What a Find!

So last night I was just talking to Christy about how I didn't think having only a gym membership was enough for me to get in shape. I need something I can do at home as I watch TV or listen to Sirius Satellite Radio. We discussed the requirement that it should have a small footprint, so it wouldn't take up too much of our modest apartment. I mentioned one of those climbing machines:
and Christy thought we could consider it.

But as luck would have it, Bed Bath & Beyond was having a fantastic clearance on something similar to this:

At just $19.99, we (I) snatched it up. After a bit of confusion about how to put it together, I was able to pound away. I could "feel it" after just a few minutes, and it's great fun! If you haven't already, I highly recommend picking one up. I imagine they won't be around long at that price. I joked with Christy that I could get one for every room so that I can pound my way around the apartment. Ha!

2lb. Workout

No, I am not so feeble as to be working out with 2lb. weights. No, no; the first one-hour workout last night apparently made a 2lb. difference. Yes, I'm down to 182.5. I suspect a lot of that was water weight, as I don't think it's possible to lose 2lbs. in just one workout. But, you know what? I feel great already!

Christy was tremendously supportive when I explained what I had discovered yesterday morning. I told her what my plan was, and--bless her--she enthusiastically declared, "I'm in!" Man, I love this girl. I'm so glad I snatched her up.

Together we can do this. Together we can do anything.

"Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful, and again most wonderful..."

As I like to quote from HAMLET during such weather: "The air bites shrewdly. It is very cold." Likewise, during the summer I like to turn to Gregory and say, "Sometimes too hot the eye of heaven shines." (From one of Sh.'s sonnets--can't remember which one) ("Sh." is my abbreviation for Shakespeare, of course.) But anyway, my point is that it's very chilly. Like the tundra.

Greg is playing his wrestling game on the Gamecube. His enjoyment of the WWE is his one flaw. But I try not to say anything too rude during the Friday Night Smackdown, although, to his credit, he tries to watch it on the Tivo when I'm not around. I do wish he would play Super Monkey Ball 2 instead. Then I could destroy him in Monkey Bowling.

We had a lovely workout at Bally's this evening. It's amazing how quickly an hour passes when you're listening to your favorite music on your ipod. But now I'm going to finish writing my last two Christmas cards and then settle down with my book. I am officially on vacation from work, and it is a wonderful feeling.

Scared to My Senses

I was scared to my senses--a wake-up call, if you will--when I stepped onto the scale this morning.

I bought a nice digital scale with the intention of keeping track of my weight. But if I didn't step on that scale, I didn't have to face my problem. And I haven't faced my problem for months.

When the display blinked 184.5, I suddenly felt sick. I wondered how I could let myself gain so much weight and not notice it. "I just feel bloated. I'm not really fat," I always reason.

Wrong. Dead wrong. I am not just bloated. I am overweight--if not outright fat.

My beautiful wife deserves better than this. I need to take care of myself... for her, if not for me.

I need to do something. Seriously. Now.

The first plans of action are to up my workouts from two half-hour sessions per week to five one-hour sessions, and go on a serious diet. Fruit and salads, here I come!