Holy cow, what have I done?
If you’d told me in January 2018 that
– I’d lose 50 pounds (about 25 kilos)
– I’d become a ‘gym rat’
I would have laughed at you. I’ve never been a jock or a big sports person.
But I was getting a little… big.
I have always been on the skinny side, so 5 pounds a year was always considered a plus in my book, and by my friends. In Cambodia, being thin is for poor farmers. A little heft is appreciated.
‘Losing Weight’ or ‘Getting In Shape’ is boring. But ‘Hack Your Body’? That I can understand.
And as someone who is known for being ‘politely crazy’ and a little unconventional? It was a fun challenge.
I changed my eating habits in April 2018 and never looked back.
I did have one rule: I do a lot of grant writing, proposal writing. I needed my head to stay clear, so nothing too crazy or strenuous.
I finished my contract at Diakonia at end of June. And I’ve got my tiny pension payout and some web site work to tide me over. So I thought: “I may never have this much free time again.”
So July and August? Hitting the gym, daily for about three hours. Learning how to use the gear, trying to set up habits so that when I’m back to an office job I can storm in for an hour before or after work.
Same goes for cooking: also setting up habits. Cambodian food favors high-calorie low-cost food. (Lots of RICE). But I live near a market, and I can pick up vegetables and fruit super cheap. Eggs, Fish, Chicken legs? No problem.
Doing all the simple exercises that are recommended. (There are some good apps for exercise routines, calorie counting.) There is no Sports Doctor in Phnom Penh so I am going slow.
Those endorphins feel GOOD. It’s a drug worth getting addicted to, and you make it yourself through honest exercise.
My advice and encouragement to friends: you can change your habits. But you need people in your daily life to be supportive. I’ve been able to make fast changes because I have a high degree of control over my time, and can cut a few corners. (It’s BORING to hear people talk about health stuff; I can recommend apps, tips, etc. but only if you drop me a line.)
Next up: Angkor Wat Half Marathon, December 08.
Lord help me.