My Family

My Family

Saturday, February 16, 2013

The New Me - Month Four


"Even when they have made strides towards eating healthier and increasing their exercise programs, most people gauge their real success by the numbers reflected on the scale. Yes, we've all heard that muscle weighs more than fat and that water retention can skew the numbers. Yet, the scale holds the most weight (yes, pun intended) when determining our dieting loss success or failure. Our entire mood can be dramatically affected by the daily weigh-in. We can be on top of the world one minute because we have completed our 45-minute aerobic session, yet one step on the scale reduces us to tears. How can I work out that hard and NOT lose weight? You may believe that the session was pointless, because of what the scale says! The beastly apparatus on the floor has become the expert in weight loss feedback. If the scale does not show a shift in weight (lower numbers) every day, then somehow we think we have failed.
The truth is, the scale can work as a motivating force behind our weight loss efforts, but remember that as much as that scale can build us up, it can tear us down. So, what to do? How can we reconcile ourselves to the fact that the scale is NOT always our best friend, and it often doesn’t give us the straight story?
Here are some ways to measure your weight loss success rather than using the scale. By the way, when it comes to weigh-ins, weekly weigh-ins are sufficient. If you’re doing the 3 times a day weigh-in, you’re doing yourself (and any attempts to change your lifestyle) a serious disservice. Here’s the scoop:
1) Clothing: You know how it feels to put on a skirt or dress you've been unable to wear for a year? Nothing is better than being able to comfortably fit into that article of clothing that you considered giving away because you never thought you'd be able to wear it again!
2) Attitude: When you begin to eat better and exercise more regularly, you will find yourself feeling more positive about the changes you re making. Having a positive attitude plays a large role in keeping you motivated and moving forward. Feeling positive allows you to make more decisions that are positive!
3) Friendly Comments: The best part of changing your lifestyle to healthy eating and daily activity are the comments you'll begin receiving from others. Being told, You look great! goes a long way in reminding us that our efforts are well worth it."
                                                                                            -Howtobefit.com
 
 
Four months ago, on Oct 13th, I decided to make a change. You can click on the 'Health' link in the Labels section to the left of my blog to read my progress in months one, two, and three.
 
I put the above information from howtobefit.com in this post because I realized during month four that I was giving my scale too much credit. I didn't have a scale in month one so when my parents gave us an extra scale (where the needle moves to the correct number) they had laying around, I noticed that I was starting to weigh myself every day. Over time, a few doctor weigh ins for myself and my husband, had me questioning the accuracy of our scale so I bought a new one with a digital display. The new scale verified my suspicions. I had not lost as much weight as I had originally thought. What a huge blow. I was confused for a few days. The self doubt started to creep in and I tried to convince myself that all my hard work was worthless because the scale didn't reflect my efforts.
 
After my pity party, I had to regroup. I had to look in the mirror to remind myself of the changes I had made. I had to remember that my pants are now too big (#1 above). I had to remember that I feel better about my body than I did four months ago (#2 above). I had to listen ... really listen ... when my friends would tell me how great I looked (#3 above). I had to be proud of myself again. I had to embrace the weight I truly was. I had to keep going.
 
So, all that being said, here is how I kept going in month four.
 
Workout Routine / Accountability: In month four, I committed to Boot Camp M, W, and F. I ran on T, Th, and Sat. I played soccer on Sunday.
 
Day 94: Push ups 30, Crunches 60
 
Day 95: Boot camp. Push ups 30, Crunches 70
 
Day 96: Ran two miles with Dawn
 
Day 97: Boot camp. Push ups 30, Crunches 60
 
Day 98: Ran two miles
 
Day 100: Boot camp. Push ups 30, Crunches 75
 
Day 101: Ran two miles with Dawn. Push ups 30, Crunches 60
 
Day 102: Boot camp. Push ups 30, Crunches 75
 
Day 103: Went out to run two miles, but ran 3.1 miles (5k) instead!
 
Day 104: Boot camp. Push ups 30, Crunches 50
 
Day 105: Ran/Walked 3 miles with Jen and Michelle. Push ups 30, Crunches 75. Got new running shoes at Fleet Feet.
 
Day 106: Soccer. Push ups 30, Crunches 40, Leg throw downs 20
 
Day 107: Boot camp. Push ups 30, Crunches 40, Leg throw downs 20
 
Day 108: Ran 3.5 miles with Dawn and Jen. Unfortunately, my new shoes hurt my right foot. Push ups 30, Crunches 50
 
Day 109: Boot camp. Push ups 30, Leg throw downs 50
 
Day 110: Ran 1.5 miles with Dawn. Push ups 30, Crunches 60
 
Day 111: Boot camp. I'm going to hold off on push ups for a while to rest my left shoulder. I injured it sometime last week. Crunches 60
 
Day 112: First rest day in 13 days!
 
Day 113: Played a full 40 minute soccer game because we had no girl subs. Also, our boot camp instructor challenged us to do Burpee's each day this month. So, on the 1st we do 1 burpee. On the 2nd, we do two burpee's and so on.
 
Day 114: Boot camp. Burpee's 4
 
Day 115: Ran/Walked 2.63 miles with Jen and Michelle. Crunches 75. Burpee's 5
 
Day 116: Boot camp. Crunches 30, Leg throw downs 25. Burpee's 6
 
Day 117: Crunches 50. Burpee's 7
 
Day 118: Boot camp. Burpee's 8. Returned my shoes to Fleet Feet to try a new pair.
 
Day 119: Broke in my new shoes with a 2 mile run in 20 minutes 6 seconds. That's my best two mile run. Crunches 75. Burpee's 9
 
Day 120: Soccer. Crunches 80. Burpee's 10
 
Day 121: Boot camp. Burpee's 11
 
Day 122: Ran 3.5 miles in the snow. It was beautiful! Burpee's 12
 
Day 123: Boot camp. Burpee's 13. Four months down!
 
 
Month Four Results:
  • I now weigh myself once a week.
  • I've lost a total of 6 1/2" in four months with 4 1/2 of those inches being in my problem areas (aka hips and waist).
  • My arms, legs, and abs are starting to look like they did pre baby(s). I still have a way to go, but I'm getting there.
  • I'm starting to enjoy running more than dreading it. It's a daily process!
  • In month five I've committed to keep my current schedule. I will attend Boot camp on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I will run on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. I will keep playing soccer on Sunday.

Like I said before, I've given myself 6 months as long as it takes to get back in the shape that I want to be in so I'll update you again at the end of month five.
 


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