I want to smash my scale to bits...

Monday, October 08, 2012

Because it is such a useless tool when it comes to calculating progress (at least for me). I gained 0.2lbs after a week of generally good eating (I did indulge for a birthday but not as much as I usually do) and exercising everyday. I was disappointed when I stepped on the scale today but then I went and took my measurements and lo and behold they tell a completely different story.

In inches...
Bust: 37.25 (this was the only one that went up, probably due to pesky hormones)
Natural Waist (smallest part): 30
Lower Waist (bellybutton): 35
Hips: 40
Upper Arm: 13.50
Forearm: 11
Thigh: 24
Calf: 14.75

Just so you don't have to look at my past entry for comparison, I will tell you that I lost half an inch each from my natural waist, hips and thighs. A WHOLE inch from my lower waist and a quarter of an inch from my forearms and upper arms yet I've only lost a little over 1lb throughout these past 3 weeks. I'm not sure what to do with the weighing thing. Should I just give it up all-together? Only weigh in once a month? It's really frustrating me.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

BOOCH6 10/11/2012 6:51AM

I'm with the girls, don't get rid of the scale all together, but put it aside for awhile and keep taking measurements ! Great job on the inces lost ! I'm going to get my tape measure out. I haven't done that for awhile ! Keep up the good work ! - Barb Report Inappropriate Comment

SCAPP3LL3 10/9/2012 1:34AM

Congratulations on the inches loss. Get a hammer, and beat the scale to pieces. You'll feel better Report Inappropriate Comment

TRYINGTOLOSE64 10/8/2012 8:56PM

Congrats on the inches lost!! You can smash my scale too. Report Inappropriate Comment

JUDYAMK 10/8/2012 8:54PM

The scale has nothing to do with your gaining . Days are different & the times of the day you weigh your self. I do not rely on it. When I lost before the scale barley budged, but I kept at the work outs & eating healthy, I noticed my pants were loser my tops not snug, the scale was not the story , I measured & wow did I lose the inches My good old cloth measuring tape was my buddy!!!! Do not give up do not let it beat you . You are in control. Kick the aside & use the good old tape measure. Maybe you need to mix things up with working out. & change things Take care Judy Report Inappropriate Comment

IWILLLOSETOO 10/8/2012 8:52PM

I really need to start measuring! I'm frustrated with the scale as well, but I can't help but get on it every morning. Thanks for this reminder that pounds don't always equal fat loss! Report Inappropriate Comment

Measuring Tape and Digital Scales

Thursday, September 20, 2012

How I loathe thee.
I finally got to taking my measurements today which I'll be posting to keep myself accountable and to track my progress. They are pretty much what I expected. The SP measurement tracker tells you to do it once a month but that seems like a long time to wait. I'll probably do it every 2 weeks on Monday because that's when I officially weigh myself.

My measurements in inches.
Bust: 37
Natural Waist (smallest part): 30.5
Low Waist (bellybutton): 36
Hips: 40.5
Upper Arm: 13.75
Forearm: 11.25
Thigh: 24.5
Calf: 14.75

I did sneak a step on the scale today and was a bit disappointed. I still weigh 163.4lbs which is just a bit heavier than when I started SP. I usually lose weight consistently when I try but this time it seems harder. I wonder if it's because I'm doing mostly strength training? I've been walking too but in the past I usually did more intense cardio. I am somewhat more muscular than I used to be but I don't think it's enough for me to gain weight. I know it's still really early in so I probably shouldn't be too worried about it... I think I will kick up the cardio though and see how it goes.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

TRYINGTOLOSE64 9/20/2012 8:21PM

I betcha the next time around that you take measurements you'll show definite progress!! Report Inappropriate Comment

AJWALKLEY 9/20/2012 12:55PM

Tracking these measurements is honestly the best way to measure progress. The scale can fluctuate for many reasons, so it's great you're going to be measuring other areas, too. Good luck! Report Inappropriate Comment

Zombie Oatmeal

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Breakfast was a lazily microwaved gooey mass of oatmeal, protein powder and ancient freezer burned blueberries. The berries turned the bowl into a color that was somewhere between cement and moldy blue cheese. Although the color was off-putting I'm positive those blueberries were the only thing that kept the flavor bearable enough for me to slide the food down my throat. I don't like breakfast. I will have any meal over breakfast and yet I never skip it. I can't remember the last time I didn't have breakfast.

Normally my most-important-meal-of-the-day tastes much better than this one did, then again, most of my breakfasts don't have 24 grams of protein. So I forced myself to eat it. It really wasn't the worst thing I've eaten but I like to enjoy my food and there was not one moment of enjoyment in that zombie oatmeal. The last two bites were the worst, I wasn't sure I would make it but I did.

So now I'm curious, what is the worst thing any of you have forced yourself to eat in the name of health?

