change in weight (2/9/21 – 2/15/21):  -1.2 LBS

Well, I set out to have this past week remind me that I can have my little victories. I needed to prove to myself that I can achieve my goals by focussing on the little things and my plan. The weight loss isn’t huge, but it is in the right direction and it feels good! The best part about it is I know it was mainly driven by my consumption and dedication to tracking. As I mentioned, we just brought home a baby boy and at three weeks old, he takes a lot of time, attention, and does not afford a lot of rest. Because of this, I only accomplished 3 dedicated rides (when I usually do 4-6 per week) and a couple walks that were anything but vigorous. That is a partial lie. I did get one walk in the woods done with an old friend that got the heart moving. But it did not feel like a week of movement because there was not a lot and I am just straight tired.

So more on fatigue. I knew that things would be different coming home with a newborn to a house already ruled by a toddler overlord. I anticipated the time constraints, I anticipated the decisions to forgo workouts to accomplish other things, but I did not plan for the energy level my body has. I was naive to think that when I was actually able to hop on the bike or get out for a walk, my body would do what I usually do. This reality hit my hard early in the week. I did a 45 minute ride on the bike and felt good. The next day I was spent… totally spent. This is why I only did three rides. I simply didn’t have the energy. When I did manage to get a workout in, the workout was harder, more grueling, and notches below my normal capability. It really took me until yesterday to realize that it is okay and kudos to me for getting in what I can, when I can.

We always talk about the need to grant ourselves a little grace in life when we need it. Now is that time for me. I can focus on aspects of my health journey and also take care of my body and energy level. The midnight bottles make me want to devour chocolate, but I do have the resolve and capability to maintain moderation with all of those things. I am adjusting my workout plans and expectations to afford me more flexibility. I am trying to get the more intense workouts done when my toddler is at daycare, and leave the other days to focus more on family and rest.

I will be writing a post on achieving health goals with kids in the house. I think it is important for moms AND dads to remember and account for the variables going on with kids, schedules, and fatigue. I also plan on maintaining a very close eye on my food tracking again. This worked last week and I want to carry on the success for consecutive weeks.

Keep crushing it y’all!

Leave a like or a comment. Do you rest? Do you forgive yourself when you need to rest? Don’t forget about following my instagram @a_better_ben

Action Plan:

Every day goals:
1.Drink 10 cups of water
2.Track every bite
3.20 Body weight squats

Daily goals

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Walk	Walk	Walk	Walk	No Walk	Walk	Walk
Low impact Ride	Upper body Strength and stretch	Power zone, Wk3 Day 3	Power zone, Wk3 Day 4	Stretch	Stretch	Stretch and recovery
Meal Plan	Meal plan	Meal Plan	Meal Plan	Meal Plan	Modest takeout	Meal Plan

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
10/5	-0.2 lbs
10/12	-1.0 lbs
10/19	-1.0 lbs
10/26	+0.8 lbs
11/2	-1.4 lbs
11/9	+2.0 lbs
11/16	-1.8 lbs
11/23	-0.4 lbs
11/30	+0.2 lbs
12/7	-0.2 lbs
12/14	-1.2 lbs
12/21	+1.8 lbs
12/28	+0.8 lbs
1/4	-1.2 lbs
1/11	-0.4 lbs
1/18	0 lbs
1/25	N/A – no weigh-in
2/1	-0.6 lbs
2/8	+1.6 lbs
2/15	-1.2 lbs

* I first weighed myself on a Sunday night and began the regular weigh-ins the following morning

-Ben