Day 90

I know it's been a while since my last update, but still going strong. Only 10 days to go.

So where was I for the last few weeks? Holiday! The mrs and I decides to take 2 weeks before the silly season starts and travel down the east coast of NZs north island... and it was awsome!

We visited a number of cheese salami, olive, wine and strawberry factories. All things I am allowed to indulge in.

I stuck to the no carbs and the running shoes went with. Weight myself this morning and on 91.5kg. Very satisfied with the result concedering all the food and cuppacinos I had during the holiday.

So the goal was to lose 10kg in 100 days. Still got 10 days and 1.5kg to go.

Weight lost to date: 8.5kg




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Day 60

I had a pretty bad week. Got up Monday morning feeling I'm coming down with something and by Wednesday night it was a full blown flu, hence my gym was sit cycling for an hour at very low intensity.

No supprise this morning when the scale just tipped below 94kg. I'm down to 93.8 .

I'm going on leave in 10 days time, so will try and recover from this illness and put in some hard yards to see if I can loose 1.5kg before going on our trip south.

Not that I'm planning to break the rules during my holiday, but I might just eat a bit more no-carb food than normal.

Weight lost to date: 6.2kg
Belt notch adjustments: 3
Next weigh-in: 9 November


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Day 50

Halfway - 50 / 50 however you look at it, it’s supposed to convince you that the 2nd half will be easier. Not sure if that will be the case, ‘cause being quite honest I’m getting lazy going to the gym every day, not to talk about the craving to grab a chocolate (not that I’m a sweet tooth) and “hurt” it.

Reflecting on the last 50 days, a number of visitors (domestic and work), lunches and dinners, parties and and and... a sore knee, good weather, bad weather, nothing has stopped me from sticking to my challenge and nothing will.

Weighed-in this morning and although it’s not a full kg I’m happy with the .75kg I managed to lose. I realise that the weight loss tempo will decrease and will be happy if I can keep losing 500g per weigh-in for the remaining 5 weigh-ins. ... well I’m really hoping that I can break the sub90 barrier, but need to stay realistic.

So, here’s to me for the remainder of the 100 days of fits: Best of luck!

Current weight: 94.2kg
Weight lost to date: 5.8kg
Belt notch adjustments: 2
Next weigh-in 30 October

Day 44

I'll be lying if I say I'm not getting tempted to skip gym lately. The diet is fine, but going to the gym every night is getting hard.

We've had a few splendid evenings lately and all I want to do is go home after work, crack open a beer, fire up the BBQ and watch the birds come home.

But I'm nearly halfway and lost 5kg and not planning to give up now. So keep watching this space.

It's still 6 days to go before the next weigh-in and that will be halfway.




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Day 40

It was all worth it. Saying no to the beers at the pub. No to the lovely morning tea, the desert at Wild fire, just to name a few of the temptations this week 'cause although I thought I'm in for a disappointment I still dropped 1kg.

This is a text book diet. I started my 100 days of fitness on 100kg and been losing 1kg every 10 days. To good to be true? Believe it!

For the last 40 days I avoid running at the gym for fear of injury, however being 5 kg lighter, I'll slowly start introducing running in my sessions over the next few weeks. The idea after all is to get way below 90 so I can get back at running marathons again.

Weight lost to date: 5kg
Belt adjustment to date: 1 notch

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Day 39

It is official. I had to adjust my belt to notch 3.

Tomorrow is weigh-in number 4 and not sure what to expect. Like I said I was battling with a soar knee and had to take it easy at the gym for a few days. On top of that are we having visitors at work so there were a few dinners and lunches. Will have to wait 'till the morning to see what the damage is.

Other than that, I'm now so in the habit of going to the gym daily that every thing is planned around that. We have a work funtion tonight and sad to say I'm now at the gym writing this post... it did not fit my schedule so I didn't go... Yea like I said, pretty sad, but if you want to achieve your goal you got to stick with program.

Next weigh-in : tomorrow
Weight lost to date : 4kg
Number of belt adjustments : 1 notch



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Day 33

I thought I'll take it slow at the gym and give the knee a rest; hence I don't have great expectation for the coming weigh-in. The good news is after 4 days it’s already feel better.

We have a visitor over from Aus (work) and a bunch of us went to the Thirsty Dog, a local pub around the corner, on Thursday night. I was very surprised to find that they serve low carb beer. We’re getting more visitors next week and planning to take them to WildFire, a meat lover’s heaven. (have I already said, I don’t have great expectation...)

I started craving KFC. I hate KFC, it’s so greasy, but picked up a 10 pack last night on the way home. I think it might be more a case of Friday evening laziness and the only take away shop close to home. I’m busy creating the week’s shopping list and off to the shop soon, so no junk food tonight or for Sunday lunch.

Current weight: 96kg
Weigh lost to date: 4kg

Day 30

The good; the bad, but no ugly.

Weighed-in this morning and pretty pleased with this extra kilo I'm down. However the bad is my knee is hurting the last couple of days. I'll just take it easy on the bike for a few days and hope it gets better.

