Toward the beginning of the summer I began my 47th fitness program. The Downtown Y is the new setting for this journey. Another trainer has been cast and the MyFitnessPal password has been reset.
So far I’ve been happy with results as I work to undue the damage done over the past 3 years. I had managed to gain over 20lbs and this spring hit 199. As the number 200 loomed menacingly I realized that something had to be done. Luckily, my work fitness subsidy, hatred of the way I look in pictures, and pending wedding have created a triumvirate that so far has kept me on track. I’m down to the mid 180’s with the hope of dropping into the 170’s by the end of September (if not sooner given the updated gym routine I’ve just started).
As usual, the greatest struggle is watching what I eat. At my fitness evaluation the trainer said that “20 minutes in the kitchen is worth 2 hours in the gym”. Never have I passed up so many nachos and soy lattes. My alcohol consumption has dropped 80% and I can’t remember the last time I had a chocolate chip cookie. Of course, I do allow myself to still enjoy the act of living, but I’ve been much more thoughtful about what and how I eat than I’ve ever been in my life. Intermittent tracking to gauge calorie counts it horrifyingly enlightening. It’s the least favorite part of trying to get fitter, but it’s probably the most important. A few “treats” can quickly negate any work performed at the gym.
In a few months I hope to have a progress update with some stats. I find the weekly metrics are quite valuable, though I constantly fear that Saturday weigh-in’s will not show progress. Hopefully that fear will not be realized anytime soon and I’ll be on track to start an insufferable Instagram lifestyle/thirst trap account.