Weigh In 6/19/11

Weigh In - 3 days late. My life has been turned upside down since I got home. I have been a busy bee running around and doing tons of chores and errands trying to get things back in order. Being gone for 2 weeks really throws a kink in things.

Here are my weigh in results:

May 16 2011 Weight: 149.6lbs (-3) Body Fat: 29% (0) Bust: 35.5" (-.5) Waist: 28.75" (-.25) Hips: 38.5" (-1) Bicep: 11.25" (0) Thigh: 22.5" (0) Calf: 14.5" (-.5)

Wow! The precautions I took while away on travel really seemed to have paid off. I am officially down past 150, and have officially lost more then 20lbs! My first goal has been accomplished - sure it took me 6 months, but still I got it done, and thats more then I can say for the past 6 years of my life.

I feel fantastic about my results (in the numbers). I have been working hard to eat right and am now about 2 weeks into my "Insanity" workout routine. Not sure I am seeing massive physical results from the program, since I can't really put my finger on anything that looks different from last week, but I feel tighter, and stronger, and I am getting better at the work out routines.

All I can do is stay strong, and keep up with my diet and exercise. Onto my new goal - 130! Another 20lbs, this one will probably take a lot more than 6  months to achieve but I'm feeling motivated and I know if I stick with the plan and don't falter I will make it there.

Go Me!

Weigh In 6/6/11

I will not be weighing in today... because my scale and my wall, and my bikini are 
2100 miles away!

So this probably isn't the sort of "Weigh In" post that you expect from me but sometimes life gets in the way of our hopes and dreams and goals and this is no exception. I sort of alluded to this week in my last "Weigh In" post when I mentioned some obstacles I would have to face this month.

Sometimes my job requires me to do "on site" work, which normally means about a week away from home in a hotel room eating out for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and having no soccer or time for the gym. In the past I have gone on these one week site visits and come home 5 or 10 lbs heavier. 7 days of fast food and eating out *usually on the company* will do that - take my word for it. And this month, I am scheduled for an unusual 2 (or maybe even 3 depending on how things go) weeks on site clear across the country from home. How will I ever maintain, let alone lose weight while I am away from my routine, healthy meals, and exercise plans?

Over the past 5 months I have been doing so great, I have been teetering on the cusp of breaking my 20lb weight loss benchmark and blowing past my 150s and into the 140s (a place I probably haven't been since middle school). I really want to get there, and I have been so worried these past couple of weeks leading up to this trip I started to stress eat... a horrible lapse in judgment that I haven't given into in 5 months.

But here I am 2100 miles away from home hoping, trying and praying that I can make weightloss work, even if I am out of my element. I have already made some changes to the usual routine including requesting a fridge in my hotel room, and I went to the grocery store to get food stuffs for lunches, snacks, breakfasts and dinner. Sure it isn't as ritzy as writing off a crabcake dinner with a cocktail on the side and a slice of cheesecake to work, but when it comes down to it I would rather reach my goals that I have been working so hard towards then get a free meal any day.

And as a *early* 20lb weight loss gift my my boyfriend got me the "Insanity" workouts to do while I am away on travel. I have been seeing infomercials all over the TV and ads on websites and facebook and was really interested in trying it. He is even doing the work outs with me from home, so when I get back we can compare results and do them together.

I did my first workout tonight (a fit test). I will post the results in a different post since this one is getting super long. If you are interested in trying the workouts keep in touch, because I intend to leave updates on my progress along the way.

New 5/30/11

So my month without a gain: failure... by .2 lbs. DOH!

I can't be too angry, I have to admit I "enjoyed" my holiday weekend. I had a few extra "snacks" that I should have laid off of, and I didn't do any exercise (my norm of an hour of soccer on Sunday was cancelled) and all I can say is I'm glad I didn't undo all of my hard work, even though it feels that way.

May 30 2011 Weight: 152.6lbs (+.2) Body Fat: 29% (-1) Bust: 36" (0) Waist: 29" (+.25) Hips: 39.5" (+.5) Bicep: 11.25" (0) Thigh: 22.5" (0) Calf: 15" (+.5)

Ugh, seeing the numbers laid out like that really makes me regret my decisions. I was doing so well, and was watching the scale bob around 150 all week until I let loose on Friday. I guess it's just really proof that I need to be ever concious of my decisions and I just can't eat like a "normal" person, or I will see it on my hips... literally.

