Measurement Monday: April 6th, 2015

Belated posting, but measuring was on time. I was really sick this past week I wanted to do nothing but eat comfort food but didn't end up doing too badly on eating. I didn't track anything or count bites, but it worked out in my favor this week.

Abdomen: 40.5 (-.75)
Waist: 31.5 (-.7)
Bust: 40.4 (-.6)
Chest: 34.4 (-.4)
Hip: 42.9 (-.6)
Left Arm: 13.2 (-.1)
Left Forearm: 10.4 (-.1)
Left Calf: 15.3 (-.45)
Left Thigh: 25.2  (0)
Right Arm: 13 (0)
Right Forearm: 10.3 (+.05)
Right Calf: 15.4 (-.35)
Right Thigh: 25.3 (-.5)
Neck: 13.6 (0)
Current Weight: 174.4 pounds (-8.2)
Inches lost: -5
Running total: -21.7, -21.6 pounds

I wanted to lost 5 pounds this past week and I blew that goal out of the water by losing just over 8 pounds! Whoo! Makes being sick a little more bearable. Also, I think it's funny that the number of inches I've lost matches the number of pounds I've lost.

Next week's goal: lose 2 pounds. I feel confident I'll lost a pound this week, but it's so hard after a big loss to keep momentum. Usually if I lose big one week, the next week I'll put on a pound! I'm not sure if it's my brain or my body that leads to the wait gain, but I'm going to fight it this week. I'm still not feeling well, so hopefully that will help.

Measurement Monday, March 30th, 2015

Back on track and back to measuring. The last time I measured was the end of November!

Abdomen: 41.25 (-1.5)
Waist: 32.2 (-1.3)
Bust: 41 (-2)
Chest: 34.8 (-1.4)
Hip: 43.5 (-1.75)
Left Arm: 13.3 (-.8)
Left Forearm: 10.5 (-.25)
Left Calf: 15.75 (0)
Left Thigh: 25.2  (-1.2)
Right Arm: 13 (-1)
Right Forearm: 10.25 (-.25)
Right Calf: 15.75 (-.5)
Right Thigh: 25.8 (-.7)
Neck: 13.6 (-.6)
Current Weight: 182.6 pounds (-9.2)
Inches lost: -13.25
Running total: -16.7, -13.4 pounds

I know it doesn't look like I've lost much, since it's been four months since my last measuring, but in that time I have gone from a tight 14 to a loose 12 (or a really tight 10)

Next week's goal: lose 5 pounds. It's a lofty goal, but yesterday morning I was at 179.2, so that's just over 3 pounds right there in bloat/food weight.

Measurement Monday: November 10th, 2014

Not a great 5 Bites week, but I tried. Regardless, my weight when down and that's the most important part.

Abdomen: 43.0 (-.6)
Waist: 33.5 (-.25)
Bust: 43.5 (0)
Chest: 36.5 (-.9)
Hip: 45.9 (.2)
Left Arm: 14 (-.5)
Left Forearm: 10.75 (0)
Left Calf: 15.8 (-.2)
Left Thigh: 26.8 (.3)
Right Arm: 14.3 (.3)
Right Forearm: 10.5 (.5)
Right Calf: 15.8 (-.3)
Right Thigh: 26.7 (-.6)
Neck: 14.3 (.1)
Current Weight: 193.0 pounds (-1.4)
Inches lost: -1.95
Running total: -1.6, -3 pounds

I don't have a lot to say about this week. I over ate a few times, and it's obvious what effect that has on my weight loss. At least I lost almost 2 inches this week, and I'm thrilled to be only 1.2 pounds from my starting weight.

5.6 pounds down, 14.6 to go!

Measurement Monday: November 3rd, 2014

So here are the results from my first full week on 5 Bites.

Abdomen: 43.6 (-.2)
Waist: 33.75 (-.25)
Bust: 43.5 (-1)
Chest: 37.4 (+.4)
Hip: 45.7 (-.1)
Left Arm: 14.5 (+.3)
Left Forearm: 10.75 (0)
Left Calf: 16 (0)
Left Thigh: 26.5 (-1)
Right Arm: 14.0 (-.1)
Right Forearm: 10 (-.5)
Right Calf: 16.1 (+.3)
Right Thigh: 27.25 (0)
Neck: 14.2 (-.2)
Current Weight: 194.4 pounds (-3.8)
Inches lost: -2.35
Running total: +.35, -1.6 pounds

I finally am at the weight I started dieting at! Whoo!

