I tend to throw myself into things.
So in taking a new job last year, some practices fell by the wayside. Like regular exercise.
Yes, I am executive director of the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire. And no, I have not been making time to exercise, work out, eat properly, or even sleep.
Thus did I get up at an annual fund-raising gala in September, and say this:
"In my first year as director of the Aviation Museum, I've gained so much. Specifically, I've gained 20 pounds from all the donuts and cookies that are so readily available around the place."
So right then and there, I vowed to return to the next year's gala 20 pounds lighter, or where I started when I took the job.
That was a month ago. Since then, I've actually made time to get out running with the dogs, and just yesterday added Wyoming to the list of states in which I've run 10K. (It's the 39th! Just 11 more to go.)
Other things need to happen, such as reducing the tendency to snack at night, which is totally psychological/behavioral and not driven by hunger.
But I'm on my way. And with 11 months to go, here's a to-do list:
• Get new running shoes. The current ones are shot, as I proved once again during yesterday's run in Wyoming.
• When cold weather arrives for good (any day now in my home area of New England), build in visits to the gym.
• Try to do something every day, even if it's minor.
• Get the remaining southern states (South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana) before September 2020 rolls around. (Actually, best time is Jan-March to avoid stifling heat and humidity later on.)
• And then get one more (probably Minnesota, easiest to get to cheaply) to bring the total up to 45.
• Run in 10 new places in my quest to run a minimum of 5K in all N.H. cities, towns, and unincorporated places. (Windsor, N.H., look out!)
• Get below 200 pounds. I don't honestly know what my weight was on September 24, 2019, when I made my vow, but it was up there. Ideally, I'd like to be well below 200 pounds consistently, which would be about 20 pounds below what I was carrying at the podium. :)
• When weather allows, get on bike. Ride to work when possible.
And then there's sleep. For many years, I found I could pull all-nighters and then get through the next day without too many problems.
No more. If I don't get adequate sleep, I can't function the next day and sometimes for several days afterwards. So, for the first time in my life, sleeping is actually part of the equation.
Will all this make a difference? Stay tuned...
