2013 Year-End Stats

Starting weight : 189.0 lb

Ending weight : 142.2 lb

Change : 46.8 lb lost (average 3.9 lb lost per month)


Going from the start of 2013 to the end with weight doesn't accurately reflect the loss for the year, since I was still pregnant at the start and the numbers went up for the first two months of the year, up to 200.4lbs.  The total loss when looking at the weight that was shed would be 58.2lbs and that was all lost in the last 10 months of the year, which made the monthly average when it came to weight lost 5.82lbs lost per month.  

This year has been absolutely phenomenal when it comes to weight loss.  I really had no idea that I could lose almost 60lbs in 10 months while caring for two young children.  In the 10 months following Brady being born, I only lost 44.2lbs and weighed almost 30lbs more than I do today.  I am at my lowest ever on program and also the lowest I've been since middle school.  I'm in clothes sizes I would've never dreamed of being in.  I look better than I did the day I graduated high school and also the day I got married.  Sometimes I really can't believe how far I've come in the last 7.5 years on Weight Watchers, it's truly changed my life.  I know my kids will be healthier because I'm healthier and that's more than I could ever ask for.

This year was huge in terms of weight loss and obviously I'm at a point where there's not much left to reach my ultimate goal.  I have 12.2lbs I still want to lose before I'm ready to stop with weight loss (but the journey to maintain is just as hard).  I would like to do that before my 10-year high school reunion in July, but would be happy to see it before we ring in 2015.  That's an average of 1lb per month, which I can see being totally achievable.  My biggest benchmarks will now be seeing the inches go down rather than the pounds.  I'm at a very healthy weight, so if that doesn't change and the inches still come off, I won't obsess about the number on the scale.  Here's to a happy and healthy 2014!

Weigh-in for 12/13/2013

Last weigh-in (11/24/2013) : 143.2 lb

This weigh-in (12/13/2013) : 142.2 lb

Change : 1 lb lost

Total weight loss since Izzie : 58.2 lbs


It's Friday the 13th and while I am superstitious to an extent, I believe you make your own "luck" when it comes to weight loss, so I wasn't too afraid of getting on the scale this morning.  There was some apprehension as I had spent two whole weeks out of the gym due to the kids getting sick, and then giving it to me.  Also, in addition to a Thanksgiving weekend full of food, the week after wasn't easy either.  There were only two or three days in the last two weeks where I ate both meals at home.  My mental visualization of eating badly is that I balloon up.  I think that my clothes will stop fitting and while it may happen in the course of a month or more, a week here or there wouldn't do that (unless you were carrying some serious water weight or had a thyroid problem).  

Christmas for my kids is tomorrow, hence the Friday weigh-in.  Tonight will involve baking cookies and hanging stocking to be filled with candy and other treats.  I will weigh-in next Friday before heading out of town for two weeks, but I allow myself some treats here and there.  Especially since this coming week means making dozens of cookies.  How could I resist tasting a few?  I'll just make sure I make the most of my last week in the gym before the new year and finish out strong.

Weigh-in for 11/24/2013

Last weigh-in (11/16/2013) : 144.8 lb

This weigh-in (11/24/2013) : 143.2 lb

Change : 1.6 lb lost

Total weight loss since Izzie : 57.2 lbs


I said I was going to buckle down this week and I kept that promise.  I'm happy that I could get a good loss under my belt before Thanksgiving when everyone overeats to some extent.  My family comes to us and we have a full weekend planned of eating our hearts out. I'd be crazy to weigh-in next weekend in the middle of that, so the next weigh-in will be after I've had a week of damage control.  Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

November 2013 Measurements

Hips

•  Last month (10/19/2013) - 39.25 inches
•  This month (11/16/2013) - 38.75 inches

Waist

•  Last month (10/19/2013) - 29.5 inches
•  This month (11/16/2013) - 28.5 inches  

 
Bust

•  Last month (10/19/2013) - 36.5 inches
•  This month (11/16/2013) - 36 inches

Thighs

•   Last month (10/19/2013) - 20.5 inches each
•   This month (11/16/2013) - 20 inches each 

Arms

• Last month (10/19/2013) - 10 inches each
• This month (11/16/2013) - 9.75 inches each

The last month hasn't yielded too much lost on the scale (less than 2lbs), but the inches are still coming off and that's what matters when it comes to clothes fitting better and seeing changes in yourself.  While I've set a weight goal for myself, as long as the physical changes are still happening, I won't stress too much if the weight comes off more slowly from this point forward.  I probably won't post arms or bust unless there's a major change from this point as well as they are getting to the point where there isn't much more to lose in those areas.

Izzie started taking swim lessons a few weeks ago and that meant I was back into my bathing suits (and more specifically my bikinis) for the first time since August.  I had taken a selfie the first time I wore it during the summer, which was in the middle of July at 163lbs.  Since then, I've had to tighten the straps on the top and moved to a smaller bottom size, in addition to being down about 20lbs, so I decided to take another shot to compare the difference.  It's hard for me to notice other than clothing sizes changing, so this was pretty shocking even for me to see.  I'm not super model skinny, but man have I made a difference.  Four months saw 20lbs gone, in addition to 2.75 inches from each thigh, 3 inches from my bust, 3.5 inches from my waist, and a whopping 4.5 inches from my hips.  I am currently at my lowest hip and waist measurements since starting Weight Watchers 7.5 years ago (and who knows how long before that).  I hope to make even greater changes before the summer!

