https://foxtrot.michaeljfox.org/fox-trot-virtual/Benjamincrosby
Change in weight (9/22/20 – 9/29/20): -1.8 LBS
So I went to Nantucket for the first time this weekend. My wife and I went away, without our daughter, for the first time since she was born (2 years in a week). This, my friends, felt weird. But, it was really nice. It was nice to get away and to have some time to decompress. We got in Friday afternoon, had dinner, and were asleep before 9pm. That was amazing. I even got my cliche Brant Point Lighthouse photo. :-). There was walking, biking, and enjoying some delicious food and drink.
Sometimes you don’t realize the magnitude of things until you let them go for a time. I realized how much stress, anxiety, and fatigue had built up over months and months. I have been doing pretty well, but when I left mainland, left my laptop, and we checked in, my body told me it was time to stop. And we went to bed. I didn’t even wake up in the middle of the night (I haven’t slept through the night in years) and woke up at 6:30 ready for a walk.
This week was a good week. Last week I talked about struggling and this week felt like a good turn around. I had an awesome run on Friday, preparing me for my 5k I will run this coming Friday to support the Michael J Fox Foundation and Parkinson’s Disease research. I also had some really good Peloton workouts that helped me dig deep and find some more of my own inner strength.
There is one coach named Christine who I find to coach riders slightly differently. She doesn’t yell or always put on the music with the hardest beats. She is an accomplished champion biker who knows what to say so I push myself. I find her climb rides to be almost contemplative, making me think about how I will overcome my roadblocks, as opposed to somebody talking me and convincing me I can do it. Both methods are great, but man do I feel powerful when I know I was the one who made myself conquer my goals.
This week found me back to basics. I was taking more time to take care of my mental and physical, leading to a good 1.8 pounds lost, despite a weekend away with some splurging. I was a bit more disciplined with tracking, a bit better with water intake, and just trying to not forget that I deserve to take care of myself.
This weekend we did a bike ride to the brewery/vinyard on the island. It was not a very long ride, but it was pretty. I found myself almost giggling with joy on it as I just realized how therapeutic this excursion was for me. It was healthy exercise, the outdoors, and fun all rolled together. It was medicine.
I am hoping to carry this through this week. Our daughter turns 2 on Monday. I want to let the joy of life and family push me as I continue to take care of myself. I am happier, healthier, and more grateful every day for what I have. I am within striking distance to 50 lbs lost and feel more in control of my life than ever.
I am going to remind you that self care is more than just exercise and eating right. Self care can also be going to bed at 8:30. It can be a bike ride to go drink some beer. It can be as simple as sitting down and reading a book. Hell, maybe you could fake a migraine so your spouse takes the kids for two hours while you bundle up on the couch (this depends on how acceptable this white lie is… 😜). My point is, the world continues on. It does not need you to keep it turning, but it also will not give you the time unless you take it.
Leave a like or a comment. Do you need some time to decompress? What helps you calm down?
How did I do on last weeks action plan?:
- 5 Cardio workouts. 1 45 min ride, 1 HIIT Ride, 1 Low Impact ride, 1 run. Attained
- 2 Strength Sessions (Tues/Sat) Not attained
- Plan out my meals, stick to them, and portion snacks. Attained.
- 2 additional outdoor activities. This can include walks with my daughter, disc golfing, skiing, etc. Attained
- 3 dedicated stretch sessions. 2 10-min lower body and 1 10 min full body (Mon/Wed/Fri). Not Attained
- 20-30 minute midday walk on work days. Attained
- Track every bite. Attained
- Drink 10 glasses of water per day. Attained
- Find some quiet time to calm my thoughts and mind. 2 5-10 minute sessions. Attained
Action Plan
- 5 Cardio workouts. 1 45 min ride, 1 HIIT Ride, 1 Low Impact ride, 1 misc ride, 1 run.
- 2 Strength Sessions (Tues/Sat)
- Plan out my meals, stick to them, and portion snacks
- 2 additional outdoor activities. This can include walks with my daughter, disc golfing, skiing, etc
- 3 dedicated stretch sessions. 2 10-min lower body and 1 10 min full body (Mon/Wed/Fri)
- 20-30 minute midday walk on work days
- Track every bite
- Drink 10 glasses of water per day
- Find some quiet time to calm my thoughts and mind. 2 5-10 minute sessions
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 |
| 4/13 | +0.8 lbs |
| 4/20 | -1.8 lbs |
| 4/27 | 0 lbs |
| 5/4 | +2.4 lbs |
| 5/11 | -5.2 lbs |
| 5/18 | 0 lbs |
| 5/25 | -1.0 lbs |
| 6/1 | -1.2 lbs |
| 6/8 | -0.4 lbs |
| 6/15 | -0.8 lbs |
| 6/22 | +0.8 lbs |
| 6/29 | -1.4 lbs |
| 7/6 | -2.4 lbs |
| 7/13 | +2.4 lbs |
| 7/20 | -1.6 lbs |
| 7/27 | -0.4 lbs |
| 8/3 | -1.2 lbs |
| 8/10 | +0.4 lbs |
| 8/17 | -1.4 lbs |
| 8/24 | -1.4 lbs |
| 8/31 | -0.2 lbs |
| 9/7 | -0.6 lbs |
| 9/14 | -1.4 lbs |
| 9/21 | +0.2 lbs |
| 9/28 | -1.8 lbs |
* I first weighed myself on a Sunday night and began the regular weigh-ins the following morning
-Ben
a better ben 