New Year Weight Goals: Update

It’s been 3 weeks since my last body weight and body fat update, and with only a sluggish five mile run to blog about tonight, I figured now, 6 weeks into 2008, would be as good a time as any to post some new figures.

Last time I posted I’d lost 2.4lbs since New Year’s Day (1.9lbs of which was body fat) and happy with the progress made in a relatively short space of time. Quite remarkably, and somewhat surprisingly, I’ve dropped a further 4lbs in weight and another 2lbs of body fat, meaning I’m already down to my “racing weight” for the Shamrock Marathon which is still over 4 weeks away!

I haven’t checked my old training logs, but I think this is the lightest I’ve been since I trained for Ironman Lake Placid in 2004. To say I’m pleased is an understatement and I’m curious to see if I can lose any more weight, without sacrificing strength, before the marathon. I also had to edit the scale on my graph to include new lower limits 🙂

I’m sure you’re all thinking “How did he do it? What’s the secret?” Well, maybe you’re not, but I’ll give you my opinion anyway. In each of the six weeks so far this year, my running mileage has steadily increased. I know I should have added a recovery week into the mix, but somehow it didn’t work out that way. I’ve also cross trained consistently on the indoor bike and followed a regimented abs and push ups plan.

My eating habits haven’t changed too much, although I have to say a kitchen remodel is probably the most expensive “diet” I’ve been on. I’m also on the second week of having braces fitted, so maybe the lack of nuts and trail mix from my lunch bag is a factor too.

So, all in all, a very successful start to 2008. Fitness is heading in the right direction and my confidence grows with every race. I wonder what the next 3 weeks will bring?

Earlier in this post, I briefly mentioned a five mile run tonight. Despite the positive comments above, I have to say the five miles was a struggle. Maybe the 6k race, 20 mile training run and last night’s bike/run finally caught up with me? A good night’s sleep will probably do the trick and I’ll be ready for action again tomorrow…