Well, I lost almost 4 pounds. That's a lot for one week! That's more than I used to lose in a month. I can't wait to see how I do on my 20 pounds in November goal. It's feeling more and more attainable!

4 pounds down, 16 to go!

Meassurement Monday: October 27th, 2014

So I've had two days of the modified 5 Bites. Here are the results of trying really hard to monitor my eating, listening to my body, and doing my version of the 5 Bite Diet.

Abdomen: 43.75 (-.5)
Waist: 34 (-.5)
Bust: 44.5 (.75)
Chest: 37 (-.5)
Hip: 45.8 (-1.2)
Left Arm: 14.1 (-.4)
Left Forearm: 10.75 (0)
Left Calf: 16 (-.5)
Left Thigh: 27.5 (-.25)
Right Arm: 14.1 (-.3)
Right Forearm: 11 (.5)
Right Calf: 15.75 (-.75)
Right Thigh: 27.25 (-.5)
Neck: 14.4 (-.1)
Current Weight: 198.2 pounds (-4.2)
Inches lost: -.85
Running total: 2.7, +2.2 pounds

I'm pretty pleased.Four pounds in two weeks is excellent. I think I'll continue to try to implement this strategy. There's no reason I can't do the modified 5 Bites when I'm eating alone. I'm hoping to keep myself from over indulging just because I don't have anything to slow me down and remind me to check in with myself. I really think I'm going to keep up with this. I can't imagine how well this could work over the course of a week. 

Measurement Monday: October 13th, 2014

I ate salty pizza in some amount of moderation! I'm counting this as a success.

Abdomen: 44.25 (.45)
Waist: 34.5 (1.16)
Bust: 43.75 (1.25)
Chest: 37.5 (.5)
Hip: 46.6 (.3)
Left Arm: 14.5 (.25)
Left Forearm: 10.75 (.25)
Left Calf: 16.5 (.75)
Left Thigh: 27.75 (.5)
Right Arm: 14.5 (-.25)
Right Forearm: 10.5 (-.25)
Right Calf: 16.5 (.13)
Right Thigh: 27.75 (.25)
Neck: 14.5 (0)
Current Weight: 202.4 pounds (2)
Inches lost: 5.3
Running total:3.55, +6.4 pounds

Not a good week. I can tell that I'm really slipping on my moderation and listening to my body. It's so hard breaking the habit of eating before bed. I understand about not eating when I'm bored, but eating before bed is so natural. It's weird eating at 3 in the afternoon and not eating dinner.

No soda is going well, and I'm going to work hard on intuitive eating this week.

Measurement Monday: October 6th, 2014

Yesterday was full of booze, burgers, and salt!

Abdomen: 43.8 (.55)
Waist: 34.36 (.36)
Bust: 4.25 (1)
Chest: 37 (.1)
Hip: 46.3 (.3)
Left Arm: 14.25 (-.25)
Left Forearm: 10.5 (-.1)
Left Calf: 15.75 (-.62)
Left Thigh: 27.25 (-.5)
Right Arm: 14.75 (.75)
Right Forearm: 10.75 (.25)
Right Calf: 16.37 (0)
Right Thigh: 27.5 (-.5)
Neck: 14.5 (,25)
Current Weight: 199.4 pounds (1)
Inches lost: 1.59
Running total: -1.75 inches, +4.4 pounds

So this isn't a great week for me, but that's alright. There are worse things than that. I'm still below my starting inches at least. In brighter news, I'm officially down a dress size over the last 6 months! Yeah, I know that's really slow, but I bought a two dresses when I started working at my horrible job. Since then, both those dresses (one a 14 and the other a loose 16P) can be pulled over my head without being unzipped! I just bought a new dress that is a 12P!

Measurement Monday: September 29th, 2014

Yesterday was wonderful: dim sum with friends, preparing for my upcoming craft fairs, and greasy burgers with John. There was a touch of over eating, but there was a great accomplishment! Yesterday John offered to take me out to dinner last night just as I was heating up some taquitos. I cooked them, and then rather than eating one or two to "hold me over" until John got home, I left them on the counter to cool and didn't eat a single one. This is a big deal for me. Let's get on to the measurements!

