craschworks

For most of my life, I've been an ectomorph. When I graduated from high school, I was 5'11″ and weighed 150 lbs. However, time, a sedentary job, and a company kitchen generously stocked with Doritos, Butterfingers, and other calorie-rich foods have taken their toll. As of this morning, I weighed 187.4 lbs, and had a body fat percentage of 23.0% (according to my Tanita scale). That means that I'm carrying around about 43 lbs of fat, and 144 lbs of lean tissue (bone/muscle/etc.).

So I've decided to do something about it. Long term, I want to decrease my body fat percentage to 5-6%, and increase my muscle mass by about 20 lbs. I think a body weight of 175 lbs at a 5-6% body fat would much healthier, and though challenging, is an achievable goal. (Clarence Bass, at his leanest had a body fat percentage of about 3%.)

For now, I'm going to shoot for losing 24 lbs of fat 6 months from now. That works out to be about 1 lb/week. A pound of fat contains approximately 3500 calories (technically, kilocalories, but indulge me). Therefore, to lose 1 lb/week, I'll need to create a caloric deficit of 500 calories/day. Assuming a daily caloric burn of 2000 calories, I can create a 500 calorie deficit by eating a 1500 calorie/day diet.

If I'm successful, and assuming that I don't gain/lose any muscle, I will then carry 19 lbs of fat + 144 lbs lean body weight, for a total of 163 lbs. My body fat percentage would then be approximately 12%.

Since it is easier to stick to a diet if you have external motivators, I've decided to create some. I'm therefore offering for sale, five $20 “fat-bonds” that will pay the bearer $20 if by November 27, 2003, my body fat percentage is below 12% ( as judged by my Tanita scale ).

If you wish to purchase a bond, reply to this message with your bid price. Bidding will begin today, and end on Sunday at midnight, April 11, 2003. The bonds will be issued to the highest, earliest bidder. (i.e., if there's a tie, the person who posted their bid earlier will get the bond).

On a Sunday at 10:00 p.m., I will post my my menu for the upcoming week to LJ, under the “Menu” memories category.