Seeing as I see a decrease in my body fat and increases everywhere else maybe I can cross my fingers and home that its that time of the month and I am just overall bloated, because .2 lb gain wouldn't explain all of those inches. We will just have to see how next week turns out.

Here is my month in review, it was going pretty darn well until today (well yesterday).

	May 2 2011	May 30 2011
Weight:	157.8 lbs	152.6 lbs	(-5.2)
Body Fat:	31 %	29%	(-2)
Bust:	37"	36"	(-1)
Waist:	29.5"	29"	(-.5)
Hips:	39"	39.5"	(+.5)
Bicep:	11.5"	11.25"	(-.25)
Thigh:	22.75"	22.5"	(-.25)
Calf:	14.75"	15"	(+.25)

Although I couldn't sustain a month without a gain, I was able to lose more then 5 lbs this month, so that puts me back on track, and blows last April (gain of .8 lbs) out of the water. Can't really explain the gains in hips and calf, but again hoping that is is just TOM catching up to me, although I have never really seen it before. But I don't want to make any excuses, I just need to keep looking forward and trying new things to melt the fat away.

Check out my overall journey from the beginning of this blog:

	January 1 2011	May 30 2011
Weight:	171.6 lbs	152.6 lbs	(-19)
Body Fat:	36 %	29%	(-7)
Bust:	38.5"	36"	(-2.5)
Waist:	32"	29"	(-3)
Hips:	43"	39.5"	(-3.5)
Bicep:	12.75"	11.25"	(-1.5)
Thigh:	24"	22.5"	(-1.5)
Calf:	15.5"	15"	(-.5)

Unhappy to have to change some of those losses to smaller numbers, seems that I may have gained in the calf and hips, perhaps muscle, perhaps bloat. I can't tell yet, but what I can tell is -19 lbs is pretty spectacular. I am pretty sure that I can look forward to hitting my -20 lbs benchmark this week and I will be super excited for that. I thought I would go ahead and get my hair cut, but I'm sorta thinking I like it longer, so maybe I will just get it colored or styled, or maybe a new outfit.

I will have to decide when I get there.

I have a few big obstacles coming up this month I need to fight with, and I have a few aces in my pocket I want to try and use to keep the numbers moving in the right direction. I will have to explain better in another post but formalities for now.

Weigh In 5/23/2011

May 23 2011 Weight: 152.4lbs (-1.8) Body Fat: 30% (0) Bust: 36" (0) Waist: 28.75" (-.25) Hips: 39" (0) Bicep: 11.25" (-.25) Thigh: 22.5" (-.25) Calf: 14.5" (-.25)

Well my goal of one month with no gain is going well this month. I only have one week left to not gain any weight and I am in the clear! 1.8lbs is a great loss, surely it makes up for last week, and with 5+ lbs lost this month already I feel good that I am back on track with my weight loss goals (despite April's plans to foil me).

150 is getting so close I can taste it - High school skinny! I'm noticing my pants, and shirts from last year are a bit lose and I'd like to celebrate by going shopping, but I don't want to go crazy because hopefully in another month or two my new clothes will be getting lose too.

Plus I had a great NSV the other week. Let me give you some background first - my bf is a very slender guy. He has always been tiny, and eats some of the most unhealthy stuff on earth. I wouldn't even dream of eating some of the things he prepares. But anyways, I have alway had a twinge of self consciousness when I am out in public with him because I assume everyone is looking at me thinking "what is that guy doing with that whale." However the other day, out of curiosity I measured his waist and it was 31 inches, mine is 28.75!!! Now he still weighs at least 17 lbs less then me, but I feel like maybe I can finally lay those negative thoughts to rest. And that is truly something to celebrate.

Lets finish this out strong!

