kids

Sometimes my kids do things that truly shock and amaze me. This morning was one of those days.
Since the "new" has worn off of running with dad and school has started, it's become more and more of a struggle to get #1 son up and going in the morning. Today, I finally decided that I had to make a change. Of the hour I've alotted for exercise, I found myself spending 2/3 of it trying to cajole my kids into participating. So this morning, #1 started in with his litany of reasons why he couldn't go. I told him that I love him, but that no matter what the activity, eventually the motivation has to come from inside him, and that I would no longer push or prod (very much!) him. I left him standing with mouth agape about a block from our house while I continued on. I had made it about a block further when, without saying a word, he came flying breathlessly down the alley and we continued to the School where he participated fully and without complaint in the entire set of Pyramid sprints.

I don't think I've ever been prouder. He dug down inside and found the motivation to continue when it would have been far easier to go back to bed. It reinforces my belief that this kid can do special things if he continues to push himself.

possibilities

So, the boss and I both passed our Orange belt tests on Saturday. Instructor Lavigne had us holding some of our stances longer than the Sunsinger! During the q&a section of the test, he asked me what my future goals were for HRD. I hadn't given it much thought, but upon contemplation, I realized that if I were to achieve Black Belt status, it would mean that I had stayed with the program for at least 5 years and achieved a level of fitness that I could barely contemplate 6 months ago. It won't be easy, but it's possible and is in line with everything I'm trying to teach my kids....stuff like setting goals, giving maximum effort, being passionate about something, not quitting in the face of adversity....man stuff.

In football news, VG fell to 0-3 at the hands of South Piatt. The good news is that their best player is actually from Monticello, so won't be playing for them next year. The bad news is that we'll play Monticello next year. Mini-me had a so-so effort. He had one tackle but was singled out for praise for his pass coverage.

"Biggest loser" weigh in is Saturday, so I had contemplated being a complete slug all week to try to gain a few pounds. I'm on too big a roll right now, exercise-wise, so I decided not to sand bag.

light day today...

#1 son and I went about a mile and a half today....alternating walking and running. We're going to ramp it up over the course of the next few months...hopefully we'll be able to complete the circuit without walking by the time the weather drives us in for Winter.

My energy levels have been increasing incrementally since I've started a regular exercise program. It's only 45 minutes to an hour every day, but I can tell it's making a difference.

In the next few weeks, we'll be making adjustments to our diet (helpful stock tip... if you own Anheuser-Busch, SELL!) as i gear up for Biggest Loser weigh in, next Sunday.

How to tell when your workout is going to suck....

The scene...FATBOY garage. The time...6:00 am. The players...Fatboy, #1 son, and mini me

FB: "Ok guys, let's start out with some exercises like we start with at HRD...10 jumping jacks, ready begin!"
#1 : I Cannnn't.
MM: ..makes feeble, uncoordinated attempt.
FB:Ok..toe touches....Spread your feet out....one,two,
#1: "I'm so tired."
MM 'It hurts...."
FB: Ok...let's do some push ups...ten..ready begin.
#1...does one rep, then collapses.
MM: does 4 good ones...then collapses.
#1 then cries that he doesn't want to be there.
FB: "Guys, if you don't want to be here, you can leave. I don't want you doing something you don't want to do and ending up never liking it, ok?"
#1 "You make me stay in band and I don't like THAT!"
MM: "It's not fair!"
FB: What's not fair?
MM:......
FB: "Ok...tricep extensions"
#1 hits head with weight, cries.
MM: ...one rep, cries, too heavy.

More comedy, including falling from an exercise ball and the hitting of one's head on concrete while doing a situp insues....

FB: Ok, that's good for the day. Why don't you guys go in and get a drink.

The great pyramids, etc

So this morning I was accompanied by both mini-me and #1 son to the football field for round two of "fatty runs wind sprints". Pyramids are a particularly nice form of torture because you start out so slowly and gradually increase distances until you're wheezing like the orange blossom special.

The boys continue to be my inspiration as I don't want them to A) have to bury me prematurely because of something I might have been able to avoid, or B) follow in my junk food scarfing, beer guzzling footsteps all the way to 300lbs.

