I've lost enough weight now - 35 pounds over the past 18 months or so, 45 pounds from my highest ever (which was during my current job so I have coworkers who have seen the whole spectrum; in fact I'm now down to a bit lower than I was when I graduated college and started this job!) - that I've started getting more and more frequent compliments and comments on it.
A disclaimer: I'm not in any way in this post trying to complain about people giving me compliments in regards to something they view as positive! Nor say I'm not proud about succeeding in my intention of losing weight. Just musing over the inherently complex feelings associated with a topic that our society has given moral value to, yet that should be inherently neutral.
And another caveat: I virtually never comment on other people's weight loss. I feel like I ought to; going through it myself I ought to recognize it in solidarity, or something, right? In part it's because I feel uncomfortable highlighting weight for the reasons I have some discomfort accepting it myself, as discussed below. But in large part it's just social anxiety - I'm afraid I'll think someone looks smaller, say they look great, and in reality they'll have gained 10 pounds since I last saw them, thus making them wonder what I thought they looked like last time!
Weight is, of course, a touchy subject in today's society. For some people, though - and I'll support a stereotype here by saying it's been mostly middle aged women with perhaps slightly high but relatively normal weights - it's apparently not, so much, but just a normal topic of conservation (sort of a good thing... but not necessarily). There are some coworkers, who are perfectly lovely women, but who I'm not that close to, who were among the earliest, and the most frequent, to comment on my weight.
They not only comment, but want to dig into how I did it. Their approach to these questions make me think they're looking for some "secret", and more specifically, a secret diet - they bring up their attempts to cut out all sugar, or carb cycle, or whatever. For how not that close we are, their questions and direction of conversation seem far too personal. They don't know why I gained weight in the first place or how I lost it, so they don't know whether they're inquiring about a sensitive situation.
I never quite know what to answer to "how did you do it?" Especially to those who are mere acquaintances, I don't feel like bringing up the component that's "I used to eat my feelings on a lonely Saturday night with half a pizza and a pint or more of ice cream, and I don't [frequently] do that anymore." I usually just say that Abe does most of the cooking now and makes me eat more vegetables, which is certainly a part of the truth. The idea of discussing any kind of diet that's meant to be short-term makes me very uncomfortable. I don't see what the point is in losing weight via any method I don't think I can maintain indefinitely - why bother losing if I can't use the same methods to maintain the loss?
Somewhat on the flip side, other colleagues have made it clear they believe my running is the key to my success. Though I've been consistently running for five years now, it's become more public knowledge over the last year or two, as I've joined the firm's Hood to Coast team, taken running breaks in the evening or on Saturday during tax season, etc. I've had the direct comments, "Wow, your running has really paid off. You look great!" As well as more oblique comments (particularly one from a male supervisor, who understandably doesn't want to make a comment directly about my body; I think my father-in-law and husband are the only men who've directly commented on my weight (and my relationship with my FIL is such that it wasn't a problem to hear from him)) - "I'm really proud of all the [running] work you've put in over the last year", that seem to be clearly equating hard work at running and training for races = the weight loss.
But running in and of itself is absolutely not how I've lost weight. I've gone through plenty of times of running (albeit, relatively lower mileage, but 10 or 15 miles a week is still not nothing!) while maintaining, or even gaining weight. It's part of the equation, but it's far too easy to feel like you've "earned" treats and more than make up for the calories burned! To be complimented for losing weight with the running is actually somewhat disappointing to me, as it both ignores all the running I did when I wasn't losing weight (I was still working hard then!), and discounts all the reasons I run that have nothing to do with weight or calories. And it totally minimizes the habits, beliefs, and emotions that have a great deal of impact on my weight and eating habits. I'm not losing weight because I'm dedicated to running, it's because of my dedication to dealing with a bunch of other crap.
The compliments that feel like they're truly congratulating my weight loss don't make any pretense at assuming to know how or why I lost weight. My mom, my bonus mother-in-law, close friends. They may know varying degrees of detail, but they do know that I've struggled and dealt with issues (physical and mental) that impacted both the gaining and losing of weight. They can tell I'm happier and healthier, not because of my weight loss, but in correlation with my weight loss. The HR rep at work, who knows a lot of my health history, due to its impact on work and benefits, emailed me recently "You are looking so good and healthy!". That's a nice thing to hear, and regardless of her thoughts behind, it sounds like a neutral compliment, not judging how or why it's happened.
Although, speaking of people I'm close to - my husband actually didn't compliment, or fully recognize, my weight loss for some time! I was starting to feel bad enough to bring it up (though I knew he supported me in my actions, it would be nice to know he appreciated the result!), and then he made a really dumb offhand comment in conversation, basically pointing out that I was larger than his sister (even though, at the time I'm pretty sure I was about the same - though I was larger when we first met).
I had to bring it up after that, stating that (1) under no circumstances should you directly compare one woman's size to another's, especially if one is your wife, and (2) it would be nice if I felt like he recognized and acknowledged that my work was paying off. He understood, and continued supporting my actions, but also giving me compliments on occasion as well. (He's now told me not to lose too much more weight! I don't think there's much risk of losing much more, though I wouldn't mind another 5 pounds or so - but at this point they are just vanity pounds.) Before I brought it up, I think he was truly oblivious, both to how much I'd really lost (I subsequently gave him some numbers, and he was pretty shocked!), and how much it would mean for him to mention it. I think some men would also be afraid, perhaps thinking they'd get a stereotypical "well, what'd you think I looked like before" kind of reaction. But I think in some relationships, an overt acknowledgement is important and helpful.
All of that to say, weight loss (and gain) is complex, and so are compliments and discussion about it. I think there are even more issues I haven't even touched on here, such as the idea that women "owe" it to society to be small and petite, and being ok with a larger size if you have healthy habits, and so forth. There are a lot of reasons we shouldn't be making people feel like they have to lose weight, and while compliments are nice to someone who nonetheless wants to, I think it's a potentially dangerous conversation if it creates an atmosphere of expectation.
I also wish I hadn't had to lose weight in the first place - surely that would be the greater accomplishment, to have not gained it in the first place? But as cliche as it is to call this a "journey", it is true that I wouldn't be quite who I am today without it.
Showing posts with label weight loss. Show all posts
Showing posts with label weight loss. Show all posts
Thursday, November 5, 2015
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Both Sides of 145 Pounds
I'm 5'0"; my husband is 6'4". I'm female; he's male. We both currently weight 145 pounds.
