Fitness '09: Earning my breakfast - the funcrunch files

I really didn't want to get out of bed this morning, after staying up past 1 a.m. playing Nethack (following a fun social evening which I'll write about later). But I hadn't yet jogged this calendar year, so around 10 a.m. I finally put on my running shoes and headed down to the Embarcadero. Ferry Building to the ballpark and back in 35 minutes, for a bit under 13 min/mile pace - slow, but not glacial. Took the cable car home, and found I was ravenously hungry. I really enjoyed my tea and oatmeal-cornmeal porridge since I felt I'd truly earned it. And I ate it at the kitchen table instead of in front of the computer; I think this will be a good habit to get into, to avoid unconscious calorie consumption.

Time to ramp up on the exercise; I'm turning 39 in a bit under three weeks, and my body isn't going to take care of itself. Plan for the coming week:

Monday: Brisk walk
Tuesday: Aquatic Park run, stretches & crunches
Wednesday: Embarcadero run, stretches & crunches
Thursday: Aquatic Park run, stretches & crunches
Friday: Off
Saturday: Brisk walk
Sunday: Embarcadero run, stretches & crunches

My weight is still hovering around 140, which is acceptable, but not ideal. I'm making an intermediate goal to lose another five pounds in the next three weeks, which should be entirely doable. It would be great to be in better shape before our Costa Rica trip, especially since we'll be meeting the McDougalls there, who have inspired me with their great advice and recipes to stick more closely to a lowfat vegan diet.