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.

Weigh-in for 4/12/2014

Last weigh-in (3/22/2014) : 142.4 lb

This weigh-in (4/12/2014) : 142.8 lb

Change : 0.4 lb gained
 
Total weight loss since Izzie : 57.6 lb


It's been about three weeks since my last weigh-in and some weeks have been better than others in that time.  We've been to a record five birthday parties in the last eight weeks and another two weekends in there were my kids' birthdays.  It's hard to say no to cake every single week.  I didn't every time, but when you are tempted week after week, you give in.  The kids got sick . . . again, taking me out of the gym for a week, which never helps.  Even though my number seems to be hovering between 142-145lbs, my body fat percentage has decreased from 26.2% to 25.2% so at least some of the weight has become muscle rather than fat and I am happy enough with that.

I plan to do measurements to commemorate my one year gymiversary this weekend and I'm sure there will be changes there as well.  I can tell because the clothes sizes are going down in number.  I wore my size 8 bermudas the other day and they were super comfy and had me thinking I could get into a size 6, but they might be a bit restricting.  I bought a few new dresses for summer in general, a wedding, and my brother's college graduation.  I had been in the department stores and not seen anything I liked, so I looked online and saw one that might be nice, but I debated on which size to buy.  I settled on a size 10 because I really had never worn a dress in a size smaller than that.  A few days later, I saw the same dress in the store, in a size 8 and $20 cheaper.  I tried it on and it was perfect!

It's definitely not my normal style which is something that has a more flowing skirt to hide my hips, but I have been feeling more confident in how I look and decided to try something new.

I was heading out of the changing room when another dress caught my eye.  It was also on sale, but when I looked at the ones in stock, there was a size 6 and a size 10.  I figured the size 10 would be too big since I'd just gotten comfortably into a size 8.  I grabbed the 6 and headed back into the changing room, but not really expecting anything.

This is more my typical style, with a band right under the bust and flowing skirt.  To my complete surprise, the size 6 fit perfectly!  A size 6 has been the magic number in my head since I started losing weight almost eight years ago.  I still can't believe I did it!

There's still plenty of work to be done, in terms of body shape, even if the weight and clothing sizes stay relatively the same.  My goal is to have my ultimate body by the time I turn 30 (which is now 23 months away).  I plan to have another baby in that time, but now see that as an aid rather than an impediment to my weight loss.  I just have to keep working hard and keeping up a positive attitude.  I know now to appreciate what I have now instead of being down on myself for not being better.

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 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.

Weigh-in for 6/11/2013 ~ Back in the 160s!!!

Last weigh-in (6/1/2013) : 170.6 lb

This weigh-in (6/11/2013) : 168.8 lb

Change : 1.8lb lost

Total loss postpartum : 31.6lb of 32.4lb gained 

Amount needed to get back to WW lifetime weight : 13.8 lbs


Well, we unexpectedly had to make a trip home, so the weigh-in had to wait and I got it in yesterday (a week and a half since the last one).  I've been at home with my parents the last week, so I'm not in the gym and don't have my own stocked household.  There's certainly more eating out and situations where I haven't been able to control the food options.  All I have to say is thank goodness for breastfeeding.  I really thought the next two weeks would be a wash due to a disruption of my routine, but I'm so glad to see that I'm almost at pre-pregnancy weight!  Another exciting week was that I was able to wear size 14 dress pants and size 12 bermuda shorts.  Getting there slowly but surely!

May 2013 Stats & June Goals

Starting weight : 177.8 lb

Ending weight : 172.4 lb

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

This time last year : 166 lb


The goal for May was to lose 5lbs and I surpassed that with a lot of hours in the gym.  Each week had at least a 1lb loss and most weeks it was more than that.  I know that I won't be exclusively breastfeeding forever and once Izzie starts solids in three months, I'll lose a good amount of points plus per day from my daily target in addition to burning less calories from it per day.  That means I have to take advantage of every moment I'm still breastfeeding as it speeds up the weight loss.  I knew I could eat more and get away with it after Brady so I played around and didn't buckle down like I am now.

June will have five Saturdays and I want to average 1lb per week and have a total of 5lbs yet again.  That would put me below my pre-pregnancy weight with Izzie, which was 168lbs.  That would be a major accomplishment as she's just about to turn three months old and Brady was 16 months old when I got all of his pregnancy weight off. 

The major goal is get back to my lowest by Christmas and to do that, I need to average 0.8lbs per week.  It's very doable and I feel my clothes getting looser all the time.  Just the other day I tried on a pair of size 12 bermuda shorts that I had tried on three weeks prior and couldn't get zipped up.  Not only could I get them zipped up, but I had no muffin top.  They were still a little snug so I need to lose some more before I start wearing them again, but I know that before summer is over they'll be on again and comfortable.

