For many people, 2008 has been a
rough year. We've all taken a hit in the stock market. 401K
accounts show negative signs, making retirement a goal that
seems further away than ever. Our home values have dropped
sometimes as much as one-third of our home's previously assessed
value. Many people have lost their jobs, and supplemental income
for those of us who still have full time jobs is hard to come
by. Fuel prices took a huge bite out of our budgets both in
terms of filling up our gas tanks and in related costs such as
electricity and food prices. Toward the end of the year,
gas prices have abated, giving back some of the monthly budget
that we were paying to the oil companies.
All of these financial and personal struggles add to our stress
levels, and they make the chances for exercise and eating right
more challenging.
On the positive side, America is entering 2009 with the
bright hope of a new administration. No matter what your
political affiliation, the incoming team of leaders in the
Executive Branch of government has the potential to bring about
much-needed changes in our economy, our educational system, and
in America's foreign policy. As our nation turns the page on the
previous chapter and begins to write a new one, we can do the same in our personal and professional lives.
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George Cassutto, Christmas 2008
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As I said before,
"fitness" is as much about mental, emotional, and
spiritual conditioning as it is about physical conditioning.
Attitude makes up a good part of what you think of yourself and
your determination to improve in terms of body image or even in
how you are perceived by family members and co-workers. I just
came off of one hour of some of the hardest basketball playing
in which I have ever engaged. I wanted to contribute to my
team's success, but I also wanted to push the edge of the
envelope on my own physical capabilities. I contributed eight
points over the stretch of 4 or 5 games, including two
three-point shots as well as a number of defensive plays that
helped make the difference. If I have made improvements in
anything regarding sports or fitness in recent years, it has
been in the area of "basketball IQ."
When I started playing basketball in 2003 with the community
members and teachers before school, I did not even know where to
stand when playing defense. I can now honestly assess my own skill
level as on par with the average of the other men with whom I
play. Through determination, consistent effort, and with a
little help from my friends, basketball has become one of the
most enjoyable ways to exercise for me. I was not deterred by
anyone else's negative impression of my skill level, nor did I
let injuries stop me from returning to the basketball court. I
just kept trying my best, and these small successes have
contributed considerably to my efforts in keeping weight down,
reducing abdominal fat, reducing cholesterol levels, maintaining
emotional stability at home and at work, and
increasing overall fitness levels.
 As
I am writing this entry, a high wind advisory has been issued
for my area. Sustained winds of over 35 MPH are raging outside
with gusts up to 60 MPH, and the basketball hoop which has
served me since I moved into my house in 2000 just snapped in
two. Not a good way to end 2008. But I remain undeterred. I will
replace that hoop with a new one (and hopefully, homeowner's
insurance will cover it, but I doubt I will have reached my
deductible). Writing in this wind storm is also a challenge
because I have already lost power once. So I may need to wrap
this show up. That's why I hit "save" often.
The battle against weight gain continues as I move
into the second half of my 48th year. As you look over the past
journal entries, you can see that I am neither losing nor
gaining weight, but my weight lifting levels continue to
improve.
Such a ratio leads me to believe that I am holding steady on
overall fitness levels. I'd like to break through the 170 mark
in the area of weight loss while adding lean muscle mass, so if
I did make a resolution for the new year, that would be it.
Included within that is to work on basketball skills, speed,
shooting percentage and defensive skills while reducing the
chances of injury to a minimum.
Sometimes I have to take a step back to see the arch of my life
and where it seems to be leading. Marriage, family, divorce, and
regeneration seem to be the major themes of my adulthood. I am
thankful for all the blessings God has bestowed upon me: a
rewarding profession, a loving family, and even a girlfriend,
Karen, during the last six months.
It seems my fitness efforts over the past six years of being
single have produced positive results in the area of
relationships. Having a steady girlfriend adds motivation in the
area of fitness -- no longer am I getting fit to attract
someone, but to keep her interested in me physically and
emotionally. My own exercise programs gives me confidence and
adds to a positive self-esteem that can easily be hindered by
insecurity, negative body image, and memories of being ridiculed
for being overweight. She is not my only motivation, but along
with family, work, and health, my new significant other plays a
major role in why I play, lift, and watch the carb and calorie
intake. Well, 2008 is drawing to a close, as is this
installment of George's Fitness Journal. I hope you come back in
the future and look around. Maybe you can find some motivation,
get some good tips, or just keep in touch. May you experience
success in all you do, inside and outside the gym. Happy new
year! |
