Shocking weekend

Had weekend away for work.

Was going so well. But the weekend was full of bad food and no exercise, pretty much.

Really really bad with the food.

Will take me a week or so to recover.

I think I went too hard on the Friday and I sort of snapped following this. The message for me is not to go too hard, food wise. Just eat good food and avoid crap, while exercising a lot. That's enough. And if it's slow, it's slow.

Day 291: How to smash it out

Well, come Sunday, I think, it will be 10 weeks to the end.

I'm really really keen to smash it out during this time. To grunt and make an effort for this last little bit.

I mean how many times do you finish off your year off the grog?

I know in the past it has been a mistake to go too hard, but this is the last little bit. My old swim coach (yes I used to have one) used to say to me, don't be afraid to push yourself.

To be honest, when it comes to restricting food for weight loss, to reach an outcome, I have been afraid.

I'm very good at eating well, in terms of real food, deftly prepared. But I'm not so good at eating a small amount of it, so I do not lose weight due to having a lot less food. Every single time I have tried that, I have failed. Any success I have had has always been due to not being on the piss, exercising like a champ, and cutting out crap food.

But I would like to end the year with a giant fuck you to any detractors. I think modifying eating habits, by way of making a bit more of an effort, could help. A few more salads. Cutting back on seconds. Being a little hungrier during the day. Waking up hungrier.

Just a thought. Either way I'm determined to knock it out for 10 weeks. I'll be flexible as to how I get there, so long as there is progress.

Day 290: Ups and downs and the future

Funny, been feeling good the last day or so. As though I'm moving. So once again hopped on the scales midweek, to confirm my rapid decrease in size, and to my horror it flicked on the wrong side of 15kg before settling on the right side.

Just.

So, over a kilo in difference from 3 days ago. That's the fluid loss I was mentioning after the big walk.

The main thing is that it settled on the right side of 15 (just). So that means that it's still 1.5kg from a couple of weeks ago so that's excellent.

I do feel as though I'm on a bit of a roll. Food wise definitely trying to avoid obvious crap, especially biscuits from the firm jar and orange juice. I'm hooting along the path in the mornings, as I mentioned.

I also mentioned the 25kg yesterday for the 12 months and that is still my goal. I just know what it is like when you are trying and not going down. I think I'm out of that situation now, especially if I get into the dumbbells (from next week - 3 times per week). If in a couple of weeks I am not moving I will have to get stricter from a food perspective ie eat less you fat bastard. At the moment I'm just trying to keep quality high rather than say only so much.

One thing that makes it hard for me is eating out for work. I'm out again today and that will be twice in a week at a fine dining establishment. I know I just need to make smart choices but it is something that is difficult, even if you do try and make the right choices.

I was also thinking as I walked yesterday about the future, beyond the 12 months, and drinking. I'm bored with not drinking now. Not in the sense I wish I was drinking, but I'm so over drinking I'm bored about thinking about not drinking. For the longest time my health kick has been nothing to do with drinking, really, but rather doing the things that not drinking lets me do in order to improve my health, lose weight, and look like the fit guy.

Interesting that.

So back to my future. This ends in something like 10 weeks. Not fucking long!!! That will fly by. Am I going to get back on the piss then and celebrate. No fucking chance. I'm telling you. No fucking chance. I'm feeling good. I'm moving in the right direction. I've lost 15kg. I want to lose more.

Piss would undo all of that.

So no, no piss in 10 weeks I think. What ever?, one might ask. Well, I don't have to answer that, I've decided. I think you can say you are off the piss, or off the drink, if you are currently not drinking, without having to say that you are never drinking. Probably easier culturally too, at least here in Australia.

"I don't drink" - FUCKWIT!

"I'm off the piss!" - Wow, what's this guy up to?

And I think that would be right. Mentally I don't want to say I won't drink again. I want to drink again. I think it's healthy. Heart disease runs in my family through my mothers side (her father died at 50). Booze in moderation really helps you not die. That sounds good.

So some day. But at the moment, mid-transformation from slob to triathlete, getting back on the piss sounds like a step backwards.

Speaking of triathlons. That is one of my goals. I think I'll have a 2 year plan after this year with a goal of doing a proper triathlon and not look like a slob. Not with a focus on not drinking, which will be boring, a given, but with a focus on being athletic and exuding health. Being the fit guy that walks past, not the beer drinking slob who loves a drink and is everyone's mate.

All very grand, and perhaps I am getting ahead of myself. I mentioned my goal and two year plan to the attractive 26 year old in the office next to me at work. She looked me up and down, and said "Hmm, yeah, 3 years".

3 years is fine.

Day 289 and feeling fine

I feel good today, as though I'm getting thinner. You know that feeling you can get when you are making an effort, and all too often don't get when you are making an effort. You feel as though you are shrinking. It is motivating. It is part of a virtuous circle.

