It has finally been 50 days! Halfway done with my 100 Day Challenge to stop drinking, eat healthier and exercise more! I started this challenge as a way to be able to post something on Steemit. I did not know where it will take me or how it will end. I just told myself, post and make bank! In reality I got knocked down pretty hard. I did not make hundreds of dollars with my posts, instead I found something so much more valuable. I found myself and I changed more than I ever expected I would. I have Steemit to thank for the kick-start of this journey I'm on.

Mindset and Food

I was quite a heavy drinker and by heavy I drank pretty much every day of the week. It made me sleep easier and it made all my stress just flutter away. Temporary solutions to permanent problems, I was quite depressed at times. Alcohol always made me feel better, even if it's just for a little while. What did I do while I was drinking? What do we all do? We stuff our faces with Pringles, snacks, chocolates and calorie bomb concoctions while sitting around binge watching series and playing games. The day I stopped drinking my life changed quite a bit, for good! I started feeling better about myself, more confident, more awake and overall just had a much clearer mind.

My diet for the first few days was very strict. No sugar, very low calorie meals and just did not eat much at all. My body lost weight quite fast, but soon frustration set in. Being hungry and "thirsty" I got a little cranky from time to time. I eventually realized my body is going through a massive change and that I can't stress it that much. I started eating more balanced meals, still nothing too unhealthy. Staying away from fast food. No Mcdonalds, no KFC, no Pizza Hut. Basically if it is oily and unhealthy I did not eat it. I would still enjoy a good meal every now and then. I am indeed only human and we need to enjoy what we eat from time to time. Cutting out snacks like potato chips and chocolates makes a lot of difference. Yes, I had a lot of cravings. Every day I grew stronger though. Resisting became easier and less frustrating. Here are some pictures of meals I ate when I first started my challenge, a lot of these I still enjoy on a weekly basis.

This is Gimbap. Almost looks a bit like a massive sushi roll. Quite similar, but not really. It is a rice roll with vegetables, some egg, a dash of mayo, and tuna wrapped in seaweed. Topped with some sesame seeds. It's very filling and very cheap at around 2500won (about $2.25).

Bibimbad! Delicious Korean meal where they take some veggies, dried seaweed, mixed seafood and rice! Mix it all together and you have one marvelous dish!

Fruit salad with low fat yogurt and a dash of cinnamon.

Some home made grilled chicken with bell peppers, onions, zucchini and then tossed in some Chili sauce for some flavor.

Exercise

I exercised quite a bit when I first started, but I did not follow any program. For me it was all about breaking a sweat. If I was sweating I was doing something right. Had very little routine and normally cycled, walked or visit one of the outdoor gyms that is here in South Korea.

South Korea is very bike friendly and have bike paths all over. Riding on these are not just beautiful but also make for some really nice uninterrupted safe cycling over long distances.

One of the many outside gyms located all over South Korea.

Around day Day 20 I decided to work out more and get into more of a routine. I finally joined a real gym and go there about 3 times a week now. I know 3 times a week does not seem like that much but for someone who haven't seen any serious exercise for at least 2-3 years I want to do something that I can sustain for the long run. When I go I really push myself, no point in going to the gym if I am just messing around, that would be wasting money and I can't allow that! =)

Results

I feel that this .gif will give you a good idea of my progress over the past 50 days. My belly is pretty much gone, well if I flex it is. =P Seriously though, I can feel the difference and my clothes also tell me there is a definite change. My chest and abs still need a lot of work and I am really pushing them in the gym. My moobs (*man boobs*) does look a bit funny though. I still have a lot of body fat and the muscle growing larger under all the fat is really making them look a bit weird. I think in time they will tone more as I lose more fat. Will get ripped in good time, just have to be patient. =)

The side view is where you can really see my belly melt away. Gaining muscle on my arms are also not really showing but I can feel that under the fat layer there is some definite growth. Everything is a bit harder and more toned. I feel stronger. No pain, no gain. So with every exercise I push the reps until I really feel the burn. I really hope by day 100 we can see some real definition here. I realized that even though I can not see the results that much, I can feel it. When I flex a bit you can see my chest is a lot better than it was before. =)

Weight and Measurements

I remember the first 3 weeks was when I lost most of the weight. Nowadays it hovers at around 6kg. I think this is because of the muscle I am gaining while slowly losing some more fat. In total I lost 6.4kg / 14.1lb and I can honestly say I feel a bit lighter. I now run up stairs instead of slowly crawling up. I can move more and feel I have extra energy. Also, nice not feeling bloated all the time. Flexing my muscles every now and then and feeling some pain is a nice sensation. Knowing the pain is a result of muscles working.

My measurements speak for themselves. I had to adjust my belt just so my pants wont fall off. If I am not wearing a belt and move around too much they slowly start falling off. Will have to buy some new pants in a month or two. Once I feel my waist is slim enough. I can safely say I am slimming down.

Day 50 done and dusted! In the end all I can say to anyone who feels they can be a bit healthier. You can, simply start slow. Don't do it all at once. Cravings get less and you will thank yourself for it. Your body and mind will thank you too.

Thank you Steemit. What started out as a way to just get posts out on this platform turned into a life changing experience. Whenever I wanted to cheat I would always think of the users who told me to keep going. The motivators of Steemit. The ones who told me: "You can do it! Keep it up! Looking good!" you are the real MVP's and I thank all of you. If you wonder who they are? Here is a list of them. To each and any one of them, I give you a big thank you from the bottom of my heart!

@luckyfellow @lautenglye @jbouchard12 @athletesinspire @aevan @jonny-clearwater @orionsbelt @raikuhen @enjar
@painfullyreal @pbock @totallysacha @oleg326756 @dasczecher @coffeedrinker51 @theversatileguy @kelleyc @draoissey
@stealthpc @curie @kbarrett @thefoxinthehat @this-time @lexander @musiccurry @reseller @babettxx @gymcrawlers
@wandrnrose7 @gabba @brianphobos @itachi @thunder.vlad @cryptokraze @davidether @andyturner @ionlysaymeep
@joeyarnoldvn @wthomas @angelomedisport @totallysacha @freetissues @britt.the.ish @j3dy @nuagnorab @rahul516
@vm2904 @travelman @karenb54 (P.s. I tried to smile =P) @gingerninja @yvonnebraaf and @hr1 and @liberosist for voting on me =)

Thank you!

To all my followers:

Thank you for reading! Steem on Steemians!