Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger

Well, four days in now and I have to say, This is Freaking Hard. No soda for four days, when I'm used to two liters of Pepsi (at the very least).

After one day of drinking only water, I went down to 221.8 lbs. Not a huge change, and considering how much fluctuation occurs in body weight each day, i may not have really lost any.

But this isn't just about weight or even size, its about getting healthy and feeling better.

On Wednesday Morning I was at 222.0 lbs.

Thursday Morning, 220.4.

Things seem to be going well. I feel good, but I'm tired, but I don't think that has anything to do with what I am drinking. On Wednesday I helped my Dad move a bunch of dirt and I am not as fit as I used to be. We carried 118 5 gallon buckets full of dirt. We shoveled it into the buckets, then hauled it up a ramp and across the yard, and into a truck with a shell. After we loaded the truck we drove to our drop-off and unloaded the dirt. (then we did it all again for another load). Good for health, but I am still sore.

Also, another event I guess, this one is directly related to soda; I had the biggest withdrawal headache. I took a three hour nap before going to bed early. Its amazing how bad I felt when I stopped drinking soda. Its obvious that I shouldn't be drinking something that does that. I am still craving sometimes though, but water is pretty good I suppose. Its an acquired taste for sure :)

I haven't been eating the best, but I never said I was changing that. I also have to note that tonight, Thursday September 2, I drank a small cup of Kool-Aid. It was an allowance at a party so, I don't consider if a failure. I have to allow some give or else I'll just crack and chug a bunch of soda.

You Must Do the Thing You Think You Cannot Do

I have found a reason to blog: I have been issued a challenge that I must meet. Its simple really, if I want to do something, I just have to assume that someone thinks I can't, and then I will be seven types of motivated to follow through. I basically need to feel that what I am doing is a challenge, then I can give it my all. The reward for winning doesn't even have to be great, just the satisfaction of winning is all I need (most of the time). Note: Some say I'm pretty competitive when it comes to games and the like... I don't know what they are talking about :)

Okay, so back to the challenge: Water. That's right, Water. More specifically, Only Water. For the next two weeks, I am giving up all high sugar, high calorie and high sodium drinks that I normally consume and replacing them with water. The goal is to see how big of a difference that single change in my diet and lifestyle will effect me and my body in only 14 days. There are a few guidelines I am following to keep me on course and to help me out:

- I can consume water, milk, and low calorie drinks such as light lemonade and Powerade Zero (of course water must be my primary liquid)

- I cannot change anything else about my lifestyle or diet unless I feel compelled to (If the great desire to exercise, for example, comes to me, I will attribute the desire to my water consumption and thereby any results from my exercise will have resulted from drinking water)

- I will drink at least a glass of water upon waking in the morning to get my metabolism going and to help generate a habit for water.

- My fallback drink will be Powerade Zero, Lemonade and if I must, Juice (in small quantities). All of these must be reported and must be a backup only. By this, I mean I must have something to 'fall back' on so that I don't just go buy a Pepsi to quench my craving in a moment of weakness. I must have a few allowances.

- I will post something about water, soda and my experiences every day for two weeks.

- I will record my weight everyday to see incremental progress

So there you have it. I have started today, August 30, 2010 and I will go until Monday September 13, 2010 (or maybe even longer).

Today's Weight (7am): 222.4