31 Day Fat Loss Challenge: Personal Results are In!!!
June 1, 2009 by OCstrength
Filed under Uncategorized
It was definitely a mental and physical battle for me I HATE DIETING! But this challenge opened my eyes to everyday food and the way it works. I really thought I knew, but really I had no idea.
For the strict diet, I was not perfect, but I was good for the most part. I think I did very well on the training portion, which helped with some of the ‘cheats’ I had setbacks on.
I can’t promise I will follow the same diet routine from here out, but the foundation of my nutritional intake has completely changed for good. My diet was a huge contributor to the weight loss. I can appreciate real foods again, and am aware of what I am consuming…even if it says ‘healthy’ on the packaging.
Really, beyond the weight loss and just being mentally stronger- I have learned a tremendous amount about the body, nutrition and the mental aspect of fitness as well. The challenge flat out pushed me to exercise everything, including my mind.
I do have a full time job in the finance industry and..I have to be there Monday thru Friday. I would typically workout for an early lunch at 11 or so. I don’t have any kids, but I do have a nephew and I seem him on a daily basis. Of course, I pay bills and do normal everyday people stuff too. So, it’s not like I have hours and hours to workout and work on my diet. I just didn’t makes excuses for 31 days!
The Results: So, from May 1st at 5pm until now, May 31st at 5pm, I lost a total of 14 pounds. I do realize some is going to be sweat and water, and I may gain a few back pretty fast. (especially once I have my ‘cheat reward day’ tomorrow) It won’t be more than 2 or 3lbs in a few days. Trust me when I say, I am very stoked with the results.
The total weight loss may have increased, had I not prepared for the challenge on my own prior to this. I started eating more veggies and fruit and started cutting back the snack bars.
I was about 180ish for a long while, but that was after losing about 30lbs the previous three years or so. Up and down on the scales. 225 a long time ago to a consistent 178-185 for the last 3 or so years. I was active, played rugby, flag football a couple times a week and was a 5 time a week gym guy. I actually did 2-a-days a couple times a week too… But, I guess my diet sucked- I didn’t eat much fast food, but I did eat allot of diet products and processed bars… and my gym workouts were crap too. At times, I would actually gain a couple pounds from a few bad days of eating..even with all the activity. I always figured it was OK since I was working out allot.
In May rugby was over for me, so I didn’t have any of that … and I didn’t do any 2 a days either, I just stepped up the training and followed the diet outline. A huge portion of weight loss is your diet! Not a fad, low carb, or liquid only diet, but a healthy diet consisting of real food. It took me a very long time to accept it, but the challenge helped me change.
To lose 14 pounds in 31 days, after years of cardio and being active was a great achievement for me.
The videos were awesome Vic put out, and I loved the motivational piece Lyndsey had.
So, what I used for motivation was
- A) other peoples posts and Vics videos, the posts and videos somehow keep pushing you once you see others actually doing it too.
- And B) I wrote allot about my workouts, I logged diets, but I wrote about workouts since I loved the training.
- And last but not least, C) I watched 300, not to see their bodies, but to imagine the workouts they did and just the movie is INSANE. I watched 300 a few times and frequently read the Art of War rules. – But yeah…im kinda crazy like that.
I guess it’s not the normal motivational inspirational fitness type of thing.I know there is more people out there that feel the same way, but your everyday health club type gym tries to take away that ruggedness. High tech, glossy pictures, and gym endorsed supplements are what sell….but hardly ever work if you’re looking for results. We’re all lied to, it’s our decision as to whether we believe it or not.
For now, I am going to take a few days off of training, and just do some walking , maybe a couple easy bike rides, and just run around and play with the nephew. June 1, I will have a bad eating day with no training. I won’t completely collapse and give up all my hard work, but I am going to reward myself. I will hit it hard again, I already have a new goal in mind…but for now I’m just going to relax and probably watch a few movies. I have too many DVDs to catch up on.
Stay Tuned- as I am going to be posting some of the big habits I changed and what good ones I picked up. I am also going to examine some of the things I could have done better. I will also post a few pictures from the journey and result.
Once again, Thanks and much appreciation to Vic for everything he did for the challenge and for making it possible! !! I advise you to sign up for his update email list.
Visit Vic’s website here —-> GyMJuNkiES.com
-Mike
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