/mike

As I mentioned previously for the past 30 days I’ve been using the Body for Life system to improve my health. After 30 days the journey has had it’s share of ups and downs but for the most part, I’m staying pretty much on course.

Eating

The biggest challenge over that past weeks has been to cut out the junk food and start eating properly. The fact that there is a “free” day with this method of weight-loss is very enticing but it’s also come to bite me in the ass a few times. I’m learning the hard way that because it’s a “free” day for food doesn’t mean I have to eat like a pig and completely disregard everything I’m working to accomplish.

Sure, I’ll continue to indulge in the “dark side” of the menu but from this point on my goal will be to at least maintain the same eating schedule, just allowing myself to deviate from the suggested foods. Lately I’ve been having some trouble getting up on time and it throws my meal schedule off, this is something else that I’m straightening out.

Lifting Weights Again

Damn it feels good to be doing this. I used to really love hitting the weights either at my house or the gym but after time something would always distract me. Then, as the distraction lost its appeal I would have lost all my motivation to go back.

Not this time. Back then I feared going to the gym alone and that’s changed. Over the past 3 months I’ve been doing just that, going it alone. Of course I avoid some exercises that I would need a spotter but there are usually a couple other guys in there that I could ask to help out if I needed to.

What a Difference 30 Days Makes

So, you’re probably asking what the change using Body for Life has made over the past month. Ok, it’s nothing drastic but I’m seeing progress and that’s the important thing. Unfortunately I don’t have a scale, and I’m fine with that, so I’m just tracking my measurements and body fat percentage.

My first measurements (November 2006):

• Neck: 15.5″
• Chest: 39.5″
• Bicep (relaxed): 11.5″
• Stomach: 37.25″
• Waist: 36″
• Thigh: 20.25″
• Calves: 14.5″
• Body fat %: 20.6

Measurements after 30 days of Body for Life (February 2007):

• Neck: 15″—0.5″ loss
• Chest: 40″—0.5″ gain
• Bicep (relaxed): 12″—0.5″ gain
• Stomach: 36.5″—0.75″ loss
• Waist: 36.5″—0.5″ gain
• Thigh: 21.5″—1.25″ gain
• Calves: 14.75″—0.25″ gain
• Body fat %: 19.7—0.9% loss

I’ve also been taking pictures to document my progress but I’m not sure about showing them yet. Maybe at the halfway point I’ll post a before/now teaser.