Week 21 End - Another Successful Week

After a lack-luster week last week of 2 lbs. I was pleasantly surprised when I stepped on the scale. I had a 4 lb. loss. It always seems just when I think I have finally plateaued I am surprised by success. While 2 lbs. is certainly successful and actually my target loss for a week, the past successes have made it difficult to expect less.

It would seem that my reduced exercise and continued diligence in logging and controlling my food intake has been beneficial. I may have actually not been eating what I should for the amount of calories I was burning. That is not to say that I am in any way minimizing the need for exercise, but I have tried to adapt my exercise to more normal activities instead of time consuming dedicated blocks of exercise. I have tried to become more active in my day to day life in order to get my exercise in. Of course I am not burning the big numbers I was doing initially, but, it is sustainable and seems to be working.

I recently started working overtime at work again.  That entails double shifts (16 hrs.). I had not been trying to get much in the way of overtime early in the year, because I was concerned that it would "mess with my program". I have been pleased to find that I can in fact do the overtime shifts and still maintain an ongoing weight loss. I have to adapt to an extra meal and the down side of sleep deprivation and fatigue, which many will say will bring a screeching halt to your metabolism, but, I have been fortunate enough to be able to adjust so far. We will see what the long term effects may be. For right now I will continue as long as I am seeing the results I need.

This coming Saturday is my "Color Run" in Hershey, PA. This is a 5k run/walk (I'll be walking) to promote "Health, Happiness and Individuality". It's billed as the "Happiest 5k on the planet". This is a real milestone for me. 6 months ago I would never have thought that I would be able to do this. Now, 67.4 lbs. later, I know I can and am looking forward to enjoying the day with my wife, daughter and friends. I'm sure there will be many pictures to post.

On another note, it became clear to me this past weekend, that I would not be retiring as soon as I had hoped. The good news is, with the newfound health and energy that my new lifestyle is providing, I believe that a few more years will not be a problem. It is important that I am able to go on my terms and be able to do all the things that we had planned to do in retirement. If that means sticking it out for a few more year, I am OK with that. Not that it wasn't a kick in the gut initially. But, I am good with it now and will make the most of the few years of work that I have coming.

As always, thanks to all who have shown so much support. I really couldn't do this without it.