I’m starting to move things along…

Eating healthy has proven to be somewhat easier than anticipated. Even though it costs a bit more than I’d hoped and I still am not fond of veggies, I have stuck to the plan and have lost 9lbs to date without strenuous exercise. Time to ramp things up…

My plan is to lose 3-6lbs a week until I reach the weight of 250lbs. The best way to accomplish this is to burn more than I take in. To date, I’ve been eating much less than the 2500 daily calories I’ve set as my daily allotment. Walking, housework, lawn mowing and softball are decent calorie burners but not great at building muscle or revving up my metabolism, which is about as rusty as my Dad’s 48 Ford pickup parts in his backyard. I did walk a total of 3 miles last week without breaking too much of a sweat so I figure it’s time to shake off that rust and hit Fitness USA like Kwame Kilpatrick’s thugs push reporters.



If you’ve never been to Fitness USA, I suspect it would be best described as a place where there’s lots of machines and little need of all of them. Most of the people I’ve encountered there are decent enough; they tend to focus either on the treadmill/bike/elliptical machines or free weights. Very few seem to do an actual circuit of activities designed to enhance your health; they seem to focus on key parts only. The place also smells like a Gamestop during a Madden 2010 release event.



My first day at the Westland facility last year was interesting. My only experiences at such places were in High School or College (where training was very structured and precise) and at a local fitness place my city has (Old people, busy young adults and “powerhouses” trying to take turns on antiquated equipment in what can best be described as a janitor closet.) so I was curious as to what I’d see. I was greeted by a hyperactive guy (can’t recall his name so I’ll refer to him as “Brian” since he reminded me of the Office Space character with all of the Flare pieces in that restaurant) who took my measurables and asked me my goals. Me being fat and stupid, told him. Big mistake. “Oki’mgonnatakeyouthroughtheringertodayandworkyaoutheadovahhere”. Huh? “Brian” proceeded to turn whatever semblance of muscle I had left into yogurt. He seriously had me doing stuff Lance Armstrong would have issues with. He flounced around and placed me on what I’d like to refer to as “The Widowmaker”. This piece of machinery worked without any power. It was at a 60 degree angle and was essentially a treadmill that was powered by the operators weight. After falling 7 or 8 times I was certain I was not ready for this machine but “Brian” insisted. I gutted it out, not falling again until after 7 minutes had passed in a 20 minute program. By that time I was ready to throw “Brian” up there and lift that thing to 90 degrees and see how he liked it. Humbly, I then tamely thanked him for his time, acknowledging the fact I was woefully out of shape and not ready for his help. He acted like I threw his cat into a woodchipper and sulked away. I then took my place alongside the other out of shape or senior citizens on the treadmills.



Since then, I’ve gone there a few times a month. I go in there with an angry look and headphones off so that the staff leaves me be.

Next week will be the beginning of my serious training however. I’m not sure I can get away with that as much if I continue to be consistent. We’ll see.



T-Minus 10 days until vegetarian month. During that month I’ll be meeting with a Vegetarian chef and learning some about the costs and culture. I’ll also be ramping up my food reviews. I’m aware I haven’t blogged nearly enough, but with the advent of my workouts I’ll share my ups and downs more frequently. Until then, catch my newest review on Amazing Grass’s “Amazing Meal Chocolate Infusion” which was sadly enough not very amazing.