Week 9 Body Transformation

 

This week was marked by festive indulgences on one hand and significant challenges on the other. I began the week amidst the final days of Carnival, facing tempting treats and demanding workdays. I started on Day 57 with a weight of 89.9 kg and ended on Day 63 at 90.0 kg, a slight increase of +0.1 kg. My waist measurement remained stable between 104 and 105 cm, and despite the scale’s fluctuations, I feel my overall fitness and discipline are progressing.

Key Metrics for Week 9

  • Start Weight (Day 57): 89.9 kg
  • End Weight (Day 63): 90.0 kg (Weekly Change: +0.1 kg)
  • Waist Measurement: 104–105 cm
  • Total Calorie Deficit: ~7,610 kcal
  • Total Steps: ~81,506
  • Strength Training Sessions: 3 (Days 57, 59, 61)
  • Cardio Sessions: 3
    • Day 58: E-MTB Ride
    • Day 62: Skiing with the boys
    • Day 63: Family Skiing
  • Meal Replacements Used: 6 total
    • Day 57: 0
    • Day 58: 2
    • Day 59: 2
    • Day 60: 1
    • Day 61: 1
    • Day 62: 0
    • Day 63: 0

Highlights of the Week

  1. Navigating Carnival Temptations: I was bombarded with Carnival donuts, rich meals, and festive feasts. Despite this, I maintained discipline by strategically using meal replacements and offsetting extra calories with an invigorating E-MTB ride on Day 58.
  2. Late-Night Resolve: On Day 57, I resisted the lure of relaxing on the couch with snacks by completing a late strength training session, setting a strong tone for the week.
  3. Endurance and Performance:
    • E-MTB Ride: On Day 58, I enjoyed my first E-MTB ride of the year, burning 855 kcal and hitting my first jumps.
    • Skiing and Family Time: On Day 62, I had a fantastic skiing session with the boys at a nearby glacier, followed by a fun recovery with trampoline and badminton. On Day 63, a relaxed family skiing day capped off the week.
  4. Recovery and Adaptability: Despite a very challenging Day 59—with little sleep and intense work—the scale continued its downward trend, teaching me the importance of proper nutrition and rest.

Challenges & Lessons

  • Carnival-Induced Fluctuations: The scale spiked on certain days (notably Day 57 and Day 61) likely due to high-sodium, high-sugar meals. I’m learning that these short-term variations don’t necessarily reflect actual fat gain.
  • Managing Hunger Surges: On high-activity days like Day 59, relying on meal replacements left me extremely hungry by the evening. I need to incorporate a balanced snack to prevent these hunger spikes.
  • Balancing Social Events: Festive gatherings and indulgent meals added extra calories, but quick, active breaks—like my E-MTB ride—helped counterbalance the surplus.

Moving Forward

  • Optimize Meal Replacement Strategy: I’ll continue using meal replacements to control my calorie intake efficiently, while monitoring hunger and adding extra healthy snacks on particularly active days.
  • Prioritize Rest and Recovery: Ensuring adequate sleep and recovery is crucial as I balance intense workdays with physical training.
  • Embrace Active Social Moments: I look forward to integrating more family and social activities into my routine, making fitness fun and sustainable.

Despite the challenges posed by Carnival and demanding workdays, I managed to stay close to my goals and push my limits. Ending Week 9 at 90.0 kg might indicate a slight numerical gain, but the improvements in my endurance, strength, and overall discipline confirm that I’m on the right track. I’m motivated to continue refining my strategies and see where my journey takes me next.

⬇️ Day-by-Day Journal: Week 9 ⬇️

Week 9/ Day 1

Day 57: Dodging Carnival Calories and Winning

It’s the second-to-last day of Carnival season. I deliberately skipped breakfast, knowing all too well that carnival donuts would practically rain from the sky today. And indeed, at my very first social interaction of the day, the first donut found its way to me. For the rest of the day, I successfully hid behind my computer—only one more carnival donut managed to find me, right after lunch!

In the evening, fast food was on the menu due to long working hours, but I showed remarkable restraint: just one cheeseburger, four chicken nuggets, a Coke Zero, and half a small portion of fries, totaling only 646 kcal. I’d almost call that diet food, especially considering my usual McDonald’s meals before my body transformation were closer to 1,300 kcal.

