Body fat percentage cut in half. Yipee!

Saturday, January 09, 2010

I have made it to a point where I just need to maintain. I'm liking this.
At the end of December, my Bodpod test showed my bodyfat to be 15.2% (down from 34.2% at the beginning of June). Woo hoo! In terms of pounds, I started out at 58.3 lbs of fat and 112.6 lbs of lean muscle. Today, I am down to 21.6 lbs of fat weight and 120.7 lbs of lean muscle weight. So total weight is now 142.3 lbs down from a starting weight of 170.9 lbs.
I need to make sure I eat enough to fuel my body in addition to continuing to make good food choices. I don't want to lose any of the muscle weight I have gained because to be quite honest, it looks pretty good.
My reward was a trip to NYC for new year's eve. Had lots of fun.
I still have good days and days when I should have made better choices when it comes to food. I like the fact that I pay attention more to what I eat. I continue to track my meals and workouts. Keeps me accountable.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

JAKEANDNELLIE 1/9/2010 1:43AM

It's blogs like this that inspire me to continue on this journey! Thanks for the motivation! Sheila Report Inappropriate Comment

Looking for a "before" picture

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

While I was stretching after my workout last night, one of my trainers stopped and asked me if I had any "before" pictures. I laughed. He was serious. Yikes. I don't see myself as any sort of an example and tend to prefer to just blend in. I guess I'll see what I can find.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

CLMANCHESTER 11/18/2009 6:02PM

I had a hard time too because I always avoided cameras. I tend to be the one taking the pictures so I don't have to be in them. Report Inappropriate Comment

WILLY200 11/10/2009 10:04PM

So how much weight have you lost? That's pretty encouraging that your trainer wants a "before" shot and that you're getting rid of bag cloths. That's awesome. Keep it up. Best of luck to you. Report Inappropriate Comment

Where am I after 5 months?

Sunday, November 01, 2009

I never expected a number to have such an impact on me nor did I expect it to be the catalyst it was. 34% body fat was where I was back in June. That number really bothered me. I told everyone what it was. Many people thought it had to be wrong because I didn't "look" like I could have a number that high. Clothes hide alot.
I've continued to keep track of the food I've eaten. This has included days where my food choices were good and days where the choices were not so good. That's ok though.
I've also continued to keep a regular workout schedule which can be difficult sometimes.
So after 5 months, my body fat is 18.2%. I increased my lean weight by 10 lbs from 112 to 122 and decreased by fat weight from 58.3 lbs to 27 lbs.
So I say to the ol' 34% number...... pffttttt!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

BH7272 12/25/2009 12:04PM

OK, we really do need to see a photo, you know. This is so awesome!! Congrats. Report Inappropriate Comment

BEAUTIFULLATINA 11/2/2009 9:35PM

awesome job!! Report Inappropriate Comment

LOVEROFANIMALS 11/2/2009 7:31AM

Great post and illustration that the scale isn't everything!!! Way to go on the decrease of body fat. Report Inappropriate Comment

YESWEDID 11/1/2009 9:56PM

GREAT JOB! Report Inappropriate Comment

Don't underestimate the impact you have on others

Monday, October 19, 2009

I was looking to do something nice for my trainers to thank them for all of their help over the past 4 1/2 months. I wanted them to know how much I appreciated everything they have helped me accomplish. They may be just doing their job, but for me, the impact has been huge. They continue to push me to do things that are much harder than what I would ever push myself to do. Their words of encouragement range from "that looked a little too easy for you" to "good job" and "just 5 more seconds". Seriously, on my own, I'd probably just say that's enough and be done with it.
This got me to thinking about the whole Spark People concept and being able to reach out to others when you feel discouraged and need some encouragement. And sometimes people notice when you aren't there for a few days and send positive notes and inquiries of "hope everything is ok" . Isn't that cool?
So the next time you offer words of encouragement or help someone get through a rough patch, remember the impact on the receiver could be greater than you realize.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

CAPTHAMMER 10/19/2009 9:47PM

Well said! Thanks for reminding us of something we should always keep in mind. Report Inappropriate Comment

DOTTY7267 10/19/2009 9:14PM

I truly enjoyed your blog, and I too have been blessed with kind words from strangers when I felt very discouraged from people close to me. Receiving a spark goodie saying "you can do it" says so much sometimes. . . sometimes that all you need to help you make it to the next phase. Report Inappropriate Comment

How I spent my summer

Tuesday, September 08, 2009

A year ago, I had cut out an ad for a local fitness establishment that offered personal training along with fitness assessment that included body fat measurement, resting metabolic rate, & VO2 testing. The ad was on my fridge until this past June when I realized I was heading towards being in the worst shape I had ever been in. I took the ad to work, called Brett, and asked him to tell me about his gym and the Bod Pod, etc. I set up an appointment to visit the gym that afternoon. Two days later, I was in the Bod Pod. A few hours later, I was on the treadmill, hooked up to a computer & breathing thru some contraption. Afterwards, we reviewed the numbers. It was not pretty.
I started the summer in June at 34.2% body fat. I could not bear the thought of being only 16 away from 50%. For the record, my weight was 170.9 lbs, (58.3lbs fat, blech)
My training program consisted of working out with a personal trainer3 times a week. I also did Pilates at home 2 times a week. I am a compulsive eater so I knew I needed to get the eating under control in order to succeed so a couple weeks later, I began to track my meals in SparkPeople.
My trainers were awesome and provided endless encouragement as I struggled thru my workouts. They pushed me to do one more set, one more rep. There were times I sweated so much I swear I was sweating out of my eyeballs. SparkPeople provided me with nutrition information which enabled me to educate myself to make better food choices.
I ended August at 22.5% body fat. My weight had also dropped to 156.5 (32.2 lbs fat).
What a summer.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

CHEWY3 9/8/2009 10:02PM

Way to go. Good for you. What are your plans for the fall. Keep it up and stay positive. Good luck! Report Inappropriate Comment

MAMMS456 9/8/2009 10:01PM

Wow, that is truly amazing and awesome!! You cut your body fat by a third in just a few months! Not to mention the almost 15 pounds you lost!! You should be so proud of your accomplishments! Report Inappropriate Comment

RASMITH0506 9/8/2009 9:59PM

A resounding success of a summer if you ask me, way to go! Report Inappropriate Comment