Only 70 days to go and at this rate I'll be under 90 for Xmas.

Current weight: 96kg
Weight lost to date: 4kg
Next weigh-in: 10 October

Day 26

I was woken up yesterday morning by the birds about 5.30 am. Thought I'll go to the gym and have the evening to myself. People that know me knows that is an achievement in itself. Daylight saving starts tomorrow and setting the clock forward 1 hour will keep the birds quiet for a little bit longer in the morning.

25% finished and still going strong. Left the office yesterday about 4.30pm and was in a slack as mood, hence stopped at KFC for those nice greasy pieces of chicken and coleslaw. I don't do takeaways, but that was lovely.

I'm looking forward to tomorrow's gym. Got me the TV series The Magnificent Seven and there's nothing like a good western at its time. Also Saturday mornings is my shopping day, so all the weekend Yummys were bought and ready to be enjoyed.

Weight lost to date: 3kg
Current weight: 97kg
Next weigh-in: 30 September

Day 21

Yesterday was weigh-in number 2 and although I was expecting a huge drop in weight, based on how my clothes fits; it was only an extra 1kg down. So in total 3kg so far. I guess that’s not bad. 3kg in 20 days, if you consider that it’s 6 blocks for 500g butter. And the general rule of thumb is if you lose it slowly, it tends to stay off longer.

Last week I started feeling really good. That familiar steady glucose level, where I don’t feel “jucky” after lunch and just want to fall asleep. No, none of those sugar spikes no more.

This week I’ll be turning up the dials on the machines at the gym and get the pump up between 130 and 140 BPM. I also got a good variety of lunch snacks worked out, so no more boredom around food.

all and all : two thumbs up.

Weigh lost to date: 3kg
Next Weigh-in: 30 September

Day 18

Goodness, I can’t believe it ‘s the weekend already. Not that I’m complaining.

I got up Monday morning with a pain in my chest (heart) and try to ignore it for a couple of days. Yea, Yea, I can hear you all saying it must be the meat...anyway, woke up Wednesday morning with the same pain and needles-n-pins in my arms, which worried me a bit, but it ended up being a reflux and not the old pump.

So, I was home, on a weekday, clear blue skies and what is a man to do? Got out the BBQ (which I haven’t used for about 4 months), gave it a clean and got a few kgs spares from the local China-Man butcher. Well, they said it was spareribs. Lovely!!!!!

This week I increased the intensity of my training session slightly and decided to do a 1hour walking session followed by 2 days at the gym to mix-match it and overcome boredom. The iPod with a few TV series on it helps a lot fighting the boredom factor while on the spin bike for an hour.

This week was the first time in months that I had to ask the Mrs where my belt was which makes me excited about the weigh-in in 2 days and judging by my jeans it’s going to be a good one.

Weight lost to date: 2kg (start weight 100kg)
Next Weigh-in: 2 days

Day 14

Friday night around 7pm I arrived at the gym and was very surprise with how many people go to gym on a Friday.

We had friends come up from Hamilton for the weekend, but I still managed to sneak out Saturday morning for an hour for gym. Fortunately we were the hosts, so all the meals were “Atkins – friendly” except for the deserts, but I’m not really a sweet tooth (if I put my mind to it). I did have a few low-carb beers, in fact I had a couple right after returning from gym, which ended up not being such a good idea.... but that’s a story on its own

Sunday was such a nice sunny day, so we decided to take the friends out for ice cream at the beach; I substituted mine for a Starbucks cuppa. When they left around 6pm last night, I put on my runners and headed out to the ferry terminal for my hour cardio.

So all and all it was a superb weekend and being able to withstand all those “food-ie” temptations, I know I can resist the rest that will follow over the remaining 86 days.

Weight lost to date: 2kg (starting weight 100kg)
Next weigh in: 20 September

Day 10 - First Weigh-in

Weighed myself this morning and the “bloated-less-ness” ended up being more than just that. I lost 2kg over the last 10days. Okay much of it might just be water and I don’t think the next 10days will have the same result, but for now I’m happy with today’s result.

Current weight : 98kg
Weight lost to date : 2kg

Day 9

Yesterday was by far the toughest day to date. I only got away from the office around 6.30pm and reached the gym at 7.30pm. I was a bit “irritated” at the gym and couldn’t wait to get out of there; hence I when from treadmill to cycle to rowing machine and even spend some time on the stepper, but no more than 15 minutes at a time, hoping that will make the time pass quicker. I did managed to work up a good sweat though.

Got home just before 9pm and boy was I happy to see my son took initiative and finish dinner. Chicken\pork stir-fry. That hit the spot and suddenly a “bad day” was not so bad after all. I will spend some time this weekend to work out a menu for the next few weeks, 'cause patties and tuna for lunch and protein shakes for breakfast is starting to work on my nerves.

I guess this sounded like a negative post so on the upside, my jeans aren't so “snugly” anymore and I don’t have that bloated feeling in the gut no more. I don’t have high expectations for tomorrow’s weigh-in (yes, tomorrow is the first big day) and will be happy with ½ a kilo weight lose.

