My journey

I have been stuck at the 9 1/2 pound mark for a week.  It’s been driving me crazy.  Finally, today I weighed in at 10 lbs under when I started 12 1/2 weeks ago.  FINALLY!!!!

Today was the last workout for week 12.  It definitely wasn’t a great workout - my stomach has been feeling off lately.  But, I still pushed as hard as I could.  This week I started taking NO Xplode.  I have to say, I really like it, especially since I work out at 5 am. 

Next week I will be changing up the routine a little.  I haven’t decided to what yet.  And I am buying a heart rate monitor watch so that I can ensure I am pushing hard enough while at the gym.  Currently I only track that during cardio.

I am anxious to take my measurements tomorrow as I have been STARVED all week with no change in diet.  Usually that means my body is going through big changes.

I am 1/2 a pound away from the 10 lb mark and I am really hoping that comes off as of tomorrow.  I am not going to hit my goal weight by June (which I am OK with given the inch and BF loss I’ve had), but it would be great to at least say I’ve lost 10 lbs.

Also, I have had a few people at work mention how I look thinner, in great shape, etc.  Make me glad I made it this far and motivates me to keep it going.

Last night I did the girly thing and asked my husband what he liked best about the changes.  Proving once again why I love him, he completely surprised me and did not mention a tighter butt or better overall shape.  Instead, he told me he really likes the increased energy I have.  I love how he can still surprise me!

I think I broke my record of consecutive weeks of consistently hitting the gym.  I’m actually pretty proud of myself for getting this far. And I think I am focused enough to keep going.  Workouts are feeling good, diet is going well.  Once I got into the habit of making my meals for the day ahead of time instead of always going out to eat, it got really easy.

I even went shopping yesterday as a reward since a lot of my pants are getting sloppy too big.  Now, before I started, most 10s would fit and the occasional 8.  Yesterday, all 8s fit as well as the occasional 6. So what did I buy?  The 6 of course.  When I told my husband the pants I tried on for him were a 6, he looked at me and asked "So that’s why you bought them?"  Duh, of course.  I mean, I needed pants and I had a choice between a pair that fit in a size 8 and one that fit in a size 6.  Is there even a doubt to which I would pick?  He just shook his head and walked away.

I was checking out my progress in the mirror this morning while getting ready for work when I realized something about belly fat.  At least about MY belly fat.  Now, I had assumed that belly fat would be lost evenly as I went along.  Not so much.  Turns out that I am losing from the top down (ribs to hips).  Is that good?  Bad?  I don’t know.  I do know that I have a bizarre band around my midsection that isn’t going to look good in a bathing suit (picture relatively flat abs from the bottom of the rib cage to a little below the belly button, then about a 3" band starting from there down).  Lucky for me there are still a few weeks before I will be in one and I can work on losing it.

Checked my measurements this weekend and was pleasantly surprised.  Only 2.5% more body fat to lose to meet my goal of 20% by the beginning of June.  Lost another half inch on my waist, hips, and chest (much to my husband’s dismay, lol!).  I am feeling pretty good about where I am.  I can really see the muscle definition on my arms, shoulders, and legs.  Even on the upper abs.  Still have some belly fat to lose, but at least I am headed in the right direction.  I’m holding out to hit that goal, then I see a new wardrobe in my future….

I knew I had a lot to do yesterday, but thought I could still do pretty good with my diet and could fit in at least a half hour of Pilates or something.  Not meant to be.

 My older son made his first communion at 9:00.  Took some pics with him and had to race out to take one of my dogs to the vet to get stitches out from some minor surgery he had 10 days ago.  Ran around a good chunk of the morning getting stuff for the communion party next weekend.  Came back and started doing housework.

Turned around, looked at the dog, and realized his wound had completely re-opened.  Not bleeding (thank God, I probably would have passed out, thrown up, or both), but you could see his muscles and some bone.  Yuck.  Spent about an hour and half at the pet ER waiting to be seen.  Then left him there to be knocked out AGAIN (he’s 10 years old) and get restitched.  Then had to go back a few hours later to pick him up again.

So, the day was shot and being as worried as I was about my dog, I didn’t eat the best.  Oh, and the best part?  Had to pay $280 to get him restitched 5 hours after the stitches were taken out.  Will I be calling my vet tomorrow?  You bet.

This week my, well, let’s say eagerness, was definitely lacking.  Going to the gym felt like a chore.  5 am came way to early.  And I am starting to think that the protein shake I have before I go is not good enough as I get really hungry about halfway through.  That said, never once did it occur to me to not go.  Or to take it easy.  I dragged myself out of bed, got dressed, drove there, and pushed hard.

I definitely think I need to take a closer look at my diet.  I spent the first half the week exhausted all day.  Not getting enough calories or not the right kinks of foods, don’t know.  I started posting that here along with my workouts, then decided to start a journal on the forums.  Hopefully someone there can help me out.

Measurements to be taken tomorrow.  Hopfully I’ll see some more gains.