Checking In...

Well, I decided to pull out the tape measure and scale to compare my measurements to where I was when I started this.

I was hopeful, because I feel like I've been working hard. I've been working out 3-4 times a week for the past 6 weeks or so. I'm sleeping better, have more energy, and hubby tells me I look different. So I was looking for a little pick-me-up with in improvement in the numbers.

I weighed. I measured.

I gained 2 pounds.

I gained about 1/2 inch on every measurement...except my chest. Isn't that just crappy? If I'm gonna gain inches anywhere, it had better be in the boobs. But no.

My determination is slipping away on me...

BMI: Body Mass Index

I had a recent comment from someone wanting to know my height and BMI (Hello, H from England :) ). I didn't realize that I had neglected to tell you how tall I am...a rather important number in all these calculations, no?! Sorry 'bout that.

I am 5' 8", with a very slender bone structure.

THIS site lets you calculate your BMI, if you're interested. I figured mine:

at 155 pounds and 5'8" my BMI=23.6
at 140 pounds and 5'8" my BMI=21.3

Both numbers are within the "Normal" range of 18.5-24.9. It is within this range that our risks of certain diseases are minimized (those associated with obesity).

Okay...is someone out there saying, "Well, she's not overweight at all! She's "normal"!" ?

That may be true, but the reason I'm trying to lose weight isn't to lower my number on a chart or to necessarily (although it would be nice) fit into a size 6 pant. I want to be healthy. I know that at this weight, I am not as healthy and fit as I could be. As I want to be.

And I may be avoiding some chronic diseases caused by obesity...I'm not going to avoid the chronic diseases caused by eating lots and lots of chocolate and by not exercising!

I should add something to my "Stuff I'm sick of " list: writing and thinking and analyzing this thing to death, yet not really making any changes. My "willpower muscles" are weak. Very very weak. (Although I have been staring at a bowl of m&m's all morning, and haven't had a single ONE...progress!) :)

Thanks for your comments. I really enjoy hearing from you.

My "Before" Weigh In

Okay, I did all the "before" stuff this morning....measurements, weight, pictures (that was loads of fun).

I feel the need to do a little disclaimer here. I should say that I don't think I'm "fat". I'm not obese or fat...I'm heavier than I think is ideal for me...but more importantly, I'm not fit. I'm not healthy. My cholesterol is almost 300, and I have serious heart issues in my family.

My goal is to get healthy. And knowing my body, getting healthy will also mean weight loss and fat loss. So that's why I'm keeping track of this stuff.

Enough of that already. Here are my beginning stats:

weight: 153 pounds
chest: 37"
waist: 35"
hips: 41"
thigh: 22.5"
arm: 11.25"

I also took some before pictures of me in a bikini...good Lord, why did you ever allow the bikini to be created?? Not fun. And no, I'm not showing you the pictures. At least not right now. I have some serious courage to work up if I'm going to show you pictures.