Google is taking over my life

Having received an invite to the new Google Music service, I've only just realised how much I rely on Google and their services. My best friends are on Google Plus, my work is on Google Documents, I rely on Gmail for communication, I plan with Google Calendar, my open source projects are on Google Code, I use Google Scholar for research, I use Picasa for image storage, and now my music collection is on Google Music. I hear they have a search engine as well...

Edit: Also Google Maps, another product I use almost every day (mostly for GPS tracking bike rides and walks).

I've been impressed with Google Music in the few hours I've used it today. My music is almost uploaded to the service, which has taken a while with my awful upload speed. The idea is that you upload your music to the cloud, allowing you to stream it anywhere using a browser or the Android application.

Streaming has been flawless; no buffering or waiting for tracks to load. The interface is also nice to use. It's still in a restricted beta-testing phase so I'm unsure of what they have planned for the service, however at the moment I see it more as a way to listen to your music anywhere, rather than a music discovery service like Last.fm and Pandora.

I had a quick cycle in the rain earlier - good times! Hilly mountain bike rides are never easy, especially given my current levels of fitness. Nonetheless, exercise is exercise and I'll hopefully regain fitness quickly. I'm 7lbs lighter since I last weighed myself earlier in the month. Water weight aside, this is a very positive start! Progress like this is going to spur me on to better things over the coming months.

Mountain biking at sunset

My heart is still racing, and I got home half an hour ago! A short ride up and over the hill was enough to remind me of how long it's been since I cycled regularly. Watching the sun set over the river was as stunning as always. The thrill of flying down rough ground with abandon was as exhilarating as always. Alas, the only thing to have changed is me; boy have I gotten unfit!

Last Sunday I mentioned that I set myself the goal of walking 50 miles in a month. So far, so good on that front! I've walked over 17 miles in my first week, despite an irritating blister on my left foot. I'm hoping that by tomorrow it leaves me along so that I can tackle another long walk over the hills. Some of that distance has come from walking on my lunch break at work. Not only am I getting some exercise, but it's helping to clear my mind and help me focus at work better.

I've been using the Endomondo Android app to track my walks and bike rides. As impressive as the app is, it's the accompanying website that makes Endomondo great.

In the last week I feel like I've made a lot of changes; I'm eating healthier (and counting my calories!) and exercising a lot more. Really, I should've made this lifestyle change months ago, but I know only too well the difficulties of getting started. I went through it 4 years ago, losing over 70 pounds. I'm embarrassed that I let myself slip a little, but I'm determined to undo the past year of stress and laziness.

I'm angry at myself for how I've let myself go this past year, but I'm determined to become fitter and healthier. I've passed that "breaking point" and I'm going to give this all that I've got. I'm not going to try to make a change, I will.

Pitlochry, hiking and fitness

Pitlochry, Scotland

It's hard to believe that it's been three weeks since I last posted. Time sure has flown by, largely due to work becoming increasingly busy. In that time I've also enjoyed a short trip to Pitlochry with my girlfriend. It was a perfect short break; I sure needed that time to relax, and really enjoyed the scenery. I'd love to return there soon to do a bit more hiking.

We enjoyed a walk around the dam and a short hike through the woods and countryside, but Ben Vrackie in the distance was so tantalising. The town sits close to the edge of the Cairngorms, a mountain range I've only been able to enjoy from afar as the snow-topped peaks sat on the horizon. After my research projects end, I should have around three weeks of holiday before starting 4th year of university. I'm hoping to get away again in that time, even if it's just to camp, and the Cairngorms are a possibility.

Another place I'd like to get away to for a night or two of camping is Arran, although I'm sure that if I set out early enough, I'd cover all of the hills there which interest me in a day. Goat Fell has been on my to-do list for far too long!

I've known for a while that I need to get back in shape, but I've lacked that drive to do something about it. This time I'm determined to succeed and I'm relying on some technology to provide me with accountability. I've started to use Endomondo for tracking walks, runs etc. through their Android application. I don't expect this to help me succeed; obviously that rests on me alone. However, I think that being able to set myself goals and trying to beat my previous bests will help motivate me to keep going.

I've challenged myself to do 50 miles of walking in a month (not including walking as part of my commute) so I'll be reporting back here between now and the 24th of August. It's a lovely day today and, despite having already been out for a short walk, I fancy another. I may as well enjoy the sunshine while it lasts!