Fitness for the New Year

As you know, every month or so, I pursue a fitness challenge of some type. Although it was not technically a new year's resolution per se, the one that corresponded to January 2012 was to follow as closely as possible a Paleolithic style diet.

The operative phrase there is "as closely as possible." In this day and age, it would be very difficult to strictly adhere to a Paleo diet, and the goal with all of my fitness challenges is to do obtainable things. So I am going for 80% Paleo, which seems reasonable.

Because it has been going so well, I am continuing with my fitness challenge to do five 45-minute light to moderate workouts per week. Again, "light to moderate" equals obtainable. If I try to pursue something too difficult, I might fail.

That is probably why the exercising has been going so well. It is not a chore. It is kind of enjoyable and blends well with my life. I am going to alter the workout schedule to be a bit more rigid. If I can, I am going to try to workout in the morning before work every week day. If I miss, I can always make up one or two on the weekends, but if I get them all in by Friday I won't have to worry about it on the weekends.

This morning I did the stationary bike for 45 minutes and at lunch I was able to get out for a 50 minute power walk. So I am calling it 2 workouts for the week so far, and it is still only Monday.

The diet is going well today too. The only non-Paleo food I have eaten so far is the brown rice that was in my Paleo chili. I am allowing legumes as a protein source, so the peanuts and unsweetened soy milk I consumed are OK. I also had an apple.

I have Baby Rocket band practice tonight and if Gina makes some of her kickass food and it is not Paleo, I am going to be eating the 20% non-Paleo foods for the day.