Weigh In 5/16/11

May 16 2011 Weight: 154.2lbs (-.2) Body Fat: 30% (-1) Bust: 36" (0) Waist: 29" (-.25) Hips: 39" (0) Bicep: 11.5" (0) Thigh: 22.75" (0) Calf: 14.75" (0)

Well, not the best week by any means, but I lost 3.4 lbs last week and can understand only a small loss this week. But more importantly it is not a gain, so I am doing good on my goal to have a month without a gain.

I have been weighing in daily, and sometimes multiple times a day. I wanted to get a handle on what the heck my body is doing, and why I am seeing the numbers I am seeing. For instance Friday morning I weighed in at 152.6 which is amazing, but that must have been a downswing because Saturday morning I was back up to 153.6 and Sunday to 155!!! and back to normal on Monday at 154. I really wish I could get a handle on the waves and level them out to only swing a pound or two because these 4 lb swings are really frustrating.

Thanks to everyone for their support on my last post. I just want to be clear that I did not post the picture to brag but only to show how things we thought are impossible are possible with some hard work. To all my friends and readers who covet my "meaty thighs" just remember that I only started my journey at 170lbs, if you keep doing what you are doing you will get to where you want to be before you know it. It has taken me 5 months to lose 15 lbs, slow but steady.

When I first started my journey I had grand plans of losing 20 lbs in one month, but I am slowly learning there is no quick fix to this, and weight loss is an endurance game. Just don't ever give up the race!

Weigh In 5/9/11

Lets start May out right!

May 9 2011 Weight: 154.4lbs (-3.4) Body Fat: 31% (0) Bust: 36" (-1) Waist: 29.25" (-.25) Hips: 39" (0) Bicep: 11.5" (0) Thigh: 22.75" (0) Calf: 14.75" (0)

(I'm sorry about the quality of this week's picture, the sun was peeking through the window at the exact wrong place and cut off my foot, and my lamp shade snuck into the top left corner, but you can still see most of the important stuff. Including my tan lines from being outside this weekend *woo hoo* it appears I may have gotten a but more sun than anticipated.)


I had been tracking everything this week, food, water, weight, exercise. I was consistently eating anywhere from 1400 to 1700 calories without really trying to count calories (which seems about right for me). I drank about 6 to 8 glasses of water, and had my normal moderate activity level. Other then tracking, I did nothing different from what I did the entire month of April.

And let me just say I am so relieved by this week's weigh in. To see 154 again and for real this time is so great. It makes me proud that even though I couldn't seem to make a loss in April that my hard work paid off, because I didn't do anything different this week and somehow lost 3.4 lbs. I swear my body is so weird the way it works, but at least I know it's working.

I'm getting so close to 150 I can taste it. I cannot wait. I have decided that at 150 I will reward my hard work with a much needed hair cut. I know I blurr it out but if you notice each week the blur gets bigger and bigger (lol). It will be my 20lb loss present to myself. Hopefully I will get it in another week or two. I also cannot really recall the last time I was 150lbs. It had to be some time in high school because I saw one of my old IDs from when I was 16 ( 8 years ago!!!) and my weight said 150. So it will be super fun to be back to my high school weight.

As you can tell I'm on cloud nine this week with my results. I am excited to keep it up this week because I really need a haircut!

Weigh In 5/2/11

Alright, alright. I know I am completely and utterly slacking this week. I should have posted this on Monday. I did take my photos weight and measurements on Monday but I was just too embarrassed to post my results. But someone mentioned last week that the point of my blog was to hold myself accountable so I had to buck up and just post this.

Here is my April review:

May 2 2011 Weight: 157.8lbs (+.2) Body Fat: 31% (0) Bust: 37" (+1) Waist: 29.5" (+.25) Hips: 39" (-.25) Bicep: 11.5" (0) Thigh: 22.75" (0) Calf: 14.75" (-.25)

So I decided to skip my last weigh in, and I have a confession. I weighed in, I just was so sick at what I saw on the scale I couldn't bring myself to go through the ritual of recording and posting such a terrible result. Last week the scale was back up to 158, I couldn't possibly believe it. I mean, it was right after Easter but still, considering earlier that week I saw 154 on the scale (my lowest yet) I was just heartbroken to see that I had gained 4 lbs over a few days. I was hoping that maybe I was just on a swing so I tried to wait it out a week and see if I re-balanced and I didn't. I legitimately gained 4 lbs, and I am embarrassed.