Weigh-in for 4/27/2013

Last weigh-in (4/20/2013) : 179 lb

This weigh-in (4/27/2013) : 177.8 lb

Change : 1.2 lb lost

Total loss postpartum : 22.6lb of 32.4lb gained 

Amount needed to get back to WW lifetime weight : 22.8 lbs


I am more than pleased with this week!  I literally ate out at least once every day except two days this past week, due to being home and other circumstances.  I only made it to the gym once this week, but I made sure to make it count.  I finally made it through the full 33 minute cycle on the elliptical, at 75% of my normal (pre-Europe) capacity, but making it to the end was important.  In that one workout, which included elliptical, stationary bike, and weight machines, I burned over 450 calories, when I normally on burn about 300.  So in one trip, I did enough for half my normal weekly burn.

A small accomplishment this week was fitting into some of my fat clothes that weren't maternity.  I downsized my undies from XLs (yikes) to larges and was able to fit into my "fat" pants that I wore the fall after Brady was born.  It really helps your mindset to start getting into smaller clothes (albeit still large) so you know your hard work is paying off.  I almost can't wait for two more weeks so I can see where my measurements are.  The last set I took was the day before I went back to the gym, so I'm sure I'll see some improvement.

I can't tell you how glad I am that I didn't gain as much with Izzie that I did with Brady.  I started 5lbs heavier, but gained 20lbs less, putting me at 15lbs less than Brady on delivery day.  Comparing where I am now with how long it took me to get here after Brady makes me feel pretty good about myself. I'm 8 weeks postpartum today and I was 6 months postpartum when I got to this weight with Brady.  That's almost four months difference!

As for Andy, he has made zero change in the last two weeks.  His problem is that he isn't tracking what he eats.  He's been to the gym twice a week since we joined, but I know from experience, you can work out all you like and if you still eat badly, nothing happens.  If he still has no change next week, I'll be reviewing his tracking at the end of each day.

Scale Shock

Earlier this week I made some resolutions to get myself back on track.  Well of course, there's the initial reaction that you want to get being bad out of your system and that's just as bad.  Our friends had gotten me a Swiss truffle cake for my birthday, so that was eaten during the week.  I went out with friends a few times and ate badly.  I was just at a point where I couldn't help myself.


Yesterday was the first time I was on the scale since before Switzerland, which was only a week and a half before.  Before Switzerland, I was 154.6lb and when I got on the scale yesterday I was 159lb!!!  It was so shocking it took a few minutes to really sink in.  That means that not only have I gained almost 10lb in the two months that we've been here, I've gained 4.4lb in the last week and a half.  I could easily use traveling as an excuse, but that would be a lie because in all the trips we've made in the last year, I've come out with a loss at the end of the week.

I'm even 2lb above my buffer weight for lifetime, so I can't even think of going to a meeting to weigh-in for this month until I've lost that 2lb.  There are only two weekends left in March, so I am on the clock and that's never a good feeling.  It also doesn't help that Andy also got on the scale and hasn't gained a single pound the whole time we've been here.  I just don't understand how that's even possible since he eats a hot lunch at work every day and the Germans eat their "dinner" at our lunchtime.


Being here is hard with the lack of variety and light options, but I'm not making good options outside of the house.  I was at a point where I was always saying, tomorrow I'll start being better.  Then tomorrow would come and I'd be just as bad as the day before.  I can honestly say that although I've had upswings before, I've never put on weight this fast.


I've had several breakdowns over here, wanting to come home, and mainly it's due to weight gain and the never ending stream of temptations that I can't seem to turn down.  I see something good and I get it, no matter if I'm hungry or not.


Even before I started this blog, my weight issues have been a public struggle, so it's hard to separate my weight from my identity anymore.  Growing up, I was under constant scrutiny by my extended family.  Even when I was newly pregnant with Brady and had barely gained 3lb, I found out later that although they didn't know I was pregnant, they were discussing that I'd put on some weight.  I can't even imagine 3lb being that noticeable.  All my friends know I'm on weight watchers and as soon as anyone knows, I'm forever under the microscope.  People watch everything I eat, questioning whether or not I am even allowed to eat certain things.  It's a lot of pressure.  So when I got to 148lb and was starting to feel really great about myself, I was thinking that there was no going back, not only for my self-esteem, but because of what people would think or say about me.


I'm very self-conscious, even when I'm at my lowest weight.  I worry about what people will think about how I look in the clothes that I wear.  I've mentioned before that I'm not the type to dress nicely every day and that means even in jeans because I like to be comfortable.  Last night, I went out with some other mom friends here and because my jeans were tight, I had to wear yoga pants.  I was then thinking what they would think of me.  I didn't bring many nice things here because of the freight weight restriction.  I have a lot of sweats and right now only a few of them fit.  

