Time for a change

I need to stop smoking (again!). My resting heart rate has increased from 47 (where its been for 20 years) to 68. I can feel my blood pressure rising (not just because I’m self-employed and work for a lunatic). I look crap and tired. Its week one of the workshops and I’m already exhausted. I’m doing no exercise and my body is turning flabby. I’ve been a fitness enthusiast all my life. Yesterday there was an interesting final straw – I was listening to one of our workshop delegates in Surrey describe her stepfather who, at age 60, is still competing in triathlons and will be UK over-60’s champion next year and taking part in a European chamionship competition. 60 years old and “with a better body than a fit 30-year old and amazingly motivated and enthusiastic about life”. It reminded me that health and fitness have been one of my core values for over 20 years and that I’ve really lost the plot in the last 18 months. I want to return to that core value. I’ve always enjoyed people telling me I don’t look my age – they seem to have stopped. So I’m going to try and cold turkey my way through 21 days of non-smoking and see if that works. I’ll need to know that I’m accountable to all of you – there is no need to respond to this or any other blog entries on the subject – just knowing you are there will help me enormously. Today is day 1 – here goes.