forkboy trying to find maintenance numbers and gain a little muscle

[forkboy]

Are you still dropping fat?

 

Fat loss is hard for me to measure.  I don't feel like any of my measurements are accurate.  My week over week waist measurement did not really change, no, though.  I will do another full set on Saturday though.  I am optimistic, but it is hard to see or measure from one week to another.  I get your point though, that is why I am not really freaking out just yet.

[Donar]

Don't sweat a stagnant week here and there....what you are doing is still working.

 

Fat loss is very much a non-linear process....and you need to basically ignore the scale....

 

A typical waist measurement over the course of 8 weeks might look like:

- 0.25 inches down

- 0.125 inches down

- same

-0.125 inches down

- same

- 0.5 inches down

-0.25 inches down

- same

 

Hang in there man. You got this.

[Broba Fett]

Fat loss is hard for me to measure. I don't feel like any of my measurements are accurate. My week over week waist measurement did not really change, no, though. I will do another full set on Saturday though. I am optimistic, but it is hard to see or measure from one week to another. I get your point though, that is why I am not really freaking out just yet.

 

 

EDIT: Never mind.  Looks like Donar already addressed this.

[forkboy]

Don't sweat a stagnant week here and there....what you are doing is still working.

 

Fat loss is very much a non-linear process....and you need to basically ignore the scale....

 

A typical waist measurement over the course of 8 weeks might look like:

- 0.25 inches down

- 0.125 inches down

- same

-0.125 inches down

- same

- 0.5 inches down

-0.25 inches down

- same

 

Hang in there man. You got this.

 

 

EDIT: Never mind.  Looks like Donar already addressed this.

 

Thanks guys.  I have been trained in the "instant" world.  I get it logically, less so emotionally.  I am sticking with it for sure.

[AshPS]

Awesome workout forkboy and I love your attitude about not letting the scale get you bugged.

 

Second Donar, my friend, you got this!

[forkboy]

Yesterday's macros:  Calories under 6, fat under 8g, protein under 3g. Water in.

 

Not much to report.  Today is a rest day and I am feeling tired.  I definitely am looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow.

 

I am still in love with you Friday, you know that right?

[CourtnieMarie]

Yesterday's macros:  Calories under 6, fat under 8g, protein under 3g. Water in.

 

Not much to report.  Today is a rest day and I am feeling tired.  I definitely am looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow.

 

I am still in love with you Friday, you know that right?

haha! i love your daily messages to whatever day of the week it is.

[AshPS]

Yay for sleeping in!! Yes, Friday is finding Ash very tired too. (yawn)

[forkboy]

Couple more form checks (hopefully there is improvement):

 

Deadlift:

http://rebellion.nerdfitness.com/index.php?/topic/41417-deadlift-form-check-part-deux/

 

Squat:

http://rebellion.nerdfitness.com/index.php?/topic/41415-squat-form-check-part-deux/

[forkboy]

Measurement updates from beginning of challenge:

 

This is a mixed bag as my weight has actually gone up a little in the last few days, which is strange, but whatevs...

 

Beginning of challenge v. end of challenge

 

Weight 193.8 v 189, 4.8 lbs lost or .8 lbs per week, although I was at 191 at the end of challenge two, so not really sure what to make of these numbers

 

Scale BF% 28.6 v 28.0

 

5 measurement average BF (I know this is too low) 26.7% v 24.6%

 

Waist 1" above navel 38.0" v 38.0" no change

 

Waist at navel 40.5" v 39.25"--1.25" lost

 

Waist 1" below navel 40.5" v 39.5"--1" lost

 

Waist at pants 38.5" v 38.0"-- 0.5" lost

 

No change in thigh, biceps, neck, or chest measurements

 

Overall, I am pretty okay with these.  My waist is shrinking.  My BF is going down.  My weight is trending in the right direction.  My weight lifting form is improving.  My weights lifted/strength has gone up.  I will call this challenge a success.

 

Found out my gym is closed from the 24th-1st.  Not sure what I am going to do about that.  I guess I will see what gyms might be open and how much it might cost me to get those extra trips in.  Kind of bummed about that.

