I mentioned this before but I thought I’d expand on this a little.
I head to Madrid for the Grand Prix in September. That’s not what this post is about but is what, by happenstance, gave me a focus.
I need goals
I look back at my athletic achievements (wow, that’s an odd phrase to even think about, let alone write) and they are all usually something I’ve had to plan for, something I’ve signed up for in the future knowing it will push me to exercise and give me a focus.
Regardless of the reason for starting, I always end up with some form of goal in mind, be that to run a 10K, to cycle from Glasgow to Edinburgh, or to take part in a 50-mile cycling sportive, it’s the same pattern. Sign up, plan, do the training.
The only time I started, and stuck, to a fitness-related activity was when I joined a Bootcamp which became a weights-focused activity which meant squats, deadlifts, and bench presses, with Personal Bests marked up on the wall… which gave me a goal to aim for, of course.
Breaking it down
Before Jack arrived I was committed to cycling, tackling longer and longer rides, and I signed up for more sportives and closed-road events. My goal was to get to the 100-mile mark. I had it all planned out. I managed to keep it going for a little while when Jack was born, but not long after it started to become a struggle to find the time and I realised that being there for my son, and wife, was more important to me.
Even then, I would set myself goals, just smaller ones. I got back to being able to run a 5K, aimed to exercise every day for six weeks, that kind of thing. Manageable and achievable.
But the lulls in between became longer and longer, my desk job kept me sedentary for more hours, day after day, and the weight started to go on. Well, that and genuinely eating my emotions after a turbulent, grief-filled year or so.
Why 100?
Honestly, I can’t recall why I even looked it up but, about four weeks ago, I was of a mind to try and lose weight again. As I know I work better with a goal, I looked for the next event where I’d be with people who don’t see me every day.
Oh yes, this is all about getting one comment from someone saying “Hey, have you lost weight?”
As it happened, my trip to Madrid was, at the time, 101 days away. It felt like fate.
But more than that, it felt achievable. One hundred days is long enough for things to change, but short enough that you can picture the finish line. It isn’t some vague “I really should lose some weight” idea drifting around in my head. It has a beginning, an end, and a reason. I’ve discovered over the years that I seem to need that. Give me a finish line and I’m happy to work towards it. Leave me with an open-ended “be healthier” and I’ll eventually drift.
What am I doing?
I have a bad habit of setting goals unrealistically, and spending too much time worrying about stats and numbers to actually enjoy the activities I’m undertaking. So I’m trying to change that.
I decided that I would “move” every day, and I would eat “consciously”.
Which sounds very vague, I know.
Like I said, my job is desk-based so I figured if I could do 20–30 minutes of moving, in any form, that would be better than what I have been doing.
Similarly, I know my eating habits can improve so I’m just trying to be mindful about it. Slightly smaller portions, trying to be aware of when I’m eating just because I’m bored.
I know all the science behind all of this. I know it’s ultimately a simple equation of calories in versus calories out. I know about nutrition, I’ve counted macros in the past, and I’ve religiously followed training plans that have ended up with me picking up a niggle, or injury, that has derailed me.
So I’m being careful. I’m walking, mostly (not running), and cycling when I can (using the Zwift bike when I can’t get out).
I’m also leaning a little on Apple and their Activity Rings, but I’m not letting them drive my decisions.
How is it going?
So far so good. I’m using the Streaks widget on my home screen (the only widget in that space, so it’s always visible) so I have a reminder of what I am doing. Right now it says 27. So I’m just over a quarter of the way through this challenge.
I was 114.3kg when I started, and I’m now at 109.9kg. If possible, I’m hoping to lose about 1kg a week so I’m slightly ahead.
I’m also pondering re-starting Couch to 5KM, with a view of completing the local ParkRun sometime in August… maybe.
What happens next?
I keep going?
So far, bar my usual knee niggle, I am managing to keep the level of movement manageable. The Zwift bike is always a bit more of a workout so that’s helping as well, and of course as my fitness rises so does my ability to move more, and hopefully that helps keep this all rolling onwards.
One hundred days, and with some luck I should get to around the 100kg mark. For reference, the lightest I ever remember myself being was, I think, 96kg and, who knows, maybe after this 100 days is up I’ll keep this going?
I mean, I get back from Madrid on the 14th September which is, what, about 100 days until Christmas?
What are your thoughts?