Back at It — An Update
Let’s be honest — I haven’t posted in a while. No excuses. I just forgot.
Life has been busy. Between work, the gym, spending time with my wife, sleeping, and repeating that cycle — everything else fell to the side. I wish I could say I didn’t have the time, but the truth is, I did. I just didn’t make this a priority.
Losing Motivation, One Task at a Time
I’ve been in this strange pattern where I lose motivation for a lot of things I want to do:
Housework
Reading
Journaling
Keeping up with friends
Even just working on myself
I know all of these things are important — but my brain doesn’t seem to treat them that way. So I toss them into a mental box labeled “I’ll get to it later,” and misplace the key.
Where I Left Off
The last time I posted — back in late January — I was just starting Week 2 of my fitness journey. I was coming back into the gym with the intention of documenting the whole thing. Fast forward almost 7 months, and… I didn’t do that.
But I can’t change the past — all I can do now is recommit to using this space for the purpose I intended: to track my growth and keep myself accountable.
Mental Health — The Side I Don’t Talk About
Let’s start with the part I don’t usually share: my mental health.
Right now, I’m in the best mental space I’ve been in since... probably 2016. That realization didn’t hit me until I started feeling normal again — like I could take on the world.
And the one thing that’s made all the difference?
Consistency in the gym.
The gym became my therapy — a place to escape, de-stress, and grow stronger, both physically and mentally. After moving, switching jobs, and taking on the pressure of providing for my wife and our pets, that outlet was lost. My priorities shifted. I started focusing only on survival and stability.
But I needed more than that. I needed the gym back.
Physical Progress — Hard, but Worth It
Physically, I’m healthier now than I’ve been in nearly a decade — weird to say, since I’m only turning 33 this month.
The hardest part? The diet.
Cutting out almost all sugar, avoiding fast food (especially while working on the road), and building a meal prep habit wasn’t easy. But being prepared made the difference:
I cooked meals in advance.
I kept protein powder on hand for emergencies.
I tracked calories and made sure I hit my protein goals.
That calorie deficit was rough at first, but my body adjusted — lots of broccoli helped keep me full. Still, none of this would’ve mattered without the key habit that brought everything together:
Consistency in the gym.
5 days a week.
Cardio every day.
No exceptions.
By the Numbers
Here’s how far I’ve come in the last 7 months:
Starting Stats (January)
Weight: 210 lbs
Body Fat: 35%
Lean Mass: 136.5 lbs
Fat Mass: 73.5 lbs
Current Stats (August)
Weight: 187 lbs
Body Fat: 13%
Lean Mass: 162.7 lbs
Fat Mass: 24.3 lbs
Total Change
-23 lbs body weight
-49.2 lbs fat mass
+26.2 lbs lean mass
I’ve completely recomposed my body. This wasn’t easy. There were definitely moments where I could’ve devoured a gallon of ice cream — but I’ve done well keeping cravings in check.
The Path Forward
I’m proud of what I’ve achieved so far in my fitness journey. But like I said at the start — I haven’t done as well on the other goals I set.
That changes now.
It starts with this post.
One step at a time.
Motivation, for Me and for You
To keep myself motivated, I’m including some progress photos — not something I normally do. I’ve always avoided posting pictures like that because I don’t want to get sucked into social media. But I’m realizing this blog can be a great tool for accountability, reflection, and maybe even helping others.
So, if you made it this far — thank you.
This blog is mostly for my future self, but if anything I’ve said resonates with you, or if you’re on your own fitness journey and need help or encouragement — reach out. Leave a comment or message me. I’m happy to share what’s worked for me.
Let’s keep each other going.
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Thanks for reading.