(Errr... when I started writing this post I was 145. As of the beginning of October I'm now 144. But, that one pound difference isn't enough to negate the overall message of the post I was working on.)
Clearly, that same weight has very difficult implications for each of us!
For me, I'm clearly overweight. Even though I think I have at least slightly more than average muscle mass, I have no doubt that this weight also reflects a percentage of body fat that is too high (never had an opportunity to test it, though I think that would be a useful piece of info to have). I want to blame part of this on my body and poorly functioning systems (hypothyroidism, PCOS, etc.), but it's also the result of many bad habits and a strong sweet tooth, verging on binging disordered eating.
Abe, on the other hand, is underweight. Not only a low absolute number (compared to his height), but he also has a fair amount of muscle mass, so his body fat percentage is ridiculously low. Some of this is just his body type (not only metabolism, but also a narrow frame), but it is also due to an extremely healthy diet, full of vegetables that are nutritionally dense but low in calories. I wouldn't go so far as to say he has disordered/orthorexic eating habits, but he definitely has some tendencies to overvalue micronutrients at the expense of the overall health picture of a meal or day of eating. He's not going to turn down a burger if that's the most available option, but given the choice he'd much rather eat a salad full of greens.
I know I need to lose weight. He knows he needs to gain weight. We're both trying to support each other, but these opposite needs make for an odd dynamic. I know I don't want him sticking his nose too far into my food choices, but I also want to be encouraging to him and make suggestions to help him with his goals (you need to gain weight? oh, I know how to gain weight). It's an extremely fine balancing act. I've heard of spouses or friends supporting each other in losing weight together, but in that case they're reinforcing the same habits for each other. In this case, I've joked that we ought to just each plate up food for ourselves, and then trade.
But, though my situation may be more typical in today's society, both of us reflect a not-quite-right relationship with food. He's all about optimizing nutrients, I'm all about maximizing enjoyment. Neither one of us is balanced, and that's reflected in our bodies. Our bodies should be able to find an ideal equilibrium, not too much or too little fat, if we found an equilibrium with our habits. In that sense, we both have the same goal, we're both trying to find that middle ground, even though we're coming towards it from different directions.
How would you recommend supporting a loved one when you have opposite approaches, but are both trying to be healthy?
(Errr... when I started writing this post I was 145. As of the beginning of October I'm now 144. But, that one pound difference isn't enough to negate the overall message of the post I was working on.)
Clearly, that same weight has very difficult implications for each of us!
For me, I'm clearly overweight. Even though I think I have at least slightly more than average muscle mass, I have no doubt that this weight also reflects a percentage of body fat that is too high (never had an opportunity to test it, though I think that would be a useful piece of info to have). I want to blame part of this on my body and poorly functioning systems (hypothyroidism, PCOS, etc.), but it's also the result of many bad habits and a strong sweet tooth, verging on binging disordered eating.
Abe, on the other hand, is underweight. Not only a low absolute number (compared to his height), but he also has a fair amount of muscle mass, so his body fat percentage is ridiculously low. Some of this is just his body type (not only metabolism, but also a narrow frame), but it is also due to an extremely healthy diet, full of vegetables that are nutritionally dense but low in calories. I wouldn't go so far as to say he has disordered/orthorexic eating habits, but he definitely has some tendencies to overvalue micronutrients at the expense of the overall health picture of a meal or day of eating. He's not going to turn down a burger if that's the most available option, but given the choice he'd much rather eat a salad full of greens.
I know I need to lose weight. He knows he needs to gain weight. We're both trying to support each other, but these opposite needs make for an odd dynamic. I know I don't want him sticking his nose too far into my food choices, but I also want to be encouraging to him and make suggestions to help him with his goals (you need to gain weight? oh, I know how to gain weight). It's an extremely fine balancing act. I've heard of spouses or friends supporting each other in losing weight together, but in that case they're reinforcing the same habits for each other. In this case, I've joked that we ought to just each plate up food for ourselves, and then trade.
But, though my situation may be more typical in today's society, both of us reflect a not-quite-right relationship with food. He's all about optimizing nutrients, I'm all about maximizing enjoyment. Neither one of us is balanced, and that's reflected in our bodies. Our bodies should be able to find an ideal equilibrium, not too much or too little fat, if we found an equilibrium with our habits. In that sense, we both have the same goal, we're both trying to find that middle ground, even though we're coming towards it from different directions.
How would you recommend supporting a loved one when you have opposite approaches, but are both trying to be healthy?
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Three Things Thursday: Never Thought I'd Own Part 2
I took my first ballet class on Tuesday. :) I did do "ballet" in preschool, and then jazz and tap classes through high school, but it's been years since I've done dancing, and never had a solid technical foundation. Every summer I watch SYTYCD and wish I could do that (I mean, I know I won't ever be at that level, but I miss dancing at all).
It's a 10-week "absolute beginners" workshop through Oregon Ballet Theatre. It appears they do a season of adult workshops two or three times a year; after doing the absolute beginners class for a few seasons, you can move up to the "beginners" class.
A lot of the terms introduced in the class are familiar to me from my jazz experience (chane turns, chasses, rond de jambe), but my muscle don't fully remember how to do them as well as they used to. I'm concerned the tendonitis issue with my left ankle might be a hindrance; while plieing and jumping it was not too happy. But overall, it was quite fun! I'm glad I finally got around to doing this.
2. A baby gate.
Well, I suppose I knew we'd buy one eventually, but this is a couple years early for needing it for kids. To help Imogene and Hera get to know each other, we got a gate (Abe found one used, it's one of the nice ones with an actual gate, so you don't have to step over it or remove it) in the doorway to Hera's room. It allows Imogene to see into the room without access for attacking, and makes us feel better about not completely shutting Hera in a room when we're not closely supervising.
However, the other day Abe left the door open, baby gate shut, while we were out of the house for a few hours. I come home, glance in the room to say hello to Hera, and don't see her anywhere. Not super weird, she sometimes hides under a blanket or could have been in the closet using the litter box. Then I happen to glance to the side into our bedroom, and there she is, sitting on our bed!
The next morning I witnessed how she did it - she has to turn her head sideways to fit in between the rails of the gate, but she can fit through. I caught her halfway out, and once I shouted no and she knew she was in trouble, she adorably wriggled her way back into the room. I'm sure she's also capable of jumping over the gate, but I don't think she knows it. For now, I think we'll only leave the door open when we're at least in the house to hear if anything is going on.
