change in weight (4/13/21 – 4/19/21): –1.6 LBS

I went for a run this morning. I have slowly been getting into running with the goal of doing a 5k by the end of the month. I ran a 10:30ish mile and I was so stoked about this. I was stoked because this was not as fast as I could run, it is also day 5 in a row with some heavy cardio and my body is tired. This morning was good and it is one of many scale and non scale victories that have been happening lately.

I crossed the 60 pounds lost mark with my weigh-in this morning. I feel there is a snowball effect happening. As I get in a groove again with my weight loss, I am getting better at running, my rides feel better, I am more inspired when lifting weights. Also, I am generally happier. I sometimes feel bad for my coworkers because I am shamelessly glowing about how my successes have been rolling in lately. Then I stop, don’t feel bad, and keep smiling because I deserve to be happy.

I would never want to give the impression that things are perfect, because this is a growth journey and a key part of growth is discomfort, and facing those things that need growth. I have been really frustrated about push-ups and lunges. I feel I have gotten worse at them. The sad truth is I know exactly what I need to do to improve… do them more. 😦

What is becoming more evident, especially after struggling from October-Feb and not really seeing any changes, is that despite the trouble, we need focus on what we are doing right. There is an important balance between focussing on what we are struggling with, so we can improve and focussing on what we are doing right, to give us the motivation to keep going.

**I want to shamelessly plug an amazing cause that my wife is participating in. My wife and some of her coworkers will doing a 5k walk for MS. We are lucky to have the health and ability we have to walk and pursue our goals. MS is unpredictable and can often be a disabling disease. I encourage you to support her as she supports this cause in this simple way she is able to. Click here to go to her fundraising page.**

I have been doing well with my April goals. I have been much better about drinking water. I still think I am falling short of a gallon, but I am averaging at least 80 ounces a day, which is much better than I was doing. As I mentioned above, I am getting my runs in to work back up to a 5k, and I wanted to drop into the 270s by May. On April 19th I sit at 282.6 lbs. The 270s are look real possible! This week will involve some more stretching, a dedicated rest day on Tuesday, and hopefully a 2 mile continuous run.

How is your April going? Are you balancing your successes and your areas for growth?

April Goals:

I have a couple goals for April. I want to run a 5k again. The weather is nicer and I want to get that 10k done later this year. First step is to get those running legs back under me. The next goals is to drink a gallon of water every day. I have been horrible about water intake (unless we cheat and count coffee as water). Enough said on this one. Lastly, I would like to drop below 280 by the end of the month. 60 pounds lost is right beyond my fingers and the 270s are a mere few pounds more. I can do it.

Leave a like or a comment. Don’t forget about following my instagram @a_better_ben

Action Plan:

Every day goals:
1.1 gallon 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	Power zone	Stretch	Ride	Stretch and recovery
Meal Plan	Meal Plan	Meal Plan	Meal Plan	Meal Plan	Modest takeout	Meal Plan

Meal plan denotes sticking to pre planned meals we shopped for.

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
2/22	-0.4 lbs
3/1	-1.0 lbs
3/8	-0.6 lbs
3/15	-2.2 lbs
3/22	-1.2 lbs
3/29	0 lbs
4/5	-0.8 lbs
4/12	-2.2 lbs
4/19	-1.6 lbs