...boys toys! » getting fit

Cutting down on the drink!

MuttzNutzz — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 13:10:02 +0000

No - this isn't really me...

I mostly drink wine – and if I’m honest with myself have had a drink in some way, shape or form most evenings for a very long time. Not every evening – but most. I rarely – if ever – drink during the day. And I never drink when entertaining clients or working (I know I have a habit of having just one more than I should – never good for business). As far as my ‘get myself fit’ project goes – drinking is number one on the list of things to sort out!

This has been on my mind for some time after having some friends for dinner. The conversation turned to our drinking habits and one of my friend relayed an article he had read about “functional alcoholics”. Half jokingly we all came to the conclusion that if we weren’t already, we were coming very close to this fitting into the definition. Loosely the definition being someone who drinks regularly and can still function perfectly normally to all intents and purposes… Like us our friends drink every night – and run a successful business without alcohol affecting their performance. And, we’ve all been doing just that for years.

This was what got me started thinking about this big health kick I’m starting right now…

So how do I plan to adjust my ways on drinking? I’m no expert but I do know myself – here’s my approach…

The first thing is to weigh up the pro’s and cons…

In favour of drinking

1. This is the big one for me – it helps me sleep – I have something of a hyperactive mind that without drink steps into overdrive and will keep me awake for hours. I still wake up early so don’t get enough sleep.

2. Occasionally – but increasingly less – it leads to having great evening.

3. Some of my best ideas have come when bouncing around abstract concepts over a few drinks.

Against drinking

1. Obvious health implications – I’m sure I don’t need to list them, we all have it rammed down our throats constantly by the self-righteous amongst us.

2. Lose some weight (part of the overall plan for this year!)

3. Save money – wine is very cheap where I live so we only usually drink cheap stuff, but it all adds up nonetheless.

4. Paying the government even more tax than I do already!

4. Set a better example to my kids!

It’s a no brainer really when you stack it up in this way. So why are these habits we have so hard to break?

I’m no saint – and being realistic I very much doubt I could go for total abstinence so I have set myself a couple of very simple goals…

1. NO drinking at home unless entertaining.

2. Only drinking socially when out (usually about once a week) – and try to keep it to sensible levels. I really must learn to say no sometimes!

3. If I still suffer from sleeping problems after a couple of week look for some kind of herbal solution in the local health store.

I’m working on the principle that keeping it simple, and sticking to it is going to be more achievable than beating myself up over it and going completely cold turkey…

The time has arrived…

MuttzNutzz — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 11:35:23 +0000

I wrote earlier about my intentions to get fit after the holidays – and the time is here – today is the first day. I’ve never gone with all that new year resolution nonsense.

Pretty much everyone fails, but with this I figured it was as good a time as any to set a date to start after the excesses of the holidays – I am not calling this a new years resolution… As if to reinforce my – nont a new year resolution – theory a friend yesterday sent me an invitation to a Facebook group called “2010, new year, new me..” yeah yeah thats what u said in ‘09 ‘08 ‘07 ‘06“

I’m also planning on a gradual process rather than completely shock my body into submission with healthy living with one start date to change ALL my (bad) habits!

Stage one – beginning today – is to force a major cut in my alcohol intake. I drink far to much wine – and I drink at home… So, no alcohol at home now, and moderation socially and with friends. I don’t believe in entirely cutting out every pleasure so have allowed myself some ‘moderation’ on this one…

The dog is going to happy too – half an hours brisk walk a day to get my blood circulating again!

Should I drink wine?

Getting fit after the holidays!

MuttzNutzz — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 11:27:59 +0000

I’ve been thinking about getting my shit together for a while and getting myself into shape. Motivated in part by the articles David Corder owner of the Perfect Fit Wellness Center has provided us, what better time than to tie it in with the whole New Year resolution thing – something I don’t normally do as nobody ever seems to make them stick – including myself! However, this time I’m damn well going to do it – and in order to make myself look a complete ass if I don’t (and thus provide some motivation) I intend to do it publicly on here… Warts and all if necessary!

As someone who used to be a nightclub bouncer, visit the gym regular, spend their vacations walking up and down mountains, a martial artist (Judo and Thai Boxing), and squash player three times a week I’ve really let myself go over the past 6 or 7 years – it’s like I never did all that!

I smoke (more heavily than I used to), I drink – far to much wine (most days), and I get little or no exercise, which I usually excuse by the pressures of work in terms of time and stress… This also serves I guess as the excuse for the drinking. It’s time to sort it out – turn it on it’s head and reverse the time and effort I put into being unhealthy, into being healthy.

I’m aware that it’s been a while since I’ve made the effort – so intent to take it easy and sort out the major problems of drinking and smoking first…. So come the second of January I’m setting myself a new rule, rather than kill myself by not drinking at all – I’m going to stop drinking at home and restrict myself only to social drinking either when out with friends or at parties and the like.

I’m also going to spend at least 30 minutes every day taking the dog for a brisk walk to set me off exercise wise…

Not sure of the time scale yet – but following that it’s time to tackle the smoking. And then on to sorting out a sensible exercise regime. I’ve put ‘pen to paper’ now – so I’ve committed myself… Wish me luck (…and will power)!