Did you notice I skipped an update on Operation Drop 10 lbs last week? Shhhhh. I talked about ditching sugar instead. Actually I’m finding the weighing thing tedious, probably because the weight isn’t exactly falling off. This journey is about small changes. While the scale (the Inquisitor) and I are still on a first name basis, I don’t want to stress or obsess about the number. Plus I wanted to give myself a break, and you, from the reporting. I don’t have 50 or 100 lbs to lose. You’re not going to see me on Instagram posting before and after ab selfies. Getting into a bikini is not a priority. Face it we ALL have bikini bodies, whether we like them or not. I’m doing it for health and to run stronger. I’m doing the work, day after day. Being more mindful. Making more good choices than poor ones. No secrets, no magic. Nothing sensational or glamorous. Still with me?
What’s Working
- Finally, after 6 laborious (ok not really) weeks, food choices are more reflexive. I know what foods “work” and I know what stalls weight loss. At last my pants are feeling looser! My belly is getting flatter. Can I get a boomshakalaka?
- I know that the scale lies. Especially up to 48 hours post hard workout. The body retains fluids as part of the recovery process and I typically weigh more than I feel like I deserve to. If I wait and weigh 12 to 24 hours later, the scale tells a different story. A big reason why scales mess with your head.
- Except for the exception below, I’m managing to keep all junk (chips, sweets) out of my life. My go-to treat continues to be these protein bites.
Small Changes
- I recently started the BeFit program as part of Sweatpink. It’s a 30-day Fat Burn Plan that includes a short (10-15 minute workout video most days. I’ve been adding this to my current workout schedule (what’s 10 minutes, right?) but even after just a few days, my booty is FEELING this! Full review to come.
- Slowly building my swim time. Just by 5 minutes per session/week. Every minute of activity counts, right?
- Adding back intensity to one weekly run. I’d been taking it fairly easy this year, until now. Even though you’d think I get plenty of activity, the body has a way of adapting. Time to change it up.
- Eating more for breakfast earlier and less for dinner.
Challenges
- I stopped journaling on weekends. Yes I tend to relax a bit on one of the weekend days and the break from My Fitness Pal feels good. I don’t completely pig out but I’m not totally strict either and I’m fine with it. I know this is a slippery slope, but I do get back to weekday logging.
- Since the weekend, some sugary things have crept in, in the form of Thin Mints. Thing 2 is a Girl Scout and the cookie order was delivered last weekend. While I’ve been worlds better than I have in the past, I’m no longer “clean”. I have been able to keep my Thin Mint consumption to two cookies at a time vs half the sleeve. Samoas taste entirely too sweet for me now. Celebrate small victories.
- I must either be logging incorrectly or My Fitness Pal over estimated my calorie needs, because I’m losing weight about half as fast as it says I should be. Middle-age turtle metabolism for the win.
Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6
Weight: -0.3 -0.2 -1.0 -0.5 – 0.9 -0.5
Fat: -0.2 -0.1 -0.3 -0.7 -0.3 -0.2
Muscle: +0.1 No change +0.2 +0.2 +0.1 +0.1
BMI: -0.1 No change -0.3 -0.3 -0.2 -0.1
Like I said, I’m slowly plugging away, but the weightloss is picking up ever so slightly. The challenge is to be patient and stay the course.
Have you made small tweaks that add up to good lifestyle changes? Did you enter my giveaway?
I think you are doing great! You look amazing. The scale doesn’t always tell the whole story.
You know I hate that damn scale, it lies! Sounds like you are making great progress and small changes so add up! I am trying some of those 10 minute videos too- oh yeah, trying to earn some brownie points with my coach! 🙂
It sounds like the changes you have made will definitely have an impact in the long-term! Man, I forgot about cookie season…my sugar cravings have been out of control lately so I really need to put a stop to them. I don’t even own a working scale…I never got any benefit from having one!
Journaling and small changes are amazing ways to create LASTING change and a new permanent lifestyle. There is just something about writing down your intentions, your reflections, that makes them permanent.
That’s exactly why I don’t promote using the scale as a measure. It varies SO much and can lead to disappointment when it’s not warranted. Most people know if they’ve had a good week or not and can see changes in their body and clothes, that’s much more important than a number on a scale.
First off, as I keep saying, you’re doing marvelous, dahling. Seriously, I’m envious. It’s rare for me to lose weight more than a couple of weeks in a row, and the nice steady loss you’re having is really good — not to mention it IS harder at our age and tends to be lower than average, too.
I tend to be all over the place — some of it is simply hormonal, I’m quite sure. For instance, I had a big (for me) loss last week, pretty much out of the blue, and it wouldn’t surprise me in the least to gain tomorrow. And I had a good week!
