Despite working out for a few years now, I'm still trying to lose that last bit of belly fat. So this week I made a pledge to myself. The only person I've shared it with so far is my massage therapist. And that is to reduce my body fat from its current 25 percent down to 15 percent (with abs showing) in the next few months. This means nutrition, nutrition, nutrition. I will be following the 80/20 rule, which states that nutrition is 80 percent of the game, whereas exercise plays a much more supportive role and only factors about 20 percent. If you read my blog regularly you know that I do a bunch of lifting and a whole bunch of cardio, from half marathons (43 of them) to full marathons (20) to ultramarathons (3) to triathlons (13). But despite all the calories I've burned from running I still haven't seen a major change in my percentage of body fat around my belly. For example, I can run a half marathon and burn off 3,000 calories in 2 and a half hours, and then easily get those 3,000 calories back in one sitting by eating a large pizza loaded with toppings. The fact is that no matter how much you exercise, you can't eat whatever you want if you expect to lose body fat. For long-term, sustainable fat loss you need to eat non- or low-processed foods as much as possible as well as build muscle, because by muscle building you can increase your metabolism, and by increasing your metabolism you'll be able to eat while still losing fat. At the same, you have to ensure that you're lifting heavy and eating high amounts of protein. Moreover, as I've come to learn during the past few years of weight training, consistency with both your diet and your training is a lifestyle. It's all about patience and perseverance. Fat loss is a continuous journey and not a destination. Also, to lose body fat you need to be in a caloric deficit (obviously), but you don't want to go so low in calories that you start losing muscle.
How will I do? I have no idea. I've never done this before. But I do have a plan of action that I hope to implement consistently in the coming weeks and months. I'll also be documenting my fat loss journey through pictures.
I do know this. There is no such thing in life as trying to do your best. You simply do your best. You do your best every day, all day. You show up every morning ready to lay it all on the line. You show up ready to give whatever you need that day.
I want to be better than I am, not only for myself but to honor the Lord who made me. I think the only thing worse than never having been an athlete is to have been one and then give it up. I began lifting only a few years ago. It wasn't much of a start, but it was the beginning of what has turned out to be a whole new lifestyle. In the process, I discovered the elusive fountain of youth -- being active. No, I can't undo the damage from the sedentary life I once led. But I certainly can become both more and less than what I was.
I hope you'll join me on this journey!