Day 480 14.7% Body Fat (really?) and You Mean I Need To Eat More?

Day 480

14.7% Body Fat (really?) and You Mean I Need To Eat More?

No time for the snooze alarm this morning. I jumped up at 4am ready to go full force. I was full of energy and optimistic. Today was going to be a turning point, and it was. I met with Melissa Walden for my first training session at 4:45am. The first thing we did was a body fat analysis and a bunch of measurements. The analysis found my body fat at a surprisingly normal 14.7%. (The average male should fall between 10 and 15%) I was really shocked. I think she was surprised too. Her initial analysis concluded that I didn't have much fat OR much muscle, especially upper body muscle. My lower body was much better in the muscle department, surely from carrying around all that weight for so long. I remember getting a body fat analysis done a long time ago, maybe 13 years or so ago, and if I remember right, my body fat at that time was a whopping 54% . It had to be somewhere around there when I started at 505. But 14.7%...I'm thrilled. She commented on “a bunch of skin and bones,” Hmmm, never been described like that, although that's not the good thing I always thought it might be. I need muscles and that's the point of this new chapter of my journey. Strength training is critical at this point.

That 14.7% number had me buzzing all day long. I was seriously high on that all day long. I had very little trouble today with the nicotine cravings, very little trouble...I was too busy running the numbers of my body fat analysis. If 14.7% is correct, then that means I only have 40 more pounds of fat on my body, and since it would be practically impossible to have less than 1% body fat---well, you see where I'm headed here. Maybe I set my goal too low? Perhaps, but wait a second. After more fat loss and then adding some muscle---and then having all this excess skin removed---maybe 230 is possible, very possible. Melissa called this evening and said she'd like to re-do that test. I know---hard to believe huh? She was positive that it was very close---but just to confirm, we'll do a re-test. I guess I shouldn't have ordered that jacket with 14.7% on the breast and back. I'm kidding, I didn't order a jacket, but I was excited enough for sure!

This chapter of my journey will be archived with some of the most revealing photos I've ever taken. I will keep them private until after skin removal surgery and months of weight training. There's no way I'm brave enough to post the “before” without an “after” to lessen the pain. Some people I know wouldn't have a problem with the super revealing pictures—in underwear with shirt off. Some guys would be really comfortable with that regardless of their weight. Not me! No way, no how! I'm not that brave. But, I'm going to take these pictures and save them just for the sake of a jaw dropping contrast someday. I love jaw dropping before and afters, or “in progress” shots. I love 'em! I'm recruiting Irene to come over and take these shots, she'll do it—no problem!

The workout this morning was amazing. We did squats, modified push ups, plank raises (not sure if that's what it's called), and then we killed my mid-section with some killer sit-ups she called “out of beds.” I felt the workout all day and evening. I'm still feeling it. I worked out again tonight and it was noticeably harder to accomplish the same reps. I'm a sore boy.

Melissa has upped my calories to 1800. It's a little awkward, I'll admit...but it's not too bad. Listen to me, am I complaining about eating more? That's nuts, isn't it? She did tell me to make that extra 300 calories good stuff. Fruits, veggies, proteins...something real and good for me. So today I did 1800. Can you believe that? I feel good! Can't wait to see the difference this turning point creates.

Melissa left a very nice comment on last night's blog. She addressed the “stress factor” as it applies to weight loss. Here's what she said: Hey all you Sean supporters and my new client. How amazing to have this many people sending good thoughts and such a brave person to post his life's struggles. Oh! About the stress hormones...high levels of stress can cause your body to not reduce body fat as efficiently as it could under average levels of stress. If anyone has a question for me, just throw it out there. Sean can let me know because I have a 2 year old that requires a lot of attention and I don't get to read Sean's blog all the time. Lol. Sean-Another new road and I'm honored to be going down it with you. I will learn as much from you as you learn from me. I knew when I met you that God had a plan. Can't wait to see what the future brings!----Melissa Walden

I made the most wonderful turkey mozzarella melt egg white omelet for lunch today. The giant—and very filling plate load was an unbelievable 160 calories. I really should have had more calories for lunch---so I enjoyed a ham sandwich loaded with veggies a few hours later.

I interviewed Kat Long on my show this morning. She was promoting the 2010 Census employment testing. Kat is a long time reader of this blog and it was so good to see her. She came bearing gifts! A census 2010 mug filled with flavored tea bags! How did she know I wanted to start drinking less coffee? And then she gave me a wonderful water bottle. It's like she was reading my mind. More water is a top priority these days, I needed a good bottle. And then I remembered, she's not reading my mind---she's reading my blog! Thank you Kat! You know, Kat has accomplished her own successful weight loss journey! After losing 50 pounds, her and her husband both agreed---she was there, that was it...goal!

I drove to Stillwater tonight and picked up my mom. She's staying the weekend with me. I'll take her back on Sunday. We got back kind of late and I immediately took her down to the fitness room so we could visit while I worked out. It was good. Real good. The best part of the night was making a nearly 95 mile round trip smoke free. Driving and smoking always went hand in hand with me. But tonight—it was like I didn't miss the nasty things. I didn't have to crack my window once. And that dirty nasty ashtray? I tossed it all in the trash. Who needs it? Not me!

In the morning it'll be “Sean And Mom In The Morning,” We did that once before, it was so much fun! My mom has a great radio voice. She's a natural indeed and everybody just loves her on the air. We're looking forward to doing it again.

Thank you for reading. Goodnight and...

Good Choices,
Sean