Robot Viking

I’m going to step back for a minute from being a publisher and just be a fellow gamer. February of this year my doctor told me that I was pre-diabetic. Thanks to my wonderful girlfriend, I’ve managed to beat it and have lost about 40 pounds of weight. About a month ago, my doctor told me I am no longer pre-diabetic. We decided that she and I should maintain the same type of exercise and eating regiment to get me further away from the edge of danger, but really, I don’t expect to change this kind of lifestyle for the rest of my life.

But lately it has been hard. HARD. H. A. R. D. Hard to say no to the fast food and other junk food over and over again. Lately, its been a daily struggle. While I’m no medical expert, I’d guess this is probably some kind of withdrawal symptom. But no matter what, I am bound and determined to not go back. I’ve got to much family on both sides that are diabetics to simply surrender myself to the road they are on. At least not without a serious fight. I know that one day genetics may catch up with me and I may lose the fight altogether but it will have been a valiant fight. Like fighting a dragon valiant.

But the reason I am saying this is that I know I am not the only gamer going through this. Many of us (myself included) lead sedimentary lifestyles and it is easy to see yourself as alone, the only one, in your fight against obesity and diabetes. I hope that by sharing my story, you will know that you are not alone. You have to keep it up every single no-matter-how-much-you-do-not-want-to day.

If you’re just starting out, remember to start small. It’s an easy trap to think, “I’ll just buy this expensive pieces of equipment or go to this expensive gym and I’ll work out every day.” Then you use the equipment or go to the gym for a week and then you never use it again. A smarter idea is to just take a 10 minute walk everyday. I do mine during my lunch break instead of the time I use to surf the web. As time goes on, increase the time, but only do it once you are in the habit of going for a walk everyday. And then once you are in the habit of a decent amount of exercise everyday, then consider that exercise bike or gym membership.

Approach weight loss like a gamer. Munchkin out your weight loss. Maximumize the volume of food you eat while minimizing the calories the food contains. Grapes are excellent for that. Not raisins. Real grapes. Add a bag of microwavable vegtables to your regular dinner. Make the exact same meal at home that you would have eaten out at a restaurant; it contains about half the calories and typically tastes better.

But most important, remember you are not alone. When you are having low days, turn to a friend or to the web (like I am right now) and talk to them about it. Remember you are not alone.

Dale C. McCoy Jr. is President on Jon Brazer Enterprises. Download Book of Magic: Signature Spells 1, now with Hero Lab support from Paizo or from RPGNow.com today.

Related posts:

1. Brazer Bulletin — Kickstarter
2. Brazer Bulletin — Not Burning Yourself Out
3. Brazer Bulletin — Covers!
4. Brazer Bulletin — PaizoCon and Other Conventions
5. Brazer Bulletin — Two Years Going, What Have I Learned?