The boss and I are officially taking our belt test this weekend. We had to re-schedule due to mini-me's 3'oclock game in Atwood. We've also joined the "warrior's path" version of HRD...which is really cool because now we get to play with WEAPONS!!

of belt tests, weigh ins, etc

Went for an easy walk with #1 son yesterday, then HRD, (heavy on the kicks) and my legs feel like lead today.

The boss and I will be taking our first belt test on saturday. I know the material, just hope I don't choke under pressure!

Mini me has asked that I get him up on Tuesdays and Thursdays when I lift....today was the first day. Mostly pushups, sit ups, and bridges, with some light weight work thrown in.

Weighed myself yesterday. Despite drinking gallons of beer and eating poorly late at night, I've lost 17 lbs since the nadir. Part of me wishes this could be counted for Biggest loser. Alas......

Big, bad Monticello defeated the home forces 34-12. Gave up way too many big plays on runs around the end. Mini me did have a couple tackles....including one where he jumped on the backs' head, just before the whistle. :-)

#1 son

Has been inspiring me to run 3x per week for the last month now. I know that I wouldn't stick it out without him. I really enjoy just being alone with him for 45 minutes to an hour. We don't go hard or far, generally, but it's a hoot and I encourage everyone to spend one on one time with their kids.

Mini-me has his second game this week, and the JFL is to show their support for the Varsity by attending their game tonight, so it's wall to wall football for the "FATBOY Clan" this weekend.

Things to do when you have a death wish....

a. tell your spouse she's got an a$$ big enough to watch movies on.
b. call her by her sister's name during lovey time.
c. Go to the football field at 5:30 am and run pyramid wind sprints with your 11 year old son.

I chose c. this morning. My legs may never be the same again. After nearly passing out at HRD Monday, I decided to do something really, really silly. Ran pyramids, then did pushups on the bleachers. Of course any possible caloric benefit was negated by the GI-NORMOUS Chicken Fajita Quesadilla and bowl of chips & salsa that I consumed at EL Toro II this afternoon.

Que sera sera.

of sparring, and soreness

We put on the gear and sparred for the first time in HRD last night. I thought my heart was going to explode! What an incredible workout. Plus, the boss can really kick hard!
I would recommend some form of martial arts to anyone who is interested in getting into shape. It will be interesting to see how far we go with it. #1 son loves it, so as long as his interest doesn't wain, I think we'll stay involved.

weekend wrapup

Although it wasn't quite as painful as the New Year's eve massacre, Mini me lost his first football contest Saturday, by a count of 6-0, to the dreaded Unity Rockets. He did a fine job of covering the receivers, but was out of position on a few tackles. He did manage to pop the QB once on a running play.

Went for a 1/2 hour walk with the #1 son this morning. Will do HRD tonight. I'm really looking forward to "biggest loser", since I have no intrinsic motivation.

15 great years!

I can't believe she's been raising me for 15 years! I know I wouldn't be the person I am today without her. Of course, life has intervened and I have volunteered to make myself available to counsel the displaced factory workers from Rantoul and she gets to clean the concession stand and rest rooms at the football field in preparation for #2 son's first game this Saturday, so we'll get to spend about an hour together alone tonight.

test image post....

Exercise can KILL you!

Went to Hwa Rang Do (henceforth known as HRD) class for the first time in 6 weeks last night. Every body part is screaming right now. On the bright side, I think I'm ready to test for Orange belt.

#1 son needs to strengthen his upper body. Can't do pushups or situps. I told him we're going to incorporate those exercises into the end of our training runs. This pronouncement was met with less than stark raving enthusiasm.


Julie, (henceforth known as "The Boss") is amazing. She is really good at HRD. So if there was ever any doubt about her ability to kick my a$$, it's pretty much dispelled now.

The reasoning behind the blog

A very motivated, beautiful young lady runs a dance studio in my home town, and for the second year in a row, she is running a contest for the citizenry, based on the "biggest loser" TV show. I've decided to enter, and I figure a public record of my efforts might spur me on to greater effort, if not expose me to public ridicule.

Weigh in night is September 8. Last year's winner lost 54 pounds. I am shooting for 75 in one year. Wish me luck!

So I've got a blog now.

I AM SOMEBODY! hEE HEE!!