I spent the entire February this year at Hilton Head Health. This is what can be accomplished in one month of working out 2-3 hours a day, eating 1200-1400 calories a day, and drinking only water.
- Dropped 20lbs, from 256 to 236
- Triglycerides from 180 (approaching risky) to 60 (pretty great)
- LDL (bad cholesterol) from 119 to 86
- HDL (good cholesterol) to LDL ratio from 5.7 (bad) to 4.2 (desirable)
- Measured waist circumference down over 3 inches, from 44.75 to 41.5 (little less than a 38 in typical american jeans)
Those are just the highlights – it was good news on all fronts.
Back in September, I weighed in at 234, as I blogged here. That was a record for me. But right after that, over the next few months, I shot up to about 256 again. 22 friggin pounds. Weight isn’t the only health measurement that matters, but sadly I was using that as an excuse. I was training the whole time. I was gaining strength, training hard, running further than I ever have. But then EATING and EATING. Eating is the hardest part, no question.
So I went back to Hilton Head Health, for the fifth time. Not a great place to be a regular, but it’s a pretty enjoyable place to be, so hey, vacation. This time I went for a whole month, which is longer than I’ve ever been before. I figured I could skip some Wisconsin winter, make some good headway, and potentially have the good habits stick a bit harder.
I could have done a bit better. A good three times I cheated. I went out and drank and ate way more than I should have. Even fat camp can’t stop all bad behavior.
So far so good after returning home. I’ve been home a week and I’m at 235 now. Of course that 1200-1400 is too aggressive to stay with at home, so I’m going to be at more like 1800-2000. With my stats, that’s still losing territory.
Still not at my personal best weight, but super close and I’ll definitely hit it, while being more fit than I was the last time I hit that weight.
Keep fighting Chris, don’t think is bad to try something for fifth time, most of the people give up before arriving to five times, so you have to keep trying, no matter what other people think our say.
The hardest and the things that need more time in your life are the ones you are more proud.
Think on the long term.
Ánimo
This is awesome, Chris!
The good thing is the weather is starting to turn, and hopefully the bike trails will be getting in good shape to ride soon. I’m gonna try to go to Kettle Moraine/Emma Carlin at least once a month. Maybe I’ll see you on the trails? Keep it going!
Woa, congratulations!
(I thought weight loss resorts were only the kinda thing you can do while on The Biggest Loser or something)
Do you think spending time at HHH makes a lasting impact on your health / attitude towards being healthy?
I struggle with bouncing off and on a healthy lifestyle, and have similar weight fluctuations as you do. (or so from what I have read on your blog)
This shit is hard yo. Keep at it! http://media.giphy.com/media/HjPbLbmep2aJO/giphy.gif
Thanks Nicole!
I do think HHH has helped make a lasting impact. Certain things I do and learned there stay with me. Like individual meals. You really learn there what a complete and completely healthy meal looks like and tastes like.
And also what a completely healthy DAY is like. I’m starting to think health is measured in DAYS.
You can eat a healthy meal, great. But it doesn’t count. You can work out, great, but it doesn’t count.
What counts is eating ALL healthy meals for a whole day AND working out. You get a health point for that. And you have to do it over and over.
Not like there isn’t going to be slip ups here and there and stuff, but if you gotta fix a problem, you gotta do it all the way right.
It is really inspiring to read about your struggle paying off. I’m fighting the same fight, but sadly I’m not able to get away and focus on it.