If the history of this site has proven anything, it’s that I’m not very consistent when it comes to my plans for losing weight.  . . . → Read More: First Weigh In of 2012]]>

In the past, I’ve used charts and graphs to represent my weight loss and weight gain.  I’m not going to do that anymore – at least not right now.

If the history of this site has proven anything, it’s that I’m not very consistent when it comes to my plans for losing weight.  Oh, I try – try – and try again – but my plans are always changing.

So, I’m just going to report where I am – today – and how much I’ve lost since the beginning of 2012.

After a lot of research, using a ton (no pun intended) of information from around the web, I’ve concluded that I need to lose 60 more pounds to be in good, healthy shape.

So, that’s my goal.  I want to lose 60 pounds.  I don’t care if I lose all of it this year, or just part of it, but I want to be moving towards that mark, at all times.

As of today, I am down 2 pounds in the year 2012.

I have been exercising and following my eating plan – but I still need to get more sleep and drink more water.  Why I ever started drinking diet sodas again is beyond me, but, hey, we must all have some small vice.

I hope you are having an awesome 2012.  My year has started off great – and I am excited to see what the rest of this month has in store.  Rock on!

Here’s the new-and-improved plan for 2012.

1.  There will be DAILY posts, here at No. Calories Needed.

2.  I will lose 50+ pounds.

3.  I will eat consciously – enjoying foods that I like – and foods that are, you know, real foods.

This year’s motto – no gimmicks, no . . . → Read More: A Brand New Day]]>

Happy New Year!

Here’s the new-and-improved plan for 2012.

1.  There will be DAILY posts, here at No. Calories Needed.

2.  I will lose 50+ pounds.

3.  I will eat consciously – enjoying foods that I like – and foods that are, you know, real foods.

This year’s motto – no gimmicks, no excuses.

Getting in better shape is goal # 1.  To that end -

1.  I will (continue to) walk 20 to 60 minutes per day.

2.  I will get back into my running routine.  I missed running this past year (and, really, stopped most of my health-related blogging, because of a terrible combination of lower-back pain – and kidney stones.  I will not bore you, but most of my lack of enthusiasm for the whole “weight loss” thing came as a result of those kidney stones.  It took some time to figure out what was causing them, and I am prayerfully-optimistic that they are gone, for good.)

3.  I will workout – 3 to 5 times weekly – with a focus on strength and flexibility.

I am not exactly sure how I will document my weight loss.  I can’t decide if I’ll start with the numbers from January 2011 (a very hit-or-miss year, both blogging and weight loss wise) or if I’ll just start from January 1, 2012.  Let me think, for just a second… Yes, I will start with numbers from January 1, 2012 – and pretend that last year (blogging and weight loss wise, mind you) never happened.  Here’s to a brand new day!

First weigh in report will be next Monday.  Gulp.

No. Calories Needed is an independently-operated, single-author, personal fitness blog.  Rock on.

Instead of waiting until the afternoon to go to the gym – and often finding an excuse not to go – I’ve been getting up at 5 and hitting the treadmill.  This small change has created a more consistent . . . → Read More: Morning Run]]>

It’s funny how making small adjustments to my workout plan can keep me motivated.

Instead of waiting until the afternoon to go to the gym – and often finding an excuse not to go – I’ve been getting up at 5 and hitting the treadmill.  This small change has created a more consistent commitment to working out and provided me with an awesome energy boost each morning.

I have also focused on eating a balanced breakfast, with plenty of protein.  I’m never really hungry in the morning, so I have to persuade myself to eat.  Once I do, I always feel 100% better.

I’ve also learned to incorporate more stretching, throughout the day.  I really focus on my lower-back and hamstrings.  I spend a good amount of time driving around each day, so it’s vitally important that I work to maintain some flexibility.

I’ve been bouncing around between a couple of eating plans – trying to avoid unhealthy carbohydrates.  December is a tough month, especially for foragers like me, so my December goal is to simply maintain my weight, while continuing to work out.

When last I left you guys, several months ago, I was down 15 pounds for the year.  I’ve . . . → Read More: Ready To Write]]>

As some of you know, I recently changed jobs – and started a brand new church-planting adventure.  My current situation allows for adequate time to both write and work out, and I’m excited about both!

