Having to Work at It

In the dozen countries I traveled to, every day was an adventure.  I walked to new places every day and experienced the world on my own two feet.  Regardless whether I wanted to see a landmark, sit at a cafe, shop at a grocers, or just listen to the hum of daily life I had to go find it.  I had no home to anchor myself to.  And it was easy.  I could eat food that I really enjoyed and still be healthy.

When we landed in Chicago in cold, snowy February (a time I really miss in this awful 100F degree weather) my weight hovered around 145.  Now it hovers around 160.  I got out and walked regularly.  Now I’m lucky if I walk to anyplace other than my car.  I smiled, carried myself well, and was at peace.  Now my fuse is unusually short and I have fits of unhappiness.  What the heck happened?

I rediscovered my ruts.  I sit at an office job all day.  I’ve stopped excercising.  I’ve picked up my old and terrible eating habits.  I just read a book loaned to me by a friend (Your Erroneous Zones by Dr. Wayne Dyer) and got a lot out of it; mostly, I realized that all of these problems cropping up are entirely my fault.  It’s not ‘society’ or my ‘upbringing’ it’s my daily decisions.  I started changing those decisions last night.

I started by having a healthy dinner.  Indi picked up some Basa filets at the grocer’s.  I’d never heard of it before, but evidently it’s an Asian catfish.  Very light, and very good.  I looked at my plate of fish and rice and smirked a small smile at how different this plate was to my historical dietary palatte.  Afterwards, we took a walk down to a local coffee house and relaxed for about an hour, talking to regulars and enjoying the atmosphere of an urban gathering spot.  On the walk home, I marveled at the effort it took to enjoy the same kind of lifestyle I enjoyed abroad in my hometown.  It feels like walking after a long period of bedrest.

For the first time in my life, I’m going to have to conciously excercise.  I don’t have to walk daily to accomplish anything anymore, so I have to make up for that.  I am all to eager to sit at home and smother my metabolism in snack food and air conditioning.  There is a track next to my office that I am going to start walking/jogging around every other day.  I’m also going to snack throughout the day and not go out for lunch unless it’s a special occasion. 

I’m tired of being tired.  After my walk last night, I have more energy this morning and am fired up to make real and lasting change in my life.  I’m approaching 30 and it’s just going to get harder.  I am going to need the support of my friends and family so this doesn’t become another one of those, ‘Boy, that was a good idea’ kind of memories that doesn’t take hold.  If I can sell my possessions and travel the world, I can get off my butt and take responsibility for my health.