Week 6 & 7: The Good, The Bad, & The Boxer

I was too busy to update my progress last week. Week 6 was not so good, because when I weighed myself, I noticed I was roughly 200 lbs, which means I probably gained 1 lb. Also, I measured my waist in week 5, after my post on that day, and it turns out I was about 34.5 in. That didn't make me too happy.

Today (week 7), I am again below 200 lbs, just like week 5. However, the good news is that I tried on a pair of my older office pants that I had stopped using for about 6 months (because I stopped fitting in them), and they fit perfectly today! This is great, because now I know I am losing fat, even though it's not showing accurately on the weight scale. Therefore, I must be maintaining most of the muscle. I have to get my hands on skin calipers if I am ever going to accurately chart my fitness progress.

Also, on the weekend, I tried on some of my old shirts that stopped fitting properly, and once again, they were looking much better on me than they used to. My tummy is not protruding as much as it used to. I will give it a couple more months till I wear those shirts regularly once again.

A professional boxing trainer has begun classes at the gym, so now I must replace my alternate running days with strength training, since I will be getting most of my cardio during boxing training sessions three days a week. I still consider running very important, as I have noticed a considerable increase in my stamina and endurance since I started it. I will have to find time to run at least 2 - 3 days a week. I think I'll start running in the mornings from next Monday.

Motivation is still going strong, though I do have my ups and down days. One thing I've learned is to keep focused on my end goals, and not to think too much about what I will be doing at gym once I get there. Then, if I am demotivated one day, going to the gym will just be another habit, instead of a cumbersome task that I may think of skipping. I was feeling quite sick on Monday, yet I forced myself to the gym, since it was the first day of boxing training, and I ended up doing my strength training, as well as the boxing workout. I felt much better afterward, and my cold went away too.

Now I know there is no excuse not to go to the gym, except if I have a fever.

Week 5: Carbs and Abs

I weighed myself this morning and am a bit over 199 lbs, but definitely less than 200 lbs. This means I've lost at least half a pound. I am not too happy with that, but then again, it hopefully means my muscle is staying put.

As for body fat %, it's difficult to find any sort of skin calipers where I live, so I am not sure how to go about it. I have asked a cousin to send me a pair from overseas.

Since I have lost only half a pound of weight, it must mean either I'm holding more water weight (which could be true since I have crossed 1 gallon of water/day) or I'm still over my calorie limit. I have stopped using the 'Lose it!' iPhone application this past week, since it is a hassle to keep track of, and I'm sure I'm getting the measurements wrong. However, after using the app for a month, I have gotten a fairly good idea about calories in most foods. Starting a few days ago, I decided to decrease my calorie consumption in order to increase my daily calorie deficit. Hopefully that will bring the verdict in my favor at next week's weigh-in.

I have also decreased carb consumption later in the day. I now eat most of my carbs in the morning/lunch/afternoon snack meals, because I can use up the energy at the gym in the evenings, and since I am usually sitting/lying idle afterward.

I have also, as of yesterday, added abs exercises to my gym routine. I was afraid of getting cramps, but the 'Beginner Level 1' exercises I took from "The Truth about Six Pack Abs" book (that I mentioned in on of my earlier posts), although strenuous on the abs, were surprisingly cramp-free. I'll gradually work my way up to the higher, and more vigorous, levels. I still have a lot of fat to trim anyway, before I can ever hope to see my abs.

The excellent news is that I can actually see my waist has reduced considerably. I must remember to measure it later today. If it's good news, I may update this blog tomorrow. If not, then I'll be too busy crying and throwing a tantrum. See ya.

Week 4: Time Flies When You're Losing Fat

Ok, four weeks of the new regime are up. Strangely, they've gone by pretty fast, considering the rigorous training I have put myself through. Just goes to show that patience is the key, because I could have just as easily sat on my ass for those four weeks and eaten junk food; I would have been sitting here right now swearing at myself for letting a month go by already.

On to more important matters: my weight. Well, I weighed myself this morning, and I am now exactly 200 lbs, which means I lost a pound last week. This is good. This hopefully means I am only losing the fat, while maintaining most of my muscle.

Unfortunately, I did not have time to get my body fat percentage calculated on the weekend. I tried shopping for skin calipers, but where I live, most people don't even know what they are. A trip to the hospital is the only way. I will go this weekend for sure.

So, just to sum up. In one month, I have lost AT LEAST 6 lbs (roughly 1.5 to 2 lbs per week). If I lost any more than this per week, I would have lost muscle along with the fat. Therefore, I'm very happy with my progress so far. I can also see my waistline receding a bit now. However, the motivation is slowly slipping away, but I have decided to remain steadfast no matter what is thrown my way. This time round, I am not giving up.

Until next week. Keep on moving.

Week 3: You Are What You Eat

I'm a couple of days late in reporting my progress. I forgot to weigh myself Monday morning, and even though I weighed myself yesterday, I couldn't find time to update my blog.

Well, after yesterday's weigh-in, it's good news. I am 201 lbs (down from 203 lbs last week. So, this past week I lost two pounds!

To be honest, I was not expecting to even maintain my weight, let alone lose some, considering this past weekend's binge I went on. A friend was getting married, and I attended three difference ceremonies. Desi wedding food is an amalgamation of rice, cooking oils, and lots of sweets. I definitely overate, as my iPhone's "Lose It!" application showed. I was very disappointed with my lack of self control.

The thing about an exercise and diet routine is that they go hand in hand. So, if you mess up in even one of them, it will affect the other. For example, during the last phases of my walk and sprint HIIT, when I am extremely exhausted, what pushes me on is the fact that I stuck with my diet the past few days and I controlled my temptations. This gives me the drive to keep on moving, since I will only be wasting my dieting efforts if I don't. The same applies the other way around. When I want to eat that candy bar or ice cream during the week, I think about the all out effort I put into my last exercise routines, and I realize it will have been for nothing if I don't control my temptations.

Though I have lost two pounds, I am getting a bit demotivated, since I do not see the belly fat disappearing as fast. It doesn't seem to me as if it is going away at all. Given, it has only been two weeks, I thought I may have seen some results by now. Anyway, I guess this is when I must remain strongest in will. I should at least wait a full month before I measure my waist, to check for any difference.

Lastly, I will go to the hospital this weekend to get my body fat measured. It is a more reliable and accurate method to check my fitness progress. I will remeasure body fat on a monthly basis.

Well, that's all for now. Till next week!