LegendaryComrades

I’d like to start making more use of what my local area has to offer. I live on the gateway to Cannock Chase, arguably one of the most naturally beautiful and green little patches of England and yet I have barely explored it and have not utilized what it has to offer. So, come the summer and the fairer weather, I shall spring forth upon my trusty mountain- bike and embark upon some truly epic and daring rural quests through this area.

I grow tired of the confines of the car, traffic congestion and breathing in polluted air, so this is just what the doctor ordered. I might start with the ‘Follow the Dog’ bike- trail because I’ve heard that it’s amongst the finest mountain- bike trails in England.

Through good manners, respect for others and through treating people courteously, I hope to achieve this goal in 2011. Those values are the fundamentals, the bare bones of what is needed to succeed here.

In Britain, we now live in a deeply fragmented society. We drown in isolation, loniness because we’ve forgotten how to mix, how to be social. My experience of going out of an evening is that of noticing cliques and snobbish, sub- culturally dictated behaviour. It’s unfortunate to admit that, if one has not already found him or herself firmly planted within a close social circle before high- school education has come to a close, then the possibility of a fulfilling social life could indeed be very unlikely.

I do not feel ashamed or embarrassed to admit that I, myself, do not have many friends. However, what I do have, is a small handful of brilliant comrades who I consider to be absolutely unique and irreplaceable in their ability to impact upon my own enjoyment and quality of life. It is my earnest hope that they should perhaps feel the same way as I.

Only sometimes, the friendships I have are way too few and far between. I admit that now I run the risk of sounding like the kind of cliquey, privacy- loving Englishman who I criticized earlier in this entry but I have grown throughly tired with Britain’s obsession with recreational binge- drinking as the sole provider of social entertainment and interaction. I do not drink alcohol, take drugs or smoke, so when one who is adverse to such pastimes, how is it that I could succeed socially in a world where such self- destructive activities are so deeply ingrained?

My goal is to develop my social circle, I want more friends with whom I share values, ideals, beliefs, interests, hobbies, culture and aspirations. A big part of my life is Metal music, I love attending live shows but am often left without anyone to go with which immediately puts me off going. I love physical activity and exercise but I don’t have anyone to engage in such things with! When I attend the gym, nobody talks or socializes other than those who joined the gym with a pre- developed social circle.

As of 17th September 2010, I had a BMI of 30.63, placing me in the lower end of the ‘obese’ category which I found shocking and disheartening.

As of today (23 December 2010) I’ve lost 2st and 8 lbs (36 lbs) of fat and I have a BMI of 24.62 which places me safely in the ‘healthy’ category.

I have achieved this by joining my local health club/gym, and spending 3 hours there daily. I perform an hour of various cardiovascular activities: stationary bike, treadmill, cross- trainer, rowing machine etc, then an hour of weights to tone- up. I finish my exercise with 30 mins of swimming and then retire for relaxation in the spa- pool, the sauna and the steam- room. I finish with a cool shower to bring my body temperature back down and to rinse away sweat.

I’ve also radically altered my diet. I used to be a terrible junk- food addict and was affected by the condition known as portion distortion (LOL). Now I stick to a healthy diet of mainly fruit, vegetables, healthy carbs and lean meat. I allow myself a slightly less healthy meal (normally sirloin steak) whilst out with friends on Saturdays as a treat. This change of lifestyle has improved my quality of life dramatically, my confidence is high and I now walk with a spring in my step for the first time since I was a teenager.

2011 promises maintenance of this new way of life and I don’t think I’ll find that too difficult as I love exercise and the positive feelings it bestows upon a person :)