Workout: The Return Part 6
My goal I started on April 10, 2012 using MyFitnessPal
I’ve rebooted and restarted my workout regimin several times in the last 4 years I’ve been blogging here at the BL. I’ve made several attempts and have met with distractions and interruptions that have caused me to stop and then find myself getting unhealthy again.
I am hoping this time it sticks. Because I’ve made some great progress this time with some slightly different changes.
MyFitnessPal
A great app for tracking what I put into my body
I started using MyFitnessPal on 4/10/12 and tracking pretty much everything I’ve ingested into my body. This app, along with my three-times-a-week gym visits, has made a difference. My previous workout goals never really included a bite-by-bite tracking of what I ate. I never calorie counted. I just tried to eat healthier foods, or so I thought. This time, I stuck to my daily calorie intake, rarely going over and increasing my workouts for those days where I did go over the 1760 calories per day.
And it worked. I started at 183 lbs the week after Thanksgiving. I was at 180 lbs on April 10th when I started using MyFitnessPal. Per the image above, my goal to lose 5 lbs by May 15th was met as I was at 175 lbs on that day. Today I am at 171.
My other goal was to be at 170 lbs before June 15th. I have one more pound to go and might actually make it. If I don’t, that’s ok. I am close enough now and I’ve changed how I eat and what I take into my body. I still drink alcohol, but not as much. I still eat some sweets here and there, but not as often. I still find some fast food to eat, but I order different items now. It’s a change that I think is one that I’ve found that works for me to keep me fit. My getting toned and in-shape goals and mixing up my gym workouts will start once I’m back from vacation week after next. For now, I’m working out an hour three times a week doing treadmill for 45 mins at 4.0 speed on the Lifecycle and 15 mins of jumping jacks, stretching and basic calisthenics. I want to add in some weight lifting and more aerobics to help with the muscle and fat toning.
No More Nike+ Fuel Band
As I blogged about in April, I bought a Nike+ Fuel Band. I was excited about using it to track my fitness results and for it to push me to do more in my workouts and my daily active life. Turns out there was one big negative that left me soured on this device: it’s pretty intrusive on your wrist, especially when using a laptop. I always had to remove it during the day while I worked, which defeats the purpose of not collecting Nike Fuel points and adding to my pedometer steps. So I sold it, continuing to use my iPod nano’s pedometer function, which is still my main tracking of steps and calories burned. I know it may not be the most accurate, but it fits in my pocket and I just go about my day without it getting in the way.
Feeling Good
I feel better, I have more energy, I don’t get winded walking up the stairs, my leg muscles don’t hurt for extended walking. Although my chin and belly are still there, I can feel a bit less fat in each of those areas. I’ve not been too agressive with losing a lot of weight in a short period of time. I’ve taken my time doing this and it’s worked. You’ve read my monthly TINTFA updates and my goal of getting back into a fitness and weight loss program has been successful. Just need to keep at it and then adjust when I reach a point to start maintaining myself.
If you have any questions or comments or anything else you want to ask me that I didn’t cover in the post, feel free to ask away below.
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How much did you sell the Fuel band for if you don’t mind me asking?
I sold it on eBay for $155 (minus the fees, so around $135).
Good job!
I’m still thinking of getting a FitBit, but now I’m going to wait for Smart Bluetooth devices.
Thanks, Ren. My wife’s sister has a FitBit and i’m curious as to how she uses it (i got it setup on her MacBook a few months ago)
What kind of Smart Bluetooth devices are forthcoming? (I seem to recall a similar conversation we’ve had either here or on your blog)
I don’t recall hearing any specific devices yet, but Smart Bluetooth allows for things like heart-rate monitors to work with BT 4.0 devices. Previously, the power and configuration requirements were prohibitive. With Smart Bluetooth, all of this becomes feasible. It also allows for things like a pressure sensitive stylus.
It seems inevitable that FitBit type devices will come out with Smart Bluetooth versions, which should allow live syncing of data. That’s what I want. 🙂
I will have to watch for these devices to eventually show up. The pairing via Bluetooth will make them highly usable and effective.
Marty! You are kicking butt! WTG! I am so happy that app is helping. I tried it and got so annoyed with entering food. What do you do to get in to it? (After a day I am like “eff this!” Steven makes so many custom dishes it was annoying).
So happy to hear you are feeling more energetic!!!
The MyFitnessPal app…. I had tried the Lose It! app, but roiled the MFP app better. My friend Tim suggested I start tracking everything I ate and I used the app to see how many calories the fast food items I used to eat had. And that’s the thing that got me to use the app for everything I ate and did (exercise wise). It helped train me to eat better and stay on my daily calorie allotment.
I just got one of the new iPod nanos with the built-in Nike+ pedometer and have started using that to keep track of how many steps I take whenever I go on a walk someplace. I should let you know that, if you want to get into any sort of running or whatever, the Nike+ Running app for iPhone is free in the app store right now.
Awesome. I really want to hear how you like it long term… after a few weeks of use. I really like mine and as you read above, it’s beaten out a Nike+ Fuel Band.
I did download the Nike+ Running app this last week and am working to figure out how to implement it in my workout regimin.
They hyped up their addition of a new social aspect of the Nike+ network, but it’s sort of clumsily implemented. Namely, there’s no way to add a new contact from the app, though you CAN set up a Nike+ account. You’re supposed to be able to play competitive games with your friends, and if you post your runs to Facebook or Path they can leave comments and you’ll hear them through your earphones. Anyway, Sarah and I are doing the Couch-to-5K program (turns out you can use both apps concurrently). If you end up setting up an account you can look me up, I’m using the username Vahid9000.
Yes, I’ve visited the new site and it is pretty clumsy.. not very intuitive when it comes to trying to find things like workout data and other sections. I saw that you had linked your Path account and then I got a email from Path and Nike talking about how I could link mine.
I might have to try out the Couch-to-5K program.