after seven days…

Posted Oct 10, 2006 by jriley

Updated Oct 10, 2006 at 12:25 AM

It’s the first week stats! Seven days on this new regimen and we shall see what we shall see.

Even this early in the Challenge, I do believe I learned a few lessons. Here’s what I think I’ve learned:

-When you eat what you eat is can be as important as what you eat.

When our ancestors were grubbing about for anything to eat, it didn’t really matter when you ate. “Food! Hungry! Eat NOW!” You had to top off your tank every chance you got, because you never knew when (or if, for that matter) you’d eat again.

Now, most moderns have access to all kinds of food 24/7. Most moderns also carry fat reserves beyond the dreams of half-starving folks. Food intake needs to be regulated when you’re already overweight.

In my case, no carbs intake late in the day. Per the meal plan, I load on what carbs I’m allowed at breakfast. By avoiding late night carb-fests, and keeping the carbs in the first part of the day, I feel better and more energetic, which is a good thing since I’m doing this weightlifting.

-I can do this!

I’ve always made excuses for my eating; it was a bad day, it was a good day, work stinks, the world stinks, I did good, I did bad, whatever, so here comes the pizza and beer. Now I am eating healthfully and actually sticking to it, and whereas it’s not as tasty as pepperoni, mushrooms, and extra cheese, I don’t feel like a bloated toad after eating.

In the interest of full disclosure, it must be stated that I have not been 100% faithful to the meal plan, but this by intent. I allowed myself a little slack (mmmm, pizza!) this weekend. Similar to what Lisa’s saying over on the women’s blog, I don’t see the Challenge being a total sackcloth and ashes thing.

Thanks go to my family for their support. Everyone’s been mildly interested, and no one has suggested that I make lasagna or mashed potato pie.

Special shout-out to my daughter, Amanda, who said that I look like a nerd in the video thanks to the pen in the shirt pocket (could she be right? Naaaahhh…), and to the grandkids; Matthew, who was vastly amused that Pop was on the computer, and Dee, who beamed and smiled because Pop talked about her on the computer.

OK, I’ve just gotten home from work, and so, without further ado, today’s stats!

Weight: 230 (down 5 pounds)
Fat percentage: 32.5 (down 1 percent)

Not too shabby, if I do say so myself. What I’m happy about is the loss of 1 percent of total fat. That’s 2.3 pounds of pure blubber gone. Yay!