Abdomen: 43.25 (-.47)
Waist: 34 (-.25)
Bust: 43.25 (-1)
Chest: 36.9 (.1)
Hip: 46 (-.17)
Left Arm: 14.5 (0)
Left Forearm: 10.6 (-.15)
Left Calf: 16.37 (.37)
Left Thigh: 27.75 (.25)
Right Arm: 14 (-1)
Right Forearm: 10.5 (-.25)
Right Calf: 16.37 (-.12)
Right Thigh: 28 (0)
Neck: 14.25 (-,5)
Current Weight: 198.4 pounds (1)
Inches lost: -4.72
Running total: -3.34 inches, +3.4 pounds

I'm up a pound, but that's okay. I lost almost 5 inches! I'm starting to see a pattern where I lose a large amount of inches, then as I slowly gain some of them back, my weight drops. It's like an infuriating roller coaster. The good news is, if I'm finding this pattern, and it's true, then hopefully that means that I'm not going to panic or be disappointed next week as the inches creep back up. On the other hand, I'll likely be down below my starting weight (wow, that's sad) by the end of October! At least I'll be well below in inches when I get back to my starting weight.

Measurement Monday: September 22nd, 2014

So many beans last night, so much gas.

Abdomen: 44.17 (-.37)
Waist: 34.25 (-.75)
Bust: 44.25 (.5)
Chest: 36.8 (.7)
Hip: 46.17 (.17)
Left Arm: 14.5 (.38)
Left Forearm: 10.75 (0)
Left Calf: 16 (0)
Left Thigh: 27.5 (.12)
Right Arm: 15 (.5)
Right Forearm: 10.75 (-.05)
Right Calf: 16.5 (.12)
Right Thigh: 28 (.25)
Neck: 14.75 (,25)
Current Weight: 197.4 pounds (-1.6)
Inches lost: 1.82
Running total: 1.38 inches, +1.4 pounds

My inches are now bigger than when I started, which is a bummer. I'm losing weight though, which is great. Only 2.4 pounds until I'm back down to wear I was when I first decided to lose weight. Maybe next week will be better? The good news is,  I went to a potluck last night and didn't over eat too much.

Measurement Monday: September 15th, 2014

Well, I'm finally back below 200! The last time I was this low was back in May. I'm a little bloated based on my measurements (and the fact that I've eaten nothing but salt for the last two days)

Abdomen: 44.5 (.37)
Waist: 35 (.75)
Bust: 43.75 (.5)
Chest: 37.12 (.12)
Hip: 46 (0)
Left Arm: 14.12 (.87)
Left Forearm: 10.75 (.1)
Left Calf: 16 (0)
Left Thigh: 27.37 (-.12)
Right Arm: 14.5 (.5)
Right Forearm: 10.8 (.05)
Right Calf: 16.37 (.15)
Right Thigh: 27.75 (0)
Neck: 14.5 (,12)
Current Weight: 199.0 pounds (-.4)
Inches lost: 3.41
Running total: -.44 inches, +3 pounds

Well, damn. That's a big increase in inches. I'll eat better next weekend. I'm sure it's mostly bloat.

Measurement Monday: September 8th, 2014

It seems like Sundays I tend to over eat. I have to start working on that.

Abdomen: 44.12 (-.25)
Waist: 34.25 (-.25)
Bust: 43 (-.5)
Chest: 37 (-.5)
Hip: 46 (.5)
Left Arm: 13.5 (-.87)
Left Forearm: 10.65 (-.1)
Left Calf: 16 (.25)
Left Thigh: 27.5 (0)
Right Arm: 14 (0)
Right Forearm: 10.75 (.25)
Right Calf: 16.12 (.63)
Right Thigh: 27.75 (.25)
Neck: 14.37 (-.12)
Current Weight: 200.4 pounds (-1.2)
Inches lost: -.21
Running total: -3.85 inches, +4.4 pounds

A bit of fluctuation, but not that bad. Considering I lost four inches last time, I'm not surprised that I didn't lose much this week, but I am happy I lost anything. I won't complain about another 1.2 pound down either!

Measurement Monday: September 1st, 2014

I over ate yesterday, but only a little.Otherwise it was a pretty good week. Just a brief explanation on my revised running total: I'm changing it from my highest weight and measurements to my starting weight and measurements.