When last I left you guys, several months ago, I was down 15 pounds for the year.  I’ve held steady at that mark – and now I’m ready for more weight loss.

Here’s my current program -

1.  I practice, for lack of a better term, intentional eating.  I eat only when seated.  I take small bites.  I chew food thouroughly.  I eat until I am no longer hungry – and stop before I’m actually full.

2.  I drink enough water to both stay hydrated and feel energetic.

3.  I walk 40 minutes per day, every day.

4.  I go to the gym and work out, 3 days per week.

5.  I seek adequate rest.

I’ve really missed writing, but I am thankful that I gave myself a much needed break.  It feels great to be back, writing and working out, with much to look forward to in the coming months.  You guys rock!

I’ve found that it’s much more difficult to write about weight loss than it is to write about debt reduction.  I don’t really know why (other than the fact that I’m much . . . → Read More: I Am Down 15 Pounds]]>

Back in January, I stated my goal of losing 50 pounds this year.  It’s June – and I’m down 15 pounds.

I’ve found that it’s much more difficult to write about weight loss than it is to write about debt reduction.  I don’t really know why (other than the fact that I’m much better at the later than I am at the former?  Not the writing, but the debt reduction vs. the weight loss.)

I’ve learned to do without most sweats and I’ve been really working hard to get more exercise.  I’ve started to get up earlier in the day – and I’m trying to go to bed earlier, too.

I just wanted to post a quick update, and let you guys know that things are moving in the right direction.  I hope you have an awesome and blessed day.

It is relatively easy to save money at the grocery store by . . . → Read More: Planning The New Garden]]>

As I mentioned over at my other site – No Credit Needed – I am planning to build a raised bed garden this spring.  One of my goals with the new garden is to grow my own fresh fruits and vegetables.

It is relatively easy to save money at the grocery store by using coupons and a grocery store price-book to track prices – but it’s still relatively expensive to buy fresh fruits and vegetables.

This year I plan to plant cucumbers, zucchinis, cantaloupes, watermelons, green beans, snap peas, peppers, and (possibly) potatoes.  We rarely eat tomatoes and corn doesn’t provide a very good space-required-return, so I won’t be growing them.

We live in the south, so I might try my hand at planting some peanuts, but we shall see.

I recently built a compost bin for vegetable scraps and yard waste – and I’m going to try to make the garden as organic as is possible.  Good soil amendments are the foundation for a great garden.

I think it’s time for me to buy some new running shoes.  The ones I have now are great, but they’re starting to show . . . → Read More: Running Time]]>

I’m hitting the gym early this morning.  I want to get my week started off right – and the best way to do that is to run, run, run.

I think it’s time for me to buy some new running shoes.  The ones I have now are great, but they’re starting to show some signs of wear.  The last thing I want to do is hurt my foot, especially now that I’ve managed to put together a pretty decent string of gym appearances.

The one thing I really love about running (once I get passed the initial ten minute phase, where it’s just no fun) is the feeling that I get, after about twenty minutes, of just me-and-the-pace.  It’s hard to describe.

I wear my iPod while I’m running, but I don’t really listen to music.  Instead, I like to listen to podcasts – about history, science, comedy, whatever.  I don’t know why, I just run better when I’m focusing on what someone is saying.  Plus, if I listen to music, I inevitably try to time my steps with the rhythm of the music.  That’s just not good for me.

I hope you guys have a blessed and healthy week.  Rock on!

Instead of trying to starve myself or go on some wacky diet, I’ve simply cut gotten rid of of the junk food and focused on eating healthy, real, fresh food.

I did have . . . → Read More: I Am Down 5 Pounds!]]>

January was a great month for me.  I re-started my weight loss journey – and managed to lose 5 pounds.

Instead of trying to starve myself or go on some wacky diet, I’ve simply cut gotten rid of of the junk food and focused on eating healthy, real, fresh food.

I did have a week at the end of January where I ate some less-than-healthy stuff, mainly due to the fact that I wasn’t feeling well, couldn’t get to the gym, and didn’t feel like eating right.  (Which, obviously, is ridiculous.  When I’m sick, THAT should be the time when I’m most focused.  Silly me.)

February has started off great.  The weather here has been keeping us indoors most of the time, but I have been eating well and doing some work on the treadmill.

I hope you guys are doing well – and I’ll see you soon.  Rock on.