The Big Green House

Wednesday, August 20, 2003

 

Skin and bones

I have noticed, since we returned from our vacation, that a lot of my clothes are tighter than they used to be. As much as I would like to blame this phenomena on poor laundry skills, it seems rather unlikely that everything shrank at once. No, it seems that I have put on a little weight. To use the medical term, I am a �fat tub of goo� these days. Not morbidly obese, but carrying maybe ten to twenty extra pounds.

Due to genetics and sloth, I�ve always had to struggle with my weight. Well, that�s not entirely accurate; the term �struggle� implies active resistance. My usual tactic is more along the �close your eyes and think of England� line. My point is, even when I�ve been in the best shape of my life I�ve still had a little bit of a gut. That�s OK, I�m used to it. As I shlump forth into middle age, however, things seem to be expanding a little quicker than before.

My diet hasn�t really changed much recently, so that�s not really the problem. I suspect we�ll see a return to California vegetarianism (poultry and fish are OK to eat because they�re as dumb as vegetables) soon. Also, the little snacks I�ve been making myself after work have come to an end. No more eating after midnight. Other than that, I think I�ve been pretty good.

I think a lot of this current expansion is due to having a car. I�m not walking nearly as much as previously; when I was taking the bus home from work every night I had to walk up a pretty steep hill from the bus stop. I think the only exercise I get these days is from walking the dog. (Aside from certain activities with Science Girl, which I will not be enumerating here.)

Well, that�s all coming to an end. The not exercising, I mean, not the, uh, you know.

A friend gave me an exercise bike when she moved from a large apartment to an incredibly small house. My plan is to use the bike as intended by the manufacturer, rather than as an elaborate post-modern sculpture/place to fling dirty clothes. Once I build up a base level of fitness, I can start running again. (I used to do three miles a day, way back when.) This is all going to start out very slowly, of course; I have no intention of keeling over while improving my health.

Why am I boring you with all this? Well, if I put it out here for the whole world to (potentially) see, maybe I�ll be more inclined to stick with the program. So feel free to throw this back in my face if I start slacking off.

bmarkey 8/20/2003 08:47:00 PM