Fit Club - Report In!

Dear Magic Scale Fairy:

I don't like you.  Please do your job.

Love, AFW

This week has been interesting...

First of all, I finally broke down and bought a scale, and not just any scale, either.  I bought the Super Deluxe Bells and Whistles scale.  The scale I bought not only weighs you, but it figures your body fat percentage, it figures your hydration level, and it figures your bone density.

I want every advantage I can get!  I figure if I can point to the fact that I have somewhat greater than average bone density, it takes something away from that GODZILLA weight the scale normally presents me with.  So, I figure I should be able to subtract the water and subtract the bones.  Honestly, I think I should be able to subtract the boobs, too, but I'm not quite sure how to do that yet.

I put the scale in my closet (because I don't want any clothing fouling up that weight, either) and got up the courage to step on it yesterday.

I figured that I would have at least a 10 pound drop from my last known weight.  After all - my pants are fitting loose enough that I can actually take them off without unbuttoning them!  Can't fit in the next size yet, but that's an accomplishment, right?

Four pounds.  Yep, that's all.  FOUR pounds.  If I were giving myself a dollar a pound of weight loss, that wouldn't even be out of the singles yet!  SHEESH!

Talk about disenheartening.  I woke up this morning and thought, "Well, hell!  I should just have the waffles then!" 

But I didn't.  I've been following South Beach Diet (which has worked really well for me in the past) and I'm sticking to it! 

I hate the scale, though.

I'd like to know how you all measure progress - sound off and let me know in the comments!  Is the scale a good friend, or your worst enemy when trying to lose weight and get in shape?  How do you know when your program is working?

Also, don't forget to check out my Spark Page,  and consider joining Spark People yourself.  They have great recipes, great ideas, and some great workouts to comb through!

UPDATE!  I've got awesome pictures of Nikki from Nikki Fitness working with military spouses at Ft. Sill!  It's great to see people working for and with us!

She is beautiful, isn't she?

And here's an action shot.  Wouldn't it be great fun to get together for a Nikki class sometime?

Comments

[liberal army wife]

grrr. I hate the scale. Matter of fact, when we PCSed, I left the rotten thing, in a dumpster! the only one we own now, is for the kitchen.

I have a couple of pairs of pants that substitute for the scale. don't ask if they fit. I said, don't ask! they are sulking in the closet.

Now that I have been told what's wrong with my back "a piriformis syndrome" aka "a pain in my butt" and sciatica, I have new exercises to do for stretching, but am not cleared for heavy duty Nikki Fit workouts.

I do need to start training for the Marine Corps 10K, so I'll be increasing my walking (after stretching) and more yoga. As for this weekend, does sitting on a motorcycle for hours count as exercise??? sigh... ok, so it won't. We'll walk a lot too, at Thunder Alley.. and to the Concert at the Capitol.

Have a good weekend, and don't forget, at the cookout, if the cookie is broken, the calories already leaked out. seriously. I looked it up!

AFW - I'd go with the pants myself. don't forget, muscle weighs more than fat, but is better toned! right?

LAW

[Sara]

First, I wouldn't keep it in your closet if it is carpeted. That will throw the scale off.

Second, for women at least, when we see we haven't made as much weight progress as we like, we don't use it as encouragement to go out and do more, we get down on ourselves. My husband tried to tell me "honey that should make you want to workout even MORE!". No no it really doesn't. Mentally, a scale does a lot of damage. It discourages us from progress we know we're making. Especially scales that tell you all different areas where "you suck". Because that's what I hear when I see my body mass and fat percentage and blah blah blah is not what I'd like to see.

I started doing CrossFit. And I am definitely NOT and atletic woman. I don't have time to sit in a gym for hours a day. I also am terrible at inspiring myself to go that extra mile, or lift that extra pound, or don't rest so much. In two months of eating well and doing crossfit, I lost 10lbs and 1 inch off everything that matters. But that kind of torturous workout isn't for everyone. But since you're a mom, with not a whole heck of a lot of free time, check out crossfit if you feel inspiried. At most you'll spend 45 minutes on warm up and workout. Feel free to e-mail me with any questions, if you are interested.

[Guard Wife]

Okay. Our conversation last night on SBTR made me more conscious of what I was doing today and I have not and will not drink a Coke today.

My oldest had a "special persons" lunch at her school and while other parents brought in McDonald's, I didn't. I figured we've eaten enough of that junk lately & I brought in fresh pineapple, a homemade (by our favorite store) rice krispie treat and some penne pasta salad. Not 100% great, but not 100% bad. I'm going to try to do this b/c our Disney trip is approaching & I don't want to sweat to death in pants.

[Reasa]

I got on the scale the other day and was at the same number. Everyone keeps telling me that I am looking good and they can see the change. even people who see me almost everyday. That should be enough encouragement but it's not. I want my clothes to be loose after busting my butt for 2 1/2 months and eating right. I am not perfect at the eating right thing but I am way better than I was 3 months ago.

I will pull on the big girl panties and move on. I am sure by this time next year I will be where I want to be and this whole whiny comment will make me laugh. I hope.

