9 Months to Tri

[Mike]  In the last blog, Chris mentioned a few things that I wanted to touch on. 

First off the lack of weight shedding off, yet the loss of inches.  This is extremely normal, and very good.  The weight will eventually drop, however, we are in the process of building muscle that Chris never had.  As most know, muscle weighs more than fat.  So as the body fat begins to drop (which we have seen a major decrease in) and muscle builds, then total weight may stay fairly consistant.  Our minds expect “BIG” numbers every week because of shows like the Biggest Loser.  I am not knocking the show at all, I actually really like it, however, those people are trained physically and mentally 24/7.  We only manage to see sporadic workouts because of the length of the show, but what you don’t see is constant help nutritionally… and what else do they have to do there besides lose weight?  Nothing.  So although I feel that the show is truely changing lives (it absolutely is), it gives false hope to many people watching that they too can drop 10, 20, 30 lbs. per week.  That’s simply not going to happen because of everything else most people have going on.  I’m much happier seeing Chris look for jeans he once wore in years past.  Now I’m also the fashion police so I will definitely make sure we’re not bringing back anything that dates him.

Chris also mentioned a little bit about back soreness after shovling.  After the first storm, there wasn’t much because for all of you who didn’t have to deal with it, the snow was extremely light.  The second storm (although not much in accumulation) was much heavier.  The general rule of thumb is, if you are feeling soreness equally (both sides of the body - left and right) it typically is muscular soreness and not anything different than if you lifted weights.  It also means you probably shoveled correctly.  If you feel it more on one side or all on one side, it could mean something different.  The pain is typically shooting and not dull.  This is something you should keep an eye on very closely - ice and rest.  If the pain does not subside, definitely have things check by a doctor.  Now I say this not to have everyone diagnos there own issues by this general rule.  You know your body best, so if something just doesn’t feel right, going to the doc isn’t a bad decision.

The last thing that I wanted to mention is that although Chris has been very sporadic these past few weeks with working out, the reason he still continues to gain is because of the HARD work he puts in when he’s here.  There is typically not a wasted moment of the hour he is in the fitness center.  Making this a part of your life isn’t easy, but I do know that it will always be a part of Chris’s by seeing the intensity he puts in… and hearing about all the positives that have already come from these past 3 months.  Training the way he has been training, and eating the way he is now eating, is not easy at all.  It’s definitely hard work, expensive (healthy food costs more), and isn’t always extremely satisfying on the taste buds… but in the long run it becomes easier and easier (and those crackers may someday be a craving for you… ok maybe not) and the rewards will be a life of good health - and let’s not forget that someday you’ll be a triathlete.

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