Weigh-in for 11/16/2013

Last weigh-in (11/2/2013) : 144.4 lb

This weigh-in (11/16/2013) : 144.8 lb

Change : 0.4 lb gained

Total weight loss since Izzie : 55.6 lbs


Well, I'm certainly human and the last two weeks I've kinda enjoyed myself eating wise.  I've not had a full week in the gym either week, but went which is the important part.  There was Halloween candy in the house and while I was good leading up to Halloween, you can only walk by it so many times without having some.  We had a trip home and there was lots of eating out.  I usually make good choices at restaurants, but not so much these times.  All I can do is shrug it off and work hard this week so I can have some loss before Thanksgiving week when I know I'll be enjoying some good food.

Weigh-in for 11/2/2013

Last weigh-in (10/26/2013) : 145.2 lb

This weigh-in (11/2/2013) : 144.4 lb

Change : 0.8 lb lost

Total weight loss since Izzie : 56 lbs


The Weight Watchers scale was kind to me this morning, as my own scale didn't have me down so much.  I'll probably pay for it next week, but right now I don't care.  That's a decent loss for a week where I only made it to the gym twice and of course, it was also Halloween week.  I definitely implored my will power this week, as I only allowed myself three pieces of candy in the last two days.  We also went over to a friend's house after Trick-or-Treat and they had pizza.  We had already eaten before the kids went out, so I just enjoyed the company and didn't eat anything.  There were plenty of times in the past where I'd say, "Screw it," and eat the pizza anyway.  That shows how far I've come in the last seven and a half years.  There are certainly times when I allow myself to overindulge, but I have to pick and choose.  I can't do it every time that I might want to.  If I didn't allow myself some things that aren't so great for me, I'd never be able to stay on program and this is something I have to maintain for the rest of my life, so I have to make concessions sometimes.

October 2013 Stats & November Goals

Starting weight : 149.8 lb

Ending weight : 145.2 lb

Change : 4.6 lb lost (average 1.05lb lost per week)

This time last year : 178 lb (21 weeks pregnant)


My goal for October was to get to pre-Germany weight (148.2lbs) and I certainly achieved that and more.  I write weight changes on my calendar hanging in the kitchen and Andy saw the start and end weight for the month and couldn't believe how much I'd lost in a month, especially being in a healthy weight range already.  I know that it's not going to keep up like this and the weekly numbers most week have tapered off.

I have 15.2 lbs to go before I reach my ultimate goal of 130 lbs.  I know I set that for early July, but we head to California in mid-May and I'd love to be there by the time we head out there.  That's six and a half months away and that means I need to average about 2.3lbs per month to get there.  There will be four weigh-ins this month, so I will shoot for an average of 0.6lb per week and a total of 2.4lbs.  I'd love to be at the 140lb mark by Christmas and that will get me halfway there.

Weigh-in for 10/26/2013

Last weigh-in (10/19/2013) : 146.2 lb

This weigh-in (10/26/2013) : 145.2 lb

Change : 1 lb lost

Total weight loss since Izzie : 55.2 lbs




At this point in my journey (only partially breastfeeding and getting closer to my goal), 1lb is really great.  There are so many people who quit Weight Watchers because they're only losing about 1lb per week.  ONLY?!?!?!  If they knew how hard it was for some people to put a pound per week, and how much harder it is to do alone, they might stick with the program.  They say it must not be working if they're losing so little.  It's not like we're on the Biggest Loser and expected to put up 8-10lbs or more per week.  We are normal people who don't spend 8 hours each day in the gym.  Most of us have jobs or children, along with many other responsibilities.  In the real world, 0.5-2lbs per week is an amazing weekly average, as there will be weeks when you maintain or gain even.  I've been doing this for almost exactly seven and a half years and I've come to the point where I don't take a single tenth of a pound lost for granted.  It's way too easy to put it back on so any small number is hard won.


This week I noticed something when I got on the scale.  I normally only look at the big number (usually holding my breath while waiting for it to pop up), but we have a fairly nice scale that tells you other things as well. One of those things is body fat percentage.  I guess the reason I don't tend to look at that number is that I have always seen it over 30%.  That doesn't surprise me anymore, but in high school, we took fat percentage in health class.  I remember how shocked and embarrassed I was when mine came out to 33%.  Women of course have more than men, but that was a very high number (considered obese, but looking back that doesn't surprise me).  The number I saw today was 27.3%!  Not just slightly below 30%, but almost a full 3% lower.  Compared to the other times I've lost large amounts of weight, I'm working out much more and therefore am replacing the fat with much leaner muscle mass.  The average body fat percentage level for women is 25-31% (18-24% for men) and the fat percentage at the fitness level is 21-24% for women (14-17% for men).  I have confidence that I can reach that fitness level by the time I get to my ultimate goal.  As it is, at the dentist, they took my resting heart rate and were shocked at how low it was - 58 bpm.  They then asked if I'm an athlete (which I almost snorted in laughter over) or I exercise.  I said I do exercise and that put them at ease.  Later, Andy was telling me about his resting heart rate and when I told him mine, he said that's at the level of athletes.  I guess all my working out is helping me in many more areas than just dropping pounds.

