Measurements

I’ve never been great about documenting measurements. I felt like I had taken measurements last summer but couldn’t remember where I’d saved them or if I even had. Thank goodness I found these in an old post. What a difference. To be honest I didn’t know it was that significant. 23 inches overall. I’m surprised how proportionate everything has stayed. I was prompted to look for this after noticing how much smaller my thighs are today. It’s like everything I’ve lost recently seems to be in my thighs. It also seems like my hips measured 44in just a couple weeks ago. The last 5 pounds have just looked more significant. I don’t know why but the appearance has just shifted more with these recent lbs. I’m going to try not to eat a second meal today and see if I can do it. Not a must, but I think it would seal the deal for 160 by Tuesday if I could. I just want to be in the 150’s so bad. I feel like I can start living then. 

Measurements 8/17/20:

Biceps - 12inches

Waist - 36.5

Hips - 46.5

Calf - 16

Thigh - 26

Measurements 5/9/21:

Biceps - 11

Waist - 31

Hips - 41

Calf - 15

Thigh - 22

Pleasant Surprises

 I randomly managed to hit 162 today. I thought it would be a miracle to be 163 and yet somehow I passed it. I started a new antidepressant a couple weeks ago that’s essentially an upper. My heart rate has increased fairly significantly and I credit my recent bump in weight loss primarily to its appetite suppressant side effects as well as increased metabolism. I guess a small blessing was that I barely finished my dinner tonight. I barely ate today but my salad I normally love was just off today. I decided to just save the calories and hope that maybe I can see the 150’s sooner than later. 

The thing that’s so encouraging to me is for years I’ve stayed away from ANYONE that knew me thin. I was too embarrassed. My old coworker used to give me a hard time about being even 140 back in the day. He wanted to hang out last summer and I made up plans because at that point I was 200. I can’t wait to be “present” in the world again. I’ve spent years staying in and not doing things just because I felt so uncomfortable, ugly, and embarrassed. 

I know in the 150 range I was still attractive. I remember guys still liking me then and easily getting dates so I know I’m also back in business. Also I’ll finally feel good meeting my coworkers at this weight. I just want to be 150 when that happens so I’ve got to stay busy.

I did work out today. Very mild workout(30 min walking mostly), but decent and important to do.

Checking in at 164

 So it’s been much slower than I would have hoped, but it’s been steady. I’ve lost 36 lbs over the past 9 months. In my life I’ve never approached a diet in such a balanced and healthy way. I eat low carb and I generally lose 1lb a week. I’m not depriving myself but I eat 2 meals a day and around 1200-1300 calories. I eat eggs with 2 slices of cheese and low carb ketchup every morning. I then have a huge salad mid afternoon with ground turkey, cheese, and a low carb/Hugh fat dressing. When I really want something extra I have a keto ice cream bar. 

As the title says I’m 164 today. This is always a significant point for me because it puts me in the “healthy” BMI range. I can finally really see differences and it’s at this weight I start to look a little thin. Obviously not legit thin, but just normal. I’m on vacation this week and hoping I can hit 160 by Monday. That’s 4 days away and probably completely impossible, but it’s a stretch goal. 

The last time I comfortably dated and had guys attracted to me was in the 150’s so I’m eager to be there. 

I found some old clothes I’d planned to donate because I’d given up ever trying to fit in them again. Not only to some of them fit, but some were loose!! It’s things like that that drive your motivation to continue.

179 and a lot of drama

 I’ve totally lost my way. This weekend was going to be this amazing push where I got well within the 170s but I’ve totally stalled. Last week I was 100% following my diet and losing nothing. Friday I went tanning and burnt myself terribly only to be even heavier on Saturday. Turns out sunburns cause water retention. So I didn’t lose anything that day. Then Sunday pretty much same thing. Can’t remember the exact number but probably 181/182.

Monday was my day to really come out of the plateau and I did....barely. I hit 179, but I’m not completely convinced it was real even though I hit it twice. The scale was just being kind of bizarre so idk.

In any case, I logged it. So 21 lbs down.

