Some of you may have noticed that little black advertisement to the top right of this article.  I put it there because the Australian government is stupidly trying to censor the internet.  It won't work, it can't work, and yet they are insistent on wasting our tax payer dollars trying to do so.

Here are two links you may find informative.

Internet Blackout

No Clean Feed

And here are two videos I found for your viewing pleasure.  There is some fruity language in the second video kiddies but it is well worth it.

My sister contacted me with some bad news today.  Yesterday my favourite author passed away.  His name was Robert B Parker.

Robert B Parker was a prolific writer, authoring books across several genres.  I own many of his books and he is one of the few authors whose work I reread.

His recurring exploration of masculinity, the nature of autonomy and relationships were not only educational but compelling reading for me.  I don't really know what else to write about him other than his work has been a positive influence in my life.

Below are some links to obituaries written by people far better at summarising his life and worth than I.

Wall Street Journal

Los Angeles Times

New York Times

Now that headline is misleading but in a few months I am banking on it becoming true.  SWMBO and I embarked today on a lifestyle change plan.  We have chosen slightly different paths but our destination is one and the same - To live a happier and healthier lifestyle.

For me this means losing around 20kg.  I weigh 120kg at the moment.  How I reached such a colossal weight I can explain at another time and in another blog post.  For now, this article is about losing the extra pounds.

To have any chance of success I know I need more than just grand plans.  I need baby steps.

Segue!  I was speaking to a fitness trainer the other day and he told me most people fail with their fitness/health/weight loss resolutions because of two reasons;

1.  They don't set baby goals that lead to their grand 'master plan' goal.

2.  They train or diet too enthusiastically initially and burn out.  More sustainable, long term action is required.

Anyway I have taken the words of this person into account when I came up with my plan.  Below are the baby steps I am going to take.  They come in the form of rules that if broken occasionally will not spell the end of my weight loss goal and will encourage me to persevere.  I figure there is no point setting myself up for disaster.  Also worth noting is that the following four point plan is Stage 1.  In time I hope to ramp things up on the exercise front and become stricter with my food intake.

1.  Avoid eating sugar.

I am following David Gillespie's no sugar plan here.  His book Sweet Poison rang true with me and, if you are interested in his reduced sugar diet, you can find out more at his blog.  For me his plan means no soft drink, fruit juice, sugary snacks or party food unless I am at an actual party.  Fruit is fine as long as it is not in a reduced form (jam, juice, dried etc).

2.  Avoid fast food.

This is one of my weaknesses.  I believe my willingness to get a quick lunch from the shop down the road is where my progress stalls if not derails.  So I have decided to reward abstinence from fast food with Restaurant meals.  I figure a steak and salad is better than a three piece feed from KFC.  Restaurants are fine and KFC is not.  Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese etc cuisine are a grey area I will navigate when I have to.

3.  Reduce meal portion size.

I get a little silly sometime with my portion sizes and my eyes are bigger than my stomach so to speak.  Although regrettably my stomach does a good job of keeping up.  I plan to reduce my meal sizes and if I am still hungry 15 minutes after eating I will then have a second helping.  The 15 minute wait is mandatory though.  I figure loading up on water during the meal will stop any second helpings.

4.  Exercise everyday.

Whatever it takes - push ups, walk the dog, skipping, weights.  Exercise free days should only occur when I am sick, hungover or put under the pump at work (parent teacher evenings etc).  In stage 1 I don't have to work out for extended periods of time.  20 push ups here and a set or two of weights there is the idea.  I am under no illusions about exercise.  I will be exercising for general well being, to over time gain muscle mass and most importantly to increase my energy levels and motivation to exercise again the next day.  As such, weight loss in itself is not an exercise goal.  I hope this will reduce any 'burnout' and increase my desire to exercise.