My Name Is Skinny Guy

And I'm a carboholic. I've been on a two month bender that has seen me sabotage all of my attempts to get back on track. There is usually no shortage of baked goods present in the house, but I'm usually able to avoid them because they're the boxed, over-processed variety of store bought junk, and they don't usually appeal to me.

But throughout the holiday season, my wife went on a baking spree that pushed me past my ability to control myself. Lord knows, she did her best to protect me from myself, but I was determined to commit carbocide.

Once I plowed through all the good stuff, I showed even less self control and started eating all the crappy stuff I could get my hands on as well. Even as long ago as last night I was popping boxed mini-donuts into my pie hole.

So as of this posting, I'm going to try to put the brakes on. Again.

"Persistence, not perfection."

2009 Goal #2: Build Some Muscle

[It is traditional for nearly everyone to make resolutions or set goals for the new year. Over these next few posts, I will be discussing my top goals for 2009.]

At the end of yesterday's post I said that this post would be about losing the fat. I've decided to rethink the order in which I'm posting my goals, so today I'm going to talk about another goal instead, that of building muscle.

When I lost 130 pounds, I did it mostly by counting calories (points) on WeightWatchers with some cardio work thrown in for good measure. The cardio training consisted mostly of walking and I didn't do any strength training at all.

While I will always be grateful to WeightWatchers for providing me with a program that I was able to follow and use to transform my health, I've done a lot of reading and studying since then. Now I realize that if I had included strength training in my regimen, I could have added more fat-burning lean body mass to my frame instead of almost certainly losing the lean body mass that I did by not doing any strength training.*

By beginning some sort of strength training now, I'll be able to build up some of that fat-burning muscle that will help me improve my fitness and maintain my body fat percentage at a level that is appropriate.

I haven't settled on an exact strength training plan yet, but more than likely it will be something I can ease into, most likely with body weight routines. Maybe I'll even start off by actually completing the Hundred Push Up Challenge that I started twice last year.

*To be fair to WeightWatchers, they do mention the importance of exercise, mostly cardio, in their materials. Any lack of exercise of any type during my weight loss was strictly my (lack of) doing.

Tomorrow: Goal #3: Eating Well

2009 Goal #1: Run A 5K

[It is traditional for nearly everyone to make resolutions or set goals for the new year. Over the next few posts, I will be discussing my top goals for 2009.]

Back in 2007, I participated in my first official 5K race. I walked the entire way. Last year I tried another 5K and managed to run about half the distance and even managed not to come in last! So this year my goal is to run an entire 5K race from start to finish.

The 5K I've chosen is the Shirley Mae Run in Atlantic City, NJ which benefits the Shirley Mae Breast Cancer Assistance Fund, a non-profit that benefits patients in Southeastern New Jersey who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and who demonstrate financial need. This is the same 5K I participated in last year, and I'm looking forward to doing it again.

Traditionally held the day before Mother's Day on the Atlantic City Boardwalk, the Shirley Mae Run (and the Gilda's Club Walk) celebrates the survivors of breast cancer while remembering those that have passed. It's a great event for a great cause.

As the spring draws closer I'll be formulating my training plan, but at the moment I'm leaning towards the popular Couch to 5K program (C25K) that can be found at the Cool Running web site. I'll be sure to keep everyone posted.

Tomorrow: Goal #2: Lose the Fat

My Goals For 2009

As is traditional for this time of year, I've set a few goals for myself for the new year. Over the next few days I plan on sharing them with you and look forward to your comments. I also invite you to share some of your goals for 2009.

Happy New Year!

Even though 2009 started several days ago, the new year didn't start for me until this morning. Now that all the holiday parties are over and my clothes are stretched to the bursting point, it's time to begin anew.

I know I've said I'm going to restart my healthy habits multiple times over the last few months, when I've decided to post at all. I realize that asking you to believe me again may be asking a bit much. To be honest, I won't believe it until I see it either. All I can say is that this time feels different, and that I plan on posting more details as the week progresses.

Time will tell.

In other news, I am also contemplating some changes to the blog. Besides being badly in need of a face lift, I'm tinkering with the idea of switching platforms and possibly moving it to its own web site. It won't happen overnight, but it will happen.

I have also jumped on the Twitter bandwagon. If anyone is interested, you can check out my profile here.