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MICYWALTON 9/23/2012 6:19AM

I haven't eaten super healthy food for very long, but I do remember trying to eat an egg that was fried inside a piece of toast...kinda like sunny side up...couldn't stomach it. It just looked terrible. Report Inappropriate Comment

SCAPP3LL3 9/22/2012 11:19AM

Green juice with lot's of spinach and celery. I convinced myself juicing was oh-so-healthy and so bought a juicer and -yuck!!! I use it for fruit juices now. Those are pretty good. Report Inappropriate Comment

MAMAOWLS 9/19/2012 3:03PM

I got to where I couldn't stand the cabbage soup back in the day when the cabbage soup diet was popular. Report Inappropriate Comment

KNYAGENYA 9/19/2012 2:23PM

I made a breakfast of flaxseed and peanut butter. Oh the horror! Report Inappropriate Comment

SKINICOOK 9/19/2012 2:22PM

Eh sounds delicious! I think the worst thing I ever forced myself to eat was a Gillian McKeith recipe for a bean and veggie stew - think no salt, stock, flavor of any kind. It almost came back up into the bowl! Or it could be the avocado, basil and cucumber juice smoothie I also had that week thanks to Ms McKeith. I've trouble eating something I don't like...a lot of trouble swallowing and keeping it down so I tend to stick to things that are healthy and tasty. Report Inappropriate Comment

NAKIOMA 9/19/2012 2:19PM

I have always hated beets - so I went out and bought a jar. Turns out they were Amish Wedding pickled beets - on of the best tastes I've ever had. Report Inappropriate Comment

Downward or Upward?

Monday, September 17, 2012

Quick update on my furry brother: He is doing a lot better. He has had no personality changes at all and is now eating regularly. His walking and eye movement has improved further but he still has a head tilt and leans to one side when walking and running. All in all we are feeling very optimistic about him now. So thanks for all the well wishes on my last blog post. :)

My diet was so-so yesterday and the three days before that it has been bad. I didn't exercise at all and have gained half a pound since the day I started this all. I wasn't tracking anything I ate and I would be embarrassed if I had to. My family bought a lot of junk food this past week and I've just been really lazy due to stress from the dog and my mom. I should have been able to control myself but I didn't. I'm ashamed and have been beating myself up all morning over it. I feel like a failure and am completely demotivated.

I feel like my family doesn't understand, my mom and grandmother didn't know I was trying to lose weight but earlier this week they kept telling my how "thin" I was looking and how I shouldn't lose weight because I would lose my "curves" (I'm all stomach, seriously) and how skinny people are gross looking. I just wanted to yell at them to shut up and leave me alone. I felt so self-conscious, I wanted to go back to having an eating disorder. They don't know how it makes me feel. I've tried to tell them before to not comment on my body but my mom reacted very weirdly and yelled at me for being a terrible person or something of that nature. Now I feel as if I can never bring it up... Like how I feel is irrelevant in comparison to them being able to talk and gossip about our diets, our bodies and our choices. I don't tell them to lose weight why do they tell me to NOT lose weight? Their perception of what is healthy is very warped, either that or they are jealous or want to keep me in the house forever. I'm sick of this, I feel helpless.

Having a blog is like having a toxin filter for your mind. The more I write the more I can let go, the more I let go the better I feel. I am drinking anxiety tea and my appetite has finally returned. Time for a late breakfast once again.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

GOSPELCLOWN 9/18/2012 10:36AM

Glad we can be here for you while you detoxify! Report Inappropriate Comment

SCAPP3LL3 9/17/2012 1:30PM

I'm glad to hear your dog is better. I can totally identify with your situation. My Mom and her sisters and my cousins are very toxic too, they critique all the time. In fact, I moved 2000 miles away from the whole situation. To me today, as an adult, I still view north central Connecticut as the pit of despair and I'd never move back there. Maybe you need to look at your body objectively. Are you within the scale for your height-weight range? Try not to let your Mother bother you. That's easier said than done, I know. Lots of people have spent lots of money at therapists trying to learn to deal with their mothers! Report Inappropriate Comment

Putting Things On Hold

Friday, September 14, 2012

Hey, guys. I thought I should update real quick since I was missing on Spark People yesterday and probably will be tomorrow and the next day. The family dog (feels weird calling him that, he's more like a brother to me since he's been with us since I was 7) had what we thought was a stroke or seizure. We now believe it to be vestibular syndrome and are watching him constantly as well as giving him dramamine in low doses to help with nausea and dizziness. So far he has improved his walking and his eyes aren't darting or drooping as much. (Last time I checked anyway, my sister took over the last shift so I could get some sleep finally) He still hasn't eaten but drinks water occasionally. If he takes a turn for the worse today then we'll take him to the vet but we don't have enough money for any kind of big treatment. We also wouldn't want to put him through anything excessive or stressful due to his age. As you can probably tell I didn't have the time nor care to watch what I was eating or get any exercise, it's all been so stressful and there has been tons of family drama. I did eat too much yesterday and I'm going to try to be mindful today but it's not a huge priority at the moment. I hope you all understand, thanks for reading.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

GOSPELCLOWN 9/18/2012 10:35AM

I had never heard of that ailment before. Wishing you all the best.... may he get well soon! Report Inappropriate Comment

SCAREWALDORF 9/16/2012 3:29PM

I hope your dog gets better soon. Thinking of you xoxo Report Inappropriate Comment

DRCLANKY 9/14/2012 8:24PM

So sorry to hear about your dog! Report Inappropriate Comment

PATTYKLAVER 9/14/2012 5:43PM

I'm sorry you're going through so much right now. My heart goes out to you. Report Inappropriate Comment

SCAPP3LL3 9/14/2012 1:43PM

Sorry about your dog, I know our pets are our family members. Take care of yourself and come back when you can! Report Inappropriate Comment