Today marks the end of the weight-loss challenge at work.  I’ve chronicled most of the details in the previous fitness reports.  (Report #4, Report #3, Report #2, Report #1).  The final result this morning was a total loss of 15.8 pounds.  Of course, I should offer a disclaimer that I used some old high school techniques to temporarily drop some weight for the purposes of the weigh-in.  So, realistically, I’ve probably dropped about 10 pounds total since the program started 10 weeks ago.

When I started this initiative, I wanted to be down around 170-172 pounds.  For the past 3 weeks, I’ve consistently been below 172 and even dipped as low as 168.  I seemed to recall blogging about some numbers from our health fair last year, so I went back and pulled them up.  11 months ago, my weight was 185 and my body fat % was 18.9.  Now, I’m at 170 and the body fat percentage seems to be hovering between 15-16%.  Overall, I’m pleased with my results….so far.

This is me before the challenge (left) and after (right)

This is me before the challenge (left) and after (right)

Now, I intend to change directions.  My goal is to slowly put some of the weight back on, but to do it as muscle.  To do this, I’ll need to slightly increase the number of calories that I take in each day, but I’ll need to make them protein.  This bodes well for me because I can handle protein all day long.  Peanut butter, eggs, cottage cheese…..yeah, I can put a hurtin’ on some proteins!

For strength training, I’ll be doing the P90X workout program.  It’s a 12 week program and I’m currently on week 4.  I won’t be able to do absolutely everything that is required, but I’ll at least do the primary strength training days and mix in some cardio when I can’t do the other days.  In the case of days that they do Yoga, I’ll run because I just don’t do yoga.  It requires balance and patience, neither of which I possess.

For the weight loss, I set a goal and met it.  For muscle building, I imagine that a goal will be helpful.  So, instead of a numerical goal, I’m going to set a visual goal.  I want to be ripped.  Huge arms, chiseled legs, impressive pecs, shoulders that can’t fit through the door.  Ripped.

Take a good look at me now because the next time you see me, my muscles might just be ripping through my shirt.  Or, maybe the shirt is just old.  Either way, there will probably be a hole in it.  Now move out of my way.  I gotta go eat some peanut butter eggs with cottage cheese and lentils on top.