Well, I suppose I knew we'd buy one eventually, but this is a couple years early for needing it for kids. To help Imogene and Hera get to know each other, we got a gate (Abe found one used, it's one of the nice ones with an actual gate, so you don't have to step over it or remove it) in the doorway to Hera's room. It allows Imogene to see into the room without access for attacking, and makes us feel better about not completely shutting Hera in a room when we're not closely supervising.
However, the other day Abe left the door open, baby gate shut, while we were out of the house for a few hours. I come home, glance in the room to say hello to Hera, and don't see her anywhere. Not super weird, she sometimes hides under a blanket or could have been in the closet using the litter box. Then I happen to glance to the side into our bedroom, and there she is, sitting on our bed!
The next morning I witnessed how she did it - she has to turn her head sideways to fit in between the rails of the gate, but she can fit through. I caught her halfway out, and once I shouted no and she knew she was in trouble, she adorably wriggled her way back into the room. I'm sure she's also capable of jumping over the gate, but I don't think she knows it. For now, I think we'll only leave the door open when we're at least in the house to hear if anything is going on.
3. Skinny pants.
I've been successfully (albeit gradually) losing some weight, and finally got to the point where my work pants were too loose. I'm not super creative in my wardrobe, especially when I'm hoping to change sizes in the near future, so I mostly just stick with a couple pairs of plain black slacks, replacing them as needed, and mix it up with more fun colored sweaters and tops.
After a couple weeks keeping my waistband up with safety pins, I finally made it to Target to get a couple cheap pairs of pants. I bought one basic, trouser, straight-leg pair, and then another style stood out to me. Skinny pants. (Is that the correct term? I know if they're denim, it's "skinny jeans", "skinny pants" doesn't seem to quite have the same ring, but follows the same convention.) I tried them on mainly because they were ankle length, and I hoped that meant if they fit I wouldn't have to hem them.
Alas, I still had to hem them an inch and a half, but I found them surprisingly flattering! The fabric helps - it's a nice stretchy, thick but not too thick, twill - but I think the cut somehow actually works on me!
I've been successfully (albeit gradually) losing some weight, and finally got to the point where my work pants were too loose. I'm not super creative in my wardrobe, especially when I'm hoping to change sizes in the near future, so I mostly just stick with a couple pairs of plain black slacks, replacing them as needed, and mix it up with more fun colored sweaters and tops.
After a couple weeks keeping my waistband up with safety pins, I finally made it to Target to get a couple cheap pairs of pants. I bought one basic, trouser, straight-leg pair, and then another style stood out to me. Skinny pants. (Is that the correct term? I know if they're denim, it's "skinny jeans", "skinny pants" doesn't seem to quite have the same ring, but follows the same convention.) I tried them on mainly because they were ankle length, and I hoped that meant if they fit I wouldn't have to hem them.
Alas, I still had to hem them an inch and a half, but I found them surprisingly flattering! The fabric helps - it's a nice stretchy, thick but not too thick, twill - but I think the cut somehow actually works on me!
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
June Goal Progress
Goals. January. February. March. April. May.
Try a new restaurant (of Abe's choosing) each month.
This didn't happen in the first half of the month, with Abe busy wrapping up his school year, and then he almost immediately left for a road trip and won't be back for a couple more days. Will make it up next month!
Try a new recipe each month.
Haven't done much cooking of any kind lately. Especially on nights when I head into Portland for team workouts, I just do some snacking before and after instead of a real dinner.
YTD cooked/required: 4/6
Lose 24 pounds.
Starting weight (1/1/14): 152
Last weight (6/1/14): 159
Current weight (7/1/14): 153
Current loss: -6
Total gain: +1
Woohoo! I'm almost back to my starting weight, and then I can start actually losing weight. My eating habits have been ok, depending on the day. I think mixing up the exercise with swimming and biking is likely the biggest factor.
Run 1,000 miles.
This month: 78.60
YTD: 256.90
25.69% of the goal; 49.59% into the year.
Bike 1,500 miles.
This month: 45.75
YTD: 300.20
20.01% of the goal; 49.59% into the year.
Complete a triathlon.
Swimming yards:
This month: 7,750
YTD: 8,750
Attend one activity or group or hangout each month (outside of tax season - so May through December).
This month I went to a veg meetup group book club, meals with future in-laws while Abe's been out of town, and had dinner with some old college roommates last night.
Read a minimum of 2 books each month.
Finished: Allegiant (third book of the Divergent trilogy). Little Men (sequel to Little Women) - good heavens, I realize it was written in a different time period, but the level of gender stereotyping is so nauseating.
Started and finished Nocturnal, for a book club. Not my usual genre, but interesting (although creepy).
YTD read/required: 6/12
Try a new restaurant (of Abe's choosing) each month.
This didn't happen in the first half of the month, with Abe busy wrapping up his school year, and then he almost immediately left for a road trip and won't be back for a couple more days. Will make it up next month!
Try a new recipe each month.
Haven't done much cooking of any kind lately. Especially on nights when I head into Portland for team workouts, I just do some snacking before and after instead of a real dinner.
YTD cooked/required: 4/6
Lose 24 pounds.
Starting weight (1/1/14): 152
Last weight (6/1/14): 159
Current weight (7/1/14): 153
Current loss: -6
Total gain: +1
Woohoo! I'm almost back to my starting weight, and then I can start actually losing weight. My eating habits have been ok, depending on the day. I think mixing up the exercise with swimming and biking is likely the biggest factor.
Run 1,000 miles.
This month: 78.60
YTD: 256.90
25.69% of the goal; 49.59% into the year.
Bike 1,500 miles.
This month: 45.75
YTD: 300.20
20.01% of the goal; 49.59% into the year.
Complete a triathlon.
Swimming yards:
This month: 7,750
YTD: 8,750
Attend one activity or group or hangout each month (outside of tax season - so May through December).
This month I went to a veg meetup group book club, meals with future in-laws while Abe's been out of town, and had dinner with some old college roommates last night.
Read a minimum of 2 books each month.
Finished: Allegiant (third book of the Divergent trilogy). Little Men (sequel to Little Women) - good heavens, I realize it was written in a different time period, but the level of gender stereotyping is so nauseating.
Started and finished Nocturnal, for a book club. Not my usual genre, but interesting (although creepy).
YTD read/required: 6/12
Monday, March 3, 2014
February Goal Progress
Goals. January.
Try a new restaurant (of Abe's choosing) each month.
This month (just barely! Made it happen on Friday, the 28th) we went to Swagat, an Indian restaurant.
