slight delay to the start

I have somehow messed up my right big toe - I think I strained it by spending all day sunday in sandals. I was able to work out yesterday, but my toe felt progressively worse.

It feels okay now- I think the key is keeping from moving around too much. So, I decided the best course of action was not to start full bore on the program until my toe is better. I may wait until I get back from Arizona, since I would have to cut back on the program while I am out there.

So, perhaps a new post in a couple days.

The beginning

Over the last 15 years or so, I've had an off-and-on approach to fitness and strength training. I was first introduced to strength training in college by friends, but never really got into it until the mid 90s, when I worked for a couple years at a GNC store in my home town and started to educate myself on health, nutrition, fitness and exercise through reading various magazines and books we sold at the store. I did various programs over the next several years, with varying degrees of success. One of the best programs I tried was Bill Phillips' Body for Life, which employs a great 12-week intense transformation program. I was only able to make it through the program once, the last time I tried it, however. One of the problems was that often when I tried it, I would end up taking a break from the program midway through due to travel or illness, and I could never pick it back up. Still, I could tell it was the most effective progam I'd tried to date.

So, I was intrigued when I saw Shawn Phillips (Bill's brother) had developed a program of his own that built off Body for Life and addressed some problems with that program that made it hard for some people to succeed at it. I've been reading through his book and decided to try it out, using this blog to track my progress. I've just finished the 12-day "base camp" portion, which prepares you to take on the more intense 12-week transformation ( I lost about 5 pounds just doing the base camp!). What is really great about the system is that it looks forward past the transformation stage for the rest of the year, and recognizes and plans for the pitfalls modern life can throw up against such a program.

An important part of the program focuses on developing a positive mental attitude which is vital for maintaining focus and inspiration. Part of developing that attitude is to prepare a one-year vision, a statement that illustrates where you envision yourself to be a year from now. Here is mine:

My one-year vision is that I will be strong, fit and full of energy, able to support my family without running down. I will be at the highest point in my life.

The most compelling elements of my vision include having the energy to be a great father and a great worker; making fitness a part of my everyday life; being able to balance all the parts of my life; and to be a positive force for the other people in my life.

My goals:

1. By December 8, I will have lost 15 pounds of fat and gained 5 lbs of muscle.
   
2. By December 8, I will have a 33-inch waistline.
3. By December 8, I will be focused on my upcoming fatherhood and have read 2 books on parenting.
4. By December 8, I will have developed a practical budget that allows us to enjoy our lives while living within our means.

The next post will have my starting measurements - weight, chest and waist measurements, and the measurement from a set of bodyfat calipers. I will have my "Before" photos up soon as well.