Normal to lose weight after taking a break from working out? (Speculation)

This has been kind of nagging in the back of my mind, but I think I lose weight after I take a break from workouts (ie walking, lifting). I've barely been doing my 10k the last couple days and noticed that I have been able to maintain a lower weight average (around 2 pounds).

It'll go back up in a week if I do nearly no steps. Going back to working out, I'll go back to the same pattern of gaining weight then losing it slowly.

Does muscle atrophy work that fast? Or maybe I somehow change my diet due to my change in workout? I don't think my diet changed much. Although, I ate a lot of PB&J over the weekend which could be less than I usually eat. I'll need to note further data on this.

Fitbit ChargeHR (2 months)

I've been wearing my Fitbit for just under 2 months.

The Fitbit website does track the number of times you hit certain goals (ie 5k steps, 10k steps, etc.). I'm not sure if this is new since my last post, but most likely I just didn't notice since I use my phone to check most of the stats. So, that is pretty cool.

Another ask was to compete with other types, and Fitbit does have their data available to download so this is possible if someone developed such an interface with other devices.

I have been on an exercise tear, averaging about 20k steps per day so I have been crushing my challenges for a pretty long time. I think this may have discouraged some of the bottom steppers or "more"-competitive people. I would really like some challenge that would help encourage people to move more. I try to get people to go out more, but "unfortunately" that also means that I'm out more thus getting more steps too.

Sadly, I could not come up with any good ideas that would motivate people. The best idea I could come up with is some challenge based on improvement from the previous week. Or maybe some sort of handicap, like they would get 1.5 step points per step.

I have forgotten to take off my Fitbit a couple times when I showered. It did get soaked for a second or two. I have had no problems at all.

It is not comfortable to wear while playing volleyball, but is still playable. I prefer not to wear the Fitbit. I've only tried a couple times. It does not really impact my actual play... just uncomfortable when I bump.

Overall, I am still quite satisfied with my Fitbit. It has pushed me to be more active.


Reference
http://douglastclee.blogspot.com/2016/07/fitbit-chargehr-two-week-impression.html
http://douglastclee.blogspot.com/2016/06/fitbit-chargehr-first-impression.html

2 smaller workouts VS 1 big workout (part 2)

Near the end of last month, I walked about 50000 steps in a single day. I was near 40k steps before my volleyball game. That day was also one of the hottest and most humid days. After a couple of intense points, I was breathing very hard and I can feel my heart rate really pounding. Even after the match and sitting for half hour, my heart rate was still pretty high. Some time during that day, I think I injured my knee. I didn't notice it was sore until the next day, and my knee is still sore today (~2 weeks).

Because of this, I went back to a single workout days. My weight has maintained the same throughout the 2 weeks. One difference to the previous 1-day workout was that I only walked but extended to 1.5 - 2 hours which included more weight lifting. Although I maintained weight, I did notice that my upper body becoming ever so slightly more lean. The first indication was that my arms can now touch more of my sides.

My knee has improved a little. It feels most sore after my body has cooled down (especially when I wake up). Once I have warmed up, the soreness goes away. I can feel my knee when I jog (around 6mph), feels fine around 5mph. I only did this for a minute just to test my knee. Soreness is worst if I lift my leg, leaving my low leg hanging. I can mitigate some of the pain if I squeeze the sides of my kneecap. Fortunately, I was able to do some jogging this morning in the park. The soreness today is extremely mild except after I get out of the car after driving.

Overall, I think my hypothesis is still that two half workouts are better than a single whole workout. I feel that 30 minutes is a good target for a small workout, and 20 minutes is the minimum for an effective workout. But that does not mean to avoid moving if you have the chance if you only have 5-10 minutes, or to stop after 30 minutes if you have more time.



Reference
http://douglastclee.blogspot.com/2016/07/2-smaller-workouts-vs-1-big-workout.html

97% of quitters employed by 3% who don't (misunderstood)

There is meme that pops up every so often that goes, "97% of the people who quit too soon are employed by the 3% who never gave up." This statement does not provide any new information.

Logic Problem

A lot of people read the quote as the 97% of the people vs 3% of the people, but really the quote states 97% of quitters and 3% of never gave up. Technically speaking, there is no mention how large the population is of quitters versus those who never gave up.

What can be extrapolated from the quote (assuming you trust the numbers) is that a very low percentage of those who did not quit are employed by a large percentage of those who did quit. Which in itself is quite reflective, because that would also mean that 3% of those who quit also became bosses, and that 97% of those who did not quit became someone elses. 

So technically, the statement is not a logic issue or problem. The issue/problem lies on the people either jumping to conclusions or misreading the statement.

Math Proof

Assuming life is binomial in that all people are either quitters (A) or non-quitters (B), and also that all people are either employees (C) or employers (D).

97% of A = C, therefore 3% of A = D

3% of B = D, therefore 97% of B = C

In conclusion, this statement works for anything that can be broken into two groups which provides no new analysis whether the numbers are correct or not.