Officially at the weigh in I lost another 3 lbs and I lost 3 full lbs of fat! Woot! I lost another 1.5 inches and I'm flabbergasted to say that my hip and thigh lost another 1/2 inch respectively? The worst places on my body for losing weight is actually catching up to the upper half little by little.
I continue to lose fat/inches up around my chest, not just the bust but right under the arm pit (the thorax). I am almost rid of that nasty chunk of back fat I've been seeing the last 5 years or so! This is just amazing to me. The belly continues to shrink (and it is...that is one thing I can REALLY see!) obviously, since my hip measurement is decreasing and it's so damned exciting.
Again, I'm not done with my week so I still have time before I count the actual loss but after such a disappointing week (last week), it's nice that the coach saw 23 lbs gone! When I weighed earlier, it was 24 point something which was before all the water, coffee and breakfast so I always weigh more at the office. I've lost 19 inches based on the office's measurement. They check the thorax, chest, bust, waist (at the belly button), hip, thigh (one) and arm (one). So the number is really higher since they don't check both thighs and arms or the 'real' waist. I started measuring the missing areas not too long ago so I'll double check with Rochall at my next weigh in to see where I started so I can really track those inches lost. This is really inspiring me... :-)
We had a long chat about how people react to our weight loss successes. I find that those that are doing the journey with you (not necessarily the same plan but just on a diet, exercise, lifestyle plan, etc., or are generally healthy) are our best cheerleaders. Two of them did the plan before me and understand the success that happens with discipline. One of them is actually shocked that I don't cheat (any overload of carbs can knock me out of ketosis and would take up to 3 days to get back and I can't afford to be on this plan any longer than it would take.). The funny thing is... I do cheat a little. But it's never with carbs! I eat protein/fat. That's actually what I crave! A piece of bacon, a hard boiled or scrambled egg or a little tiny amount of blue cheese dressing with a salad. It has not knocked me out of ketosis! Pretty fabulous, I think!
One of my students has lost almost 30 lbs since this Spring doing Advocare and she looks amazing. She constantly cheers me on and I do the same for her. I'm really proud of her as she's incorporating a lot of exercise (which I have to keep minimal/low for now). I'm looking forward to becoming her workout buddy when I'm onto phase 2 of my program. Another 'cheerleader' is a new theatre friend. She's been doing Atkins since January and has lost about 20 lbs. She compliments me constantly and tells me not just how good I look but how much she admires my tenacity and hard work. She knows that this isn't easy as she's been doing low carb through Atkins so she's walked a mile in my shoes. Another friend is a Vegan and he praises my food choices. He knows that clean eating is truly the way to good health and he's happy to see me getting healthy.
There are many others, of course but they're more on the periphery. The ones that stay silent are the surprise. I do realize that weight issues are very, very touchy for people. I certainly have been hyper sensitive about my weight all of my life thanks to a lot of conditioning as I was growing up. I don't blame anyone, not even my mom who constantly told me how fat I was.... I know she just wanted me to be healthy. We did not have the right tools/information about obesity and weight loss 25 years ago. It's okay.... I realize my body was constantly being set up to fail despite my very disciplined gym program. I used to date a bodybuilder so I knew the right training. I just didn't have the information about food!
The thing is, I never felt threatened or jealous of someone's success in weight loss. Yes, I felt some envy but my overall feeling was joy at their accomplishments. I did want what they wanted though and it was frustrating to not have the energy to work out or to be in pain or to constantly be hungry, etc. I cannot get over the fact that I was failing because our society wants us to. Advertising agencies, pharmaceutical companies, food companies, etc., etc., they all want us to eat their bad food, turn around and need a pill, have to chew that special gum, brush our teeth because of the result of tooth decay from that sugar, etc., etc. The chain of command here is huge and powerful. Look at a day of Superbowl ads on TV. It's either about cars or FOOD. Snack food. Soda. Stuff that is bad for you in large quantities. But they tell you to indulge in your fantasies and eat and drink!
So yeah.... I have been set up to fail all of my life. Until now, that is. I understand why this society, especially youngsters are facing an obesity epidemic. Just because I'm getting older and my metabolism is slowing down doesn't mean I should be obese. But my age gives me a slight excuse for weight gain. How is it that young children everywhere, but in particular our poverty stricken areas are so overweight by the time they're in 5th grade? Carbs, my friend. Carbs..... these poor kids are eating so out of balance because their poor families don't have the money or the knowledge to pick the right foods to serve at home. So serve up that Kraft Mac & Cheese (which I LOVE for better or worse) which is so cheap and can be stretched into other meals. It's cheap! It's fast and easy! I totally see why a parent would serve this up. Grab that frozen pizza box and serve up the kids...it's easy! It's cheap!
We are being set to fail. Right now, it takes so much work to fight through the temptations and avoid the easy stuff. I have to avoid the middle aisles of the grocery store. I seriously start in the produce area and get all the veggies I need (no fruits yet), then to the water aisle to get my electrolyte water, then to meats & seafood, the frozen section for frozen veggies, dairy for eggs and typically the Asian/Mexican aisle to get my non-carb items there (typically soy sauce, coconut milk) and then to the cleaning products, dog food stuff and I'm done. I have to ignore everything else so I will not fail.
How many of our friends/family are in complete denial about their health? Do they realize that a healthy weight is possible? It will take an enormous amount of work but it can be done. I am working really hard at this.... I know that my whole lifestyle has changed and that my carb 'cheats' will be a once a week kind of thing forever. I can't eat wheat products, rice, pasta or potatoes with abandon ever again. And you know what? That is okay with me. I am feeling great and know that I will only feel better as I lose the next 30 lbs. I hope I can help figure out a way to spread the good word. It's an amazing feeling to not be tired and sick and depressed. It all works together.
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