I need a new way to say "Back in the Saddle."

It's true, I am indeed back in the saddle, back on the wagon, "on" - etc.

My contract at Wizards of the Coast ended and I knew I was to be unemployed. First thought: "Use that time. Get back on the diet and back to the gym." A good idea.

Thinking and doing - I rarely get these two lined up. Took me two weeks of eating even more crap and watching endless Netflix to realize there was no escaping it, the best thing to do was get back on my diet and get to the gym.

So, it's essentially day three. The gastro-intenstinal issues that always accompany my change in diet are in full gear. I've got good groceries in the fridge. I've been to the gym twice. Gave myself a blister on my pinky toe yesterday. If I want to do more treadmill, I'm going to have to tape it up.

Frankly, now that I've had time to think about it, the gym isn't the best deal for me right now. It's not close by. It's a lot of gas for an unemployed guy, it's also a lot of time. Luckily, the last two days I added other errands to my gym going, making it seem like less of a money sink. But, today, I really paid attention to time. I left the house at 10:30, got to the gym about 11. I probably put in an hour of weights. I spent quite a bit of time in the jacuzzi. Two showers all told. A quick errand on the way home and I got back to my door at 3. That drive time is time I could be doing other things. That gas is just expensive right now for a guy with limited income.

I know I sometimes over worry money. And, I'm not saying I'm going to stop going to the gym. My intention of going nearly daily is, however, out the window. A couple of exercises I do are body weight - I can do those anywhere. I have bought various pieces of gym equipment over the last year - simple stuff; medicine balls and resistance bands. Those can go a long way, especially combined with body weight exercises. Plus, I have the Wii - which I bought to get me off the couch but it has become mostly a Netflix machine. There is cardio boxing and other things I can be doing with that. So, I think the gym is going to be two, maybe three times a week.

Also, I ran into another issue today. I don't like the idea of eating a big meal before the gym. However, I nearly passed out in the jacuzzi. I had some soy milk before I left, and a banana. By 2 apparently my body needed more. I keep some granola bars in the car for just such situations. Those were the best store brand granola bars ever made as far as I was concerned. The day before I did about the same routine, longer actually because I went grocery shopping. The difference was a trip to Jack in the Box first. Not the best food choice, but I didn't get lightheaded. Can't wait to shed some of these meds, they are both the things keeping me from more health issues and causing these light headedness issues. Don't get me started on what the beta-blocker is doing to me - it's the first to go if I have my druthers.

I'm going to stay open minded about the gym. The truth of the matter is I like the gym - once I get there. I certainly like the jacuzzi. As my money situation settles out, I'll feel more comfortable about spending gas money. Also, as I get stronger, I will need more resistance than I can reasonably provide for myself at home.

As to goals, well, I'm really hoping to see the other side of 400 by end of year. I know. I know. I've said that how many times before? Doesn't mean it's not a good goal. I also came up with that concept when the end of the year was more than 90 days away, now its about 60 with lots of opportunities for holiday binging. No sense setting myself up for failure and disappointment. Frankly, I'll be happy to see a steady downward decrease in weight and a steady uptick in muscle, no matter what the rate. I'll be happy to stay "on" for 30 days - been a long time since I've hit that tiny goal.