December  

Weight (209) -5 lbs. since 1/1/21 

BMI (29.1) 

Workout Days (134) 

Miles Hiked, Biked, or Run (533.63) 

Now that you have read, “214 lb. Nathan,” welcome to “A Dream Realized.” I will be publishing updates to this series in March, June, September, and December. With each publication, I hope to document my progress toward getting in the best shape of my life. Beyond the workouts and changes to my diet, I will also keep track of my mental state as we move along.  

Why share these stats and this journey? Two reasons. I need motivation from friends both near and far. Secondly, I am hoping my journey can inspire others. Together, I hope we can realize our dream of getting in the best shape of our lives.  

Weight Loss  

A year ago, I began a sincere journey to lose weight. 365 days later, I have lost a grand total of five pounds. This is not necessarily where I thought I would be on 12/31/21. On one hand, I cannot help but feel a bit disappointed. On the other hand, I learned so much about myself this year. As we turn the page on 2021, I write this knowing something to be fundamentally true about myself; my weight loss journey does not end here. This is a journey filled with unexpected detours, reroutes, successes, and disappointments. Knowing this, I still have the drive to arrive at my ultimate destination. I want to keep driving forward.  

Diet  

I love soda, sweets, salt, and fast food. I am not afraid to admit it. My cravings for these types of food did not change over the course of the year. What changed was my relationship with them. I have almost entirely kicked my fast-food habit. I drink a Coke at the movies on Sunday. Throughout the week, I stick to coffee, water, and low-sugar juices. I try my hardest to avoid salty and sweet snacks. Every day, I try to stay mentally aware of everything I am eating and mindful of its impact on my long-term goal. When it comes to my diet, there is still so much to learn about aging, metabolism, and food that is right for my body type, but I am proud of the progress I have made.  

Mental Health  

I still dread the mirror and scale. I hate clothes that expose my stomach or are too tight. I still beat myself up for gaining weight. Mentally, I can myself fixated and frustrated with the process. In these moments, I do my best to practice loving kindness. I give myself permission to feel a certain way. After sitting with this thought, I check my ego, double down on my determination, and get back to work. 

Workouts  

I hit the gym or trail 134 times in 2021. I hiked, biked, and ran over 533 miles. I am elated with that fact. In 2021, I also managed to find a gym that is motivating, forgiving and inspiring. My workouts were my favorite thing about 2021. For the first time in nearly a decade, I am thrilled to go to the gym and feel terrible when I am forced to miss a scheduled session. As 2022 begins, I am hoping this motivation remains.  

Be good to each other,  

Nathan  

September  

Weight (210) -4 lbs. since 1/1/21 

BMI (29.3) 

Workout Days (87) 

Miles Hiked, Biked, or Run (436.56) 

Weight Loss  

For all intents and purposes, my weight loss journey has stalled, and I have hit a plateau. In fact, since my last check-in back in June, I have gained five pounds and struggled to lose any weight at all. Every Saturday, before ritualistically stepping on the scale, is filled with dread and prepackaged disappointment. It is becoming abundantly clear to me that several things need to change (all of which can be found below).  

Diet  

This journey is being lost in the kitchen. There aren’t enough fruits and vegetables on my plate. I drink way too many sugary drinks. I love sweets more than I should. My diet consists of food high in carbs. All these facts are making it nearly impossible to lose weight. I am also finding it extremely difficult to change. The desire is there, but I don’t know where to go from here. There have been countless times in the last few weeks I wished someone would just tell me what to eat and what to shop for when I head to the grocery store.  

Mental Health  

Slipping backward and into old habits has not done wonders for my mental health. I feel fat. I feel gross. I find myself tugging at the bottom of my shirts or sucking in my belly when I am around other people. I am so embarrassed and disappointed in myself. I find myself in a war of words with myself and constantly battling the mirror. I want to change. I want to do better, but I need help.  

Workouts  

I have started working out Monday-Thursday, no excuses. If I have something scheduled in the evening, I get up at 5:30 and get my workout in before heading to the office. Honestly, as of this moment, I feel like this is the only part of this journey that is working for me. I find myself enjoying my workouts and proud of my dedication. But I know this battle is not being lost in the gym. It is being lost in the kitchen.   

June 

Weight (205) -9 lbs. since 1/1/21 

BMI (28.6) 

Workout Days (55) 

Miles Hiked, Biked, or Run (269.55) 

Weight Loss  

I have lost 9 pounds since the beginning of the year. While this is worthy of celebration, I still have a lot of work to do to reach my goal. Something is also becoming very apparent to me. As we age, our metabolism quits and moves to Arizona, and the pounds are harder to lose. I weigh myself every Saturday and there have been a lot of frustrating Saturdays, but I remain confident that I am headed in the right direction.  

Diet  

Brandon and I have been living in our new apartment since May 1st. In this time, I feel like I have gained control over my diet. I am eating more fresh fruit and vegetables. I am also eating less sugary snacks. I have eliminated soda (except when at a movie theater on Sunday). I also started intermittent fasting on June 1st. This is my second time on the plan, and so far, I am really pleased with the results.  

