My change from last week –

Change in weight (3/17/20 –3/23/20):  -1.6 LBS

I feel very upbeat this Monday morning. The sun finally has returned for a couple days, it is nice out, and I am losing weight again. Not only did I lose 1.6 lbs this past week, but I hit a benchmark that was starting to feel unattainable. I have now lost 30 lbs since December 1! The weight loss feels great and hitting 30 pounds down feels extra great after a couple weeks of leapfrogging. I do not feel like I am succeeding every day, but the commitment and the discipline to the little things is seeing me through.

Where to start? Well I am sore. I did a good bodyweight workout this week that torched my legs and my daughter did her best to make it harder by hanging out between my legs or climbing on my back during planks. I also had a couple rides that smoked me. I looked silly hobbling around yesterday but it was a hobble of success. I did one 20 minute HIIT ride that I did not expect to whoop me quite the way it did. My heart rate jumped and I could have collapsed on the floor if I was feeling more dramatic (Thanks Jess King). The rain made it hard to get out and walk, but I did my best. I definitely threw my rain coat on a couple times and went because I needed it. For me, the frustration that work sometimes gives me can be all the motivation I need to move.

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I think part of my success with this weight loss has also been what is making it long and drawn out. I am allowing myself the periodic cravings and indulgences that spring up periodically. This week we had thai take-out and another takeout a different night. I have also had some Easter candy. But again, I am trying to consume it with the understanding of where it fits in a calorie budget. I also am finding that I like the slow nature of this weight loss. It decreases the pressure of weekly weigh-ins and it makes this feel like a more long-term and sustainable reality.

This week I am hoping to get a little cleaner with our food. I have been a little fat heavy and a little low on protein lately. We are making a healthy tuscan shrimp dish for Monday and Tuesday night, and then some sheet pan chicken and veggie dinners for the rest of the week. I find these to be easy, clean, and healthy. I also found this delicious looking sweet potato and arugula salad (and other fixins) for some lunches. For health and budget reasons, my wife and I are shooting to not have any takeout until next weekend, when we will try to support a local restaurant during this difficult time.

I have been starting to get more inspiration from individuals around me and on the internet. A lot of people have been making great points about our goals, especially during this current reality. I am not just trying to focus on my weight. I am soaking in the time with my daughter. I am focussing on taking care of my emotional side and also trying to temper my expectations with what is going on. I have also been getting back into my hobbies. I love working with wood and am currently building a desk. This all works together to help me feel like I am growing and advancing in the right direction. Weight loss plays into this, but it is not all of it. Have any of you gotten back in touch with a part of you that was lost in the rat race of adulthood?

With all that said, I am forging ahead. My next major goal is 50 pounds lost. I hope I can reach that this summer. I have come to the conclusion that I will publish my weight and progress at my 6-month mark from starting this. I am at four months now. I am still shy about the reality of my weight. I even struggled to talk to my wife about it the other day. Talking through my journey here has helped dramatically, but I am not there yet. When I get to 6 months, if I continue on my trajectory, I could be down 45 pounds. Fingers crossed. Stay tuned for more and see below for my weekly goals and how I did on last week’s!

How did I do on last weeks action plan?:

1. 5 workouts. 2 HIIT Rides, 1 full body strength, 1 low impact ride, and 1 other of my choice. Attained. I did 4 rides, including the above mentioned and a full body strength class
2. Plan out my meals and stick to them, and portion snacks. Attained
3. 2 additional outdoor activities. This can include walks with my daughter, disc golfing, skiing, etc. Attained.
4. 3 dedicated stretch sessions. 2 10-min lower body and 1 10 min full body. Not Attained. I only did one lower body stretch session
5. Track every bite. Attained
6. Drink 10 glasses of water per day. Attained

Action Plan

1. 5 workouts. 1 60 min ride (will be my first) 1 HIIT Ride, 1 full body strength, 1 low impact ride, and 1 other of my choice
2. Plan out my meals, stick to them, and portion snacks
3. 2 additional outdoor activities. This can include walks with my daughter, disc golfing, skiing, etc
4. 3 dedicated stretch sessions. 2 10-min lower body and 1 10 min full body
5. 20-30 minute midday walk on work days
6. Track every bite
7. Drink 10 glasses of water per day

Please stay tuned for more updates. If you have been enjoying this, please become an email follower or a wordpress follower. Having this public audience has been a positive motivation for me to continue working towards my goals and so I really am thankful for all of you!

Date	Change in Weight
12/1*	–
12/2*	-5.4 lbs
12/9	-5.4 lbs
12/16	-3.4 lbs
12/23	+2.8 lbs
12/29	-1.2 lbs
1/6	-1.4 lbs
1/13	-1.6 lbs
1/20	-1.4 lbs
1/27	+0.4 lbs
2/3	-1.2 lbs
2/10	-4.6 lbs
2/17	+0.4 lbs
2/24	-1.6 lbs
3/2	-3.2 lbs
3/9	+1.8 lbs
3/16	-3.2 lbs
3/23	-0.6 lbs
3/30	+0.4 lbs
4/6	-1.6 lbs

-Ben