It has been four weeks since I decided to change my lifestyle and lose 100 pounds.
I mentioned before that I don't like hard work, and I am easily frustrated. This weight loss has been really, really hard. Momentum keeps me going, as does an incredible commitment to being a good role model for Gracie.
I won't fail her. She is going to learn to be a healthy, active person.
(I'm going to start with my frustrations because I want to end with my big success.)
Frustrations
My biggest frustration this week has been the feeling that I take two steps forward only to take one step backward. Making big lifestyle changes is hard work, even if you make small changes on a regular basis.
Pounds lost
I haven't made as much progress as I would've liked. The pounds are not coming off as quickly now as they were three weeks ago. I knew this would happen (and it had to happen), but it's still a little frustrating.
I forgot to weigh myself this morning, but I'd lost a total of 11.2 pounds the last time I weighed, on the 20th. I'll update in the morning if I've lost any more.
Back pain
On Friday, I got up at 5 am, and I exercised. I felt great. It was the fifth time in six days that I'd exercised.
On Saturday, I couldn't get out of bed. I had stabbing pain in my lower back, and muscle pain in my upper back. I was afraid that there was something going on with my back injuries from last year.
I took ibuprofen; I called in a refill of my arthritis medicine.
I'm so too young to need arthritis medicine, but I called it in anyway.
I laid on my couch all day, alternating between an ice pack and a blanket. I read a lot of the Bible, catching up on the Bible in 90 Days challenge. My back feels a lot better today.
I'm going to continue taking my arthritis medicine for a few days, but I'm also going back to my workout routine tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes.
Successes
Migraines
I haven't had any this week! I am drinking enough iced tea to float a cruise ship, but I haven't had any headaches.
Exercise
I don't care if my back has been hurting or not, I exercised five times in six days.
I'm not intending to take any days off this week.
New Habits
Eating at restaurants had really become our standard. There were weeks in 2009 when we didn't eat supper at home at all, not even once.
This past week, we ate out one night, at the local Chinese buffet. Both Joe and I realized after we got home that we were disappointed in ourselves. We both ate too much, and we decided together that we are going to avoid buffet-style restaurants from now on.
Losing Inches
I measured myself this evening. Spark People keeps track of my waist, hips, thigh, calf, upper arm, and neck measurements.
I lost inches. If you add up the inches I lost on all of those, my loss totals 13.25 inches.
In four weeks.
My biggest loss was in my hips - 4.5 inches. I also lost 3 inches in my calf and in my waist.
Looking Forward
I am not going to complain about losing 11.2 pounds and 13.25 inches in four weeks.
I can, however, do better.
I am going to re-start food journaling, even if it means I get a little less sleep than I would like.
I am going to exercise every day.
And I'm going to lose more weight.
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