The concept of net weight loss

Today I'll write about something other than work related activities and bright lights.

I find it amusing that people like to talk about weight only when it is as a loss, and stock ownership when it is a gain. When the inverse is the case there is little talk about such topics. How many time has a friend or coworker let you know that they lost 10 or 15 pounds, only to gain it back and then a year later report that they have lost 10 pounds. But they are the SAME pounds because you are at a net loss of zero now. This phenomenon only amuses me, I don't pretend to be in much better shape than the general public, but this does lead into the start of my day.

For the last two weeks or thereabout I've been "back in the gym". Since I don't watch TV this has NOTHING to do with Biggest Loser. I see the banners at the gym, so I know these TV and gym promotions are driving gym membership and attendance. I've taken it pretty slow so as to not burn out early. A month ago I started walking on the treadmill for 20 - 30 minutes then doing really light free weight work trying to keep total gym time at or under 45 minutes at a visit. The point of the treadmill is to do a bit of fat burn to shed a few unwanted pounds.

Don't get the wrong impression, I'm not really overweight - I'd say I'm average, or even a little less weight than average, but by my doctor's standard I'm over weight by 10 - 15 pounds. So, when the weight does come off I'll let you know, and if it comes back on - you can let me know.

Last week at weight in I was 195, today I was 192#. I don't really think any weight was lost, I think of it more as a variance. We'll have to revisit this whole weight thing in a month or so to see if there is a trend. I believe target weight is in the 180's.

A few months ago I was at the doctors and she asked how thing were and I told her that I'd been back in the gym a bit more than usual. She said I showed some weight gain on my chart and that was possibly due to muscle gain from the gym, and I replied that it was likely the dollar menu at McDonalds, let's be realistic here. Thanks for being the optimistic doctor and all.


Motivation is quite important when it comes to getting off of the couch and (back) into the gym. Here are a few motivating factors that should make thing different:
* A good friend of mine from High School survived a heart attack recently.
* I just got an iPod Touch that much to my surprise allows me to email while at the gym.
* My wife has gotten her Spin certification and has been teaching Spin classes part-time.
* The guys at work have been asking for a bench press competition in the form of talking smack and calling me "Pops". All joking aside, this is the biggest motivator for me.

My goals are to drop the 10# - 15# to get the six-pack abs back and to have a max bench press of 275#. It should take about four months to accomplish if I stick to it. I hope to report in mid July that I've accomplished my goals.