Week 5: Shit Week, My Fault – Is This the End of My Body Transformation?

Week 5: A Brutal Reality Check – But Not the End of My Transformation

Week 5 was a tough reality check—no sugarcoating it. For the first time since starting my transformation, I gained weight, increasing from 91.9 kg to 92.4 kg (+0.5 kg). My belly circumference also grew slightly from 106.5 cm to 107 cm. This week served as a stark reminder of how quickly progress can reverse without discipline, but I’m determined that this setback will not define my entire journey.

My Key Metrics for Week 5

  • Start Weight: 91.9 kg
  • End Weight: 92.4 kg (Weekly Change: +0.5 kg)
  • Waist Measurement: Increased from 106.5 cm to 107 cm
  • Total Calorie Deficit: ~3,500 kcal (well below my weekly target)
  • Total Steps: 95,620 (below usual average)
  • Strength Training Sessions: 0 (Skipped all sessions)
  • Cardio Sessions: 0 (planned workouts were skipped)
  • Skiing: 3 days (only one actually active)
  • Meal Replacements: None used this week

Highlights of the Week

  • Maintained the daily progress photo habit, the only consistent habit during this tough week.
  • Experienced an epic ski day at Arlberg, skiing over 40 km of beautiful slopes—although calories burned were offset by indulgent meals and alcohol.
  • Recognized clearly what derailed my progress, providing valuable insights to avoid similar setbacks.

Challenges & Lessons Learned

  • Excessive Social Eating and Drinking: Ski trips turned into social drinking events, massively inflating calorie intake. Lesson: Alcohol needs strict moderation.
  • Lack of Exercise: Skipped every planned workout, proving how easily procrastination can snowball. Lesson: Sticking strictly to scheduled workouts is critical for maintaining momentum.
  • Mindset Slip: Letting one mistake escalate into multiple bad decisions led to a “F*** it” mentality. Lesson: It’s crucial to recover immediately after slipping instead of letting things spiral.

Moving Forward – The Comeback Plan

  • 3 Strength Sessions Weekly: Non-negotiable, scheduled workouts.
  • 2 Proper Cardio Sessions: Skiing counts only if it’s genuinely active, not a beer-drinking event.
  • No More “F It” Moments: Every meal and workout counts—discipline matters.
  • Return to Intermittent Fasting: Control calorie intake and eliminate mindless snacking.
  • Drastically Reduce Alcohol: Clearly a major barrier to progress.

This week was rough—but it doesn’t define my overall journey. It’s a wake-up call and an opportunity to bounce back stronger than before. The comeback starts now. Let’s get back on track! 💪🔥

⬇️ Day-by-Day Journal – Week 5 ⬇️

Week 5/ Day 1

Day 29: A Faschingskrapfen Start & A Busy Day

My day began with an unexpected wake-up call: a Faschingskrapfen staring me in the fridge. Not the champion’s breakfast, but I ate it anyway. I tried to channel my earlier progress into renewed focus.
Work was intense enough to keep further snacking at bay, and by lunchtime, I felt my motivation returning. A lean veal schnitzel with white rice helped balance the sugary start, and despite a jam-packed day, I managed a decent calorie deficit—without feeling hungry.
No time for strength training today, as family and work took over.

Meals:

  • Breakfast: Faschingskrapfen (Marillen Marmelade) and a protein shake
  • Lunch: Veal schnitzel with white rice
  • Dinner: Egg pasta with zucchini-tomato sauce, Skyr quark, plus a small chocolate treat

Measurements

Weight: 91,9 kg / 202.6 lbs

Belly Ø: 106,5 cm / 41.93 inch

Steps: 16.403

Kcal Deficit: -1100 kcal

 

Workout /Cardio

Squats: 
Lunges: 
Push-Ups: 0
Negative Pull-Ups: 0
Bicep Curls:0
Band Overhead Press: 0green band
Plank: 0

Bike: 0
Hike: 0
Walk: yes

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

Week 5/ Day 2

Day 30: Preparing for a Ski Day – A Full Workload & High-Calorie Intake

I dedicated the entire day to work in preparation for a ski day with friends the next day. Hunger struck, and due to time constraints I ended up grabbing two burgers at McDonald’s. On the bright side, I swapped fries for a salad (saving about 300 kcal) and opted for Coke Zero over regular soda (saving roughly 186 kcal).
I didn’t move much today, and without any training, my deficit remained small. I weighed in this morning at just over 92 kg—about 600 g more than last week’s final reading—but I’m determined to make up for it on the slopes tomorrow.