After work, instead of hitting the couch with Netflix and snacks, I chose strength training and finished with a protein shake. 👍

Meals

  • Breakfast: Carnival donut
  • Lunch: Ravioli with ragù, carnival donut
  • Dinner: Cheeseburger, 4 chicken nuggets, Coke Zero, half a small portion of fries
  • After Workout: Protein shake



Measurements

Weight: 89,9 kg / 198.2 lbs

Belly Ø: 105 cm / 41.34 inch

Steps: 11.967

Kcal Deficit: -1050

 

Workout /Cardio

Push-Ups: 3×10
Pull-Ups w. Band: 3×10
Bicep Curls w. Band :3×11
Band Overhead Press: 3×11
Plank: 3x 45 sec
Knee Raise:3×11

Bike: 0
Hike: 
Walk: yes

Belly -20 cm
0%
Weight: -20kg
0%

Week 9/ Day 2

Day 58: Testing Meal Replacement Limits (and Beer)

Today I experimented with several things, some more voluntarily than others. After enjoying the very last carnival donut of this season for breakfast, I replaced both my main meals (lunch and dinner) with meal replacements. After consuming a 764 kcal meal replacement at lunchtime, I took my E-MTB out for the first ride of the year—a fantastic tour with friends. I used this ride to replace today’s cardio session, burning 855 kcal thanks to intentionally reduced motor assistance. What a joy to hit the first jumps of the season!

Interestingly, neither during nor immediately after the ride did I feel hungry at all. I’m pretty sure the two bottles of post-ride beer contributed to carrying me hunger-free into the evening. At home, the mood was inversely proportional to my great day out, making it easy to pass on the family dinner and opt for another meal replacement instead. Surprisingly, this also completely eliminated hunger until the next morning.

Meals

  • Breakfast: Carnival donut (the last one!)
  • Lunch: Meal Replacement (764 kcal)
  • Dinner: Meal Replacement
  • After Ride: 2 beers (0.5 L each)

Measurements

Weight: 90,1 kg / 198.64 lbs

Belly Ø: 105 cm / 41.34 inch

Steps: 15.749

Kcal Deficit: – 1200

 

Workout /Cardio

Push-Ups: 
Pull-Ups w. Band: 
Bicep Curls w. Band :
Band Overhead Press: 
Plank: 
Knee Raise:

Bike: 0
Hike: 
Walk: yes

Belly -20 cm
0%
Weight: -20kg
0%

Week 9/ Day 3

Day 59: The Limits of Low Calories, hard Work and Little Sleep

Had a very rough night’s sleep and was already out of bed by 6 AM, preparing for an intense and demanding workday. The only bright spot today: the needle on the scale continues to move downward—great news!

Today, there was literally no time to eat properly. I started with a meal replacement at 6 AM, followed by intense morning meetings. At noon, I quickly rushed home for a strength training session (420 kcal burned), followed by another meal replacement (764 kcal). By 5 PM, I was completely spent: no energy and struggling—likely a combination of hunger and exhaustion. I barely managed to keep working until 6 PM, then dragged myself home for dinner with the last bit of energy I had. Thankfully, I felt better afterward.

My lesson today: too little sleep, not enough food, and intense work can knock even the strongest guy down. Nutrition and rest matter!

Meals

  • Breakfast: Meal replacement (400 kcal), Protein Shake
    Lunch: Meal replacement (764 kcal, after workout)
  • Dinner: 2 open-faced sandwiches with Lyoner sausage and cheese, 2 yogurts

Measurements

Weight: 89,1 kg / 196.43 lbs

Belly Ø: 105 cm / 41.34 inch

Steps: 18.435

Kcal Deficit: – 1.400 kcal

 

Workout /Cardio

Push-Ups: 3×11
Pull-Ups w. 🟩 Band: 3.x10
Bicep Curls w. KB12 : 3×15
Band Overhead Press: 3.11
Plank: 3x45sec
Knee Raise:3×11

Bike: 0
Hike: 0
Walk: yes

Belly -20 cm
0%
Weight: -20kg
0%

Week 9/ Day 4

Day 60:

Day 60: Taking a short Break

The past few days have been extremely tough, both physically and mentally. Today, I decided to give myself some rest—I needed a short break from both training and dieting. Even though I intended to relax my eating today, I still managed a slight calorie deficit of 250 kcal. After 60 days, I’ve successfully internalized the habit of eliminating unnecessary and unhealthy snacks, which previously filled my diet. Staying around maintenance calories is now effortless—something unimaginable before starting this journey. This realization gives me great confidence for the period after July 6th, when my 6-month body transformation officially ends.

Meals

  • Breakfast: Poppy seed roll with butter, Meal Replacement (400 kcal)
  • Lunch: Green salad with quinoa, potatoes, and egg, plus 2x ham & cheese toasts
  • Dinner: Two omelettes with spinach, mushrooms, ham, and cheese (about 6 eggs), yogurt
  • Snacks: Magnum Mini White ice cream

Measurements

Weight: 88,8 kg / 195.77 lbs

Belly Ø: 104 cm / 40.94 inch

Steps: tbd

Kcal Deficit: – 250 kcal

 

Workout /Cardio

Push-Ups: 
Pull-Ups w. Band: 
Bicep Curls w. Band :
Band Overhead Press: 
Plank: 
Knee Raise:

Bike: 0
Hike: 
Walk: yes

Belly -20 cm
0%
Weight: -20kg
0%

Week 9/ Day 5

Day 61: Balancing Snacks, Aperitivo, and Discipline

Today started off well with a breakfast meal replacement. For lunch, however, I was invited out and enjoyed “Schlutzkrapfen,” a delicious Tyrolean specialty served with a mixed salad. Dessert was chocolate mousse—so delicious, in fact, that I couldn’t resist having a second serving 😱.

