The Bearded Belly Chronicles: Chapter Two – Small Wins and a Pork Pie Confession
Weight Update: 159.7kg on January 1st → 153kg last Saturday → 150.5kg today
Total Weight Loss: 9.2kg since January 1st
This Week’s Loss: 2.5kg
Water Consumed: 144 litres since January 1st, which is 0.0058% of an Olympic-sized swimming pool
Hours Fasted: 153 hours total, equating to 255% of the time needed to watch every James Bond film back-to-back
That means I could have watched Daniel Craig brooding, Sean Connery smirking, and Roger Moore raising his eyebrow twice. If I keep this up, I might just start seeing life through a Bond montage, minus the tuxedo, martinis, and improbable stunts
Turns Out Water Isn’t Just Water
At the start of the year, I came across a guy on TikTok called the Water Sommelier who made me question everything I knew about hydration. I always thought water was water, but whenever I tried drinking loads of tap water, I would feel sluggish, foggy, and generally off.
I switched to natural spring water, and everything changed. No more brain fog, no more feeling like I had been hit by a bus, just proper hydration doing what it should. I have been drinking between four and five litres a day, and combined with the pile of vitamins I now throw down my throat every morning, I feel better than I have in years.
Food Isn’t the Enemy
McDonald's, a massive curry, and even half a pork pie. If you told me ten years ago I would be eating these things while losing weight, I would have laughed in your face. Back then, everything was either good or bad, and if I even looked at a bad food, I would feel like a failure.
Now I get it. You cannot just cut everything out and expect to never crack. You will break at some point, and when you do, it will be in spectacular fashion. The key is balance. I had that McDonald's and did not feel the need to binge. I ate that pork pie from Birds Bakery because they make the best pork pies around and did not spiral into shame.
I am eating what I enjoy in a way that actually works for real life.
Fasting – A Fine Line Between Discipline and Madness
If there is one thing I need to keep an eye on, it is my ridiculous competitive streak. This week, I caught myself trying to beat my own fasting record, pushing past twenty-five hours on multiple occasions. Not because I was listening to my body, but because I just wanted to win.
I have realised that I need to chill out and stick to the plan. Sixteen to eighteen hours of fasting is where I should be. I do not need to turn this into some kind of endurance challenge where the prize is lightheadedness and bad decisions.
That said, I am proud of the fact that my fasts are getting easier. I have not had a single binge-eating episode, and when I do eat, I make sure I eat properly rather than picking at nonsense. That is a win.
Stress, Strength, and Small Belts
Normally, stress is the trigger that sends me straight to a secret binge session. Long day, heavy workload, feeling overwhelmed. Drive home, pull into a petrol station, and eat like I am preparing for hibernation.
This week, I had a massively stressful workday and nothing. No urge to hide food. No sneaky stop-offs. I just drove home.
That was probably my biggest win so far.
I think a big part of this is mentally feeling stronger. I have been making small changes. Drinking my water. Taking my vitamins. Giving myself two minutes a day to reflect and be grateful. Yes, me, doing gratitude. Who would have thought. It all adds up.
Physically, I have noticed some changes too. My belt has had to go down a notch, my trousers do not feel as snug, and people have started noticing. That is huge for me because last time I lost weight, I refused to acknowledge these moments. All I saw was the fat guy in the mirror. This time, I am choosing to celebrate the little things.
Faith, Perspective, and a Simple Cross
In December, I met someone who changed my perspective. He gifted me a simple cross and inspired me to reconnect with God.
I am not saying I am suddenly a firm believer. I do not have all the answers, and I am not about to start preaching. But since that day, I have been spending two minutes every morning sharing my thoughts and thanking God for the good things in my life.
Maybe it is coincidence. Maybe it is something more. All I know is that from the morning after I received that cross, I started to feel clarity. I knew what I needed to do, and I felt stronger in my decisions.
Whether it is faith, mindset, or just finally being ready for change, something has clicked this time. I do not feel like I am battling myself. I feel like I am moving forward.
Looking Ahead – Yes Day and 5Ks
Tomorrow is Yes Day with the family. Whatever the kids ask, we say yes, within reason. No, Tommy, we cannot buy a dinosaur.
Normally, a day like this would have been an excuse for me to eat whatever I wanted, convincing myself it was a special occasion and I would get back on track Monday. I know that excuse is rubbish.
The plan is to enjoy the day, eat mindfully, and prove to myself that I do not need to use food as a free-for-all just because I am out and about.
I have also set a new goal. I want to run a 5k without stopping. It will take time, but the idea of getting to that point again actually excites me. I am feeling more like myself, and I want to keep that momentum going.
Final Thoughts
This journey is not about numbers or punishments. It is about getting my life back, one step at a time. I know I will have tough weeks ahead, but for now, I am taking the wins, celebrating the progress, and keeping my eye on the bigger picture.
Here is to another week of small wins, good food, and not treating fasting like an Olympic sport.
Hope everyone has a great week ahead. Remember, especially to the men reading this, it is okay to not be okay. We all have our struggles, and there is no shame in talking about them. Whether it is to a mate, a family member, or even just writing things down, getting it out of your head makes a difference. You do not have to carry it all on your own. Keep pushing forward, and if you need to talk, do it.
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