Update on my quest for fitness

Wii Fit: Failure

As a fitness experiment, I must say that the Wii Fit has been a failure. I purchased it last spring, and I have not really touched it since September. Yes it's true that I share part of the blame for not really using it since September. But more to the point, the Wii Fit is missing a critical component that would have made it work. It's missing a workout schedule... or some manner to direct people into a regular workout regime. I believe that if they had a way to create and customize a workout program based on the pre-existing exercises, then the Wii Fit would have accomplished the fitness goals that it's creators had intended. Instead, I float around from exercise to exercise, without any direction or plan...

Triathlon Training: Success

As the next step up from long distance running, I am training for a triathlon or two this year. The excitement of something new has put some wind in my sails. I constantly emphasize that failing a triathlon may result in a drowning. I've been swimming twice a week quite regularly now, and I am showing signs of improvement. In fact, I am quite certain that I will not drown. This is especially so, because I have purchased a BlueSeventy Reaction wetsuit. It should arrive in a month or two. Of course, this brings me to my next problem... I look quite ridiculous in a wetsuit.

Extreme Fitness: Undecided

I would be the first to tell you that a gym membership is like lighting several ten dollar bills and watching it burn away into nothing every month. I despise indoor gyms. However, I've decided to use my gym membership for the last few months to help burn away holiday fat... because my wetsuit will shape to the contours of my body in the most unflattering way possible. I have to say that early results were terrible. Luckily, I've connected with some of my wife's co-workers who also go to the Extreme Fitness. My co-workers are now my make-shift personal trainers, and it's much better to go to the gym as a group. So it looks like the gym membership is not a complete waste, but we'll see how it goes in the months ahead. (PS: Would I suggest a Extreme Fitness membership? I would probably say no for a variety of reasons. If you want details, leave a comment.)

P90x: In Progress
A friend of mine starting doing the P90x program. It's a 90 day fitness program offered by Tony Horton. (That's TONY Horton, not TIM Horton... whose 90 program would have the opposite effect.) It looks a bit extreme, but I managed to do 45 minutes of the 60 minute Legs and Back program. I'm currently on day 3, and I'm surviving. It's exciting for the moment because it's new. More importantly, it's got a detailed workout schedule which is something that is lacking somewhat in the indoor gym training and the Wii Fit. For those of you that are worried that I am burning myself out, don't worry. I am trimming down some of the P90X sessions because of my swimming and indoor gym workouts. P90x will help fill in the gaps, and provide a little guidance in terms of how to construct a long-term workout program. The primary goal of P90x is to make me look better in a wetsuit when it arrives in 2 months. (Extreme Fitness be warned. If P90x works out, you will be getting the boot.)

Fitness Summary: Still Obese

After all that, I'm still obese. But I can honestly say that I feel the tide slowly turning. The most obvious difference is that I have more energy during day, and I feel more alert. More importantly, I've decided to make fitness one of my priorities. I'm looking forward to the months ahead, because one day I'm going to step back onto that Wii Fit, and it will tell me that I'm not obese... I'll just be overweight. :)