Just checking in

OK so its midway through Week 2 of the new training regime. Eating clean except for planned cheat day (Saturday) and keeping the carbs down and fibre and protein up the best I can. I have never been the best clean eater, that much is for certain. Oh actually the LighterLife experience kept it VERY clean, but that was an exception.

So chicken, fish, and fruit are the main substance right now, along with some cereal to get the fibre up too. That hasn't been too hard at all. But as the supplies run low, I have to run the gauntlet of the supermarket once more, and avoid the bread, chocolate, cakes, sweets, ready meals and so on, just to get to the 'fun' stuff.

I can't moan too much about the basics, after all, protein rich chicken and fish are my favourites anyway, so its all good. Next week I will make the intake a little cleaner still and focus on getting my fluids up more.

Training wise, at the moment I am doing a 6 day a week, twice a day program I made for myself. A little egotistical, and probably a little amateurish, but the main thing is its targeting my key areas of concern including core / trunk, and fits my day to day routine. Floor and frame exercises in the morning, and weights in the evening. So far I'm loving it and feel fantabulous for it.

Looks wise, and numbers wise, well both a bit ugly at the moment. Weight around 250, aiming to get back to my happy zone around 220. Got weigh in on Friday so lets see. No major changes clothing fit wise, but then its very early days, but at the same time, I feel like I am sitting tall and walking proud, so that's nice. All the while my core is super tight, which also feels nice.

I look back of days gone by and think of the amount of energy I have expelled training, and compared it to now. Current day is far less, but far more controlled too, and it doesn't feel too bad either. I'm not aiming to be the next big bodybuilder or anything, just return to good health and look a little better at the same time. Now, its about pacing myself, making gradual changes in all areas of life, with the end goal being good health, and a revived ego.

So that's me, mid way through week 2.... Watch this space.

Here we go again

Yes I know you have heard it all before, repeatedly, but THIS TIME.........
OK with my achillies tendons playing up the way they have over the past year, I am far from about to jump back in feet first, let alone head first.

However, health has started to become a concern again, starting to be out off puff too quickly isn't a nice feeling as im sure some know.
Then there is hobbies etc. Recently I have fallen in love with scuba diving, and I REALLY want to get a lot better and do lots more adventurous things. Now im not saying im physically incapable right now, but I would like to be more mobile, so thats a big incentive for me.

So right now im at the end of the first week of a new made up routine. Healthier eating,regular exercise, and no quitting.
1 meal a day (balanced) fruit and cereal throughout the day. Plenty of fluids of course.
Morning workout is a basic 3 move, 3 sets, increasing reps of simple movements like pushups, dips, situps etc Evening is weights, again keeping it to 3+3 right now, with the plan to increase steadily.

There you go, yet another chapter of trying to get and STAY healthy begins.  My starting weight as of today (first week never counts) is 250lbs. Not horrific, but room for improvement.
My training buddies are my Maximuscle home multi gym, my Gymano home dip, and chin up station, and my tech is a Jawbone UP for recording movements, and Google Fit as its back up.  Now to find an online gym diary....

Aaaaand again...

So, after a bout of illness, followed by Gout for a few weeks, im finally back in the saddle. Week 1 restarted, so I am months behind my training buddy Amit now! Grrr.
None the less, the recent increase in activity, now walking the dogs 9 miles a day, has really helped, and I have so far sailed through the first few routines on P90X3 Week 1. Last time around was a very different story.

Next week I am hoping to get started on Les Mills too, in the mornings that is. Not long til we go to Florida now, so I want to be back in the best shape I physically can be. Also want to get back using the home gym in the evenings, to really maximise the attack on the body.

I have recently started using a Jawbone UP which I adore already. Love being able to monitor my activity, sleep and see what my lazy times of day are. As well as keep an eye on my intake, and see just how much distance I cover each week. The past 7 days, with one day of slack activity, I covered 51 miles.

So thats all from me for now, don't want to get ahead of myself here, so slowly does it on the excitement on the blogs for now.

Another week, another number

‎This week's mid week number is 254.6. Slow progress over the past week being at home, lots of DIY, but very little walking the dogs due to rain and poorly Tuvaaq. Poor excuse I know, but the above number still brings the total loss to over 11lbs now. Not huge and fast, but still way ahead of what some of the diet plans offer.

The weekends have seen sin foods, and the weekdays always comprise of a proper hot meal in the evenings, chicken, stew, noodles, and a bowl of cereal later if hunger strikes. I need to try and cut that out.

Either way, reduced activity, but still a loss, so I'm happy all round :)

Regards

Michael

Sent from my BlackBerry Q10

Week 2 update

Mad rush to the start of the week with Tuvaaq's vet visit, so time for a quick catch up.

Last weigh in was 256lbs, which is down 9lbs on the start, so fair progress there. I am still eating well, with stew, chicken, and a cheeky little stir fry I made tonight (see pic).

Weight is dropping most days, but even on days where little change is seen, I'm still feeling much better already.

Breathing easier when walking the dogs up hills (Tuvaaq now out walking again) and not winding myself putting my shoes on.

The 30 day challenges are coming along too. With pushups up to 65 now, planking onto a minute and squats now up to an arse breaking 105. These totals are set by the challenge, and not just what I'm achieving. However that said, for a 250lbs man in his 40's and out of shape, I'm chuffed I'm doing 105 squats non stop! And am also really smashing out the push ups too!

So that's me for now. Will update again with an end of week total.

Phase 3 starting soon.

Just need to get my P90X-3 now... Grrr!

Week 2 begins on a low...

Thankfully the low is my weight, finishing the first week, and starting the second on 258.2 So a nice steady loss without suffering too much.

The three 30 day challenges are still on track, and really starting to pick up pace, with squats up to 80-100, push-up around 60 and plank on a minute. I'm sure the whole added exercise and minimised intake is having a real effect rather than a false indication. But this week will be the tell tale sign if it is a constant or a first week flurry.

The decision to keep eating food, but sensible food and sensible portions was one that wasn't easy to make. During the day I am remaining on replacements, but a good hot meal makes such a difference. The beef and veg stew I have made really hits the spot (no spuds!)

Sub 250 isn't a realistic goal for this week, but I want to be at the low end of 250 for sure, let's call the goal for this week sub 253. If I get close I will be happy :)

Towards the end of last week activity dropped a bit with the dogs being groomed and the weather turning, walks were reduced. Reason being is that Tuvaaq has surgery today, so I wanted to keep him as clean as possible. From today, again walks will be reduced as I won't be taking the sore little boy out for a few days, so it's just Aana getting walked. 

I'm also off work til Wed, so maybe I can make up for it with a bit more activity.

So there you have it, Week 2 starts on 258.2 :)

5 days in...

And the numbers are looking nice. First mental barrier overcome. Sub 260 now, to onwards and downwards to sub 250 in the next 2 weeks I hope.

Intake is far higher than total abstinence, so no ketosis here, but liking the numbers for now. As things slow down, I can drop the intake a little and keep things moving.

So Day 6 begins on a high.