We Kin Get Thin!

Being the first of a new month, I thought I should take a minute to reflect on my recent progress.
I seem to have finally beaten the sturdy plateau I'd been sitting on for so long! I'm still a little fuzzy on HOW. But I guess I don't care too much, as long as it continues! :-) 
It must be a combination of the little changes I've made.. 
being :

• More walking and jogging.  I now try to do 3.1 miles every day I do cardio (which is Sun, Mon, Fri), instead of just a mile or two. 
• Cut out artificial sweetener.  More accurately, I cut out about 95% of artificial sweeteners.  If I am low on calories and have an iced coffee, I'll still use splenda as opposed to sugar. But on a typical day, I use sugar, agave, honey, or nothing.  I have only had ONE diet soda in the past month.

• Positive attitude.  This is still a work in progress. But I'm trying :-)


February 1 
Weight : 230.2
BMI : 34.9



March 1 
Weight : 222.4
BMI : 33.7

-7.8lbs this month! 
(Total loss to date : 45.1 lbs)

Go me!




Looking forward...

I have some big goals this month.

1. I'd like to lose 5lbs, and hit 217.5, which would mark a 50lb loss.
2. I'd like to be able to run 2 miles straight. (currently, I can only do just over 1)
3. Find something nice about myself.  This is a homework assignment given to me by Debbie. She finds it unacceptable that I really can't name ONE thing I like, physically about myself. So she's working on me to recognize those things.

So tell me, peeps.
Do you have any monthly goals that start today?

I've started to write whiny, Nancy Kerrigan style posts (WHY ME?! WHY ME!?) all week, and I've stopped them all. It is nothing I haven't said before. Wah wah, I'm doing everything right and I am not getting results, bitch bitch, whine whine.

Its been done, and it does me no service. And it certainly isn't fun to read for you guys!

SO ANYWAY.

I'll turn this into a true progress report, lets break it down!

TRAINING
As much as I hate working out (I mean, I HATE it) I rather enjoy that I go to training. As much knowledge, space, and equipment as I have, I would never get the intensity of exercise at home. It may not be helping me lose weight, but it most certainly is making me stronger. And, I love my trainers!

RUNNING
I am continuing on pretty well with my Chai-2-5k program. My knee is not enjoying it lately, so my progress has been slowed slightly. I made it up to 7 min running, 3 min walking... but now I am back down to 5 and 5. I'm not too discouraged, I know my knee, and it'll come back around. I think I'm still on track (pun intended!) to meeting my goal of a 5k in the Springtime.

DIET
My diet has been good. Actually, its been great! I'm finally learning to stop when I am full, and distract myself when I want to eat out of boredom. I make good choices, especially on my free day, when things could get ugly. I have kept a close reign on those times, and all is good.

CHANGES/PROGRESS
This, of course, is the bane of my existence. I haven't really lost any weight. I haven't lost any inches. I have no physical, noticeable changes at all. This is the height of my discouragement. BUT. I can feel my muscles like nobody's business. I can run longer, squat lower, jump higher, breathe easier... you name it. I'm more fit. And I can't complain about that.
I find myself getting mad at Biggest Loser, health articles, and other bloggers who vehemently state - IT'S CALORIES IN VS CALORIES OUT. YOU DO THAT YOU WILL LOSE.
I always believed that. But why doesn't it work for me, then? Most weeks, I've got a 5000-7000 calorie deficit, that should be 1-2lbs a week, if the math holds true.
I want to scream at them - ITS JUST NOT THAT SIMPLE! But then, what makes ME different? Why does science not apply to me? Is it because I failed science class freshman year? 'cause I made that up the next year, damnit!

OKAY. So this entry did turn out a little bit whiny there at the end. I apologize!
I love you all, my peeps, very very much! And I can never thank you enough for following our journey with us, ups and downs and mini-breakdowns.

THE BAD

I haven't lost any inches. I keep weighing in throughout the week (I know, I know!), and it's only going up. I am getting that familiar wave of aggravation and disappointment. I never thought it would be this frustrating.. working so hard and getting nowhere. Usually, I am patient with life. But this is truly testing me.

THE GOOD

I am getting very comfortable and satisfied with my diet. I am making great decisions, planning well, and avoiding binges. I've been successful at curbing my free days. I've hit a good stride as far as that is concerned.

I am making excellent progress at the gym. At least, I feel I am. I feel stronger, and able to breathe easier. My muscles are hugenormous!


So, you take the good, you take the bad. (you take them both and there you have, the facts of life!)

I forgot to share something amazing with you!

Last night at training, I was on the treadmill and my heart rate got up to 184. I got off the treadmill, wiped my forehead, took a sip of water, and walked about 20 steps across the gym. By then, my heart rate was back down to 114.

That, is incredible recovery time... especially for me!! When I first did the elliptical thingy at training, My heart rate got up to 187, and I had to sit down for almost 5 minutes to get my heart rate back down.

It is unbelievable how the body adapts. Crazy, I say! But truly awesome :-)