What next?

OK, you all know about my giving up the weed. I am now at the point where I feel like, in general, I am a lot healthier, a bit more alert, and generally on the up.

I am going to go through the rest of this month, but one thing I'd never thought about before I stopped is a gradual change in what I do... one thing at a time, once per month, set a new target for a change in my life.

So what for next month? Well I'm a tad overweight, so maybe the Gym should be next. What do you reckon?

 

i reckon you might be taking it a bit too fast - although if you feel motivated to change things then great. start by walking - sounds boring but put some tunes on and head in a new direction - or drive to some countryside and walk for an hour. try that for just a month and you'll feel a lot better - might even help with your sleep problems. i'd also recommend getitng a bike and using it - how far from work do you live - would it be feasable to commute by bike in the spring / summer?
cheers


julian

 

Julian, I think I live a tad too far away from work to contemplate cycling there, plus I've never fancied cycling on busy roads anyway.

The walking things a good idea though - I could always take my camera, and I do possess an iPOD, so that could be an idea.

Why do you think I'm taking it too quickly though?

 

yeah, that seems a good idea - one thing with dope (imo) - it's like a routine thing, once you break that routine then you're half way there...

basically you should fill your time more - whether it be going to the gym or doing other activities...I've found a great woman - that has helped me and I haven't indulged for a bit myself...

I'm not a fan of the gym myself as I find them a tad boring - but what about cycling..? - i know the weather's a bit naff just now, but I've just bought a 2 in 1 bycle machine and cross trainer - and i push myself on that, just make sure that you enjoy what you wanna do as you'll be more inclined to push yourself more...

maybe you could go rock climbing at the indoor centre at newton aycliff or something - they have a group thing on a wednesday and they go for a pint afterwards...

all the best anyway

 

paul,
i was just speaking from a personal point of view. i find it very difficult to concentrate on one thing before it becomes 'habit' for example when i quit smoking i knew there was no way i'd be able to diet at the same time. also when i quit drinking i knew giving up smoking at the same time would be tough. i'm all for an easy life so i tend to take one thing at a time, then when i've got that sussed move on to the next. i find it all to easy to slip back into bad habits when things go wrong, for example before chritstmas i had some very bad news and wobbled right off my diet / excersise with comfort eating, i'm just thinking that maybe if you've converted to this healthy lifestyle all at once you may find it too much or if you make one slip, psycologically it'll invalidate everything you're trying to achieve rather than just a small part. i don;t know you well enough to make that call though so if you are confident then go for it.
cheers


julian

 

An idea might be to cultivate a new acquaintance who has nothing at all to do with the life your are trying to leave. If you follow this route you will not be making too many demands upon you nice new pharmacologically confused body in such a short period of time. Go on to develop and expand the social side of your life, no man is an island. Shift thoughts of the gym to the back burner for a while as suggested by others - you never know if any new friends might have other ideas about physical fun that sound better than the gym.

 

Hi Auric, I have already found some none druggy friends to socialise with so thats a good idea which seems to be working out, at the moment

 

I should leave the gym alone for now, its all about phycology, if you fail at going to the gym, (Like the rest of the UK) then you might think Bugger all that for all your efforts.

Get out and walk, and I would say go for at least 8 weeks before making any decisions about the next thing you want to do.

Also start introducing more veg into your diet. I don't know what you eat but I bet its not enough veg.

 

Ballroom, ceroc or salsa? All may meet your needs for a physical work out coupled with a high degree of social intercourse.

Good advice indeed. Been there, done that and failed that.

 

Find something you like doing Paul. As people have said...going to the gym is a pretty bad example of 'Healthy Living' cus its generally a bit dull and it puts many people off the whole idea. You may well like it....there are positives...its nice to work yourself in a very structured way, and that appeals to many people, plus theres usually nice chicks to look at! Can always try it though if you think it'll suit you as it does many other people.

For me exercise should be good fun and more than just a calorie burning exercise, therefore you should find something you enjoy doing. Is there a sport you used to play as a kid that you could get back into? Is there something you've always wanted to try? Do you like heading out for walks/out on a bike? Have you got a mate who can plug you straight into a group of people that do something regularly i.e. football, rugby, ultimate frisbee, kayaking, badminton etc? Try these avenues first. Doing something with a bunch of other people will usually ensure you go every week and enjoy it because its social and is in a regular time slot and it won't feel like a chore as the gym can be.

The walking to take some pictures thing is a good one, especially if you like the idea of it. Get the Ipod on and hit the countryside somewhere (or just hit the streets). This is good aswell because you can end up being out for hours which is better than half an hour on a hamster wheel in a gym. Get yourself out there. Also you can always go for a walk at lunchtime for half an hour or so.

Ideally you should be doing something 3 times a week for about an hour. The best way to do that is to have regular days to do stuff and make sure you enjoy it.

Once you've got exercise sorted out, food is your next big thing. You'll have the 3 keys to success going on then. No body pollutants, regular exercise and good diet. Once you start getting pleasure out of these you'll be laughing.