Fatness by the numbers

So July will be my miracle month of getting back into shape. Why, just this morning I went spinning and had a light protein breakfast.

July 2nd
weight: 278.5 lbs
waist: 48.0 in
l. arm: 15.0 in
l. calf: 17.0 in

Here's the alarming thing about waist circumference: each inch gained is not the same.

For instance, assumed your spare tire is 1 inch high, and grows uniformly in a perfect circle outward. From 31 inches to 32 inches, the volume of fat added is 1*pi*(16^2 - 15.5^2) = 49.5 cubic inches. From 47 inch circumference to a 48 inch circumference, 1*pi*(24^2 - 23.5^2) = 74.6 cubic inches is added. In each case, the circumference only increased by one inch, but in the latter the fatness is more severe.

This is why the Battle of the Bulge requires entrenchment - yet, it is common that big results come quickly and then a plateau, so maybe a new perspective on physique-scaping should be that the first few inches lost should be seen as volume lost, to give a boost to self esteem (like a gym sock on a prom date).

My buddy wants to be at 235 by August 1st so he can get a 2 million dollar life insurance policy.

I'll beat him to 235 - my order of speed is being tracked by UPS.com as I type this.

-ft