Let's go ahead and wrap April up, because it was a total bust for me and I am ready to move on to bigger and better things in May.

	April 4 2011	May 2 2011
Weight:	157.0 lbs	157.8 lbs	(+.8)
Body Fat:	31 %	31%	(0)
Bust:	36"	37"	(+1)
Waist:	29.25"	29.5"	(+.25)
Hips:	39.5"	39"	(-.5)
Bicep:	11.75"	11.5"	(-.25)
Thigh:	22.75"	22.75"	(0)
Calf:	15"	14.75"	(-.25)

Yup, so there it is. For the entire month of April I lost nothing, in fact I gained weight, and I gained inches. I can even see it in the pictures. Total and complete failure. I have no freaking clue what I did wrong. I followed my diet and I exercised regularly. And all  I see is a gain. How frustrating, it makes me grumpy that I passed on so many desserts and tasty morsels. Makes me think that maybe I could have eaten those things and seen the same result.

But like I said, I promised myself that I would see this through and by golly I will. I need to focus on my successes and not my failures.

Like my overall journey from the beginning of this blog:

	January 1 2011	May 2 2011
Weight:	171.6 lbs	157.8 lbs	(-13.8)
Body Fat:	36 %	31%	(-5)
Bust:	38.5"	37"	(-1.5)
Waist:	32"	29.5"	(-2.5)
Hips:	43"	39"	(-4)
Bicep:	12.75"	11.5"	(-1.25)
Thigh:	24"	22.75"	(-1.25)
Calf:	15.5"	14.75"	(-.75)

Aaaah much better. I can handle that 13.8 lbs lost, minus 5% body fat. I need to use these stats to motivate me to keep at it. My plan has worked so far, and I just hit a terribly bad plateau. I am re-grouping this month. May is my re-charge. These next two weeks I will be recording everything I can, calories, water intake, weight ect. to see if I can find any trends that can help me avoid another month like this.

I also am looking into different diet plans, and exercise plans that may help jump start my body back into weight loss. I'm sorry to any of my viewers who look to me for motivation but please understand that this sort of thing happens to everyone and I am not giving up, nor slacking. I am trying my hardest, and just ran into a terrible month.

Luckily a new one has already started and I'm ready to take it head-on and finally get to the 150 I have been searching for for years now.

Thank you everyone for your support, and suggestions to get me through this. It really helps and makes me so glad that I decided to make my journey public on this blog.

Weigh In 4/18/2010

So I actually did weight in yesterday. I measured and everything and filled in my chart and then really resisted the urge to post. Nothing can describe how I feel right now other then utter discouragement, I can't even bring myself to take photos this week (why since they will look the same - if not worse - then last week?).

April 18 2011 Weight: 157.6lbs (+1.6) Body Fat: 31% (+1) Bust: 36" (0) Waist: 29.25" (+.25) Hips: 39.25" (-.25) Bicep: 11.5" (0) Thigh: 22.75" (+.25) Calf: 15" (0)

*Last weeks pic*

Last week I was chipper because I thought that I was back on track, I was down to 156 and moving in the right direction. And then this week: yet another gain.

I really don't know what is going on. Why am I at this plateau when, I have only lost 15 lbs and I'm still  "overweight" BMI? There really is no explanation. Why is it that what has been working for me for months now is just not working anymore? I have even upped my exercise and no dice. I just don't understand, period.

I need something to knock me over the edge and back on the downward slope. Another week without seeing 155 on the scale will just wreck me. I am already noticing myself falling back into old habits of insulting myself while standing in front of the mirror or finding my progress insufficient.

I don't want to be a downer, but it is just frustrating and heartbreaking. To want something so bad and to work for it, and not get it. Like all of those times I patted myself on the back for choosing a salad for lunch, or refusing to eat "just one piece/bite/taste" or not drinking at happy hour with friends - when I see a gain on the scale I just wish I had do it instead of abstaining so that I could say "well I did have that cupcake" ect. I just can't think of a reason that I am not losing.