The meal started with papadum and three sauces - a chili, a mint, and a coconut. I surprisingly didn't like the coconut sauce (as I've been acquiring a taste of all things coconut milk lately), but the other two were ok. Then we had as an appetizer mixed veggies pakora - battered and fried, similar to tempura. Unhealthiest way to eat vegetables, of course, but I enjoyed them, also of course.
I got sambar - a lentil soup, plus plenty of naan, cause that's obviously the best part of Indian food! The sambar was a touch spicy for my tastes (which just means it had any spice at all), but was pretty good, thankfully had the naan and a sprite to neutralize it; I'd be open to making it at home (with less spice). Abe had aloo saag, a potato and spinach dish. Tried a bite but not my favorite dish, in large part due to the texture.
Also a couple bonus meals (bonus = doesn't count as a new restaurant with food outside of my comfort zone, but tried a new restaurant that's not super out of my norm in terms of type of food, or a familiar restaurant but I tried a new dish):
Bonus: We went to Veritable Quandary with Abe's mom and sister. They actually weren't any vegetarian entrees on the menu, but they'll adapt anything for your or you can just tell them to make something up that meets your needs. I had a pasta dish from the menu with just the meat left off, and it was quite good! Abe let them just make something up. Hmm, I should have written this up right after, that happened at the beginning of the month and I don't recall exactly what it was. Something with mushrooms, I think. He enjoyed it.
Bonus: Went to Native Foods, where I usually get the chili (also a touch spicy for me, but otherwise good so I deal) and fries. I really do love the idea of Native Foods - it's vegan versions of things that many people like. But, it's not really vegan versions of things that I like - but I guess that's the point of this exercise to try to change, isn't it. So this time I went with the butternut polenta bites. Though the texture of polenta is still something I need to become accustomed to, overall I was pleasantly surprised.
Try a new recipe each month.
Cauli-power fettuccine alfredo from Oh She Glows. It doesn't taste exactly like alfredo sauce, but it's pretty good in its own right!
Also made cilantro lime rice, so as to make Chipotle-style bowls for lunches.
Lose 24 pounds.
Starting weight (1/1/14): 152
Last weight (2/1/14): 153
Current weight (3/1/14): 155
Current gain: +2 pounds
Total gain: +3 pounds
Well, shit. That's going the wrong direction. Despite the stress of work right now, I really felt like my eating and my exercising have been improving overall the past few weeks. A few occasions of overeating, for sure, but enough to offset the good habits? Combined with stress reactions, perhaps. I'm focusing on consistent calorie counting this month, as well as continuing to up fruits and vegetables.
Run 1,000 miles.
This month: 29.8
YTD: 54.4
5.44% of the goal, 16.16% into the year. Still a ways to catch up, but my weekly mileage is increasing - double digits the past two weeks!
Bike 1,500 miles.
This month: 93.4
YTD: 206.75
13.78% of the goal, 16.16% into the year. A bit to catch up, but still not too far. Working on increasing my long ride - up to an hour now.
Attend one activity or group or hangout each month.
Did dinner and a game night with Abe's coworker L and her husband. Went to the ballet with T.
Read a minimum of 2 books each month.
Still working on the same books as last month.
Do yoga on a regular basis.
I did go once! A bit difficult to get away from work early enough during tax season, but I'm trying to. Just making Wednesday my short day every week (to do either yoga class or a massage), and knowing that I can plan some longer days to make up for it.
Improve sleep hygiene.
I stopped taking any sleep aids about a week ago, and trying to limit caffeine to lunchtime or earlier. Takes a while to fall asleep, but marginally easier to wake up in the morning.
To help, I installed f.lux on my computer, which changes the screen to warmer colors after sunset, as the normal blue-ish display tones are closer to sunlight and can confuse your body if using it late at night (which I often do).
Try a new restaurant (of Abe's choosing) each month.
This month (just barely! Made it happen on Friday, the 28th) we went to Swagat, an Indian restaurant.
The meal started with papadum and three sauces - a chili, a mint, and a coconut. I surprisingly didn't like the coconut sauce (as I've been acquiring a taste of all things coconut milk lately), but the other two were ok. Then we had as an appetizer mixed veggies pakora - battered and fried, similar to tempura. Unhealthiest way to eat vegetables, of course, but I enjoyed them, also of course.
I got sambar - a lentil soup, plus plenty of naan, cause that's obviously the best part of Indian food! The sambar was a touch spicy for my tastes (which just means it had any spice at all), but was pretty good, thankfully had the naan and a sprite to neutralize it; I'd be open to making it at home (with less spice). Abe had aloo saag, a potato and spinach dish. Tried a bite but not my favorite dish, in large part due to the texture.
Also a couple bonus meals (bonus = doesn't count as a new restaurant with food outside of my comfort zone, but tried a new restaurant that's not super out of my norm in terms of type of food, or a familiar restaurant but I tried a new dish):
Bonus: We went to Veritable Quandary with Abe's mom and sister. They actually weren't any vegetarian entrees on the menu, but they'll adapt anything for your or you can just tell them to make something up that meets your needs. I had a pasta dish from the menu with just the meat left off, and it was quite good! Abe let them just make something up. Hmm, I should have written this up right after, that happened at the beginning of the month and I don't recall exactly what it was. Something with mushrooms, I think. He enjoyed it.
Bonus: Went to Native Foods, where I usually get the chili (also a touch spicy for me, but otherwise good so I deal) and fries. I really do love the idea of Native Foods - it's vegan versions of things that many people like. But, it's not really vegan versions of things that I like - but I guess that's the point of this exercise to try to change, isn't it. So this time I went with the butternut polenta bites. Though the texture of polenta is still something I need to become accustomed to, overall I was pleasantly surprised.
Try a new recipe each month.
Cauli-power fettuccine alfredo from Oh She Glows. It doesn't taste exactly like alfredo sauce, but it's pretty good in its own right!
Also made cilantro lime rice, so as to make Chipotle-style bowls for lunches.
Lose 24 pounds.
Starting weight (1/1/14): 152
Last weight (2/1/14): 153
Current weight (3/1/14): 155
Current gain: +2 pounds
Total gain: +3 pounds
Well, shit. That's going the wrong direction. Despite the stress of work right now, I really felt like my eating and my exercising have been improving overall the past few weeks. A few occasions of overeating, for sure, but enough to offset the good habits? Combined with stress reactions, perhaps. I'm focusing on consistent calorie counting this month, as well as continuing to up fruits and vegetables.
Run 1,000 miles.
