A Personal Call To Action and Request
November 6th, 2008 |Hello, Friends!
All is not right with the world, but I feel it’s a little bit better. We can argue the whys and wherefores forever, but sometimes a little hope sure does feel good.
I just read that popular speculative writer Michael Crichton died at the age of 66 after battling cancer. This really does make me sad—66 is too young! That’s not much older than my Mom! Plus, as much as I enjoyed the movie adaptations of Crichton’s novels (and I very much did enjoy them), I also enjoyed reading the novels first. At least he got to see that variations on the science he proposed in Jurassic Park have developed into very real scientific studies, the discovery of and research into viable dinosaur DNA.
Unlike many bloggers, I usually don’t regale you with personal facts about myself. Sure, you can read between the lines and figure out a lot of my views and attitudes, but I’m not about to start gabbing on and on about my car, my collections, my music instruments, my non-comic interests. Today, I’m going to make an exception.
As those of you who have met me in person already know, I have weight issues. How this came about is not important: The fact that it shortens my life span and brings me perilously close to diabetes. This is not something to be ashamed about, or hide; in fact, I suppose I’m among the majority. In any case, I’ve been going to a non-surgical weight loss clinic and learning how to eat and exercise under a doctor’s supervision. I’m eight weeks into the thirty week session, and my successes have been moderate at best. I’ve learn to control my eating, but exercise has been a major hurdle I just haven’t been able to jump.
Why do I bring this up? For two reasons. One, I’m not alone, and I’m positive many of you are in the same struggle for health that I am. This is not something to be ashamed or guilty about; it’s a call to action. Two, it has been a struggle for me, and I need this program to work. I kid you not—I NEED it to work! I want your good thoughts on this. If you are of the praying persuasion, a word for me is appreciated. If you just want to beam me encouragement and strength across the ether, I’ll receive it and be thankful for it. I believe in this community; I know you won’t let me down.
Scott.
I was stunned about Crichton’s death. I really enjoyed reading his novels so many years ago.
As for exercise…I need to do it to keep my lungs working at this higher altitude I relocated to. Think of it as an investment. When I was young there were NO computers. Entertainment was running through the woods, swinging on trees, walking and being active. Later I just fell into a weight lifting program at high school. Lots of people did it. I didn’t become powerful lifting weights, BUT I did it so long it became a HABIT. But today if I’m not careful, I run out of time to be active because cruising the net or trying to finish some digital painting is just SO PASSIVE and easy to do! My body hurts when I get up from some overlong session at the computer with my digital art. My body needs fed activity as much as it needs food. It benefits my brain as well. I’m going to take a sketch pad and pen with me next time I walk.
Take care, sorry for the long speil.
Hey, I’m a recent fan of your work and as with most days, I check for updates on your site. As you said, there is no need to feel guilty or ashamed. Exercise is its own reward, but be warned, it can be slow at first. Most physiotherapists will tell you that injuries and fitness can’t be fixed overnight and 8 weeks is about the mark where things get a little easier. All I can say is, keep up the good work, it does get easier but don’t get carried away either. Moderate success is good, now you have to build on the good things incrementally and stick to a daily routine. Even 5 minutes daily on one exercise will help. Good luck and I applaud your honesty.
Thank you, Gentlemen! Your advice is great! It’s not going to be easy for me to turn the physical activity into a habit, but I’m going to do it! Besides, I want to live to produce comic strips for a long, long time!
Scott,
I just wanted to offer my moral support. I understand it is hard finding time and getting in the habit of working out.
I have mixed feeling on Johnny Saturn. Sometimes I like it, sometimes I hate it but I’ve always respected you keep plugging away at it. I think if you have enough energy and dedication to keep doing a full color comic like this for as long as you have then you surely must have it in you to get the body you want. In short I belive you can do it.
I’ll put a word in for you when next I speak with that those powers not affiliated with evil.
Good luck and keep up the good work.
-E.E. Nick
Thanks, Nick! Thank you so much!
As for your like/hate relationship with the strip, I totally respect that. I hope eventually the “like” wins out, but then I’m biassed that way.
I got out and did a brisk 15 minute walk today, and plan to do so again this afternoon. I know that’s not as good as a straight 30 minute walk, but I’m aiming for that.