I didn’t want to begin writing this article. Starting something brings an expectation of finishing. And that requires a particular focus.
I suspect I’m not alone in avoiding tasks that require more than a fleeting glance, though I couldn’t be bothered to find out.
In fact, I believe I’ve already proven that, armed with a determined lack of motivation, there is very little I can’t succeed in avoiding. And not starting something is an excellent way to avoid having to finish anything.
Which all makes my latest resolution, to dramatically improve my general health, surprising: not least to myself.
Not noteworthy is the plan to have a fitness regime that involves more than moving the couch farther from the fridge. This would not be the first, second or 15th time I’ve determined to improve my fitness levels.
However, every past attempt reached its zenith during the planning stage.
Sure, the weeks in the lead-up to actually starting (who in their right mind begins a health buzz in December?) were an excuse to indulge even more.
And then, when the long-determined starting point arrived, excuses took off at an impressive pace.
Simply wanting to be fitter, slimmer and healthier is apparently not enough.
Think yourself thin? If only.
There’s one basic rule I’ve decided to follow: good things come to those who sweat. So, I’m up and running: literally.
I’ve started. I’m slower than a giant (obviously) tortoise in Nutella, but I’m running. Though this health kick could not simply be courtesy of constantly lifting my feet off the ground rapidly. If it was, it wouldn’t last a week.
Running is fundamentally one of the most boring exercises in the world.
Yes, I said it.
Running rewards
But the rewards for running are undeniable – physically and mentally. No one has ever finished a 10k and said, “Well, that was a complete waste of time.”
However, the part between starting and stopping is mind-numbing and so mixing it up will be crucial: running outside and on a treadmill, cycling, weight-lifting, five-a-side football. Variety will be crucial.
There will also have to be a change in diet.
You cannot outrun your fork. I get it. But one step at a time: committing to exercise (and actually doing it) is life-changing enough for the moment.
Losing weight and completing races are secondary goals. This commitment to exercise is also unlikely to prevent death, though it might push the date back a bit.
General health
Improving my general health is the primary focus. And documenting the progress – or lack of it – every fortnight here will be, the theory goes, another motivating factor.
And, who knows, it might well inspire someone to realise that if one lazy oaf can get to it, then, well, another lazy oaf can too.
"You can, you should, and if you're brave enough to start, you will," wrote Stephen King in On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft.
But then, he was commenting about a far easier endeavour.