This month: 29.8
YTD: 54.4
5.44% of the goal, 16.16% into the year. Still a ways to catch up, but my weekly mileage is increasing - double digits the past two weeks!
Bike 1,500 miles.
This month: 93.4
YTD: 206.75
13.78% of the goal, 16.16% into the year. A bit to catch up, but still not too far. Working on increasing my long ride - up to an hour now.
Attend one activity or group or hangout each month.
Did dinner and a game night with Abe's coworker L and her husband. Went to the ballet with T.
Read a minimum of 2 books each month.
Still working on the same books as last month.
Do yoga on a regular basis.
I did go once! A bit difficult to get away from work early enough during tax season, but I'm trying to. Just making Wednesday my short day every week (to do either yoga class or a massage), and knowing that I can plan some longer days to make up for it.
Improve sleep hygiene.
I stopped taking any sleep aids about a week ago, and trying to limit caffeine to lunchtime or earlier. Takes a while to fall asleep, but marginally easier to wake up in the morning.
To help, I installed f.lux on my computer, which changes the screen to warmer colors after sunset, as the normal blue-ish display tones are closer to sunlight and can confuse your body if using it late at night (which I often do).
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
WIAW: Forming New Habits
I'm trying to both lose weight and eat healthier. I sometimes calorie count (pegatha47 on MFP), but mostly right now I'm focusing on eating sufficient protein (minimum of 55.5 grams - 0.8 grams per kg - based on my weight, but should probably aim for more like 70 grams - 1.0 grams per kg - considering that I'm moderately active) and a minimum of 5 fruits and veggies per day.
Breakfast:
Smoothie - 1 1/2 cups fresh spinach, 1 banana, 3/4 cup mixed frozen berries, 1 1/2 Tbsp peanut butter, 1 1/2 Tbsp ground flax seed, 3/4 cup water
Hi-Ball energy drink - it's sparkling water with flavor, caffeine, and some vitamins.
Although it takes a couple more minutes in the morning (and looks a little gross from the oxidized banana by the time I get to work and actually eat it), I love that having a smoothie for breakfast automatically gets half of my fruits and veggies in for the day first thing.
Protein grams: 10
Produce count: 3
Lunch:
Near East roasted garlic and olive oil pasta with tomatoes and spinach
Salad of romaine lettuce, tomatoes, pomegranate arils, and half a green pepper
I could probably just make noodles and add olive oil and some spices to get the same result, but the Near East pasta mix is fantastic. I've been experimenting with adding things: tomatoes obviously go well, and this week I added spinach, too, since I have it on hand for smoothies. To bump up the protein, I bet baked tofu marinated in Italian dressing would mesh with it.
Protein grams: 11
Produce count: 3
Snacks
Chocolate covered almonds (from Costco) - x2, because a serving is only 11 almonds! That's crazy, and not nearly enough chocolate in one serving.
String cheese, apple, pomegranate green tea
Protein grams: 13
Produce count: 1
Dinner:
Amy's 4-cheese pizza, the other half of the green pepper, rolos
Protein grams: 20
Produce count: 1
Total:
Protein grams: 54 - Barely an acceptable amount. I definitely could have added protein to lunch by including tofu or beans in the pasta dish. I've tried to think of a way to increase the protein in my smoothie without using a protein powder, but I'm not sure how beyond just adding more peanut butter.
Produce count: 8 - Wow! I assure you, this isn't typical. It's the ideal I'm striving for, but it does take some effort and planning, and definitely doesn't happen every day.
Anyone have a great protein smoothie recipe sans protein powder?
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
January Goal Progress
Since many of my goals for this year are rather continuous, requiring either a check-off each month or consistent progress towards the yearly goal, I thought it would be helpful to me to check-in at the end of each month. (This year is all about accountability for me, it seems!) (See goal setting here.)
Try a new restaurant (of Abe's choosing) each month.
We went to Tan Tan Cafe & Delicatessen in Beaverton, a Vietnamese restaurant. (I didn't piece it together until we'd been sitting and looking at the menu a while, but it's actually owned by a friend of a friend.)
I ordered bun bi chay (a rice noodles bowl with vegetables, tofu, and spring rolls), and Abe ordered rau xao (stir fried vegetables with noodles). The latter came first, and they set it in front of me. I tried it before realizing it wasn't mine, and really liked it! The dish I ordered was ok (fortunately Abe didn't mind switching), but the rau xao was much better.
Bonus: I tried a new dish at a favorite restaurant. When my parents visited for the 3-day weekend (that some people have... tax preparers don't get holidays this time of year), we went to one of my favorites, Noodles & Co, where 99.9% of the time I get the macaroni and cheese. Instead, this time I got the whole grain tuscan linguine with tofu.
Try a new recipe each month.
I made pasta salad for my Doctor Who party. [Recipe] I wasn't a fan - too many things mixed together, especially beans (beans added to a dish with too many ingredients often tips the scale, it seems) - but others seemed to like it.
Lose 24 pounds.
Starting weight (1/1/14): 152
Current weight (2/1/14): 153
Weight gain: +1 pound
Well that sucks.
Run 1,000 miles.
24.6 miles. 2.46% of the goal; 8.49% into the year. Yeah, just a bit behind.
Bike 1,500 miles.
113.35 miles. 7.56% of the goal; 8.49% into the year. Not too far off!
Attend one activity or group or hangout each month (outside of tax season - so May through December).
I was actually quite social this month! Hung out with J, saw Evita with K, attended a birthday party for one of Abe's coworkers, and hosted a game night for my birthday.
Read a minimum of 2 books each month.
I read parts of more than 2 books. Not exactly what I meant though.
I finished the last couple chapters of Little Women (started the re-read a few months ago). I then downloaded Little Men, and am about a third of the way through it.
I'm also in the middle of Wolf Hall, and I started a book about sleeping that my dad lent me. (I'd mention the title, but it's in the bedroom, and I'm in the living room with a cat on my foot, so I can't get up to check.)
Donate blood regularly.
After being eligible to donate at the beginning of December, finally go around to it a couple weeks ago!
Try a new restaurant (of Abe's choosing) each month.
We went to Tan Tan Cafe & Delicatessen in Beaverton, a Vietnamese restaurant. (I didn't piece it together until we'd been sitting and looking at the menu a while, but it's actually owned by a friend of a friend.)
I ordered bun bi chay (a rice noodles bowl with vegetables, tofu, and spring rolls), and Abe ordered rau xao (stir fried vegetables with noodles). The latter came first, and they set it in front of me. I tried it before realizing it wasn't mine, and really liked it! The dish I ordered was ok (fortunately Abe didn't mind switching), but the rau xao was much better.