Abdomen: 44.37 (-.38)
Waist: 34.5 (.25)
Bust: 43.5 (-.75)
Chest: 37.5 (.5)
Hip: 45.5 (-1)
Left Arm: 14.37 (0)
Left Forearm: 10.75 (0)
Left Calf: 15.75 (-.5)
Left Thigh: 27.5 (0)
Right Arm: 14 (-1)
Right Forearm: 10.5 (-.25)
Right Calf: 15.37 (-.63)
Right Thigh: 27.5 (-.5)
Neck: 14.5 (.12)
Current Weight: 201.6 pounds (-1.2)
Inches lost: -4.14
Running total: -3.64 inches, +5.6 pounds

I was looking over my very first Measurement Monday post, way back in April, and I've realized that I am NOW finally back down to my original measurements (give or take a half inch here and there). It's frustrating that I've spent four months going up and down to where I started. I do weigh 5 pounds more than I was originally (though who knows what I really weighed given my old scale). I just feel like I've been spinning my wheels and wasting time.

The four inches I lost this week REALLY gives me hope that this is going to be the thing that helps me lose weight. Three inches last week, four inches this week, it really does inspire me. Seven inches in two weeks is incredible. If only I didn't need to put on weight and give up bread for three months to figure it out.

Measurement Monday: August 26th, 2014

Due to being sick, I haven't really watched what I was eating. Let's consider this my intuitive eating practice run?

Abdomen: 44.75 (-1.05)
Waist: 34.25 (-1.25)
Bust: 44.25 (.25)
Chest: 37 (-1)
Hip: 46.5 (0)
Left Arm: 14.37 (0)
Left Forearm: 10.75 (-.05)
Left Calf: 16.25 (0)
Left Thigh: 27.5 (-.25)
Right Arm: 15 (.5)
Right Forearm: 10.75 (-.05)
Right Calf: 16 (-.25)
Right Thigh: 28 (-.25)
Neck: 14..37 (0)
Current Weight: 202.8 pounds (-1)
Inches lost: -3.4
Running total: -.47 inches, +6.8 pounds

Those inches are a pleasant surprise! I'm really excited to see this. It gives me hope that intuitive eating could work.

Measurement Monday: August 18th, 2014

Things I did this week: applied for 22 jobs, worked a week from hell, medicated our sick dog, helped a friend pack, dealt with babies, went to the gym.
Things I did not do this week: track my macros, watch what I ate.

Abdomen: 45.8 (.8)
Waist: 35.5 (.5)
Bust: 44 (.5)
Chest: 38 (.5)
Hip: 46.5 (-.25)
Left Arm: 14.37 (-.38)
Left Forearm: 10.8 (-.2)
Left Calf: 16.25 (0)
Left Thigh: 27.75 (-.25)
Right Arm: 14.5 (0)
Right Forearm: 10.8 (-.2)
Right Calf: 16.25 (0)
Right Thigh: 28.25 (0)
Neck: 14..37 (-.13)
Current Weight: 203.8 pounds (-.8)
Inches lost: .89
Running total: 2.93 inches,+7.8 pounds

Although I gained inches, I don't mind. I'm thrilled my neck measurement is going down. That's a real sign of progress! My neck doesn't care if I'm  bloated or have been eating crappy. My neck doesn't puff up from too much sodium. This means I'm actually losing inches! Plus, for not watching my eating, I'm not disappointed.

Measurement Monday: August 11th, 2014

I know, I disappeared for a week. I've been house-sitting. It's been terrible and so have my eating habits.

Abdomen: 45 (.5)
Waist: 35 (.5)
Bust: 43.5 (-.25)
Chest: 37.5 (.25)
Hip: 46.75 (.5)
Left Arm: 14.75 (.5)
Left Forearm: 11 (.25)
Left Calf: 16.25 (.25)
Left Thigh: 28 (0)
Right Arm: 14.5 (0)
Right Forearm: 11 (0)
Right Calf: 16.25 (0)
Right Thigh: 28.25 (.5)
Neck: 14.5 (0)
Current Weight: 204.6 pounds (0)
Inches lost:2.75
Running total: 2.04 inches, +8.6 pounds

Oh well. On a brighter note, I switched from the YMCA to LA Fitness. LA Fitness is closer, it's on my way too and from work, and John joined with me, which means that we can workout together (or I can workout at a nice facility and he can join me for racquet ball once or twice a week).
 

Measurement Monday: August 4th, 2014

This weekend was once again full of grease and salt. John got a great new job, and we were celebrating. Worth it. I'm still feeling great about the progress in my pictures, so I don't care that my weight went up.