I don't even want to think about the horrible, horrible results the scale will bring next weekend. (Weigh in on Monday right after Sunday Easter celebrations).

I'm sorry to all of my followers for the scarcity of my posts recently, but I really hate reporting failure and lately that is all I have had to report. I will try my best to re-set for May. I need a great month to make up for this one.

Weigh In 4/11/10

Wow, where did Monday go? Sorry to anyone who was expecting this post and didn't see it. I guess my Monday just got away from me. But without any further adieu (pics later tonight):

April 11 2011 Weight: 156.0lbs (-1) Body Fat: 30% (-1) Bust: 36" (0) Waist: 29" (-.25) Hips: 39.5" (0) Bicep: 11.5" (-.25) Thigh: 22.5" (-.25) Calf: 15" (0)

*Last weeks pic, will update a new one later tonight*

I am back down, to 156 and my measurements are still shrinking, so I know I am still on track. All things considered I am feeling pretty good about this week and my progress, but I do have concerns looming in the back of my mind...

So this is the fourth straight week in a row that I have been hovering between 156 and 157. It's quite frustrating, particularly because I totally jumped on the scale Sunday morning and saw 155, and last Thursday I saw 155. I know, I just know I can get down past this, but its proving so difficult.

It is also frustrating because for the past 4 months I have had a net loss of 1.6 lbs, that is definitely not on track to reach my goals. Slow and steady I know but I'm becoming worried that if it is so difficult for me to lose weight up in the "overweight" BMI range how will I ever manage to do it down past 150?

Side note this past Saturday was the wedding of one of my high school friends, and I got to reunite with a bunch of people from my past who have seen me at my smallest (and a few at my largest) and the general consensus was that I looked great. If that doesn't make me feel like floating I don't know what would. Maybe I will make a longer post about the event later this week.

Weigh In 4/4/11

April 4 2011 Weight: 157.0lbs (+.2) Body Fat: 31% (0) Bust: 36" (-.5) Waist: 29.25" (+.25) Hips: 39.5" (+.25) Bicep: 11.75" (-.25) Thigh: 22.75" (0) Calf: 15" (0)

Well so much for April being my first month without a gain. What a way to start the month huh? Luckily +.2 lbs is a manageable gain, but still frustrating. I think the most frustrating thing is that I am not at a "good" weight for my height so why is my body being so obstinate about giving up the weight. I mean I am eating right and exercising so why can't I lose?

I am a bit disheartened at how slow my progress has been, when I see people who weigh considerably less then me losing much more in a shorter period of time. I thought that losing 2 lbs a week would be a decent goal, but it seems that is just too hasty for my body. It hurts to see the reality of your goals, when you say "150 by April" and watch that goal slowly slip out of reach week by week.

As per usual here is my end of the month/ beginning of the month wrap up to remind myself of how far I have come and to motivate myself to keep on trucking.

	February 28 2011	April 4 2011
Weight:	160.4 lbs	157.0 lbs	(-3.4)
Body Fat:	32 %	31%	(-1)
Bust:	37.75"	36"	(-1.75)
Waist:	30"	29.25"	(-.75)
Hips:	40.5"	39.5"	(-1)
Bicep:	11.75"	11.75"	(0)
Thigh:	23.75"	22.75"	(-1)
Calf:	15"	15"	(0)

And my overall journey from the beginning of this blog:

	January 1 2011	April 4 2011
Weight:	171.6 lbs	157.0 lbs	(-14.6)
Body Fat:	36 %	31%	(-5)
Bust:	38.5"	36"	(-2.5)
Waist:	32"	29.25"	(-2.75)
Hips:	43"	39.5"	(-3.5)
Bicep:	12.75"	11.75"	(-1)
Thigh:	24"	22.75"	(-1.25)
Calf:	15.5"	15"	(-.5)

3.4lbs for March sucks! I did 7 in February. Hopefully this means April will be another big month for me. *fingers crossed* 

Perhaps it is time I re-evaluate my goals. Shooting for an arbitrary number by an arbitrary date just seems to do more harm for me then good. I'd like to be proud of my progress each week no matter how small, so instead of shooting for a number for April, I want to get through the rest of April and May with no gains. I think that is a better goal for me right now.

