Running Man: Day 1- The Weigh In

This past January I decided I was going to get back into shape. During highschool, I ran cross country and indoor track, and at my best I weighed 155 pounds and could run a 5:35 mile. That was almost 3 years ago though. In my senior year of high school, I gained twenty pounds and graduated at 180 pounds. Now, 3/4th the way through my sophomore year of college, I had reached 215 pounds, and I was dreaming about that 5:35 mile.

Well, that's what prompted this goal. With my girlfriend, I decided to lose at least 30 pounds, ideally 40, and get back into shape. Well, I started the semester off strong; for the first 2 weeks I ran every day, or went to the gym. Unfortunately, in that second week, I got broken up with, and my work-out schedule got derailed. For the next 6 weeks, my gym attendance was erratic, and I really had no motivation to do anything.

Unfortunately, weighing 215 pounds, standing only 5'8", and balding quickly, my physical appearance left much to be desired. Now I consider myself a nice guy; I'm patient, a good listener, compassionate, blah blah blah, but aside from those 4 years in highschool when I was in good shape, I've never had any lucky in the "ladies department." So, now, single for the first time in 4 years, I need to do serious work. A nice guy is like a good book, and girls are just like any other human being; if it's got a shitty cover, it will not be opened.

Let me be clear about something though; this is not just about getting back into dating. I really do want to get back into shape. I lost a lot of confidence in myself in those years when I gained that weight, and while I don't blame my break-up on my weight, I can't help but wonder if it contributed. The other aspect, getting in shape enough that girls will look at me again, is important, but that's just a short term goal. Long term is to run a 5:35 mile, and to never run slower than a 7:00 mile again in my life.

So here we are. I've been running for a week now, and eating better with better portions (the other half of this goal), and I'm ready to weigh in. My goal is to write each day what I ate, what I ran, and then every week weigh in, and every other week do a time trial. My coach once told me that for every 10 pounds you lose, you can take a minute off of your mile time. I've got 50 pounds to lose, and definitely at least 5 minutes before I'm at 5:35 again.

Day 1:
Weight 1: n/a
Weight (3/21): 208
Change: n/a

Mile Time 1: n/a
Mile Time 2: n/a
Change: n/a

Meals:
Brunch at 12:00- mini pigs in a blanket, salad (greens, green and red peppers, cukes,crumble Parmesan and blue cheese), Apple Juice w/ Cranberry juice
Dinner at 6:00- Balogna and fat free cheddar cheese sandwhich on 12 grain bread.

So, here we go. By August 15th, 2010, I want to run my 5:35 mile, or at least be under 6 minutes. I want to lose at least 40 pounds, preferably 50. I lost 7 pounds in 6 weeks without running, so, hopefully I'll be shedding weight like my hair the next 5 months. 10 pounds a month. I can do this.