Fitness, exercise, etc With poll!

At first, glance, this might not seem like a topic for a political website. But food and health are definitely political subjects, and we are a community - we talk about all kinds of things in our lives, and several people have said that they are interested in this topic. So we'll see if this works. Also, the fitter we are, the more work we can do for our candidates, right?

So, I'll start. I am 43, have been vegetarian since 1988, exercise what certainly feels like a lot, yet I am still a good 50+ lbs over weight. There is a picture of me in kath25's Top Comments Diary about all of her meet ups, and one at my AIDS Ride web page here:

http://hcr.convio.net/...

I do the AIDS Ride every year, but I have yet to ride every bit of it. I have been picked up by the volunteers for some segments of the Ride every time. But not this year. Not only am I going to raise a ton of money for the Ride (and no, I'm not soliciting donations from y'all - not in this diary, anyway, this is just about getting fit), but I am determined to ride every inch of the 60 mile ride this year. I have been getting up at 4:30 am to get to the gym & do at least 1 hour on the elliptical machine most weekdays since November. Before that, I did a 6 week "bootcamp" class, which was really good. I've lost maybe 7-ish pounds since the start of that class - a time period that included both Thanksgiving & Christmas & New Year's, so I feel ok about that. One thing that one of the many professionals I have seen about weight loss over the years said really stuck with me: you have to have a plan that lets you live in the world; meaning that it is unrealistic to say that you are never ever going to eat cake again in your life. So have the cake, just don't have the whole cake, and do some extra exercise when you do.

So, here's what I'm doing now: 1 hour early am exercise M-Fri, the plan is to also do 1 additional hour Mon, weights Tues & Thurs, Saturday 1 hour each on the elliptical machine & weights. I keep finding excuses not to do the evening stuff, but I have got to buckle down & really do it. The Saturday workout will change soon to an hour, then longer, training rides, but I'll still go lift weights after.

So - what about you? What are your goals? What exercise are you doing & what is your plan?

Oh - important disclaimer - I am in no way, shape or form a professional. Consult one before you start a diet/exercise plan. If you are among those lucky enough to have health insurance, this should only cost you your co-pay. If you don't have health insurance, consult a professional anyway, because I (and all others who comment here, I am sure) am only telling you what I am doing. I am not advocating that my way should be your way. I probably don't know what I'm doing, so don't follow me, I'm not leading. I'm just talking. And we should all work to get someone elected who will get us universal health care.