So watch this space to see if the last 10 days of “life style adjustment” was worth the trouble.

Day 6

Sunday evening and day 6 has come and gone. Let me sum up the last 3 days in a few sentences.

Almost overslept on Friday morning and had to rush to the gym. I behaved myself at Friday afternoon drinks at work and had a diet coke. Up to Friday it all seemed easy, but I expected the weekend to bring a lot of temptations.

Yesterday morning (Saturday) the Mrs and I slept in till about 9. Had a lazy Saturday morning and only went to the gym around 1PM (and she joined me). I got her an iPod touch to take along to they gym and installed a few games for her. I guess the time in the gym just flew by for her.

Last night was time for a few lovely sirloins and this morning Fathers day. The kids took me out for a breakfast around 11... the best and biggest omelette ever. (thanks kids – love you).
Then it was off to the gym around 1.30. Took the Mrs’ iPod with and indeed an hour on the spin bike just flew by while I was playing “Cluedo”.

And the weekend’s temptation never arrived. My wife and kids is a great support group and did not buy or ask for any lollies so that sure made it easy not to indulge.

How about that? 6 consecutive days of exercise and no carbs and only 4 days to go before my first weigh-in.

Day 3

Well 3 days are gone and I’m quite impressed with myself. Not so much with sticking to the "all you can eat" protein diet, but with going to the gym 3 days in a row and enjoying it. Went there today 15 minutes earlier then the other 2 day and looking forward to tomorrow’s.

Ran into my wife’s gym instructor this morning and the conversation obviously led to what I’m up to and just the mere mention of me cutting all carbs for a while made her negative. “No” she said “those weight lose programs don’t work”... I could not agree with her more... seeing that I only happened to lose 28kg 5 years ago (and kept if off for 4 years)... she’s a sweet girl and thought I'll spare her.

Exercise
Still sticking to the same low intensity training. I’m trying to keep my heart rate between 115 and 130 BPM and struggling. Not to keep it that low... to get it that high.... I'm barely making it over 110 with this low intensity walking, cycling and X-trainer and fighting the urge to crank it up a few notches, but I know that’s not a good idea... yet.

Food
Had a beauty of a rump steak last night and green salad (which is no carb). This morning’s breakfast was a few sausages and an egg. There were still some leftovers of last night’s salad, so I added a tin of tuna to it and walla – tuna salad for today’s lunch.

Body & Mind
Mentally I’ve got no dramas with the diet, but think that next week’s gym routine will be challenging. I’ve never been an early riser and going to the gym every afternoon after work... hmmmm... not so appealing either... but that’s next week’s problem.

Progress
Weight loss to date 0kg
next weigh-in: 10 September
belt notch on 1 September: 2 currently: 2

I thought I will add my belt notch as an additional measurement to give the fat loss a different perspective. Each notch is 25mm apart and I’m currently on the 2nd notch.

Day 1

Weighed myself this morning on the bathroom scale and could not believe that I was spot on 100kg. Weighed at the gym and was about 400g more due to clothes, so am happy to go with the bathroom scale’s reading moving forward.

Fortunately I’m on the late shift this week so going to the gym at 8.30 was far more appealing than going there at 6.00, making today (this week) ideal to kick of the 100 days of fitness challenge.

Exercise
I thought I’ll play it safe and not try and pickup where I last stopped. Not going to make that rookie mistake and injure myself with in the first few weeks.
So did a 30 minute walk on the treadmill @ 6km p/h with 3.5 incline
15 minutes on the X-trainer with a low resistance and another 15 minutes on the spin-bike on low resistance. I’ll stick to this light exercise plan for the next couple of weeks and see how I get on.

Food
Coming back from the gym my son made me three beef patties for breakfast and I had another two around 2pm for lunch. Not sure what the Mrs is cooking up for dinner, but it will be no-carb.

Body & Mind
No hunger pains. Got a slight headache, but think that is more due to forking out close to a grand for parts and labour on my car today.

Progress
Weight loss to date 0kg
next weigh-in: 10 September

The challenge starts tomorrow

People that know me know that I’m always keen for a challenge and not happy if I’m not busy with one or planning to undertake one. In recent years these included losing nearly 30kg of body mass, training up and completing my first 10km, first half and first full 42km marathon.

Not forgetting about the 160km on a cycle around Lake Taupo, 4 day 360km+ cycle events and a number of other challenges which I have forgotten about or simple don’t want to recall....

... one of the biggest motivators for me to succeed is to tell as many people I can about my new challenge and pride not to be labelled a loser does the rest...

So my next challenge is simple:
100 days of fitness which include (or better said, exclude)
- No carbohydrates for 100days
- A diet of fat and protein as much as I like, whenever I like.
- 1 hour continues cardiovascular exercise every day (running, cycling, rowing, walking, whatever)
- 3 litres of water a day

The aim is to lose 10kg+ weight and increase exercise intensity as I progress. Simple and straightforward.

I’ll be updating this blog every few days and weigh myself every tenth day to plot my weight lost progress online.

Tonight (31 Aug. 09) is my last night of freedom and planning to make it a good one.