Change is good, and it’s time to make a few…

It’s been a busy day off, but things have been pretty smooth considering we’ve had a lot of stuff to get done. The first thing was Jonathan’s 2 month needles. He wasn’t too impressed with them but was a real trooper. We also found out that he gained another pound in the last two weeks since his last weighing. At this age, Ethan was only 10 lbs, and Jonathan is a staggering 14 lbs… which is just impressive. So after that was done, Leah took Jonathan to the mall to get his passport photos taken. We’re going to get his passport done up soon so he can make the trip with Leah and Ethan to Tennessee at the end of March. So we’ll have to get a rush on that to get it back before we take off. We’ve got the photos taken and the applications all signed by Jonathan’s doctor, so we’ll submit the application next week and get things moving along.

Speaking of moving… I had a look at the new appartment, and it wasn’t half bad. I’m a little iffy about it but I think once we move in and get all the stuff put away, I’ll warm up to it real quickly as the location is basically the places best appeal. It’s a 15 minute walk away from work, so as I said in a previous entry… no more having to rush around for buses. That also means I no longer have to fork out a crapload of cash for bus passes and late night cab fares. This too makes the new location ideal, that and the fact that there are some sweet grocerie stores and a few nice food joints less than a 5 minute walk away as well. They’ve actually just finished cleaning the place up so it will be nice to live in a place that is perfectly clean and it’s always nice to have a fresh start. The company that owns the building has been good to us since we moved into one of their buildings four years ago. They’ve gone out of their way to let us know how much they appreciate us as tenants, and you can’t complain about that.

Another place that is very, very close to my new location is a gym that offers a sweet discount to our center. As I said in the previous entry… I plan to take full advantage of the offer and use the gym to slim down. That combined with the four flights of stairs I’ll have to go up and down all the time to get into my new crib will result in a lot of slimming down… and then I’ll use the gym to tone up as well. But talk is cheap… when the kids and wife are in Tennessee, I’ll have to make good on this promise and work out like I’ve never worked out before. The two months when I’m alone will be the perfect time to get this whole work out thing started, so that way I’ll get a lot of rest between workouts. Right now my goal isn’t to lose weight over the next two months while the kids and wife are gone… it’s just to establish a routine and get into a fixed schedule.

My biggest problem when it comes to working out going to the gym for me is commitment. My goal over the first two months when I’m working out is just to establish a routine and get a set program so when the wife and kids come back home, I won’t lose track and spend the next year wasting money on a pass. I’m determined to go the distance with this, as I have two amazing reasons to stay in better health and those are my kids. I want to be around as long as possible to enjoy everything with them, and good health will determine that big time. My first goal this year is just to slim up and get in better shape. Once I’ve accomplished that goal, I’ll work with the gyms trainer’s to set more realistic goals for next year. My goal isn’t to come out looking like Mr. Universe, it’s just to get into better shape and live a little healthier than I have been over the last few years. It’s going to be hard, but I’m determined now more than I ever have been before. Hopefully that will be enough to make it work…

With the kids away, I also plan to change my diet as well. No, I don’t plan to stop eating while working out… just to make more healthy choices. More salads and less sweets. No more colas and more milk and juices. The two months when Leah and the kids are gone is going to be my junk food detox. No more fast foods, and nothing but good healthy foods. I’m not going to cut meats out of my diet, but I plan to eat more fish and less red meat and make it an occassional treat more than anything else. It will be a reward rather than the norm, which in turn will make me appreciate it more and more when I do have it. Basically working out alone isn’t going to cut the mustard and I need to change the way I eat. No more chips and a lot more fruit. The way I look at it, if I’m going to make the change… why half ass it. I’m going all the way baby, and two months will be enough time to get all that crap out of my system. My kids deserve to have me around to help out as long as possible and I think they’re worth the effort.

So change is coming and it’s time I quit whining and do something about it. Take advantage of my new location and take advantage of my upcoming isolation for the good. I think this plan is the best way to get my life really back on track and the way it should be going. In the long run I will benefit from it big time and in the end so will the people I love. A man doesn’t need anymore modivation, this time next month… I’ve got the plan and I’m going to work it until I can’t work it no more. Wish me luck… cause I’m gonna need it.

Peter