Weight-Loss Update – Week 2

I didn’t post an update last week because I didn’t really have anything to report. I pretty much stayed about the same weight within half a pound, so I decided to hold off posting anything until there was dramatic movement on the scale. After not expecting much this week either, I was pleasantly surprised when I stepped on the scale this morning and saw a number starting with “31.” Not a ton of weight thus far, but in the two weeks since I started caring again and walking at least five days a week, I have lost around 3.5 pounds. Not a ton, but considering how much I have been slacking when it comes to diet, I was pleasantly surprised.

Starting Weight: 322
Current Weight: 319.4
Total Loss: 2.6 pounds
Goal remaining: 29.4 pounds

I also took some measurements last night as a “base” number even though I am technically two weeks into this. One of my goals along this journey is to be able to pass a standard Army APFT again — something I only did once after AIT in ten years — as well as meet the Army body fat standards. I had a fairly promising Army career derailed by these failures, and while I am not looking to get back in, it would be nice to prove to myself that I could get to the point that I could if I wanted.

Because of this, I have decided to add a bit to my routine, if only because I don’t feel walking alone will get me to where I want to be. I’m hesitant to join a gym, but I do miss being able to swim laps on occasion. Luckily for me, there is a fitness center near my house that has a nice monthly rate that gives access to the pool as well. I’m going to swing by on my way home from work today and check it out and see if it is something that I can justify spending the money on, or if I can wait and just do some extra stuff at home. Either way, I need to find something else I can do for an hour a day and get some extra sweat going on. An added bonus is that I could walk or ride my bike to the fitness center to get even more out of the experience there.

I also started using a web site called MyFitnessPal.com to help track my food intake. Short of doing an actual written food journal, the site calculates approximate calorie content of the food eaten, and it includes many menu items from restaurants and whatnot. It let’s you determine how much weight you want to lose and gives you a target amount of calories to eat and burn each day in order to meet those goals. It doesn’t let you go above 2 pounds a week, but it at least gives a nice baseline to help you reach that. And if I can manage to lose just 2 pounds a week, I will meet my goal of 32 pounds by my 32nd birthday.

I also plan on starting the Couch to 5K program in September after I have been walking for a month in order to prepare to a future 5K. If I can’t find a race, I will at least be prepared should a late fall race pop up on my radar, and if I have to wait until the spring, so be it. One of the activities I used to enjoy was running, and I am sad that I let myself get away from it. Then again, I am upset that I let myself take that month off from working out after graduating from AIT back in October 2001, but that is something that is way to late to undo. Hopefully, by this time next year, I will feel better about myself and stop being on this destructive downward spiral I’ve been on for the last year or so.

Until next time…