This is the first day of the first month of the 6 pack abs challenge and I hope you enjoy it, are encouraged or motivated by it, or are my inspiration for the day!

Either way, welcome and let’s get started.

6 Pack Abs Kickoff and I weigh HOW MUCH?

I used to weigh every day and I got out of the habit for a while.  Back at it now.

If you do this daily, make sure you do it at the same time and same conditions each day or it will freak you out. First thing out of bed in the morning is best/most accurate and consistent weight for me.

Try it out and see what works for you.

This morning I decided I HAD to get back in the routine and start doing this challenge seriously so I wanted to get it started right with a baseline weigh in and I was SHOCKED.

I stepped on the scale and it said DAMN!!!!

203! Seriously????

How can I gain 13 pounds in 10 weeks – not good, muscle pounds… fat pounds… I haven’t changed my workout schedule, but I have obviously been lying to myself about the nutrition I was consuming.

Some of this will be salt and fluid because I’ve been eating more sodium so I expect tomorrow morning will be a nice drop with the extra water I am consuming along with the clean food.

So, here is my routine format for the next 30 days of this challenge:

Daily planning and tracking for 6 Pack progress:

1. Today’s Weight beginning of day – 203  (I will update in the morning once I’ve weighed each day – see next line)
2. Today’s Weight end of day (next morning) – 200 – BABAMMMM!!!
3. Goal progress plan vs actual – Goal 201 – Actual 200 so down 3 overall and 1 below goal.
4. Potential pitfalls specific to today
   1. My training partner, That Guy, is out of town so workout might be modified
   2. I have to do carpool pickup from my daughter’s swim team so I won’t leave work until close to 8 getting home close to 9:15 and dinner hasn’t been prepped – gotta be careful that late
   3. Lunch meeting with food provided – can’t eat the Mexican they are bringing in for everyone.
   4. I am moving Friday so I need to pack more tonight so I’ll be up late.  Plus additional stress.
   5. I am starting this series and it stresses me to not have things laid out pretty close to exact…
5. Opportunities specific to today
   1. Working late will give me time to climb stairs, walk on treadmill, do some crunches or get some extra exercise in.
   2. Will get to chat with some motivating people prepping for the next round of Featured Fitness people.
   3. Will probably work out with someone else and it is always interesting to see how they like to lift, exercises, routines, etc
   4. Should have a great weight drop just due to increased water and lower sodium
6. Inspirations – This one is easy today with Doug’s tweet

   • I will be in better shape tomorrow than I am today and I’ll do what is needed to get there. #fitfam #runchat @BodybuiIding @40_ish

     — RunandLift (@dougludmann) August 26, 2014

7. Motivational quotes
   • I will be in better shape tomorrow than I am today and I’ll do what is needed to get there. – Doug Ludmann
8. Goal body part pic from someone’s blog, twitter, pinterest or facebook – same one from Doug for today – 50 year old 6 pack abs!
9. Small win of the day – gotta celebrate the little things and enjoy the process
   1. Walked an extra 3 miles today and climbed 20 extra flights of stairs
   2. Got home late and oldest daughter wanted to hit an extra 100 situps
10. Tweeter of the day with picture – same one from Doug for today
11. Site of the day – Twitter.com – there are some seriously motivating people on there and they are very willing to help, inspire, and just post what is working for them.
12. General Observations and plans for tomorrow
    1. Today was a great day. Got started and didn’t question myself too much. Taking action!
    2. Water/Sodium loss on the first day is great because it makes you feel like you are really getting a jump start.
    3. Tomorrow is going to be tough again for lots of reasons. Need to track this again early and often!

I don’t know that I will include these every day, but here is the chart with my daily progress – only one day, but at least I’m below the goal weight line

That is all for today so if there is anything you want to know or think would help out in this journey, please let me know! Check how I am progressing on my abs goal this month here!