Bonus: I tried a new dish at a favorite restaurant. When my parents visited for the 3-day weekend (that some people have... tax preparers don't get holidays this time of year), we went to one of my favorites, Noodles & Co, where 99.9% of the time I get the macaroni and cheese. Instead, this time I got the whole grain tuscan linguine with tofu.
Try a new recipe each month.
I made pasta salad for my Doctor Who party. [Recipe] I wasn't a fan - too many things mixed together, especially beans (beans added to a dish with too many ingredients often tips the scale, it seems) - but others seemed to like it.
Lose 24 pounds.
Starting weight (1/1/14): 152
Current weight (2/1/14): 153
Weight gain: +1 pound
Well that sucks.
Run 1,000 miles.
24.6 miles. 2.46% of the goal; 8.49% into the year. Yeah, just a bit behind.
Bike 1,500 miles.
113.35 miles. 7.56% of the goal; 8.49% into the year. Not too far off!
Attend one activity or group or hangout each month (outside of tax season - so May through December).
I was actually quite social this month! Hung out with J, saw Evita with K, attended a birthday party for one of Abe's coworkers, and hosted a game night for my birthday.
Read a minimum of 2 books each month.
I read parts of more than 2 books. Not exactly what I meant though.
I finished the last couple chapters of Little Women (started the re-read a few months ago). I then downloaded Little Men, and am about a third of the way through it.
I'm also in the middle of Wolf Hall, and I started a book about sleeping that my dad lent me. (I'd mention the title, but it's in the bedroom, and I'm in the living room with a cat on my foot, so I can't get up to check.)
Donate blood regularly.
After being eligible to donate at the beginning of December, finally go around to it a couple weeks ago!
Monday, January 20, 2014
January Weigh-In & Some New Tools
Yeah, yeah, I'm sure everyone is recommitting to healthy habits with the new year. But it really is one of my new year's resolutions and tax season intentions to get more deliberate about losing weight. I've been gradually gaining weight since college. I lost a little my first tax season, but then gained steadily for the next few years. I hit my highest weight of 167 (note: I'm 5'0", so that's a BMI of 32.6) about two and a half years ago. For the past year I've been fluctuating around 150.
Based on BMI (which isn't necessarily an accurate indicator - but with what I would consider a medium build/frame and average muscle, I think it's a reasonable tool for me), the healthy weight range for my height is 95 to 128 pounds. Well, regardless of any medical guidelines, no way is 95 healthy for me! In high school, when I didn't worry about my weight at all, I was always around 110. Keeping in mind that I now exercise more (thus more muscle), but also am just getting older, I think 120 - 125 is a reasonable long-term maintenance goal. But for now, I want to get to 128 - to be within the "normal" range.
I've previously discussed my weight loss on this blog without giving actual numbers, just amounts of change. I think it's important to not compare yourselves to other people, their weight, or their journey - I've been there, as a reader, seeing someone mention their specific weight online, and feeling bad because I weigh 30 pounds more than some girl who's six inches taller than me. I don't want my discussion of my journey to shame someone else - but at the moment, I need a little fear of public shame to on track.
To keep myself accountable, I'm planning to do monthly weigh-in posts this year.
Starting weight (1/1/14): 152
I've dabbled with calorie counting, using My Fitness Pal (my user name is pegatha47 if you want to friend me on there). Although it helps me keep a calorie deficit, it doesn't necessarily help me eat healthy. I'll still eat a bowl of ice cream - I'll just eat it instead of something healthier that takes the same calories.
In conjunction with (at least sporadic) calorie counting, I need to track my healthy eating - starting with fruits and vegetables. Going old school with this: giving myself a star for each fruit or veggie consumed. For incentive, if I get 5 or more every day for 5 weeks, I can buy a pair of Altra running shoes (something I've been wanting to try, but doesn't currently fit in my fitness budget).
(Please note: I took the photo mid-day Saturday. I ended up with 5, not 2, servings for the day!)
Also, to go a bit more high-tech, I just got a Fitbit flex. (I won it from Kara's 100-mile race fundraising raffle - the raffle is over, but you can still donate to the Semper Fi Fund.) It tracks steps and calories burned, as well as sleep.
I've only had it for a couple days, but the interesting thing is that, based on my movement, I don't think it takes me nearly as long to fall asleep as I thought it did (although I did also re-start taking magnesium as a sleep aid, too, so perhaps that's significantly helping).
I think I'm going to buy some different wristbands for it (in black, and there's also a pretty teal blue one I like). I thought the "slate" would be a prettier shade of a gray, but it looks more like a muted navy to me. The tracker can be removed from the wristband, and I've put it in my pocket sometimes and it stills seems to track steps accurately from there, so I think I'll tend to wear it that way, rather than the wristband, when I have pockets (especially when at work), but the wristband is nice for using it while exercising or sleeping.
Based on BMI (which isn't necessarily an accurate indicator - but with what I would consider a medium build/frame and average muscle, I think it's a reasonable tool for me), the healthy weight range for my height is 95 to 128 pounds. Well, regardless of any medical guidelines, no way is 95 healthy for me! In high school, when I didn't worry about my weight at all, I was always around 110. Keeping in mind that I now exercise more (thus more muscle), but also am just getting older, I think 120 - 125 is a reasonable long-term maintenance goal. But for now, I want to get to 128 - to be within the "normal" range.
I've previously discussed my weight loss on this blog without giving actual numbers, just amounts of change. I think it's important to not compare yourselves to other people, their weight, or their journey - I've been there, as a reader, seeing someone mention their specific weight online, and feeling bad because I weigh 30 pounds more than some girl who's six inches taller than me. I don't want my discussion of my journey to shame someone else - but at the moment, I need a little fear of public shame to on track.
To keep myself accountable, I'm planning to do monthly weigh-in posts this year.
Starting weight (1/1/14): 152
I've dabbled with calorie counting, using My Fitness Pal (my user name is pegatha47 if you want to friend me on there). Although it helps me keep a calorie deficit, it doesn't necessarily help me eat healthy. I'll still eat a bowl of ice cream - I'll just eat it instead of something healthier that takes the same calories.
In conjunction with (at least sporadic) calorie counting, I need to track my healthy eating - starting with fruits and vegetables. Going old school with this: giving myself a star for each fruit or veggie consumed. For incentive, if I get 5 or more every day for 5 weeks, I can buy a pair of Altra running shoes (something I've been wanting to try, but doesn't currently fit in my fitness budget).