The weekend was horrible though in terms of diet. I never completely blew it, but they were high calorie days - like 700/800. Tuesday is when I really cheated and had 1000 calorie day, as well as, higher carbs. I think I netted around 40. 

Yesterday I was at 800. I don’t consider yesterday a cheat because my calories were made up of still “on plan” food like broccoli, but just too much.

So anyways, I’m not where I need to be. I weighed in at 186 today, but I majorly swollen. Like my eyes are small I’m so swollen. I think I ate a lot of salt the past two days and higher carbs don’t help either.

Today I’ve got to be back. My period starts this weekend and honestly I’m having a lot of emotional PMS symptoms so I can only imagine how much it’s impacting me physically. I know my period stops my progress every time, but if I can push past this - I will see a major change.

I can’t forget all my goals. Yes, this week has sucked, but it’s my period - I can still do this. I just have to fight. 

This is happening

 So I believe the last day I wrote was the day I decided I needed to up my calories/carbs for a day. I was worried I was really going do to some damage because I had burned SOO much and done so on practically no carbs/calories. I felt like my kidneys were hurting.

That day I think I had 30 carbs, but 20 or less net carbs. Calories were 660. 

I’m actually really proud of that because that’s something I never had control with before. Being able to increase or decrease based on physical needs and not just from “wants”. 

In any case, I’ve lost nothing. In fact yesterday I couldn’t get the scale off 184/185. I know I haven’t actual,y gained weight, but something weird is going on with water retention. Tuesday I took one laxative - a mild one and I think it’s kicking in today.

I was 182 today so I’m hopeful one that kicks in and I lose some of this water Renton I can be 178 this weekend.that will be my thinnest for the year so far. 🙄 well actually 177 will be my thinnest, but prior the thinnest I’ve been this year is 178 back in early April. 

I’m trying not to get totally hung up on the scale and just focus on maintaining my diet. I know I’m in a huge calorie deficit and that’s what matters most. I’m also 11lbs from the 60’s and less than 20 from “healthy”. 

I cut off my hair this past weekend and I’m going and getting it dramatically colored this weekend. I haven’t done that in years because my hair is my security blanket and I always hide my weight behind it. Short hair is exposing. I always think I’ll do things like this once I lose the weight, but it was important for me to just do it because I AM GOING TO LOSE THIS! This IS happening and I have to keep it real this way. 

Phases

 

Well after an amazing weekend.... it’s all over. 

Yesterday I was 181. This was after an intense workout of pushing myself past what I would have ever thought I had in me. My total burn yesterday in elevated heart zones was over 1000 calories which I haven’t done in any recent memory. 

I had a net difference of around 5000 calories total the past two days so it’s discouraging when there is no reward for the effort.

In any case I weighed in today at 182..... 🙄

The only difference yesterday was I allowed myself a jello cup. I was genuinely worried yesterday because I felt so sick last night and my keystones registered crazy high at one point yesterday. I was worried I was experiencing ketoacidosis(sp). 

I just was really lightheaded and I had a bad headache. 

In any case, regardless of the scale I know how hard I’ve worked. I’m taking it easy today and the most I’ll do is walk to get my mail, but otherwise I’m resting.

I think I’m retaining water and that’s more of the issue right now, but I’ve been drinking a lot in an attempt to flush out any retention. I’m talking 96oz. At least.

It will catch up eventually, but I just wish it was sooner, I want to see the 70’s. 

On a roll

 

I felt like if I would just hold on during my plateau last week, I would then see a massive drop. I was right! I’m 180 today. I busted my butt on the treadmill today and yesterday. While it’s sad that 20lbs down still means I’m 180.... it’s progress and the 70’s could be here tomorrow!

I’m eating the same thing pretty much everyday because it’s satisfying and it’s getting the job done.

Super lean pot roast meat: 300ish

Broccoli: 100ish

Occasionally I add in sugar free jello if I need something sweet.

400 calories is a sweet spot I think because I’m satisfied and never starving. I actually did a 400 calorie diet back in maybe 2005 and lost a good bit. 

The 60’s are 11lbs away. I can do this!