15 + 15 = 30

While I’m quite pleased to have lost 15-pounds so quickly in my quest to get more hunky and less chunky, I also know it is not the start of a regular pattern. I cannot expect the same results in the next month, so I am prepared for that. Also, when I start to weight train, I’ll be increasing my muscle mass, which will increase my weight slightly, so I’m expecting that to affect the numbers in some way. In other words, although the ‘15’ sounds good, it’s not much more to me at this point than confirmation that my body is reacting to the extra work I am getting it to do. I should point out I am most certainly looking forward to where this can take me, but the first 15-pounds is just that. The first 15-pounds. This is where a lot of people lose their faith in diets and exercise programs. After dropping 15-pounds in the first month the expectation is that the second month will repeat that. A loss of one or two pounds – or even a gain of a couple of pounds – can bring a lot of disappointment to those with high expectations. I may not lose any more until I start to cross train and force other muscles to work. I’ve been down this road before so I know what to expect. The reality I am working towards and not some wacky math equation that seems to think I can keep losing 15-pounds per month until I get to my target weight. It’s not going to happen like that and I know it. It also forces me to get creative with the cross training options I’ll test and when I find ones I like and can see myself enjoying I will incorporate them into the complete routine. But until then, I’ll stick with the power-walking.