Back to the drawing board

April 22, 2009

I have been here before. Feeling fat and sluggish. How did I let this happen? A year ago I was in awesome shape, training for up to 20+ hours per week for IM France in Nice. Well, I finished the race and basically totally stopped moving. Throw in spending time with my relatives and friends in Czech Republic (drinking, smoking, causing disturbances). Not that I blame them, the responsibility is all mine. To top it off, I actually got a job as an independent contractor, which, surprise, surprise came with a bit of stress since I am an engineer and quite clueless about running a business.

So I am back at the drawing board. I went to get a physical last Friday and while I didn't expect any good news, it was worse than that.

Cholesterol 286, LDL 198, HDL 63, current weight 202 lbs

Not a pretty picture. My doctor insisted on putting me on a pill which I politely (this is a second time in my life) refused. I really needed a good kick in the ass and I guess this was my wakeup call. So I am back to the drawing board and have no other choice but to follow my recipe from 4 years ago.

I chose to stay away from the pharmaceutical sludge and grunt through it on my own. My doctor (she is a DO, an MD would probably get rid of me on the spot) reluctantly threw her hands up in the air, suggested that I at least take an OTC lowering stuff (which I also refuse to do but didn't tell her yet) and congratulated me on not keeling over during my bike ride on my first day of 'new me'.

I know what to do so here we go, starting the food and workout blog again.

To up the ante, I signed up for Ironman West Australia on December 9th 2009. So I have money riding on this. Which is much more important than my well-being ;)