Last Updated on May 21, 2023 by Michael Brockbank
With my latest 12-week fitness challenge wrapping up, and me giving up on trying to record the last two weeks, I decided to do a new challenge for my birthday. This one is a bit similar to the last, but with emphasis on me turning 46 this year.
Yeah, I know, I kind of suck when it comes to these long-term challenges. But if you think about it, I got closer this last time around than the previous attempts. So, I’d still call that a win.
Ish…
Baby steps, man, baby steps.
Between not recording data, Easter, and this fitness bet with Sam, I figured now would be a good time to reset the 12-week spreadsheet.
One of the reasons why I decided to reset it now is because 12 weeks is the week of my birthday. So, it’s kind of good timing, really.
I know, any excuse will do.
So, What’s the Fitness Challenge for My Birthday?
To be honest, I am hell-bound and determined to make this damn 12-week thing work. I just need to maintain myself and stay vigilant with recording everything I eat and every workout I perform.
See, it wasn’t just the food that I didn’t record. I also forgot steps, Xbox time, and other cardio activities.
At the risk of sounding lame or like a broken record, this challenge is pretty much the same as the last. Only this time, there is more of a personal touch with it being my birthday and all.
Sticking to the Net 600 Calorie Diet
Again, I’m sticking with my Net 600 calorie diet. I know it works if I actually put in the effort. It’s how I lost the majority of my weight. And I haven’t really gained anything over the past year.
Essentially, I’ll eat between 1500 and 2000 calories while burning more than 3500. Once I get closer to my goal weight, I’ll probably revamp it a little to focus on building and maintaining muscle mass.
But, let’s get rid of the spare tire around my waist first.
The biggest hurdle I face today is keeping regular with physical activity.
Gym and Cardio Activities
I’m enjoying getting back to the gym. While I didn’t have to start completely over from where I was last September, I still need to work back up.
If I keep going to the gym during this challenge, I should break quite a few fitness records before my birthday. So, I think that would be a pretty cool gift to give to myself.
Anyway, the plan is to go to the gym on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings while getting two sessions of cardio in on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
My issue with cardio is that I have a tenancy to work straight through the alarms I have set to get up and exercise. I need to just stop working and take a 20 to 30-minute break as I intended.
More Video Content Planned
It’s kind of nice actually having someone who might be willing to help me plan and upload videos to YouTube. Sam is having quite a bit of fun with the Tuesday podcasts and we have plans for videos at around lunchtime.
We want to do more reaction videos to various foods we try. Plus, I’m toying with a few others that might be fun to publish.
At any rate, we’ll definitely be doing more videos in the very near future. This helps both of us stay on course for losing weight. Especially since we’re starting to get a few dedicated viewers.
Keeping the Blog Regular
I know I keep saying I’m going to keep the blog going. Whenever I write about health and fitness, I get inspired to do some awesome shit. This time, though, it’s also part of something I’m doing as a writer.
Right now, I am doing a six-month case study on the impact of publishing blog posts at regular intervals. WriterSanctuary.com is ahead, so now it’s CrossingColorado.com’s turn.
The idea is to see if there is a noticeable difference between rarely publishing a few posts per month and publishing three times per week.
In any case, that means this blog is going to be back to having a regular flow of posts for the foreseeable future.
Keeping Occupied at Night
And lastly, I am working on keeping myself occupied at night. That’s because if I find something to do other than binge-watch stuff on Netflix, I tend to snack less.
For example, I am writing this blog post and it’s 8:20 pm. I have no interest in snacking on leftover Easter candy. As long as I keep myself doing something constructive or am on camera more often, I don’t eat.
Of course, this also depends on the day. Sometimes I am pretty much done with writing anything by 5:00 pm. But on those days when I feel inspired, I will keep working on my next book.
Maybe I’ll have it published before my birthday! Actually, I’d like Kingmaker to be out long before then. But that really depends on how much paid work I have to do. I did pick up a new client, after all.
This Birthday is Going to Be a Bit More Difficult
Part of what makes this birthday a bit special for me is that it’s one of the very few times I’ll have one without my brother. His birthday is 11 days before mine, and it’s already starting to bother me.
I have my moments where things seem OK. But having to deal with losing someone with whom you’re that close due to suicide is exceptionally difficult.
Lately, we’d have a small get-together at Topgolf and play for a couple of hours. Or, we’d all hang out at his house over the weekend and do a birthday for both of us since our birthdays were so close together.
One of the last things he said to me in person was that he was proud of how well I’m doing and where I’m going. In fact, he used to call me his “sexy bitch” because I’ve lost so much weight.
So, that’s part of what is inspiring me to do this latest challenge. Not only to prove I can do it to myself but to make sure he’d still be proud.
Anyway…
Can I Actually Complete a Fitness Challenge Before My Birthday?
There we have it. Yet another 12-week fitness challenge to see what I can turn into before my birthday. If I can keep things in perspective and quit sacrificing myself on the altar of client work, I should be able to manage.
There’s a lot riding on success this time around. And I would love to make July something to remember.
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