*REBOOT*

After a weekend filled with pizza and soda, I think it's time to take a step back and gather myself (since I put on a few pounds, especially) and just write a little post about where I am and where I am aiming to be by next summer. Now I know some of you are probably thinking "okay, here goes Jordan once again 'recommitting' to this - I bet he'll forget all about this in a couple of weeks."

Not my feet, I promise

Now I don't blame the nay-sayers since I've really never given anyone any reason to believe that I'm actually going to go through with this at any point, but I do thank those of you who still believe that I'm capable of finishing what I keep starting! But anywhere, where do I begin?

Monday morning I weighed in back up at 272 pounds again - right up there with my heaviest I've ever been. I wasn't happy to see that number creep back onto my scale, but I wasn't completely surprised since I've been around there for the last couple of months, unfortunately. But I also made a decision that I can't let that number get any higher. So here's my tentative schedule/game plan.

Over the years I've tried too hard to lose the weight. I'd try to work out everyday and eat perfectly only to burn out after a couple weeks. So I'm trying to take it a little slower this time. I'm aiming to lose an average of 10 pounds a month. Doing so would put me at goal in June or July (goal being 190 lbs). But I don't want to get too ahead of myself. Gotta take things one day at a time!

On a daily basis, I'm aiming to get to the gym nice and early in the morning (6am), eat less than 2,000 calories a day and drink TONS of water. I'll have to say 'no' to soda for a while too...bummer. Along with these things, I hope that healthy choices make all the difference as I attempt to do this. It's usually the saying-no-to-food part that trips me up every time!

So here goes! Feel free to stay up-to-date with my progress on the Weight Loss page where I update my weight and graph a few times a week. Also feel free to visit my YouTube channel where I'll be making weigh in videos every Monday.

Couch to 5k

Since it's been a little rough getting my running legs back, I thought I'd check out the ever-popular "Couch to 5k" program. Sure, I've run a handful of races in the past, but it's amazing how quickly your endurance and stamina can take a nose dive after even a month or two of not running!

This program advertises that it can "transform couch potatoes into runners" who are capable of running a non-stop three miles "on a regular basis" in nine weeks. It has you running three times a week for 20-30 minutes at a time. While mostly walking at first, it slowly incorporates running more and more each week until the participant reaches the three mile mark in Week 9.

Now I don't doubt that this program could get Joe Schmoe running a 5k in a couple months, but with how much I want to be on the treadmill and burning calories, it's just not quite enough for me. The site that I found has you logging 60-90 minutes a WEEK at the gym. My goal is to be at the gym five times a week for an hour at a time. I'm looking to burn some calories! And to be honest, I'm pretty sure I could be back in 5k shape in half the time. (Do I smell a challenge?)

So after checking this program out, I think I'm going to take a pass. But don't get me wrong, I think this is a GREAT program for someone looking to get off of their couch and into their running shoes. I've included the link to the program for anyone interested in giving it a try. You can also download the iPhone app of this program that can talk you through your workouts while at the gym or on the pavement.

Do I Smell a Podcast?

So I'm not exactly sure why this idea crept into my head today, but I just wanted to gauge people's reactions before I move forward with it. Now that I've really kicked things into gear with this whole weight loss and get healthy thing, I've toyed with the idea of starting a podcast.

My initial thought is to kind of break it up into two segments - the first of which I just shoot the breeze, talk about recent happenings and just random stuff. In the second segment I'd talk health and fitness - pull articles and topics to discuss and give my two sense on them. I'd also talk about my progress in my weight loss journey - what's worked/not worked for me. And who knows, maybe even have a guest or two!

I've dabbled in the world of podcasting before, but really didn't have a plan going into it. I just clicked "REC" and jabbered about virtually nothing. I'm hoping that by focusing this podcast a little more one one topic, I can gear it towards a specific audience who will keep coming back each episode, participating and even giving feedback!

I don't know, what do you guys think? Think this is something I should try to pursue, or should I give it a while and wait to do it?