You See Dry Bones

Today’s installment will seem immensely practical.

This article is cross-posted at my fitness site, Called to Fitness.

I started my fitness website because I did not want to become a “fat pastor.”  There are so many “men of the cloth” who are nearing 300 pounds…and they are under six foot tall.  I started out exercising, then I went vegetarian (after a couple months of no meat, I cut down a tree in my back yard. After the tree hit the ground, testosterone coursed through my blood and I felt the need for chicken wings. And beer.) to attempt to get healthier.  Then the poo hit the fan. I was sick, in a car accident, taking care of sick kids, planting a church and much, much more. I lost ten pounds and have put five almost eight back on.

What does this have to do with being  a man?

If you are a man, there is a high likely hood you will be married. Once married, you will likely have kids. As a man, you will be expected to take care of your wife and kids. How can you do that if you are overweight? Seriously.

Think of all the problems associated with being overweight. Here is a small list:

• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Heart attack
• Less flexibility / mobility
• Asthma

While this is a short list, it is an important list. How can you raise your kids if you are hindered by self-imposed medical issues? How would it feel if you could not afford the other needs of your family because you had to pay for your diabetes medications or hospital stays?  How can you take your boys on adventures and teach them to be active if you are contently winded? On a spiritual note, how can you preach against gluttony and laziness if you are a lazy glutton?

Guys and girls. I rarely use the internet as my confessional, but today I will. I have been a lazy glutton. I have not taken my diet and exercise seriously.  You may not think its a big deal, but it is. When I eat poorly, my attitude is worse. I am lazy, I want to spend less time with my kids. I get irritated quickly and my wife suffers. Worse still, there is a history of diabetes in my family (almost every member over 45 has it or is on their way to having it). I should know better.

This time, I need to get serious, and maybe you do too.

I want to drop some substantial weight by Christmas. This is the time of year when we can make a ton of excuses. There are cookies at every office, pumpkin pie at every gathering, and the temptation to sit around and play video games. The days are shorter and the temptation to stay sedentary is stronger. So, how can I (we) lose weight and stay in shape over the holidays? I have three ideas to help.

1. Have a plan.
Truth be told, losing weight cannot be done well if you do not have a plan. If you do not have a work out schedule and a well planned diet, you will fail. Going to the gym with no idea of what you are doing will lead to either a) an ineffective workout, or b) a really long workout that helps you as little as possible, becomes boring, and then makes you give up.  The best way to have a plan is to pick up a good workout book. Seriously. Some people will shell out for a trainer, and this can be good, but in most cases, you can do just as well without one. Get a book like The Abs Diet or Body for Life and have at it. It is better to go in with a plan, than none at all.
As for the diet piece, you have to eat well. The saying “you cannot outrun your diet” holds true. I recommend eating according to The Abs Diet or Body for Life. But the main thing to keep in mind is, STOP EATING JUNK FOOD.  Junk food is anything processed. This includes but is not limited to chips, cookies, candy, candy bars, and white bread. I would also recommend avoiding fad diets like South Beach, Adkins, and most diets recommended on Oprah. 

2. Have a goal, and then change it.

It is important to know where you are going. This can keep it more exciting. Don’t just say “I want to lose weight.” Think of how much you want to lose, and then what you will do when you lose it. Once you drop that 30 pounds (my goal), will you build muscle? Start Mui Thai? Rock climb? Play linebacker in your flag football league? Once you achieve one goal, you need to be ready to achieve another. Stay motivated, always.

3. Get some accountability.

Get a friend who wants to lose weight, or one who is in shape. Make them hound you like a Drill Sargent who wants to audition for Full Metal Jacket. Be honest with them. This is no time to be a lying little wuss. Listen to them and keep on the ball.

I talk a good game. Here is my plan, goal, and accountability.

My plan is to bust out some form of exercise every day. Every other day it will be a formal workout. The off days will be doing real-world activities (like cutting down a tree) in place of a formal workout.

My goal is 30 pounds by Christmas. Yes, it is a high, lofty goal. But I am going to shoot for it.

My accountability is two-fold, my wife, and you guys out there in internet land. I will be updating my fitness blog with a weigh in every Monday. To start, here is a picture I took this morning:

I am going to call my weight at 197.9 pounds.  Sick people. Sick.

Let’s get on it people.

Put down the fork. Next time I weigh in, I will be at least 3 pounds lighter.

-Don-