Monday, June 29, 2009

Hi folks,

I just completed my first week with the Sarge! So far so good...one step at a time and one day at a time. It's been difficult to get this rust bucket moving again but I'm actually starting to see some results already, mind you just little ones, but little is good! I'm still sore when I finish the workouts but i think my endurance has increased, slightly.

The Sarge has been taking me on these so called "field trips" consisting of walking, some push ups against hydro poles ( I heard reports that the neighbourhood TV's were flickering) and some lunges...I never knew the butt had muscles, I know now as they announce their anger this morning!

The Sarge was also talking to me this morning about the meaning of life (Pizza and beer) and visualization. All good things but I didn't retain much as I was just trying to breath, it was a matter of survival! Fortunately she's going to e-mail me all the stuff she talked about today because right now it's all in a haze.

This Thursday is the big media launch, pretty excited about that...i just hope it generates enough interest to support our goal of raising funds for the hospital.

It's all good my friends!

Dave

Friday, June 26, 2009

Hi folks! This is my first ever blog...I guess that makes me a somebody! Welcome to Dave and Andrea's Excellent Adventure! I'm sure you're wondering what the purpose of this blog is and what is the goal. Well, I'll start at the beginning...I'm 50 years old, or young depending on your outlook in life, I weigh a whopping 336 pounds and I'm only 5' 7"! My mother always said it was important to be well rounded but i don't think this is what she had in mind! Anyways over the course of thirty years I have slowly and methodically built up this tonnage. I had a dream thirty years ago that I could do something for my community, a fund raiser for the hospital! I purposely put myself through this ordeal...just for you. Not! I believe this all started when I got out of the Military. In 1977 I enlisted with the Princess Canadian Light Infantry 2ND Battalion. During those days I could eat as much as I wanted as the training and exercise was a constant routine. In 1980 I moved back to Cobourg as my father had just recently passed away and this left my mother by herself. I was very fortunate to be employed by the Cobourg Police Service that same year. Over the course of my almost thirty year career I have done uniform patrol, Criminal Investigations and now my role as Deputy Chief is mainly administrative. The weight slowly came on over the years, a mixture of not adjusting what I was eating in conjunction with my exercise or level of activity. The weight really started to bloom (isn't that a nice word for it) when I started in Criminal Investigations; this job entailed a lot of report writing and interviewing along with some strange hours at times. Of course I wasn't eating properly either, nothing like fast food to satisfy! Anyways I think you have the picture...more bad eating and less exercise and yes it is my fault.

Over the course of those many years I have tried many diets and programs, probably all the one's you can think of. I must say that for a while they did work to some degree, but obviously they and I failed.

I have now decided to try again and here are my reasons; again I weigh 336 pounds, I have high blood pressure and sleep apnea. My knees hurt just about every day because of the strain on them from my weight. All of this has made life uncomfortable, unhealthy and simply dangerous. I NEED TO DO SOMETHING! So I was thinking of starting on another diet but I thought of a further incentive; to raise money for the hospital. This will keep me focused by knowing that people will benefit by having a new ECG machine, a win win situation. I spoke to my good friend Rhonda Cunningham (she's a big shot at the hospital, at least that's what she told me) and I ran the idea by her, she loved it. I told her that I had even checked out a gym called Bodilogix, lo and behold that is where she goes; she raved about it. To make a long story short I met with Rhonda and the co-owner/trainer of Bodilogix, Andrea Johnson, to see if we were all on board for this challenge. After a few further meetings with the Sergeant Major, oops I mean Andrea the game plan was put into action. The plan is to lose 100 pounds in one year through exercise and a lifestyle change, not a diet! My team consists of Andrea, Rhonda, my wife Rosie and my kids Rick and Carlie-Ann and of course my friends. With a team like that how can I lose!! that didn't sound right, I will lose...I'm a loser! I know some people who will agree with that statement.

Why did I pick Bodilogix?
The minute I walked in there I knew it was different then any other gym I've been to. The atmosphere seemed different, more supportive and embracing of people no matter what level of fitness they were in. This is not only from the staff but from the other members as well. I have to congratulate Andrea on what she has accomplished at Bodilogix and I new this was the right fit for me. I also felt comfortable with Andrea as a trainer...it didn't take long to figure out she knew what she was speaking of! This is her passion and that is the kind of dedication that I need if I am to succeed in this challenge!
So far I have had two sessions with the Sergeant Major...ouch is the polite word I'll use! The exercise has been great but she is also teaching me about nutrition and what to eat and when to eat it! I'm in a classroom which goes beyond even the gym itself...this is an adventure my friends!

I know these are difficult times with the economy and every organization is looking for that extra dollar. I picked the Northumberland Hills Hospital because frankly we are all going to need a well equipped medical facility at some point in our life's. That may seem sad but it is the truth. So, please support this worthy cause...if you can!

Stay tuned my friends!