It’s actually the 3rd day, but this is the first entry on WordPress. My purpose is to encourage some of you to get fit and healthy.

On Sunday I finally made the decision to quit something I’ve enjoyed over the last several years because it has become unhealthy: drinking alcohol. Now, when I say quit, I don’t mean to say I’ll not have another craft beer on an occasion, but for now I will not drink any alcohol. Lest you think I’ve been a secret drunk, let me assure you I have one beer, and that’s it. When I go to Intrinsic (local micro-brewery and bbq) I don’t start a tab. I order only one beer off the wall. Trouble is, it’s become a daily reward that I simply don’t want to give up. For years I’ve taught that addiction means you cannot quit because you don’t want to. If it’s not an addiction, just give it up for 40 days or longer. My intention is to give up alcohol until I don’t want a beer every day.

The other reason I’m doing this has to do with fat loss, or the inability to lose. I’ve gained 20 pounds since 2012 when I was at the pinnacle of fitness. My goal for my 50th birthday was to get fit and healthy, and by March of that year I had dropped down to 7.5% body fat and a size 29 waist. I lifted weights regularly–something I’ve done on and off for most of my life. I ran my first 5k that year (I have always hated running), and I kept entering races through early 2015. A series of physical challenges put the brakes on my gym workouts, and the subsequent disappointment reduced my commitment level. So, I didn’t get totally out of shape, but I certainly changed shapes! I went from lean and muscular in 2013 to snowman in 2017. That’s what I look like in the mirror, a pudgy snowman. I am determined to melt that flab and get back to where I was. I started running again a couple of months ago, but my daily beer has inhibited weight loss. I’ve dropped about .5% bodyfat since I quit alcohol a few days ago. I started karate’ workouts again yesterday, and in January I’ll re-start the karate’ club I’ve led for almost 30 years. I to expect gain fitness and lose fat as a result. My goal? Lose 16 lbs by the end of this year, and be back where I was in 2012 by February 12, 2018. I’m counting calories. I’ve put my weekly weight loss goal on my calendar. I’ll check in periodically to challenge and encourage you with progress.

So, you can learn two things from what I’ve posted today. 1) alcohol consumption, even in modest amounts, is an enemy to weight (fat) loss. 2) You’re addicted if you don’t want to quit doing something, even when you see potential side effects and negative results from the habit. Not addicted? Then stop and prove it.