The Gauntlet

So who thinks I can loose 30 pounds in three weeks?

The Problem.

God, I hate cardio. Hate, Hate, Hate, Hate... Notice all the capital H's?
Anyway, I have two new points of motivation. One which we can discuss right now, the other at a future time because its rather personal. More to come.

In doing some Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities related research I read this: "...obesity rates in adults are highest in those with the lowest family incomes (33.6%)...By contrast, rates
of overweight are lowest in those with incomes at or below FPL(FEDERAL POVERTY LINE) (30.1%) and rise
progressively with higher income to 38.8% of those with incomes exceeding
300% FPL (P<0.001).
These statistics are from the Ohio Family Health Survey's report on "Obesity in Children and Families Across Ohio in 2008."

So, to put it simply, the more broke you are, the fatter you tend to get.
This runs counter to any point in history other than the modern day. Even just a century ago, if you didn't have real money coming in, or actually produced food (which only comes from having some means, if not money to do so) you would more likely be malnourished, or even starving. Food insecurity meant a real threat of going hungry.
Now, food insecurity (especially for children) means dying early of heart disease, complications from diabetes, etc.

Fast Food man. Sheesh.

In many low income communities, the freshest food one might find might actually be at McDonald's. Can you believe that? Mcie D's has fresh vegetables- iceberg lettuce, tomatoes mainly, and is faster and easier for a parent that might work 2 or three jobs to procure for her children than going to a very out of the way grocery store to buy food there.
Its an amazingly awful cycle- self perpetuating, detrimental, and epic in scope.

We're in a bad way.

Set Backs and Fast Food Crimes Against Humanity

I hate being sick.
It figures, though. Make a commitment, talk about it, live it for one day and boom! SNOT EVERYWHERE! Well I should be better by tomorrow, I think. Natalie let me rest for a few hours yesterday and I felt much better when I finally did wake up.
Anyway some stupid head cold won't keep me from doing something today. I'm thinking push ups and scissor kicks at the very least.

Here's an interesting article from CNN.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/04/07/fast.food.calories/index.html?hpt=C1

Second Day of Spring

It started today.
I was restless as always with Natalie in the living room, fighting a sinus infection as hard as I was fighting to clear my mind and sleep. I woke up in the predawn hours and could not rest any more than I already had. I sat with Natalie and my sons in the living room for a while, enjoying bits of conversation with my wife as she drifted in and out and watching my sons sleep.
Then it started.
I had to be outside. I sat on the porch for a while reading in the sunrise light as it sparked across the great skyscrapers that loom in the distance, but even that couldn't help my restlessness. I needed to do. To act. To begin.
I did twenty push ups in the sunlight.
It started today.

I've been trying to loose weight for so long. I am bursting with resolutions to kick junk food and eat smaller portions and equally bursting with a complete lack of the will to do so. For the past three years I have lost thirty pounds and gained it back again. Lost and gained. But now maybe putting things in writing will help me sustain the weight loss and strength gain. Maybe needing a safe and sane outlet for my restlessness will help stave off the morose, addictive, and otherwise awful parts of my personality will help me reach my goals and heal my marriage.

Whatever is happening, its starting today, and it is time to act. To do. To be.
It is time to burn the fat from my soul.