Daniel Craig I Am Not
I’ve just turned 40, I’m overweight and out of shape but I’m pretty excited about it.
Sounds odd, I know, but let me explain….
I’ve been looking forward to turning forty for quite some time now because I recognise it as one of those coming of age moments.
I fully expect my forties to define me. I feel that this decade will be ‘my’ decade, not just in the arena of fitness but life in general.
I loved my thirties because that’s the decade in which my children were born, but with regard to my physical condition, they weren’t exactly my proudest years.
For the last ten years I’ve usually been somewhere between 30 and 40lbs overweight and at varying degrees of fitness ranging from unfit to nearly fit. I’ve had glimpses of a 6 pack and I’ve carried a modest amount of muscle, but neither of those conditions is reflected in my current state.
I could reel off the usual raft of excuses but I’m not going to.
Whilst I’m happy to learn from the past I’m not going to dwell there.
This venture is all about my present. It’s about making good decisions and taking action to bring me a fitter future.
From the outset I want you to know that it is not my intention to set myself impossible fitness goals.
I have no immediate aspirations to look like [insert name of physically fit looking actor dude here] although I see nothing wrong with taking inspiration from such individuals.
I’m not going all out to get super-fit, I just want to achieve what I know is possible for ‘me’ given ‘my’ unique set of circumstances.
What’s possible for famous actor dude, may not be possible for me, and that’s fine for now.
The changes for the better start right now.
There are two habits I want to develop:
- The habit of regular exercise
- The habit of managing my food intake
Regular exercise does not mean a punishing and unrelenting daily routine of pain inducing exertion.
It means having fun with fitness, mixing it up and keeping it interesting.
In a similar way, managing my food intake does not mean existing on a
diet of broccoli and water – nor does it mean having to give up absolutely everything I enjoy.
I want to take a sustainable approach to both elements and build them into a lifestyle I can enjoy for years to come.
Next Thursday I’ll tell you what I want to achieve and how I’m going to do it. Thereafter you can expect a brief daily update every morning.
On a final note, I’m determined to get some great results and as a mark of my determination I’ll be posting some pictures of my progress for all to see. So next Thursday you’ll be able to see the before pic whether you want to or not. You’ve been warned! 
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I knew you would find a way to put beefcake on the site, Tara! … wait a second… No, this was you, Fowler?
Great first post, buddy. Good look and I look forward to seeing your progress. Please refrain from wearing a similar outfit to James Bond up there, eh?
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Nice picture Dave, although I suspect you actually wear something more along the lines of Borat’s manthong thingumy.
And what’s this? There will be pictures of your progress? You’re not going to put photos up of George Clooney’s torso and claim it to be your own are you . . .
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Dave: What can I say, Tara offered me money. It’s a reciprocal arrangement and on Tara’s next post we get to see a fine specimen of womanhood.
Tara: Yes, it’s called a Mankini – not that I’d admit to knowing that. As for George Clooney, I think you’de be hard pressed to tell us apart. I’m a bit paler than him, well, quite a lot paler, well, about as pale as you can get – but other than that……
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This is really about the small changes that you can make in your life that will have the largest impact.
Good choice on Craig. I think you could wash your shirt off his abs.
Thanks to all three of you for inspiring me to get off my arse. Gotta get back to my workout.
DC Urban Dad’s last blog post..Please sir, put down the milkduds
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Tara Cain Reply:
November 20th, 2008 at 7:08 am
Wow Urban Dad, blogging while in the middle of a workout – now THAT is impressive.
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David Fowler Reply:
November 20th, 2008 at 7:42 am
DC was the natural choice. My wife likes him. Hell, I like him! Hahaha.
The body builders are critical of his physique but i think most ordinary guys would love to sport this look.
I won’t be able to achieve this with what I’m trying to do at the moment, but I could certainly build some decent foundations for a later attempt (not convinced I want to do that yet).
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So we have. But posting pictures of yourself is great motivation to keep improving. Go Dave!!!
Now some of us are able to hide well under clothing, and refuse to show that much skin to show improvement. So the geeky shy side of me will rely on numbers.
Avlor’s last blog post..Wii Fit and Blog to Fit Update
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Thanks for geeing me on Avlor. I’m determined to make good progress. With support like yours, how could I fail?
Actually, as a result of an offline discussion, I’m wondering whether the photo’s are such a good idea. I’m thinking that not everyone wants to see flabby flesh and I wouldn’t want to put anyone off coming here. Maybe I’ll take the pictures and put them up once I’ve achieved my goals?
Either way, I’ll still take the pics.
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Excellent, sensible, do-able approach, David! Speaking from experience (at the wise old age of 45), the forties is definitely a ‘coming into your own’ period. I always admired my girlfriends who were in the forties because they no longer tolerated any bullcrap, told it like it was, AND looked really truly radiant (regardless of their shape and size). Then I hit forty and I understood why they were this way. At forty, you realize you have probably lived about half your life time, and you ain’t about to waste the next forty! So, you weed out all the negatives in your life, be it people or actions, and get down to the business of really living.
Urban Panther’s last blog post..Bullying and punishing the victim
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David Fowler Reply:
November 20th, 2008 at 8:11 am
Thanks Urban Panther! I entered my 40s very quietly, but now I’m here I feel like making some noise and grabbing the coming decade by the scruff of the neck.
I love the idea of weeding out all the negatives!
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@Tara re: Borat’s manthong thingumy …. eeeewww, I haven’t even had my morning coffee yet!
Urban Panther’s last blog post..Bullying and punishing the victim
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Tara Cain Reply:
November 20th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
I bet it really woke you up though didn’t it? And then you read about Dave putting up pictures of himself, I tell you what we’re giving it all out to the ladies today . . .
