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Back in the Exercise Groove

Since I stopped working out at the Valencia YMCA (due to my movement away from the Valencia/California/Whole West Coastal area), I've felt guilty about not having a regular exercise routine. Well, it looks like I've gotten back in the groove. I've been utilizing the indoor pool here at Sterling College. Every other morning, my roommate and I get up a little early and head over to the pool for some heavy-duty swimming. I'm still trying to get some of the strokes down, but that doesn't matter so much; I'm just happy that I'm back on my track to health.

As some of you may know, I used to be quite heavier. Here is a picture of me in December of 2003 (my Sophomore year in HS):



I remained about this weight throughout the rest of my Sophomore year, and my entire Junior year. I'd half-tried different types of diets, but never stuck with them for long. After my Junior year, I decided that it was about time for me to lose weight. That summer, I lost a full 30 pounds, without any special dieting techniques - just by eating less, drinking more water, and walking a lot more.

Coming back to school that next term was really funny. You wouldn't believe the looks on people's faces when they saw me.



For part of my Senior year, and all summer afterward, I lived with my grandmother. You can imagine how it was hard to stay thin when you're living with a grandmother who loves to cook! It was extra hard due to her illness. I told her over and over that she didn't need to make me so much food, but she'd say, "You're a growing boy!" and fix a bunch anyway. I felt obligated to eat it, so I often did. She was a good cook, too (unfortunately for me)! Well, I put back on a few pounds, but nothing I couldn't handle.

During my first year in California, I buckled down again on my eating habits (it's so much easier when you're independent). Second semester, I started regularly attending the YMCA, working with the bikes and cross-trainers as well as the weight equipment. Once I came back to Kansas, I kind of slacked off during the summer.

Now that I'm in the dorms at SC, I find it about 8 times easier to be disciplined about my eating habits and exercise habits (it's so much easier when you're independent). We'll see what I look like by the end of the year - I'm excited to see how much progress I can make!

Comments

Yokanchi said…
Yay for exercise!

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