Afterwards, I quickly headed home to squeeze in my third strength training session of the week, though it ended up being rushed due to a tight schedule. As usual, I refueled afterward with a protein shake.

Just before dinner, I spontaneously joined an aperitivo with white wine, salami, and ciabatta bread. Given the hearty lunch and aperitivo, dinner was “only” steak and salad—which apparently wasn’t quite enough. Just before midnight, hunger struck again, prompting me to have an open-faced sandwich with ham and cheese, plus a yogurt. Despite the snacks, the aperitivo, and the double desserts at lunch, I still managed to achieve a completely acceptable calorie deficit for the day. I’m pretty satisfied with that!

Meals

  • Breakfast: Meal Replacement (400 kcal)
  • Lunch: Tyrolean Schlutzkrapfen, mixed salad, and 2 chocolate mousses
  • Aperitivo: White wine, salami, and ciabatta bread
  • Dinner: Steak & salad
  • Snacks: Sandwich with ham and cheese, yogurt
  • After Workout: Protein shake

Measurements

Weight: 89,7 kg / 197.75 lbs

Belly Ø: 104 cm / 40.94 inch

Steps: 12.599

Kcal Deficit: – 980 kcal

 

Workout /Cardio

Push-Ups: 3×11
Pull-Ups w. 🟩 Band: 3.x10
Bicep Curls w. KB16 : 3×15
Band Overhead Press: 3×11
Plank: 3x45sec
Knee Raise:3×11

Bike: 0
Hike: 0
Walk: yes

Belly -20 cm
0%
Weight: -20kg
0%

Week 9/ Day 6

Day 62: Skiing, Sunshine, and Feeling Strong!

Saturday, perfect weather: skiing with the boys! The winter season is inevitably nearing its end, but at high altitudes, skiing is still going strong. Today, we headed to a nearby glacier, where the highest peak reaches 3,300 meters (10,827 feet). We were the first ones on the slopes and enjoyed skiing completely alone for the first three exhilarating runs. Despite the altitude, even these slopes began softening as the morning progressed, requiring extra legwork to keep our skis on edge. By lunchtime, we had completed 4,000 vertical meters (13,123 ft), definitely feeling the burn in our legs.

After a hearty Wiener schnitzel lunch at a mountain hut, we squeezed in a few more runs (and two or three short beer breaks 🍺) before heading home. Once home, I spent 30 minutes on the trampoline with our youngest family member, followed by another 30 minutes playing badminton. This is when I truly noticed how much my fitness has improved. Jumping on the trampoline AFTER skiing? That would’ve been impossible a short while ago!

Meals

  • Breakfast: Cappuccino & brioche at a café
  • Lunch: Wiener schnitzel with potato salad, beer
  • Dinner: Ricotta gnocchi with vegetable ragout, a bit of chocolate, yogurt
  • Snacks (ski breaks): 2-3 quick beer breaks during skiing

Measurements

Weight: 90,2 kg / 198.86 lbs

Belly Ø: 104 cm / 40.94 inch

Steps: 12.758

Kcal Deficit: – 1800

 

Workout /Cardio

Push-Ups: 
Pull-Ups w. Band: 
Bicep Curls w. Band :
Band Overhead Press: 
Plank: 
Knee Raise:

Bike: 0
Hike: 
Walk: yes

Belly -20 cm
0%
Weight: -20kg
0%

Week 9/ Day 7

Day 63: A Relaxed Family Skiing Sunday

With a stretch of bad weather predicted, today (Sunday) needed to be fully enjoyed: Family skiing day! Naturally, skiing with the family is more relaxed than hitting the slopes with the boys, and today that suited me perfectly. After three leisurely hours of skiing, we headed straight for a well-deserved lunch break, where I couldn’t resist helping myself twice to dessert—a delicious Tiramisu cake. Yes, the second time this week… After this pleasant break, we drove directly home, spent a relaxed afternoon, and prepared for the upcoming week.

Meals

  • Breakfast: Bread roll with butter and honey
  • Lunch: Roast veal with rice (generous portion), 2 servings of Tiramisu cake (smaller portions)
  • Dinner: Two fried eggs with spinach, some whole-grain bread, and 2 Milka Choco Sticks

Measurements

Weight: 90,0 kg / 198.42 lbs

Belly Ø: 104 cm / 40.94 inch

Steps: 9.998

Kcal Deficit: – 930 kcal

 

Workout /Cardio

Push-Ups: 
Pull-Ups w. Band: 
Bicep Curls w. Band :
Band Overhead Press: 
Plank: 
Knee Raise:

Bike: 0
Hike: 
Walk: yes

Belly -20 cm
0%
Weight: -20kg
0%