October 2013 Measurements

 
Hips

•  Last month (9/15/2013) - 40.25 inches
•  This month (10/19/2013) - 39.25 inches

Waist

•  Last month (9/15/2013) - 31 inches
•  This month (10/19/2013) - 29.5 inches  

 
Bust

•  Last month (9/15/2013)   - 38.5 inches
•  This month (10/19/2013) - 36.5 inches

Thighs

•   Last month (9/15/2013) - 21 inches each
•   This month (10/19/2013) - 20.5 inches each 

Arms

• Last month (9/15/2013) - 10.25 inches each
• This month (10/19/2013) - 10 inches each

The measurements have at last lined up with my lowest weight from December 2011 (148.2lbs), with some being lower.  The waist is what I have been waiting for to catch up and it's exactly what it was at it's lowest almost two years ago.  The thigh and hip measurements are lower than they've ever been, with the hips coming in at under 40 inches.  I have the makings of an hourglass figure, but my hips have always been a problem, making me look more like a pear figure.  My ultimate goal when it comes to these measurements is the get the hips and bust at the same size. 

I have taken bust measurements since Izzie was born, but they were pretty stagnant because of breastfeeding.  This was the first time I'd seen any change, so I decided to include it.  I went from a 36D to a 34D within a year of starting weight watchers.  After Brady, while nursing I went up to a 40DD and it took months after I stopped to even get into a 38D.  I was finally at a 36D when I got back to pre-pregnancy weight after him and stayed there until I got pregnant with Izzie.  Because I full-time nursed her, I was still able to get into a 38D when necessary, but mostly wear nursing bras that didn't have cup sizes.  I've realized through this journey that I will not be losing the cup size no matter how much I lose (not the case with most people), so the band size is the only thing of which I have control.  I sometimes have to go up a shirt size to accommodate my bust size and then the waist is way too big, so if I can lower the band size, it should hopefully open up smaller shirt sizes to me.

I am amazed at how fast my "skinny" clothes are becoming too big for me.  My medium pants are almost to the point of falling off, so I've resorted to wearing either my small sized yoga pants, jeans, or my medium leggings.  I'm sure soon, I'll have to get some new pants, but I'd like to wait until I'm closer to my ultimate goal (130lbs) before I do so that I don't have to buy even smaller ones when I get there.  My rings are getting very loose and I'm also holding off on sizing them down.  I imagine sometime after Christmas, if not before, it will become a necessity.

Weigh-in for 10/19/2013

Last weigh-in (10/12/2013) : 146.8 lb

This weigh-in (10/19/2013) : 146.2 lb

Change : 0.6 lb lost

Total weight loss since Izzie : 54.2 lbs


A big week followed by a small week is the way it works and I'm more than happy to see any small loss over a gain.  As long as I'm chipping away at the weight to reach that final goal (130lbs), I'm ecstatic about it.  This week had only one day in the gym due to illness (both the kids and me) and other scheduled appointments.  This coming week has me slated for four days to make up for it.  I've got to work hard leading up to Halloween so I can enjoy some candy :)

Setting My Final Goal

Well, I've made it to pre-Germany weight and have even dipped below it.  That was the goal I set for myself to reach before Christmas, so now it's time to set my new, and final, goal for myself.  The healthy weight range for my height (5'6") is anywhere between 124lbs and 155lbs.  The ultimate number I want to reach is 130lbs, and I would like to reach that by the time I get to my 10 year high school reunion in early July.  I want to look so good that people don't even recognize me.  I have just under  nine months to lose 16.8lbs, which means I need to lose less than half a pound per week in order to reach this final goal.

130lbs has been a number in my head for a long time, since I was a teenager.  The last time I was 130lbs was when I was 14 and at that age, I was just over five feet tall, so it wasn't a healthy weight for me at that time.  I was huge into Friends and I would read articles about how Jennifer Aniston was having a hard time getting her big break because she was overweight.  Even having a father in the business wasn't enough to get her the jobs she wanted.  She was 5'6" like I am and weighed 160lbs.  She went out and lost 30lbs and then landed her huge gig on Friends.

A 30lb difference from 160lbs to 130lbs (although I'm pretty sure there have been many times when she's gone lower than that).

Although Jennifer Aniston's story is what got the number in my head, there was a bigger inspiration that lead to the body that I would like to have.  I have watched Days of Our Lives since I was Brady's age or even younger.  Alison Sweeney has been on the show for over 20 years and I used to watch when she was just a chubby teenager.  She went on to lose a ton of weight and eventually landed herself as the host of The Biggest Loser.  She's well endowed like myself and has also had two kids.

Just about a month ago, she was on the cover of Shape magazine and my mom brought it to my notice while we were getting our hair done.  She looks amazing!  She's 36, so nine years older than myself, and I can only hope that I look that good by the time that I'm 36.

My butt has been a huge sticking point in my weight loss and something I've heard criticism about my whole life from multiple sources.  Andy decided to catch a shot of me from behind last night and made a point of showing it to me to show me how small he thought it was looking.  Of course, it's not small in comparison to most, but it's small for me.  It's hard to ever see yourself from behind, so I'm glad Andy was able to show me that my hard work is making a difference.  I've already bought my bikini's for next summer on clearance and I have this image in my head of how I'll look in them at my final goal and this is when it's really going to happen.

Weigh-in for 10/12/2013 ~ New Lowest Ever!!!

Last weigh-in (10/5/2013) : 149.0 lb

This weigh-in (10/12/2013) : 146.8 lb

Change : 2.2 lb lost


Total weight loss since Izzie : 53.6 lbs


I finally did it! Exactly 20 months and 3 weeks after I stepped on the plane to Germany, I am back at the weight I was that day!  Coming home 20lbs heavier and being pregnant before we got home, watching the weight creep up for another nine months, I despaired that I might never get back here again in those darkest of days.  I kicked that attitude in the butt the minute Izzie was born and decided that I would be there before Christmas.  Hard work, determination, and sheer willpower are what led me back here and not only did I reach that weight, I blew through it!

