Six Months

Today marks the 6 month "anniversary" of the day I first walked into the gym as a new member. My thoughts at that point were simple...



~workout a few times per week

~get out of the 260's

~gradually get more fit and have more endurance



I had no huge expectations...I was more than willing to take it slow and see how it went. I had no grandiose thoughts of "I'm going to lose 25 pounds" or "I'm going to drop 3 sizes"....I was just going in to improve myself, however slightly.



Well, it's been 6 months, and along the way lots of things have changed. First of all, my weight...



On January 15th when I weighed myself I weighed in at 265 lbs. My goal at that time was to get into the 250's...like I said...I like to take it slow and manageable!



Today, on July 15th when I weighed myself (and had my trainer look at the numbers while I looked up to the heavens) I weighed in at 213.5 lbs. That's 51.5 lbs. in 6 months! WOW! That just amazes me!



But, on a bigger level, here's what 51.5 pounds mean for ME:

• I started this wearing a 22/24 pant and usually a XXL shirt. Now I wear a 16 and most of my shirts are XL or L!


• I was shopping only in the Women's section of stores...now I can shop for clothing in the regular section!


• I got tired really easily...when outside I was looking forward to the next "break" so that I could go in, cool off, and sit down for a while. Now, I love being outside, and often find myself in the dark and having to go in because it's so late!


• I couldn't really keep up with my kids...I tried, but in all actuality, I could not. Now I can go, go, go, right along with them! They still wear me out, but not nearly as quickly as before!


• I fit better...just in normal everyday settings...I fit in chairs better...I don't feel uneasy sitting on something for fear that it will give underneath my weight. I don't worry about sitting next to someone and encroaching into their space...I fit now.


• My body is so much different. Sometimes it's hard for me to see that...I wonder if I'll always see "Fat Me" when I look in the mirror, no matter how much I lose. Many times I can see the difference, but most of the time when I pull those size 16 jeans out and get ready to put them on I have a split second of panic...these are NOT going to fit...they're WAY too small. Then I slide them on and am reminded again that "Fat Me" is shrinking away. My measurements are listed below...it amazes me how those numbers have changed in 6 months.

My fitness level has changed so much that it deserves a paragraph of it's own...not just a bullet! When I started coming to the gym in January I really thought I was OK fitness wise...not great, but not a total couch potato either. I could walk 2-3 miles...it wasn't like I was immobile. Well, now I feel really FIT! And I know that's only getting better every day!

I can run 2 miles now. I usually run 2 miles at least twice per week. I try to run a mile a couple of times a week also, in addition to my regular workouts. Wait...maybe you missed that...I CAN RUN 2 MILES NOW! All in one setting, too...no stopping to walk...no "someone call 911"...no joke. I can run 2 miles now. And, I'm going to run farther than that...yep...I'm gonna keep on going. I actually enjoy running. Never thought I'd say that!

I can do push ups...I can do planks...I know what a bunch of the equipment in this gym is called and how to use it! I can push myself and I can sweat like nobodies business....and you know what? It feels GREAT to push myself and to sweat. I feel a sense of accomplishment when I do all that...I feel like I've really done something amazing.

Personally, I feel great. I have more energy. I notice a huge difference in my mood when I don't go to the gym. I love it when people haven't seen me for a while and go "Wow...you've lost a ton of weight" when they see me. Or even better "Wow...you look incredible". That makes the sacrifices and the hard work SOOOOO worth it! But even more so, just feeling the way I feel now makes it all worthwhile. I am happier, more energetic, more confident, and I feel fulfilled. I feel like I can really do anything that I set my mind to, and I feel like I deserve all of this.

In 2009 I started working out, but a family tragedy got me off track. I worked out every day until February 24th, and then everything changed. My nephew was killed in Afghanistan. We "talked" online often and he would encourage me to keep up the great work with the exercise. He even suggested several times that we would go jogging when he was home in April for his leave. Every time I run now, I think of him, and I can almost imagine him by my side, egging me on! He wouldn't have been encouraging me on, he would've been egging me on! He would've been smack-talking me and using reverse psychology to keep me going! He would be razzing me about being old and out of shape and knowing the entire time that I'd keep running just to prove him wrong! I know he's watching and probably shaking his head in amazement that I'm actually doing it.

Measurements: (January 15/July 15)

Right Arm

15.5" / 13/5"

-2.0"

Chest

47.5" / 39"

-8.5"

Waist

46" / 37.5"

-8.5"

Hips

46.5" / 39.75"

-6.75"

I'm doing it...I am losing the weight, and more importantly, I am toning and shaping my body as I lost. I am getting more fit. I am gaining strength and endurance. I am eating in such a manner that I will be able to maintain it throughout my life. I am not eating a special program or special food. I am eating what I want, but in quantities that are healthy and reasonable. I started using the bodybugg after my birthday (mid-February). I followed it and let the program work for me. I started at 2050 calories consumed per day. As I lost weight and was able I decreased the amount of calories consumed. I currently consume 1600 calories per day. Some days I am hungry, so on those days I eat more and exercise more to offset the increased calories.

I realize now that weight loss is really simple math.

Calories in minus calories out = weight loss or gain

It's not rocket science. If I want to have that glass of wine or I want to eat a few Oreos, I do...I just work it into my calories in and calories out.

Also, I must admit, in January I was not a huge believer in the benefit of a Personal Trainer. I thought it was unnecessary. Having worked with a trainer weekly since starting this, I can now say I am a big believer in the benefit of having a trainer work with you! My trainer pushes me...sometimes WAY past what I think is possible. She motivates me and reminds me how far I've come in these 6 months. She celebrates my successes and reminds me that failure is a choice and only temporary if I get back and work hard. She shows me how to work those "problem areas" where my skin is getting saggy. She changes up my training to fit my mood...she understands that some days I NEED to kick and punch the bag! If you're on the fence about a trainer...give it a try. Find a trainer that works with you and pushes you to go harder and faster. You don't want a trainer that is easy...you want the drill Sergeant!

Wherever you are with your fitness and health goals, remember that you CAN do whatever you put your mind to. Six months ago if anyone would've told me that I would be running 2 miles and have lost 50 pounds by summertime, I would've thought they were NUTS! Take it slow and manageable. Don't change your whole life in one week, but one little thing at a time. Give up regular soda (or pop for you northerners)...drink more water...go for a walk after dinner. Stop eating fast food. Stop finishing your kids' plates. All of these things can add up to a big difference over time. But, don't try to build Rome in a day...take it one step at a time and you'll achieve BIG results!