Today is the day that I finally began doing some exercise. My weight loss has slowed considerably, and it’s at this point that I feel I need to do more physically to burn more calories, to start building up some muscle, and to hopefully kick-start some metabolism.

I think my route looks like a stick-figure superman. Kind-of.

I was a Marine for 12 years, so I’m no stranger to exercise, or what we call “PT (Physical Training).” I was just never a big fan of it. I get bored easily, and while running or riding a bicycle, I was always thinking that there are better, more intellectual things I could be doing. And then there’s the physical exertion part of it that I was never a fan of.

The irony of it all is that I do enjoy how I feel after exercise. That part is great! But the actual exercise? It’s more like mental torture.

So, today I rode my bicycle for 20 minutes. I know it’s not a lot, but it’s a start, and it was all I could do today. When I hit the 15 minute mark, my butt was hurting and my hands were numb. I told myself I had to do a minimum of 20 minutes, which I did. I did find that it was easier than the last time I rode my bike (when I was at least 75 lbs heavier) even with tires that weren’t inflated properly (I’ll fix that tomorrow), but I still have a lot of work to do to get better strength and stamina. I hope to be able to actually go on trails someday.

I weighed myself after the ride: not much change since my last weigh-in yesterday morning, but I chalk that up to eating a bit too much last night (some amazing Paleo Primal Cannelloni Sherry made for dinner!) Otherwise, the muscles feel good (I didn’t over-exert myself and I stretched before the ride and did some cool-down riding afterward), I feel good, and I think I’ll be ready for more tomorrow morning.

Wish me luck. Sticking with exercise has never been a strong suit of mine.