Oh, where have I been?
Long-story short: Our apartment was almost totally flooded, I caught the flu, etc. If you want more detail than that, you won't find it here. But, rest assured everyone in my family, including yours truly is okay.
In spite of all this, not surprisingingly, I haven't kept up with the blogging. However, for the most part, I've kept up with the diet and exercise program and I'm seeing major results. How major?
This morning I weighed in at 169 pounds! That's right, 169. That means I'm already three-fourths of the way to my goal! Quite frankly, I don't think I've been this small since my freshman year of college: ten years ago.
They say the last few pounds are the hardest to lose. Right now though, I'm so optimistic that I'm gonna say, "No problem."
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
I Can Do This - Week Three Starts Today
This morning I weighed in at 176.2 pounds. Yes! That means that this past week I lost 2.6 pounds. Not too shabby.
I pushed myself a little too hard working out on Monday and Tuesday and the intensity of my workouts suffered for the rest of the week. However, I did stick with my diet with the exception of a piece of fruit pizza on Monday and a cheeseburger this weekend.
That means I've got 12.2 pounds to lose in the next 13 weeks to achieve my goal. That's barely more than a pound a week. Suddenly, this all seems very doable.
I've been a under the weather and especially queasy lately, so this is all I have to say right now. Time to go rest up.
Readers, you're going to be okay with that, aren't you?
Good!
I pushed myself a little too hard working out on Monday and Tuesday and the intensity of my workouts suffered for the rest of the week. However, I did stick with my diet with the exception of a piece of fruit pizza on Monday and a cheeseburger this weekend.
That means I've got 12.2 pounds to lose in the next 13 weeks to achieve my goal. That's barely more than a pound a week. Suddenly, this all seems very doable.
I've been a under the weather and especially queasy lately, so this is all I have to say right now. Time to go rest up.
Readers, you're going to be okay with that, aren't you?
Good!
Monday, January 3, 2011
It's Working - Week Two Begins Today
When I stepped on the scale this morning, I was nervous. I knew I had been counting calories. I knew I had been really consistent with my workouts. But, I kept thinking, "What if after all this work, I only lost a pound? I'll probably just quit then. Here goes..."
I waited for the scale to give me my current weight and the one second delay felt like an eternity.
After week one, I weighed in at 178.8 pounds. I lost 5.2 pounds this week!
I must say, that's ridiculous. It does show that my program works though.
I'm getting results beyond what I expected. I was thinking I'd lose maybe three pounds. Instead, I've lost more than five and I'm back to where I was at my fittest this summer. Wowzers.
I'm more than a fourth of the way to my goal of losing 20 pounds. I know that I shouldn't expect results this dramatic in the weeks that come, because this week has been a major change to my system. My body will, unfortunately, begin to adjust and provide less dramatic results. But, if I stick with it, results should still be there.
Counting calories hasn't really been as hard as I thought it would be. Is it fun? Well, my wife Carolyn insists that I must always be doing math at some time and that I love thinking about food all the time too. So, as she says, counting calories makes perfect sense for me. I don't know about all that, but I appreciate her support more than words can say.
Obviously, my program is going well, but it hasn't been without challenges. I find it hard to convince myself to go running every day in 30 degree weather, but that's worked out for the best. This week my exercise routine included jogging, dancing using the "Just Sweat" option on "Just Dance 2" for the Wii, and walking at the maximum incline on the treadmill. I even did Tae-Bo; don't judge me though, because it's an intense workout. I've also bought some cheap dumbbells and started beginner-level strength training. For the record, now is the best time to by exercise equipment because stores want to "help you" keep those new year's resolutions. I also, thanks to Crunch Yoga on Netflix streaming, discovered that I really enjoy the stretching aspect of yoga. It both relaxes and works the muscles that are strained from running and it has helped my little shoulder problem. I plan to continue this variety in the week's ahead.
So, if you'd like, let my results from week one be an inspiration to you. Lots of people are wanting to get healthy and keep that new year's resolution. Watch what you eat, exercise a lot, drink lots of water and you will see results. You might even want to start a blog to keep yourself accountable like I did.
Since I weigh 178.8 pounds, that makes my goal calorie intake for each day this week: 1252 calories.
Otherwise, the program stays the same for week two.
I must confess, I'm nervous about cheating on my diet this week. I've just lost 5 pounds. I want dramatic results again at the end of week two. But, we promised the youth group we'd have them over for pizza tonight, and I know my family is going on a super-mini vacation this weekend, which means lots of eating out too. If I cheat more than "my cheating meal," I'll write about it here. Honesty, as they say, really is the best policy. Keep your fingers crossed.
