Over my 52 years on this planet, I’ve never experienced what could be called ‘poor health’. As a child, I was involved in sports year round, playing hockey in the winter and baseball in the summer. In high school, I added cross country running, track and field and a bit of football.
As an adult, I pushed my running and even completed a full marathon (the Flying Pig in Cincinnati, Ohio). When my achilles got the best of me in my 40’s, the running disappeared but a return to hockey filled the gap. This is a sport I still play today (although on pause due to the COVID-19 shitstorm).
So, I lead an active lifestyle. I exercise regularly. I hike the trails when I can. I have a thing for long rides in the kayak during the summer. I’m not a full-on couch potato…
I went vegan 12 years ago. At first, I was full on vegan. Then, the cheese monster edged it’s way back into my life. Then, I found no matter what I did, I was an overweight vegetarian.
It was frustrating. I felt I was doing all that I should to keep from gaining weight but it was happening anyway. Add to that, I felt like crap. No amount of sleep seemed like enough. I was often in pain when I slept and could only breathe clearly when in certain positions. I was, at times, a bit short of breath. I felt like I had a brain cloud (yes, like Tom Hanks in Joe vs. The Volcano)…
The Vision And The Goal
Shortly after my 52nd birthday, I implemented several habits, creating what I call a lifestyle shift. This is not a diet. This is nothing short of a transformation. I’m looking for unlimited energy. I’m looking for optimum health and fitness. I’m looking for an optimum immune system.
No, wait, I’m not looking for these things. I’m demanding them. I never, ever want to be put in the category of ‘vulnerable’. I want to squeeze every last ounce out of this life and I want to do that until I’m extremely old. I never, ever want to waste the final years of my life in a ‘long term care home’.
So, my vision is optimum health. I need to be the best me I can be. My goal is to have my several implemented habits become just that, habits. My measurable goal is to weight 180 lbs. by December 31, 2020. I realize weight isn’t everything but it is measurable and reaching a weight loss goal is incredibly beneficial, not only to a person’s physical health but their mental and emotional health, as well.
Weighing in at 180 would mark a loss of 29 lbs since I started tracking on October 20, 2020. The actual loss is closer to 5-10 lbs more as I started tinkering 3-4 days before I started measuring and there is always quick loss in those early days when you make a concerted effort to reduce.
Continue The Journey With Me
This website serves a couple purposes for me:
- Give me public accountability to continue when times get tough (and they will).
- Serve to inspire even just one other person to embark on a lifestyle shift.
- Document my wins and failures.
- Document my ongoing learning about the multitude of aspects of nutrition and fitness.
- To tie in the important blending between health, fitness and travel (thus, the name of the site).
I am not here to preach. I do feel that the world would be a whole lot better (especially in 2020) if people focused a little more on their health and fitness. But, it’s your right to live how you will. I am simply documenting my journey.
Also, I AM NOT A LICENSED NUTRITIONIST, TRAINER, PHYSIOTHERAPIST, TRAVEL AGENT – well, better put, I am not a licensed anything. I am just a guy that has found some things that really seem to work. I want to explore if they continue to work. I want to explore other options to better the process. I just want to be healthy.
Let Me Know Your Thoughts
I’m up for your thoughts and questions. And, I’m not just looking for positive reassurance! If you feel strongly against something I write, please, by all means let me know!
Also, if you’re on a similar journey, I’d love to hear how you’re going about it and what success you’ve had. What works for you and what have you found that doesn’t.