Yes, I have done the math. What math am I talking about? Subtraction.

Beginning in February of 2018, I realized that my overall health was not where it should be. A steady increase in body weight from my 20’s to my 50’s had plumped me up to a weight that in and of itself didn’t seem to panic anyone, including myself and any physician I saw. Combine this with a job at a desk for 50 hours a week and the linear progression of heft was combined with declining aerobic fitness and metabolic health.

Looking back, there were many variables that I could assign blame to, but the only correct blame pointing is accomplished by looking in the mirror. Fortunately, that is also where the solution lies. Within yourself is the capability to change. Around yourself are tools that are mostly free and (now) easy to find. All types of change can be hard and finding a combination of the correct change is not something I nailed on the first attempt, second attempt or even the third. In order:

Dieting but not really changing
Extreme Fitness! (P90X), but not really fixing nutrition
Fixing nutrition (food intake) with metabolic specialist, but too many gaps
Actual success: Carnivore, enough fitness, no alcohol, no medications.

I’ve tracked my goals and progress in a spreadsheet regularly with twice a month weigh-ins since June of 2018. There was progress and some regression and then more progress. A picture is worth 1000 words:

September 1, 2023 - a reset of goals paired with better results.

The top line number of 1/3 off refers to the drop of 75 pounds - from 223 to 148.

More importantly, the collection of other data now has the correct framing. For instance, BMI at 23, fat percentage below 20, waist measurement at belly button at 34, blood pressure and resting pulse as low as I ever recall. And semi-annual blood labs all in a good place.

A thought crossed my mind - how should I celebrate? I’m not sure. I’m curious about how to stay at a specific weight and how to keep and create muscle mass in my 60’s. So that will be my new focus. I guess I’ll need a new spreadsheet.