In the meantime, I'll be working out, counting calories, spending time with my family, and getting ready for the spring semester to begin. Sheesh... I have a lot of prep work to do before my classes start.
Other thoughts from Week One:
I waited for the scale to give me my current weight and the one second delay felt like an eternity.
After week one, I weighed in at 178.8 pounds. I lost 5.2 pounds this week!
I must say, that's ridiculous. It does show that my program works though.
I'm getting results beyond what I expected. I was thinking I'd lose maybe three pounds. Instead, I've lost more than five and I'm back to where I was at my fittest this summer. Wowzers.
I'm more than a fourth of the way to my goal of losing 20 pounds. I know that I shouldn't expect results this dramatic in the weeks that come, because this week has been a major change to my system. My body will, unfortunately, begin to adjust and provide less dramatic results. But, if I stick with it, results should still be there.
Counting calories hasn't really been as hard as I thought it would be. Is it fun? Well, my wife Carolyn insists that I must always be doing math at some time and that I love thinking about food all the time too. So, as she says, counting calories makes perfect sense for me. I don't know about all that, but I appreciate her support more than words can say.
Obviously, my program is going well, but it hasn't been without challenges. I find it hard to convince myself to go running every day in 30 degree weather, but that's worked out for the best. This week my exercise routine included jogging, dancing using the "Just Sweat" option on "Just Dance 2" for the Wii, and walking at the maximum incline on the treadmill. I even did Tae-Bo; don't judge me though, because it's an intense workout. I've also bought some cheap dumbbells and started beginner-level strength training. For the record, now is the best time to by exercise equipment because stores want to "help you" keep those new year's resolutions. I also, thanks to Crunch Yoga on Netflix streaming, discovered that I really enjoy the stretching aspect of yoga. It both relaxes and works the muscles that are strained from running and it has helped my little shoulder problem. I plan to continue this variety in the week's ahead.
So, if you'd like, let my results from week one be an inspiration to you. Lots of people are wanting to get healthy and keep that new year's resolution. Watch what you eat, exercise a lot, drink lots of water and you will see results. You might even want to start a blog to keep yourself accountable like I did.
Since I weigh 178.8 pounds, that makes my goal calorie intake for each day this week: 1252 calories.
Otherwise, the program stays the same for week two.
I must confess, I'm nervous about cheating on my diet this week. I've just lost 5 pounds. I want dramatic results again at the end of week two. But, we promised the youth group we'd have them over for pizza tonight, and I know my family is going on a super-mini vacation this weekend, which means lots of eating out too. If I cheat more than "my cheating meal," I'll write about it here. Honesty, as they say, really is the best policy. Keep your fingers crossed.
In the meantime, I'll be working out, counting calories, spending time with my family, and getting ready for the spring semester to begin. Sheesh... I have a lot of prep work to do before my classes start.
Other thoughts from Week One:
- On my "cheating meal," I had a big breakfast of biscuits, crepes, bacon, and orange juice. I'd estimate that was at least 900 calories. It tasted wonderful, but I couldn't help but feel a little guilty. Then again, I had bacon. It was tough, but I stayed within my 800 calorie limit for the rest of the day.Unfortunately, I had no idea that later that day, we'd go to Fazoli's for lunch. I had a side salad with fat free Italian then half a baked spaghetti. Then for dinner, I just finished off the spaghetti.
- I went to Fazoli's and didn't eat a single bite of a breadstick. Anything is possible. Remember, when you eat out, control doesn't always have to go out the window.
- Eating breakfast everyday is a nice routine. Do it. You won't regret it.
- Sometimes I drink so many bottles of water in a day that I lose count. ?<-- !?!
- Eating vegetables first during a meal helps me feel full earlier without consuming lots of calories from the get-go.
- The three of us (my family) had a "picnic" in our living room with baked chicken and lots of fruits and veggies. It was very low-calorie and a wonderful memory together.
- Silk brand almond milk is fantastic. Get some.
- I'm not used to working out this much. I don't feel any more tired, but I almost always do feel a little sore the next day.
- Lifting weights still feels silly to me. Maybe, I'll get used to it. Maybe not. Maybe I'll end up looking Lou Ferrigno...
- It's true. There is always room for Jell-O.
- Why is Diet Ale 8 way better than any other calorie-free soda?
Sunday, December 26, 2010
The Game Plan - Week One, Day One
The "Losing 20 More" project begins today.
