I’m going to try and update this, even if it’s just for myself along the way.
Bringing us up to today…
Week 1 - 5th January to 11th January. We were away at Center Parcs with the kids, I didn’t track my food, but I didn’t put any weight on and appear to have lost weight. The kids had a great time.
11th January - weighing in at 93.1kgs. I didn’t like that very much. Photos submitted.
Week 2 - 12th January - 19th January. What gets measured, gets improved. Calories tracked. Macros tracked. Nutrition was a 10/10 for the week. Training was negligible - mostly taking the 5 month old baby for a walk in the pram whilst wearing a 10kg weight vest. Did get a push session in though, felt good. I’ve got too much stuff to do to the house before I go back to sea.
Week 3 - 19th January to 25th January. Doing good so far. Much the same as last week. I fly out to Singapore to join ship on 1st February, so time is ticking. The gym on board is decent, it’ll be easy enough to get back into the habit. I work from 0400-1200 and then 1600-2000 when at sea. In port I’m working quite a bit more than that. I don’t get days off.
Weighed myself on 21st and came in at 89.5kg. I haven’t been under 90 for a long time.
I have been eating near enough the same 3 meals daily for the last two weeks. It’s working.
Progress is being made, Ken! I’d keep just rotating the same meals not only is it working but it keeps it simple. The less decisions we have to make the less likely it is to fall off track. What’s the dream weight you’d like to hit by the end of the challenge?
Had a Per4m preworkout (cherry fizz) before driving over to Park Run at Herrington Country Park.
Currently sat in the car questioning my choices, it’s wet, windy, and the temperature is “feels like” -2°c.
Last time I did the park run was New Years Day, it’s been cancelled at Herrington since then due to icy conditions. I was 93.6kgs on 30th December. My time was 35:55. I am 4.8kgs lighter, I’ve been pushing the bairn in the pram whilst wearing a 10kg weight vest.
Let’s see what happens (I get told off by the Mrs for saying that too often, about everything!).
Last park run according to park run was 36:34. My Apple Watch was 35:55.
Today I did it in 33:17. So whichever time I use as a comparison, it’s a massive improvement.
Speaking of comparisons, I was lapped and thought to myself “I wish I could run like him”, and then thought about it. No I don’t. I’m competing against myself. Comparison is the thief of joy.
I tend to do park run as fasted cardio. I’ve never liked running after food. I also know that one of my best half marathons was after eating some Porridge.
Today I would rate as nutrition 10/10 and exercise as 10/10.
Continue with weighted vest for walking with the baby.
I’ve got a few things to do round the house before I go back to sea.
1st Feb I fly out to Singapore, I’m more conscious of my nutrition for flying out this time. Normally I treat myself to a slap up meal in the airport, a final meal if you will.
The food on board is that bad. I’ll upload photos so people can see what I’m working with.
Left for the airport at 0900, family at the door, eldest daughter (5yo) burst into tears.
It never gets easier.
My step count for the week will be down, it’s been a week of spending as much time with the family and doing odd jobs round the house to make sure everything will be good for the next 3 to 4 months until I get home.
Score for the week
Diet 6/10
Exercise 2/10
I get to Singapore tomorrow afternoon, join ship and get back into work and the gym on board.
I’m not rating this week. It’s been a tough one. Flown out to Singapore to join ship, having 3 nights in a hotel due to delays. It gave me a chance to find Decathlon on Orchard Road and buy the weight vest I use at home.
I wear it during my morning navigation watch for my morning 10k steps
My crew tell me that it looks like I’ve lost weight since I was last on board.
The food on board is oily and to a poor standard. We had Singapore authorities come down for an inspection when I joined, they found mouldy food in the provisions stores.
Monday is my 42nd Birthday
Besides my 10k steps this morning, I’m taking it easy as it’s Sunday.
This was breakfast yesterday. It appears to have been an attempt at corned beef hash. Swimming in oil. Undercooked. No thanks. I made myself some scrambled eggs and had a per4m whey shake for dinner.
Our cook is getting a written warning today for poor performance, mouldy food found in the vegetable room. Expired provisions. I don’t expect him to improve.
We are in heavy seas off the coast of the Philippines, which is making just walking a bit more dangerous.
I ordered an air fryer in South Korea, but it’s been a rough ride teaching the cook how to use it. No cookie, it’s not a deep fat fryer.
Weighted vest walks at 0400 when I start navigating is an enjoyable habit.
Right, last weeks ratings
Week 6
Nutrition - if I were to rate it compared to being at home it would be 4/10. But I’m not at home and have little control. With limited choices I feel I’ve done enough to warrant an 8/10.
Exercise - I’m going for a 10/10 here. I’m on a ship that is 264m long and I’m walking between 10 and 15km a day. I’m getting some gym sessions in and the weights are going up.
