At the beginning of the challenge, my goal was to shed some pounds for a trip to the Dominican Republic. While we didn’t go to Punta Cana, we did still head to a beach destination. We found ourselves washed up on the shores of Oahu again, taking in Waikiki in all its glory. The goal was to have the confidence to take my shirt off and feel good about myself and while I didn’t end up where I ultimately wanted to be physically, I was still comfortable.

I learned a lot during the process, both about myself as well as my lifestyle. I learned that I love beer – it’s true. It’s also not the best thing to love, so I’ve cut back significantly. Then there’s the rest of the diet. While I had intended to work with a nutritionist, I just didn’t keep up my end of the deal. I was hoping for meal plans, items laid out each day with full instruction. I like easy and that’s not something we had agreed upon so I lost out big time (though I still did get some helpful information that I’ll share at some point).

Additionally I learned that, much like in setting goals, I need to set realistic expectations of myself and of others. The intent of updating the site every day was great and at first it was manageable. Then my priorities shifted and while my health is a priority, writing about it necessarily isn’t.

On the plus side of things, I’m back working the same program that my Calgary based mobile personal trainer worked on for me and have recently returned to the gym – thankfully. I enjoy working out and maintaining a level of physical activity. It just charges me up for some reason.

And with this post I’ll close the first 8 week challenge. I’m not sure what I’ll go for next, but am open to suggestions. I’m contemplating something around preparing for a full marathon in eight weeks…something that sounds pretty stupid but likely quite doable. I’d love to hear your thoughts and thanks so much for having faith and checking in every now and then. It’s been a blast.

Photo © Marshall Stevenson.

Let me tell you what I’ve been up to over the last two weeks. I have been working out on a new training plan that my personal trainer designed for me. Due to some restrictions within the facility I use, we’ve been unable to physically meet over the last few weeks. This really has made her more of a virtual personal trainer. We’ve chatted on Skype a few times and we’re in contact through email regularly. Honestly, it seems to be working.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve also been slacking off here and there – and not just on my blog entries. I’ve been playing street hockey at least once a week; I’ve been hitting the gym at least once a week as well, though often two to three times; the weather has sucked so I haven’t been biking with or without my Princess and her chariot. The list goes on from there about constant excuses as to why I haven’t been doing things. Then I noticed there’s two weeks left until vacation and realized I’m only cheating myself by not doing it.

I seem to have plateaued a bit in any weight loss effort. That’s cool as clothes are fitting that haven’t in years and I know that muscle weighs more than fat. Cutting back on the booze in my diet has also given me a huge advantage. Now if only I would actually start eating correctly, I’d shed even more weight.

There you have it. A quick two week update on what I was up to and a further commitment that I will be posting something daily again until vacation. It will no doubt be a challenge, but after all, this is an eight week challenge! Now what I want to know is why didn’t you publicly shame me when you had the opportunity?

Photo from Top 10 Sweat-Drenched Workouts — of which I haven’t tried any.

On my bike ride in I was inspired to write this post. That’s right, in the dark and pouring rain this morning I biked in to the office to ensure that I managed to keep up some level of activity. Yesterday I went for a very quick 2 mile run and managed to avoid any of the five hawks I saw. And yes, I saw them all at the same time in different areas of the route. I also managed not to get attacked.

So as I sit here, getting ready to work a sedentary job like many of you and I contemplate my workout this afternoon with my awesome personal trainer, I ask you: it’s 7 am and WTF have you done today to sweat?