But look at that 14.6lbs lost since January! Rounding up to 15lbs and thats 5 lbs a month average for me. Thats not too shabby, I definitely notice the change in my body and particularly in the way my clothing fit. Like my Christmas clothing no longer fit me, I guess this means a new wardrobe for the summer!

The silver lining in all of this is no matter how slow I lose, the point is I am still losing. And that I will eventually get to where I want to and need to be by sticking with my plan and not giving up or letting small slip ups ruin a good week.

Heres to an Awesome April worth of weight loss! 

Weigh In 3/28/11

March 28 2011 Weight: 156.8lbs (-.8) Body Fat: 31% (-1) Bust: 36.5" (+.5) Waist: 29" (-.5) Hips: 39.25" (-.25) Bicep: 12" (+.5) Thigh: 22.75" (-.5) Calf: 15" (0)

Wow, I can't believe I made a loss out of this week. I was almost positive with all of my small slip ups and the terrible news I received that surely I would see a gain. I'm happy that I didn't sabotage myself this week and I just need to remember through thick and thin that I cannot rely on food to make me happy (I should know better then to think that since my poor habits have caused so much sadness for me).

 No clue what is going on with the bust and bicep. I should probably have a more precise measurement system but I'm glad to know I made it through this week. I would be really excited to see 155 or less next week. We will have to see how this week goes, if I work hard and don't have any slip ups, I should be able to make it.

Weigh In 3/21/11

Tappin' my toes in excitement over this morning's weigh in.

March 21 2011 Weight: 157.6lbs (-4) Body Fat: 32% (+1) Bust: 36" (-.75) Waist: 29.5" (0) Hips: 39.5" (-.5) Bicep: 11.5" (0) Thigh: 23.25" (-.5) Calf: 15" (0)

I can only say that this week was awesome for me. Not only did I lose everything I gained last week, but I also lost an additional .6 lbs. And am now once again at my lowest weight ever in at least 5 years. It was really important for me to recover from my bad weigh in, I stuck to the plan and ate on my diet and made sure to get in my exercise for the week. It really paid off, it makes me really encouraged that if I just stick to the plan everything will work out. *Just like you all said*

I am noticing the weight loss in my legs like when I shave I think "I never remember my legs looking like this" and that is a pretty amazing feeling. My bikini pictures, while nothing to post in Sports Illustrated, are looking better to me. Like perhaps if I went swimming I wouldn't be that embarrassed to wear a bikini however, I would probably still just wear my tankini or one piece.

What an awesome way to start the week!

Weigh In - 3/14/11

Continuing my trend of one step forward and two steps back:

March 14 2011 Weight: 161.6lbs (+3.4) Body Fat: 31% (-1) Bust: 36.75" (0) Waist: 29.5" (0) Hips: 40" (0) Bicep: 11.5" (0) Thigh: 23.5" (+.75) Calf: 15" (+.25)

*last weeks picture - will be replaced later tonight*

Let me start off with a mini rant right now. I feel completely dejected, frustrated, and annoyed with my results for this week. I was so excited about last week and being 158.2 lbs, I tried my very best to really do well and push myself well below my dreaded 159 mark. I was so very conserned about ruining it that I stepped on the scale almost every day. I was disgusted to see that by Wednsday I had already balooned back up to 160, and by Thursday I was up to 162. WHY?!?! I didn't eat off plan, I didn't hide any ankle weights on the scale, I just don't get it.

If everyone says weightloss is simple calories in versus calories out I would have had to have eaten an extra 11,900 calories this past week to justify my gain. That is the equilivant to me eating everything that I normally eat in a week plus 16 slices of cheesecake. That is 2 full cheesecakes. I didn't even eat a stupid cookie between Monday and Thursday (which is when I gained at least 4 lbs). How is that even possible? I ate mostly fresh vegetables from Mon - Thurs, I would have had to have eaten 48lbs of brussell sprouts to justify that. 48lbs of Brussel Sprouts!!!! It just dosn't make any logical sense.