It's time to start thinking about a new (and final) goal before I start the long lifetime- journey of maintenance.  I'm not done having kids, so there will come times when it becomes necessary to kick it into weight-loss mode once again, but by reaching my ultimate goal before then, I will have less to lose before maintenance become the norm again.  So much of my family hasn't seen me in months and I'm excited to blow everyone away when I next see them.  My 93 year old grandma sees us maybe once a year (if that) and the last two times she saw me was when Brady was 10 months old (170lbs) and last year when I was seven months pregnant with Izzie (189lbs).  She's likely to think I'm sickly because she's never seen me thin.

Weigh-in for 10/5/2013

Last weigh-in (9/27/2013) : 149.8 lb

This weigh-in (10/5/2013) : 149.0 lb

Change : 0.8 lb lost

Germany weight loss : 19lb of 19.8lb gained
Total weight loss since Izzie : 51.4 lbs


Less than 1lb to go before reaching pre-Germany weight!  I almost can't believe I'm almost back there.  I thought back in April when I set this goal for myself (at that point it required a 1lb per week loss average) that perhaps it was setting my sights a bit too high.  I have made it six straight months in the gym without taking more than a week off for travel or unforeseen incidents like the kids getting sick.  I've never made it more than two or three consecutive months before now and the results are astounding.  My dad always thought he was so smart saying the way to lose weight was "eat less, exercise more" and after all these years, I've finally come to the conclusion that you need both of those things and I'm glad I figured it out sooner rather than later.

September 2013 Stats & October Goals

Starting weight : 154.8 lb

Ending weight : 149.8 lb

Change : 5 lb lost (average 1.2lb lost per week)

This time last year : 172.5 lb (17 weeks pregnant)


My goal for September was to lose 3lbs and I was more than happy to have lost more than that and break back into the 140s for the first time since December 2011.  We took family portraits earlier in the month and it was the lowest weight (154lbs) that I'd ever been when taking them since Brady was born.  Not traveling most of the month was very helpful in the weight loss for the month as there was more time for the gym and less time eating bad food.

October is here and I have one goal - to reach my pre-Germany weight of 148.2lbs, which is only 1.6lbs from where I am currently.  That would require only 0.4lb loss per week for the full month.  I set this goal for myself shortly after Izzie was born and I wanted to reach it by Christmas.  The weight has come off much faster (with a lot more hard work this time around) than it did after Brady.  I am down 50.6lbs since Izzie was born 7 months ago and that took me 15 months to do after Brady was born.  Once I break through that number, I will have to set a new goal for myself as I will be in uncharted territory.  I can't wait to get back there in the next few weeks and look forward to a new number.  It's only one step closer to getting to a point where I stop trying to lose weight and start to maintain, which has never happened in the over seven years of being on Weight Watchers.

Weigh-in for 9/27/2013 ~ Back in the 140s!!!

Last weigh-in (9/21/2013) : 150.8 lb

This weigh-in (9/27/2013) : 149.8 lb

Change : 1 lb lost

Germany weight loss : 18.2lb of 19.8lb gained
Total weight loss since Izzie : 50.6 lbs


I can't begin to tell you how good it feels to get under 150lbs again after all the struggles of the last 18 months.  In the back of my mind, I always wonder what would've happened weight wise had we not gone to Germany and it makes me a little sad.  I can't dwell on that now, especially since I am so close to getting back to where I was before we stepped on that airplane.

Losing over 50lbs in less than 7 months is something I never thought myself capable of, considering it took me over 5 years from my first day of Weight Watchers to get from where I started to get to lifetime weight (42lbs lost).  I have to give a big part of the credit to the work I do in the gym on a weekly basis.  In the past, I've tried to lose weight either through exercise or eating better, but never both at the same time until the last few years.  Using one or the other either led to no loss, or not enough loss to change much in the way of inches because the fat wasn't getting replaced by much firmer muscle mass.  

As an overweight and obese child and teen, I hated recess and gym at school.  I was never athletic in sports that required much speed.  My main sports were volleyball and swimming, and even in swimming, I was better at endurance than sprints.  I'm not proud of this, but there was even a time I pretended to sprain my ankle so I didn't have to go to volleyball practice one day because we were going to have to run.  Never would I have thought then that I'd be one of the regulars at the gym.  The people at the gym daycare know my kids the minute we walk in and if we miss a day because one of the kids is sick or we're out of town, they tell us that they wondered where we were.  There's more to it than just the physical benefits at this point in my life.  It's a mental release as well.  I get to have someone else watch my kids, while they get to run around and play with other kids and toys they don't have at home.  I get some much needed time to myself and I don't seem to mind too much that it's hard work.  It'll be weird when I have to shift to maintain mode and I don't go quite as frequently (likely twice a week instead of three times).

Weigh-in for 9/21/2013

Last weigh-in (9/14/2013) : 151.7 lb

This weigh-in (9/21/2013) : 150.8 lb

Change : 0.9 lb lost

Germany weight loss : 17.2lb of 19.8lb gained
Total weight loss since Izzie : 49.6 lbs 


Not bad for a week after a huge loss.  I'm sure I was eating a bit too much regardless of hitting the gym three times this week.  This was Izzie's second week on rice cereal twice a day.  The first week, she wouldn't eat the whole bowl and still mainly nursed, so I didn't change my daily target to adjust for her eating solids.  It didn't really impact my weight loss last week by not changing the daily target.  This week she was eating more, but I still didn't change it.  I could tell as the days went on this week that she was nursing less than the prior week.  I knew by this coming week when she starts veggies mid-day in addition to the cereal twice a day that I would definitely have to change it.  Now I have 33 points plus per day instead of 40.  In a way, it will be a welcome relief as there were many days where I plotted out my day in advance and had 20 points or more to blow on things that weren't my three main meals.  It will also help mentally prepare me for when she stops nursing altogether and I go back to 26 points plus per day like I was for so long.

