Zero-Day Check-In: Ground Zero and Moving Forward

Tomorrow starts my new training cycle.
Today is Zero Day — not because I’m doing nothing, but because I’m starting from exactly where I am, no filters, no fluff, no pretending I’m further along than I am.


📊 The Raw Stats

  • Weight: 208.4 lbs
  • Body Fat %: ~29%
  • Waist: 39.47″
  • Resting Heart Rate: 59 bpm
  • Heart Rate Variability: 40 ms
  • VO2 Max: 35.4
  • Lean Body Mass: ~149 lbs

Physically, I’m carrying more fat than I want, and I’ve slipped further away from my goals than I intended during visits from family and a two week vacation. That said, there’s muscle under the fluff, and my heart rate data shows I’m still carrying a decent endurance base. I’m not broken—just rebuilding.


🧠 The Real Talk

I only trained once this past week. Life happened. Energy was off. Plague was endured. Sleep was trash. But I’m not here to make excuses—I’m here to draw a line.

That line is today.


🛠️ What I’m Building Toward

  • Sub-15% body fat
  • 175 lbs with visible muscle definition
  • A strong back, solid joints, and cardio endurance to match
  • A sub-30 5K and a half marathon in the winter
  • 10 pull-ups, 10 chin-ups, and 0 excuses

💤 Recovery Snapshot

Sleep was inconsistent. My deep sleep and REM are both under where I need them to be. HRV isn’t terrible, but not great either. Recovery is clearly one of the first things I need to address.


💬 Why This Matters

This isn’t about chasing a six-pack. It’s about showing up for my health, my future, and my family.

I turn 50 next year. I’m not trying to “get back” to anything—I’m trying to build the best version of me I’ve ever been. And I’m doing it in full view. No edits. No shortcuts.


🔜 What’s Next

  • Training starts Monday: lifting, running, conditioning
  • Nutrition is already dialed and tracked
  • Progress photos and measurements logged monthly
  • Fitness tests rechecked every 6–8 weeks

Tomorrow is Day 1.
Today is just the proof that I’m serious enough to show you where I’m starting.

Still lifting.
Still losing (my mind).
Still showing up.

Usually.

— Martin

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