This year I’ve started losing weight and taking my health more seriously. I’ve wanted to do this for years and have in the past, particularly when I was training and competing in triathlons. That, however, was a lifetime ago.
My wife and I cut out animal products during the week to start off. I dropped 25 pounds without doing anything else. Unfortunately, I’ve gained 8 pounds of that back. The obvious question is why?
For one, we’ve been going to Madrid more often for baby appointments. Every time we’re on the road for that long (2 hours each way) it’s inevitably a hundred times easier to eat fast food junk instead of actual food. I need to research ways to eat healthy while traveling.
Once I saw a documentary of a guy who brings his juicer everywhere but quite frankly I’ve never been a juice for meals kind of guy. We pack nuts and sometimes peanut butter sandwiches but I still find myself wanting a burger and fries with a coke as a reward for taking my wife to the doctor for pregnancy check ups. Lame reward I know :)
Also, sugar seems like another obvious culprit. I had it in check there while we started the animal product free week thing but it has crept back in, especially coke in particular. I have a theory as to why I’ve been ‘drinking again’ and also eating more sugar.
I’ve been working out again finally after being sick for basically the whole month of February. It’s almost like my brain says, “Go ahead buddy. You can eat your bodyweight in food now bc you’re exercising again.” Yeesh, if only I could get my brain to remember all the documentaries I’ve seen and facts about how many calories are in food versus how much you actually burn in exercise.
So, 2 steps forward and 1 step back. I’ve been running again which I love. I have started swimming as well, except I made the mistake of doing that 2 days in a row and my 36 year old shoulder told me not to do that again for a while. My favorite form of exercise has been hiking. I usually try to get a good hike in on the weekends if the weather permits.
This area is beautiful if we are able to drive a good 20 minutes away into the mountains. It’s truly stunning. Hiking is a great way for me to commune with the Creator God whom I worship.
Proverbs tells us to leave everything in the hands of God. That includes health and weight loss. Instead of feeling frustrated that I’ve taken a step back recently I need to submit that part of my life to Him as well.