It’s better to lose slowly, anyway — more likely to be creating changes that will stick. Keep up the good work!
I always have a lot to say about this! 🙂 The scale does lie at times BUT it also helps us know not to gain as well. We tend to lie to ourselves so I make sure if it goes up, not higher than 3-5 pounds on this short bod! 🙂
Also I agree that you way more after PLUS I drink a ton of water!.
It is slow & the older we get, wel… I have written way too much on that – it sucks! 🙂 Clothes do tell us things for sure!
It is all about finding what works for you & that does take time and it changes over time especially with age – UGH!
HUGS!!!!
The number on the scale doesn’t always tell the truth. As long as you’re finding what works for you, and you’re feeling great, that’s what matter most. And yay for your pants feeling looser! That’s definitely a sign of your weight loss success!
I threw my scale out because every time I stepped on it, I would get depressed. I think that there are better ways of being accountable than stepping on the scale. One simple way is does my clothes fit Keep up the good work you are doing great
I think small, steady work is the way to go – it’s what will really turn things into a lifestyle vs. a one off diet or exercise program.
You know how I feel about the scales! It sounds like you are making lots of small changes that will all help push you in the right direction. Yay for swimming more
Great work! Girl scout cookies are a total temptation for me. If they’re in front of me, I will seriously eat the whole box in about 5 minutes flat. I’m not good with willpower so I need to just keep ’em out of my house!
Good job, Marcia!!! When you don’t have a lot of weight to lose, it can be hard to see huge results and just plugging away little by little will KEEP it off.
You are doing such a great job! It’s really hard to eliminate those things that you love! Trust me, I know, my sweet tooth is screaming at me right now. I’m trying to be really good myself and make healthier choices after I totally gorged on sugar over the holidays. I’m definitely feeling better, but still a work in progress. Those thin mints are the death of me, I didn’t even buy any this year!
I’m gonna go ahead and give you a big boomshakalaka, Marcia! 🙂 Well deserved – enjoy the rest of your week!
I think you are doing great, and your “real” attitude is killer funny. I weigh myself almost daily…not because I’m concerned about my weight (actually, I’m quite content), but it always gives me a good laugh. One day the number was unreasonably high…and, out of curiosity, after showering (and had wet hair, none the less) I weighted myself again…and I had lost two pounds! Obviously, my scale either needs calibrating, or it’s just a piece. The water retention is such a mind game, as are those pleasant “favorite” days every month (ahem). Keep it up! As you know, the slower you do it (losing the weight), the longer (and easier) it will stay off 😉
Great progress! Little changes are the way to go – you’re more likely to maintain small changes than dramatic changes! I track my food on MyFitnessPal too. Though I try to track over the weekend, I always end up eating more than I have logged on Saturdays and Sundays. I like your strategy of giving yourself a break over the weekend. It may be a slippery slope, but if it keeps you on track during the week then go for it!
You’re doing great! And scales really do suck – go by how you feel and how your clothes fit! 🙂
I think you are doing a great job, and agree MFP doesn’t equate age in to the mix.
I get truly amazed by specific foods. Some make me soon heavy and some just do the trick when I’m trying to lighten up. Usually it’s the ones I love that end up putting me on the heavier side and I’m not even talking about pizza. Even though I would probably enjoy eating that more often
You are doing great! Small changes are definitely the way to go – far more sustainable in the long run. I’ve said it before, but I seriously don’t know how you are living in such close proximity to Thin Mints – I have no self-control with those things 😉
I don’t hate the scale, but I don’t take it too seriously either. It can change so much throughout the day that I don’t worry too much about it. I’m pretty excited that I’ve been sticking to my yoga lately. It’s the only way I get any stretching in.
boomshakalaka!!!
I’ll take you Samoas please and thank you!!
Clothes getting biggger…!elly getting flatter= #winning!
Keep up the good work!!
I hear you on middle age turtle metabolism. Boo. But hang in there, you’re doing great. Agree 100% with baby steps add up to big victories.
“Face it we ALL have bikini bodies, whether we like them or not. ” Best thing I read today. 🙂 Thanks.
I get on a scale once in a while because I am curious about the number. However, I’ve been doing TRX twice a week for over a month and am already seeing a difference. Some pants that were a little too tight are not so snug anymore. I can finally wear them again.
I have never worn a bikini. Finally bought one last year to wear this year.
You always make me feel super guilty when I’m reading your blog post on weight loss while I’m consuming an entire pint of Ice Cream. How selfish of you, Louise!!
🙂
You’re doing great! By the time Indy rolls around, you’re going to be a toothpick.
Love ya!