1 Month Progress Photo

1 Month Results...

Week 3 weight: 190

Current weight: 192.2

Weekly total: 2.2 pounds gained (or maintained, see below)

All time total: 6.1 lost

Before

After

I said last week I didn't trust the sudden drop in weight after my stomach bug, and I was right: 2 days later I was back up to 192.4. That meant I had lost nothing during the previous week, and made me ultra-determined to lose this week. Although I went over one day, I exercised two extra days, and cut my calories by an additional 150-200 the remaining half-week, I still lost virtually nothing this week. 

I'm not going to lie, there were a few tears this morning. 

To add insult to injury, when I measured this morning I had lost nothing on my waist. After a month of diet, exercise, and ab workouts. I did loose almost an inch on both my hips and bust, so at least there was progress. 

Although this wasn't the progress report I was hoping for, I am glad I'm blogging it. I'd say my body must not be well yet, and quit. Instead I feel like I can see a little difference in the photos (mostly in my face) and I'm choosing to hold onto hope that the lack of inches lost may be due to where I'm at in my monthly cycle, and lack of weight lost may be that and gaining muscle. I'm also seeing a doctor soon that specializes in streamlining weight loss, so hopefully that will help. 

Paul is on vacation this week, so I'm going to be realistic and alter my goals a bit:

Calorie goal: Eating to lose .5 lbs, and sweets are ok as long as they are within my goal

Exercise Goal: 3 days cardio for 30 minutes, 2 days strength training 30 minutes 

Week 3

Week three results...

Week 2 weight: 192.1

Current weight: 190

Weekly total: 2.1 pounds lost!!

All time total: 8.2 lost

This week was a weird one. I spent three days painting our bedroom 3-4 hours a day. According to several online sources, painting walls should burn approximately 400 cals an hour. I stayed within my calories all week (although I did loose track and ended up having one more dessert than my 3 a week goal), but because of the long days painting only did one day cardio, and one day strength training. I thought it should balance out, but by Friday I had actually gained weight! I'm thinking it may have been water weight from being on my feet without really "moving" for so long each day. Then I got hit with the stomach flu and viola! Down two pounds in a day. All to say, I don't know how "real" my weight fluctuations will prove to be from this week. 

I'm feeling a bit better today, so I'm tentatively sticking to my goals:

Calorie goal: Eating to lose 1lb, and having only 3 "sweets" this week. 

Exercise Goal: 3 days cardio for 30 minutes, 2 days strength training 30 minutes 

Week 2

Week two result...

Week 1 weight: 196.7

Current weight: 192.1

Weekly total: 4.6 pounds lost!!

All time total: 6.1 lost

I'm kind of amazed at how much came off this week! I ate too many calories one day, but made up for it over the course of the three following days (so I didn't have to deprive myself too much one day). I also exercised one extra day. 

Same goals for next week:

Calorie goal: Eating to lose 1lb, and having only 3 "sweets" this week. 

Exercise Goal: 3 days cardio for 30 minutes, 2 days strength training 30 minutes 

Week 1

Week one results {dum da da da!}....

Starting weight: 198.2

Current weight: 196.7

Total lost: 1.5 pounds

This week was good! I stuck to my eating goals, worked out 5 days, and I'm feeling great! Progress always helps :)

Calorie goal: Eating to lose 1lb, and having only 3 "sweets" this week. 

Exercise Goal: 3 days cardio for 30 minutes, 2 days strength training 30 minutes 

Here We Go Again...

We've been here before. 

Me, deciding it's time to get serious about weight loss.

You, privy to my most embarrassing stats and journey to change them.  

Our first go-round was fantastically successful. 

We meet again.

Over the past year I've run into several compounding health issues that together caused me to put on about 30 pounds, all while dieting and exercising. My doctor explained that this was due to factors outside of my control and I was not to blame, but it was still infuriating, discouraging, and embarrassing.  She told me I had to wait 8-12 months to begin trying to lose it, because the main contributing factor was a problem with my adrenal glands and hard-core weight loss programs put a lot of stress on them. I have not always been very accepting of that recommendation. Eight months feels like a long time to fit in almost nothing I own and hate seeing myself in photos. 

It took took me about six of those eight months to make nice with this season God has given me. What felt like a curse I can view as a blessing because of how it's forced me to grow personally. I'm at peace with how I view myself, and I think that is key to weight loss success. Whenever my dieting attempts have been motivated by desperation I've quickly flamed out. The NEED for instant success does not produce staying power. 

I am now eight months into my health journey, and although I'm not quite 100%, I feel well enough to begin inching my way back into my favorite wardrobe items. 

Also, the Christmas cookies are gone ;)

Here's the drill:

Today I'm going to give you my current and goal weight (yes, I am about to post my body weight on the internet *gasp*), my exercise and calorie goals for the week, and a "beginning" photo of myself. 

Every Monday from here until I reach my goal I will update my weight, post my success or failure at that week's goals, and give a new weekly goal. Each month I will post a progress photo and repost on inches lost. 

So {deep breath} my starting weight is: 198.2

Goal weight: 160

"Before" Photo

Calorie goal: I'm going start by eating to lose 1lb, and having only 3 "sweets" this week. I'm going to have to watch my other health issues, so this goal may fluctuate according to how my body responds.

Exercise Goal: 3 days cardio for 30 minutes, 2 days strength training. 

So there it is! Wish me luck, I'll see you next week :)