Concept2 Forum

About February 15th I decided to stop snoozing and sleeping in, and started using a new alarm that's worked well for me to force me up and out of bed at 5am. It's worked wonders since, and I've stuck to this habit.

Then on February 20th I stopped drinking alcohol. I was feeling like I was drinking too much, and needed a break. Figured I'd use lent as an excuse to just cut it for awhile.

Those 2 things started my good habits. Since then I've done more.

3/13 started the beginner petes plan. Was feeling good from not drinking, and waking up early. Decided to incorporate working out in the mornings before work.

3/23 was noticing some weight loss (likely from not drinking) and wanted to keep the positive habits rolling. So I decided to cut heavy carbs and sugar from my diet (no potatoes, rice, bread, no snacks or sweets) Stack this with the fact that I already intermittent fast on work days (Mon-Sat typically) and this is when things kicked into high gear.

Once lent was over I have drank a little on the weekends, but nothing crazy. 3 beers or maybe a couple beers and a whiskey on weekends.

I have continued on the BPP, and have done all 5 workouts for 6 weeks now. (Tomorrow I technically complete week 6, I have one more workout this week.) I have continued to stay on this low carb diet, and of course continuing to wake up at 5am. I intermittent fast at least 5 days a week, sometimes 6, and I also weigh myself daily, but only really pay attention to the 7 day average in terms of a true weight.

Happy to say that my results are, I'm down a minimum of 20lbs (my 7 day average) and I sleep monumentally better, and I have overall been far more productive and less stressed.

I'm a 30 year old man, I was 5'10 ~200lbs and I'm down to 179.8 average. My ultimate goal now is just to average 175, but through these 6-8 weeks I can absolutely say I will continue rowing, incorporating other workouts, and being more conscious of my diet. The results are outstanding, and I feel great.

Well done

Congratulations, great to read.

One thing I would say is that you need to plan stabilising your weightloss. Personally I like qualifying as a lightweight (although only now "competing" in CTCs), so 165 pounds. I first lost 18 pounds in 2007 to hit 156 then started losing power in my stroke and had to actively eat to maintain the weight. I stopped rowing regularly in 2013 and slowly put weight back on. In 2020 started again and this time lost 24 pounds bottoming out at 152 pounds without losing any strength (showing that I had loss lean mass in the intervening years). That time I was aware of the potential problem and increased my food as the weight got significantly below my goal.

My eating is not great and the increases include increased carbs as well as protein shakes, not sure that I could have stopped the loss on a diet like yours.

Great start, look forward to hearing how you are progressing.

- Iain

Well done, great result

Good habits combined with effort pays off every single time. Well done, and keep it rolling!

Congrats and well done - but urgh at that early morning start, that on it's own gets me stressed

Well done! This July will mark two years since I overcame my alcohol addiction.
Looking forward to hearing about your progress!

Well done that is amazing! Keep up the good work…

I myself have been back on track for the last month. Realistic and consistent efforts are reaping rewards.
My wife and I decided on a ‘dry May’ and this also coincided with me returning to my erg which previously I had to stop because of some annoying lower back pain. I have really been focusing on keeping good form and not flogging myself on the erg too early which I have done in the past.

Doing rows on alternate days aiming for minimum 30 mins each session and trying to keep a low stroke rate (20-22). Am making small gains each time I row and just plan to keep doing this for the time being, then might start adding some interval training in.

With the drinking, it’s been great to not be drinking a few beers most nights just out of habit. I have more energy and generally feel better in myself. I don’t think I’ll be abstaining forever, but just change my habits, few beers on a weekend but not much more.

I stopped buying beers back in Jan 2022, for me wearing a garmin and tracking sleep made me realise how much alcohol was affecting my rest and I decided it wasn't worth it. Sure I still have a beer or wine every now and then but I just have only a glass tops and drink a ton of water after. On vacations all rules are thrown away.