Braindrop's Quest: Year One Retrospective

[Braindrop]

I started this journey on Dec 9 of 2005 with the goal of losing 100 pounds this year. As you can see by my sig, that was ambitious. :)

Here's the total stats for the year.

Total # of Workouts: 79 (once every 4.6 days on average)
Total # of Days Travelling: 98 days (average 1 workout per week on the road)
Total Pounds Lost: 26
Starting Dumbell Bench: 25 pounders
Most Recent Dumbell Bench: 65 pounders

Let's talk about what went well, and what didn't.

The year started off great, and stayed good through the summer. Since then, I managed to miss 3.5 weeks with the flu, 2 weeks with a tweaked back, and 6 weeks with a shoulder injury (getting old sucks, I don't recommend it). It's been frustrating not only because of the injury, but because I've totally gotten out of the habit of working out.

I also haven't figured out a way to get good, regular workouts while travelling. Since I'm on the road about 25-30% of the year, this has been a real barrier to progress. It's totally a motivation issue -- by the time I get back to the hotel, all I want to do is veg, especially if I've been out to dinner/drinks with clients and/or coworkers that I only see once a month.

On the up side, 26 pounds lost is way better than nothing, and I've already had to buy a new wardrobe. My next mini-goal is going to be to drop 15 pounds before a friend's wedding in March.

For those who have taken the time to read my journal (even if you don't comment), I thank you. This site has been amazingly helpful to me in figuring out what works and what doesn't, and I hope everyone sticks around to watch for Season Two. ;)

[joed]

Man, losing 26 is better than gaining 26. Maybe shoot for 74 lb loss during the next year? Travelling so much is hard; did you find your diet plans being put aside until you were back home? Thanks for the update. Been wondering how you've been doing.

[jspirate]

Well done Braindrop. Losing 26 pounds is something to be proud of especially when traveling. I do a fraction of the traveling you do, but its enough to make it difficult to maintain any consistent diet.

Keep it up and keep on posting those results!

[SR800]

Something that may help would be to learn as many body wt exercises as possible. I really believe that pushups with your feet elevated, one legged sqats or bulgarian one legged squats, pull ups on open stair wells, handstand pushups, and good ab work can be done with little effort at almost any hotel. There are a lot of good yoga strength and flexibility routines that we could all benefit from. If they have a pool, 30 minutes of laps is a killer shoulder and leg workout. Do not feel like you are missing something if you are not able to hit the weights. Just make a commitment to do something to keep your momentum going forward. I also recommend doing it first thing in the morning to eliminate the conflict with other possible business related activities. 26lbs is an excellent accomplishment.

[Hank1962]

Great weight loss!! I know it's hard to workout when you travel. I use to travel alot for work and tried to find hotels that had gyms. I started walking and then running in parks near the hotels. I had to learn to eat the right food at the right times. I know how easy it is to grap some chips and a candy bar and watch TV for 2 or 3 hours in the hotel room. Set some goals and track your progess. You will be amazed at how easy it is to change those habits once you realize where you are, how you got there, and how to correct it.

[Braindrop]

Thanks for the nice responses. Honestly, my problem travelling is not one of inadequate equipment or even lack of time, it's just lack of motivation after a twelve hour day. I usually hit the gym on Monday on the road, then inevitably end up hanging out for a couple of nights with people from the office (this is my only face time, I telecommute from out of state normally), or just go to bed at 8 (my body stays on Texas time even in Cali).

Anyway, enough of me being whiney :) As you say, it's been a good year, and I hope to make the next one better.

[Hank1962]

I did the same type of work for two years (at corp office monday-thursday and tele-commute from home on Friday). My time shift was only and hour (Ohio and Chicago) and I did the 12 to 16 hour days also. I would go to the gym for an hour pre-work for cardio and hit weights at night before dinner. It raised my energy level and improved my mood. May sure you take care of yourself first, no one else will!