I weighed in this morning at 184 pounds. In 15 weeks or less, my goal is to weigh 164 pounds.
Do you know what scene in "Star Wars: A New Hope" where Obi-Wan tells a young, wide-eyed Luke Skywalker, "You've just taken your first step into a larger world," before they get anywhere close to the Death Star? This doesn't feel like that much at all. But, I'm still pretending this is a momentous and epic day, regardless.
There's also a crazy amount of snow on the ground. That shouldn't affect the project's activities today, but it should necessitate a time of fantastic sledding with my wife and kiddo-boy.
In case you're wondering, I've decided to follow a fairly simple plan to achieve my weight loss goal.
It's based primarily on methods suggested via "The Biggest Loser." Yes, I know that NBC show is absurdly filled with product placement and I can't say I watch the show with any regularity, but the amazing results are, for the most part, undeniable.
I'm also taking into consideration some of the advice of the phenomenal Food Network host Alton Brown as described in his "Live and Let Diet" episode of "Good Eats." The much beloved TV host and foodie lost 50 pounds by changing his diet. Submitted for your approval, you can watch Part 1 of the episode below, learn a lot, and be entertained:
Cheryl Forberg, a nutritionist for "The Biggest Loser" suggests a simple formula for rapid weight loss like the "at home" players on the show experience.
Your present weight x 7 = The number of calories per day you should consume for rapid weight loss
Since I weigh 184 pounds, that makes my goal calorie intake for each day this week: 1288 calories.
In her book, "The Biggest Loser: Simple Swaps," she begins by stating the ten most common reasons why the contestants on "The Biggest Loser" got to be so unhealthy in the first place. After interviewing each obese person that came on the show in need of major weight loss, one on one, she compiled a list of bad habits that most frequently lead to significant weight gain and general unhealthiness.
A few of the most notable factors that play a key role in weight gain are:
Knowing what not to do certainly helps. But what exactly will I be doing? I'm glad you asked. That brings me to...
My Eight Simple Rules:
1. Follow the daily calorie budget of: 7 x my body weight. I'll write down every calorie I consume. This will hold me accountable for my choices. This calorie budget will be a moving target. Each week, it has to change as I lose weight. At the same time, assuming I get there, I will not go below 1200 calories. As long as I burn more calories than I take in, I'll lose weight.
2. Eat breakfast everyday. No exceptions. Without fail. I have to agree with Alton Brown here; breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I'm often guilty of sleeping late and then I skip breakfast so I can rush off to work a few minutes faster. However, studies really do show that eating breakfast helps maintain weight loss.
3. Avoid the "white stuff" as much as I can. That means white flour, white pasta, white sugar, white rice, etc. Instead I'll substitute whole wheat and whole grains for an easy, healthier carbohydrate swap.
4. Exercise at least five hours each week. That also means taking a day to rest to allow my body to recuperate. My primary exercise will be what I enjoy: running. The American Council on Exercise recommends a mix of cardio and strength training. So, each week I'll do a lot of cardio while I incorporate some yoga and strength training, It breaks down fairly easily. I'll spend four days doing one-hour workouts, two days doing half-hour workouts, and taking a day off. This will be significantly more than the 1.5 hours I've been getting lately, for sure!
In case you're curious, the folks who do "The Biggest Loser" at home do at least seven hours of exercise a week. To be honest, at this stage in life that seemed like too much for me and my schedule. But, five hours a week should really challenge me while burning off a lot of calories. A pound of body fat is 3,500 calories. My five hours of exercise should fairly easily burn off a pound a week.
5. Drink at least eight glasses or roughly 64 ounces of water a day. It sounds like a lot, but it's really not. That's just four bottles of bottled water. That will help me stay hydrated, help with digestion, and it'll help me consume less calories in general. Plus, I've heard that it could even boost my metabolism. Unlike just about everything else, this should be no problem. I chug water frequently and consume this amount of h2o just about every day.
6. Have one, and only one, unhealthy, "cheating" meal a week. I know, this seems counter-intuitive and like a bad idea. But, I think it could help keep me sane and help me stick with this project long term. Fifteen weeks is a fairly long time for a strict diet and I'll be craving a lot of things I can't have. Maybe, I just need more will power. Nonetheless, instead of telling myself that I'll never have the foods I crave, I can have an unhealthy meal once a week. Pancakes, a Big Mac, whatever. However, I must post the calories I consumed from that meal as a part of this blog to hold me accountable. And, the calories from my other two meals cannot total more than 800 calories.
