Losing it: an update

Way back toward the end of March, I announced that I was going to go on a fitness and calorie-counting kick. Here is that post. Well, I'm happy to report, I did it. I kicked myself into gear, started counting calories and exercising in earnest. It's HARD. Very, very hard. But, we've (my husband and I are doing this together, he's my partner in crime in this weight-loss spree!) done it, we've kept it up, and we've seen progress. We've counted calories using the Livestrong app on our Iphones. (We were using the free LoseIt app but found it a bit lacking. The paid ($3) Livestrong app has a lot more in its database and we find it easier to use.) The biggest thing? We bought an elliptical! This has been KEY, especially for me. I'm more apt to go down into the basement and get on the elliptical than I am to walk outside or do any other type of activity. The elliptical about killed me for the first week, but it's a good workout. Gets the 'ol heart pumping! 

To date, I've lost 12 pounds. I've lost inches too, which count for more, in my opinion. My upper torso has lost the most inches, which is odd. I've lost inches all over but the most of my inches have disappeared from my torso. (isn't that weird?) I took my measurements about five weeks into this and checked them five weeks later. I'm glad I did that, because I was stuck and not losing any weight for about two weeks. When I realized that I had lost inches I felt much better. 

My clothes are fitting better, although I haven't really gone down any sizes yet. The skirts that I sewed last year? Those hardly fit anymore! I have still been wearing them though because I really like them, but they're a bit too billowy and the elastic waists are too big. This is a good thing, but, I'm sad to see all of those skirts go! I have a new skirt pattern that I'm waiting to try out - it is a bit more form fitting than my current skirts. It's incredibly frustrating trying to shop for new clothes now because I'm in between sizes. Things are either large or just a tad bit snug. I think once I lose another 10 pounds I will be able to fit better into things. My husband has done excellent - he's lost a whole bunch of inches and  a total of 16 pounds. He mixes up his exercises - playing basketball, doing the elliptical, using the weight-lifting machine and riding his bike for 25 or more miles. He's much more active than me! 

I have a lot more to lose. Slow and steady is going to win this race. My goal is still to lose a total of 75 pounds. I want to be at least five dress sizes smaller when all is said and done. I know it'll take awhile to do this - my goal is to lose the 75 pounds within nine months, by the end of this calendar year. However! I have a new motivator! In August, we're going to Florida, and we want to have beach-ready bods! Today, we have eight weeks until our trip. Our plan is to really work hard and to lose at least 1.5 pounds a week for the next eight weeks. I want to be able to buy smaller shorts and skirts before the trip and to be comfortable in my bathing suit on the beach! Also? I want to be able to buy this dress from ModCloth! In a smaller size, to wear in Florida!

This has all been incredibly challenging, but worth it. I feel better and some days I think I look better. I have days where I feel really dumpy and gross and days where I feel good and active. A lot of times I wish this was all faster - that the weight would just melt off. But I know that I'm doing it slow so that I can keep it off for good. We've definitely changed our lifestyle as far as eating and fitness goes, and that's the most awesome thing about this. Calorie counting has made us examine what we eat and has forced us to make better choices. Overall, we're both healthier, which was the number one goal of all of this. We want to be healthier and more active to keep up with the kiddies! 

I will report back right before we go to Florida. I hope I will report a 10-pound loss and I hope to be able to have that ModCloth dress in my closet! Maybe I'll be able to take a picture of myself in the dress and feel confident posting it here!