Weight Loss Challenge, Day 1

So today is the first day of the big weight loss challenge. Official weight today - 254.2. So that means that I need to get down to 233.8. That's 20.4 pounds. I think that there are approx. 25 people in the contest, so the pot is going to be around $500.00. Pretty cool, but oddly enough, the money doesn't feel like a big motivation right now. What is motivating me is not being a big fat bastard anymore. I'm tired of all the little aches and pains that come with a BMI over 30. Being fat makes you a little paranoid too. You can't just have heartburn without turning into Fred Sanford and thinking it's "the big one". With my recent chest and back pains, along with my lack of leg strength, I've become a little worried that I may have a touch of ALS. Yep. Lou Gehrig's Disease. It sucks being neurotic. I'm hoping losing weight will alleviate a lot of mental problems as well as physical.
I did get in about 2.5 miles last night. Some nights, you feel great while walking, like you could go on forever. Last night was not one of those nights. It probably wouldn't have been too bad, but the wind was blowing its ass off. And it never seemed like I was moving directly into it or away from it. It always seemed to be at a weird angle that made it feel like the road was slanted to the side, which is hell on my knees. Couldn't expect too much after 2 or 3 days off, though.
Tonight on the other hand felt great. Right around 50 degrees and almost no wind. Tonight was one of those nights that makes you happy. It was so pretty outside that I really didn't feel the need to push too hard. Instead, I worked on posture and breathing. I tend to slouch while walking, sitting, etc, and I catch myself very subtly holding my breath a lot. So I am trying to open up my lungs and keep everything in alignment. I think that is the dichotomy of how I want to train. Part of me would like to be cutting edge with my training, but a part of me also wants to simplify. This is where my obsession with Oriental culture comes in. We will get into that another time.
I will try to remember to weigh in here at the house in the morning, so I can keep a running total here on the blog for anyone who is interested. We will see tomorrow if chest pain is a recurring theme or not while bike riding. Wish me luck....