I am horrified to think that I might have to resort to the few maternity pants I brought with me just in case we decided to try for baby #2.  At this point that's not even something we can discuss because the stress of being here, the new food situation, the time change, and the weight gain combined have completely stopped my cycle.  I've taken several pregnancy tests just in case and they are all negative, so that's not even a possibility.  It's crazy to think that something like a move overseas can affect your body so severely.


I've talked to some of the other ladies here who sympathize with me because they are in the same boat of wanting to lose weight, but it's difficult over here.  One lady walks with her daughter in the stroller every day to get her to sleep and takes the train to different parks in the city so it's not the same scenery all the time.  She has a monthly train pass and initially I thought it would be a wash for me because it would cost the same as if I took the train twice a week, which is what I was currently doing.  The more I thought about it, the better the monthly pass option sounded.  That would mean I wouldn't always need cash on hand if I wanted to get out of the house and I could go out every day if I wanted to and just walk if the weather is nice.  I also intent to get a monthly pass the the zoo in the next few weeks and that will be another great opportunity to get out and walk, and for Brady to enjoy as well.


It's going to take some major changes on my part, both in attitude and actions.  I don't want to come home two weeks before our beach vacation and not be able to wear my bathing suits, which I was started to get really comfortable about wearing at my lowest weight.  I would like to have a second child sometime in the near future and would hate to start at a higher weight than I started with Brady.

Single Digits!!!

Just before coming home for the holidays, I had tried on some dress pants and was in between sizes, so I bought a black skirt instead. If I'd bought the pants, I might not have worn them more than once and I knew I'd get more use out of the skirt. I had plans to buy some more clothes after the holidays because the spring/summer clothes will be in the stores and the clothes I had last summer are not going to be a viable option this year. It's not even worth my while to ship them to Germany.

This Christmas, my aunt decided to get me a pair of nice dress pants. She called me in to try them on because she had a back-up present just in case they didn't fit. They were a size 8, so I was really skeptical. I went upstairs and was stunned when they actually fit. She explained that they were a special "curvy" fit, which is just perfect for me. I was just thrilled to get into a single digit pants size for probably the first time since 7th grade when I wore a size 9.

Just yesterday, I went shopping to use a few gift cards I'd received as gifts. It was the perfect opportunity to see if those size 8 pants had been a fluke. I was in desperate need of some new jeans because all the ones I had were sizes 11 and 12, and I always needed to wear a belt to keep them up. I took three pairs into the dressing room. I decided to try the size 8 first, because I always try on the smallest first, because if they fit, there's no need to try on the larger sizes. They fit and I always try the "sit down" test and they worked out pretty well. I had pulled in a size 10 of the same jeans, so those immediately got set aside. I had also brought in a size 9 of a different cut (especially since they were a junior size instead of women's). They fit great with a tiny bit of wiggle room. I was so excited to walk away with two new pairs of jeans and both of them in single digits! The best part was that they were both on clearance, so I was able to pick up other things on the gift card and not spend a single cent.

Getting into these smaller sizes helps keep me on track because I want to get into smaller sizes. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I always thought a size 6 was a small size that was pretty average without being stick thin, so that's my ultimate goal. I'm only one size away and I can't believe it!

Small Victories - Pajama Pants

Most people who know me, know that I love to lounge around in my pajamas when I can. This time last fall, I bought probably my favorite pair of pajama pants of all time. I got them at Target and they were flannel with grey and white checks on them. My favorite part was that they had small lines of light blue and light pink edging the checks. The only thing I didn't like about them was that they were a size XL! I've always been bottom heavy, but even before I got pregnant I was wearing medium sized lounge pants. I was 175lb last fall, only about 10lb up from my pre-pregnancy weight. I had a hard time accepting that only 10lbs would put me up two pants sizes (general sizes, not numeric sizes).

The last time I wore those pajama pants was in April at Easter when we went home to Pittsburgh. It was cold there, when it wasn't down here, so I didn't wear them again. I've had my eye on a new pair (same brand and still at Target) for a while and was waiting until closer to my trip home this week. As luck would have it, they went on sale when I was going to buy them this week anyway. I went today and unfortunately, the brown and pink plaid ones I had my eye on were only available in sizes small and XL (I guess that's what I get for waiting). I did find another pair that was dark blue with light blue spots that was the same brand and took a medium into the dressing room to try them on. Not only did I get them on, there was wiggle room!!! Not enough wiggle room to consider trying on a small, and me even thinking that someday my butt could be a small blows my mind.