Weigh-In Always Comes So Fast

It seems like my last weigh-in was just a couple of days ago, but alas, another week has already flown by! I don't really know how I'm feeling about this weigh-in. I've been tracking and drinking lots of water, plus workout out of course, but I can't get a handle on how I think I've done. Usually I can kind of tell, but today I think it could go either way. I think I'm getting sick (I have the stuffy/runny nose and sore throat) so I'm sure that may be why I'm not feeling on top of my game. I can definitely feel my hard work. My stomach is feeling a little tighter as are my legs. I'm currently sore from a week of doing a variety of new exercises so at least I can feel good with that aspect of the week. I am keeping in mind that Easter did happen, and while I am pretty proud of myself for staying away from the candy, I did splurge a bit and treated myself to some delicious food.

Overall I'm going to be optimistic about the outcome of tomorrow. I feel like even though I let myself indulge a bit on Sunday there has been enough time for me to recover from it. Think of me tomorrow morning around 10am as I step on the scale! As my mom always tells me "skinny thoughts!" haha.

Setting Goals

I haven't really shared where I hope to be as I progress on my weight loss journey. To be honest, I don't really think about it that much. I'm realizing more and more that, while it is an amazing feeling to see the numbers on the scale go down, the other changes happening to my body are great as well. My rings are getting looser, my jeans fit a little better, and I can see my face thinning out. All of these are not things that are reflected directly on the scale, but they are still victories. I am also noticing changes and improvements in my fitness level. I can now power through workouts that in the beginning made me feel like I was dying. In deciding on setting goals I kept these and other non-scale victories in mind. So, I have broken my goals into scale and non-scale goals.

Scale Goals
10 % goal: 180 (-19lbs)
1st goal weight: 160lbs
2nd goal weight: 135lbs

Non-Scale Goals
shirt size: Medium
pant size: 8 or 6
short-term fitness goal: run for 10 minutes without stopping
long-term fitness goal: participate in a 5K

For my scale goals I really had to think of what's plausible for me. Weight Watchers set both my 5% goal (which I've already reached) and my 10% goal. The last two I made on my own. I hope to reach my 10% goal by May 14th. As for my 1st goal weight, I'm really taking it week by week. I think it would be do-able to reach the 160 mark by mid August. That would mean I would need to lose 27.2lbs in around 4 months. That's 1.7lbs a week for 16 weeks (still with me? haha). With the average amount I've been losing per week it is a very reachable goal. As for reaching 135lbs that may be a few months after, or a year from now. Either way I'm fine with it. 135 would be my absolute goal weight, as that is considered the healthy weight for my height. I really more than anything want to stick to a healthy lifestyle and lose weight in a healthful manner. I'm not going to obsess and try to speed the process up. When it happens it happens.

As for my non-scale goals they are more for the long-term. The size of shirts I normally wear are usually larges with some mediums sprinkled in. I would like to be able to just wear mediums all the time. Ideally I'd like to be around a size 6 for my pants. I have big hips and curves and I know those aren't going to go away, nor do I want them to. With that in mind I think being a size 6 or even an 8 would be wonderful and is probably right on target for what is plausible for my body type. The biggest feat will be reaching my fitness goals. I really hate running. It wears me out, makes me winded and makes me feel like I'm going to collapse. However, this is exactly why I want to make running both of my fitness goals. I think if I really push myself and start with baby steps (maybe something along the lines of a Couch 2 5K - C25K program). I know that I'm not going to be sprinting down the block anytime soon, but they will be nice goals to reach.

All in all the biggest thing I'm keeping in mind is that goals are just that, goals. They are not things I need to do right this very second. I need to work towards them and be smart in working to achieve them. With that in mind I know I can keep plugging along to get to where I want to be.

The First Letdown

Weigh-in for the week has come and gone and much to my surprise, I was up .8 pounds. I know it doesn't seem like much, but I was extremely upset to see a gain after a month of incredible loss. I was so angry with myself that I began crying right in front of the nonsuspecting woman that weighed me in. While I was angry, I also had to take a few things into consideration from the week.

For one, it was my "time of the month". So as with most other females I was bloated and retaining water like crazy. Weight gain is common the week that a woman is on her period and it will disappear almost as soon as it's over. Another factor could have been the fact that I started to do more strength training in my workouts. Usually I do Zumba or some form of dance-based workout to get my exercise in. In doing more strength based workouts you are working the muscles harder which, while it's really good for your body, can cause you to gain a little weight because you may gain muscle mass. I also went out to eat with my dad this week to a bar like place with virtually NOTHING incredibly healthy. I tried to do good and got a salad there, but of course it had tons of ingredients and extras (but it was so good!). All of those things considered I know I did the best I could this week.

In order to make sure I lose in my next weigh-in I just need to focus on me and what I need to do. I've already come a long way and I'm ready to go even further! I know I'm capable of staying on track and with a positive attitude and the ability to look at my first disappointment and chalk it up to a learning experience I'm going to do better this upcoming week!