September 2013 Measurements

  Hips

•  Last month (8/17/2013) - 42.5 inches
•  This month (9/15/2013) - 40.25 inches

Waist

•  Last month (8/17/2013) - 31.5 inches
•  This month (9/15/2013) - 31 inches 

 
Thighs

•   Last month (8/17/2013) - 21.75 inches each
•   This month (9/15/2013) - 21 inches each 

Arms

• Last month (8/17/2013) - 10.5 inches each
• This month (9/15/2013) - 10.25 inches each

Since the last set of measurements 6.3lbs has come off and the inches seem to have come off equally quickly.  Right now, the only measurement that isn't smaller than the last time I was at this weight (151.7lbs) is the waist measurement. That's still the same as about 15lbs up from last time, but that was also much longer after having a baby.  As long as the numbers keep going down at the waist, no matter how slowly, I'll be happy.  My hips are the smallest they've been since joining weight watchers!  That's my biggest problem area and the one I put the most focus on in the gym, so I'm thrilled to see the results.

I broke into my "skinny" clothes bin that had been packed away shortly after returning from Europe.  I was so bummed that they had only fit me for a few short months before the carbs and fat got me.  I tried on all the pants and some of the tops and almost everything fit comfortably!  I did a little happy dance thinking about all of the options I will have this fall.  

I spent most of my teen years hiding behind too large clothing.  I was uncomfortable in my own skin and didn't want people to see what I really looked liked.  I hated to wear jeans and even when I got rid of most of the oversized clothes, I lived in sweats or pajama pants.  Even after Brady, if I wore jeans out (which was rare), as soon as I came home, I changed into something more comfortable.  Now that I'm becoming more confident and comfortable in my clothes, I think that I'll be dressing a bit better.  Of course, if I'm not going out, I'm not going to go all out, but I think it's important for my kids to see their mom not slouching around out and about all the time.  A whole new world of possibilities is opening up for me.

Weigh-in for 9/14/2013

Last weigh-in (9/7/2013) : 154 lb

This weigh-in (9/14/2013) : 151.7 lb

Change : 2.3 lb lost

Germany weight loss : 16.3lb of 19.8lb gained

Total weight loss since Izzie : 48.7 lbs 


Mid-week I was at 153lbs, and because it was so cold this morning, I figured with pants on, I'd be lucky to get that at official weigh-in this morning.  My jaw dropped when I got on the scale.  The last two weeks have been more conservative losses, which were what I was going to expect going forward.  I couldn't believe I was still capable of a multi-pound loss!

It was a little cooler on Thursday when I had to take Brady to school, so I donned a pair of size 10 jean bermudas and a medium top (pictured above).  Andy knew the numbers were going down, but most of my summer clothes were so loose that it was hard to see the changes.  Finally able to wear more form fitting items in my wardrobe that have been either never worn or not worn in years, he could see the physical changes.  He was taken aback and couldn't believe it.  I never shy away from compliments because it helps boost my self-image, which has been badly damaged in the past.  

That same day, I went shopping for the kids and saw some pants I thought looked good and decided to try them on.  They were skinny jean capris.  I have never used the word skinny about myself and never imagined in my teen years of being either obese or overweight that I could squeeze myself into anything with the word skinny on it or manage to look good if I did.  I grabbed a size 10 and headed for the fitting room.  They were too loose and I grabbed a size 8 to try on (a size that hasn't fit me since Feb 2012).  When I got those on no problem I couldn't believe it!  I guess seeing the number on the scale only two days later, makes me realize I shouldn't have been so shocked.  I was in a size 8 around this weight last time.  I see that almost every item in my closet and my "skinny" bin fits now and I realize that if I keep losing weight they will no longer fit.  I've spent years building a full closet of clothes and I will be sad to see them go as I am attached to many items.  I guess I should look forward to building a new wardrobe.

Weigh-in for 9/7/2013

Last weigh-in (8/31/2013) : 154.8 lb

This weigh-in (9/7/2013) : 154 lb

Change : 0.8 lb lost

Germany weight loss : 14lb of 19.8lb gained

Total weight loss since Izzie : 46.4 lbs 


I wasn't planning on stepping on the scale this week after four days being away from home and eating out on the road.  I ate out several times, not only at fast food places, but sit down restaurants as well (including the super rich food at the Cheesecake Factory).  We got back on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning I was in the gym.  I tracked as soon as we got back, but that was only three days.  I knew I wasn't going to weigh-in, but decided to step on the scale to see what I had to work with this week.  I was not expecting a loss.  Izzie started rice cereal yesterday, so I'll be cutting back on breastfeeding and we'll see how it goes from there.  On another note, I wore my size 10 bermuda jeans yesterday!

August 2013 Stats & September Goals

Starting weight : 161.8 lb

Ending weight : 154.8 lb

Change : 7 lb lost (average 1.65lb lost per week)

This time last year : 171.8 lb (13 weeks pregnant)


This has easily been the biggest month of weight loss since Izzie was born (excluding March when she was born).  7lbs in one month is crazy and certainly not something I can expect all the time.  I'm sure some of it was rebound from getting back in the gym and working out after the beach and also after the funeral.  Nothing works better for weight loss than getting off track for a few days then getting back on.  Most weight loss plans have a "cheat day" and that's exactly why.

