Thanks for all the feedback. Just knowing so many of you get some inspiration from my journey, makes it that much easier for me to stick with it!
Lately, in the last week, I have really felt my body change. My weight is no longer steady, I am up and down on a regular basis. I think I have reached that transition from weight loss to muscle building and fat loss. I am still getting thinner, my waist line continues to go down, so this tells me that I am in fact building muscle right now. I do feel much stronger, and I have no problem carrying my kayak one handed, and even squatting down to pick up the paddle, and carrying it 100 yard to shore, through the sand. I used to dread this, but now I look forward to the workout, feels great.
One really good thing I think I do is pay very close attention to the signals my body gives me. I will crave different things at different time, like some dairy to head off a sore stomach, or more fat in my meals for better satiation, or more protein to get the calories up. I also spend more time figuring out which foods I'm sensitive too. I have found I am really sensitive to nightshade plants, they cause my blood pressure to rise. Knowing how all the food I eat effects me lets me control my diet for what I'm doing and any goals I have for the future. I know what exactly what I'm eating, how it effects me, and how it fits into my overall diet. I recommend doing this for yourself.
One area I still need to work on is sleep. For a while I was getting nine hours of sleep, and it really helped get the weight off fast. Every time I can get from nine to ten hours of sleep I can feel how much thinner I am. The sleep allows your new robust metabolism to really work it's magic on your body. So I will be trying to get more sleep.
I am really getting to the enjoyable part of the diet and weight loss. I really do wake up every morning now invigorated and energized, and can't wait to push my self a little harder. Even after a half dozen bike rides, I can power up steep hills with no problem, and recover back to a normal heart rate quickly. I can walk five miles or more without even thinking about it, climb those those dunes at a faster pace. I can paddle my boat for five miles or more non-stop, and not even feel tired afterward. I really do like feeling stronger and healthier than I have in two decades.
I can't wait to hit my 200 pound goal ,and start cross-fit. I'd like to see if it's something I am comfortable with in my kind of relaxed no pressure exercise mindset. I just hate exercising in one spot, or counting repetitions, how totally mind numbing and boring...
JIM
