Progress Not Perfection

Posted on November 16, 2014

This first week of the Diet Bet challenge has shown me that I can do anything, even exercise willpower to stick to my meal plan. This is the first time I have ever done a challenge like this and I am a bit nervous because I'm not usually one to focus on what the scale says. I'm a slow loser when it comes to the scale and I have days where the weight will go back and forth. That has happened this week, but I'm still losing. So far this has been fun, it's great to have the healthy competition with others for similar goals, and with money on the line I'm so there. I have more fitness equipment I want to get for my home. That's my motivation. I started off the challenge at 225 pounds. I'm down to 223.6 as of this morning. Was at 222.4 but after a little extra carbs and sodium yesterday (11/16/14) the scale crept back up a little. Working on flushing it out with less carbs and more water today. My body thrives on carbohydrates and I do typically do well with 150+ grams, but I want to see this scale move. After this challenge I will go back to working on my performance goals. I had great strength goals for this year, but no longer having regular access to a gym has put those on the backburner. I plan to be able to pick up those goals again in 2015. Here's my success so far to show how things change for me when the scale is being uncooperative. This is what keeps me sane and not concerned about the scale.

Body Composition Changes

Dates Taken: 11/4/14 and 11/16/14

Weight: 225.2 and 223.6 (-1.6#)

Body Fat Percent: 40.10% and 38.48% (-1.62%)

Lean Mass: 134.9 and 137.55 (+2.65# yay!!)

Body Fat: 90.3 and 86.05 (-4.25# of fat yay!)

So as you can see, I can't be too upset about the scale weight right now. I am looking forward to seeing the scale at the end of this challenge as well as the body composition changes. Back to my plan tomorrow, cleaner with the nutrition and more water. I can do this and I will.

I CAN AND I WILL!

Comment Now!

BuffMother

11/16/2014 7:48PM

AMEN! progress is the goal! you can do this Crystal!

Crystal D.

11/16/2014 7:17PM

Amber I can usually judge where I am in my cycle and what I ate the day before by the scale lol. I only use it as a guide now and to track what I'm doing. Thank you ladies! I know yesterday was sodium heavy. It's a great tool but we can't let it get to our heads.

Amber K. likes this comment.

Staci W.

11/16/2014 7:06PM

You're making GREAT progress! Good for you not worrying too much about the scale! That's how I usually am, but with this contest, I am thinking about it more. I think Amber had a good point about weighing daily -- that you could pinpoint reasons for the scale moving up or down more easily. Anyhow, congrats about the great numbers, you're doing great.

Crystal D. likes this comment.

Amber K.

11/16/2014 6:58PM

Your doing a great job and I know what you mean with the scale typically I avoid it cause it's frustrating to see the ups and downs but having to do this daily you start to see the reasons for the ups and downs. Whether you have had too much salt, or it's that time of the month ect.

Crystal D. and Staci W. like this comment.

Crystal D.

11/16/2014 6:56PM

I actually use circumference measurements along with weight. The Navy's method is one of the most accurate calculations that I have found.

Staci W.

Can you please post a link to somewhere that explains how to do this?

Daisy M.

11/16/2014 6:45PM

Those numbers look great, who cares what the scale says you weight as long as you are getting leaner and loosing fat :-) Do you mind me asking if you are using a body fat scale or caliper?

Crystal D. likes this comment.