April Measurements (1 Year Gymiversary Comparisons)

Arms

• Last month (11/16/2013) - 9.75 inches each
• This month (4/13/2014) - 9.5 inches each
• Last year (4/13/2013) - 11.5 inches each

Hips

•  Last month (1/18/2014) - 38.5 inches
•  This month (4/13/2014) - 38.25 inches 
•  Last year (4/13/2013) - 47 inches

Waist

•  Last month (1/18/2014) - 28.5 inches
•  This month (4/13/2014) - 28.25 inches
•  Last year (4/13/2013) - 36 inches  

 
Bust

•  Last month (1/18/2014) - 35.25 inches
•  This month (4/13/2014) - 35 inches
•  Last year (4/13/2013) - 40 inches

Thighs

•   Last month (1/18/2014) - 19.5 inches each
•   This month (4/13/2014) - 19.25 inches each  
•   Last year (4/13/2013) - 24.5 inches each

It's been one year since I stepped into the gym for the first time after having Izzie.  I have never gone more than two months in a row being consistent with going to the gym before now.  I've spent a whole year being faithful to working out and am beyond pleased with the results!

In one year, I've gone from 179.4lbs to 142.8lbs, a net loss of 36.6lbs.  That number alone is so great, but when combined with the number of inches lost really blows my mind and you know I am easily my hardest critic.  2 inches from each arm, 8.75 inches from my hips, 7.75 inches from my waist, 5 inches from my bust, and 5.25 inches from each thigh, bring the total to 36 inches lost!  That's almost an inch per pound which is insane to me.  I went from a size 16 pants to a size 8 and a size 14 dress to a size 6.  In terms of general sizing, I've gone from XL to mainly M with some S mixed in here and there (usually in women's sizes not juniors).

I am beyond excited about buying all new summer clothes.  I am so glad I could do this before my kids no any better so as not to give them body image complexes.  I don't put myself down in front of them (not that I put myself down too much in my head anymore) and when we go to the gym, Brady knows I'm there to exercise, which is something he likes to do too in his own way.  There's no connotation about it being to lose weight.  He knows we eat good food so that we can grow healthy and strong.

Here is the ultimate comparison over the course of the last year.  The top pics are from the first day back in the gym when Izzie was 6 weeks old.  Second set was 10 weeks later at 16 weeks old, the third 10 weeks later at 6 months old, and the final set was after a whole year working out.  I still can't believe how much of a change I've made, especially when I don't see it until put like this.

January 2014 Measurements

Hips

•  Last month (11/16/2013) - 38.75 inches
•  This month (1/18/2014) - 38.5 inches

Waist

•  Last month (11/16/2013) - 28.5 inches
•  This month (1/18/2014) - 28.5 inches  

 
Bust

•  Last month (11/16/2013) - 36 inches
•  This month (1/18/2014) - 35.25 inches

Thighs

•   Last month (11/16/2013) - 20 inches each
•   This month (1/18/2014) - 19.5 inches each 

I didn't take measurements last month because due to holidays, travel, illness, and bad weather, in the last two months I've only made it to the gym an equivalent of what I would normally do in four weeks.  I didn't expect the change to be much in one month and as you can see, in two months there wasn't much change either.  There is a slight change in some areas and none in others, but anything staying the same or going down is good in my book, especially with Thanksgiving and Christmas coming between the two sets of measurements.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

June 2013 Measurements

Hips

•  Last month (5/10/2013) - 46.5 inches
•  This month (6/18/2013) - 45 inches

Waist

•  Last month (5/10/2013) - 34 inches
•  This month (6/18/2013) - 33 inches 

 
Thighs

•   Last month (5/10/2013) - 23.75 inches each
•   This month (6/18/2013) - 23 inches each

