Based on the plan designed by my calorie counter app when I started this weight loss journey back in February, my finish line was set for July 18th. Because I tend function better with nice, round numbers, I gave myself a grace period until yesterday - six months on the nose since I began on February 1st.
The result?
Well, truth be told I fell a bit short of my goal. But, the 'bit' is only three pounds as of this morning's scale reading, and it's certainly nothing to quibble about given the thirty-eight pounds I did lose.
Yes, that's right. I said thirty-eight. Unbelievable, isn't it?
I'm rather amazed myself. I thought I would lose some weight, and maybe incorporate more physical activity into my daily life, and possibly drop a clothing size or two, but I never expected to actually come within inches of my goal in such a short period of time. The plan I chose was very aggressive, the workouts I picked were incredibly tough, and honestly I'm not exactly the most disciplined person at times. I had no idea change could happen so quickly, both physically and mentally, and my only regret is that I didn't do it years ago.
Life is now very different from that cold, winter day when I decided to take that first step and make some desperately needed changes - not just for me, but for Punky as well. While she still manages to eventually wear me out with her marathon bursts of energy, I keep up a hell of a lot better than I used to. Mommy is much more fun now, I'm sure, and we've been enjoying a very active, busy summer. I am happier, healthier, and more confident than I've felt in years.
I had my six-month thyroid appointment about two weeks ago. I have to say I was never so excited to stand on the scale in a doctor's office. January's number was burned in my brain and I couldn't wait to overwrite the data with some new, more acceptable digits. My doc was really impressed, not only with the weight loss achieved, but also with the fact that my thyroid levels were exactly the same as six months ago. I'm supposed to skip one pill a week, but the last few months I've been skipping two most of the time. I can tell when it gets too high, or too low, and I adjust accordingly. I'm glad she left my medication alone and didn't try changing the dose. She told me to keep doing what I'm doing because obviously it's working. And I'm happy to report that my vitamin D level has gone from dangerously low to perfect.
So, I guess it's time to get real about the numbers. On the morning of February 1st, I weighed in at 176 pounds. My BMI was in the obese category. Most of my size 14 clothes were becoming too tight and I had started replacing them with size 16. I hated what I saw in the mirror. I hated being so self-conscious about my appearance. I hated that simply chasing Punky across the room left me winded. I hated being so tired, so worn down, and so depressed.
This morning, just six short months later, the scale reading was 138. My BMI is in the normal range. When I bought some new clothes at the end of April, size 10 was a perfect fit. Since then, I have lost another 14 pounds so they are now on the donate pile as well. Size 8 pants are too big in the waist but comfortable on my lower abdominal c-section roll; six 6 fits my waist perfectly but can be a bit too snug on that mommy pouch depending on the brand. My sister even made me try on her size 4 jean shorts and I was surprised to see them slide so easily over my hips, but they were about an inch too short on fabric in the lower gut to actually get them zipped.
My original goal was 135 pounds. Now I've decided to shoot for 130 which would leave me smack dab in the middle of the normal BMI category for my height. It will be a slow process though. I will continue to exercise regularly and watch what I eat, but I want to really focus on learning how to maintain this level for a bit. I still plan to face the scale every morning because, for me, it really is the best way keep things in check. If it drops a bit here and there and eventually reaches 130, so be it, but I'll honestly be thrilled to stay anywhere in the 130's. I'm happy here.
Over the last few months I've written about my journey and all the things I learned along the way. I really don't have any new or exciting tips to share, but here are the things that I feel really made a difference and helped me achieve a goal I once thought impossible:
Weight loss is basic math. Calories in vs. calories out. Period. It's not really what you eat, or the type of exercise you do, that matters. What matters is the mathematical equivalents. Sure, some foods are clearly healthier for you and lower in calories than others, and some forms of exercise are tougher and more strenuous than others, and eating well and working out hard will surely tip the scales in your favor, but the bottom line is this: burn more than you consume. It doesn't get any simpler than that.
Strive for balance and don't deprive yourself. Losing weight doesn't mean you have to give up all your favorite foods and indulgences. It just means learning moderation and focusing on the big picture. I didn't give up any particular foods, I just learned how to accommodate them in my diet by lessening the frequency and portions while keeping an overall balance in mind. Sure, I've had days of complete overindulgence, but I worked hard before, after, and sometimes during, to keep their impact to a minimum. Again, it all goes back to basic math.
Get enough sleep. Seriously. I know as well as anyone how incredibly hectic and crazy life can be, but stealing extra hours at the expense of the good night's rest your body so desperately needs is never a good idea. Somehow I've managed to get my insomnia under control and establish a regular sleep schedule, with only an occasional off-night here and there, and I really think it's made a world of difference.
Take your vitamins, especially vitamin D. I spent years blaming my thyroid issues for my rollercoaster mood swings, but the doctor disagreed with me in January and pointed the finger at my extreme lack of vitamin D. I don't think it deserves all the credit, I mean eating right, excercising, and feeling better about myself in general has surely contributed to a happier me, but I really believe there is some truth to it. I feel calmer, more relaxed, and life is more like a train ride than a rollercoaster these days. Sure, there are some sharp turns and once in a while I hit some garbage on the tracks, but life seems to chug along steadily now. The extreme highs and lows no longer exist. There is no deep, underlying depression. I have a new level of control and balance in all aspects of my life.
And if you're looking to make a huge physical transformation in as little time as possible, I can't say enough about Jillian Michaels' workout videos. The woman obviously knows her stuff; my body is exhibit A. Her focus on a combination of strength training plus cardio really works and creates a lean figure in no time. In the beginning, you'll want to die. Trust me. But it's truly amazing how quickly your body will change, your endurance will skyrocket, and suddenly you'll skate through the circuits with ease. Okay, maybe not exactly with ease, I mean you'll still feel the burn and sweat buckets but you'll get through it without panting and gasping for air, throwing your hand weights at the TV screen, or calling her every name in the book.
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