Fit at Fifty Week Twenty Six

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Apologies as this post is long overdue.  I meant to share my thoughts on February 20, which was my birthday, and the big mark I have been working towards.  Unfortunately, I got sick, the sickest I have been in a long time, and am still battling this crazy cold.  Here we are at Fit at Fifty Week Twenty Six;  a part of me feels like it flew by, and another part of me feels like it took forever.

I did weigh myself on my birthday and had lost two pounds from the previous post.  I felt happy about that as I thought I was at a stand still.  Being sick and sitting on the couch for a week did not put me in a good place.  I felt heavy and was going stir crazy.  But, it was two pounds, and I would take it.  I did not track everything I ate; it was too exhausting for me during this time.  Rest assured I continued eating the way I had been;  I never lose my appetite when sick.  I made sure my portions were still fist sized, and I tried to balance them as much as I could with protein and heavy vegetables.  My workouts suffered for sure.  I did not do any cardio.  I tried, but even walking up the stairs was a journey.  I did manage to do yoga almost every day, which made me feel better after sitting on the couch for long periods of time.

I did not make my goal of 135 pounds; but, I feel good for what I did accomplish. I lost inches in my measurements (see below), lost 13 pounds, and I went down a size in my jeans and over a notch on my belt. YAY!! I may not have reached my weight goal, but I accomplished so much more. I am stronger, feel healthier and I even am enjoying yoga now. One of the greatest accomplishments was knowing I did all of this by eating a whole food diet and moving my body. I didn’t fast, cut out carbs, only drink juice, gorge on grapefruit or any other “diet.” Instead, I ate wholesome food, smaller portions and got a little stronger.

My take away is simple.  If I can do this, you can do this.  I think cutting out as much processed food as possible is key, and when I mean processed I am talking about low-fat, no-fat, fake products that we may buy to make our lives simpler or to make us feel better.  Eat good fats such as nuts, avocados and lean meats.  Load up on healthy green vegetables and enjoy fresh fruit.  Don’t eliminate bread or pasta because you think the carbs are bad for you.  Instead, spend a little more a good hearty bread instead of the white loaf that makes you want to eat 3 or 4 slices at at time.  Have dessert once a week, instead of 5 times a week.  I treated myself with something sweet at the end of the week, not because I earned it, instead because I wanted it and did not want to deprive myself to reach my goals.  It was about balance.  I know so many people who work out 10xs more than I do, but they eat so much processed food and crap.  I think it is the added sugars in these foods, that gets us craving more and we keep eating more to feel satisfied.  When I eat wholesome grains, good cuts of meat and fish as well as fruits and vegetables, I do not have any cravings.  I eat until I am slightly full, which then turns into making me full.  Exercise;  I think moving my body at least 30 minutes a day is key.  Yoga made a difference in the way my body is starting to look.  I see muscle tone, and everything saggy is looking for fit.  We are all busy;  but it isn’t that hard to carve 30 – 60 minutes out of your day.  Get off social media, quit watching crap on TV;  instead move your body, walk your dog or play with your kids.  I stopped making excuses for my bad behavior, and now I feel good about how I look and feel.

I am going to keep the journey going as I still would like to get to 135, and now I am curious as to how much longer it will take me. Here is a recap on how I ate cake and lost weight.

Are you interested in me tracking my progress further and sharing with you?  Weekly?  Every two weeks?  Or not interested at all?  I would love to know.

Beginning Weight:  144

End of week: 142

Successes: 

• did yoga almost every day except twice

Failures:

• no cardio

Measurements (twenty six weeks earlier)

• Arms:          14″
• Chest:         36 1/2″
• Waist:         31 1/2″
• Hip:             41″
• Knee:          15 1/4″
• Calf:            15

Measurements (February 20, 2017)

• Arms:          12″
• Chest:         35 1/2″
• Waist:         30 1/2″
• Hip:            39″
• Knee:          14 1/4″
• Calf:            14