With only 6.6lbs til pre-Germany weight and four months to get there, I think it's time to scale back the monthly goals.  I will only be breastfeeding part time when we start solids in a week, so the weight is sure to come of more slowly after that.  I'm not even going to shoot for a pound per week this month.  There are four weigh-ins for September and I'd like to lose 3lbs.

Something that helps you along the way is taking pictures along with measurements.  I took the top set 6 weeks after Izzie on my first day back in the gym (179.4lbs).  The middle set was 16 weeks after Izzie when I had reached below pre-pregnancy weight (167lbs).  The bottom set was last night at 26 weeks after Izzie and back at Lifetime weight (154.8lbs).  It's hard to see a change in the day to day, but looking at it like this helps reaffirm that changes are happening.

Weigh-in for 8/30/2013 ~ Back at Lifetime Weight!!!

Last weigh-in (8/24/2013) : 155.6 lb

This weigh-in (8/30/2013) : 154.8 lb

Change : 0.8 lb lost

Germany weight loss : 13.2lb of 19.8lb gained

Total weight loss since Izzie : 45.6 lbs


I expected a smaller loss this week due to the huge month I've been having.  It's simply not sustainable to keep losing weight at the rate I have been.  This week is special because I made it back to lifetime weight!  My set goal is 155lbs and I'm finally below that again for the first time since February 2012.  My goal was to get here by the time Izzie was 6 months old and here we are just three days shy of when she turns 6 months.  I wasn't even at 40lbs lost by the time Brady was 6 months old.  I'm so close to pre-Germany weight that I can taste it!

Weigh-in for 8/24/2013

Last weigh-in (8/10/2013) : 159.0 lb

This weigh-in (8/24/2013) : 155.6 lb

Change : 3.4 lb lost

Germany weight loss : 12.4lb of 19.8lb gained

Amount needed to get back to WW lifetime weight : 0.6 lbs


I was so excited when I checked my weight this morning, that I jumped in the shower, got dressed, and ran to Weight Watchers to do an official weigh-in!  I almost couldn't believe it.  It's been two weeks since I last posted a weight, so it's 3.4lbs over those two weeks, but still I am excited!  I was able to get my free etools voucher for the first time since January 2011!  This is huge for me. 

I'm finally starting to get more comfortable and confident in my appearance.  It's a mental game as well as a physical one.  It's unbelievable to think that I spent five and a half years trying to get to goal before I got there, constantly going up and down in an effort to reach it.  Less than six months after having a baby (starting 3lbs up from when I walked in the door in 2006), I am less than a pound from it.  Granted, I had a bigger motivation this time, knowing what I was missing out on.  Hitting the gym on average 2-3 times per week played a huge roll and although I hate it going in, I can't deny that I love the results at the end of the day.

Izzie will start solids two weeks from today, so I have two weeks left of my breastfeeding powers.  I shouldn't really give breastfeeding all the credit.  Whenever I get compliments on my weight loss and Andy is within earshot, he goes, "Well, she loses it all because she breastfeeds."  I get very annoyed when he says that because he gives the breastfeeding sole credit.  I won't say that it doesn't give a very helpful boost, but I want some of the credit for busting my butt in the gym and watching what I eat.  There are plenty of women who breastfeed and have a very hard time losing weight because they don't know how much to eat and how to compensate for exercise.  It's a fine line I walk, and one that has been learned from experience.  I was certainly not down almost 45lbs with Brady at this point.  I've learned from past mistakes and used that to my advantage.  My goal of hitting my pre-Germany weight is so close and attainable that I can almost taste it.  I have 16 weigh-ins before Christmas and 7.4lbs to go, which means if I lose half a pound per weigh-in, I've got it.  I think the best Christmas gift I could give myself would be to get below that weight and push towards a new lowest weight!

August 2013 Measurements

 Hips

•  Last month (7/13/2013) - 43.25 inches
•  This month (8/17/2013) - 42.5 inches

Waist

•  Last month (7/13/2013) - 32 inches
•  This month (8/17/2013) - 31.5 inches 

 
Thighs

•   Last month (7/13/2013) - 22.75 inches each
•   This month (8/17/2013) - 21.75 inches each 

Arms

• Last month (7/13/2013) - 11 inches each
• This month (8/17/2013) - 10.5 inches each

No weigh-in this week because we had to leave town unexpectedly and I want to get a few gym sessions in before I step on the scale.  Two weeks left to lose 2lbs!  Since measurements don't change drastically in one week, I decided to do those this week to give me an idea of how things are progressing since last month.  I've lost 4lbs since the last set of measurements five weeks ago and I was pretty pleased with the results, considering two of those weeks were spent either on vacation or out of town.  In the back of my mind, I always wonder what they would be like if I'd been in the gym the whole five weeks, but I can't dwell on that.  I can only look forward.

My hip measurements are now exactly in line with the weight from two years ago.  I usually focus my workouts on the lower half of my body, so I'm very glad to see the hard work paying off.  The waist measurement is still from over 10lbs ago (last time), but Brady was just turning one, so it's definitely coming off faster this time around.  I was most pleased with the thigh measurements this month.  I was just about 150lbs when my thighs were last this size.  This is the first time the measurements have been better now than at a lower weight and that's exciting because I know when I get to that weight again, the measurements will be even better!  I can definitely tell a difference in the way clothes are fitting.  Two months ago, we attended a funeral and I was wearing size 14 dress pants and they weren't exactly comfortable to sit down in.  We attended another funeral this week and I was wearing size 13 dress pants and they were extremely comfortable.  Those who have worn both know that juniors and womens pants are cut very differently, so I was happy to be in a junior cut as well.  It was also nice that several people who had seen me only seven weeks ago (and 8lbs up) noticed and complemented me on my loss in such a short time.  I sometimes don't even see that much change (since I see myself in the mirror every day), so it's really nice when other people notice.  Once I get to lifetime weight again, I won't be fretting as much about the week to week weigh-ins, but will be focusing on the measurements more as they are what control the clothing sizes.

