Friday, March 4, 2011

First Friday Fitness - March Edition

February was a really tough month for me.  I battled gaining and losing the same stinking two pounds the entire month.  Up one week, down the next, then back up... all month long. 

And I was so NOT motivated.  I didn't want to go to the gym, and for the most part I didn't.  I scheduled an appointment with my personal trainer, Lori,  for Friday the 18th.  And then fell down the stairs on Tuesday the 15th and sprained my ankle. 

Despite the total lack of motivation and sprained ankle, something deep down held it together (don't ask me what, I'm still trying to figure it out!) and I went to the appointment.  I have incorporated some of Lori's exercises into my regular "routine" here at home.  Tricep dips off the window bench.  Standing push ups off the kitchen counter. Leg lifts that seriously make my gluts burn.  And some of it is just for the gym.  The inner thigh machine, hamstring curls, lat pull downs, rows... but I wasn't going to the gym, so I wasn't doing so much of those.

Then came March.  And something clicked.  Maybe it was the sunshine.  Maybe it was Ali Edward's assignment for One Little Word to do "just One Little Thing" for March.  Maybe it was that email from Kai.  Whatever it was, I felt hope for the first time in weeks.  I decided that my "one little thing" would be to make exercise and creativity a priority in March. Okay, that's TWO things. Yes, I can count. Two BIG things. So sue me. It is where I need to be right now.

And then came today - weigh in day.  Let me start by saying, I know that the number on the scale doesn't really matter. And I'm not obsessive about it. At least not usually. But after a month of up and down and up again, I was so nervous about what the scale would say, that I went a bit off the deep end. 

I shaved my legs. I trimmed my finger nails. I tinkled. Twice. Hey, water weight you know. Have you ever tried any of these tricks?  I would have taken off all my jewelry had I been wearing any. And as I stepped on the scale, I exhaled every ounce of air out of my lungs.  And seriously, I know none of this makes a bit of difference.  Because my scale weighs in half pound increments, not in ounces. 

 Measurements are all the same as February's weigh-in, but I am down two pounds from February's weigh in.  I didn't reach my goal of the downside of 170, but I am soooooooo close! So stinking close I can taste it.

And as the big 5-0 looms ever closer, I want to give myself a huge gift for my birthday.  I want to weigh less than my hubby. The man is disgustingly healthy despite a penchant for chips and cookies. If his weight climbs, he lays off the junk for a few days and is back to where he needs to be. Don't you just hate that? I do! He is a solid 6" taller than me, but weighs in at 165. On my birthday I WILL weigh less than him! Just under three months.  I know I can get there.

11 comments:

quiltingfool said...

It's all relative...I'd give anything to weigh 170.5 again. At 183.8, it sounds tiny to me. Like you, my weight goes up and down and seems to have no basis in what's going on. Not uncommon. The good thing is that you dig deep and you find your motivation again and you keep going. If you want it bad enough, you'll make it! I look forward to seeing that 50th birthday weigh-in! Good luck!

Anonymous said...

You are looking good! I am struggling as well feeling creative or motivated - just need Spring - the winter needs to say good-bye!

Melissa said...

So glad I'm not the only one who's been in a slump. I'm glad March has arrived for a fresh start. Cheering for you from my corner of Texas!

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

Hi Cheri ~ I'm catching up on blog reading this morning. Congratulations on your success! And I had to chuckle several times while reading this post. And my hubby is the same way and it really ticks me off. I guess it's a metabolism thing, eh? Anyway, congrats and wishing you continued success! xo

scrappyjacky said...

People who eat anything and never put on an ounce are the most annoying thing ever....I only look at food and put on weight!!!
You're doing great....and so glad your motivation is back.

Sian said...

You are doing SO well Cheri - and I'm sure that sharing your story here is helping motivate the rest of us to think about our own health too.

Honoré said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Honoré said...

Yes you can! You go girl and congrats on Feb accomplishment.

humel said...

I know you can too! You go, girl :-) And I'm not impressed to hear about your husband's metabolism, that's not fair at all!

Kelly Miller said...

You're doing great! I wear my lightest clothes and take off my shoes. Everyone has a weigh-in ritual!

Unknown said...

Oh Cheri... you are SO making progress! I know you can (as much as you know I can)... and together knowing we both can, we WILL! :) HUGS and I still WILL respond to your email back... just... you know... life. :) HUGS!!