Getting started, week 1.

I am starting to blog my journey to getting fit. I have been overweight for most of my adult life, despite constant efforts to lose weight and to become fit. Right now, I am 98 kg (216 lbs), and 180 cm high (5"11'), with a BMI of over 30, which makes me obese. When I saw this reading on the weight, I was shocked. I always considered myself overweight, but never obese. Talk about a rude awakening!!! Also, a my cholesterol levels were high, so I had all the risk factors in the book (though I did quit smoking a few years ago).

I started the C25K program in mid December. For those of you who do not know this program, it is a 9 week walk-run program intended to get anyone from a sedantary lifestyle to running 5k (3,1 miles) distances. I am now starting week 7, having repeated some days before moving forward in past weeks, as I did not want to push myself too hard, to avoid injuries. I bought a Polar heart rate monitor and an iPod, to help me track my training (and to keep me from getting bored on the road).

Part of my motivation is about health, the other part is more about vanity and self esteem. I am getting married to a fantastic girl this summer, and I would like to look reasonably good on the photos. (I looked at some photos of us from previous holidays and trips, and I look terrible on them, with a big belly and a general pudgy look). My fiancé says she likes me as I am, but I need to lose weight for me, as well as for her. I am sick of being overweight and not being fit. I am confident that many aspect of my life will improve with training and weight loss. My main focus, initially will be to get an endurance base for running, though I am trying to pay attention to eating habits as well.

I am listening to several podcast, which help me stay on track and to keep motivated. I'll write about these in a later post.

My goals for the year:

-lose 16 kg (35 lbs) by the end of summer (august 20)
-run a 6,5 k race in April
-run a 10k in the autumn
-do the 100 pushup challenge , reach 40-45 pushup reps.
-keep a 3 days a week training schedule for running
-eat healthier, with more fruits and vegatables, less saturated fats and almost no sweets and soft drinks
-lower cholesterol levels to within healthy limits
-feel better about the way I look and the excersize I do.

I would really appreciate any help and comments and motivation that you can give, I am sure it will help a lot!!! I plan to post every week (on Sunday or Monday), so if I miss one post, feel free to remind me and keep me accountable.

My stats today:

Week 1
Starting weight: 98 kg (216 lbs)
Weight today: 98kg (216 lbs)
Change from last week: 0kg
Goal: 82 kg (180 lbs)
Kg to goal: 16kg (35 lbs)
BMI today: 30,25
Running this week: 2x , Total of 8,2 km