I've started running a little in my walks to and from work. That has just come naturally. I wouldn't logically do it, as running screws you up. But it's brilliant that my body is wanting to break out into a jog. And if I can pull it off, nothing strips weight more than jogging.

I've been thinking about goals and so on. I would love to hit 25kg loss for my 12 months. That's my goal. I think I've got about 10 weeks left haven't I? So I can do it, if I bust a boiler and make some food changes.

If I were able to run even one way each way then I would zoom ahead.

And my dumbbell workout is still up my sleave (ie haven't started it yet).

Week 41: 16.2 kg loss (2.7kg in the week)

That's more like it!!

May be some dehydration from the big walk yesterday.

But I don't care.

Current goal: 20, 20, 20.

Motivating.

Year 286: Cootha

Slammed out a 3.5 hour Mt Cootha walk this morning, up and down the mountain.

Got to keep that baby going.

Think I'm going to join a walking club to discover bushland around town.

Day 282: Blah

More walking. Food not great. Walked 3 hours + today.

Day 280: Week 40 13.5kg (0kg loss)

Well at least I didn't go up.

Funny you can bust your arse and not move. Or so the same thing and it falls off.

Day 277: Back

Crook back yesterday. Spasamed up. Didn't walk yesterday afternoon, and may take today off.

I think my body was just having a bit of a freak out.

Day 276: Woke up well

You know when you wake up a little stiff, a little leaner, with a feeling that if you keep this up you are definitely moving in the right direction because of all the exercise you're doing?

That's how I was this morning. Look out. Of course I immediately hopped on the scales to confirm my dramatic weight loss (that would cause yesterday's insulter to choke on his cereal) and nothing had happened.

A reminder to only worry about the weigh in once a week.

I seem to recall that when are making an effort it can take a few weeks for you to get into an unassailable routine, and for body to relinquish control of its stores and take you on a merry path of weight loss.

I suspect for me that this will start at the end of NEXT week, assuming I keep up my walking to work, and start smashing Cootha out on the weekend.

Guess we'll see.

Day 275: A good day (almost)

Good day exercising, and for food too. Walked each way, so over 3 hours there.

Got insulted by a fucker at work though, who announced I looked like an even "bigger unit" with a beard.

Fucker!

Anyway, I'm feeling as though I'm moving in the right direction with all the movement.

Thanks for the friendly comments.

Look out Monday.

PS - Felt stronger up the hill walking back today. Only one week.

Day 274: Walks

Well fucking good effort from me this morning. I had a breakfast at 7.30 in the city, but didn't let that stop me from walking in. I just had to leave home at 5 (1.5 hours).

Walked after work for another hour and 10.

Day 273: Week 39 13.5kg (.4kg loss)

Well .4 down from last week. Pretty disappointed, but my view is if the number is smaller then that's fine. It all adds up.

This week, exercise every day, including the weekend this time. Work and back where I can. Cootha on the weekend. No crap.

See how I go.

UPDATE: Shocking food for lunch. Had a good dinner, and went for an hour walk after work. Plan on walking in tomorrow morning.

Day 272: Dumbbells

I bought some dumbbells from K-Mart. 60 bucks or something like that. 20kg. Flexible.

I've also ordered a dumbbell book from Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Dumbbell-Training-Strength-Fitness-Brzycki/dp/0976336138/ref=pd_sim_b_1

I'm going to start a routine once I've read the book, which should take a week or so to get here. Hopefully this will build up some upper body mass, which will increase weight loss and make me look a little better.

I walked like a champ until Thursday. I haven't walked since then. Hopefully I will head off today some time. And keep up my to and from work routine next week.

Day 268: Wall

Body hit the wall today. Screamed at me for food, and also complained big time coming home with skin irritation and chafing.

I didn't ignore the food calls, but I did make myself walk home. I think you need to push though this when it comes to mere walking. I'm not convinced you need rest time when you are just walking on the flat.

Interesting how you notice how fat you are when you start exercising seriously, and you also think: how the fuck did this happen? and how fucking long is it going to take to shift this shit?

The trick of course is routine, and not to think to much about it. Just do it, as they say.

Bloke at work has been 10 days off the piss. Shitting himself before a health checkup. Also starving himself, which is stupid. He is Mr Yo Yo when it comes to weight.

Reckons he feels better off the turps.

Compliment

I should also mention I got a compliment, unprompted, from my lunch companion on Monday. He hasn't seen me for a couple of months, which means that even if my weight has not gone down I'm still looking better.

Must be the beard.

Day 268: Good walks

Well, dragged my sorry arse into work and back today, which is over 3 hours of exercise.

Bloody good walk coming home as I am knackered by the time I get to the hill, and then have to walk up the hill. Great for the heart rate.

I really feel that if I keep this bastard up then my weight will only go in the one direction. And reasonably quickly.

Didn't eat brilliantly today as was too rushed this morning to take my lunch in.

Now time to make dinner.........