by Ethan Johnson
April 9, 2007

My exercise regimen is quite Stalinist in its structure, namely that I'm forced to report that the 2nd 30-day block has been completed, which in turn leads to the 3rd 30-day block. Chocolate rations are up! We have always been at war with the Omentum!

During the 2nd block, I managed to eradicate potato and tortilla chips from my diet. It's all about cut/paste. Cut the "bad" thing, paste in the "good" thing. I don't believe in starvation dieting, so if I cut something out completely, I want a suitable replacement. Lately, almonds (plain, unroasted, unsalted) have replaced chips.

My primary form of exercise has been walking, both on the treadmill and outdoors. I find that I can walk father faster, with less fatigue outdoors than on the treadmill. I cut way back on the treadmill (average was 10 minutes for .4 miles toward the end of the block) in favor of a route I created outdoors (1.2 miles - average completion 22 minutes).

I introduced a new floor exercise late in the 2nd block: A variant on the "You" workout feaured on the April 2007 edition of the Oprah magazine. Hey, Mar subscribes to it faithfully, so as long as they keep piling up, might as well reap the benefits where I can. Unlike my previous floor exercise, this routine is much easier on my knees, but really delivers the total body fitness that I am looking for. Perhaps sometime in the next few weeks I'll post a slide show of the routine so others may take advantage of it as desired. It takes roughly 15 minutes to complete, but it's deceptively simple. I'm reduced to a pool of sweat somewhere in the 10 minute range.

And now, the numbers (as of 4/3/2007):

• Weight lost since 2/3/2007: 18 lbs
• Reduction in inches around my "Texas waist" (hips) since 2/3: 1 inch
• Reduction in inches around my belly since 2/3: 0.5 inch

(Note: I didn't start measuring my belly circumference until 3/17.)

Here's the news, for anyone who wishes to hear it: I don't believe that weight loss solely through dieting is the answer. If you don't make any other change to your lifestyle, you will see benefits (by and large) by walking 30 minutes a day, every day. As improvements are made, your brain and body will conspire to build momentum (and burn Omentum) and devise other ways to increase your activity and fitness level. I'm finding it harder to sit around idly, and prefer to be active. I walk outdoors at least once a day, but usually twice. I'm finding that walking allows me to think more clearly (and deeply) versus vegging out in front of the TV or reacting to the various stimuli available online.

Truly, change comes with the first step. My advice, for those who choose to accept it, is to not give your new routine a name. You're not on "Atkins" or "South Beach" or even the "EthMar Fitness Plan." You're just walking. You're just trying other foods out and reading labels more closely. (I had to toss a loaf of bread back on the shelf after being lured by claims of "whole grain" and 5g of fiber per slice (!!) because one prominent ingredient was high fructose corn syrup. RAZZZ.) Don't talk about it with people to build consensus. Do build a support group - even if it's just one person. (My physical walking buddy is my neighbor, and my virtual walking buddy is Beth.) Definitely talk to your doctor about what you're doing and to get your progress "on the record." (I have to do this too - I'm too busy walking to make an appointment.) Exercise like my Dad quit smoking: Don't make grand announcements about it, just do it, and let people comment after the fact. I can't count how many times people have told me that I'm visibly thinner. And I'm nowhere near my target weight!

I'm finding that I am becoming increasingly sensitive to a) how much crap is marketed to us daily at the grocery, and b) how much crap is marketed to us in terms of "easy" weight loss, usually through pills or dietary changes - such as eating prepared meals from a specific vendor. You don't get washboard abs by eating tofu and sprouts. Sure, you can get thinner, but not muscular and finely toned. You don't get washboard abs by taking horse pills from the so-called "sports nutrition" place either.

If you are thinking about exercising and eating healthier, feel free to track my progress, and copy whatever you feel comfortable doing. You're probably not going to see me on TV or on bookshelves touting my amazing results. It's been 60+ days of trial and error, not to mention 2 short breaks where I was physically unable to exercise. I've eaten junk food of all sorts (but not "fast" food) and the weight keeps coming off. I can't stress enough that exercising is not a license to eat "cement" and assume that your body is going to be better off, or that you'll be able to maintain your progress indefinitely. Cutting and replacing "bad" items and habits with "good" ones pay off in the long run. Get past the short term pain in favor of long term gain.

Finally, for those of you who like/need slogans, here is a favorite of a former co-worker of mine: I will do today what others WILL not, so that I can do tomorrow what others CAN not! Hop to it! <EM>