7. Eat at least four servings of fruits and vegetables each day. I'll get the most nutritional bang for my buck from veggies and fruits. And I should eat more vegetables than fruits. That's okay though, I recently found out I like Brussels sprouts, but that's another story...
8. Weigh myself once a week. Post the results here, for better or for worse. I don't want to drive myself crazy with daily weigh-ins. Instead, I'll weigh-in the first-thing each Monday morning.
With all that being said, wish me luck. "Losing 20 More..." begins now. Let's see what a difference a single week can make.
And away we go...
I weighed in this morning at 184 pounds. In 15 weeks or less, my goal is to weigh 164 pounds.
Do you know what scene in "Star Wars: A New Hope" where Obi-Wan tells a young, wide-eyed Luke Skywalker, "You've just taken your first step into a larger world," before they get anywhere close to the Death Star? This doesn't feel like that much at all. But, I'm still pretending this is a momentous and epic day, regardless.
There's also a crazy amount of snow on the ground. That shouldn't affect the project's activities today, but it should necessitate a time of fantastic sledding with my wife and kiddo-boy.
In case you're wondering, I've decided to follow a fairly simple plan to achieve my weight loss goal.
It's based primarily on methods suggested via "The Biggest Loser." Yes, I know that NBC show is absurdly filled with product placement and I can't say I watch the show with any regularity, but the amazing results are, for the most part, undeniable.
I'm also taking into consideration some of the advice of the phenomenal Food Network host Alton Brown as described in his "Live and Let Diet" episode of "Good Eats." The much beloved TV host and foodie lost 50 pounds by changing his diet. Submitted for your approval, you can watch Part 1 of the episode below, learn a lot, and be entertained:
Cheryl Forberg, a nutritionist for "The Biggest Loser" suggests a simple formula for rapid weight loss like the "at home" players on the show experience.
Your present weight x 7 = The number of calories per day you should consume for rapid weight loss
Since I weigh 184 pounds, that makes my goal calorie intake for each day this week: 1288 calories.
In her book, "The Biggest Loser: Simple Swaps," she begins by stating the ten most common reasons why the contestants on "The Biggest Loser" got to be so unhealthy in the first place. After interviewing each obese person that came on the show in need of major weight loss, one on one, she compiled a list of bad habits that most frequently lead to significant weight gain and general unhealthiness.
A few of the most notable factors that play a key role in weight gain are:
- Having absolutely no idea how many calories you need or how many you consume each day.
- Frequently skipping breakfast and/or other meals.
- Not enough exercise. Or none at all.
- Not eating enough fruits for vegetables.
- Drinking too many calories (sugary drinks) while not drinking enough water.
- Not planning meals in advance.
Knowing what not to do certainly helps. But what exactly will I be doing? I'm glad you asked. That brings me to...
My Eight Simple Rules:
1. Follow the daily calorie budget of: 7 x my body weight. I'll write down every calorie I consume. This will hold me accountable for my choices. This calorie budget will be a moving target. Each week, it has to change as I lose weight. At the same time, assuming I get there, I will not go below 1200 calories. As long as I burn more calories than I take in, I'll lose weight.
2. Eat breakfast everyday. No exceptions. Without fail. I have to agree with Alton Brown here; breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I'm often guilty of sleeping late and then I skip breakfast so I can rush off to work a few minutes faster. However, studies really do show that eating breakfast helps maintain weight loss.
3. Avoid the "white stuff" as much as I can. That means white flour, white pasta, white sugar, white rice, etc. Instead I'll substitute whole wheat and whole grains for an easy, healthier carbohydrate swap.
4. Exercise at least five hours each week. That also means taking a day to rest to allow my body to recuperate. My primary exercise will be what I enjoy: running. The American Council on Exercise recommends a mix of cardio and strength training. So, each week I'll do a lot of cardio while I incorporate some yoga and strength training, It breaks down fairly easily. I'll spend four days doing one-hour workouts, two days doing half-hour workouts, and taking a day off. This will be significantly more than the 1.5 hours I've been getting lately, for sure!
In case you're curious, the folks who do "The Biggest Loser" at home do at least seven hours of exercise a week. To be honest, at this stage in life that seemed like too much for me and my schedule. But, five hours a week should really challenge me while burning off a lot of calories. A pound of body fat is 3,500 calories. My five hours of exercise should fairly easily burn off a pound a week.