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Good luck Dave, I’m also really excited at the prospect. Not of seeing you in your mankini (although that goes without saying
) but this does feel like the start of something good and achievable doesn’t it?
notSupermum’s last blog post..Wednesday Weigh-in: Week One
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David Fowler Reply:
November 20th, 2008 at 9:11 am
notSupermum, I’ve had limited success before but this feels different. This time I’m determined to see complete success.
There are of course degrees of success, so I won’t let every little setback put me off. I’ll celebrate all the little milestones along the way.
And for the record, I will NEVER wear a mankini.
Thank you for the support
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@David re: And for the record, I will NEVER wear a mankini. And the world thanks you for that! *grin*
Urban Panther’s last blog post..Bullying and punishing the victim
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David Fowler Reply:
November 20th, 2008 at 11:33 am
IF only such self sacrifice were properly recognised. The Nobel Mankini Prize will never be mine.
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David Wright Reply:
November 20th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
LOL!
Maybe the Ignobel.
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Oh, I love what you say about not looking back! We get much farther when we look ahead at our own optimum (I like how you said that, too) and then knuckle down in the present, taking small bits at a time. So often, we lay the ground work for faltering mightily by trying to do too much at once. If we take small steps, first, we get to pat ourselves on the back right away! We need to be as easy on our own expectations as we would for a little child, coaxing and congratulating each achievement.
And congratulations on turning 40! The first half of our lives, I think, is all about learning and working and becoming and, now that I’m 51, I see the second half is all about truly living! It’s when we get to burst onto the stage, doing and being all that we ever imagined. Life’s just so darned good. Urban Panther’s exactly right: There’s no time to waste.
And with you and David and Tara putting together BlogToFit, you’re helping all of us get in the best shape we can so we can do all we dreamed, for as long as we want. Yippee!
As for your photo? Even though I know it won’t be as bad as you make it out to be, I think you’re [insert Bugs Bunny voice] vewy, vewy bwave…
Julie’s last blog post..First Guest Post
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David Fowler Reply:
November 20th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Thanks Julie, I’m fairly fortunate with the fitness that I’m not stranger to it. It’s been part of my life throughout my teenage years and my twenties. I dipped into an out of fitness in my thirties and now I’m looking for a sustained effort to see me through my forties and beyond.
I can afford to take it slowly because I know I will achieve my goals without killing myself trying to reach them too quickly.
I’m with you… celebrate all the little victories!
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I am so looking forward to being 60…and the 60′s to about 75 are the peak of creativity for women…men about age 58-65 in the world of developmental psyche.
I am looking forward to the pictures! Healthy handsome men are brains and brawn – a good combination. More power to you.
At REAL AGE.com Dr. Roisin has a test one can take and it will tell you your real age verus your today age. FYI
Also Dr. Roisin and Dr. Oz’s book about YOU have been very helpful to a number a folks I know.
My honey is 62 and has Rheumatoid Arthritis on his insurance physical in July of this year he came in at physical age of 38! He loves his bike riding and running – sometimes goes a bit overboard and does a marathon or bike tour (200 miles in one day) but mostly he does it because it reduces stress and makes him feel so much better.
More power to you….and like I said before – I am looking forward to the pictures and progress.
Patricia’s last blog post..Hat’s Off to a House
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David Fowler Reply:
November 20th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Patricia, that’s a great way to think about it. So many people fear getting older but I’m enjoying it. There’s a quality that comes with age that the youth just don’t possess and can’t fake.
Reading about 200 mile bike rides (a very impressive feat for anyone let alone a man of 62) puts me in mind to try something like that, but I’d have to do it much further down the line. I simply don’t have the physical conditioning to do that at the moment. But that’s exactly what I mean by mixing it up. It just keeps the interest going.
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Tara Cain Reply:
November 20th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
Wow! I mean wow. Physical age of 38, that is amazing. I think we can all draw inspiration from your honey.
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Go Dave… Go Dave… Go Dave… (Im doing that mix it up dance thing whilst chanting!)
Great post….nice picture….hhhmmmm… never was much of a Bond fan until the Craig-meister took on the role!
I think this is definitely turning out to be a 40 thing! Life part deux beckons and we know we have to do something rather than slip into jogging pant wearing oblivion. I want to be that person who can still run along the beach at 60… course I’ll be doing it my Jimmy Choo’s!
ThatGirl39’s last blog post..Weigh-Hey… It’s Wednesday!
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David Fowler Reply:
November 20th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Well who couldn’t use a little dance to gee them along? It works for me.
I’m sure I’ve heard my wife call me James AND Craig before. I can’t be certain enough to accuse her though. Hmmmm? I might have to track him down and knobble him so that he can’t steal my wife away.
Jimmy does runners??
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Tara Cain Reply:
November 20th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
did you say ‘jogging pants’. That Girl, you are English. It’s ‘lounging gear’ – pants are what my son wears.
And oooo Jimmy Choos. I’ve come over all unnecessary!
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Oh My GOD – Do not ever post such a picture without a warning. I saw it before I had a sip of my morning tea and now I’m come over all queesy…..
Give me stength.
Dave, another great post from you. I wish you lots of luck with this and look forward to the six-pack mankini shots….(with a warning beforehand though, obviously!)
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David Fowler Reply:
November 21st, 2008 at 9:12 am
M/M, DC makes you feel queesy??
I thought the ladies loved this dude?
Thanks for the compliment. I promise you I won’t be wearing a mankini but perhaps you won;t want to check in too early on Thursdays
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