I've found one guy that is willing to play racquetball with me two mornings per week.  I think he knows a few other people who also might be willing to play against me too, so that part should be taken care of.

 This sounds like a good goal, keep us aware of your progess.  Can you join a league for raquetball so you don't haveto rely on just one person??

 I'd like to, but the YMCA where I am playing doesn't do racquetball leagues, although maybe that's just because someone hasn't volunteered to organize the league for them???  Maybe it's worth checking into.

 Hi Alex, so great to see you're joining a whole bunch of us here who are pursuing health and fitness this year.  I've been posting A,B,C's of Healthier Living on everyone's fitness goals.  I hope you don't mind if I share them with you too.  Here's the first set and I'll come back tomorrow with the next ones.   Your heart will thank you for the wisdom of your choice.  Very best to you.  

A - Ask Questions when dining out.  Don't hesitate to ask your server how a dish is prepared and feel free to request it to be altered in a way to make it more healthy... as in, sauce on the side, without oil, substitute fries with a salad... 

B - Budget For Snacks - don't give up all your favouite treats - just plan for them ahead of time and adjust your eating in the day to allow for them.  That way, you won't feel deprived if everyone at the movie is having a treat except you.  

C - Cancel The Pity Party if you feel discouraged about the number on the scale or how slow progress is going, remind yourself that everyone struggles on this journey and that you're working through it and sticking to your plan.  

D - Distract Yourself when you're hungry between meals or snacks... call a friend, go for a walk, write an e-mail, drink water - do anything that doesn't involve food and you'll notice the hunger usually passes within minutes.  

E - Eat Slowly when you sit down for a meal or snack.  If you eat too quickly, it's easier to miss the signal from your body that you're satisfied.  In fact, put the fork down between bites if you're having a conversation with friends or relatives at the table.    

F - Focus on the presentation of your food on the plate.  Arrange it attractively on a pretty piece of china, this will help you feel more satisfied.  

G - Give new habits time because change doesn't happen overnight.  It may take 21 days to break or create a new habit, but it takes about six montns for new habits to feel natural or automatic.  Make a commitment to stick with your new regimen for at least that long.  

H - Hang out with optimists.  The can-do spirit is contagious.  It can bolster your resolve and help fuel your weight loss goals.  

I - Inspire yourself with a list of activities that you've put off doing - going sailing, learning to salsa dance, travelling to a far off place - this will provide a built-in incentive to stick to your plan.  

J - Join Up - exercise with others, whether it's joining a hiking club, a fitness club or a recreational softball league - all of this offers a sense of accountability and a feeling of community.   Hope you find something helpful here Alex and I'll be back with more tomorrow.

 Played racquetball again this morning.  Working out one day a week isn't going to cut it, so I plan to go swimming with the boys this weekend and work out a couple mornings a week in addition to my racquetball matches.

Haven't even begun to tackle the diet yet ... but I will ... soon.  Promise.

Great to read you're sticking with the racquetball.  I have some more tips for healthy living as we close in on the end of the contest Alex.  Best of luck to you.

K - Keep Your Focus as you're losing weight, notice what you're gaining as well:  a slimmer profile, better fitting clothes, more confidence, a more restful sleep, a new love of exercise, a more healthier YOU all around.

L - Lighten Up Your Favourites... with new low-fat cookbooks.  Experiment with your favourite Chinese, Mexican, Italian dishes with substitued lighter ingredients.  Or try a different cultures' cuisine.

M - Make Over Your Kitchen and get rid of trigger foods.  Restock with healthier choices to make snacking easy.  

N - Navigate Your Way Out Of Your Comfort Zone and try a new exercise at least once.  Discovering how much you enjoy new activities will help create your new healthier lifestyle.

O - Opt for the 10-Minute Rule even if you don't feel like exercising.  Get moving in some way for at least ten minutes and if, after that, you still feel uninspired, give yourself permission to quit.

