BUT WILL IT KEEP GOING?
So far, the combination of
Blogging
Protein-enhanced diet (3 meals/3 snacks per day)
PBK (personal butt kicking w/Pump Daddy)
and two (2) vacations in warm climates this year so far
Equals:
Less television zombie-ness
Less alcohol consumption
Less food cravings
and...More NRG!
(plus I've gone down one belt loop but I'm sticking with my usual weight.)
Let's hope this all continues!

A LITTLE BIT OF DC IN FORT LAUDERDALE
Was denied entry into the Fort Lauderdale Gold's Gym because "you don't have a transfer pass and you can't come in." The front desk guy there could not have been ruder. He mentioned something about "franchises," but did not say anything close to "why don't I give a call to the DC gym and verify that you're a member there. This'll just take a minute." No, he chose to say "If you get your gym to fax you a transfer card, we'll let you in. Otherwise, you can't come in." Checked the Gold's web site and can't find anything that says you need a transfer card to visit any other Gold's. But I keep forgetting the #1 rule of customer service: Make the customer memorize every single detail about your operation, even the ones you don't have written down.

Even though it's Presidents Day (Observed) and I have the day off, that doesn't mean it isn't PERSONAL BUTTKICKING DAY. So, I have a session with Pump Daddy in just a couple of hours. It's low weights/high reps, and I will be reduced to sugar-free Jell-O.

I've been training with PD for a week now, and following the meal plan he gave me. It looks like this:

Meal 1 - Breakfast: Myoplex w/banana
Meal 2 - Whey protein
Meal 3 - Lunch: usual foods, just keep it healthy
Meal 4 - Myoplex or Myoplex bar
Meal 5 - Dinner: see lunch for regulations
Meal 6 - Whey protein or cottage cheese (nonfat)

So far this meal plan has been very effective at reducing my intense food cravings (especially during prime couch potato hours), as well as reducing my overall appetite to normal levels. PD said "if you follow this plan for two weeks I'll give you a day where you can eat whatever you want." I have until Friday of this week.

Also...I haven't had any alcohol since getting back from vacation (oh, allright, I did have a beer a couple of days after I returned but that was before I started PBK.) I've gone out, and ordered nothing strong than diet soda. And I keep telling myself "summer's gonna get here...summer's gonna get here."

TODAY AT THE GYM: It was Day 1 of Personal Buttkicking with Pumpdaddy. I went in thinking "this is gonna be painful," and the session was as I expected. Except for the lightheadedness and nausea, which, if I really think about it, I experienced last year when I started training under Dustin. But I survived, and with good form - so said the trainer himself. The endorphins kicked in about an hour after I got back to work. I was happy.

Didn't get my butt kicked today at the gym. It was merely a consultation. With Jerry. Who used to be a WWF or WWE wrestler. Under the name: Lucian Bagwell. He gave me a diet to follow and briefed me on the kind of workout he'll be leading me through in the next six weeks. I am full of excitement at the possibilities ahead...which I felt last year at this time when I was going into Personal Training with Dustin. After the first workout, however, I was singing a different tune. IT HURTS! One thing I did notice last year - I was having to wash my workout wear more often. Since I was sweating. Buckets. So, in preparation for next week, I'm going to Sports Authoritah this weekend and loading up on inexpensive gym clothes. With my name on them in big block magic marker letters. Just like gym class in 7th grade. With Mr. Menninger. Blond, muscular, tall, tanned Mr. Menninger. More about him later. For now, I will follow Mr. Bagwell's instructions to a T. Even if I lose all my mon-nah and it kills me. First workout: Monday.