slowly running away from my problems

Updated: Aug 18, 2025

Hi, I’m John, 53, Gen X, still showing up, still caffeinated, still standing. I’m a data & analytics manager at a company you’ve probably heard of, unapologetically liberal, and 90 percent SFW (but minors, please scroll on by).

DNI Minors, TERFs, racists, homophobes, transphobes, fat-phobes, misogynists, anti-vaxxers, MAGA cultists, conspiracy or crypto bros, anyone who thinks empathy is optional—get out.

I started this blog over a decade ago to track weight loss and mental health. Fourteen years later I’m still at it: more wisdom, better playlists, and a much healthier relationship with food.

My Morning Routine

Click below if you want a peek inside my beautifully messed-up mind.

For the last several months, my weight has held steady.A year ago, that would have frustrated me. Today, I see it differently.

After coming off Wegovy, my biggest concern was gaining the weight back. Instead, I've maintained. That tells me the habits are sticking.

But I'm not done losing fat.

August has one mission: break the plateau.

This month I'm shifting my focus slightly. Strength still matters, but fat loss becomes the priority. The goal isn't to get smaller. It's to get leaner while holding onto the muscle I've worked hard to build.

The plan is simple:

Three strength workouts each week

Two stair training sessions to prepare for September's campus stair climb

Around 2,000 calories a day (±10%)

At least 200 grams of protein

Track everything for 30 days

September will bring my annual stair climb around the T-Mobile campus. It's roughly 75 flights of stairs up, plus all the walking between garages. Instead of just hoping I'm ready, I'm going to train for it. Every stair session in August has a purpose.

The scale matters, but it isn't the whole story.

Success this month looks like:

Losing fat.

Maintaining strength.

Eating like I love myself.

Showing up for every planned workout.

Building confidence for the stair climb.

August isn't about starting over.

First, the guard at work was handing out candy. I took a kitcat out of habit and walked to my desk. I didn't want it, I sure didn't need it, so I dropped it off in the break room. It was gone in 30 seconds 😂

Second at lunch, I passed on the free Chick-fil-A and made a healthier, and just as delicious choice.

Finally there were bundt cakes in the break room. I could have taken one but it just wasn't worth it. 🤷‍♂️