It's been over 2 months since I posted here. I can't believe it. Over the past 60+ days I've learned so much about myself and look forward to sharing it all with you.
First off, though I haven't lost a whole lot of weight over my time away from @Tumblr, my body composition has changed. That's mostly because I was focusing on strength training trying to build lean muscle, while burning fat, but the scale didn't really show much movement. During this time I realized that I enjoy lifting weights much more than I do running. However, I felt like I was missing out on something when I stopped running.
The second thing I learned is that even though those of us trying to lose weight develop healthier eating and lifestyle habits, if I don't track my food consumption, I don't lose weight. I didn't gain a single pound, but I was not nearly as successful with my diet as I was when I tracked my food.
And the third thing I realized over the past 60+ days, is that I really want to lose weight more than build muscle right now. I know many people would say this is ridiculous and I mostly agree. But I want to see the dial on the scale change. That gives me motivation. I intend to build muscle, but for now I have two newly defined goals: to lose a total of 80 lbs and to fit a size 34 pant. I hope to accomplish these goals by January 15, 2014, which would be the one year anniversary of my new lifestyle.
As of today, 7.5 months into my transformation, I have lost 68 lbs and fit a size 36 pant. I still only own size 38, but I've tried on 36 and they fit perfectly. My original goal was to lose 100 lbs between January 15, 2013-January 15, 2014. Goals need to be reevaluated and changed as required. This I believe.
I also believe in setting realistic goals for yourself. I know these goals work for me and push me to try harder, live smarter, and take pride in what I'm doing. You can call the goals arbitrary, but to me they symbolize a new person. A very different person than the one that started this reclamation project this past January.
To achieve my goals, I have begun running again. I am going to run 4-5 times per week and do some strength training on my days off. I believe running has helped me lose the most visceral fat and drop the most weight.
None of this would have been possible if I didn't have an incredible partner during all of this. My wife has been right beside me the entire time, reinventing herself too. She has lost 27 lbs since January and is as fit and happy as ever. After having two kids in 2.5 years, she is now more fit than when we met 7 years ago. She's also running for the first time in her life. We're also strength training together on Saturdays. I'm getting her to do her first ever squats this week! She was a competitive figure skater for over 15 years, but she never trained like an athlete. Until now.
Earlier in August we even ran our first 5K together. Appropriately, she beat me by about 10 seconds. We plan on running at least one 5K each month through the end of the year.
jacobvanloon
blakekathryn
theartofmadeline