(Please note: I took the photo mid-day Saturday. I ended up with 5, not 2, servings for the day!)
I've only had it for a couple days, but the interesting thing is that, based on my movement, I don't think it takes me nearly as long to fall asleep as I thought it did (although I did also re-start taking magnesium as a sleep aid, too, so perhaps that's significantly helping).
I think I'm going to buy some different wristbands for it (in black, and there's also a pretty teal blue one I like). I thought the "slate" would be a prettier shade of a gray, but it looks more like a muted navy to me. The tracker can be removed from the wristband, and I've put it in my pocket sometimes and it stills seems to track steps accurately from there, so I think I'll tend to wear it that way, rather than the wristband, when I have pockets (especially when at work), but the wristband is nice for using it while exercising or sleeping.
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Tax Season Fitness Plan
I knew when I picked my career what I was getting into. The nice thing is that the summer is quite flexible. The trade-off, of course, is busy season. From mid-January through April 15, though, you don't have a life. My firm is actually quite balanced, not expecting more than 60 to 65 hours per week (at some firms, 80 hours weeks are standard). Nonetheless, even a 60-hour work week makes it difficult to fit in self-care, like exercise and cooking.
The first year I was working, I actually lost weight. I didn't have a scale at the time, but I dropped a pants size. It wasn't all of my college weight, but it put me at a nice, comfortable, healthy size. What made that possible?
The first year I was working, I actually lost weight. I didn't have a scale at the time, but I dropped a pants size. It wasn't all of my college weight, but it put me at a nice, comfortable, healthy size. What made that possible?
- Exercised before work. I've never been a morning person; I still have no idea how I managed to get up at 5:30 most days for three months. But I did, and did a short workout video most days (I wasn't a runner yet).
- I didn't eat junk food. There are plenty of snacks available in the office during busy season, but being new there I was too self-conscious to indulge very often.
- I didn't really have a social life. I hung out with my roommate and a mutual friend sometimes, but not having any other commitments outside of work allowed me to get plenty of sleep.
That's the only year that happened. Even last year, when I ran a few times a week, I still gained eight pounds and half a pants size (half a size = they went from being loose to being tight). But besides the running, I ate a lot of junk (I'm definitely not self-conscious about helping myself to treats at work anymore), and was busy with dating and socializing. Sleep wasn't always the highest priority.
Basically, I've spent the rest of the year losing that weight, and now as it's almost New Year's, I'm back to the same place I was last New Year's (well, the same weight, but actually one size down in pants, so I guess I have lost some fat and gained some muscle?). I'm not going to cease being overweight if I'm constantly fluctuating in between busy season and the off season. I need to commit to losing, or at a bare minimum maintaining, during busy season this year.
Here's what I have in mind to make that happen:
- Exercise - running and strength training (planning to do the K-Fit program once I'm done with five more weeks of K-Basic). To fit in more workouts, I want to form a habit of exercising in the morning, instead of in the evenings (which can interfere with sleeping if it's too late). I've been trying for the last month to do this, and actually gotten up early once.
- Not eat junk food. Tracking calories might help, but I'm more concerned with the quality of food than quantity. I think perhaps counting fruits and veggies, and probably also protein grams, would be more beneficial. Filling up on good foods is easier than actively avoiding less healthy foods.
- Sleep more. This requires a careful balance between work, exercise, and socializing. The morning exercise is part of this balance: I won't skip workouts because of evening social commitments, and getting more regular exercise will help sleep quality as well.
Easier said than done, huh? I know I need to work on my sleep routine, and get used to morning exercise. I also need to come up with a tracking system that helps me eat more fresh food and less junk food.
What's your best tip to form healthy habits, especially during a busy/stressful time?
Monday, September 30, 2013
Back on Track
Sweet! Lost the tax season weight, plus a little more. Although it's been a while since I last took and recorded all my measurement, I do step on the scale about once a week, so I know I was maintaining for a while and lost most of the current amount in the last month or so. I'm down 12 pounds since I started my measurements spreadsheet, and 19 pounds from my highest ever. My BMI is back in the merely overweight category at 28.9.
Causes
Counting calories. I don't do it consistently everyday, but it's definitely made me more aware of how much I eat - a couple cookies here and there really add up! I'm using MyFitnessPal for this - it's pretty user friendly, and has tons of foods in their database. I wouldn't rely on their estimate of calorie needs based on the weight goals you input though. It won't give you a calorie goal below 1,200, but I think even that is way too low for anyone. I manually set mine at 1,400 plus usually eating back most of what I burn through exercise, which seems to be working.
(My username is pegatha47 if you want to friend me on MFP.)
Causes
Counting calories. I don't do it consistently everyday, but it's definitely made me more aware of how much I eat - a couple cookies here and there really add up! I'm using MyFitnessPal for this - it's pretty user friendly, and has tons of foods in their database. I wouldn't rely on their estimate of calorie needs based on the weight goals you input though. It won't give you a calorie goal below 1,200, but I think even that is way too low for anyone. I manually set mine at 1,400 plus usually eating back most of what I burn through exercise, which seems to be working.
(My username is pegatha47 if you want to friend me on MFP.)
Getting to the taper phase of marathon training - much less runger! And way less justifying that I can eat anything and everything want because "I just ran xx miles!"
Also related to tapering - I'm not sure if there is actually scientific basis for this, but would the stress of 4- to 5-hour runs have put my body into starvation mode, hanging onto fat while I was doing such long training runs?
Starting doing yoga again - went to a 60-minute class once a week for the past month. Without fail, about 24 hours later, I feel my core muscles aching, and think "what did I do?" and then I remember.
Less binging/overeating. I wouldn't go so far as to say I have a binge eating disorder, but I have massively overeaten on occasion, often with an underlying emotional or habitual incentive. As I work through depression and anxiety issues, and just generally become more engaged in living life more fully and participating in hobbies, this is happening less frequently.
Less binging/overeating. I wouldn't go so far as to say I have a binge eating disorder, but I have massively overeaten on occasion, often with an underlying emotional or habitual incentive. As I work through depression and anxiety issues, and just generally become more engaged in living life more fully and participating in hobbies, this is happening less frequently.
Effects
My body shape is curvy, but when I gain weight a lot of it goes to my stomach and I become more of a rectangle. Not that any body shape is better than another, but since I know my body's default is to be an hourglass, it bums me out to see that - so it's great to see my waist nipping back in (in spite of the corresponding hassle of finding pants with the right proportionate between waist and hips).
