On a quest to physical fitness

When you want things to be different, you have to be willing to do different things.

There have been quite a few changes in my life the past few months and somehow, I think that trend is likely to continue. Some of the changes are of my own doing, others were brought forth through the normal course of life. The changes thus far have been good.

One of the things I've resolved to change is my fitness, or lack thereof. A few years ago I looked in the mirror and realized that I had become "white, wide and weak." At the time, I had been working 16 hour days in my home office which happened to be in a dark corner of my basement. Barely more than glorified crawlspace, I would spend every waking hour at my computer.

As with an creature who does not control what they eat and live a sedentary life in darkness, it was only natural that I became discolored, over weight, and weaker than I had ever been in my life. I made a change and with the help of a book titled "Body RX," I changed myself from head to toe. I ate better, got stronger and as a result of my long runs in the park, even began to get some coloration back in my skin. (grin)

One other tangible result of improving my diet and getting some exercise was I became more productive. It would seem that I could remember things better, problem solve better, stay better focused and meet deadlines easier when I was taking care of myself physically.

Over the past few years I have neglected to remember these valuable lessons and have not given my physical fitness, nor my diet the attention it deserves. Oh, I've not locked myself away in a dank dark basement, but I have not been watching what I eat, have not been going to the gym at all and have been spending way too much time sitting at my desk.

Well that's about to change!

I have a new book! It's called "Body for Life" and I intend to follow the instructions to the letter. (Well almost anyway.) This book offers a program that takes 12 weeks to completely transform yourself physically and mentally. I will also be adding another element to this plan and that is Kung Fu. I've made a new friend who is willing to mentor me in the Chinese Martial Arts Wah Lum Kung Fu, Pong Lai Kung Fu, Yang Style Tai Chi, (I think that's what it is.), so that will be an integral part of my new self.

An 84 day fast! Yep, for 84 days I will avoid food that I enjoy eating, avoid drinks that I like drinking and avoid sitting around doing nothing. I will concentrate on my physical self, learn new ways to fight and if I'm correct, even learn a new way to meditate through the martial arts. So here we go... it's gonna be a ride.

I have a desire to journal this experience from my other website, DavidFrancis.org. Look for a new link to a new blog after I get that going. I'll likely post some statistics, experiences and progress photos. It should be comical to say the least. The Fitness Link may end up getting divided into two areas, martial arts and the Gym. I'm not sure how it will all pan out, it's just one of those things I thought about doing.

This week is considered "Week Zero" of the 12 weeks. I'm going to re-read the book, take some measurements of myself as well as some photographs. Build a nutrition and supplement schedule as well as arrange my times at the martial arts academy. It is a time for preparation, planning and commitment. It's also a time for me to get some things finished around here so I can have the time to get out once in a while and worry about myself for a change.

Wish me luck... hey... why not join me in this quest to physical fitness?