Faster, stronger, richer, lighter in 6-weeks – My plan!

Posted on by in Budgeting, Diet, Exercise, Health, Saving Money & Finances

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rising sunYes that is a cheesy sun rise picture symbolising new beginnings and all that stuff and yes this is a self improvement post and I make no apologies!

I just arrived in the UK from New Zealand for a 6-week period to attend a few weddings. I left my partner in NZ and the thought of not being with her for that time isn’t making me feel the greatest and is partly responsible for spurring this plan.

The last few weeks in New Zealand saw me go a bit too flexible on the budget, the diet and exercise routines that I normally have set for myself. Much of this was because of the excuse that I was leaving blah blah blah!

To keep my mind focused on something whilst here I have decided to lay out a plan to help me reverse the issues of the last few weeks and hopefully come out better at the end of it all. I’ll be returning to New Zealand a better person in many ways, well, that is the plan!

Accountability is an almost essential part of carrying out any plan so laying out the steps here for all to see and following up with an update in 6-weeks should help keep me on the rails.

Your input and any discussion would be appreciated massively too!

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Faster, stronger, lighter

I always keep some level of running but it’s been patchy recently and although I am perfectly capable of running 20km right now it’s quite slow. I’m going to be concentrating on speeding up my 10km speed for around 3 weeks and then hopefully will move onto 20km runs and get that somewhere around 1hr 50mins.

The plan for the first 3 weeks it to fit at least 4 10km runs in per week and just try to keep the pace and speed up, simple! I’ll revisit in 3-weeks and put together a plan for the next stage. My current 10km speed is hovering at just over an hour so I have a lot of work to do to make it respectable again!

Regarding my strength I am not planning on a full gym routine but just carrying out a simple 10-15 minute military style push up and sit up Superset (the one found here). I did it for 10 minutes for the first time today and only managed 2.5 rotations with knees needed for some push ups from the 2nd rotation. I’m aiming for 4 full good form rotations (no knees) in a 15 minute time frame. I’m planning on doing this at least 4 times per week.

I’m 200lbs right now, a good 10lbs over what I want to be so I am hoping I can shed that and more with the help of exercise and of course diet. Seeing as I am by myself I can eat what I feel like and I have no issues keeping things simple. My plan is a very basic diet based on lentils, fresh vegetables and a little fruit. I’ll be having Muesli (no added sugar) with hot water for breakfast and variations on soup / salad and tomato based dishes for lunch and dinner. I’ll also be adding a little brown rice. The majority of the time i’ll be 100% vegan.

I would love to be doing Insanity but realistically I don’t think I have the space in the places I will be staying. If I get a chance I may fit a few of the workouts in though!

Richer

I spent a fair amount of my savings the last few months on various things so my pot is a little lower than I like! I have just kickstarted my graphics business again and getting some awesome new clients. I’m hoping to keep that going alongside the blogging and bring my business back to full strength to start getting the savings back up.

I’ll also be trying to live on not too much money and keep expenses as low as I can.

Basically I want my bank account to have more in it in 6-weeks than it does now!

The other lighter

As well as losing some body weight I also want to lose some travel weight. I arrived with a 24kg large travel bag and am hoping to leave with a large travel back pack under 20kg. I need to reassess everything I travel with and work out how to travel a little smarter. This could be difficult as I am already traveling pretty light and I need to travel with all my belongings!

Possible spanners!

This plan is all very nice and everything but I have a few potential spanners that could foil my plans! Here are some of things I am going to have to deal with:

  • I’m here for two weddings and the travel to and from them as well as gifts and everything else could be costly and throw exercise / diet plans off kilter.
  • I need to catch up with a lot of friends and family that I have not seen for some time. That often means a beer or two which can quickly become far too many and throw everything into the wind!
  • I won’t be stationary and not living in your own space can make it hard to stick to certain diets and budgets.
  • I need to travel around to see family and the Olympics are on which means I could end up having trouble finding affordable options.
  • The olympics are on! Even though I am currently all bar humbug about it I could quickly be swept into the mood and let my wallet and health loosen up too much if I am not careful.
  • I’m going to get lonely away from my partner so the temptation to eat at restaurants and go to bars could creep in.

Final thoughts

So that is about it. At this stage it’s theoretical but I got to try hard to stick to it so I have something decent to report back and  don’t look like an idiot to you all but most importantly so I don’t let myself down!

I am happy in general with the way I lead my life so I don’t NEED this plan but I think it is always good to refocus. Plus I am going to miss my partner a lot and having some goal orientated focus will help me deal with this. When I return to New Zealand it will be nice to return in better shape than I left so I feel good embarking on my new direction (more details coming soon!).

I’d love to have your thoughts, input and advice on what you think I should do differently or if you think the plan seems all good. Also please share anything else you have to say and any plans you have to improve yourself or refocus.

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19 Responses to “Faster, stronger, richer, lighter in 6-weeks – My plan!”