Meals:

  • Breakfast: A small whole-grain roll with butter & honey and a protein shake
  • Lunch: A Selection Burger, Cheeseburger, salad, and Coke Zero
  • Dinner: Leftover veal schnitzel, scrambled eggs with spinach, Brie cheese, and a yogurt

Measurements

Weight: 92,5 kg / 203.93 lbs

Belly Ø: 107 cm / 42.52 in

Steps: 8668

Kcal Deficit: – 550

 

Workout /Cardio

Squats: 0
Lunges: 
Push-Ups: 
Negative Pull-Ups: 
Bicep Curls:
Band Overhead Press: 
Plank: 0

Bike: 0
Hike: 0
Walk: 

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

Week 5/ Day 3

Day 31: Skiing at Arlberg – A High-Energy Day on the Slopes

he day started early at 6 AM with a 2.5-hour drive to Arlberg—one of the world’s largest ski regions, boasting 222 ski lifts. Our original plan was to conquer the legendary “Run of Fame” (85 km of slopes, 18,000 m vertical), but we ended up enjoying over 40 km of breathtaking skiing instead.


At Oberlech, we feasted on a fantastic Wienerschnitzel with parsley potatoes at the iconic Hotel Goldener Berg, high above Lech. The weather was flawless, and we lounged in T-shirts on the terrace, soaking in the alpine views—with a few beers to top it off. I tracked the session with my Apple Watch Ultra in Alpine Ski mode (and, not fully trusting the numbers, I counted only half of the recorded calories).

Meals:

  • Breakfast: Protein shake
  • Lunch: Wienerschnitzel with parsley potatoes
  • Dinner: Vegetarian goulash, white bread, 1 yogurt (330 g), and 1 Bauli brioche
  • Drinks: 4 beers (0.4 L each)

Measurements

Weight: 92,3 kg / 203.49 lbs

Belly Ø: 107 cm / 42.52 in

Steps: 13.204

Kcal Deficit: – 2.000

 

Workout /Cardio

Squats: 0
Lunges: 
Push-Ups: 
Negative Pull-Ups: 
Bicep Curls:
Band Overhead Press: 
Plank: 0

Bike: 0
Hike: 0
Walk: yes

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

Week 5/ Day 4

Day 32: Recovery & Adjustments – The Aftermath of a Tough Ski Day

The day after Arlberg, my body was screaming in protest—sore calves, aching back, and a nagging pain in my right wrist and shoulder. Given the steep, icy slopes, I wasn’t surprised (though I thought I’d be in better shape!). I skipped any training today to let my body recover, especially my wrist, which is now giving me sharp, pulling pains.


Still, I managed my calorie deficit by controlling my meals. For Dinner I treated myself to a French omelet with onions, mushrooms, and spinach—a carb-light dinner that I plan to repeat in the coming weeks.

Meals:

  • Breakfast: Protein shake (soy milk)
  • Lunch: Salmon poke bowl
  • Dinner: French omelet (with onions, mushrooms, and spinach) and 250 g yogurt
  • Snack: A serving of blueberries

Measurements

Weight: 92,4 kg / 203.71 lbs

Belly Ø: 107 cm / 42.52 in

Steps: 12.518

Kcal Deficit: – 1380

 

Workout /Cardio

Squats: 0
Lunges: 
Push-Ups: 
Negative Pull-Ups: 
Bicep Curls:
Band Overhead Press: 
Plank: 0

Bike: 
Hike: 0
Walk: yes

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

Week 5/ Day 5

Day 33: A Motivation Slump – Time to Refocus

Today, I felt my motivation slipping away. I caught myself making excuses to skip training and craving foods that don’t belong in my plan. Overall, it was a disaster—no strength training, no cardio, and barely any steps. My weight began creeping up compared to last week, and while my belly measurement remained stable, it was only because I barely maintained my calorie deficit.


This isn’t acceptable—a body transformation isn’t supposed to be easy, and I need to get back on track before I settle for being unfit and unhappy.