Abdomen: 44.5 (0)
Waist: 34.5 (-.25)
Bust: 43.75 (.25)
Chest: 37.25 (-.5)
Hip: 46.25 (-.25)
Left Arm: 14.25 (-.25)
Left Forearm: 10.75 (0)
Left Calf: 16 (0)
Left Thigh: 28 (.25)
Right Arm: 14.5 (.375)
Right Forearm: 11 (0)
Right Calf: 16.25 (0)
Right Thigh: 27.75 (-.25)
Neck: 14.5 (0)
Current Weight: 204.6 pounds (+.2)
Inches lost:-.625
Running total: -.71 inches, +8.6 pounds

It's going the right direction! My goal for this week is to lose a pound and go back to the gym. My burns are healing well enough that I think I can exercise without being on fire. 

Measurement Monday: July 28th, 2014

I'm so frustrated! I'm hoping I'm just retaining water because I drank a ton of soda this weekend at a concert and ate salty greasy food. I did stay within my macros pretty much all week though. Not that it matters, apparently. 
Abdomen: 44.5 (.25)
Waist: 34.7 (.25)
Bust: 43.5 (-.25)
Chest: 37.75 (.25)
Hip: 46.5 (.25)
Left Arm: 14.5 (-.25)
Left Forearm: 10.75 (0)
Left Calf: 16 (0)
Left Thigh: 27.75 (.25)
Right Arm: 14.125 (0)
Right Forearm: 11 (0)
Right Calf: 16.25 (.125)
Right Thigh: 28 (.5)
Neck: 14.5 (0)
Current Weight: 204.4 pounds (+1.2)
Inches lost:+1.375
Running total: -.085 inches, +8.4 pounds

UGH! I'll probably remeasure tomorrow to see how much of this is water weight. 

Measurement Monday: July 21st, 2014

I lost zero inches and didn't cheat once. I am pissed.

Measurement Monday: July 14th, 2014

Not a terrible week. Not great, but I'm 100% back on the wagon now. Again, I apologize for the tardiness. My work schedule changed, and now I work Mondays.
Abdomen: 44.25 (.25)
Waist: 34. (.5)
Bust: 43.75 (-.25)
Chest: 37.5 (.5)
Hip: 46.25 (-.25)
Left Arm: 14.75 (.5)
Left Forearm: 10.75 (.25)
Left Calf: 16 (-.25)
Left Thigh: 27.5 (0)
Right Arm: 14.125 (-.125)
Right Forearm: 11 (.25)
Right Calf: 16.125 (-.125)
Right Thigh: 27.5 ()
Neck: 14.5 (0)
Current Weight: 202.8 pounds (?)
Inches lost: 1.25
Running total: -1.29 inches, +6.8 pounds

My goal last week had been to stay at 196, which was what my last scale said I weighed. Well, I don't know if that's true, but if so, clearly I failed. I'm not real pleased with that number, or any of the numbers this week, but oh well. This morning I was down 1.4 pounds, so who knows what's the deal.

Measurement Monday: July 7th, 2014

I've done really well this week, and my numbers prove it!
Abdomen: 44 (-.25)
Waist: 34 (-.25)
Bust: 44 (+.5)
Chest: 37 (-.25)
Hip: 46.5 (0)
Left Arm: 14.25 (0)
Left Forearm: 11 (+.25)
Left Calf: 16.25 (+.125)
Left Thigh: 27.5 (0)
Right Arm: 14.5 (0)
Right Forearm: 10.75 (0)
Right Calf: 16.25 (0)
Right Thigh: 27.5 (-.25)
Neck: 14.5 (0)
Current Weight: ? pounds (?)
Inches lost: -.125
Running total: -2.54 inches,? pounds

Okay, so I didn't lose as many inches as I wanted, but nearly all my numbers went down. I don't know what's going on with my bust measurement, by the way. It's been all over the place (and seems to be growing?!). As for my weight? Well, I threw out my scale! Okay, no it wasn't some ephiphany that I'm more than a number on the scale, it was because my old scale was giving very inconsistent readings (195, 162, 187 all back to back!), and I wanted a new scale as a reward for sticking to it. Plus, I'm confident I'm officially in the 190s to stay. No more blips into the land of 200. So I bought a super cool solar powered digital scale! It's supposed to be here between the 10th and 15th. If we're lucky it'll be here before next Monday. My goal this week? Not be above 196 whenever I get my scale. Oh, and don't eat like crap.