Game On!

“I’m not going to gain a single pound while I’m sidelined,” I told my girlfriend with conviction when my leg was fractured four weeks ago. So far, so good. Today, marks one month since the accident and I’ve lost four pounds, in the last four weeks. Yay me!

My assistant coach, as he likes to call himself, is helping me stay on track with my diet. The plan is to follow somewhat of a Paleolithic diet or sometimes referred to as a Caveman diet. Don’t be alarmed this is not some freakish, fad diet. The concept is to eat foods that are naturally grown and raised. Kind of like our hunter/gather ancestors use to -- plenty of fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, eggs, lean meat, and fish. As disciplined as I am, rather than set myself up for failure I’ve already decided that occasionally I will allow myself to have grains, dairy, or perhaps some chocolate.  Those occasions will be exceptions and NOT the rule.

My goal is to lose a minimum of a pound a week for the remainder of my recovery time -- ten weeks. I am solely relying on my diet since my exercise will be limited. Studies have shown that diet is the most important element when losing weight. I don’t want to discount the benefits of exercise because it is important for overall health and mood. I love exercising, so believe you me, as soon as I am able to return full strength I will be, oh so happy to do so.

Doubters: Think of me as your case study. For the next ten weeks I will show you exactly why exercise is overrated when it comes to losing weight. Let the game begin!



Check out this video - You can't out train a bad diet:

This thing MUST be broke!

For the last two and a half weeks the scale has not moved. I was sure the darn thing was broke until I tried the scale at the gym and the same numbers appeared. Apparently, my body has caught on to my exercise and diet regimen and is forcing me to re-evaluate. Instead, of becoming discouraged I’m just marveling at how amazing the human body is. I mean really, it won’t let me get away with the same old routine. I need to do something different. Keep challenging myself. So it’s time to re-evaluate my routine because backing down or giving up are NOT options.

I think it’s important I mention that although the scale is not moving my body is changing and I have slimmed down. I take photos to chronicle my progress and I can tell the difference in my upper body and in my face since my last official weigh in. I say this because I want to make sure I emphasis that the scale is not the only way to measure one’s success. Clearly, it’s a tool that is used to help measure progress but not solely relied on. I think I keep hopping on it only to make myself crazy or crazier.

**Ironically, about a week ago one of my FB followers asked me about breaking through a plateau and here’s what I told her. I guess it’s time I follow my own advice.

Plateaus are sooo frustrating. They can make the most determined people give up. So… First, don't give up. Secondly, re-evaluate your game plan. You can't keep doing the same thing and get different results. If you usually take cycling class four times a week and jog three days then switch it to kickboxing and weightlifting or… Main thing is to keep your body guessing. Our bodies are complex and they need to be challenged. If you were loosing weight with a certain workout routine it may help just to tweak the routine a little. Next, and MOST important is your diet. I’m not big on counting calories but I’ll say this, lots of fresh vegetables and fruits, lean meats, nuts, and water are your staples. Also, breakfast is very, very important because it gets your metabolism going. Try to eat six times a day no more than three hours a part. Apples and raw almonds are great portable snacks.  Lastly, did I mention not to give up? Okay, good. Stay at it!!! Just make some adjustments. Slow and steady wins the race there is no quick fix to change your lifestyle. I hope this helps. It brings me great pleasure to pass on advice/encouragement so please feel free to ask anytime. Ironically, I just came from the gym when I saw your post and a trainer there was telling me next year this time I’d be a trainer myself. Hmm… smile.