Happy New Year. I hate the term ‘New Year, New Me’ because it somehow seems to denote that you have to wait to the beginning of the year to make changes. As mentioned previously, I quit logging food and slipped some on my diet as I got busier in the fall. The good thing is that I didnt slide too far off the rails. However, since we’re into a new year, we’re going to set the counter back to 1 and focus on this year’s goals and challenges.
Let’s recap 2025 real quick. This time last year, I was 325. As of this morning, I was 270. Down 55 lbs. At my lowest, I was 263 and on one scale in September, I was 259 (although I dont trust it).
In 2026, I want to accomplish a couple of things. I need to drop more of this weight and I really dont want to do it using the GLP-1’s. I dont have any issue with anyone who is using them and I think they have their place. But just like when I quit smoking, if I can do it without the assistance of drugs, Id rather do that. To be fair, I feel like losing the weight in this way is better longer term because it helps develop better habits. The number I have in mind is 40 lbs. The other goal I have this year is that I’d like to start focusing on training a bit more and get some of my strength back.
The plan to get there is not all that dissimilar from what I did last year. I feel really good about the work I put in last year and so I want to continue that going forward. Here’s what the current plan looks like.
Caloric Deficit – calories burned greater than the calories taken in. This is being tracked by logging all food intake in Cronometer, in conjunction with the Whoop fitness band for calories burned. I dont really have a set number in mind. Cronometer is set to max out at 2200 calories, but I expect most days will be in the 1700-2000 calorie range. On more active days, that may increase slightly.
Diet – Lean meats, primarily focusing on chicken and pork (especially considering the price of beef right now), and copious amounts of lower carb veggies. One thing Im also noticing that Im trying to work on is that my blood sugar spikes in the evening and part of that is due to my dinner choices and being less active in the evenings. To that end, I’ll be limiting the amount of carbs eaten for dinner and in the evenings. My metabolism seems to support eating the most carbs somewhere between 10A and 4P. I learned this through a lot of food logging and blood sugar tracking (Im diabetic, for those who dont know, and wear a CGM).
Exercise – My blood sugar seems to respond really well to walking twice a day. Since the weather’s gotten colder, the treadmill’s about to get a lot more use. This is something I already started doing before the end of 2025. Additionally, starting tomorrow, Im going to get back to the gym three days a week and start working on consistency again. Im going to play with my gym schedule a bit to see what works best. I quit going in the mornings years ago because I just felt so lethargic in the mornings. With some adjustments to my sleep routine, I seem to be a little more energetic in the morning, so I may try to go in the mornings to see how that plays out. Either way, we’re getting it done.
Right now, the only focus is on routine. I did some food prep yesterday (and set off my smoke alarm in the process because I got distracted….be careful!) so I have some food on deck. I’ve really been digging these breakfast wraps Ive been making lately. They’re simple enough but low carb tortillas are really good for these. One tortilla, a couple of eggs, some egg whites, a slice of cheese and a slice of bacon with some chipotle mayo. Absolutely yum. I’ve also got some chicken drumsticks (drumsticks are insanely cheap. Get rid of the skin if you’re really concerned about the calories) that Im going to eat on for the next week or so. Additionally Ive also got some veggies on standby for a snack, and a plan for some sort of pizza-related dish for the weekend – either a chicken based crust or a quesadilla. I havent decided which. Either way, there’s a plan.
It doesnt have to be complicated to be effective and Im all for keeping things simple. Too many things going on to make it more complicated than it needs to be. That means simpler food, meal prepping so I dont have to think during the week, and then just executing. There is NO reason this cant get done if you execute on the plan. Right now, I have a plan for the week. This time next week, I’ll start working on the plan for the following week. I’ll come up with a meal plan, grocery shop and cook accordingly (by the way, if you make a meal plan, itll probably save you from buying a bunch of unnecessary crap at the grocery store – which will also save you some money!), then decide what im going to do at the gym. I may adjust the schedule for going to the gym based on what Ive got coming up. I use the longer term plan listed above to create simpler plans week to week that I know I can execute on. Just have to eat the elephant.
I may start posting recipes of some of the food Im finding or making, depending on what time allows. If you’re looking for input on that, the best advice I can give you is to go out right now and get an air fryer and an instant pot (or get the instant pot with the air fryer lid – best of both worlds). That will open up so many options for food prep.
Full disclosure – when I started writing this, I was hungry. Shortly before writing, I ate what looked like the wimpiest carrot in existence. Writing this distracted me enough to not worry about being hungry. If you find you’re legit hungry and need to eat, then eat something. Being mindful of why we’re eating is important and usually something i have to do when Im not as busy.