Out with the Old - In with the Old

Weekly Stats
Current: 239.0
Weekly Loss: 2.2
To Go: 68.0
Total 86.0

I was fortunate to have a decent weight loss this week. Wednesday I tweaked my back when I was working out. I was able to finish up, but by Thursday morning, my back was in serious pain. I had to stay home, lay flat for most of the morning and then ice and ibuprofen the rest of the day. I realized that not being able to work out, I would have to compensate by not eating as much. Sounds simple, but I had to think it through. I didn't have my customary healthy snacks. That cut out about 500 calories that I wasn't able to burn doing exercise. As a result, I ended up close to my weekly goal. I was feeling good enough to at least do the elliptical on Saturday, but it snowed really hard on Friday night, so I spent a better part of the morning clearing the walk. The snow blower saved my back, but kept me active. This morning, I was able to do the whole workout, workout dvd and elliptical and was at about 85%. I think due to the fact that I have been working out and I have taken off a bunch of weight helped me bounce back faster.

The reference to out with the old, in with the old, refers to last Saturday when I cleaned out my closet. I got rid of most of my 3X and 2X shirts and big pants. It felt good to get rid of them. No looking back or a crutch to go back to with those clothes. I never want to go there again! Did I have to buy a new wardrobe? Nope, I had plenty of clothes that I had grown out of that now fit again. A couple of the t-shirts where from previous vacations. It was a trip down memory lane. :)

I have calendared out a lot of trips and hikes this year that I wouldn't even have considered last year. I am excited to be out and about as the weather warms up in the next few months. For now, I look at my workouts as preparing for a fun year!
Let me know what you are up to in your quest for good health. Also let me know what fun plans you have for the upcoming year. Hang in there and I will too!

Being Healthy

Weekly Stats Current: 241.2
Weekly Loss: 2.0
To Go: 66.2
Total 83.8

As far as my weight loss goes this week, it was an improvement over last week by a long shot. Still like to keep on track for 2.5 lbs per week, but the average over the last four weeks is 2.95 so I am still on target. I may be stats crazy, but I think it's good to keep track when you are trying to lose weight to see where you might need to make adjustments. Hoping to break into the 230's at next Monday's weigh in.

I was watching a video from some former Biggest Loser contestants and one of them said that she had an epiphany when she realized that it was more important to improve her health than to get skinny. She told how much better her health was and how much better she felt. She said that people will recognize her from Biggest Loser, but then will then say, "You're not really that small!" That must be tough! It got me thinking how much my own health has improved! I feel so much better! I am able to do so much more than before! I am actually enjoying working out as well as my fitness level continues to improve. This spring, I would like to get a physical to see how much my health has improved since my last physical. When I do this, I will let you know some concrete numbers, but for now you'll just have to take my word for it for how much better I feel!

Gordon took another snowy mountain bike ride! Great job. Hope Martha is doing well in her family BL weight challenge. Mike and Sarah put in a 4 miler and have plans to do both a half and full marathon this year!!!! Bill H. continues his amazing training! Keep up the good work everyone! Hang in there and I will too!

Slow January Thaw!

Weekly Stats Current: 243.2
Weekly Loss: 1.6
To Go: 68.2
Total 81.8

It was bound to happen after several weeks of great weight loss that I would have a slow week. I still lost though and 1.6 lbs off is that much closer to the goal and it is definitely better than gaining! One thing I noticed also that since I started the new workout/diet routine two months ago, I have lost 20 lbs. I am right on the goal of 10 lbs a month! Yeehaaaaaaa!!!! Two things I can improve in this week is first, get better sleep. I averaged about 6 1/2 hours last week and I was pretty tired by the end of the week. I don't know all the whys on sleep and weight loss, I just know that getting enough rest can make a big difference. Secondly, I need to track better the calories that I am eating. It is easy to let 20 lbs sneak in at each meal/snack and it adds up over the long haul. I am still eating really healthy and being good about portions, but I find that counting and tracking helps you see how close you are to your daily limit. I also need to keep a good monitor on what my weight is because for each 10 lbs I lose, it makes a 70 calorie per day on what I can have.

Shout outs to Gordon who went on another winter bike ride. I didn't know you could ride in the snow, but Gordon shows us how it is done! Also good job Martha on starting in a BL competition with her family. You can do it. Show 'em how to lose that weight! Hopefully the rest of you have made your goals for the year and are making progress towards them! Hang in there and I will too!

Happy New Year! Happy 10 lbs Star!

Weekly Stats Current: 244.8
Weekly Loss: 4.6
To Go: 69.8
Total 80.2

Over the Christmas break, I didn't take a break from either working out or eating right. It paid off. Some of my best loses since November have been the last few weeks. As a result, I get to post another 10 lbs star! Now I am at 80 lbs lost and still going. I am well on my way to my monthly goal of 240. Hope I can keep this up and the weight keeps coming off.

Thanks for all the support you've given me through the last year. I hope to get the rest of the weight off this year. If I can keep up a pace of 10 lbs a month, I should reach the following goals: 100 lbs lost by mid-March;, be at 200 lbs by the end of May and be at my goal weight of 175 by sometime in August!

Hope you have made some goals as well. If I can do it, you can too! Hang in there and I will too!