It’s summertime! Which means that school is out, my schedule is my own, and I’m footloose and fancy free. Summer means the weather is warm, the sun is shining, and I can kick my workouts (and my weight loss!) into high gear. I have less than 30 pounds to go to reach my ultimate weight loss goal, and I plan to lose quite a bit of that this summer. But this summer is about so much more than losing weight; it’s about living my new life. I worked so hard for this new, healthy body, and I want to spend this summer doing a lot of the things I only dreamed of doing when I was at my heaviest. That means riding rollercoasters, running in 5Ks, trying new water sports, wearing styles (and sizes!) of clothes that I could never wear before. I want to LIVE every moment of this summer to the fullest. I’ve moved my weigh-ins to Wednesdays as a way to check in midweek. My Wednesday progress updates will be called Sensational Summer Weigh-Ins.
Week 59 was great! I spent 1 1/2 of the days at the beginning of the week in Sacramento at a teaching conference. The weekend was full of activity, and the past few days were just fun. It was a busy week, with lots of eating out, yet I’m proud of how well I stuck to my plan and fit in all the exercise.
So, what did the scale show?!
When I weighed in this morning, I was 178.8, which is a loss of 1 pound this week, and a loss of 98.2 lbs since surgery! I’ve lost a total of 136.2 pounds from my highest weight!! I have 28.8 pounds to go to my ultimate goal weight of 150 pounds. This is a solid loss for a week that was completely outside my normal routine. Not only that, but this week’s weigh-in takes me to my lowest weight as an adult, which is exciting! I’m also really happy to see a loss after a few weeks of maintenance spurred on by indulgences. Not to mention the fact that weight loss is so much more difficult at this stage of the journey.
Now that I have less than 30 pounds to go to get to my ultimate goal weight, weight loss has really slowed down. I know it doesn’t help that I’ve been going out a lot, drinking more alcohol than normal, and enjoying the summer to the fullest. Not that a healthy eating plan can’t include meals out or cocktails, but let’s be honest, there are a lot more calories when you eat that way. So, it’s a balancing act – I want to continue my active social life, but I have to keep my focus strong so that I can continue to see losses on the scale.
My workouts are the things that haven’t suffered one iota in all of this merriment, and for that I’m eternally grateful. I absolutely love working out – the way I can move my body, the ways I can push myself to new levels, and of course the proud feeling I get after a kickass workout. I’ve really discovered how much better morning workouts make me feel, and I am looking forward to continuing those during the school year. This week I’ve got a couple new workouts planned, which should be fun to try. Working out has really become my major hobby; it’s not just something that I get through, but something that I enjoy.
At this stage in my journey, I am content. I still have pounds to lose to get to my goal weight, but I’m very pleased with the way that I look and feel right now. I’m not ready to call this my goal weight or to say that I’m in maintenance, but I am also very happy with the person I am right now in this very moment. That’s something I’ve never experienced before. I like the woman who is reflected back at me in the mirror. I enjoy shopping for clothes at this size, and the admiring looks I get from men as I walk down the street/in the mall/at the grocery store. Not to mention the fact that I can run up a flight or two of stairs without getting the least bit winded. I’m still striving towards my goal, but I’m loving the NOW, too.
Until Wednesday, my friends. I hope the scale treats you well, and that you have a wonderful week!
Bella on the Beach 