Today (March 25th, 2008) marks about, what, 9 months since my life had changed drastically.

Prelude: The Breakup

I was with the same girl for 6 years at that point.  The relationship was at the all-time worst – I was busy at work all the time, rarely having time for her; she was busy fucking other guys (I rarely had time for her, remember?).  All this kept mounting. For a while.  My schedule became nothing short of insane.  I’d wake up at noon.  Without breakfast go to work, stay there until 10pm or later (again without eating), come home and gorge myself on 10 servings of something, or a pizza, or a takeout.  I’d then work on the computer coupled with pouring beers down my throat into 4, 5, 6 am.  Next day wake up at noon again and count the extra pounds.

I was angry.  I was 210 lbs.  I drank practically every day.  I was extremely unhappy with my life.  I was circling the drain.

Then she left me.  Nice birthday present, sleeping with someone else!!

I realized I had to change and I had to do it fast; otherwise I don’t know what would happen to me.

I went to City Sports on Walnut Ave, bought myself Nike+ shoes and connector for my iPod and began running.

...

The Run

Then I ran.  I ran a lot.  A lot for me, that is – I ran every day.  At first I could master only a half-mile but I got up to running about 3 miles, without stops, and fast.  Might not be an accomplishment for some but it was a major breakthrough for me.

So, I keep running.  I lose 10 lbs or-so.  I notice girl looking at me more often.

I smile more.

...

The Sun

I go on vacation.  Actually, I got on many "vacations" -- I went to a few international conferences in a row, all outside of U.S. and all in exotic places I have never been to.  {Note: I'm putting together a "travel" section so you'll get that info quite soon}

The world, big as it is, gives you a different perspective on things around you, you know.  Although I did not run a single step in Japan and only ran twice in Turkey, I did think a lot.  Spent that time clearing my mind.

The solution became obvious: I need to establish a "new me" -- I need to change my life style.

...

The Girl

Where, when, and how I met her is not important, not for this story.  What is important is that about 7 months ago I met her.  She is smart (very), pretty (models), sexy (ask me about my Xandria bill), and she loves me.

When you meet a woman like that you realize that you, within yourself, have much more than meets the eye, so to speak.

I am no poet, no.  But she encourages me to write and I do.  I have always enjoyed taking photos and she pushed me to finally start publishing them in somewhat of a consistent manner.  I also started painting again.

But more on all that later and not here.

As for the "lifestyle", one needs to find a girl whom he is able to connect with and share his life in more ways than just sex.  She needs to promote your drive.  She needs to push you to wake up in the morning.  Not literally push you, but provide you with sufficient encouragement for you to do everything yourself.

I know I can take better photos than what I see at this gallery, I tell her that, and she tells me to get into a gallery.  She brings it up frequently enough for me to keep wanting to do it (did I mention my $180 bill at Utrecht?).  This is what I am talking about.

Here a word of caution.  Realize to yourself that she is not the ONLY thing.  A good girl will love what you do.  A great girl would push you to do more and better.  But always remember that it is YOU doing this.  No, don't test this by breaking up with her!! :-)  Not a good idea, no.  Just remember that all this was inside of you already and she is helping you unlock it and bring it up to the surface.  Without her you are still strong but together with her you are strong and content, happy, smiling.

...

The Lifestyle

So, now I look at myself.  What am I?  Who am I?  Where am I going?  What are my goals?

Did you know that in, I believe, 1953 they have interviewed graduating class at Harvard and asked them to write down precisely that.  Answers to those questions define us, really, fully, and completely.  Those who have participated in the exit interview and filled out all the answers completely, stating what their goals in live are, accounted for 3% of the entire graduating student body; 30 years later they were worth more than the remaining 97%.

I am a PhD student.  I am soon to graduate and am looking for jobs in Academia -- I would like to teach some day; I would like to have a research project worth attaching my name to it; but most importantly I would like to success in becoming a tenured Full Professor at a respectable university someday.  What I need to do to accomplish that has nothing to do with this page here but there is something important to all of this, something that links and glues everything in my life together -- it is my lifestyle.

I need to maintain a healthy mind, healthy body, clear conscience.

I need to maintain a good sleeping schedule so my mind gets enough rest.

I need to maintain my body in top-notch condition so I can walk to lectures, run up the stairs, pump enough blood to my brain to understand what the heck is going on around me.

I need to feel, look, and act attractive.  This is extremely important because most people judge a person by their looks.  When you first meet someone you look at what they are wearing, how healthy they are, how attracted you are to them.  Yes, attracted.  Yes, I said it.  This does not have to be anything sexual.  Does this person radiate happiness?  You want to be around happy people who bring your mood up or the opposite?

When you meet me, I want your first impression to be:

1. he is healthy (he will live long-enough to complete the project he is promising to complete);
2. he is happy (he does not have problems at home and/or with friends that will bug him down and prevent him from accomplishing his tasks);
3. he will get the job done (do I have to explain this one?);
4. he is presentable (he will be able to present his work well and will be able to push both himself and I forward);
5. and he is trustworthy (he will not screw me over, he looks like a decent guy).

...

Today

Today I am 176 lbs (at least this morning I was).  This means that I have lost 34 lbs.  It was tough, yes.  Especially that I have not concentrated on loosing weight but rather on improving my health.

I eat 6 times a day.  This is very important!  Small meals and often.  It's very hard to eat 6 times and keep the total calorie intake under 2,000 per day but it is possible, trust me.

I workout 4 times a week and follow a very strict program which I will later share with you all here on these pages.

I monitor and try to control all my bad habits; but more importantly I try to promote my good habits.

...

Tomorrow

I have stopped running...  I wish to restart that very soon...  I really hope that in a few days I will write another post about my first 5-mile run.  I will try.  That is my personal goal for the next month.  Those of you who know me personally know that I always get what I want.  I will run this f**ng 5 miles.  I will even if I have to beat myself into submission to do it!

I will invite all my friends to a gallery showing of my work.  I don't know when.  Soon.

I will finish my thesis.

I will get 5 job offers and will negotiate for the best.

...