Meals:

  • Breakfast: Protein shake (soy milk)
  • Lunch: Grilled beef, broccoli, and a small portion of polenta
  • Dinner: A homemade Pizza Capricciosa (full pizza) and half a Pizza al Tonno, plus a small tiramisu from a pastry shop

Measurements

Weight: 92,4 kg / 203.71 lbs

Belly Ø: 107 cm / 42.52 in

Steps: 13185

Kcal Deficit: – 600 kcal

 

Workout /Cardio

Squats: 0
Lunges: 
Push-Ups: 
Negative Pull-Ups: 
Bicep Curls:
Band Overhead Press: 
Plank: 0

Bike: 
Hike: 0
Walk: yes

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

Week 5/ Day 6

Day 34: A Slippery Slope – Skiing, Drinks & Pasta Overload

Today, I gave it my all—but in the wrong direction. The morning started with a Faschingskrapfen (a not-so-ideal omen), and then I headed out skiing with friends. However, the weather turned foul, and instead of carving fresh tracks, we ended up spending most of the day in the ski hut—drowning in Prosecco, beer, and a massive pasta lunch. By 2 PM, we’d only managed three short runs before calling it quits.

At some point, I completely stopped caring about my diet. After the first few Proseccos, it was game over. We were hammered and had an absolute blast—just making it back down the mountain in one piece felt like an achievement. The final descent was pure madness: high alcohol levels, low visibility, and even a snowstorm. Back home, I crashed straight to bed. Then, around 6 PM, I forced myself to get up for dinner—a fully set table with more pasta. Thanks to the alcohol crash in the afternoon, I went all in: two plates, extra olive oil, and a generous load of Parmesan.

Meals:

  • Breakfast: Faschingskrapfen and a protein shake
  • Lunch: Spaghetti with meatballs, accompanied by Prosecco and far too much beer
  • Dinner: Spaghetti Pomodoro with a side salad

Measurements

Weight: 92,0 kg / 202.83 lbs

Belly Ø: 107 cm / 42.52 in

Steps: 13247

Kcal Deficit:  +952 (over)

 

Workout /Cardio

Squats: 0
Lunges: 
Push-Ups: 
Negative Pull-Ups: 
Bicep Curls:
Band Overhead Press: 
Plank: 0

Bike: 
Hike: 0
Walk: well…

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

Week 5/ Day 7

Day 35: Damage Control – Back on the Slopes, But Not Quite Back on Track

I woke up with a pounding headache—no surprise, given yesterday’s excesses. But it was Sunday, and I decided to head back to the slopes with my loved ones, seeking a fresh start away from the usual party huts.
Today was noticeably better: I skied solidly for 2.5 hours in light snowfall with no unnecessary stops and minimal drinking. At lunchtime, I joined my family at the ski hut where a few people even asked if we had made it home in one piece last night. We did—barely. I tried to redeem the day with a simple meal: a warm bowl of goulash soup and a small Wiener Schnitzel. For the first time in days, I paid close attention to my calorie tracker.


Then, the evening hit hard: Guests at home brought a fancy spread of cold cuts, bread, and cheese. I couldn’t resist—two glasses of red wine and a serving of homemade Pappardelle later, it was clear: Week 5 had spiraled into disaster again.

Meals:

  • Breakfast: A bakery brownie and scrambled eggs
  • Lunch: Goulash soup with a small Wiener Schnitzel
  • Dinner: A plate of cold cuts, bread, and cheese, accompanied by 2 glasses of red wine and homemade pappardelle

Measurements

Weight: 92,4 kg / 204.49 lbs

Belly Ø: 107 cm / 42.52 in

Steps:12800

Kcal Deficit: – 600

 

Workout /Cardio

Squats: 0
Lunges: 
Push-Ups: 
Negative Pull-Ups: 
Bicep Curls:
Band Overhead Press: 
Plank: 0

Bike: 
Hike: 0
Walk: well…

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

Week 5 Wrap-Up

One word: disaster. My weight bumped up by 0.5 kg, waist by 0.5 cm, and I managed zero proper workouts. Skiing turned into partying, and I let old habits take over.

Still, I’m not giving up. This week doesn’t erase the progress I made in Weeks 1–4. Sometimes, you just have to face the facts, learn from it, and bounce back stronger.

Key Takeaways

  • Alcohol is a major hurdle—especially on ski trips.
  • “Skiing” only counts if you’re actually skiing, not downing beer in the hut.
  • Daily progress photos kept me slightly grounded.

Starting next week, I’m hitting the reset button. Let’s turn this around—no more excuses.