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!
Monday, January 10, 2011
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?
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