[Vypergirl]

I only get on my scale like once a week. I haven't lost any weight in like almost 2 months - but I am gaining soo much muscle that I don't think too much about it! The best way to figure BMI, is to use the calipers. I do not know how to use them or own any for that matter, but I have read many an article that says that is the best way. I try not to worry about the actual number because I would depress myself if I did. I also do CrossFit, like Sara, and love it!!!

Just keep it up because it won't come off if you stop!!

[Deltasierra]

One strategy I heard of was to weigh yourself *every day* so you can see the trends in your weight. That way, you can tell if you're just having a "fluid retention" day, despite your success in the rest of the week. If you weigh yourself only once a week, it's possible that you'll only get that one bad day, and think you're not making any progress.

Also, it's true: Muscle does weigh more than fat, and you will plateau in weight while losing inches. Going by clothes fitting and remembering that you're doing this for your health (rather than just to be skinny again) will keep you happier than the number on the scale. :)

[Becky]

I've been struggling w/wanting to lose weight for about a year now, and not really finding what works for me until the past month. I'm active duty, but after 5 kids, and now a medical condition, well, it's hard to find the right time and the right way to work out. You definitely have to eat right. I've found some prepared salads that I really like at Giant, and started eating more fruit and nuts. I've discovered that fresh strawberries seem to refresh me and I feel really good after I eat them. I hate the whole concept of a diet, because I love to eat. I think stepping on the scale every day is very discouraging if it doesn't change for several days. So I only step on once a week or so, and I record the weight on my calendar so I can keep track. Over the past month or so (since April 4th) I've lost 9 lbs. The scale in the closet w/carpet on the floor will definitely read wrong. Place it on the bathroom floor where there's tile, and also do it every day at the same time of day. In the mornings you weigh less, in the afternoon/evenings you weigh more. Good luck. Wish me the same.

[Kiki]

I say who cares about the number if your pants are looser! You know you are getting results regardless of what the scale says.

[Jewel]

Made it to the gym four days this week. Good thing since my eating habits are not very good. What can I say? I love food and enjoy a glass of wine (or two) of an evening!! I don't work out to lose weight. I work out to feel better, plain and simple. Besides, who am I kidding? At my age I'm just happy with some reasonable blood pressure and cholesterol numbers!! I don't own a set of scales at home, but do weigh myself every day I go to the gym. Doing so lets me know if I'm staying on an even keel. I've noticed my pants are a little looser in the hips and thighs which I'm sure is the direct result of the spin classes I've been taking the past three weeks.

[ArmyReserveWife]

The scale was not nice to me this morning either. I am up from a total loss of 10 to now a total loss of 7.5lb loss. Urggh, yesterday was a bad day in dietville, so back on the wagon today. I did start adding in weight training this week, so today will be 3x this week of weights! Yeah! So my goal is to get into the habit of strength training to my routine. I had ordered a pair of pants from HSN two sizes too small, and yesterday I got in them, yes, I had to lay down and no I didn't wear them, but the point is I got in them! When I first bought them couldn't get them over my thighs! So inches are disappearing and to me that is just as important as the pounds, I know they will all come off eventually, but I would like sooner than later.

Well until next week ladies! God bless! We can do it!!

[Erin]

I lost a half a pound, if that makes you feel better! ;) I knew it wouldn't be a lot, since I just started and I haven't modified my eating habits too much. That's going to be the big change for me - eating. I love my snacks too much!

I hit the gym at least 5 times this last week, an hour each time. I've been pushing myself more with the weights I'm using during circuit training. I'm noticing slight differences already - either that or I just feel better about my efforts and therefore I'm looking at myself more positively. I've been good about making myself go to the gym right after work, so it's now become a stop on the way home.

Just gotta focus on my sweets - they'll be the death of me!

[Wyn]

Since the actual deployment started, I decided to see what I could do for having less ME when he gets back. I've been logging everything I put in my mouth with this site. http://caloriecount.about.com/

It's FREE!! My favorite kind and it allows you to log your food and exercise. (if you're into that type of thing) GOOD LUCK ALL

[awtm]

I do not have a scale in the house, and DO NOT one...

It would have done me no favors...

I'm going to remind you it took 4 years....4 years of me walking 8 miles on Saturdays, yoga an hour a day sometimes 2 3 days a week....and pilates....

to loose 25 pounds.

It took 4 years...

I did not weigh myslef the entire time.

Please keep a diary of HOW STRONG you are getting. I listened to the show, I hear you have moved up your weights on your strength training. You looked great when I saw you.

Think about how STRONG you are, and how capable you are, and how things are shifting. That will get you through this!

You are doing a fantastic job.

And if all else fails, start raking neighbors leaves. I swear it works!

[Laura, a Military Mom]

Haven't checked in in awhile...due to lack of results. Well since I started in Jan, the scale finally moved after a 4 mo stall so it's down 11.6 since Jan 2nd! Hang in there and lets continue to be the women that can! We know we can...we know we can...firm it up and lose it!