Day 365 – A Year of Change
Today I officially complete one year on my lifelong quest for healthiness. This is just the beginning of my quest, but yet I feel I have accomplished so much. You saw my stats comparison for the year yesterday, which I consider a great success. If I do like all the weight loss commercials do and add up my measurement changes, I can say that I have lost a total of 34.8 inches. In addition, my weight has gone from 259 to 199, a loss of 60 pounds. My body fat has went from approximately 34% (obsese) to my current 21.2% (acceptable). That is a total loss of approximately 45.87 pounds of fat, or about the average weight of a six year old boy. My BMI has went from 35.9 (obese) to 28.6 (overweight), or a drop of 7.3. This still doesn’t get me to an acceptable reading for BMI, but I don’t think it is the best measurement anyhow. If I were to get this to an acceptable number, I would have to weigh 170 or less.
Just a side note about BMI, this measurement does not take into account your lean body mass. In other words, it will inherently be inaccurate for a body builder, or for that matter anyone who has more muscle than average. In fact, I read the other day that the man who created BMI stated that it was a flawed system (sorry, I don’t have a reference). There are many studies that second this thought, including this one one Science Daily. As a result, I don’t put a whole lot of stock in BMI. Body fat percentage and the tape measure are a whole lot better indicators. Now back to your regularly scheduled post.
My blood pressure has dropped from the high 140′s over mid to high 90′s to 107/65 (average over the last 30 days). This is on half the blood pressure medicine I was on a year ago. Looks like it is time to come off of more of it.
My total cholesterol eight months prior to changing my lifestyle was 172. Four months after starting the lifestyle change it went to 142. At my visit in May it was 105. My LDL cholesterol eight months prior to changing my lifestyle was 68. Four months after starting the diet it went up to 86. In may it was 52! HDL cholesterol has not been such a success story (yet). Eight months prior to starting the lifestyle change it was 38. Four months after starting the lifestyle change it was 34. In May it remained 34. Triglycerides eight months prior to changing my lifestyle were 335. Four months after the change they were 109. In May they were 95. Blood sugar is the last thing I am really tracking as far as blood work goes. Eight months prior to starting the lifestyle change it was 126. Four months after starting it was 103. In May it was 111.
A year ago I wasn’t really exercising to speak of. Now I regularly walk over 20 miles a week. I also do push ups and Tabata Jump Rope.
The pictures really tell the story better than my words. If you haven’t already, check out the progress pictures.
My diet has also changed. Prior to the lifestyle change I would eat just about anything and everything, and in large quantities. After the lifestyle change, I got a hold on the types of food, but I still struggled with the quantities (as Mark can attest). Check out my typical food log a year ago. Compare this to today’s food log later in this post. Now I almost totally avoid processed sugar (very, very little is consumed in the occasional very dark chocolate square). I do not eat white flour and if grains are eaten, I almost totally consume whole grains. I eat lots of fresh vegetables and fruits. I also try to eat lean meats, although I still struggle with this some. I love the fatty meats.
A lot has changed in the last year, but to reiterate a statement made by my diet buddy Ehren, I am not done yet! In fact, the race has barely begun. I don’t plan on crossing the finish line until about half a second before my last breath. After all, good health is a lifelong journey. I have a long, long way to go to get this body exactly where I want it.
I am not the fastest weight loss champion (see Mike for an example — there are others), nor have I lost the most (some contenders are Tony (>200 pounds) and Zeusmeatball (>200 pounds), who both lost that weight in incredible time frames. While I walk a lot, I can’t hold a candle to Run4Change who now runs ultramarathons. I also don’t burn as many calories as Rob on a daily basis. Unfortunately, I don’t have the body of Will of Iron yet, but I hope that is coming. What I do have is a decision I made one year ago today. I knew that when I woke up the next morning my life would never be the same. Let me tell you friends, there has never been a more true statement spoken.
Enough of the reflection, on to today. I have felt better today. In fact, I feel normal today. I did not take any medicine last night or this morning, so that might be a contributing factor. I also did not do anything to speak of yesterday. Lastly, I did not eat breakfast this morning, which shouldn’t make a big difference, but it is worth mentioning. I did not get to call my doctor because of a crazy travel schedule, and I think I am going to put it off until get back home; however, if the feeling comes back tomorrow after I start taking the medicine again, then I will really have an indicator that the medicine may be the problem. I truly appreciate the comments and thoughts you all provided me. There was a lot of food for thought there. I am looking into everything mentioned, including the meds (as already mentioned), am I eating enough?, am I overtraining? did I just need rest? There is a lot to think about. Right now, I am interested in seeing if this feeling comes back tomorrow. If so, it is more likely that it is the medicine, although it could be a combination of that and the exercise, lack of sleep, reduced diet, or who knows what. I am anxious to see how tomorrow goes.