Snack: 2 yellow plums

Lunch: BBQ chicken with rice and steamed broccoli

Snack: Yogurt

Dinner: Whole wheat pasta with meat sauce & beggies and a bit of feta cheese

Beverages: Water, 1/2 Strongbow

Lunch: Pea soup and half a “Plymouth Rock” from Safeway

Dinner: BBQ chicken with rice and steamed broccoli

Beverages: Water, 1/2 Strongbow, 1 glass red wine

Lunch: ham & cheese sandwiches with a little miracle whip and mustard on multi-gran bread

Dinner: One BBQ double burger

Snack: Grasshopper & Bits ‘n Bites on the plane

Beverages: 2 Fort Gary Dark Ales

First i must apilogize as I’m writing this post from 38,000 feet from the tin keyboard of my iPhone 3G. I’ll do my best to catch spelling mistakes but can’t ensure I’ll catch them all. Day 24 was Friday and that was street hockey day at the office. A quick game, with a win in a shoot out, then I was off to the airport to fly to Winnipeg to see some friends and family. I spent Friday night playing Rock Band and some other random game called “spinning dragons.”

This last game was quite physical as you pulled streamers out of their complete roll making huge circles. Think of swimming butterfly stroke while holding on to streamers and that should give you an idea. My shoulders ate still a little tight.

Saturday morning was an early start and a quick 7 miles around Winnipeg. I was impressed with myself as it really seems as though I haven’t run too much lately and this 7 felt great. After the beach in October my next challenge will be a marathon in under 4 hours. That will be scary to fit into an 8 week challenge.

Saturday morning I also poked up my brother from the Winnipeg airport and drove up to my parents cottage to really do some manual labour. It never made sense why they called it Labour Day weekend, but thi year it did.

Yesterday and today was spent getting physical and dirty doing numerous construction and renovation tasks around the cottage. In fact I was sweating so much that today I took my shirt off to work. It was largely only family around but it still felt great…not to mention the weather was awesome too.

And now I’m sitting on an aircraftr heading back home to what I’ve heard isn’t great weather. Tomorrow is all about family time and I’m looking forward to it, though I’m not sure what we’ll get up to. Any suggestions of great things to do in and around Calgary?

Lunch: 2 ham & cheese sandwiches with a little miracle whip and mustard on multi-gran bread

Dinner: Pesto chicken with BBQ potato & onions, chocolate milk

Beverages: 3 Fort Gary Dark Ales

Lunch: Chachis sandwich and mac ‘n cheese from YYC

Snack: Grasshopper & Bits ‘n Bites on the plane

Dinner: Boston Brute from BP’s with 2 Fort Gary Dark Ales

Beverages: Uno (1) – Dos Equis and water

You might think that what I’m talking about is kind of lame. Everyone is always trying to find time to schedule meetings, go for walks, do things together with friends and so on. Let’s be honest here for a moment. No matter where you are in the world there are only 24-hours in a day. That’s it, that’s all.

On average we’ll easily spend 8-10 hours of that day working. Either physically at work, or commuting to work. This doesn’t even consider the amount of time that someone thinks about work outside of work. Heck, I’m nowhere near work and I’m even talking about it right now! Now take 6 hours for sleep — yes I know the “experts” say 8 hours, but who really gets 8. That leaves you with 8 hours of your day for cooking, eating, shopping, exercising, socializing, TV watching, <insert action here>.

Eight hours isn’t really that much. Take half an hour for breakfast. Take another hour (at least) to cook dinner, eat it and clean up. Now you’re down to six. Don’t forget showering, laundry and relaxing before bed. You’ve got three left. Three hours left to do something out of twenty-four.

What are you gonna do?

Myself I managed to take 45 minutes today to go for a 31 minute run over lunch — about 3.6 miles. The rest I used to shower. I saw a chance to get in some physical activity, risk my life by an attack hawk (though not as bad as some) and clear my head. This ultimately made me more productive this afternoon.

After taking this all into consideration I’d have roughly two hours and fifteen minutes left to do something, anything. Tonight that included packing and making some other plans and ultimately writing this rant. The last few nights I’ve found the time to write, but I haven’t taken the time.

Taking the time is what matters most. Take five minutes to call a loved one. Take 10 to enjoy the sun (since the days are getting shorter up here). Take the time, don’t find it. Now tell me, what are YOU gonna do?