FEBRUARY 21, 2009 MORNING

If given the opportunity to take 6 months off, to get in excellent health and become mentally fit without burdening your family would you do it ? The government has pledged weekly income for a year and will cover most of my health insurance. The wife's income plus annual bonus coupled with this and a little frugality can afford me a unique, once in a lifetime chance. Rather than waste the opportunity why not get healthy, lose the weight in earnest and really make a life change while not stressing about commuting and work ? The options are to continue the stressful search for a better career in this crazy world or to let it ride, still search without crazy pressure and get fit. I realized that I can do anything in NYC in the sales field as long as I am presentable. That means a further slim down in earnest, toning, and the ability to comfortably wear a suit or just dress well. Unfortunately as presentation is important wouldn't I be better served and more helpful to my economic prosperity if I looked and felt great. The question remains if this is fair and fiscally responsible. If I have a heart attack or fat related illness won't I be in worse shape than I am in now ? So I have almost reached the decision. My plan is simple. I will get up in the morning and walk the dogs and straighten the house. I will walk or bike ride to the gym which is 4 blocks away. I will do a NYSC tested cardio regimen with weights and jogging. No fads, or crazy, just healthy and long term. I will walk from there to the library at noon, another 5 blocks, and continue the online job search and stay current with my industry. If something comes up that I can do well, then I will take it. I will eat a sandwich or protein shake that I bring from home and return to the gym for afternoon excersise. From there I can bike or walk home and prepare dinner for the wife and I. No real expense to live having cut out the wasted money on food and with no travel costs. By June I will be in much better shape and able to continue the search. I am not advocating a year of this but a few months to get my crap together to make the next half of my life better is the best investment I can make I think.