Huge Slacker!

I've been slacking over here lately, I know. I'll just blame the holiday and the kids having the week off from school and not bore everyone with the details.

My first thought of the day, as I feel guilty about leaving my blog all alone in the great wide internet for so many days, is this: I haven't felt like I need to log in and de-stress lately. Guess I forgot, cause it does feel nice to be back in the saddle, if you know what I mean.

Really though, I find myself thinking about why I started this blog in the first place. It's done its job, and I'm proud of it. Good blog.

So, what's up with me? I'll tell ya. First, a couple of things about smoking (always a good idea to throw in a little something that's actually on topic, huh?), and the quitting thereof as it relates to my life. Now that I've been quit for long enough for it to be clear that it's not just a phase or a failed attempt, people have been taking notice.

I have had a couple phone calls whose primary purpose was to congratulate me on quitting, a couple people say that they're proud of me, a person or two asking me how difficult it is and for advice, and a number of quitters who are thrilled that I have joined their numbers. Our numbers, that is to say.

I've worked my way to indifference regarding coffee as well. Some of you may recall that I thought I was going to give up coffee along with cigarettes for a while there. It really was tasting unappealing to me for a week or so. I still ended up having a cup every other day or so, and I guess I've reacclimated to some extent. While I'm not expecting myself to be sucking down pot after pot like I used to, one or two cups a day seems to be what I've been doing. So I am liking the coffee again, but not liking liking it like a grade school girlfriend (wow, haven't had one of those in a while) anymore.

Hm, what else? Well, the whole exercising thing has gone right out the crapper, so I'm currently five pounds up from where I started. I have no excuse. I mean, I could think of a million, but am wise enough not to. Just haven't been exercising like I wanted to is all.

And scarfing down on Easter candy, Snickers and Skittles in particular. Some days, I wish the human body could be sustained on Skittles alone, they really are so good. And sweet tarts, but those usually don't show their face until around Halloween. Skittles it is then. I really can't wait till they're gone, because I will not stop eating them so long as they are here.

I'm promising myself, you guys be my witnesses on this, that I am going to clear out that damned punching bag next week. Again, no excuses. Punching bag or bust! And also to get back into some semblance of a decent eating routine. Yeah, I kind of caved and had Burger King, Domino's and chili dogs from the grill in town, all in the last four days. Definite fattie behavior. I don't even remember what I had the other day, but likely it was such crap that I've blocked it out like a bad childhood experience.

I think that's all I have in me for right now.

It's On!

I finally rode that dreaded Gazelle. I'm maintaining that that thing is made for people with shorter legs. I really need to get that back room with the heavy bag cleared out.

Still though, I feel pretty good about getting a workout in. First real workout since I quit smoking. The toughest part of most things is taking that first step.

Afterwards, I end up on the phone with the wife, she wanted to know how far did I go, how long was I on the cursed thing for, all that jazz.

So I told her; You'll never guess what she said. "That's like how much I do, but I'm fat. What's your excuse?"

What the hell?

Yes, she was just joking (I know how the typewritten word can get all wrapped up in misinterpreted context and candor). In fact, she got some wonderful laughs in. Ha ha. Bitch.

Anyway, now I guess I'm gonna get stuck getting good at riding this thing and knocking around the bag, just to show her up. I'm stubborn like that.

Quitting Smoking Makes People Gain Weight -- Huge Surprise

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Everybody told me to expect to gain a little weight upon smoking cessation. Actually, quite a lot of people seem to report that significant weight gain is to be expected, even normal.

It's official: I'm up three pounds. I'm cool with that, considering I've been getting just a bit overindulgent with the snack food lately. Well, actually more like whole box of Entenmann's crumb topped donuts indulgent. Good thing I've been taking the mountain bike out several times a week, even if it's only for short trips most of the time.

I think the intelligent thing to do here is a little preventative maintenance. You know, just in case. While I really have my sights on that punching bag, it's still not warm enough back there yet. Soon though, real soon.

For now, I guess it'll have to be the Gazelle. Cardio and I have a history of not getting along terrifically well, at least not for extended periods, but I'm going to try out my diplomatic skills and see if I can form some kind of a truce for now. At least until I can clear out the beloved heavy bag.

Time to see what these newly improved lungs can do, before my gut decides to start showing off. Maybe I'll even tone it down on the junk food.