Year End Reflections 2006

This year saw the completion of my weight loss quest. It was also the year I became athletic again, for the first time since high school, and even then it was more of a "have to" than a "want to" thing for me.

As the year progressed I have been amazed to see myself switch from walking fast, to alternately running and walking, and finally to mostly running, and jogging as much as 3 miles at a time. I also took up roller blading this summer, and can now go a dozen miles on these. I even did this 25 mile bike ride in mid summer. And most recently, I realized I can save the $1.75 bus fare from the train station to my office by walking 2 miles, and have happily been doing so even in rain and snow. In better weather I often ride this folding bike to and from the train at both ends of my commute, and will soon begin using this even smaller kick scooter instead (assuming I can learn to use it more safely than one day this week. My first Christmas present was a call from my dentist, telling me he can fix the two front teeth I just chipped falling off the scooter on Saturday.)

Much of this change has been motivated by the teachings of Jack Groppel, who I've now heard speak at our church three times. Recently, Jack's teaching has been further reinforced by the book "Younger Next Year", which the Middlewife and I both enjoyed reading over Thanksgiving week.