Mental Health  

In the mornings, staring in the mirror, brushing my teeth before getting dressed, I still do not like what I see. My eyes go straight to my belly and the fat the mushrooms over my boxers. It destroys my confidence, but it also serves as a visual representation of what we are fighting against. I know to get there I must continue working out, eating right, and not overindulging in sweets or alcohol.  

Workouts  

May was not a great month for my workout plan. While moving into our new place, I hurt my back and found myself suffering from terrible spasms. This threw off my routine for almost a week and a half. After returning to the gym, I found myself rusty and cautious about reinjuring myself. Still, I am proud of the fact that I have managed to work out 55 times this year and have clocked nearly 270 miles hiking, biking, or running. With Seattle finally warming up, I am hoping to spend more time outside this summer on some hiking trails and riding my bike.  

March

Weight (208) -6 lbs. since 1/1/21

BMI (29.0) -.8 since 1/1/21

Workout Days (22)

Miles Hiked, Biked, or Run (100.32)

Weight Loss

Six pounds lost since the beginning of the year is something, but I must be honest. The pounds are not coming off as quickly as I would like. I think a couple of factors are working against me. Lockdown still has me living a pretty sedentary life. You have no idea how many steps you take during an average day until you cannot go anywhere. Secondly, as we age our metabolism slows. I am 37 and my metabolism is a bastard. With my new job and life getting back to normal here in Washington state, I am hoping to find more freedom to move around, more opportunities to get those steps in, and giving my metabolism some work to do (lazy bum). 

Diet

Right now, I find myself living for Sundays (my cheat day). I try really hard not to overdo it, but I am finding the reward motivating. Also, at this moment, diet is the most challenging part of this journey. Brandon and I will continue staying with his parents until May. This means I will continue to be at the whim of someone else’s tastes. I am really looking forward to my own home filled with fresh fruits and vegetables. Finally, cutting out sweets, drinking less soda, and ending my relationship with fast food was easier than I thought. I still have cravings, but they are not as powerful as before.

Mental Health

I weigh myself on Saturdays before I eat anything or start my day. Seeing pounds melt away can be empowering. Seeing them head in the wrong direction can be heartbreaking. I try to keep both outcomes in perspective. I have two options. I can laugh or learn. When I lose weight, I laugh and celebrate. When I gain weight, I look back on my week and think about things I need to correct. Both motivate me and fire me up for what is ahead.

Workouts

I am really proud that I have already traveled over a hundred miles via hiking, biking, and running. I am also proud of those home workouts I have been able to do while we wait for gyms to reopen. I can feel myself getting faster and stronger when running. Pushing myself is coming more easily. I find myself crushing personal records with almost every run. With this success, I am hoping to get back in the gym soon and really begin to focus on the strength training aspect of this journey. 

January

Weight (211) -3 lbs. since 1/1/21

BMI (29.8)

Workout Days (3)

Miles Hiked, Biked, or Run (13.6 Miles)

Now that you have read, “214 lb. Nathan,” welcome to “A Dream Realized.” I will be publishing updates to this series in March, June, September, and December. With each publication, I hope to document my progress toward getting in the best shape of my life. Beyond the workouts and changes to my diet, I will also keep track of my mental state as we move along.

Why share these stats and this journey? Two reasons. I need motivation from friends both near and far. Secondly, I am hoping my journey can inspire others. Together, I hope we can realize our dream of getting in the best shape of our lives.

Weight Loss

If you read “214 lb. Nathan,” you know I am in the worst shape of my life. Despite this reality, I have lost three pounds since the beginning of the year. Small changes to my diet and beginning a workout routine made this possible. I also know if I want to realize my dream of getting in the best shape of my life, then I must stay disciplined, motivated, and dedicated to the end result. No one will run for me. No one will eat healthy for me. No one will work out for me. The ultimate responsibility is mine.

Diet

Lord help me. I have a sweet tooth. I drink way too much soda. In a moment of laziness, I will hit up a drive-thru. So, to begin the year, the sweets are gone from the pantry. They have been replaced with fruit, vegetables, and healthy snacks. Soda is gone and I am not even allowed to look at a drive-thru. 13 days into this journey, I feel pretty good. I do allow myself a cheat day (Sunday), but even then I have been surprised by the discipline I have been able to maintain.

Mental Health

Stepping on the scale on January 1st was heartbreaking. I never expected to be in such poor shape, but it also lit a fire underneath me. After a few runs and a solid two weeks of eating better, I mentally feel drastically different. As the pounds begin to fall away, I expect my confidence to grow. I also know there will be challenging days and plateaus. I must keep reminding myself of the end result.

Workouts

I miss running. I miss hitting the trail. I miss biking for endless miles. So, I have a simple goal of hiking, biking, and running 1,000 miles this year. When gyms reopen in Washington, I also hope to return to strength training. I know the vast majority of any weight loss journey takes place in the kitchen, but I hope pushing toward a big mileage goal will motivate me in the same way as getting ready for the Pacific Crest Trail did.

Thanks for joining me on this journey. Wherever you are on your journey, please know that you are not alone. I am right there with you. I am cheering you along. If you find yourself struggling, please do not hesitate to drop me a line. We can hold each other accountable.

Be good to each other,

Nathan 

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