Frustration Building

Although it’s only been a couple of days, this has already been a tough week. I learned a while back that I was losing a long-term client to the tough economy (the financial newsletter I’ve compiled since 2007 will be no longer as of the end of this month). Well, as of this week, I haven’t had a single response to the dozens of resumes and cover letters I’ve sent out.

It’s frustrating because, when the newspaper I once worked for also folded — do you think there might be a trend here? — I had all sorts of responses. In fact, I had a job with the ill-fated financial newsletter before the ink had dried on my final newspaper column. 

Add to that continuing impatience with my fat loss in general and the “sleep number zero” consistency of my stomach and you have an idea why it’s been a bad week. Yeah, I see potential — there’s muscle under the flab — but I just wish I could speed up the weight loss/fitness process. As it is, I’m now spending 2-3 hours at the gym every day.

I understand that one can’t really target fat loss, but I wish I could just get blasted in the midsection by a laser... preferably one mounted on the head of a shark.

I'm Not Crazy, Just Obsessive Compulsive

Ronnie Coleman

Sometimes — well, a lot of times, really — I wish I wasn’t so impatient. Maybe it’s borne out of my career disappointments, maybe it’s just age (although I thought people got more patient as they got older), but when I want something, I want it yesterday.

So it’s little surprise that this Challenge has been testing what little patience I do have. Even though it’s unrealistic — and I know it’s unrealistic — I can’t help but want to see my weight and body fat going down every single day. Even though I’m on track and I can see the positive changes, I want my waist smaller — today! I want ripped abs — today!

When I’m not neurotically obsessing about these things, I feel good. Luckily, I haven’t lost much muscle mass as I’ve tried to trim down and I continue to tinker with my diet to find that perfect balance of nutrition and exercise.

Today (Sunday, Jan. 27), I’m going to meet with a trainer friend of mine and we’re going to do some bicep exercises. As 8-time Mr. Universe Ronnie Coleman used to say: “Gotta get bigger, baby!” 

Of course, Coleman was full of #$%! It’s true in my case.

Past the Plateau

Well, I’m finally starting to make significant progress with my weight. After losing just three pounds from Jan. 12 to Jan. 21, I’ve lost about four pounds in the past three days. My calorie intake has been a little bit lighter — closer to 2,000 calories/day compared to the 2,100-2,300 before — but I think some of the loss can be attributed to fewer carbs and especially fewer carbs at night.

Today, however, my total calorie intake was 2,036… and I had an apple and banana at 7:30 p.m., so it’ll be interesting to see what effect that will have.

Patience, Patience, Patience

I have to admit: For the first couple of weeks, I was a little disappointed that all my hard work in the gym wasn’t showing more. Specifically, I was annoyed that my 30-40 minutes on the treadmill each day had resulted in about a 3-pound weight loss and virtually no reduction in my waist size.

Yeah, I thought my arms looked a little more defined and I definitely added some muscle to my legs over the course of those 14 days, but, frankly, I wasn’t looking to add muscle. I was — and am — trying to lose fat, while retaining as much muscle as possible.

However, I kept telling myself that exercise and healthy eating doesn’t occur in a vacuum — they simply must have an effect… somehow, somewhere.

Well, now, three weeks in, I’m starting to see that effect. I thought I looked much better today, even though my weight is hovering between 202 and 203 pounds (my goal is 190-195 lbs.).

It just goes to show that, as I tell my wife (who, like a lot of people, is ruled by the scale), exercising and eating right works. One just has to be patient.

And have faith that all the hard work will eventually pay off.

Seeing Improvement

Fantastic day in the gym today, continuing a trend of great workouts. Heck, even my 40 minutes on the treadmill was bearable today.

Even better, since I started tracking my diet, I’ve lost four pounds and I’m finally starting to show some improvement in terms of fat reduction. Consequently, I look slightly more muscular, which I knew would be the case once the fat started leaving my body.

I still have a long way to go, though. My waist is hanging — not literally, but close — at 39 inches (down just slightly from 40).

Nonetheless, I feel great about my dedication to the process. I may not win this Challenge, but I will win.