First Friday Fitness

I acknowledge that this post is a tad bit late... but I have plenty of reasons justification  excuses.  Want to hear them?  No, I didn't think so.  I'm just glad I'm finally posting it...

Although I "lost" three pounds in just a single day in January, I posted an actual two pound loss for the month.  Once my appetite and digestive system returned to normal, some of the weight did go back on. I expected that.  It means I'm still losing at the disgustingly slow rate of a half pound a week.  But slow and steady is easier to keep off, right? 

These numbers record from where I was in late September 2010, at which point I had already lost the first five pounds, so if I wanted to be truly accurate, I have lost 17 pounds since I began.  Even my doctor noticed today that I was down 15 pounds from my August visit! My new short-term goal is to see the down side of 170 by the end of February.  I know that is reaching, but I'm going to try! 

My measurements were down 1/2" in the waist and hips and a full 1" in the abs which is the number that really matters to me right now.  That is where the unhealthy fat sits, so I'm really happy about that number! 

What is frustrating at this point is that my February photo looks no different from my January photo, or from my photo last April when I was a full 12 pounds heavier.  No, I'm not making it up - and this is painfully honest for me to post - but see for yourself:

Okay, my hair looks different.  It is brushed and I'm wearing makeup instead of being straight out of the shower!  My husband tells me if it is any consolation, he has noticed that my belly has really gone down.  In his very nice and helpful way, he tells me that last August I looked pregnant.  Thanks dear.

On the exercise front - once I got beyond the nasty virus I really wanted to go back to the gym. But every time I had the opportunity, we had snow. or ice. or freezing rain. And I didn't want to venture to the gym on bad roads.  So I got back on the dreadmill at home.  

I started where I had left off in PT - at 8 minutes walking at 3.0 mph.  I added on one minute for each time I got on the dreadmill.  Which meant as of Saturday I was up to 15 minutes!  Today I finally hit the gym.  I went 15 minutes, but was able to go at 3.2 mph on their treadmill.  It does feel slower there - and smoother.

I'm still doing yoga and/or PT stretching exercises almost every morning.  I'm still tracking calories and exercise at My Fitness Pal.  A fitter, healthier me is emerging.... slowly but surely.