It's enough to make me want to pull my hair out... It's at least enough to make me wish I had eaten at least piece of cheesecake. I can't even tell you one item I really indluged in that could possibly cause that sort of gain. I just am confused and frustrated.

What's worse is I had possibly one of my worst weekends ever this weekend. I was celebrating my girlfriends wedding, and I was one of her bridesmaids. I had originally hoped to be 150 by March 12th (her wedding date) but I changed it to 155 to be a better goal for myself. I was unable to get there and instead fell back to the 160s. Thursday night was her bachlorette party and I had a vodka and tonic, and ate a small piece of cake. Friday night was the rehersal dinner and I had a bite of a canoli, and Saturday was her wedding and I had a piece of the cake and 5 cocktails. A terrible terrible string of days, and you know what... I lost weight. I went from 162 to 161.6. If there is a sliver lining in all of this the dress (a size 12) I bought back in October for this wedding was simply too big when I put it on for the wedding. I had to do some last minute alterations to it to get it to fit correctly. So there is something to be happy about... my dress didn't fit.

I didn't take a picture today because I was just too angry to want to document yet another failure. Dispite my gain It seems as if my measurements stayed pretty stable, except for my legs which seemed to have ballooned up. Maybe when I get home I will replace the image with a new one for the week and see if my legs did really get bigger or if I just can't measure properly.

I hate being a negative nancy right now but It seems as if I simply can't make it through an entire month without a horrible horrible gain. Maybe that should be my goal for next month, no numbers, just simply loose every week....

I hope everyone else had a better week then I did. Less like this one please.

Weigh In 3/7/11

Everyone get ready to celebrate with me:

March 7 2011 Weight: 158.2lbs (-2.2) Body Fat: 32% (0) Bust: 36.75" (-1) Waist: 29.5" (-.5) Hips: 40" (-.5) Bicep: 11.5" (-.25) Thigh: 22.75" (-1) Calf: 14.75" (-.25)

This means I did it! I past 159 which USED to be my lowest weight in 5 years (or longer). This is the skinniest that my current boyfriend has ever seen me and is a definite awesome moment for me. Only draw back being my clothes aren't fitting as nicely, but I think that is something I can deal with. Summer is on the way which means tons of dresses. I can't wait to keep on trucking down to where I used to be in high school. I don't exactly know the numbers but I remember my prom dress was a size 8, so thats where I am headed. I can't wait!

I was very worried this morning that I had made too many mistakes this week to equate to weight loss. I took a few liberties with my meals and my cheat day and thought I had really undone myself. However, not only did I lose 2.2 lbs but I also lost inches all over which is amazing news to me. For some reason I think the pics look worse this week then last week, but perhaps its lighting because I can't fight with the measurements.

It's funny how you can pour your heart and soul into work outs and eating right one week and lose nothing and slack off and bend the rules another and have great results. I'm recharged now that I have made it past 159 (which was that number that for 5 years I just couldn't squeek past) to keep up with my eating and work outs. And I will take this week's results as a reminder of the good things that can come from eating right and working out instead of focusing on how I was able to lose with the habits I had this week.

Weigh In 2/28/11

Feburary 28 2011 Weight: 160.4lbs (-2.2) Body Fat: 32% (+1) Bust: 37.75" (-.25) Waist: 30" (-.75) Hips: 40.50" (-.50) Bicep: 11.75" (-.25) Thigh: 23.75" (+.25) Calf: 15" (0)

Overall a good weigh in I think. A few goofy +'s in odd places, obviously I don't really trust the body fat calculator on my scale, since I can be 32% and drink a cup of water then be 34% so I don't mind that + and the thigh addition is also odd, but it could be a measuring issue. The important thing for me is I was able to lose what I gained over vacation and some! Too bad I couldn't break through my 159 barrier.

