Death, not as a distant metaphor for struggle, but as a ever present threat against my very existence...

Well I started a new exercise routine this week. I have decided that my blood pressure issuses can no longer be ignored. To be honest I feel like if I don't get my weight/health under better control I am very seriously going to die. This is not death or dying in the existential Plathian sense of we are all dying in some form or fashion. This is death as in "my blood pressure is 160/120 and I am going to have a fucking a stroke/heart attack and die." This does not sound like a good time to me.

This means incorporating some serious changes in my lifestyle that I have previously been resisting:

• First, I am exercising everyday for at least 30 minutes. I started using the eliptical machine pictured above at the rec for 35 minutes a day on Tuesday. It says it only burns like 500 calories but I figure that some exercise is better than none, and that I need to improve my cardio fitness and this is what everyone suggested I do to improve my cardiovascular fitness. Keep in mind when suggesting your fitness plans, or tips that I have a back that is virtually destroyed from a car crash at 18, and a sledding accident at 22, and that I have a serious shoulder condition from an old football injury that requires a fairly serious surgery that I cannot afford right now. I am not trying to discourage your input, but don't just say "Man you should lift some wieghts." Really? OH...MY...GOD! I NEVER THOUGHT OF THAT! The aforementioned shoulder/back issues pretty much rules that out. It has to be low/light impact exercises.


• El Segundo. Note I am aware of the grammarical mistake of "El Segundo," and that Segundo requires no "El" before it. I just like the way "El Segundo" sounds. It is my blog. Anyway, secondly, I have to cut back on my drinking...A LOT. Major fucking bummer here dude. I FUCKING LOVE BEER. CHEAP BEER AT THAT. People are always coming at me with that "If you like beer, you need to try Guiness" or whatever hoity toity beer they find fabulous. Not me. Give me a box of rocks or the silver bullet (my preferred choice of drink for over 10 years) and I am happy. However, cutting back is going to be a necessity if I plan to live past 40. Let me be clear on this: I WANT TO LIVE PAST 40. All joking and bull shit aside, I don't think "living fast and dying young" is as cool as everyone makes it out to be. It would be a major bummer to miss out on the second half of my life where I will have money, stability, and a good career teaching at university. I mean why the fuck even bother with a PHD if I am going to cash out a few years after I finish? I would better off quitting now and coaching high school football. At least with that I could probably win two state championships before death.


• Note: I am not saying I am going to stop drinking. That will never happen. I love to party. I am the spuds mackenzie of academia but I have to cut back on the drinking two or three times a week. Apparently your blood pressure does not approve of the "random nights of partying." I think this will also help me improve my productivity. Or cause a mental break down. I can't decide which. I have to admit that being worthless for a day after a party can be a freaking mega-drag.


• Lastly, I am going to have to eat better. Another serious bummer. I love food. I also love all the things you are not supposed to eat like meat, patatoes, bread, and gravy. You know, the good stuff. My fiancee wants me to do weight watchers with her. She says you can eat the stuff you want you just have to eat less of it. I think I may give it a try. I really don't have anything to lose...except my life.

With that said, here is my goal. 30 pounds in 20 weeks. I want to lose at least 30 pounds before I start a new PHD program in the fall. I wiegh 260 pounds. That was hard to admit. I weighed myself today at the rec. I was a seriously fit 210 in high school but that was before the back injury. I have also gained 30 pounds since my seizure in September. I am not going for a miracle here, or being unrealistic. I would be happy getting down to like 225 - 230, and then setting a new goal from there. I have never been a small guy nor do I hold illusions toward being a 160 pound skinny minny. I just want to lose some of the gut that I have put on. I will keep you updated. Wish Me Luck.