Eating was a little different today. Breakfast was a small cup of black coffee. Lunch was a Mexican dish with chicken, sauteed vegetables, and some really hot peppers. I also had some grilled habaneros on the side. I ate about three of these, but that was all I could handle. The meal was also pretty hot. My stomach let me know that this was enough, but boy was it good. Supper was an apple with three tablespoons of natural peanut butter. This was a Pink Lady Apple, which is probably my favorite. I am not sure though, I really need a Jazz Apple to compare it to. I know this wasn’t enough food today, but I intentionally cut it back. Tomorrow will be more normal.
12 Responses to “Day 365 – A Year of Change”
Trackbacks
- A Year Has Come and Gone - South Beach Diet Forums
- Day 365 – A Year of Change | LogMyLoss.com | Southbeach | doing the southbeach diet you need supplementing
- FatBloggers.net » Blog Archive » A Year of Weight Loss – A Year of Change
What a great post Steve of the past year.You have really achieved a lot and your stats are really great.Dont compare yourself to the other people because what you have done is fantastic and you did it all on your own,there is certainly nothing wrong with the exercise you chose,who says you have to go to a gym and waste money when you can do it yourself,heh it worked great too,just look at you now.Gyms,trainers,special food it is not for everybody.Youve done so good and all you have to do is look forward to a long long life with your family.
[Reply]
South Beach Steve Reply:
July 13th, 2009 at 8:57 pm
VAngel, as always, thanks for your encouraging words. I am very pleased with the progress during the last year, but I also know I have a long way to go. That is fine though, I don’t want to ever “arrive” until my time on earth is over.
A Pink Lady Apple and a Jazz Apple are tart, yet sweet red apples. The Pink Lady is more pinkish in color. They both are very firm and taste oh so good with peanut butter. Both of them are similar to the popular Fuji Apple or the Braeburn Apple, but I like the Pink Lady and Jazz better. The stores around home just don’t carry them very often, so I usually grab a few while I am working in Texas.
[Reply]
Heh what is a Pink Lady and a Jazz apple?
[Reply]
It really is about the journey, not the destination. I know that sounds corny, bt it really is true. Congratulations on your decision a year ago and your blogiversary. You are doing great!
[Reply]
South Beach Steve Reply:
July 13th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
Thanks Kat. As corny as it sounds, it is true. Without the journey, what fun is the destination?
[Reply]
Wow, great post. It looks really nice, to see all those numbers up there, doesn’t it? I hope a year from now I have the opportunity to post something just like this, you truly are and have been an inspiration.
SO, new year, what’s the plan? Are you going to amp things up a bit, or change anything drastically?
[Reply]
South Beach Steve Reply:
July 14th, 2009 at 7:11 am
Eric, I am sure you will. Like others, you seems to be driven to achieve success in this area. Check out today’s post for more information on things to come.
[Reply]
This is an awesome post! You’ve come a long way in a year. Congratulations and well done!
I have exactly the same mind set – the journey continues until the day I day. So the time frame in which I lose weight and get fitter and healthier doesn’t really matter. I’ll still be doing the same things whether I’m at “goal” or not.
As for Tony, Mike, Rob, ZeusMeatball and those guys, good for them! But you’re Steve and what you’re doing is just as awesome! We are all unique and we can only live our own authentic lives, not those of others.
Apart from the fact that BMI is not scientific, but a pure mathematical formula, and doesn’t take muscle mass into consideration, it also doesn’t allow for body size. I have a large frame and will look like an Amazon even when toned and muscular. Somebody equally toned and muscular and the same height as me, but with a small frame, can probably weigh 10-20 pounds less than me and we’d both be at our best weight. I use it as a very broad guideline – I’ll know when I’m “right” for my body.
[Reply]
South Beach Steve Reply:
July 14th, 2009 at 7:14 am
Thanks Hanlie! Like you, BMI will never tell the right story for me, but also like you, I will know when I am there.
[Reply]