Aug 17 2008
Day 57
As I am now 2/3 of the way through Phase 1 I am hoping to see approximately 2/3 of the progress I might make by the time I finish my first 12 weeks. I have lost 3 lbs. of weight in the last week and I am hoping that this is fat loss and not muscle loss.
This week my key statistics are:
- Weight: 12 st. 9.5 lbs. (177.5 lbs.) – 3 lbs. lighter than last week
- Body fat chest pinch reduction of 5mm (23mm down to 18mm)
- Waist reduction of 1 inch from the navel area
- According to the body fat calculations a lean mass increase of 1 pound and a fat loss of 4 pounds
I think that the one thing that has made all the difference to me on this project is doing the weekly weigh-in properly. Weight is not a reliable metric. The tape and callipers are much better measure. I am over the moon when I see the body fat pinches reducing week on week. I can see, without doubt, that my fat is disappearing from some of my more fatty body parts. I have been careful with my diet and exercise not to lose muscle mass and so far so good.
I needed to go out for a long ride on the mountain bike today. I picked a nice long route that was about 1/3 off-road hilly climbs and 2/3 on-road, mostly hilly also. I covered 32 miles in a time of 3:02 hours. I would estimate that I would need to cycle for about 5.5 hours to complete the ‘End to End’ challenge in 4 weeks time and after the cycle today I don’t know if I had any more energy to go for another hour, never mind two. I will need to put in a few more long rides to see if I can help the endurance a little more over the coming weeks. As I am off on a holiday next week this may present a bit of a challenge.
My photos are showing pleasing progress at this point of the project. I ‘know’ I should be losing fat as I am eating and exercising well but it has been so long since I have actually lost fat that it is still difficult to believe that I actually am.
The view from the side is still showing the most amount of progress. I am not sure if my neck looks like it is growing longer!
I think that this week is the first time that the front view looks significantly different. My upper body is narrower and slightly more defined than Day 1.
When I wonder where some of the fat has been disappearing from when I see my big week-on-week losses I need only look at my upper back. The volume of fat sitting on my upper back has reduced dramatically.
I don’t know if raw chocolate has contributed to my progress so far but it certainly hasn’t harmed it. I have been eating raw chocolate (Cacao) on a regular basis. Cacao is meant to be really high in anti-oxidants and as we need plenty of them for good health then a little raw chocolate must help.
Andrew, You are making greast progress. 3# drop in weight in one week is excellent! Your side view photo is most telling. Can really see you progress. Shred on!
Looking good there! Just like you, I found that when I thought that nothing was changing, I look at my back pic and then realize, so that’s where a lot of fat was hiding!
Keep shredding!
Great progress Andrew! You’re really starting to make a real dent in your fatloss. Your belly and neck are most noticeable. Your face has changed a lot! Keep up the momentum.