One of the most difficult things in life- according to MY life- is being able to maintain my overall health and fitness. Most of my friends would laugh at that statement. Why? They seem to have scheduled their workout into their daily routine. Nothing wrong with that.
Prior to coming to Tacoma, I worked-out almost 5-6 days a week. It took me a awhile to get to that routine. Several factors contributed to that schedule. Having type II diabetes, exercise and a proper diet is very important.
Another factor was my overall not getting any younger syndrome. We approach certain crossroads in life and have to take a hard look at which road to take? There are many self-help books out there. Plenty written by guys my age that have gone from smoking, drinking, working 24-7 and then crashing. I am not one of them. However, it's a known fact living a healthy lifestyle can do a body good.
Daily life in New York was stressful. The more I went to the gym, the more I felt better- both physically and mentally. I ate better, cut back on the junk food and was not as stressed-out on the job or in general.
The most difficult part was sustaining that "gotta go to the gym" mentality. Don't get me wrong- I would (and still) mark an "X" on my calendar when I go to the gym. It's the typical excuse- I went to the gym yesterday and can skip today. We all know what can happen next!
That one-day can become another and another, etc. Before you know it- you haven't gone for few days and feel terrible. At least I did. I felt that all my time and effort went out the window and that my body fell apart in just those 3 days of not going. I had to start my routine all over again. Sounds crazy...I know.
I would workout for about an hour or so and then depending on the time of day- eat a healthy meal- vitamins, shakes and all. It felt great.
Leaving NY, I knew that I would need to join a gym as soon as I arrived in Tacoma. On the road, I did not workout- nor did I eat healthy. After months of eating healthy, I spent the week I drove across country catching up with all the junk food I would have eaten.
Getting settled took longer than I expected. It took me longer to get my feet in the ground. Enough so that I felt at home. I knew that I had the gym thing nagging me. Even my diet was shot- not good for a diabetic.
I did start feeling like I had gained a few pounds over the past month and I wasn't eating properly. Maybe too many pizzas at the ROCK! After going to the doctor for a check-up, my fear was confirmed I had gained about 8 lbs. I was floored! I just couldn't believe it.
As a result, I went on a mission to join a gym and cut-out the junk food- AGAIN! Trust me it hasn't been easy. Why? Excuses!
It's been a slow slow process. I went in search of a fitness club and finally joined LA FITNESS. Even though it's not as close as the local YMCA, La Fitness is clean, offers a great deal of equipment, a pool, classes, etc. Plus, they are building a new club in the area.
Have I been going? Yes. During my first week, I went about 5 times. Have I kept up the momentum? It's been difficult. Know one is to blame but myself. My calendar does have "X" marks. I am still trying to find a routine workout schedule. I work various hours during the week and I am not a morning workout person. I know an EXCUSE!
Getting back into the routine has been slow- but it's happening. I have slowly steered away from going to the ROCK for pizza. I am working on my diet.
Of course, the best part of all this can be explained this way... while I was writing this post to my blog, my phone rang and it was the personal trainer calling from LA Fitness to schedule my training session. Sounds like fate to me!
