First post of the year! Whoop….

Not off to the best start butI’m going to get there. My problem? Not watching what I eat on the weekends. I start out the week getting down to about 177 and find myself over 180 after eating out over the weekend. The only way to deal with this is….discipline.

Even when ordering food that’s “healthy” it ends up not being when I look at the calories. My plan is to start ordering off the kids menu and making sure I’m eating throughout the day. Of course I want to have a healthy relationship with food and I want to enjoy going out. However, when it’s all said and done, I end up feeling miserable; especially when I consume gluten.

Even if I do eat something labeled “gluten-free” there’s a disclaimer, usually, stating that the food may be in contact with gluten. Unless you are sensitive to gluten and dairy, you will never understand how badly those things affect those that are senstive to them. I’am sensitive to them both. As I type this, I should probably get tested for celiac. Gluten sensitivity.

I’ve noticed that I need to focus more on strength training vs cardio; especially with me getting older. Why Strength Training is a Must as We Get Older. I’ve just started back going to the gym (group traning) on a regular basis since June and boy can I tell the difference. I’ve been going to 6:15 am classes but Im switching to 5am classes starting this week, That means I need to be winding down by 7:30pm, so I’m asleep no later than 8:30. There’s no reason for me to be staying up late during the week unless there’s good reason for me to do so. The goal is to workout on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. Rest days are Wednesdays and Saturdays.

I’m not going to beat myself up having fallen down during the last 2 weeks. I have to believe in myself that I CAN do this. My life really does depend on it since there’s no doubt that I WILL become a full blown diabetic and have high blood pressure (which will require going on medication) if I dont get my act together. Plus, I love the way I look and feel when I feel as though Im at my healthiest. There are some medical issues I have no control over. The ones that I do have control over, I should be doing my all to control them. Eating healthy and exercising has gotten me out of the pre-diabetic and pre-hypertensive range.

I’m 2 years from turning 55, God willing, which is the same age as my father who died from a heart attack due to hear disease.

Information about Diabetes: American Diabetes Association

Information about High Blood Pressure: American Heart Association

Is any of this easy? HELL NO

Will it be worth it when it’s all said and done? HELL YES!