I think it is important for me not to build that number up, I mean it has been that number that I just couldn't seem to budge past, but being only 1.4 lbs away, I am almost positive I can get it next week or by the next. Now this does mean that my goal of 150lbs by March 12th (my girlfriends wedding) isn't looking so hot. I mean 10 lbs in 14 days - maybe for a biggest loser contestant but seeing as it has taken me 2 months to lose 10 lbs I just don't think that is an appropriate goal for me to set for myself. Instead I am going to shoot for simply breaking through my 159 barrier. Maybe... just maybe I will be 155 for the wedding which would be just peachy for me.

Since it is the end of the month (my goodness where the heck did February go?!?!) I think it is important for me to remind myself of how far I have come. Here is a summary for the month of February:

	January 31 2011	February 28 2011
Weight:	167.6 lbs	160.4 lbs	(-7.2)
Body Fat:	33 %	32%	(-1)
Bust:	38"	37.75"	(-.25)
Waist:	30.5"	30"	(-.5)
Hips:	40.75"	40.5"	(-.25)
Bicep:	12"	11.75"	(-.25)
Thigh:	23.75"	23.75"	(0)
Calf:	15"	15"	(0)

And my overall journey from the beginning of this blog:

	January 1 2011	February 28 2011
Weight:	171.6 lbs	160.4 lbs	(-11.2)
Body Fat:	36 %	32%	(-4)
Bust:	38.5"	37.75"	(-.75)
Waist:	32"	30"	(-2)
Hips:	43"	40.5"	(-2.5)
Bicep:	12.75"	11.75"	(-1)
Thigh:	24"	23.75"	(-.25)
Calf:	15.5"	15"	(-.5)

I am really happy to see mostly greens for February. Its a bit odd that I can lose 7.2 lbs in one month ( 64% of my total weight loss) and not see as much reduction in my measurements as I did in my first month. It seems like your measurements should also decrease proportionate to your weight. I wish I could have some expert explain this to me, but I guess I will see them go down eventually. I just can't give up hope, I love the progress I see in my pictures. My tummy is getting flatter, and all of those skin folds are starting to disappear. I think my very favorite part are those cute little dimples above my bum that are starting to poke out - I never knew I had those!

I can't wait to see what March brings!

Weigh In 2/21/11

Well, I'm back from vacation and I have sad news to report:

February 21 2011 Weight: 162.6 lbs (+1.8) Body Fat: 31% (-3) Bust: 38" (0) Waist: 30.75" (+.25) Hips: 41" (+.25) Bicep: 12" (+.25) Thigh: 23.5" (0) Calf: 15" (0)

I can't say I am surprised by these results. Fitting with my last post-vacation weigh in I gained weight. A 1.8 lb gain is much more manageable then the previous 4.6 lb gain of last vacation. I approached this vacation with damage mitigation in mind. My hopes were not only to maintain my weight but to lose weight in the process. Unfortunently the opposite happened despite my efforts.

I can't be to hard on myself because this time around I am pretty sure I know the reason for my gain, and that was mostly the unpredictability of my schedule. I was unable to plan and eat 3 meals a day and those meals that I did eat were the best I could manage off of resaturates menus that don't necessarily cater to my needs. Sometimes I used snacks like raw nuts (high in fat and calories) or beef jerkey (high in sodium) to keep my hunger at bay while I waited for my next meal, at the time I thought they were good choices (because they were the best I could make given availability) but in retrospect I could have done without them. I also cannot say I did sufficient exercise during the 4 days. And most importantly I did not properly hydrate myself, you can see that in the 3% loss in body fat.

Again my scale is not very accurate about bodyfat because body hydration really effects it, so since I gained weight but lost body mass the only explanation is that over the weekend I had been dehydrating my body.

My pictures are eeeh... I look bloated and puffy, partly because I gained 2 lbs and partly because I didn't pull my bottoms up high enough. But this is not the right direction for things to be going in and they are a sore reminder that I really need to learn how I can maintain my weight loss and lifestyle while on vacation. It just isn't acceptable to expect a gain while you are on vacation. This week is going to be about damage control. I need to be extremely strict about my food and water intake. I know I can lose weight when I do things the right way.

It is important for me to get past 159 because it has been one of those numbers for me where every time I get it, I can't scoot past it. I am ready to not only scoot past it, but leave it in the dust.

I'm ready for a kick-butt rebound week.