Fresh Start

I've joined a gym.

I'll let that sink in for a few seconds, especially for those of you who've known me for a while.

OK, I'll repeat it.  I've joined a gym.

24 Hour Fitness.  The one on Market Street, about two blocks from my apartment, although I can go to any of them.

And today, I went to my initial training session, where you fill in your health and diet questionnaires and have your physical baselines measured.  And those measurements said...

Yay.  I'm out of shape.  I do believe I knew that going into this.  I didn't think I was 16% body fat, but hey, that's why I joined, right?

By the way, 16% body fat is still average.  However, it's not the 6% I was in high school.  But that was fourteen (14) years and about twenty-five (25) pounds ago.

Hmmm... at that pace, I'd be about 215 pounds when I'm 60.  Sexy.  At least I won't be bald, too.

Lest you think that I'll become a workout-obsessed, Atkins freak (yeah, I'm sure you were all thinking that), I'll list my goals here, simple and humble though they may be.  They'll act as a reminder to me and as something about which you can all nag me.  Because I love nagging, and it's not at all the reason I moved 2518 miles away from my mother.

1.) - Better cardiovascular fitness.  Time to start concerning myself with cholesterol, arteriosclerosis and heart attacks.  The ribeyes and foie gras aren't going to clear themselves out of my arteries.

2.) - Better flexibility.  Because seeing my toes is not enough.  I'd like to be able to touch them, too.

3.) - Increased strength around my knees and lower back.  Which should lower the frequency with which I experience pain there.

Those are the only real goals.  Now, if I happen to lose some inches around the wine gut or gain some muscle mass (especially in the upper body) or develop Buns of Steel, then more power to me.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go see a man about some Clear...