Back on the morning of October 20, 2020, I began measuring my progress toward achieving a lofty weight loss goal. That goal was to reach 180 pounds by December 31, 2020. From my first measurement of 209 pounds, that would mean roughly 30 lbs. in just over two months.
Well, a few days ago, on December 8, 2020, I reached that goal of 180 lbs. Considering at times in September and October, I tipped the scales at closer to 220, this is a considerable drop in body mass in quite a short timespan.
Although I have implemented several lifestyle shift habits in order to achieve this goal and a vision of overall optimum health and fitness, there are a few main habits that are mostly responsible for my success. Intermittent fasting (night fasting) is key. Not eating between 4pm and 9am has really made all the difference.
Of course, returning to a full vegan diet and eliminating sugar, grains and dairy certainly doesn’t hurt. My daily exercise routine has ensured that not only am I getting lighter but I’m getting stronger, as well.
What’s My Next Goal?
For the next 20 days (through to the end of 2020), I have no particular goals as far as weight loss, other than to continue a downward trend. My main goal is to fully heal my Achilles heel on my right side so I can return to my long lost love of running.
Leg and core exercises are a main part of my daily workouts. My legs are probably the strongest they’ve ever been. I’ve been taking Glucosamine Sulfate twice a day for a few weeks for the Achilles tendon. It’s worked for me in the past and seems to be working for me now.
I probably could start with some light jogging right now but I don’t want to push it and re-injure what has been my nemesis for much of my life. I’ve started doing more hiking/walking to lead up to the hopeful January, 2021 start.
Where Will Running Take Me?
As far as daily running goes, I plan to not exceed ten kilometres. At least for a while. I have done some reading on the ill effects of too much running and my internal jury is still out on what my decision will be.
I do want to go at it with a balanced approach. I’m looking at overall fitness and not just limiting myself to running. I want to add in cycling when the weather gets warmer and definitely get in more kayaking, also when the weather gets warmer. Plus, I fully intend to continue and expand my daily exercise regimen at home.
There are no races in 2021. Everything seems to have been put on hold for the foreseeable future. I understand that there is a big unknown as far what will come in the following year. For race organizers, there are too many factors like traffic control (police), emergency medical services, marshalls, sponsors, etc., etc., etc. If they’re not sure if we’ll still be in the midst of a pandemic, it’s hard to get this stuff organized in time.
Knowing that, I’ll probably come up with a few courses where I can simply race against myself. It’s not the racing that’s important, anyway. It’s all about becoming the optimum you. It’s about becoming super immune. It’s about being the best you you can be.
What Am I Most Grateful For Today?
I’m going to start adding this little section at the bottom of all my posts. I already do a gratitude diary – a quick run through of all that I’m grateful for in my life. This is touted as an incredible practice for the mind and I do believe I am seeing the benefits.
Today, I am most grateful for the Wim Hof Breathing Method. I talked about this in the past post. More and more, the medical community is giving in to the fact that there is something very beneficial to this practice of focused or intentional breathing.
I definitely see and feel the benefits. Our bodies have been compared to a coal powered plant where coal (food) is shoved in and power comes out. But, that’s a bad analogy. Our bodies are simply not that simple. Our bodies are a cold fusion plant attached to full labs operated by Tesla, Einstein and Darwin.
Your body needs X. Sure, X is available to be ingested. But, when you ingest X, the body can’t absorb it directly and it simply goes out the other end. So, you ingest Y and Z. The body then synthesizes X from Y and Z. That’s crude but that’s more how it works than just throwing more wood on the fire to heat up the house.
Well, it goes for your oxygen intake, as well. It’s not just simply oxygen in and CO2 out. How we breathe affects how the body functions. I strongly suggest you take a look at what Wim Hof has to say – it will make a difference in your life!