P - Push Yourself to try one new fruit or vegetable each week - or try them prepared in a different way.  You'll be treating yourself to a new taste sensation and expanding your culinary repertoire in a healthy way.

Q - Quit the Clean Plate Club and get into the habit of eating only until you're satisfied.  This way, you'll spare yourself loads of unnecessary calories.

R - Reward Yourself with a new 'busy hands' skill to stave off snacking after dinner - take up knitting, crocheting, needlepoint or beading.  Or, give yourself a mani/pedi.

S - Stand Up Food Pushers at the party by politely indicating that you have your eye on another dish at the buffet.  Complimenting the hostess on the food she's offering will distract her from her agenda and help you stick to yours.  

T - Treat Your Body Like A Temple.  Start exercising regularly and taking care of yourself as if you were an athlete.  Fuel your body with energy-boosting foods and plenty of sleep and water.  

 Sharing an inspriational quote today Alex.  Best to you.

To live is to choose. But to choose well, you must know who you are and what you stand for, where you want to go and why you want to get there."

- Kofi Annan

I don't remember how old you said your boys were (or, if you said on your camping goal), but I my husband is interested in working out more as well, and he's thinking if the kids have homework done, etc. by the time he gets home, he'd like to take them bike riding.  Getting the family involved is a benefit all around.  It teaches them good habits.  If they're not old enough necessarily to ride with you - for you to get the exercise benefit, what I used to do when by boys were younger is I would walk fast or run while they rode their little bikes.  I do this now with them through parks where they now skateboard, roller blade or ride.  We've got a great park system in town that makes this easier for us.

 Hey Alex, just checking in on your goal here.  I have a few more ABC's to add.

U - Use Your Lunchbreak Wisely by walking for half of it.  Taking a midday jaunt can boost your energy, reduce your stress, and give you more time after work with family and friends.

V - View Sweet Treats Wisely - Don't deprive yourself of cravings always.  Find a lower calorie substitue that satisfies you and have that as a reward or as a weekly treat.  Put a limit on rich desserts.

W - Write a Gratitude List - Each day, jot down or journal a few things that you're grateful for.  When spirits sad or when stuck in an especially aggrivating day, reviewing your gratitude list can boost your resolve to stay on track.

Hope you find something helpful.

Step #3 is really killing me with this goal right now.  I was hoping to go to the gym last night, but my wife wanted to go to the tanning bed instead, so I didn't get to work out.  She also went grocery shopping herself and bought mostly bad food.  We really need to get on the same page in order for this to work.

 Alex, it's been a pleasure following your progress with these goals the last three weeks.  Wishing you all the very best and I'm looking forward to the success stories you'll post here.  Final ABC's for your enjoyment and good luck with the contest:

X - Xerox Exercise Moves as you come across them in magazines and books.  That way, when you're doing your workout or putting together a routine, you'll have a bit of a library built up with proper techniques outlined and pitcures to show how to get best results.  Happy strength training

Y - Yearn To Accept Where You Are Now if you get discouraged about your rate of progress or if you hit a plateau and get frustrated, try to accept and appreciate where you've come from and the journey to get to where you are currently and where you want to be.  Enjoy the process.  After all, you are doing what it takes to make a difference with your health and fintness.  That alone is commenndable.   

Z - Zero In On Your Body - be sure to listen to the signals your body is giving you.  Treat your body as you would an infant child -  with compassion, patience and love and understanding.  Give it healthful, nutrient rich food for energy only when it's required, quench it's thirst with water freely and give it the exercise it needs for optimal health and fitness and your body will reward you in unbelievable ways.  

 Oops - forgot to add... yep... getting onto the same page about healthy shopping is a great idea.  It'll reduce the temptation for sure.  It's tough in a family full of kids though - those lunch snacks still need to be loaded each day.  

good luck with your progress...and know that once you have your wife on board, the others will follow. you have the will and the way, so I wish you all the best in making these changes happen. Have fun with it!