Below are some stats comparing March to February and to one year ago. Putting one foot in front of another is making a difference.
Steps Average Per Day: 16,663 in March, 13,655 February, 6,309 March 2024
Steps Total: 516,554 March, 382,337 February, 195,576 March 2024
Distance Average Miles Per Day: 8.94 March, 7.21 February, 3.42 March 2024
Total Miles: 277.08, 201.95 February, 106.08 March 2024
Weight Average: 225.5lbs March, 230.9lbs February, 263.9 March 2024
Yesterday I purchased some New Balance Fuelcell Walker Elite’s size 11.5 xw. I’ve been wearing New Balance 847’s but they’ve been discontinued. I went to the Princeton @newbalance shoe store and sized up from a wide to an extra wide. The Fuelcell’s appear to be sized narrower .
I got a lot of mileage out of the last set of 45’s and look forward to seeing how the Fuelcell’s wear.
Today I completed my longest walk of 20 miles. This is up 5 miles from last week’s Saturday walk. Really satisfied with the distance. Tomorrow I’ll do a standard 6 mile weighted vest walk to recover. The plan will be to repeat the same next week. Then add the weight vest to the walk.
My current walking routine will be:
Monday – Friday – 14 lb. weight vest 6 mile walk
Saturday – Long 15+ walk no weight vest
Sunday – 6 mile walk no weight vest.
The intent is to use this routine for the month of March and then assess and adjust for April.
I’m looking to build up stamina from the use of the weight vest during the week, challenge myself with the longer walk on Saturday and then a rest/easier walk on Sunday.
Last summer I was walking twice a day and I may consider that again this year.
I may also increase the weight vest to 20 lbs.
On Saturday I walked 15 miles. Very pleased with the results and I have plans to add more mileage next Saturday. My goal is to find a 20 mile route.
So it’s the end of my eleventh month of walking with no missed days.
I’ve been battling some weight gain that occurred in January.
This time of year with the weather challenges my steps, miles, minutes are reduced. Looking forward to warmer weather and more steps, miles, minutes
I’m really enthusiastic about my use of my weight vest. I do believe proper use is helping me to not plateau on my goals of losing weight.
Next month I’m looking forward to celebrating a full year of walking without any missed days.
Today after three days off from wearing the weight vest I took my usual 6 mile walk wearing it. The walk went very well and I’m looking forward to wearing it again tomorrow.
I took a few days off from walking with the vest to rest a nagging lower right back muscle ache. I did my usual 6 mile walk, just no weight vest. Better to be cautious.
Today I ordered a weight vest from Wolf Tactical. I’ve been researching for awhile and I believe that I’ve picked a good brand. I was happy their website https://www.wolftacticalusa.com/ had a bundle deal. I chose a pair of 5.75lb curved weight vest plates to go with the weighted vest plate carrier. Somehow I also ended up with a free sling bag.
I’ve been using 2.5lb wrist weights for a couple of years and sometimes will wear a second set for a total additional walking weight of 10lbs. The weight vest weighs 2.5lb and plus plates will be a total of 14lbs. For the first couple of walks I will load only one of the 5.75lb plates as a test. That will be a total walking weight of 8.25lbs. I walk 6 miles a day during the week and 12 miles a day on the weekends. I’m hoping to be able to walk with both plates without any injury but with an improvement in cardio.
Lately I feel like my weight loss progress is slowing down. I’m hoping this new purchase will help.
Below is my walk that I use on Saturdays and Sundays. It’s almost 12 miles and I walk the route in just over 3 hours.
Below is a photo from 2020 and from 2024 demonstrating the difference in weight. My weight records start with 301.6lb on June 56th 2021. August 18th I weighted 237.2lb
This is the door in the garage where I hand my walking equipment. The vest on the hanger is polyester/neoprene and designed to help you sweat in your torso. I’ve gone from a 3xl on 3/27/24 to a 2xl on 6/13/24 to a xl on 9/6/24. Below the vest is two sets of walking wrist weights that I wear during the week for my 1 hour and 1/5 hour walks. Below is a hat and a upper arm band that I sometimes wear to hold my phone when walking.
These are the 2.5lb Nike wrist weights that I wear on my walks. Here I’ve taken a second set and wore them on my forearms for a total of 5lb when walking.
In this picture I used my 2.5.lb wrist weights plus a heavier set of weights on my arms. I’ve since discarded the larger weights as the bulk plus the additional weights caused stress injuries to my calves.
This is my Google Pixel Watch which I have been wearing since October 2023. I use the Fitbit app to review all my data.
These are my Goggle Pixel Buds Pro. Coupled with Spotify on my Google Watch has made the perfect companions for walking. The watch has LTE so no need to carry a phone.
I drink 3 16.9 oz water bottles with a package of electrolyte powder split amongst them after ever walk.
This is an Amphipod Hydraform Ergo-Lite Handheld 10.5 oz Water Bottle that I carry for my 3 hour 11.8 mile walks on Saturday and Sunday. It’s very comfortable and very easy to use.
This is a protein bar that I sometimes choose to eat after my afternoon walks.
Pictures of walking shoes. I tend to prefer New Balance
To extend my shoes I use this patch. I use it for both the heals and for the toe box. My toe lifts up as I walk and tends to wear a hole thru the toe box if I don’t add a patch. I usually get 3 to 4 months to a set of shoes.
An inexpensive poncho is a great solution to not missing any days walking.
These are screen shots from the scale app that records via Bluetooth my weight when I step on the scale. My first measurement was 301.6 on 6/5/2021
While you can see that I dropped to 251.4 in a matter of months I also gained back the weight over time.
By May of 2023 I was back up to 285.4lb
Thankfully in 2023 I made some adjustments that have contributed to some weight loss
In 2024 my progress has continued and this spring and summer I’ve made some significant progress.
in the below series of captures from my Fitbit app I have been consistent with no missed days from the last week in March to currently August. I feel this consistency is what is contributing to my current weight loss progress.
Tim Hitchings 