Day 500 — again.

Feels like a while since I was here last. That must have been at some point in 2023 or very early 2024 before I fixed an old error and had to start over from the beginning. But not until after I threw an epic tantrum and got all morose about it. Yet, here we are slowly making our way back up towards Day 831, and hopefully beyond.

This whole daily writing thing has become a bit of a habit now, for good or bad. I’m pretty much stuck with it as I have been doing it for the better part of 1,400 days give or take, with only a brief respite somewhere in the middle. On that note of making new habits I have been very steady and consistent with my grip strength trainers, those I have used in combinations every single day since June. I have moved up from struggling with the 50 lbs, to now struggling with the 175 lb weights. Feels good to see some forward momentum. I will see if it offers me any additional help once I go back to climbing next week.

I haven’t been as consistent, but I am still doing push ups to try to keep my shoulders, and arms engaged in activity with my body weight every day. I missed a few days, but have done more of it than I thought I would. One small action repeated daily, and increased a little over time, is how I begin a new habit. Though I do find it easy to just forget about this new stuff because it isn’t as deeply ingrained yet. I am pretty easy going with myself about it. I’m not going to beat myself up if I forget. So at this point if I do it more often than not in a week, that’s a good thing. I can work with that. I can build on that.

Helps if you aren’t plagued by old injuries that flare up once you get active. My knees hate getting real jumpy & runny so I limit that type of athleticism. More calisthenics and body weight movements. I can walk a fair distance still, without causing myself harm. Ride a bike, skateboard on real clean fresh asphalt. Long bike paths around town are good for that.

I have eaten two salads in two days as replacement meals. That much lettuce still feels like broken glass in my guts, followed by bloating and gas, so that may be a bit more difficult to implement as a part of my (yet again, another attempt) weight loss journey. Life style changes, or edits, as opposed to rash decisions are my go to, along with things like; Be more active, drink more water, use discretion over portion size, cut way back on snacks, and try to do away with soda. Do not eat after eight pm at night. This last one helps with my acid reflux quite a bit. I’m not a big drinker so I have no booze to give up to immediately save 5 lbs of bloated water weight. I also do not want to have to skip meals in order to move the needle on the scales. I need to be more active. Longer dog walks, more climbing, and spend some time in a gym moving heavy weights around. Good for the bones if I can keep from hurting my back or knees again. I do enjoy Olympic lifts, but that can get loud, and is frowned upon at some gyms. I’ll have to play it by ear.

But here we are, Day 500. I feel good. Feels like building something. Feels like having some sort of purpose to my day. A tad self serving and introspective at times, but what is writing if not a great way to organize your own thoughts, and come face to face with just how scattered your own train of thoughts are? A mirror held up to your own head, wielded by your own hands. Glorious. A few stars, do recommend. A little bit of introspection is good for you. Too much seems like self indulgent masturbation, for the sake of dwelling on yourself. But I digress. I’m no psychologist nor any sort of therapist.

It is Saturday today. The children start school on Tuesday morning. Everything goes back to day one then. Early wake ups. Packed school lunches. Drop offs and pick ups. Dog walks and farm runs. Drive all about town for the kids programming. It  makes for a busy week, all school year long. Lean in, or out I don’t much care, I’m not your guru I’m just a near middle aged dad. Ciao Bella!