5. Drink at least eight glasses or roughly 64 ounces of water a day. It sounds like a lot, but it's really not. That's just four bottles of bottled water. That will help me stay hydrated, help with digestion, and it'll help me consume less calories in general. Plus, I've heard that it could even boost my metabolism. Unlike just about everything else, this should be no problem. I chug water frequently and consume this amount of h2o just about every day.
6. Have one, and only one, unhealthy, "cheating" meal a week. I know, this seems counter-intuitive and like a bad idea. But, I think it could help keep me sane and help me stick with this project long term. Fifteen weeks is a fairly long time for a strict diet and I'll be craving a lot of things I can't have. Maybe, I just need more will power. Nonetheless, instead of telling myself that I'll never have the foods I crave, I can have an unhealthy meal once a week. Pancakes, a Big Mac, whatever. However, I must post the calories I consumed from that meal as a part of this blog to hold me accountable. And, the calories from my other two meals cannot total more than 800 calories.
7. Eat at least four servings of fruits and vegetables each day. I'll get the most nutritional bang for my buck from veggies and fruits. And I should eat more vegetables than fruits. That's okay though, I recently found out I like Brussels sprouts, but that's another story...
8. Weigh myself once a week. Post the results here, for better or for worse. I don't want to drive myself crazy with daily weigh-ins. Instead, I'll weigh-in the first-thing each Monday morning.
With all that being said, wish me luck. "Losing 20 More..." begins now. Let's see what a difference a single week can make.
And away we go...
The Starting Line
I have to admit that I've completed a small amount of research before beginning this project. With any fitness program, I'd assume, it's a good idea to know your starting point. Let's face it, a major reason for blogging about my weight loss journey is so that I can monitor my progress. So, I turned to a BMI (body mass indicator) to find where I am now, health-wise.
I highly recommend WebMD's BMI Calculator Plus. Just like the site claims, it's a "health and weight calculator that gives personal results on six different weight and fitness measurements." Since I'm getting started, this calculator helped me understand my body's needs. As I continue this journey, I'll turn to it again as my body changes to, hopefully, track my personal success! You simply plug in factors like your age, weight, height, gender, and pants size, and it does all the math for you. If you're like me, someone else doing the math for you is always the best idea. WebMD's BMI Calculator also provides calorie and exercise suggestions for the amount of weight you'd like to lose (or gain) each week.
Here are my results:
After figuring all this out, WebMD recommends that I achieve a heart rate between 97 and 145 beats in 1 minute when exercising to achieve weight loss. It also recommends a minimum of 20 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity such as jogging or running three days a week (which I'll do) and to incorporate strength training into your routine (which I'll think about).
So, to recap, here's my starting point...
You know what they say about knowing being half the battle? Let's hope that it's true. If so, I'm almost half-done...
I highly recommend WebMD's BMI Calculator Plus. Just like the site claims, it's a "health and weight calculator that gives personal results on six different weight and fitness measurements." Since I'm getting started, this calculator helped me understand my body's needs. As I continue this journey, I'll turn to it again as my body changes to, hopefully, track my personal success! You simply plug in factors like your age, weight, height, gender, and pants size, and it does all the math for you. If you're like me, someone else doing the math for you is always the best idea. WebMD's BMI Calculator also provides calorie and exercise suggestions for the amount of weight you'd like to lose (or gain) each week.
Here are my results:
My Body Mass Index (BMI) is: 28
A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is considered healthy for adults. A BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight, while a BMI of 30 and above is considered obese. A 28 is pretty depressing at first. Then, I remember that my BMI was over 30 just months ago. Still, I have some work to do.My Waist-to-Height Ratio is: 0.49 --- My Body Shape Indicates: Healthy
A waist-to-height ratio under .50 is generally considered healthy. This ratio may give a more accurate assessment of health for people who are muscular or for women who have a "pear" rather then an "apple" body shape. Apparently, while I'm not crazy about my shape, it's a good one.My Healthy Weight Range Is: Between 122 & 164 pounds for your height of 5' 8.
122? I think I'd look like I was about to die (or at least break in half) if I lost 60 pounds. Then again, I've heard that because most Americans are either overweight or obese, "healthy" people often look too thin to the average person.My Resting Metabolic Rate is: 2,456
Your body needs energy to function, and your resting metabolic rate (RMR) is the number of calories your body burns simply by living. Regular exercise increases your RMR. I'll definitely be getting plenty of that.According to WebMD, my Daily Target Caloric Intake to lose two pounds each week is: 1,456 calories.
