcoholic beer as a replacement. 
2. No weed. This is the tough one. I have used marijuana as a pain medication for many years now. But after a few days, it doesn’t seem that difficult.
3. Work out at least fourty-five minutes a day. A walk or a bike ride is some form of physical activity. I need to use my body so I don’t lose it. I joined my daughter’s gym with a free trial. We’ll see if this is something I can do.
4. Write at least 500 words every day, this is one I am most challenged by. I know it can be done because at the start of covid I wrote every day for at least that much. The problem is I am working. The get around on this one is if I work and don’t have the time I will make up for it by writing 1000 words the next day.
5. No more late-night snacks. This one I have managed to succeed at so far. The last two nights I stopped myself from eating even though I thought I was hungry. Instead, I went to bed. This will be a double win if I can keep that up. More sleep and less eating. Yah me.

Change is possible if we challenge ourselves. I have laid down a challenge for myself I hope I am up to.  So far I have stayed true to my goals. 

Can I do an entire month without lapses?

Possibly I can but I know that I am not perfect and may falter in one or two things. The prize at the end of it all is the satisfaction of knowing I can. It is not forever it is only for today.

Have you ever challenged yourself to change? Have you succeeded? 

I know it’s possible and I know it will take strength and determination. I need to find my friend Will, willpower that is. I hope I can count on him not to let me down. In the past, I have had a hard time finding him. 

Return here and see how I am doing. I will use the blog to hold myself accountable. I hope you join me in my journey into the next stage of life. 

I hope in thirty days there will be a leaner and healthier me. 

Starting point is 202. lbs. Goal is 192 wish me luck/