by Ethan Johnson
September 11, 2007

So ends another block of 30 days. The rules for this block were simple: None. No mandatory exercise of any sort. No stopwatch, no spreadsheet tracking, nada. I started the block at a cool 250 pounds. How did I fare during 30 days of laissez-faire?

Concluded cycle: August 12 to September 10, 2007

• Starting weight (start of cycle): 250 pounds
• Ending weight (end of cycle): 253 pounds
• Starting hip circumference (Texas waistline): 41.5 inches
• Ending hip circumference: 41.5 inches
• Starting belly circumference: 42.5 inches
• Current belly circumference: 43 inches

Interesting!

Considering that I did hardly any exercise as a stand-alone activity, a gain of 3 pounds over 30 days and a half inch on my belly is practically flat-lining across the month. Good to know that despite the lack of mandated exercise, I have become more physically active, thus compensating nicely. Because I am starting to reverse my weight loss slightly, and because football season is here which means the arrival of lots more sitting and eating comfort foods (and TV food), it's time to shift gears into a compensatory workout plan for the next 30 days.

Over the next 30 day cycle (which started today), I will exercise above and beyond my mere existence three times a week. Which means a minimum of 30 minutes per day of walking or cycling, and my floor exercise (which takes no more than 20 minutes). Then it's back to the scale and measuring tape to see how I did. Because of the weight shearing that went on during the previous cycle I don't think I need to bust out a formal exercise routine every day. 3 a week should keep me on track.

I figure this preventative exercise will help keep the pounds from piling back on. But after 30 days of no mandated exercise, I really have to re-condition myself to hitting the walking trail or riding the bike. I used the bike to go run a corner errand the other day and really felt the neglect. Sheesh, there was DUST on my bike! Unacceptable!!!

Your hip tip for this update:

• Physical exercise requires a fair amount of mental conditioning. You may not want to do any formal exercise, but stick with a routine and force yourself mentally and physically to adapt to the change. Your mind and body have all kinds of ways to say "no", and short of doctor's orders against physical activity or other warning signs, sticking with the plan and refusing to deviate will literally change your mind. And your body, over time.

Our friend Jeanne helped take a series of photos of my floor exercise routine. I'll have that up soon for anyone who wants to follow along at home.

Here's to dropping below 250 pounds! <EM>