May summary, June goals

I have to say I'm a little disappointed in my May. Although I easily managed to reach my step goal of 400,000 steps and I feel pretty good, my weight has remained steady at around 208-209 pounds. I've been keeping a pretty good watch on my calories but think that I may need to adjust my carb calories down a bit while boosting the protein and fat calories.

I set personal bests for walking in May and continued to work on a little running. I want to continue to run and will include that in my June goals. I'm also getting started a little earlier in the day and will continue to trend that way as the days continue to get warmer.

For June:
I'll continue with the step goal of 400,000 steps for the 30 day month.

I want complete an inverse pyramid interval run of 1 mile, 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 1 mile with 1/4 mile walks between.

I plan to add some HIIT sessions 2 or three times per week. I haven't figured out exactly what they will look like, but want to get serious about adding something significant to my fitness routine.

While I'd like to end June below the 200 pound mark, I'll be pleased to meet my other goals, do well on what I eat and end up at anything less than I am now. I really don't want to obsess over the weight as much as I want to be healthy.

It's almost most summer.
They say you eat well to look good in street clothes and exercise to look good in swimwear.
How will you look at the pool, lake or beach this summer?

Be well,
John <><

May Goals; mid-month assessment

I'm feeling pretty good about May health goals.

My S-health app went through some updates that I don't really care for in the way that it keeps track of my daily steps, but that's okay. I'm still doing very well and will be far ahead of what I set as a monthly goal.

I haven't been very good about getting that early start in the day and that may have to change as the weather gets warmer. It may just come down to choosing which I like less--walking early or sweating a little more. Chances are I'll choose to sweat and rehydrate.

Last week, I finally got around to using the weight machine during a Cardinal game. I plan on that again during tonight's game. It actually felt pretty good and really boosted the metabolism and calorie burn for the day. On the downside, it is in the evening and I'm not sure that's the best time for boosting the metabolic rate. Seems like that would be more advantageous earlier in the day.

I've been paying closer attention to my food intake and that has been paying off quite nicely. I've increased the amount of protein in my diet and that seems to really help with the weight loss. My weight is back to where it was at this time last year and I aim to get back to my mid June weight by mid June!
I'll have to keep it up to get my weight down to around 190. I'd like to be in a maintenance state by the time we gather for our family reunion in mid August.

All-in-all, life is good!

Be well,
John <><

It's About ... Time!

For today's Healthy Living post, head over to my other blog, Out of My Hat.

Be well,
John <><

Making exercise a priority

I was dressed and ready for my morning walk. The plan was to walk the 1.5+ miles to a little coffee shop on the square in Ozark, enjoy an Americano and walk home.
But it's raining.

I decided to join the old people at the mall. Actually, I'm surprised at the number of not so old people walking in the mall. It's not a bad place. It's dry, cool in the warm weather and warm in the cold weather. And there is a Starbucks.

RunKeeper coverage isn't so great so I'm targeting a specific number of steps even though RunKeeper is tracking.

I'm  thinking that I probably won't do this often, but it's nice to have the option for a no excuses kind of day.

Be well,
John <><

May Goals

It's May!
And that means it's time to set some new goals.

For this month I've upped my daily step goal from 11,000 to 12,900. I managed to make my daily goal every day in April but am not going to obsess about it in May. The main thing will be to average 12,900 which will give me 400,000 steps for the month.

I managed to run nearly 12 miles in April and doubt that I'll do much more for May. Once or twice a week is enough for this old guy.

I do need to do some more strength training. I should work on that during the Cardinal baseball games that I watch since I have a fine view of the TV from the weight machine.

Food wise I've done well and managed to shed 8 of those regained pounds. I have more to go and will continue to keep an eye on everything I consume--not in a crazy restrictive way, just in an awareness way.

I'm trying something different today. I'm a slow starter in the morning and it is usually late morning before I get around to going out for my walk. Today I got up with Chris and rode with her to her daily soda stop. I walked across the street to the Ozark Starbucks and am blogging from there while enjoying my venti 5-shot Americano.
After a refill cup of coffee and a stop at the bathroom, I'll set off on the 6 mile walk home.

It's a little cool this morning but I'm thinking this might be a good plan as the days get warmer. In any case, it will get my May off to a fine start!

Set your goals.
Work to achieve them.
Be well,

John <><