 

I will do more macro and end of challenge stuff as well as updates on my gym trip today later.  I need food.

 

Saturday says she wants a hot shower, hot tea, and some down time.  I think she is lovely and right!

[CourtnieMarie]

Those are great results! Weight is so fluctuating so don't worry about that nice job!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Stronkey Kong]

I'm catching up on all the excitement I've missed the past few days. Awesome progress.

 

Just wanted to second the point Donar made about going stagnant. I was recently looking at the data I've been collecting. I definitely have weeks where I stagnate, or even go in the opposite direction of progress, LBM seems to go down, weight goes up, but if I look at the long term average I can see steady progress.

 

Keep going!

 

PS. I need to figure out how to get good graphs up on here so you all can see it.

[forkboy]

I'm catching up on all the excitement I've missed the past few days. Awesome progress.

 

Just wanted to second the point Donar made about going stagnant. I was recently looking at the data I've been collecting. I definitely have weeks where I stagnate, or even go in the opposite direction of progress, LBM seems to go down, weight goes up, but if I look at the long term average I can see steady progress.

 

Keep going!

 

PS. I need to figure out how to get good graphs up on here so you all can see it.

 

 

Those are great results! Weight is so fluctuating so don't worry about that nice job!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Thanks guys!

[forkboy]

K, so I plan for this to be my last post this challenge and then I will go back to my battle log.

 

Below is my last iteration of my graphs for this challenge.

 

 

Macros were on yesterday and today.  Water was in.  I did an easy 3 mile jaunt today in 30 minutes.

 

Goal 1:  23/24 workouts complete = A

Goal 2:  39/40 days on macros = A

Goal 3:  40/42 days with water in = A

Fitness Goal: Complete, 1/1 = A

Life Goal:  3/6 garage cleaning = F

 

Overall I am going to grade myself an A.

 

Reflexiones:  Slow and steady is going to win this race.  My weight loss approach is much slower than it has ever been in the past, but I think my approach is also the healthiest ever.  My strength gains are slow, but re-focusing on form I am confident I will at least be doing it properly.  I have had an on-again-off-again relationship with my scale this challenge, but I know it is just one measurement point and not even the most important one.  All the additional data this challenge has been fun.  I will definitely continue to track.  I have no intention of changing my macro plans anytime in the near future, unless I hit maybe a 4-week plateau.  I acknowledge I may miss a few days with holiday festivities coming up, but my plan is to stay close.  I will be back for a challenge #4 and likely my macro and workout approach will remain.  The water has been good, but I am really annoyed with forcing it down at this point.  I will need to reflect on some new goals during the off weeks for sure.  I have read some epic quests and they were definitely fun to read.  I am thinking I may want to write up my own epic quest to have it help inform some of my future goals.  I started here in August thinking I was going to get to 185 lbs and 25% BF in 1 or 2 challenges.  It looks like it may be within reach after challenge 4.  I feel like I can continue this approach for a long time and likely within 6 months I will be where I ultimately want to be, namely at 15%.  I want to use the epic quest concept to start dreaming about what might come after these goals if they are really becoming a possibility.  Faster 5ks?  Rock climbing? Olympic lifting gym/competitions?  I don't know where I am headed, frankly.  I am really content with how I have ended the year though.  Take care all!

[AshPS]

Sounds to me like it is all working in the right direction, even with some fluctuations!

 

Hot tea and a hot shower sounds like heaven! Enjoy, and I am looking forward to the updates later!

[CourtnieMarie]

Those are amazing results, buddy! you stayed on task and completed the goals you set out for yourself. that is a great achievement in itself. 

 

Bummer about the water, of course. I'm sorry you feel like you're forcing it down. I know for me, getting in 16oz before I leave for work helps wonders with the rest of the day. That's the only time I feel like I'm chugging before I jump in the car. you'll get a routine down though

 

Great work!

[Broba Fett]

Good job sticking with it man. Looks like all good things.  Just keep the small improvements going for a long time and it'll add up. 

 

Think of it this way:  That kind of loss for a year is like 10 inches off your waist...