Now that I am in the 190's, I have passed a couple of milestones, so I want to take some time to reflect on where I've been and where I am and the journey along the way. :)
* 50 pounds total loss since my recorded high of 249.4 in June 2013 * Reached the halfway point from that starting weight to my goal of 149.4 * 20 pounds loss this summer since my starting weight in May of 217.8
Where I've been: My high school diving weight was 140. I was not supper skinny even then, carried a bit of weight in my butt and thighs. I gained almost 110 pounds from high school to my highest weight. I think of the weight gain in 5 phases: college (up to 170), 1st baby (up to 180), 2nd baby (up to 190), 3rd baby (up to 210), dissertation (up to 250) - yes, I ate my way through grad school - so stressful, and lots of up late munchies and emotional eating! :) So, as of now, the dissertation weight is gone, and it's only 6.4 more pounds until the Samantha weight is gone, too! :)
My next weight milestone will be 170 - my weight at my wedding in 1999. It would be amazing if I could hit that by my birthday (October 9) but I think that's maybe a bit too fast. By Halloween seems realistic.
Energy & fitness: In general, I feel so much more energetic now than I did a few months ago. It's easier to wake up and I get up wanting to move, wanting to dance and stretch. I am proud of the accomplishments I have made. On Friday, I did Couch to 5K Week 5, Day 3, which includes a 20 minute jog. I have ridden my bike to or from work (~17 miles one way, and hilly) many times this summer. I had one week with over 100 miles on the bike, and one day with over 40 miles in that single day. I can get tons done in a day and still have the energy to go for a walk or jog at night. I always take the stairs at work and I am not super out of breath like I used to be after doing stairs.
Clothes: I'm also enjoying the feeling of clothes that are too big, donating the things that are still in good shape and trashing the others. I got a box out of the attic with clothes I haven't been able to wear in years, and have been able to wear a few of my old favorite skirts and tops again. Most of my XL tops and tees are quite loose, and shopping a couple weeks ago, I found that L tops fit better than XL. I have been wearing tank tops and sleeveless dresses a lot this month and I am not feeling self-conscious about my arms being flabby. I think my knees look better, less puffy when I am wearing a shorter skirt. This fall, I will have to get some new trousers for work, and I am pretty sure I will be able to get them in the regular sizes, not the plus sizes. I am super excited about being able to shop in the regular section, especially since every time I go to plus size section I can hear my grandma calling it the "fat ladies section" as she used to when I was a kid and we would go to the mall. :( My BMI has gone from the obese category to overweight - I didn't like that obese label. A bunch of women at my work were all joining StitchFix last fall, and I had a few conversations with them about it - but turns out, they only go up to size 14. No StitchFix for me. I felt left out. :( I just scheduled a "fix" shipment because now my weight/height is actually on their chart! I've had to buy new bras, panties, and workout clothes as the old ones were too baggy. I've had to take my belt in two notches. :)
What helps me: About 6 weeks ago, one of the Sassies (Susan, I think) posted about losing inches. This inspired me to take measurements. In the past 6 weeks I have lost 1.75" from my hips, 1.75 off my waist, 1.75 off my chest, 1.5 from my thighs, .75 from upper arm, and .75 from my calves. I've been inspired to try so many new things by the Sassies. Sherry's exercise challenges and videos have been made me try Pilates and discover YouTube workouts and also remember to breathe and meditate on a regular basis. I so appreciate being able to hear stories from Laurie and Becky and Jeri and Kelly and Lucy and Susan and Denise and Donna all the Sassies new and old and be able to share my ups and down in life and on the scale with them. I would not be where I am today with out the Sassy support and encouragement and accountability.
I also really appreciate all the tools of Fitbit and Fat Secret - trackers and logs and journals and community and Goal Day challenges which I learned about thanks to Becky. :) These really help me to plan my days and keep track of what I am doing that impacts my fitness and weight loss goals. It's helped me to change habits - no more popping things into my mouth without thinking, or grazing before dinner, or having sweets 3 or more times a day.
That's a long entry! I'm looking forward to continuing the journey of weight loss, and strengthening the eating and exercise habits and community of support that I can maintain for life! :)
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89.1 kg
Lost so far: 24.0 kg.
Still to go: 16.5 kg.
Diet followed: Reasonably Well.
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1226 kcal
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Fat: 30.05g | Prot: 53.46g | Carbs: 199.92g.
Breakfast: Bananas, Alacer Corp Emergen-C Tangerine, Orange Juice, Kind Healthy Grains Oats & Honey Clusters with Toasted Coconut, Kroger Nonfat Plain Greek Yogurt (Cup). Lunch: Cucumber (with Peel), Tomatoes, White Bread (Home Recipe or Bakery), Vegetable Soup (Home Recipe). Dinner: The Perfect Vegan Pancakes, Shirakiku Sweet Pickled Ginger, Lundberg Organic Short Grain Brown Rice, San Francisco Soup Company Hearty Garden Miso with Tofu Soup (Regular). Snacks/Other: Carrots, Carrots, Theo Chocolate Organic Fair Trade Rich Dark Chocolate. more...
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3653 kcal
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Exercise:
Stretching (yoga) - 10 minutes, Sitting - 7 hours, Desk Work - 3 hours, Housework - 1 hour, Shopping - 15 minutes, Sleeping - 7 hours and 17 minutes, Standing - 3 hours, Running (jogging) - 8/kph - 18 minutes, Walking (moderate) - 5/kph - 1 hour, Grocery Shopping - 1 hour. more...
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Losing 3.2 kg a Week
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