SUCCESS IN INCHES

Almost a month later and I'm still at a plateau.  I've been very discouraged when stepping on that darn scale each Friday.  No matter how hard I try, the scale reads less than a  pound loss each week totaling only 8 pounds lost since June. 

While feeling discouraged, I read through my entire blog to remind myself of how far I've come and to take in some of my OWN positive thoughts.  I found one post particularly helpful, "Halfway There". 

In June, I was in a size 12 and very proud.  Just a few weeks ago, I purchased my first size 7/8.  I couldn't believe it.  The scale showed only 8 pounds but the inches indicated a loss of 2 pants sizes.   

Pounds v. Inches (Losing Body Fat)

By LaRue E. Cook

http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/Pounds_v_Inches_Losing_Body_Fat.html

Since a pound of muscle weighs the same as a pound of fat – but takes up less space, your increased muscle, reduced body fat and healthier body composition could mean little change in the number of the scale, but a great difference in how your clothes fit!

Remember, losing inches by reducing body fat and building muscle does not necessarily translate into lost pounds. It does however achieve the goal of fitting better into your current clothes, and improving your overall body composition. So in the battle of the bulge: Pay more attention to your inches instead of focusing on those pounds!

In my attempt to break through the plateau, I increased my exercising to at least 45 minutes EVERY DAY!  I purchased more challenging Leslie Sansone DVD's such as 4 Mile Power Walk, 3 Mile Mega Walk, 5 Mile Mega Walk, Mix + Match Walk Blasters and Belly Blasting Walk.  Each of these DVD's include cardio and toning.

Boosting the exercise and building muscle must have done the trick.  The loss was not in pounds this summer but inches.  I feel more successful now.  There is still a change.  The benefits are quite awesome, too.  Feeling thinner, more tone and strong.  All I have done was not in vain.  It's made a difference!  : )

LET THERE BE NO EXCUSES!

My hubby, Wendell, is a truck driver.  He mainly drives local but every once in awhile he gets to travel the countryside.  This last weekend, he invited me to go with him to Albuquerque, New Mexico. 

I jumped at the opportunity but immediately worried about getting my 10,000 steps in and making good food choices.  I had to make a plan and stay motivated.



Thunder cloud overhead....Wendell was glad to be back in the truck.  : )

My plan consisted of:

• Stocking his refrigerator with apples, carrots, grape tomatoes, grapes and light yogurts for snacks.
• Walking each and EVERY time we stopped whether that included walking around the truck and trailer or simply walking into the truck stops.

The first day, I was short on my steps by thousands so Wendell stopped at a WalMart that evening when he was on a break.  It was a HUGE WalMart!  Lucky for me!  I went walking up and down, through and around the isles.  Within 45 minutes, I was able to gain 5500 steps. 

When we reached our destination the next day, General Mills had this AWESOME trail for their employees.  We had to wait 4 hours to unload so I went a walk'in!  The temperature was cool due to a few clouds and it being morning so it was absolutely perfect. 

 

 

I walked 6 miles/over 11,000 steps with cute mile markers, lizards, Roadrunners, HUGE red ants and the cutest Jack Rabbit.  Albuquerque is a beautiful city, and General Mills sure knows how to construct a trail. YOU GO GENERAL MILLS!!!!

 

In summary.....

ALWAYS BE PREPARED.....YOU'RE WORTH IT!!!

THE DREADED PLATEAU!!!

“In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life. It goes on.” ~Robert Frost

 

Me....bottom row left...funky glasses, hair in pig tails with flowered flip flops

I've been the same weight for 3 weeks now and life still goes on.  The dreaded plateau has I come to pass.  I have JUST 3 choices.  No long list of decisions to make. Should be simple.

1. Give up and gain it all back
2. Quit, be content with my weight and maintain
3. Work harder and survive the slight hiccup in my life.

“Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.” ~Michael Jordan

 

UMMM.....I'll choose number "3" please for 36 more pounds!!

 

 

I decide to go through it!!  I can't go around it or climb over this obstacle.  This is something I have to go through.  I CAN and WILL succeed! Looking forward and visualizing my future will help me make my way through this stubborn plateau.  I can see a slimmer, healthier me on the other side of the wall. 

 

 

My strategy will consist of these goals.

• When preparing meals, begin with vegetables then add small portions of carbs and proteins.
• Walk 10,000 or more steps a day
• Drink ALL of my "74.4 oz H2O on the Go" bottle.
• Increase my exercise
• THINK POSITIVE and KEEP MOVING

 



Progress

It's been 7 months and 45 lbs.  The weight is coming off slower but steady.  My cravings are and have been extreme and there are days I want to sit and do absolutely no exercising but I stay strong knowing I never want to go back to the "December 2013" me.

 

 

 

Tomorrow, I want to be:

 

• Walking the stairs at work without gasping for air
• Hiking mountain ranges
• Running 5Ks
• Taking care of my hobby farm without injury or exhaustion
• Having energy to chase down the naughty goats and horses that have escaped the pasture.
• Hauling hay with the guys
• Playing with my grandchildren
• LIVING my life to the fullest without it "KILLING ME"

No matter how much I want that half gallon of ice cream or junk food, I continue making good food choices.

