by Ethan Johnson
October 10, 2007

We're into the fourth quarter of 2007, and while my progress has been great, I'm going to go into "winter mode" for now and stop doing monthly fitness updates until 2008. I managed to maintain my present weight for 60 days, so I think I'll declare victory and have seconds at Thanksgiving. Some thoughts:

My starting weight was 295 pounds as of February 3, 2007. This morning's weight is 243 (again). Which is a loss of 52 pounds this year. Really, what more needs to be said, right?

Exercising 7 days a week was causing weight shear, which can be heady but also disconcerting. I slammed on the brakes (big mistake), and then tried to ramp back up to 3 times a week. Very hard to do from a dead stop. However, what exercise I did do managed to stave off weight gain, so that's good. Additionally, I have added "soccer" (in quotes) to my workout options.

I bought two used soccer balls (for twice the fun) and found an open grassy field nearby. There are two trees that serve as a good goal box, despite the lack of net, etc. My routine is to run the length of the field and practice kicking the ball with either foot (aiming a rolling soccer ball is tougher than it seems) to a designated point. Then I take two free kicks at the goal. I collect up the balls and "punt" them back out to the field, which sets up the next exercise.

The toughest, and most fun exercise involves kicking and chasing each ball 5 times. The ball cannot stop rolling or that set doesn't count. So needless to say, lots of slow jogging and sudden sprints. The ball must pass between two trees that stand across from the "goal", which creates all sorts of challenges if the "goal kick" wasn't favorable. The sixth kick is the goal try, period, no matter where the ball is. The object is to perfect my aim, take longer setup "passes" (which involves faster bursts of speed) to set up an easier goal try. As corny as all of this sounds (and it is), there's no thrill like scoring a fake soccer goal between two trees. 30 minutes of this stuff absolutely flies by.

This series of exercises has really enhanced my appreciation for anyone who plays real soccer. Aiming the ball is tough, keeping up with it is gruelling, not to mention all of the various ball handling skills the players need. I don't have any, so I'm really behind the curve. But the field has more "give" than the cement walking path, so running in fits and starts is less irritating than plain old jogging would be. My various muscle groups are really wondering what's going on lately, as the stopping/starting motions really put your body to the test.

Anyway, I will finish formatting the photo gallery for the floor exercise that I use three times a week and post it separately hopefully no later than October 31.

Here's to a healthy and fun remainder of 2007! <EM>