Saturday, July 1, 2023

Half the year is gone

I feel like I say this every month, but I can't believe it's already July.   Where is the time going?   I believe that time "accelerates" as we get older because our perspective on it changes.   A month at 55 is a much smaller percentage of our life, than a month at 25.  Despite this turning into my fitness blog, it is titled just some random shit afterall...

I had another mixed month and up until the end thought it was going to be a disaster.   Although my overall fitness seems to be improving rapidly, as evidenced by my first podium finish, and more PB's in rides, my weight loss has substantially slowed down, which is very frustrating   I'd be ok with that if I was only 10 pounds from my target, but after talking with my doctor I adjusted it down a bit and still have about 30 pounds to go.  On top of that I've been dealing with some hip and knee soreness which is hindering my exercise routine.   I do have some good news, I'm off one of my meds, and my BP medication was reduced.    Enough of that, let's talk about how I did.  These were my May goals:

  • Weigh 250 or less
  • Ride 400 miles
  • Walk 20 miles
  • Perfect Month in apple

How did I do:
  • Starting Weight: 262.12
  • Ending Weight: 255.10
  • Net Loss: (7.02)
  • Total Loss: (69.9)
Exercise info:
  • Number of rides: 72
  • Time on rides: 23:52:37
  • Distance on rides: 429.5
  • Number of walks: 1
  • Time walking: 8:25
  • Distance walking: .39

Results:
I always like to start with the good.   I beat my mileage goal again.  Despite moving it up and being away for a week I easily passed it and all while doing 11 fewer rides than last month.  Thanks to my sister in law, who also has an exercise bike, I was able to keep up with riding.   I did have to adjust my stand goal for a few travel days, because there was no way I'd be able to stand 12 hours and drive for 14.   It's just not possible, but I kept my move and exercise goals constant and hit those, so I was able to have a perfect month in apple.   I would have liked to get that monthly move goal, but I just couldn't get there.  July's goal seems much more attainable...  

Now for the bad:
I missed my weight loss mark again, and until I went to VA thought I'd have a flat month, which would have been very discouraging.   I don't feel like I'm overeating, or eating poorly, so I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong.  I did pop up a touch when I got home, but hopefully I'll have a few weeks of salads to help get me back on track.  I also didn't walk again.  Not sure what's going on overall, but the sore hip/knee kept me from doing that when I got home.   I think we're going to do the walk in St. Pete this month so I'm planning on walking more, hell I'm planning on exercising more overall.

July Goals:

  • Weigh 245 or less
  • Ride 400 miles
  • Walk 20 miles
  • Perfect Month in Apple
  • Get the July exercise goal in Apple.
These should look familiar.   Other than lowering my weight target they're probably going to remain consistent for a few months.   I am going in for some dental work in a week so this could have two effects.   One is I won't be able to ride for a few days, this is ok because I need rest days and I'll probably go for a walk.   This will also help the weight loss because I won't be able to chew food for probably two weeks.  I have protein powder.   It will force me to push harder when I get back to riding, and probably go for some longer distance.   I'll definitely be doing that this week as it leads up to the surgery.

Final thoughts:
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed.   I shouldn't be, but I am.  Maybe it's me, maybe it's normal, but it's frustrating to work hard, and I do work hard, and not see the numbers on the scale.   Yeah I know it's normal, and I still get up and do my workouts, but I'd like to see better results.   I should take the victory in the tremendous improvement in my overall health, but it just feels like a hollow victory.   Clothing I bought 3 months ago is loose and needs replaced.   I'm setting new bests on the bike frequently.   My blood pressure is way down, and my medication was lowered.   My blood sugars are *normal* and I don't need any meds for that anymore and finally, my resting heart rate is routinely 55-65 which is remarkable compared to where it was six months ago.  I can do light workouts and not even spike my heart rate.  Don't get me wrong, I'm pleased.   Hell, I'm more than pleased.  FFS my Doctor was very pleased and commented on my results.  I look better and more importantly feel better, but the self doubts and decades of being embarassed by my weight are hard to escape and lets not even discuss that I see myself in the mirror every day and how that makes me feel.  What I have to remember is that while I have a weight loss goal the actual goal are lifestyle changes that will be permanent.

Enough self pity.   I have a workout to do so happy Independence day to my US friends, happy Canada day to my Canadian friends and have a great month all.   Talk soon!

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