So the time has come to skip worrying about the weight loss and tone up this body of mine. I know that with toning some more weight will come off and that will be great but I’m tired of focusing on the scale. After doing some research and all the new sizes for 2011 measurements are about 40/34/43. For my 5’6” frame I should weigh 150-165. Of course there are many websites and guide lines and such out there and really the only ones who can tell you when your fit is you and your doctor. So today I took new measurements, the last time I did this was in June and my body has changed. It was kind of cool doing this and though I’m not about to put my measurements out here on display I can tell you between June and now there is a 9.5” difference. No wonder my belt has moved a notch, the size 12 jeans I got into and I’m feeling better. Now between June and now the scale really hasn’t moved much, 6.0 lbs (except in the middle where I admitted I messed up and did lose and regain because of starving to meet a goal and then eating again).
So from now on (except the weigh in’s for Mir’s CDCC for 3 more weeks) I am going to just post a monthly number, it will be the total of my measurements until I hit the size I want to live at. And really, I’m liking the size 12 but these lumps and bumps got to go. I will work on the bat wings, the muffin in the middle, that chubby below the belly button and that fat between the legs (you know, that part that’s even uglier then the rest in a bathing suit). Now I know very well you can’t just target an area so I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing. I’m going to hit the gym 4 times a week. Every other time will be either cardio and strength training in the gym or water aerobics in the pool. I will have a total of 8 hours a week of exercise at the gym and more at home on days I either can’t get there or just don’t go. Soon I’m bringing back out the Wii for nap times. I really like using it and even though it’s more fun then cardio I do know it’s working muscles and keeping me limber. I also want to keep up with the planks because I can really feel the difference in my core muscles. I will never ever be a skinny minnie and really I don’t want to be. I live in Minnesota and that little extra does help keep me warm I just don’t need the whole downy filled lining I’ve been carrying around for years.
So I’ve been trying to figure out what to use as a number… such as what measurements to add up. Like upper arm, bust, waist, hips and thighs? Or upper and lower arms, bust, below bust, waist, fat stuff, hips, thighs and calves? or just the main three bust, waist and hips? What do you think? I do measure it all including my neck, wrists and ankles. I’ll wait and see what you think.
So there is what my new week and challenge will be. Oh I’ll keep tracking calories of course because I know, from experience, they add up mighty fast and that weight goes on so much faster then it ever comes off. It’s amazing how fast 5 lbs can go on and how many weeks it takes to get it back off.
Doable, manageable, possible? I think so. The next step in getting to be the new me. Loving it…most days of course,
I hope you all have a great week. It’s Thanksgiving and I’m not one bit worried about it. I don’t fix a Thanksgiving meal, I don’t go to relatives and have to sit by the buffet table looking at it all. My in-law take us to the casino for turkey day dinner and it’s a huge buffet but I can pick and choose what I want, what’s good for me and what I know very well will add to the cushion or help take it off.
Take care my friends and do have a blessed Thanksgiving.
P.S. Jillian came up with a good idea if anyone is interested. How about a Christmas card exchange? Most of us can afford a few stamps and homemade cards are beautiful or if your not a card maker like me, one with a personal note in is good too. It’s just a thought, if interested send me your name and address and next weekend I’ll put all the names on one e-mail and send it out to everyone and you can send out as many as you want. It’s just an idea, roll it around in your brains and think about it and if interested…well you know what to do.
10 comments:
Well done on losing those 9.5", that is a massive achievment. Toning up is a great idea, I'm looking forward to following you in that process. :)
It is definitely doable! I'm cheering for you! :)
Losing inches is great. For me, being in maintenance is about the same as when I'm losing. I do find that it's easier to maintain when I keep up the exercise. At my age, I'll never do fantastic feats such as running a marathon but I can continue to walk three miles or exercise with a DVD for 50 minutes to an hour. I'm wishing you luck with your plan. You definitely can do it. :)
I am right there with you. I was just thinking I am just about happy with the weight loss thing and it is time to tone.
I have about 3 pounds to go to my target weight and then I am going to start working on different areas of this old body and see what I can do.
I am so excited that someone else (and someone close) is at the same point that I am at.
We can do it!
I will be following you for any great ideas.
I'm also 5'6", and I have dense bones as I learned) and I have excess skin, so I accept that what would have been the "healthy BMI" weight when I was younger and didn't have hanging skin, is not what weight is sustainable at my age, post-menopausal, with anywhere from 10 or more pounds of excess skin. (I'm being conservative, as I figure why overestimate.)
I have a medium frame. At my height, I shouldn't be more than 144 lbs. So, given the hanging skin/age, I think 155-160 would be ideal (ie, fat is at a healthy level for lean tissue/bone, etc).
160 has been my goal weight from the start. 20 pounds. I think it's doable. :D But I'm in no rush. I wnat to get those last pounds off HEALTHFULLY and not wreck my metabolism anymore than I have alraedy.
Go slow. Focus on building muscle (you main gain weight for a while on the scale), and eat well. Eventually, you will learn if your body wants to go lower or if you just need to focus on muscle/leaning out and maintaining.
You'll know in time. Our bodies can heal and will tell us. :D
I find that going so low that it's unfeasible (and then go pig wild from hunger) is nuts. Better to maintain HIGHER than ideal, but do healthful things to maintain heart/liver/pancreas/brain in good shape. :D
Be well, sweet lady. May God's blessing be upon you in double measure, you and yours, this week. I know you're ALREADY blessed, but why not more? I am covetous of blessings (greedy me).
Muah.
Oh, and I don't do cards. I'm weird that way. :( I always buy em and never send 'em. How dorky is that?
Good luck with your goals! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Many blessings,
Jill
Julie, you are truly a winner in my book! Congratulations on a job well done. If I were you I would forget about the numbers. Focusing on the numbers whether weight or inches can drive you crazy. Just follow by how you feel, look and by how your clothes fit. You can tell when you're doing right. I like the card idea.
Congrats on the 9.5" lost. That's awesome!! You sound like you're doing great. The maintaining is the hardest part for me, so good lucky!!
9.5 inches is really, really impressive, Julie! I like your attitude about what the next stage will be. I think you have really grown in your understanding of what it takes to be healthy and get healthy, thus, I feel that you will get to where you feel you need to be. Even a size 12 is great in my book.
Have a great Thanksgiving! michele
That's excellent - both what you've achieved so far and your plan going ahead. What a freeing (and yet also empowering) outlook.
Enjoy!
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