OTF WLC Done and that much closer...

The 6 week long 'Fitness Challenge' aka 'Weight Loss Challenge' has come to an end. I had my final weigh in today. I have been at a standstill wanting (needing) to lose 'about 20 pounds' for about a year.  This past 6 weeks I worked out a little more than usual. But my average week consists of 5 to 7 work outs normally. I tracked my calories with more of an emphasis on higher protein or a more balanced diet-- meaning 33% carbs, 33% fat, 33% protein. The biggest behavioral change over this past 6 weeks has been with the scale.  I went from weighing myself everyday, same time / same way to not at all. I literally hid the scale from myself. This final weekend I was very tempted to weigh myself. One day I was at my complex gym and walked by the scale and I swear my mouth was watering as I so badly was craving to get weighed! (addictions are funny that way!) I managed to not give in to those crazy cravings. I was a little worried this weekend even choosing to wait until Monday to weigh in lest it ruin an otherwise good weekend.  I had a few figures in my mind. I had a bottom line acceptable weight.  Today my weigh in came in at my bottom line acceptable weight. I was not surprised, I was relieved, yet I was also disappointed just not tragically so. My 3 week weigh in was a nice surprise, 8 pounds. My final weigh in was expectedly not as surprising. My total weight loss for the challenge? 11 pounds. I am more happy than not but I'm especially happy about being able to weigh myself on a daily basis again!  

Weight loss is one of those wicked games we play- you know the ones where you learn how to do it, then you do it well and as you get better at it it becomes harder!  

As we all know the numbers on the scale don't tell it all. Blah.blah.blah. Yes I know and I do agree, especially when I'm continually thought to weigh a lot less than I actually do.  (And I mean a lot less!) What I do know is that I weigh a lot, still. What I also know is that I have lost, and I have lost a lot! I will be happy when I reach my goal, and I am happy now.

I shared the news of this loss with a friend.  And, yes while a loss is great, I'm

still not where I want the numbers to be. Its amazing to me that one of the biggest and longest battles in my life would be one against my own fat. My friend sent me this picture to put things in perspective. It was eye opening and I for one will never look at fat loss the same!

OTF WLC week 5. Orange you glad the end is near?

 

     

                     The panic button has been pressed ! An OTF email this week mentioned the weight loss challenge being over the halfway point.  Coach emphasized the fact that this is when many people lose motivation and drop off. I admit I did have a pang of anxiety and thought "oh no!", thinking I'm not ready! Not ready to win it that is! At this point I no longer know if I'm wanting to win for the title or the results. I have no idea what my weight is either-going from a step-on-the-scale every day to not at all has been an interesting experience. 

Entering the final week now I don't know how I feel. I mean I don't know if I'm relieved that it's almost over, or if I'm sad to see it end, (is the challenge the variable to make a difference for me?) What I do know is that I can not possibly work any harder than I have been. I mean while it may technically be possible to work harder than I have it is not at all practical -not for me anyway.  

In December of 2015 I was at my lowest weight. (It was right before my arm surgery.) At the challenge weigh in I was 15 pounds higher than in December. At the mid-point weigh in (3 weeks) I was back to my baseline! I say baseline because it's pretty much the weight I have been (+- 5 pounds) for the past year. Although I'm not at my goal weight and I began this process 2 years ago I'm not discouraged. (Well, ok maybe a little!) I'm looking forward to the weigh in. Because I have no idea how much I have lost since the 3 week point. (If the number is the same I will probably have a heart attack. (Oh, actually I'm very heart healthy thanks to all the cardio I do I guess that isn't likely to happen!)

September 2016

I do know I have changed. My body has changed too. I think until the scale yields my goal weight numbers I will remain self motivated. The process for me is certainly no longer novel. It's definitely my lifestyle. 

I believe I should have lost a lot more weight than I have at this point. That's based on my diet and activity level. But I have always been more of a work harder rather than smarter type of person. Sometimes I wonder what is my fat trying to tell me? It seems it just doesn't want to leave. Recently when I asked a friend if they knew what happens after I reach goal weight they answered "maintain". No!  What happens after reaching a goal? It's simple --set a new goal!💪

  

OTF WLC half done or just begun?

I passed the halfway mark of the OTF 'get fitness', aka 'weight loss challenge'.  I weighed in this past weekend, 21 days into the challenge and the result was a 3% weight loss. In comparison to others I don't know if 1% per week is average. I do know for me it is a loss worth noting!  (I had been stranded in the valley of plateau hell).

I don't think I am working out more than I normally would. When I'm not in an OTF class I like to hike or run which means I exercise almost everyday. The competitor in me does add inspiration and motivation since this is a contest after all!  ---  I also have vision and mindset on a couple upcoming runs. The Celebration run, which I hope to be celebrating my OTF weight loss challenge success, and The Mermaid Series run which I look forward to running the 10 mile course in beautiful San Francisco! 

While I do believe in recovery days from intense work-outs, when it comes to weight loss I don't use "cheat day" or other excuses. As an explanation and a self-reminder I do use, "I'm in training" often .  And in training for what?  Sometimes it's something specific, such as a new PR, but all the time it is training to be better than yesterday!  

My first 10k (ever) last year, the Celebration Run! My cause for celebration? --because I can!