Fashion is Cyclical ... So Is My Weight Loss

My fiance and I decided it was time we started making an effort to eat healthier. We've got the wedding coming up in October of next year, and we both want to feel and look great.

I know what has worked for me in the past (portion control, lots of veggies and no late night snacking). It took me about a month and a half to lose the weight I wanted (15lbs) .

A little over a year ago I went through a similar scenario, however, I think I used NutriSystem to shed the weight. This time around, I am preparing all of my own meals. It's worked out really well, and I still get to eat the super yummy stuff--just in moderation now.

My goal is 174lbs (which I met this past Sunday after sweating out the weight from a soccer game -- probably water weight is why I'm currently 176), and as long as I keep it within two pounds of this goal weight for the rest of the year, I will be happy. I'm still planning t0 hit the gym soon and get in a routine of strengthening my core like I did two years ago. Pretty sure Heather (fiance) wouldn't mind some six pack abs to run her hands over on our honeymoon. :)

Tony Little Was Right: It's Technique!

I tend to eat "comfort food" over the winter, so all of my hard work of losing 32 lbs last year was completely ransacked by my pizza and ice cream habit. That's changing for good.

For the last five weeks I've been paying attention to what I eat, the amount I eat and the time I eat. Basically, I've made a lifestyle change that won't require a ridiculous diet or some type of shake. Diets don't work anyways ... not in the long run.

Coupling these eating habits with physical activity has proven itself not just manageable, but easy to follow for the rest of my life. Here are my results so far:



I've got about 7 more pounds to lose to reach my ideal weight. If my calculations are correct, I've been losing (on average) .45 lbs per day. Sports science nutritionists recommend you shoot for 2-3 lbs of weight loss per week, otherwise you run the risk of losing lean mass (muscle). So, I'm right on target with the amount I am losing.

Once I hit my ideal weight, I'll have to slightly increase my caloric intake so that I don't lose any more weight. Having 8% body fat was OK when I was cycling 400 -600 miles per week on my collegiate cycling team, but it totally isn't necessary for me any more. There have been numerous studies which show a healthier amount of body fat in men ranges between 12 - 18%. These studies indicate that cholesterol levels are ideal and heart health is optimized during this percentage.