Intro & Disclaimer

Common wisdom seems to point towards weighing during a diet program once a week. Having a quick look around, there are lots of different views but it certainly seems to be the case with the various groups offering weekly weigh-ins.

There are some practical reasons for this when meeting in town halls, but when you have scales in your own bathroom, why leave it so long (or not longer?). One reason is the short term fluctuations that are pretty much out of our own hands, which could knock confidence. I have also seen lots on the topic of muscle replacing fat and increasing weight. It makes sense that you could iron out ‘blips’ with longer intervals and see a more encouraging and consistent reduction.

For me, daily weigh-ins keeps the pressure on – this means it is relevant to every decision i am making – there isn’t a whole week to burn off a cheeky slice of pizza, i would have to answer for it the next morning. There will still be an over-riding trend, but this way, there is a clear and constant reason to stay on track. Already, in just 11 days, i have weighted the exact same (within 1 tenth of a pound), seen an increase and then dip, so this roller coaster will just be part of the package.

Daily readings means no where to hide and no excuses. It is because we bury our heads in the sand that we get into this position in the first place. Weight loss programs seem to all rely on some kind of ‘peer pressure’ and the responsibility of accepting what the scales are showing – so why not use it as much as possible.

I have spent the day (first back at work) speaking with my guys about goals and aspirations for the new year, much like many other managers engaging with their teams. This has been broken down into work goals and personal goals – although these will in a way be intrinsically linked.

This year however – with new found clarity, i can see that actually there is really no need for separation at all. Why does work/life balance need to mean compromise for either? Really, can we be successful in one part, if not the other?

So i will be encouraging my team to focus on personal goals, which tie straight back to achievement and fulfilment within the workplace anyway. if we are happy, healthy and energised, we are bound to perform at a higher level at work – this will also impact on those around us, so performance will increase. (without it being a separate goal).

As you can tell – motivation and will-power are still really high,

Day 4 of the year and of the healthy new me (you!) and things are great. Will power is high, motivation is high, results are good, the food is a novelty and time off from work means that fitting in a new routine hasn’t even been necessary. The kids have also been off, so no real drama dropping the drink. This is easy. {we’ll come back to this!}

We are still well within the ‘New-Year-Resolution-Zone’ and far enough away from ‘Blue Monday’ that i guess this is to be expected, having had weeks to psych myself up and prepare. A weight loss of 7lbs helps, recording and sharing results is so much easier when they are positive. Skipping a pint or slice of pizza is a breeze when you’re looking forward to seeing what the scales have to say.

Will-power – topped up and brimming ready for more. Motivation – high and self perpetuating. This is amazing.

Ok… reality check. If i could bottle this then i would be an over-night millionaire rather than a normal person half way through the natural boost of a new year and shock weight loss due to water retention. I will make the most of this, whilst being fully aware i will need to publish weights that have gone up, not down in the near future. The gym will not always be exiting and neither will the food choices.

I for one, am really taking stock of how this feels, right now. It feels good. This is it, ‘this time’ i will stay the course.

Most New Years Resolutions only last until the 12th of January, so don’t make empty promises to yourself, you will only feel subconscious guilt when conceding if you are not fully committed to change.

Today marks my son’s birthday, so whilst not abstaining completely, i have stuck to the program overall. Calories under but fat too high on MyFitnessPal (MFP) – i’ll take considering, this is not about suffering or sacrifice for me.

What qualifies me to blog on this subject then?….. in a word NOTHING. But then, if we work within our limits and take things slow, how hard can it really be? (we’ll come back to this!!)

I am not however, diving into this without any kind of help, research or advice and neither should you. Here is a list of resources i have and will be using, just so you have faith that the whole thing is not completely rudder-less.

This collection of books give a balanced and insightful view on why we behave the way we do and the many ways in which we are ‘programmed’ by years of evolution and experience. There is a lot of good sense in these publications – take control back from your subconscious whilst undertaking this lifestyle change.

• ‘The Alcohol Experiment’ Annie Grace
• ‘The Chimp Paradox’ Steve Peters
• ‘Atomic Habits’ James Clear
• ‘Leaders eat Last’ Simon Sinek

Anything else that will help?

In addition to a bit of reading, i will be using ‘myfitnesspal’ to keep an eye on what i am actually eating and the associated calorie balance. I will also be adding a daily mugshot including my weight – so this is the ultimate weigh-in group! For a balanced conditioning program for body and mind, i have signed up to Prime Evolution by Ollie Ollerton which includes body weight exercises, recipes and mindfulness coaching. Finally, the old classic, i have signed up to a local health club, so have the painful motivation of the monthly subscription leaving my bank account.

There you go – anything that sounds even a little bit educated, will have come from one of these professional sources.

Staring down the barrel of my 40th birthday, i am having to finally accept that i am far more middle-aged than i feel. Whilst this gives me the stereotypical, socially ‘accepted’ (well at least forgiven) opportunity to buy a helicopter and date martini waitresses, i’m seeing this more as an opportunity to really take control of heath, body and soul.

Not that i have the money for sports cars or charm/need for affairs, i can look back over the first part of my life knowing i have lived it to the fullest and at times to excess. There are not many scratches left un-itched, but i am now carrying the weight, stress and scars of ‘too much fun’ both physically and emotionally.

So – my choice is a simple one. Carry on as i am. Buy a bar in Magaluf. Sort myself out.

As you can tell from the clue in the title of this blog site, this will be a journey of positive change, rather than stereotypical escape. (although tempting now i see it in writing).

At this point i am over-weight and suffer with a lack of the energy needed to keep up with my ever-growing sons. I drink ‘too much’, I eat ‘too much’ and exercise nowhere near enough. My legs ache, my back hurts and i get short of breathe way too easily. I want to be an inspiration for them on all levels, so have the ultimate motivation to get fit and do what i can to have the longest healthiest life possible.

If you are going to be joining me on this mission – take a moment to really decide why?