Weeks 62 & 63

Well the month long Lean, Mean, Halloween Challenge hosted by Pink Dumbbells has ended. On the plus side, I was able to drop my calories down to range that is a slight deficit (~1850 per day) given my reduced activity of late. It was fairly easy to stay on track with my nutrition. The past two weeks were much like the rest of this cycle. I averaged 1865 calories a day with 40% Protein, 26% Fat and 34% Carbohydrate. I still haven’t been able to switch my workouts to the mornings. My “typical” exercise time during the week is 10 or 11 PM.

Lean Mean Halloween Summary

  • Weight: 130.0 –> 128.4 lbs
  • Body fat (Omron): 20.2% –> 19.5%
  • Lean mass 103.9 lbs –> 103.4 lbs
  • Fat mass 26.3 lbs –> 25.0 lbs (1.3 lbs of fat lost)

Measurement changes

  • Shoulders: 41.00 inches –> 41.00
  • Chest (under arm): 34.50 inches –> 34.00
  • Chest (at fullest part of breast): 36.75 inches –> 36.00
  • Waist (smallest): 27.75 inches –> 26.50 (goal met)
  • Abdomen (at navel): 29 inches –> 28.50
  • Hips (at hip bones): 35.00 inches –> 34.75
  • Hips (at fullest): 36.75 inches –> 36.50
  • Thigh: 21.25 inches –> 21.10
  • Calf: 13.75 inches –> 13.75
  • Bicep (relaxed): 10.25 inches –> 10.50
  • Forearm: 9.25 inches –> 9.00

Looking forward:

I like my current schedule of 2 to 3 runs (HIIT with some steady state at the end), 2 weight workouts and 1 to 2 yoga sessions per week. It’s sustainable with my work/school schedule. One of my colleagues, who occasionally reads my blog, gave me some ideas about how to maximize my weight lifting workouts, make them more efficient and to add muscle to places where I need more (tricep area, lats and around my collar bones). I tried some of his suggestions for my last UBWO. I am working to lean down to below 18% body fat. I plan to cycle calories between maintenance and a slight deficit. Given my schedule, I am hesitant to make this is firm goal with a specific deadline. Realistically, I want to maintain my current level of fitness through the holidays and meet my aesthetic goal by my birthday (March). Since I will be focusing on maintenance, my fitness updates will likely drop off to every 2 to 4 weeks.