back on the train

The holidays have been over for a bit now, and despite resolutions to the contrary, many of us are having trouble regaining that momentum we had before Santa showed up and showed us how to behave like a sloth. Or something.

No matter how many Christmases come & go, I always tell myself throughout the month of December that “it’s only one day… it doesn’t have to be a whole week… or more…” as though I was chanting some meditative mantra for the 24 days leading up to the main event, and every year it’s more than one day.

Now; don’t get me wrong. My version of excess now is a far cry from what it used to be… creeping up on Christmas worrying that I may be eating too many mandarin oranges, and eventually feeling some sense of guilt over a sugary donut, a few shortbread cookies and a non-alcoholic porter or session ale between nutrient-dense high-protein vegan meals, while missing 2 or 3 gym days in a row – primarily because of the gym’s holiday hours. Once upon a time I was in excess of 300 lbs, and a moment spent sober enough to drive was a moment completely lost to the fates… and there wasn’t enough blue cheese and liver pate on God’s green earth to satisfy my food lust.

But no…
My self-discipline doesn’t take a holiday.
Not this year.

This year I balance my athletic vigilance with being social and personable, and enjoying good food and good company. There is no weight I can put on that I cannot also burn off, and I am not trapped here so much as I have chosen to be here and I have chosen to partake in the celebrations in a way that aligns with my values now.

But even that is in the past now.

I have to live now, in THIS moment and in THIS moment I am training.
For what?
For life. I am training to be a strong old man, and a competent singer and guitar player well into my twilight years. I’ve run a half marathon, and done a triathlon course. I aim to do some aggressive mountain biking once the ground thaws, and I want to enjoy my time on this planet.

So I won’t worry too much about what 2025 has in store, as it’s a stepping stone to the next year – but I am here, now, in this moment… in 2025, so I will make the most of it, and prepare myself for what is next… whatever that is.