 

No matter how much I want to sit on the couch and watch TV or read a book, I continue doing my scheduled exercises each night.

 

I know where I want to be and feel tomorrow so I MAKE SURE I do what is necessary TODAY to ENJOY tomorrow.

 



 

I DID IT!

The Wellsville Mountain Wilderness extends along the high steep north-south ridge and both sides of the Wellsville Mountains for about 14 miles. It is located in Northern Utah southwest of Logan, Utah and encompasses extremely rugged and picturesque terrain. The mountains are one of the narrowest and steepest ranges in the Rockies, averaging only about five miles wide at its base and rising to its tallest summits, the Wellsville Cone at 9,356 feet and Box Elder Peak at 9,372 feet.  http://www.wilderness.net/

This mountain range shadows my home.  In the very beginning of my weight loss journey, I was determined to lose weight and get in shape so I could climb to the top of this majestic mountain range.  First and foremost, please read the caption below the picture to understand fully my biggest accomplishment since graduating from college. 

The incredible trek with my two brothers and nephew..... 

We started from the north side of the range, climbing to the saddle just before Mendon Peak.

 

 

Due to wildfires in the North, our view of the valleys were not as we hoped for but it was still a very breathtaking view for me.

We followed the ridgeline climbing and descending as we worked our way south on the mountain ridge.

Just before climbing Wellsville Cone

 

A view of how far we'd come.  We started at the furthest peak in this photo.

 Our next peak stood towering before us......Wellsville Cone

We are standing on top of the Wellsville Cone 

 

Final Peak.....Box Elder.....the trail is visible.

 

 

 

 It took us 12 hours to finish the entire trek.  From the Box Elder Peak, we had another 4 miles before reaching the trailhead in Sardine Canyon.  It was a total of 11.9 miles and a few blisters but AN INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE.

 

I conquered the Wellsville Mountain Range with determination and hard work.  It has been a remarkable six months of Weight Watchers, Leslie Sansone and willpower . 

 

A special thanks goes out to my brothers, Wade and Aaron and nephew, Max.  I could not have made this incredible hike without them.  They kept me focused and driven.

 

I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



 

 

Halfway There

I am nearing exactly 6 months since I made the commitment to lose weight and get fit.  I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting.  This new lifestyle change has been extremely tough but rewarding.

I remember the first week.  We had gone to visit my oldest son and were in the city all day long.  Going out to eat was inevitable.  I was stressed about the restaurant decision, the potential for overeating and just the “I can’t believe I decided to do this dang diet” attitude.  My negativity grew more and more until I went into the restroom…took one look at myself in the mirror and knew what I HAD to do.  FOCUS! 

 

 

FOCUS was my first strive in keeping with my commitment.  Until I could actually feel or see any results, I found myself easily frustrated.  I had to constantly motive myself by visualizing a stronger, thinner, healthier “me” in the very near future.

I have now lost a total of 38.4 lbs. The future is upon me.  Instead of focusing on the “Dang, I’m only halfway there”, I revel in all that I have accomplished and the BIG bonuses I am now benefitting from, results I am NOW seeing and feeling.

ü  Heartburn extinguished

ü  Sleep Apnea no more

ü  Super energized

ü  Tight size 18 to loose size 12

ü  Disappearing double chin J

ü  Confident

ü  Stronger (8lb weights during toning from 5lb)

ü  Running 5K’s

ü  Climbing mountains

ü  SMILING ALL THE TIME CUZ I’M DOING IT

 

 

 

My Anchor

In last week's Weight Watchers meeting, we discussed our "anchors".  Our anchor can be a physical item such as an outfit we are working towards fitting into, a feeling that spurs commitment or an inspirational saying. These anchors are chosen to help us through the weak moments on our weight loss journey.  They anchor us to our goal.

 

 

My anchor is the stairs I use everyday at work.  In the beginning, I could barely make it up one flight of stairs without stopping at the top to catch my breath, hoping no one noticed me gasping for air. 

 

I work on the second floor so no matter which direction, its either up or down these stairs.  Of course, there is an elevator but no one uses it.  Stepping into that elevator would be far more embarrassing than gasping for air at the top of the stairs. 

 

Within the first couple of weeks of my Leslie Sansone workouts and the Weight Watcher's plan, I could feel the transformation.  In just 30 minutes, 4 days a week, my thighs no longer burned when I reached the 2nd floor.  My breathing slowed. 

 

I realized I didn't have to wait until I've lost the full 82 pounds, or ran a marathon to start feeling like a new person.  In a short time, I was feeling it.  These stairs have kept me anchored to my goal.  Each time I climb them, I am committed to feeling energized for the rest of my life! 

 

I LOVE how I feel when I start at the bottom and climb all the way to the 3rd floor.  Might I add, I no longer walk up the stairs but run.  When I reach the top, I have that "Rocky" moment!!  : ) : )

 

 

 

I say "Bring It On!"