This is good. Having now completed 4 weeks of training, I have a better understanding of what I can achieve, and what I can’t.
As discussed in my results for Week 4, I’m not losing as I had anticipated (or wanted). It’s harder than I thought – which is fine… it’s a learning.
I still have some subtle confusion about this past week… based on my numbers, if I go from the previous Friday, I would’ve lost 2.5lbs. Going from the Mon morning, I lost 0.4lbs. On the positive, I’m now losing fat and not muscle (well, on this occasion – I don’t expect it to continue for long!).
It’s that previous week that caught me off guard. I didn’t do great nutritionally – and I think that’s having a far greater impact than I had anticipated. We’ll see what this coming week brings.
So – nutrition is an important element, without a doubt. But keeping active is also hugely important. My training plan is changing as of Monday – I’m including an additional 3 cardio workouts a week (I’m debating when’s the best time to do them – M W F or T T S, so as not to conflict with my weight training – I don’t want to cannibalize all the muscle gains / maintenance). That’s TBD… but perhaps it’s a moot point, since I ought to be pushing up to 20 mins of intense cardio 7 days a week the following phase of the plan! So it doesn’t really matter when. I might as well do it M W F.
On the note of being active, I recognize that come December, I’m going to be on the slopes a lot at weekends. My hope is that I’ll be able to spend a lot of time out on the slopes – and I know last year, it enabled me to lose a lot of weight! A surprising amount! So if I’m able to go on Sat and Sun, it’ll mean 1. I’ll go backrupt quite quickly 
and 2. I’m pushing my weight loss even further and faster. Also – it’d provide an exceptional abs workout, since you’re always activating the core in the experience.
So this led me to think about my original goals… how they are upon reflection of the experience thus far… and my snowboarding goals (aka being tres active).
My original plan was to lose between 10-13% bf by Costa Rica, and then in the New Year, return to a mass gain plan. I always considered it would conflict with the snowboarding at weekends – expending that much energy while trying to gain will naturally count each other out. So – what I’m starting to think and realize is that my plan will have to change…
As discussed in my Week 4 results, my goal for Costa Rica is now a bf %age of 20%. That’s an optimal goal. And I think it’s a safe, reachable goal too. My longer term goal is to get down to that 12-15% bf level… and perhaps now if I extend this fat loss phase through April of next year (the Peru trip), that’ll allow me to achieve this goal. Then, in summer, which is a bit idiosyncratic, I can try and go into a mass gain cycle again – since it turned out that I can pretty much gain without putting on any fat!
It means a lot more hard work. But – I have to admit – I’ve never felt better in my whole entire life. While energy levels are sometimes low, they’re stable and I have the mental acuity I’ve been longing for. I’m more deliberate in my eating, what I choose to do, and I know that I’m treating my body right – with nutritious, valuable food. And – touching wood while I’m saying this – my skin’s doing really good… 4 weeks in from the trek. There are a couple of minor breakouts… but realistically, they’re minimal. I’m very content with where it’s at right now. And I really hope to maintain it.
So – I guess what I’m saying is that things are good – I’m a tad saddened by the lack of progress in the past 2 weeks. But it allows me to focus. Fitness, energy levels, mental acuity – it’s all coming together. And I know I can’t expect miracles to happen overnight. I’m already fitting into pants that I haven’t been able to for months, so that’s a highly encouraging sign! I’m getting there – I just want to be rid of this self-conscious element. Be active, healthy and perhaps one day have that glow. Maybe. I’m got the mental side down… now just the physical. Fingers crossed.
I’m motivated, excited and dedicated. This could be really awesome. I truly hope 