What a Difference 7 Months Makes

Well, a new year is all about new starts for many people, but my new start was 7 months ago.  Now I just need to continue the hard work already put in.  Yes the last month or so has been indifferent and I have put a couple of kgs on whilst indulging in the festive period, but I have also been working out which is something that I never contemplated at any other time I was on leave, especially not at Christmas.  Best part was both Julie and myself were making a conscious effort to work out when we would be doing a workout so both of us could get one in, especially with temperatures being in the mid 40’s.

Prior to going on holidays, one of my training buddies, Dayna Manser, challenged me to do a plank with my youngest on my back.  Jokingly I said I would then she wanted to see my oldest on my back as well.  My youngest weighs approx. 15 kilos and my oldest almost 50kgs.  Whilst the thought of this was scry, trying to do it was even worse.  To think that I have lost almost 40kgs, then having that and a little bit more on my back was a scary proposition.  Even so, I managed to do it.  See attached photo for proof.

Admittedly the one with my oldest son was for not much longer than it took to take the photo, but youngest seemed to enjoy it and I managed to hold that for a little longer.  To me the time is not significant, it highlights how hard it would have been or how impossible it would have been for me at my starting weight and for this change I am proud and grateful.  I have also attached a photo of myself on the jumping pillow with my little two, which would not have happened last year due to me being embarrassed for them having such a large dad and me being unable to do it without being out of breath very quickly.  I thoroughly enjoyed, as did Julie I think by the number of photos she took.

In my previous post I outlined how I had set myself some goals for the year which I have listed below.  I have also put in my current totals against each of these goals

I will complete a minimum of 5000 kilometres on the bike.

(So far 204kms cycled)

I will run a minimum of 500 kilometres for the year. 

(So far 19.6kms run)
I will complete a minimum of 313 training sessions for the year burning a minimum of 500 calories

(so far 15 workouts of a minimum 500 calories burned)

Strangely I have been enjoying this and I will be interested to see how it progresses as the year goes on.  I love getting out on the bike and with my 1600km ride in October I will need to cover a lot of kilometres, but 5000 in a calendar year is huge and something I would never have contemplated, but realistically it is only 425kms per month.  The running side of the equation scared me when I first thought about it but breaking it down it s less than 10kms per week and that is only 3 runs at just over 3kms per run.  That is more than achievable, considering I do that now and gives me no excuse as it is only an 18 minute workout if that is all I do. 
I will be more impressed if I can complete the last challenge of 313 workouts for the year which are quality and burn minimum 500 calories.  I know calories are not a true indication of what you have done, but I look at it that I will be trying to work out as hard as I can and if I know I have done a hard work out to get to 500 then I will be happy, if not then I keep going until I know I have done what I needed to do.

Whilst I mentioned I have put on a couple of kgs whilst away, I did have a small loss in the middle.  I have also lost most of that gain in the few days since being back by getting back on track with the food and exercise and heaps of water.  The key for me and everyone else.  I can’t believe how little I drank whilst on holidays compared to now.  Yes I was drinking a lot of it, but because it was so hot, obviously not enough.  I am still looking for non scale wins though as these provide a lot more drive as you can still see progress. 

A big one for me this week was getting my new license in the mail when I got home.  Now no-one enjoys looking at their photo but it allowed me to make a comparison to my old photo from 10 years ago.  I have also included the photo from my Working with Children card, which was taken 2-3 years ago.  This shows me more than most things how far I have come and why I would never want to stop this journey or program.  Holy Cow, look at my bloated head (some would say I have an inflated head, other a fat head, my wife say it is a Boofhead) but to see the change and no more piggy squinty eyes is so pleasing.

As you can see, these early images are not pretty, some might say the recent one isn't either but i was shocked when i looked at them together as were my staff.  I can't wait to see how good my next one looks in 3 years.