I was going to put together a fancy Excel chart to show my progress lines over the past month, but decided that I actually have better stuff to be doing (like work!) and so I'm just going to summarize. I've been measuring weight loss and circumference measurements (bust, waist, hips) since a bit after I started my weight loss push back on February 1st. I've seen great results since then, but upon examining the last 28 days more closely, I see that I have mixed reviews for myself.
Where I'm At I'm not trying to be overly critical of myself. I mean, pounds lost are pounds lost. Inches lost are inches lost. Nonetheless, as a writer with a degree in biology, I can't help but try to extrapolate a pattern from the data I've collected.
| date | weight (lbs.) | bust (in.) | waist (in.) | hips (in.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/16 | 196.8 | 39.75 | 36 | 44.5 |
| 2/24 | 197 | 39.75 | 34.75 | 44.5 |
| 2/27 | 194 | 39.25 | 34.5 | 43.5 |
| 3/1 | 192.2 | 39 | 34.5 | 42.75 |
| 3/11 | 189.6 | 38.75 | 34 | 42.25 |
| 3/15 | 190.6 | 38.5 | 34 | 41.5 |
I experienced one week of gastroenteritis during the past month, but the only "okay" weight loss of 6.2 lbs. in the past four weeks is truly due to me being too carefree with my eating and drinking habits on the weekend. I love the weekend! I live for it! Look at 3/11 to 3/15, for example. I was 189.6 on Friday but made zero progress over the weekend. In fact, I gained a pound! Why is that!? I know exactly why. I drank more alcohol than I should have and made poorer food choices than I set out to. I even woke up on Sunday morning pleasantly surprised that I didn't have a hangover. On Friday, I wouldn't have guessed that that's how I would start my day only two days later.
Unfortunately, I still associate having a good time with eating less healthy foods. It's going to take a little time for me to move past that.
The good news is that I still made progress. I am grateful that I don't weigh more than I did a month ago! I'm glad that I'm closer to being a standard size 12 again. I'm glad that my arms look a bit better sleeveless. I'm glad that my size 14s are feeling looser.
Where I Want To Be I'm participating in a Diet Bet which will have me weigh in between 3/25-3/26. I still have four pounds to lose between now and then to win it. I accept that I may not meet that goal, but I also know that it's possible. The only way that it's possible, however, is if I skip alcohol completely between now and then. I'll also have to be more stringent in watching my calorie counts and protein grams. We'll see what I can do.