Dad-Bod: Progress and the Lifestyle Change
I’ve been avoiding posting a progress picture for a while as I don’t think that I’ve really made that much. I’ve taken 3 pictures, trying to be as close as possible to the original images I took in September last year.
Yay leg dimples
Lost a bit of belly fat
Not sure if the love handles have changed but my arms feel bigger
So after looking at the images side by side I can see a little bit of progress, I’ve got dimples above my knees now, I’ve lost a little belly fat (a lot of leg fat) and my shoulders look like they’re finally starting to get a bit more defined. With that in mind, I’ll add that I’m still fluctuating between 88-90kg so I’ll continue disregarding the scales as they’re opinion means very little to me.
Apologies I’ve become a little obsessed with Rick and Morty in the last few weeks
Actually feels a good to have those progress pics up and side by side, I couldn’t really see any progress myself as I’ve probably been a little too focussed on my chest, which is the area I really want to change. Not the most fantastic progress for 5 months but it’s a marathon not a sprint, I’ll get there.
The biggest struggle, other than finding a workout routine, has been my diet. I like sweets, anyone who has lived with me or played online with me will probably know that I don’t mind chomping down on a big bar of Cadbury’s Whole Nut or some Fruit Gums, both accompanied by a Müller Corner (not the fruity ones). I drink a lot less beer than I used to, but that still makes an appearance at least once a week, more if it’s been a crappy week. But I think I’ve generally got my lunches and dinner down, except when I forget to make them or just order a pizza.
For me, diet has been/continues to be the hardest part of a lifestyle change, or whatever you want to call it, remembering to actually prep your lunches for the next day(s), making a healthy brekkie instead of a bowl of cereal and actually being bothered to cook dinner after you’ve got in from work, ran around after the monkey you have for a housemate and skyped your wife (amend these details as appropriate) just every now and again feels like a chore. It’s so much easier to just not, and sit down and order something. Although then you feel like a pig after ordering a pizza with chicken wings.
Luckily for me I have a brilliantly supportive wife who will just tell me to sack up and cook my dinner. Most of my dinners take about 20mins to prep and cook anyway so really I have no excuse.
I feel like most of my progress over the last few months has come since I’ve been able to actually find a workout plan that I can stick to. Only thing I can recommend is find something you enjoy and just stick to it. It doesn’t always have to just be the gym, find something that you can do for fun and stick with that. I would like to note that I do enjoy the gym, but I can’t stand being there longer than 45mins.
I wanna get in, get it done and get back out again. This is why I think I’m getting on so well with 5x5 Stronglifts – if anyone does decide to do this, definitely get the app. Nice and easy to keep track then.
Stronglifts has got me on the big boy weights now - just not many of them yet
I’m still pushing towards my goal of pecs by Tough Mudder (August 19th) – from my current progress I’m not sure how close I’ll get but we’ll just have to wait and see I suppose. If they suddenly sprout overnight I’ll keep you posted, but don’t hold your breath.
Love you little monkey housemate