Weigh-in for 8/10/2013 ~ Back in the 150s!!!

Last weigh-in (8/3/2013) : 161.6 lb

This weigh-in (8/10/2013) : 159.0 lb

Change : 2.6 lb lost

Germany weight loss : 9lb of 19.8lb gained

Amount needed to get back to WW lifetime weight : 4 lbs


Last week was a small number, due to a week on vacation and getting back on track.  This week, I was on track all week and went to the gym three times.  I even decided to put in a little variation on my workout to make sure my body wasn't getting to used to it.  It all seems to have worked!  I haven't been under 160 since the middle of Germany, about 17 months ago.  Knowing I have three weeks to lose the 2lbs needed to get back to lifetime and not paying is so reassuring, because that's something I know I can achieve.  I went to the doctor yesterday and even while wearing a frumpy exam gown, she took one look at my face and asked if I'd lost weight.  That made me feel so good because she couldn't even see the change in the rest of my body, just my face.  Only about 10lbs left to get to where I was before Germany!  I feel like if I keep working, I'll hit it way before my goal of Christmas.

Weigh-in for 8/3/2013

Last weigh-in (7/19/2013) : 161.8 lb

This weigh-in (8/3/2013) : 161.6 lb

Change : 0.2lb lost

Germany weight loss : 6.4lb of 19.8lb gained

Amount needed to get back to WW lifetime weight : 6.6 lbs


I'm not shocked about such a small loss over the span of two weeks.  The previous weigh-in was one day before we went on vacation for a week and I ate what I wanted.  When I got back and stepped on the scale, I was only up 1lb (a miracle that give full credit to breastfeeding).  I spent two days in the gym making sure I took it off.  I would've been happy with a complete maintain but happy that I even got a tiny loss.  Now that we're back home, I can focus on my workouts and tracking so that I reach my goal of getting back to the lifetime weight by the end of the month.  My clothes have been getting looser and others fitting better, so I will be excited to take my measurements in two weeks.

July 2013 Stats & August Goals

Starting weight : 167 lb

Ending weight : 161.8 lb

Change : 5.2 lb lost (average 1.2lb lost per week)

This time last year : 168 lb (8 weeks pregnant)


This month was great and I surpassed my goal of 4lbs lost.  I'm back where I was almost exactly two years ago when I was on my biggest downswing and on the road to becoming a lifetime member.  If I was able to get to 148.2 lbs by Christmas then while not exercising as intensely and breastfeeding, I should be able to get there no problem if I stick to it. 

There are 20 weeks til Christmas and 13.6lbs to lose to make it to that goal.  That means an average of 0.7lb loss per week until then.  Going by that, I should be trying to reach a 3.4lb loss for the month of August.  Ideally, I want to be back at the upper level of my lifetime goal (157), so I'm going to shoot for that at 4.8lbs this month.  If I don't get there, I won't beat myself up since I've been doing so well and eventually the weight won't come off as fast.  If I get somewhere in between the two numbers I will be happy.

I was looking back at some old beach pics and wish I'd found this one yesterday before blogging about bikinis.  The one on the left with my brothers is from 2008 before I had either kid.  I feel way better about how I look now, considering my belly was worse before it was stretched out by two kids.  My goal is to look better at 30 (yikes, but still several years away) than I did at 16, 18, or even 20.

Taking the Bikini Plunge

A week before leaving for the beach, I had said that I wasn't going to wear my bikini at the beach.  I was at a lower weight than I'd worn them before, but didn't feel so great about myself.  I took them with me just in case.  A few kind words about my parents about how good I was looking (fully clothed of course) and I decided to take the plunge.  I only have one where the bottom was big enough so I did still wear my tankini as well.  Above is a shot of me lounging in that.

I know it's not great, but I take comfort in the fact that I've seen people who are quite a bit heavier than me wearing them and if they have the confidence, I sure can too.  My legs have never been great, and for only being four and a half months after having a baby my belly could be a whole lot worse.

 Two years ago, I weighed almost the exact same weight (down to 0.2lbs difference) and I was way more comfortable in my own skin.  It was, however, 17 months after Brady was born and all the skin had shrunk back into place.

I feel a whole lot better about things when I compare what I looked like after having Brady to now.  I wouldn't have even considered donning a bikini four months after he was born.  I was even wearing an XL tankini top.  On the left I was 183lbs four months after Brady at the beach, and the left is now at just under 162lbs.  Even though I started heavier this time, I made sure not to let the gain get out of control and have been working hard since being cleared for the gym.  I can be proud of myself for that.  Next year, I would like to be down 20lbs more than this year, which should be totally attainable if I hit my goal of 148lbs by Christmas.  I want to not have to be self-conscious and wondering what other people are thinking of me.  I've been obese and I should be proud that I can show off my transformation in progress.

