Last Updated on August 26, 2024 by Michael Brockbank
This week has been another busy one at my house. I’m still working on trying to get it all organized and wasn’t really putting in the effort to exercise or go to the gym. Yet, it all kind of worked out.
I’m not exactly doing what needs to be done to be Hot 4 Halloween, but at least I’m moving in the right direction. After all, I still have about 20 or so pounds of fat to go to hit my goal weight.
That’s even if I can get that low. Since I have quite a bit of muscle mass at six feet tall, I doubt I’ll ever be under 200 pounds. I’m built like a running back – with a side of bacon and hashbrowns.
In any case, it’s nice to burn off some of the weight I gained in week two and a dash extra.
How I Lost 3.4 Pounds Last Week
Although I haven’t been putting in the time to work on traditional exercises, and I haven’t gone to the gym in weeks, I was still able to drop some weight. That’s mostly because I was mindful of what I ate and still kept somewhat active.
You don’t need to grind out an hour on the treadmill or beat yourself up with bodyweight exercises. I kept my calorie intake somewhat low while still moving around while working on fixing up my house.
Pure and simple.
Yes, I used MyFitnessPal to try to keep myself in the “green” for my caloric goals. But I also spent a lot of time with friends and family and didn’t track every single morsel of food. I just made sure I wasn’t going gonzo with the intake while moving things around in my house.
It also helped that virtually everything I ate on Sunday was pure protein and cooked vegetables.
Anyway, what it all boils down to is keeping myself from overindulging while also making sure I’m moving about. Walking out back, carrying stuff up and down the stairs, and continuing housework made all the difference this week.
Also, keep in mind that I went to bed several times this week at around 1 am. That’s because family members needed me for one thing or another, which is why I didn’t go to the gym last week. Despite a lack of proper sleep, I kept everything in check.
That, alone, is quite an accomplishment for me.
What’s the Goal for Week 4?
Ok, we need to get back into the actual swing of things if I still want to be hot for Halloween. Time is ticking, and I need to put in some maximum effort.
I say that all the time, yet, chaos says, “Hold my beer.”
Get Back Into Recording Data
I haven’t been doing well in recording data in the spreadsheet throughout this challenge. Things kept getting pushed back, I kept forgetting certain things, and life has intervened with most plans.
So, I would like to get back into keeping an eye on the numbers. Mostly because it would give me data for some decent articles for both CrossingColorado.com and ColoradoPlays.com. I need some new content as Google keeps burying both websites.
Regardless, I would like to start seeing some numbers again. Instead of blocking everything previously in red, though, I think I’m going to do it in a pastel blue. I was still mindful of what I was doing, I just kept forgetting a few things here and there.
Let’s get back in the habit of updating the sheet every morning.
40 Minutes Per Day Oculus/Kinect
I would still love to update some articles regarding calorie burn and gameplay. Now that the dust has settled somewhat, I have a spot cleared out to actually dive into the Oculus. Unfortunately, it might be a while before I can get the Kinect set up in a safe location.
Racking up 40 minutes of gameplay is essentially two, 20-minute sessions. I have plenty of time to hit that mark throughout the day, even while being extremely busy trying to balance work and life. So, there really are no more excuses why I can’t get in a good cardio workout with something like Beat Saber or Fruit Ninja.
In fact, I plan on playing some bowling after I get done with this article. It doesn’t burn as many calories, but I still enjoy Premium Bowling. Later, I’ll probably load up Fruit Ninja 2.
12,500 Steps Per Day
I want to average 12,500 steps per day. This will show that I am active enough to burn the fat as I’ve demonstrated multiple times before. It seems to be my key number. Every time I hit 12,500 steps or more, I would lose weight the next day.
The steps are recorded with everything I do. So, if I push to clean the house, play the Oculus, walk around outside, move furniture around, go shopping, or spend time in the garden, it’s all working toward my goal.
I just need to make sure I am hitting that number every day if possible. That means dialing up the physical activity a bit, which is often difficult to do for a desk jockey who works and plays at his desk all day long.
It all comes down to keeping it in mind, really. I enjoy playing the Oculus and gardening, but I often get sidetracked by working with blogs, clients, and setting up YouTube videos.
It’s Forward Progress, Anyway
No matter how you slice it, losing 3.4 pounds this week is really nothing to scoff at. It’s just a bit more than what the CDC suggests as a “healthy rate” of weight loss. All I did was keep an eye on intake while remaining active enough to burn it all.
Let’s see if I can get back into the 220s by next week. That’ll be more than a five-pound drop, which I’ve done before when actually working toward hitting my daily fitness goals. It all comes down to keeping carbs low, activity high, and not overindulging on peanut butter on any given day.
About Author
