For a solid month, I’ve been living a healthy lifestyle. Here’s what I have (and have not) been doing -
What I Have Been Eating -
Lean Meats (Beef, Chicken, Turkey), Strawberries, Green Apples, Lemons, Limes, Almonds, Walnuts, Pecans, Cashews, Eggs, Salt, Pepper, Water, Cucumbers, Lettuce, and Olive Oil.
What I Have Not Been Eating -
If it’s not on the list above, then I haven’t been eating it - No sugars. No starches. No sodas. No candy.
Exercise -
I have worked out 4 or 5 times per week, every week, since September 29, 2008. Even when I’m tired or busy, I still go to the gym or the track or the treadmill.
I’ve fallen in love with interval training and my new workout plan. Having a written plan really helps me to stay focused.
Vitamins -
I have added certain anti-fungal vitamins to my diet. I’m also taking a multi-vitamin and a pro-biotic.
Resources That Have Helped And Inspired -
Git Fit Pod - A wonderful podcast that really motivates me when I’m in the gym.
Know The Cause - Information about fungus and how it affects our diet.
How Much Weight I Have Lost -
As of Monday, October 27, 2008, I had lost 10.4 Pounds!
How I Feel Now -
I feel great. My mind is clear. I’m sleeping through the night. I wake up, ready to eat, but never starving. I look forward to going to the gym. My clothes are a little loser, my face is a little slimmer, and I have a bit more confidence. I rock!
Instead of going to the gym today, I hit the outdoor track for some interval training. Here’s the breakdown of today’s routine -
Total Distance - 2 Miles
Total Time - 25 Minutes 30 Seconds
Intervals - Alternated Running 1/8 Mile And Walking 1/8 Mile
Heart Rate - Walking 120 - 135 Running 145 - 165
I really pushed myself during the running intervals. When walking, I focused on taking in lots of oxygen and preparing myself for the next running interval. I could have spent more time running and less time walking, by my goal wasn’t to post my best time. My goal was to focus on my heart rate, pushing it during the running intervals.
Now that the training session is over, I feel great. I’ll be honest, after the first mile, I considered just walking the second mile, but I really wanted to see how hard I could push myself. The old me would have given in - The new me refuses.
Here’s the workout that I use for my back and biceps -
Could it be that I’m becoming a gym rat? Since September 29, I’ve been sticking, religiously, to my work out schedule. I feel better than I have in YEARS.
By the way - I snuck a quick peek at the scale today - and I was happy to see what I saw. Alas, next “official” weigh in isn’t until next Monday.
Here’s the workout routine that I use for my legs -
I have to be very careful when I work legs. In the past, I’ve done too much, too fast, and hurt myself. In fact, I have a good friend who is in great shape, and he never works legs, because he is so afraid of injury. So, I make sure to warm and stretch my muscles, before I focus on hitting the weights. (Click here to see my weekly workout plan.)
I got to tell you, I’m really digging going to the gym. It’s adictive. Even when I’m exhausted - I feel great. Seriously, it’s amazing. I’m not “that guy”. Who knew?
As part of my Health Optimization Plan (H.O.P.) - I only weigh myself (officially) once a week.
Here is a summary of my progress to date:
Starting Weight (September 29, 2008)
252.2 Pounds
For the rest of my life, two calendar dates will stand out: April 5, 2005 and September 29, 2008. On April 5, 2005, I started my debt reduction site, No Credit Needed - and in less than a year, I was debt free. On September 29, 2008, I finally felt the “switch flip”, and for the first time in my life, I’m putting all of my effort towards losing weight. It’s hard to describe, but I feel exactly like I did back in 2005 - only this time, I’m focused on weight reduction instead of debt reduction. I’ve never felt (truly) confident about losing weight - until now. So, even though No. Cals has been around a long time, for me, September 29, 2008 will be my true starting date.
Current Weight (October 27, 2008)
241.8 Pounds
I am down 10.4 Pounds. I have been working out (a minimum of) 4 times a week. Just this past week, I started doing interval training - and I feel great.
Goal Weight (September 29, 2009)
162.2 Pounds
My ultimate goal is to lose 90 pounds. 162.2 pounds seems like a long way away, and I might find that my body feels better in the 170 to 180 range. But 162.2 is my goal, and that’s where I’m headed. I’m already 11.5% of the way there!
Current Weight Loss Chart (Click to read about my Fitday chart.)
Current Weight Loss Pace (October 27, 2008)
.3714 Pounds Per Day
I am losing .3714 Pounds Per Day. At that pace, I should reach my goal weight of 162.2 Pounds in 214 more days - May 29, 2009 - which puts me ahead of schedule. Of course, these first pounds will be much easier to lose than those last few, and my pounds per day will decrease, over time, but it feels good to have a head start!
