Progress

GOOD NEWS / BAD NEWS

Several bits of good and bad news.

The numbers are in:

WEIGHT
It appears I’ve dropped ~20 pounds since 05-15-04, 55 days. So that’s approximately 2.5 pounds per week (0.36 pounds per day). That seems about right to me.

BODY FAT
It moves around a lot using my electronic impedance scale. So, it’s tough to tell what’s really going on. On 06-01-2004, my BFat was 34.5% according to my scale. My 5 day moving average shows it’s gone from 31.2% on 07-02-2004 down to 30.3% on 07-11-2004. So, I’ve probably dropped about 3% of body fat (3% * 270 = 8.1 pounds lost; but I’ve actually lost 2x that ~20 pounds).

INCHES
Firstly, I think taking measurements is as beneficial if not more beneficial than weighing one’s self. I’ve noticed even when weight isn’t moving much you can still notice changes in measurements. Numbers:

Four measurements taken so far: 06-20-04; 06-27-04, 07-04-04, 07-10-04. Below is comparison of data from 06-20-04 to 07-10-04.

Bicep: 17 – 15 = 2 inches lost;
Thigh: 28 – 26 = 2 inches lost;
Upper Waist: 48 – 46 = 2 inches lost;
Lower Waist: 43 – 42.5 = 0.5 inches lost;
Chest: 53 – 48 = 5 inches
Neck: 18 – 17.0 = 1 inch.

12.5 inches lost. But I think people normally do either an upper or lower waist measure (anyone know appropriate way to measure waist? Widest point or points where us “short waisted” people wrap our pants around?)

So in three weeks I can notice a discernible difference via inches lost around parts of my body. I do notice some of my shorts aren’t as tight as they once were, which is a very good thing. I also notice it’s easier and easier to climb on my bicycle.

PICTURES
My pictures are frustrating, because in my mind dropping 20 pounds should produce significant results, and it just hasn’t. I look at my “skin” (like shirts and skins) and just think, that can’t really be me. But it is.

I do think as frustrating as these pictures are, they do produce a motivational force based upon my own vanity and that’s positive. And I look forward to posting them on my road showing how far it is I’ve actually come.

PHOTOGRAPHS – FOODSTUFFS
I like taking pictures of what I’m eating as it’s quite easy to show someone else what I’ve been doing (though I’ve told no one of this blog), but also because it allows me to easily record what it is I’ve eaten, with the press of a button (rather than trying to maintain a messy written journal which is inevitable inaccurate – a photograph inevitably brings it all back.

EXERCISE-RUNNING
I’m still right at the edge of 250 pounds (and my left knee has been a bit sore here and there). I’d like to start adding running as an exercise, but it seems a bit tricky right now. I think I’ll probably keep with swimming and cycling for the next week. If I’m consistently below 250 next week, then I’ll probably add running the week after (week beginning 07-19-04).

CONCLUSION:
I think I’m still headed in the right direction. I think the food journal, measurements, weight and body fat are all decent mechanisms individually and provide, collectively, excellent feedback upon my progress.