Long Overdue Update!
It’s been almost three months since I began this program, and have now reached the halfway point in the program. For those of you that don’t know – I’m in the 20/20 program @ the ProClub and I signed up for the 12 week intense and 12 week maintenance program to lose 50+ lbs.
On the diet…
Overall the diet has been working. My dietitian has been slowly introducing new foods every week or so. Currently I’m adding grains into my diet this week. I’ve been able to follow my diet for the most part, but there are the obvious times when it isn’t possible. When I get off track for a meal or two my sodium spikes and my weight loss stalls.
In order to keep my sodium intake low, my dietitian suggested that I cook more often. So I’ve been shooting to cook about 2-3 times a week. My last blood pressure check was 120/60 which is awesome considering my first reading was 151/90.
Cooking, for the most part, is actually pretty relaxing. That is if things are going well. I have had some sad looking dishes come out and have had to throw away full meals because they tasted like crap. But Myra’s A+ Oven Baked Fried Chicken and my Creamy Chive Chicken Breasts are so good but so healthy for you too.
On the workouts…
My workouts have been the same since I’ve started, 35 minutes of cardio and the rest of the time I end up doing some lifting and at the very end I do a 15-20 minute training video. Some of the videos are lame and outdated, but there are a few that I’d actually watch again in the future. There’s a few on Calorie Comparisons and the go through some fast food menus and compare those meals with healthy meals. They also go over portion sizes which is always a problem with me.
Recently I started doing the Stairmaster instead of my usual Elliptical/Treadmill cardio. I noticed my heart rate only increased to 150 towards the end of my cardio workout; with the Stairmaster I get up to 150 within 10 minutes.
On the changes…
You’re probably wondering why I put up my pant size at the top of this post. I can’t remember the last time I actually wore a pant size smaller than 36 x 30 – when I started the program I was at at 38 waist. I’m guessing it’s been more than 10 years since I’ve been close to this weight. I’ve lost a total of 36lbs since December 7th, 2009.
I’m able to do way more things now without getting winded. Over the last four weeks I’ve played a few games/practices of flag football, and I recently started playing Dodgeball with some co-workers. I’ve also been parking at the top of our 9 story parking garage with a co-worker to bring my total step count up.
Looking forward…
I’m slowing getting new types of food every week with my dietitian. Now that Phase 1 is complete – I’m entering Phase 2 which is called the maintenance mode. During the next 12 weeks I have less support and have more individual accountability. Basically seeing if I can “maintain” my weight loss without supervision.
- Lose 1 trainer session a week – total 2 sessions a week
- Dietitian appointment is every other week
- No more group sessions
I plan on continuing with my flag football leagues. Yes I said leagues. One is for Microsoft and has some physical contact, and the other is for Underdog Sports with no contact. Myra’s been going to Hot Yoga recently and I figured I’ll be giving it a try either this week or next.
Hopefully I’ll be updating the blog more often given that I have a little more time on my hands during maintenance mode and not spending it at all those appointments during the week 
Fianlly an update! Good work BZ! I want to see the pics when you and Rollo can share clothes!