Weigh-in for 7/19/2013

Last weigh-in (7/12/2013) : 163 lb

This weigh-in (7/19/2013) : 161.8 lb

Change : 1.2lb lost

Germany weight loss : 6.2lb of 19.8lb gained

Amount needed to get back to WW lifetime weight : 6.8 lbs


I am very happy with this number today as we get ready for a week at the beach.  Two years ago when we left for the beach, I was 161.6lbs, so I'm ecstatic to be almost exactly the same.  The first two years on program, I tracked at the beach and even went to meetings.  In over seven years, I've learned that you can indulge for a week and it won't kill you as long as you get back on track when you get home.  This is for the rest of my life and if I never got the chance to indulge once in a while, I'm sure I wouldn't be able to stick with it.

July 2013 Measurements

Hips

•  Last month (6/18/2013) - 45 inches
•  This month (7/13/2013) - 43.25 inches

Waist

•  Last month (6/18/2013) - 33 inches
•  This month (7/13/2013) - 32 inches 

 
Thighs

•   Last month (6/18/2013) - 23 inches each
•   This month (7/13/2013) - 22.75 inches each 

Arms

• Last month (6/18/2013) - 11.5 inches each
• This month (7/13/2013) - 11 inches each

I think my favorite measurement to watch go down is the hips, which has always been my problem area.  The lowest I have ever gotten my hips was 40.5 inches, so hoping to push through that when I get back to pre-Germany weight.  Although I love watching the hips go down, it's likely the waist that's what will keep me from donning my bikinis at the beach in a week.  They fit and I have worn them at higher weights before, but the "mommy belly" is still shrinking back to normal.  It's not bad when I'm standing or laying down, but sitting down, there's some pooch and I'm a bit self conscious about it.  Maybe next year.  A small victory was that I was finally able to wear those size 12 bermuda jean shorts comfortably.  That was a goal I set for my self to do before the beach and I did it!  

I'm finally starting to get to a point where my measurements are lining up with the weight.  The last time I was at these hip measurements I was 163.4lbs (163 now), but the waist measurements are still off as I was 174.4lbs.  I'm starting to look at it another way, though.  That was when Brady was 9 months old, so my belly and waistline are shrinking much faster, no doubt a testament to my hitting the gym on a regular basis for the last three months.  It does a lot for my self esteem to be getting into a more comfortable weight range and wearing some of my clothes again.  I really hated wearing bigger clothes after Brady, I just didn't feel like myself.

Weigh-in for 7/12/2013 ~ Back at Brady's Pre-Pregnancy Weight!!!

Last weigh-in (7/6/2013) : 165.8 lb

This weigh-in (7/12/2013) : 163 lb

Change : 2.8lb lost

Germany weight loss : 5lb of 19.8lb gained

Amount needed to get back to WW lifetime weight : 8 lbs


My jaw hit the floor when I stepped on the scale this morning and I did the biggest happy dance ever!  I couldn't believe the number I saw and even stepped on again to make sure it wasn't a glitch (which I have had happen before).  I don't know what I did this week because if I did, I'd be repeating it every single week to get the same results!  I can't believe I'm now at Brady's pre-pregnancy weight, something that took me 16 months to achieve after he was born (and Izzie is only a little over four months old).  I have only 6lbs to go before I'm free at meetings again and get free etools.  I have until the end of August and it seems so doable now.  I have one more week before vacation and I would like to drop at least one more pound to make up for anything I might gain while relaxing by the beach.

Weigh-in for 7/6/2013

Last weigh-in (6/29/2013) : 167 lb

This weigh-in (7/6/2013) : 165.8 lb

Change : 1.2lb lost

Germany weight loss : 2.2lb of 19.8lb gained

Amount needed to get back to WW lifetime weight : 10.8 lbs


I got my butt into the gym three times this week and it paid off.  We had guests over on Sunday night, so we made things that aren't necessarily the best and ate out on Tuesday, but working out (while eating well the remaining days) did the trick.  The Fourth of July was this week, which usually means eating bad at family gatherings, but we stayed home this year, so it was a day in the gym and eating healthy.  To hit my goal for the rest of the month, the next two weeks I need to lose 1.4lb average per week.

June 2013 Stats & July Goals

Starting weight : 172.4 lb

Ending weight : 167 lb

Change : 5.4 lb lost (average 1.2lb lost per week)

This time last year : 168 lb (4 weeks pregnant)


This is the first time in a long time where my ending month weight is lower than the prior year (at least 18 months), and that's very exciting.  This month was great.  I hit the 5lb goal that I set for myself and went below my pre-pregnancy weight.  Doing that in less than four months is a huge boost to my self-esteem as it took four times as long after Brady.

July is vacation month for us, which means I will only have three weigh-ins.  I want to be back at the buffer of lifetime (157) by the end of August so I took the weight (10lbs) and averaged it over the number of weigh-ins until then (8).  It came out to 1.25lbs per weigh-in.  That's just around the average per week for the last two months, so it seems doable.  So for July, the goal is 4lbs.

Weigh-in for 6/29/2013

Last weigh-in (6/20/2013) : 167 lb

This weigh-in (6/29/2013) : 167 lb

Change : no change

Germany weight loss : 1lb of 19.8lb gained

Amount needed to get back to WW lifetime weight : 12 lbs


I can't say I'm upset or surprised by the maintain of the last nine days.  I felt like I was getting away scotch free after graduation parties, funerals, and a baptism, along with constant road travel eating.  I was dropping weight like crazy despite all of that.  It finally caught up with me.  In addition to another traveling weekend, we attended a wedding and I certainly didn't count anything I ate.  I'll take a maintain over a gain any week and look forward to a full week in the gym for the first time in over a month!