  1. krantcents

    20. Jul, 2012

    I would keep the changes to a minimum! The more changes you make the harder it is to maintain.
    krantcents recently posted..Friday Night Links: Series EditionMy Profile

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  2. kate

    20. Jul, 2012

    Ultimately all our actions are based on Getting There! What I have found is that realizing and discovering ‘There’ releases a tremendous amount of energy to do all that is everything without angst. Right now I am pondering the issues of truth and fact, morality and conscience. Life is being viewed through a new lens!
    Have a great summer and thanks for letting us know what you are up to.

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  3. Briana @ The Health Life Balance

    20. Jul, 2012

    4 10km runs in a week? You’re a beast Forest! I ran 5 miles the other night and was exhausted. I have a 10K run next Saturday that I considered switching to a 5K but I’m sure I’ll make it through. Just keep track of all your goals and you can make it!
    Briana @ The Health Life Balance recently posted..Watered DownMy Profile

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  4. Sandy

    20. Jul, 2012

    Wow you are brave and lucky. If you get a chance look up a program called P90X. It will have you whipped back into shape in no time flat. You are so lucky you do not eat meat. If I went meatless I would really go into cardiac arrest. You might want to consider putting some clean meats into your diet for the nutrients they supply you can not get from a veg diet. Also keep in mind Beer will not kill you unless its light. Keep it in moderation you will be fine. Remember you do not give your body what it wants it will make it or break it. Enjoy your time away!

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    • Forest

      23. Jul, 2012

      P90x rocks but it requires equipment and a little more space than I have. I have completed it in full once and do integrate some of it’s workouts into my normal plans, especially the yoga.

      I would never consider any meats because I am against eating animals, I love them way too much (not saying i judge others). I know my body is just fine with the pulses and beans to provide protein and this was confirmed in a recent medical where everything was given a more or less perfect score regarding my inner workings.
      Forest recently posted..Faster, stronger, richer, lighter in 6-weeks – My plan!My Profile

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  5. Evan

    20. Jul, 2012

    Hi Forest, wishing you success.

    Have you thought about dealing with the weather? I guess you’ll need a good raincoat (mac).

    Olympics are best avoided I think. I’ve been thinking of declaring my blog an olympics free zone. Don’t forget to dress appropriately for the weather or there could be consequences with all the security around.

    Hope you have a blast catching up with friends and that the weddings are all enjoyable.
    Evan recently posted..Resentment is Not an ArgumentMy Profile

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    • Forest

      23. Jul, 2012

      Thanks Evan. I have a light rain jacket for general running but often just deal with the rain and run in it regardless. I grew up in UK so am fully used to the crazy changing weather :) .

      The first wedding went great and have one more left at the end of August!

      Thanks for the kind words as always.
      Forest recently posted..Faster, stronger, richer, lighter in 6-weeks – My plan!My Profile

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  6. Barbara Friedberg

    23. Jul, 2012

    Hey Forest, It all sounds so fun, I couldn’t even worry about the goals part. I”m sure you’ll do great and 10 lbs+ at a weight of 200 lbs is nothing!!!! Have an awesome time.
    Barbara Friedberg recently posted..HOW TO GET OUT OF DEBT; TAKE THE FIRST STEPMy Profile

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    • Forest

      23. Jul, 2012

      Thanks Barb :) . It is fun I totally agree there. I like having routine of some sort too!

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  7. Financial Samurai

    23. Jul, 2012

    You know it’s kinda crazy, I can’t even run 10km in a row, let alone 20km like you. But, I’m pretty fit at 158-162lbs (72kg) at 178cm.

    I think so long as you are healthy, that’s all that matters.

    Good luck on your journey!
    Financial Samurai recently posted..How The Rich And Powerful Become More Rich And PowerfulMy Profile

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  8. Laura Alfonsin

    23. Jul, 2012

    Wow, that’s a great plan!!

    I used to do those plans but the fact that I “started” them every 29th February made me change to tiny little plans (like the ones you mentioned on “7 Simple Ways to Sneak Some Exercise into Your Daily Routine”). That way I don’t get so frustrated of not achieving it!

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    • Forest

      24. Jul, 2012

      Thanks Laura. Breaking tasks and goals into small achievements can work absolute wonders.

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  9. Martin

    26. Jul, 2012

    Wow that’s some serious running Forest. Keep it up and watch that diet.

    Consistency is key for the next 6 weeks my friend.
    Martin recently posted..How You Can Start Freelancing at this Very MomentMy Profile

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    • Forest

      28. Jul, 2012

      Hey Martin, first week didn’t go well as I have been sick! I’m hoping next week will be my time to get it going again!

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  10. Maria

    05. Aug, 2012

    It’s really exciting to read about other bloggers’ goals, but what is even more exciting – is to see them reach those goals, get updates on the progress/success/failures and etc. So please, keep us informed, Forest, and it’ll be great to be able to learn from your experiences;-)
    Maria recently posted.."Hey! What’s your business about?!" AND Free Gifts from Me;-)My Profile

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    • Forest

      05. Aug, 2012

      Thanks again Maria. I was sick during week 1 and 2 but am back on track more or less now. All is good :) .

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