This week, I had the pleasure of receiving this email from my friend Jim. I thought it would be nice to share because it shows how powerful, and possible, a lifestyle shift can be.
Jim writes: "I have embraced better health and exercise as a permanent part of life in many ways like yourself. I have yo-yo-ed in weight a half-dozen times in the last twenty-six.
"Each time I have lost the weight it was mainly through dieting - but not in the healthiest of ways. We all know that the weight comes right back as soon as the temporary measures expire.
Jim writes: "I have embraced better health and exercise as a permanent part of life in many ways like yourself. I have yo-yo-ed in weight a half-dozen times in the last twenty-six.
"Each time I have lost the weight it was mainly through dieting - but not in the healthiest of ways. We all know that the weight comes right back as soon as the temporary measures expire.
"This last time, though," Jim continues, "I 'think' I have found the right balance. It has been over two years since my own program of proper diet, exercise and mindset have got me into the state of health that I currently enjoy. I have finally been able to let go of some deep childhood inhibitions about trying new foods. That has been the significant difference this go-round. I never ate vegetables as a kid or an adult until just a couple of years ago. In 2008 I tried this revolutionary thing called a salad!. I also learned how to read - and care - about the ingredients labels on many foods. I detest partially hydrogenated oil and basically won't consume anything with it as an ingredient. At dinner, I eat only one of my wife's cheeseburgers instead of two. You get the idea - I am finally learning the big picture about food - and that generally speaking, if it is man-made, then it probably isn't all that good for you.
"And then there's the Red Road Rocket...
"I have always loved cycling. As a kid, I tore all over my neighborhood in Purchase where the streets were wide and lightly traveled by car. Later in high school, I would ride up to the Westchester Airport and then across the Kensico Dam on my black Motebecane Super Mirage. In college, up in Brockport, the rides would be up to and along the shores of Lake Ontario. Then I moved to Long Island, fell in love, and got fat.
"My brother-in-law is an avid cyclist and we discovered a mutual interest in it a few years ago. He began to buy me gift certificates to Country Time Cycles for Christmas and my birthday. In a couple of years' time I had a significant down payment saved, and bought my Race Red Cannondale R500. Now, he and I ride 68+ miles each year in the North Fork Century at the end of August. I ride to work over the summer whenever I can. I take the back roads to make it longer and more interesting. I love getting up at 6:00 AM and riding to the Orient State Park and back before my family wakes up. I wish I could cycle every day, but my work and family schedules prohibit that - for now. My goal is to be able to ride whenever I want, wherever I want - after I retire from work some 20-25 years from now. Well, that is one of them, at least. But the bottom line is between that and the proper nutrition, I feel better now than ever. At 47 I take no prescription medication and have no health issues. I haven't called in sick to work once in over six and a half years! As Clapton once sang - '...I don't want to lose this feeling...'"
I'm with ya, Jim - keep on moving!
I'm with ya, Jim - keep on moving!
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