However, I won't be shooting for that number. I'll actually be shooting even lower. More on my daily calorie count later though...After figuring all this out, WebMD recommends that I achieve a heart rate between 97 and 145 beats in 1 minute when exercising to achieve weight loss. It also recommends a minimum of 20 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity such as jogging or running three days a week (which I'll do) and to incorporate strength training into your routine (which I'll think about).
So, to recap, here's my starting point...
Personal Summary
- Gender: Male
- Height: 5' 8"
- Age: 27
- Current Weight: 184
- Current Pant Size: 33
- Weight Goal: Lose 2 pounds per week
- BMI: 28
- Waist to Height Ratio: 0.49
- Healthy Body Weight Range: 122 and 164
- Target Heart Rate: 97 to 145
- Target Caloric Intake to Meet Weight Goal: 1456
You know what they say about knowing being half the battle? Let's hope that it's true. If so, I'm almost half-done...
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
The Task...
Losing 20 More
The task: To lose more 20 pounds in 15 weeks to achieve a "healthy weight" of 164.The contender/The backstory: My name is Jeremiah Massengale. I teach at the University of the Cumberlands. This past May, I had my photo taken with a couple of graduating students after the commencement ceremony. How nice, right? I thought so. Then, when they posted them on Facebook, I didn't like what I saw. When my students look at the pictures, they probably focused on their cap and gown. I focused on my belly. [And my thinning hair, but that's another story.] "What is that thing? It's a gut. And how did it get there?"
It was like all of a sudden I realized the truth: I was fat. I got on the long-neglected scale at home and confirmed it. I weighed 204. According to any BMI calculator, I was obese. Ouch. And you can't exactly say, "I'm not fat, I'm just obese."
I was at a loss for words. Even through graduate school, I was a fairly small guy. How did this happen? I could have blamed it on three years of married life, or on the sympathy weight I gained during my wife's pregnancy, or on how much physical labor I have to do while teaching college... but those things didn't really matter. I had two choices. To keep getting fatter/unhealthier or to do something about it.
So, during the summer of 2010. I got serious. I completed the Couch to 5K Running Program and started paying more attention what I was putting into my body. I grew to love running. I didn't buy a gym membership or anything, I just spent time getting fresh air while running around town. I even finished a couple local 5Ks. I started drinking more water and less soda. I even discovered that, cheesy infomercial aside, the Magic Bullet really is a fantastic product and that's great for making smoothies.
And I lost a lot of weight. 25 pounds... bringing me all the way down to 179. I had to buy new jeans and donate lots of clothes that were now way too big. I wish I had taken a before and after photo, but the results were (and still are) pretty amazing to me.
I would say that about a month ago though, I "fell off the wagon." Work got absurdly busy, seemingly all of a sudden, and at the same time, colder weather hit. Not only did I have "less time" to go running but I also found the conditions for running outside quite less than desirable. Since September, I've gained about four of those pounds back and that's a little frightening to me. Sure, it's just four pounds, but I still have a lot more to go on my weight loss journey and I'm tired of seeing the scale go the other way as of late. So, here's the deal.
Beginning on December 27, 2010, I will attempt latest challenge and blog about it. After surviving the holiday season of 2010, I will attempt to follow a reduced calorie diet and increase the frequency and intensity of my exercise routine. The ultimate goal is to achieve what health resources claim is a healthy weight for my height and age: 164 pounds. That may seem unreasonable to you. It does to me in a way too, I didn't weigh 164 when I got my driver's permit at 16.
Yet, I need to see what is possible. I want to make a major difference in my health and weight loss efforts. I want to set a good example for my family. I want to get in great shape. I want to lose 20 more pounds. I'm giving myself a deadline of 15 weeks.
The blog:
I will update the blog weekly. I want my friends and family (and strangers, I suppose) to read this blog so that I will have some accountability when it comes to working out and eating right. In other words, this blog will help motivate me and I don't want to let you down. Last year, when I embarked on my forty day journey with vegetarianism, called The Go Veg Project, I made the commitment to blog every day. Whew! An exhausting idea, even though blogging really helped me stick with it. So, instead of burning myself out with daily blogging, the goal for "Losing 20 More..." will be a post or two each week. And that'll be enough. That will mean, at least hopefully, much more entertaining blog entries as well.
You'll stay updated on my weekly weigh-ins, my battles with daily exercise and calorie counting, and maybe you'll even learn something along the way. Keep your fingers crossed.
Will I achieve my goal? Can I do it? Can I weigh-in at 164 by April 14, 2011? Keep reading and find out. I'll keep you posted. This is a blog after all.
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