Week 8 Progress

It has been a good week.  I've been fairly good with my eating and have gotten in more steeps on a few of the days and I guess it all adds up.  I got on the scale yesterday and it read 426 lbs.  I am very happy with that.  That gives me a 32 lb. loss over the 8 weeks since I made my personal goal.  That is an average of 4 lbs. per week and that pace is right where I want to be.

While I am happy with my progress towards my weight goal, my activity level is still below where I think it should be.  I really need to get into a routine where I can increase my activity, both walking and on the bike, in order to start reaping even more benefits from the weight loss.  I am noticing a difference in my body and how my clothes are fitting but I need to start building the muscles as well as stamina.  I need to get my mind into an active lifestyle mindset where I am focusing more on doing things and less on just watching my diet.  The diet is still a priority but while it it is a major part of the equation, it is still just a part of it.

Looking ahead to May and the National Bike challenge, my goal for this year is to beat my 2014 total of 3,136 points and 336.5 miles.  I know that the only way to do this is through consistency and effort.  During the challenge in 2014, I rode every single day.  If I am going to beat my point total, I will need to do the same this year and increase the distance per ride.  Who will join me for the challenge?

It takes balance

Most everything in life takes balance.  Whether its riding a bike, work, family, walking - everything is more enjoyable and works out much better if its in balance.

Weight loss and getting healthy takes balance as well.  I'm guilty of trying to make a single change and hoping that it will balance things out, but I know it won't.

For the last few months I've quit focusing on what I've been eating and focused almost exclusively on riding my bike. While this is certainly enjoyable, and it has led to increased fitness on the bike, it has not led to any significant weight loss.  Eating just as many (if not more calories) than one burns in a day will at best maintain your current weight and at worst allow you to gain weight.

Fortunately for me I haven't gained any more weight over the last few months, but I certainly haven't lost either.  I know I have to work on the other side of the equation and reduce my caloric intake in order to see my weight reduced.  Its time to do just that again.

I'm starting to log my food into MyFitnessPal again.  I'm still using my FitBit to track my daily activity as well.  With the longer rides I've been doing in the mornings its easier for me to hit basic goals of 8,000 to 10,000 steps per day.  now I just need to limit my calories to 2,200 or so and I should start to see a loss of 2 to 3 lbs per week.

Balance.  Life is so much better with it than without it.

Eat Better.

Get on your bikes and ride!