I'm currently wearing pants in size 8 or 10 (the brand of jeans I buy runs a little larger than the brand of dress slacks I wear), but am very close to fitting in a 6 or 8 (at my largest I wore a size 14). Actually, my current work pants are so baggy I have the waist cinched in by an inch or so with safety pins, but the next size down is still a touch too tight to look professional (but the 8 in work pants does technically "fit" in that I can put them on and zip up).
I'm fast[er]! I beat my 5k PR by over 2 1/2 minutes last week. My default, easy-ish running speed if I'm not paying to my pace is a lot faster than it was even a month ago. This is definitely good as I head into the marathon!
My body shape is curvy, but when I gain weight a lot of it goes to my stomach and I become more of a rectangle. Not that any body shape is better than another, but since I know my body's default is to be an hourglass, it bums me out to see that - so it's great to see my waist nipping back in (in spite of the corresponding hassle of finding pants with the right proportionate between waist and hips).
I'm currently wearing pants in size 8 or 10 (the brand of jeans I buy runs a little larger than the brand of dress slacks I wear), but am very close to fitting in a 6 or 8 (at my largest I wore a size 14). Actually, my current work pants are so baggy I have the waist cinched in by an inch or so with safety pins, but the next size down is still a touch too tight to look professional (but the 8 in work pants does technically "fit" in that I can put them on and zip up).
I'm fast[er]! I beat my 5k PR by over 2 1/2 minutes last week. My default, easy-ish running speed if I'm not paying to my pace is a lot faster than it was even a month ago. This is definitely good as I head into the marathon!
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Up and Down and Up
I avoided taking measurements during, and for quite a while after tax season, and then avoided doing the analysis and write up for a while after finally measuring. Back in January, I was doing reasonably well - down 10 pounds from when I started keeping good records last summer, and down 17 pounds from what I think was my highest ever weight.
Now, I didn't really think I'd lose weight during tax season; the goal was more to not gain weight. For context, I averaged working 55 hours a week in February, 60 - 65 hours a week in March, and 75 and 79 hours for the two weeks in April before tax day. I was also putting time and energy into building a dating relationship that started in January.
What I did accomplish:
Now, I didn't really think I'd lose weight during tax season; the goal was more to not gain weight. For context, I averaged working 55 hours a week in February, 60 - 65 hours a week in March, and 75 and 79 hours for the two weeks in April before tax day. I was also putting time and energy into building a dating relationship that started in January.
What I did accomplish:
- I ran 154 miles between January 1 to April 15 - an average of just over 10 miles per week. My highest running week was 18.2 miles (just after the March 15 corporate due date, so it's a small dip in work load before quickly ramping back up for the April 15 due date).
- My pants still fit. Ultimately, especially as I gain more fitness, and thus gain muscle, clothing size and measurements are at least as important as pounds in evaluating health/size/appearance. Granted, my current pants size was starting to get loose, and by the end of tax season it was just fitting. But, it never got too tight!
- I cut 10 minutes off my post-tax season half marathon from last year.
What I didn't accomplish:
I'm certainly not thrilled with that. But, it makes sense when I look back on things. Although I did more running than ever before during busy season, I completely slacked off on strength training or any other exercise. Eating wise I think I improved slightly over past years (there are a lot of treats available in the kitchen at work), but still ate quite a bit of junk food.
8 pounds seems like a lot to gain over 4 months (I'm still thinking a little of that is leg muscle from so much running? or am I just in denial?). And this puts my BMI just slightly back into the obese category. On the other hand, at least I'm still down (if just slightly) over a year ago. I'm also still down 9 pounds and, more importantly, 3 pants sizes, from my highest ever (18 months-ish ago).
Current focus: strength training and eating. Fewer cookies and ice cream, more apples and carrots.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Progress
Because I haven't posted enough in the past few days...
Although I'm actively trying to lose weight (17 pounds gone, 25 - 35 more to go), it'd be silly to do updates more often, since I'm losing about four ounces a week. But I figured tracking it at least every couple months is a good idea.
Although the weight is coming off slowly, it is happening, and I'm already much more content with how I look. In fact, losing weight in order to be able to run faster is becoming almost as much of a motivator as my appearance.
Although I'm actively trying to lose weight (17 pounds gone, 25 - 35 more to go), it'd be silly to do updates more often, since I'm losing about four ounces a week. But I figured tracking it at least every couple months is a good idea.
Although the weight is coming off slowly, it is happening, and I'm already much more content with how I look. In fact, losing weight in order to be able to run faster is becoming almost as much of a motivator as my appearance.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
I'm Overweight!
Yep, I'm excited to be overweight - it means I'm no longer obese!
Obesity is defined as 20% over a normal weight, or a BMI of 30 or higher.
BMI = [ weight (lb) / height (in)2 ] x 703
 |
| Chart from CDC |
I like BMI since it accounts for the variable of height, making it a more uniform way of discussing a healthy weight than merely pounds. It doesn't, however, consider other factors such as muscle (muscle weighs more than fat - i.e., more muscle weight takes up less space) and bone structure, so you should take it with a grain of salt.
I'd like to think I have a decent amount of muscle (I can't do a pull-up, but I can do multiple real push-ups, so I would think that puts me marginally above average), so I take that in account in thinking about the health consequences of having a BMI in the overweight or obese categories. I think body measurements (relative to your height) and lab tests (e.g., cholesterol levels) are just are important as weight and BMI in looking at the whole picture of your health.
At my highest weight (about six months ago), I had a BMI of 32.61. 7 weeks ago, when I had just finished the 8-week Best Body Bootcamp my BMI was 30.27. Since then I've been training for my third half marathon and trying to do strength training at least twice a week.
My current BMI: 29.68!
I also realized this weekend that I need to replace my jeans - I can pull them down without unbuttoning them! I'm not big on sharing specific weights or sizes (to minimize opportunities for unhealthy comparisons with others) but I am proud that this will mean going from a 10 to an 8 in jeans - single digit size! Haven't worn 8s for 3 or 4 years.
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Best Body Bootcamp: Overall Recap
Transformation is not a future event, it is a present activity. ~ Jillian Michaels
Over 8 weeks of the Best Body Bootcamp program, I lost:
Over 8 weeks of the Best Body Bootcamp program, I lost:
My BMI is down to 30.27 - getting very close to the "overweight" category (under 30) instead of obese.
The decrease in my ribcage is a lot, but it really was suddenly over the last few weeks that I was able to fasten my bras on the smallest hook instead of the middle hook.
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