Quick Update

First off, I apologize for the delay in my posts, but this week has been especially busy for me. I am going to try to post as often as I can, but with the "busy season" of work and the end of the semester coming together like a perfect storm these next couple months, I can't promise anything.

Secondly, since I know that my last two (or first two?) posts were pretty heavy and deep (and as Michael Scott would say, "that's what she said..."), so I am only going to give some quick updates.

Quick updates:

Quitting Smoking My (not) smoking has been hard, but overall, I feel good about it. With the exception of 2 cigarettes, I have been smoke-free since April 1st. (I know that even 1 cigarette means that I am starting over again, but I am optimistic because I still haven't had one since Tuesday.) The first week was brutal, but this week has been a little easier. I expect it to get even easier as I go along, but still need to be careful not to ever think it is actually "easy." I also set a goal for myself that once I go 2 months without a cigarette, I am going to strongly consider getting a motorcycle. (I know that some of you see that as counterproductive- giving up one thing that could kill me for another, but that is something I have wanted for a while now. I also figure it would be a great reward with the summer coming up...and I think my girlfriend will like the motorcycle more than she realizes.)

Dieting I haven't really been focusing too much on being really strict on what I eat, but I have been more conscientious about it, since I think that quitting smoking is more important that losing weight right now. I am hoping to maintain or lose a few pounds the first few weeks of quitting smoking, and I think that the running will help with that as well. I did step on the scale for the first time in a while, and I am up to 209- 20 pounds more than my lowest weight, but still below what I have been in the past (for those who were wondering, 265 pounds in 2001 was my highest). My eventual goal is somewhere around 175-180. That being said, I am focusing on eating well when I am at home and during the work week- the only times I haven't been as disciplined is when I have been eating out.

Half-marathon training Although it has been less than a week, this is the aspect that has been going flawlessly so far. I ran 3 times this week, and am on pace with the training schedule for the half-marathon. My training plan has me running 4 times per week, and my first "long run" (only 4 miles) is this weekend. I am also going to try to figure out how to post my running routes and times up on this blog as I do them, but haven't figured it out yet. I also want to give thanks to my sister for running with me in the mornings- it is always much easier to do it with someone else.

UPDATE: I figured out how to post my routes on the blog, I will try to post them once I finish them now.

I am going to try to find some time to post something this weekend which has nothing to do with this stuff, since I promised that this blog was going to be entertaining, and I feel like it has just been the equivalent of a therapy session. Hope everyone has a great weekend!