Resolution

I had completed fifty-two runs by April 5. I managed to run only another forty times the rest of the entire year. This has not been a good year for me physically. I wanted to lose weight, but I gained it. I am out of shape, weak and not very happy about it. I have for all intents and purposes stopped running entirely.

I brought gear to England and back without using it. I did not run over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Wasn't up to it, wasn't in the mood. How do I win this back?

It's not just vanity. My diet is horrible, and I do not wish to live the rest of my life in a health emergency. And I hurt to move.

These are steps in intend to take in the new year to improve my situation.

1. Acquire a new physical therapist. Not happy with the former, and besides, we are in need of a new general practitioner now that University Hospitals fired not just ours but the entire office over a labor dispute (not cool, UH.)
2. 10-20 minutes of exercise each morning. This is something I can do quite easily. Like writing a small amount each day, a little exercise daily goes a long way to improving my overall fitness and energy.
3. Running short distances three times a week. This could include three mile runs, but even two laps around the block will improve my breathing and blood flow. Running every day, however, as I did at the start of the year, is not advised.
4. Planning healthy menus. My wife has over the past several months has chosen a vegetarian diet. Neither the children nor I have been pressured into also adapting this lifestyle, but it will affect how we plan our meals. My efforts at non-meat based diets (going back to college) have resulted in an excessive intake of carbs, and that should be avoided. It does take good planning ... like all smart decisions.

We begin ... next week. See you then, and happy new year.