holofit Update #1 - The Starting Line

The Current State

To say that I've struggled with my weight throughout my life is an incorrect statement. I have struggled with my mass. Physics jokes now out of the way, we can move into the point of this post.

Exercise. The Gym. Eating Better Food. Losing Weight.

Yesterday, I had some measurements done as the starting point of an exercise and clean-eating program that I'm to become one with. Provided, of course, my piriformis muscle (does stuff in your glutes, hamstrings, and hips) doesn't decide to turn into a spasmodic mess of mitochondrial respiration.

I have no shame in sharing the foremost, of these numbers, being my mass.

112.5 KG, clothed, sweaty, and bearded; after a workout consisting of a few supersets, some HIIT, and core-strengthening activities like planks.

For those on imperialistic measurements: 248 pounds. That's roughly $435.42 Australian dollars for the British among you. See what I did there?

Today, after a long day of sitting on my backside, working; I went for 6 kilometre walk to try and loosen up my back and get some nice momentum going following yesterday's session in the gym. Tomorrow, I'll be back in the gym, and start to take a look at a more consistent meal-plan; with the objective of dropping down to 90KG (198 lbs) by Christmas time.

It'll happen. Yet all I want to do right now is eat a nice, warm, crunchy, sugar coated, crusty apple pie. That won't be conducive to the objectives I've detailed above.

The Past State

Once upon a time, three years ago, I was approximately 130KG, or 286lbs. Weight gain is easy, particularly when all you're doing for lunch is eating two packets of ramen noodles and then following that up with an afternoon burger, prior to washing it down with solvents after a day's work.

Coupled with a sedentary lifestyle and no general enthusiasms outside eating deliciously roasted, or fried potatoes; this was a delicious recipe for obesity.

I had joined a gym, jumped on an elliptical trainer for an hour, and my calves hurt for three days. I kept doing this every day, gradually introducing weight training to my program, moving into boxing, and neglecting any hard cardiovascular activity.

My lowest weight after about two years of doing this continuously was about 95KG. I know I can do better now.

The Interruption

Then, I moved house, got made redundant, and started gorging on food, in particular junk, more often than what I should. I found myself back at 120KG, and realised it was time to change gears again. At around the same time, I found myself in a cardioligist's office, losing chest hair over halter monitor sensors, and sleep over ultrasound results.

Luckily, the cardiologist said I had the healthiest heart he'd seen in years. Not sure that's a great diagnosis to begin with.

This was a terrifying wake up call. Introducing dietary changes; I've dropped back to my current state, 112.5; which is a number that will probably get weekly updates.

I expect to see an initial spike in weight, as new muscle mass starts to form through a mixture of cardio and weight lifting, before starting to see kilograms melt off my body, and T-Shirts, pants, and other things start to look like heshin sacks.

Not that my clothes are gorgeous gowns made of spider's silk. They definitely are not.

The Future

From here, I plan to eliminate the sweet things that I enjoy - apple pie, dark chocolate, stealing candy from orphaned babies; and focus on healthier replacements. I've come to thoroughly enjoy a smoothie made of three ingredients: a banana, some blueberries, and almond milk.

My cat may become suddenly very interested in my diet.

There'll be a lot of chicken, turkey, salmon, and tuna in my diet, so I'll expect to be suffering from mercury poisoning very, very soon. I'm becoming increasingly fond of asparagus, and I absolutely love broccoli and cauliflower. I'll have to stay away from strawberries, as they're an incredible weakness.

Finally, there will be a lot of pain, a lot of suffering, and an elevated heart rate. So long as my hamstring / piriformis / hip remains in tact, and I'm able to remain consistent in my exercise regime, I expect that this will be a very quick journey.

I know I can do it. I've done it before.