The Weight Is Over (sort of)

So I’ve been running/participating in a weight-loss contest for the past 10 weeks that ended yesterday.  Unfortunately I ended in fifth place which has no prize attached (started the morning in third, but got knocked out by 2 surprisingly good weigh-ins after me).  The good news is that I HAVE lost 15 lbs. in those 10 weeks and plan to continue the healthier habits I’ve developed as a result.  It will likely be a little harder not having the contest as a motivating factor, but hopefully other factors will help support my efforts.

One such factor is the improved attraction from my wife.  She told me the other day after an afternoon at the pool with the kids that my man-boobs are slowly being replaced by a chest that could actually be considered attractive.  I almost feel like my life in future months (assuming I keep up my efforts) could parallel the fitness montage for the dad in The Incredibles.  As long as the end result is not me defending my family against some maniacal super-villain, I’m ok with that parallel.

What have I been doing, you ask?  Part of it has been improved diet – smaller, healthier meals, snacking less, drinking less soda, eating healthier snacks such as granola bars and baby carrots.  Also I’ve been exercising – my wife and i joined a close-by gym and I’ve made a point of going at least 2 or 3 times a week and pushing myself with weight-lifting and light cardio.  I also have made it a point to get up and walk around more at work and also find ways to exercise during the day by going for walks or do stair-climbing during pit-stops.  All-in-all, the results have been slow but steady and the changes are manageable.  So I think I can really maintain it for the long haul.

So while the contest ended with lack-luster results for yours truly, it has put me on the right track and I hope to stick with it.  I may even make efforts to convert my shed to a combo work-bench/work-out room – which would be especially inviting down the road when I get an elliptical machine and can put a TV in there.  😉