I’m working on a little experiment this summer. Like any good scientist (though i deny being a scientist as I’ve been quoted many times saying “I’m no scientist…” and I certainly have never claimed to be a good one), I have a hypothesis and I’ve got a test plan to try and prove it. Click through to learn more…
The Experiment
I’m not going to drink beer. For 92 days.
The Hypothesis
I know what you are thinking and no, I’m not entirely crazy. See I have this theory: beer has made me fat. Well, not just beer. I also didn’t really exercise until 2007 (when I was already 60 lbs overweight at almost 240). Upon working out in 2007, I lost nearly 30 lbs but I want to take it a step further (especially since I gained back a couple pounds and I’m sitting right at 210). My official hypothesis is this: I will lose weight by working out and not drinking beer.
The Test Plan
I’m working on the assumption that I gained all of this weight by drinking beer and not working out during the years 2002-2007. So the simple plan for the 92 days (that started on June 1st) is to do the opposite. I won’t drink beer. In addition, I will exercise consistently. I have set the goal to lift weights at least twice a week and do a minimum of 30 minutes of cardio at least four times a week.
Expected Results
92 days is right around 13 weeks. I’m going to assume that I can lose slightly more than one pound a week. So by September 1st, I expect to weigh in around 195 pounds (only 10 off of my pre-college weight).
Extra Variables
Besides sickness, death, emergencies, etc., the only thing that I think may have a significant impact on the results is my diet. Overall, I do a decent job of eating healthy or at least healthier than I used to eat back in the pre-2007 days. Because of moving to the house, I didn’t go to the grocery store for over a month which means I ate out way too much. So, I’m back to trying to eat healthy and I’m going to try to eat better when I go out (my Achilles heel, especially with Mexican food). This may affect the results but I can only assume it will be in a positive way in terms of my overall health so I’m willing to allow it. I will also be gone on Mission Trip for a week which means I’ll miss the gym but I’m sure I’ll be doing plenty of work to get a good sweat going each day so the trip should be at least equal to my weekly exercise goal.
So there you have it. Feel free to leave your thoughts or words of encouragement. And a special note to my good friend beer: Beer, I hardly knew ye but I shall return to you after a quick break and I expect to be more impressed with you than ever. Until next time, stay beery…I mean classy
3 Comments
June 6, 2008 at 10:59 am
so if the experiment is a success (which i hope it is), will you return to beer? or will you give it up forever?
good luck good sir.
June 6, 2008 at 12:51 pm
At least you aren’t doing anything too crazy (like giving up Mexican food). Good luck, and keep us updated on your progress!
June 6, 2008 at 1:25 pm
@Johnny - At this point, I assume that I’ll be returning to beer but if things are going really well I might extend the no beer challenge or maybe just cut back on when and how much beer I drink.
@Allison - I could never give up Mexican food. If the choice was death or never eat Mexican food again I would probably have to think about it for a long time and then I’d ask for an extra thing of hot sauce to go with my meal.
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