The last five weeks have been pretty good in terms of measurements and taking off the inches.  A total of four inches gone.  Clothes are definitely fitting better and I'm getting into smaller pants for sure.  I had to attend a funeral last week and was so scared that I wouldn't be able to fit into anything I had.  I was able to get into my size 14 black dress pants (that I bought at 9 months postpartum after Brady) and one of my regular dressy tops.  In addition to that, my size 12 bermudas (non-jeans) fit comfortably.  The jean bermudas are now able to be zipped up (with no muffin top) and I would imagine they will be comfortable within the next month.  That nursing dress I bought at the end of April and felt disgusting in due to how my hips looked, now fits better and I don't feel so self-conscious while wearing it.  I decided to splurge yesterday and buy some new nursing clothes for summer (til this point, I had three tank tops and one dress).  I was able to buy a medium dress and medium tank tops.  That feels soooo good.

The measurements still haven't caught up to the weight yet.  At these measurements after Brady, I was 177.2lbs, almost 10lbs heavier than I currently am.  The last time I was at this weight (168.8), my hips were 44 inches and my waist was 31 inches.  Hopefully in the next few months, we can get the two factors to start matching up.

May 2013 Measurements

Hips

•  Last month (4/13/2013) - 47 inches
•  This month (5/10/2013) - 46.5 inches

Waist

•  Last month (4/13/2013) - 36 inches
•  This month (5/10/2013) - 34 inches 

 
Thighs

•   Last month (4/13/2013) - 24.5 inches each
•   This month (5/10/2013) - 23.75 inches each

I've definitely noticed a change in the way my clothes have been fitting during the past month and have been able to move from my maternity pants to my "fat" pants.  Even though they're my bigger clothes, it's a step in the right direction.  I've spent the last four weeks since last month's measurements in the gym 2-3 times per week.  That certainly helps not only the weight come off a little bit faster, but also the inches come off.  I've lost a good bit of weight before and if I'm not in the gym, my shape doesn't change much.  I HATE working out during the workout, but feel amazing afterwards and love the results, so I make myself do it.  I wish I was one of those people who stayed thin without it, but I'm not.

The biggest change in the last month has been the waist measurement (loss of 2 inches) and I'm not too surprised.  The stretched skin going back into place is helping in addition to working out.  There's still some loose skin, but in time it will go back to normal, just like it did after Brady.  I wish the hip measurement change (loss of 0.5 inch) was more because that's my main problem area, but I'll keep working out and it will change.  I was very pleased with the thigh change (0.75 inch per thigh).  I've been adding a few new weight machines that I think have made a huge difference there.

The measurements are still a bit off in correlation with my weight from previous gains. The last time I was at these measurements was when I weighed 183lbs, exactly 8lbs higher than where I am now (last month the measurements were 10lbs off).  The last time I was at my current weight (175), my hips were 45 inches and my waist was 32 inches.

April 2013 Measurements

Hips

•  Last month (3/23/2013) - 48 inches
•  This month (4/13/2013) - 47 inches

Waist

•  Last month (3/23/2013) - 37.5 inches
•  This month (4/13/2013) - 36 inches 

 
Thighs

•   This month (4/13/2013) - 24.5 inches each

Taking measurements is just as important as weighing yourself because results tend to show differently based on activity level and diet.  In my mind, the measurements matter more than the weight because I'd rather fit in smaller clothes than see a super low number.

I've often mentioned that measurements and weight don't go hand in hand as you can put on weight differently each time you gain.  I am seeing this with my most recent gains via Germany and pregnancy.  The last time I was at these measurements was when I weighed 189.6lbs, almost exactly 10lbs higher than where I am now.  The last time I was at my current weight (179.4), my hips were 45.5 inches and my waist was 34 inches. 

Since my hope is to be below pre-pregnancy weight before the beach (where I was also comfortable in my bikinis), I not only have to hit the weight but the inches to be completely comfortable.  The summer I was at that weight and wearing my bikinis, my hips were 42.5 inches and my waist was 30.5 inches.  In order to get to those stats, I need to lose 4.5 inches off my hips and 5.5 inches off my waist in the next three months.  Hopefully, being back in the gym will help me meet that goal.