So, I was talking to my friend the other night and he said that his sister has been working out a lot and dropped 40 pounds in 3 months. That is a little over 13 pounds a month; a little over 3 pounds a week; a little under half a pound per day. That is astonishing to me. That means she is creating a HUGE calorie deficit and still has energy to do everything else? AMAZING and kudos to her. For me, I am like the tortoise. Slow and steady winning the race against myself.
So, my ideal goal was to lose 5 pounds a month to reach my goal weight of 137 pounds by June 2012. I already know this is a high goal to set, but it is my target. It will probably have to get adjusted as I move along, but it is okay. As long as there is a decreasing weight trend, I will be happy.
My realistic goal was a loss of 2 pounds a month, which is more feasible with the amount of activity I do to the amount of food I consume.
My very low goal is just not to gain any weight from the month before, which will probably be happening more often than not. I just set this goal because If, by chance there is no change, I can say, "HEY! at least I didn't pick up any weight!" Confidence builder.
The scale plays a role in these goals, obviously. It tells you the truth at times you might not want to hear it or face up to the facts. It bears no ill will toward you, but you hate it anyway. These are times I remind myself not to shoot the messenger. I asked it, "how much do I weigh now?" and it answered.
I would be lying if I said I only weigh myself at the beginning of each month. That is so not the case. I weigh myself at least 3 times a week to see how my progress and this month was full of ups and downs, but I learned something from this past month.
One, NEVER weigh yourself during that time of the month. You are bloated and emotional and that number just does not help. I was about 5 pounds heavier than at the second week of September (a whopping 191!) and was depressed up until this morning.
Two, change in a work out routine is good because your body gets too used to what you have been doing and it is not burning as much as you would like. My sister has recently shown me some full body work outs I think I will be incorporating into my gym visits, though after doing them with her I realize I have no strength in my core and I have reinforced the realization that I have no upper body strength. I look like a fool doing them, no doubt, but it is okay because I can only get better.
And finally, cheating on the weekend is okay but planning full out feasts is not such a good idea. Last month I splurged at the lobster festival and had funnel cake and lemonade and kettle corn. Then I splurged on sushi and ice cream and French macarons and Korean chips. And that was all in one weekend. I think if I know I will be just straight out feasting, I have to prepare in advance and work harder at the gym than I would usually. That way, I don't feel as bad.
And after all of the ups and downs of September, did I hit my goal of 5 pounds? Sadly no, with all the eating I did, but I was able to drop 3 pounds in the month of September. I started at 187 and today I am at 184. Not where I wanted to be at the beginning of the month, but not bad either. I might try to step it up this month and tack on the 2 I didn't lose to this month making it a record breaking 7 POUNDS TO LOSE for the month, but I will be truthful and tell you all that I do have a feasting weekend coming up that I am REALLY looking forward to, so we will see how this month goes. Wish me luck.
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