Over the past few months I've been derailing myself from my previous fitness regime... due to some health troubles (not related to my calorie-constrictive diet & exercise routine) and a personal family tragedy, I stopped working out every day, stopped counting calories, and stopped taking weekly measurements.
I may have slowed down, but I have not given up!
Since mid-February, I have managed to do some yoga once or twice a week, I still take regular walks with the pooch, continued to de-clutter and pro-Feng Shui my home, and even though I'm no longer obsessively counting calories, I do continue to be conscientious about portion sizes and to be mindful about my binging urges.
Also, I have been keeping track of my weight, stepping on the scales every few days. My numbers are constant, stuck between a 2-kilo difference, which fluctuates back and fourth, regardless of how much cake I've eaten the day before, or if I did yoga or not. Of course I'm happy that it's not going up, but recently I've been feeling frustrated that I'm still stuck on this plateau.
My previous measurements were on 19 February, and showed a little change from the measurements taken on the 11th and the 16th. The numbers weren't staggering, but they were successfully and continually dropping. (Score!)
A couple of nights ago, I noticed a difference in my stomach... there seemed to be significantly less of it than there had been before. My weight has been stable, but could I have lost inches?!
Now, here comes the BIG SURPRISE . . .
Not only have I lost inches : I've lost significant inches!
19 Feb. to 23 March 2012
Weight : + 1 kilo (2.2 lbs)
Breast : + 1/4 "
Stomach: - 1/8 "
Waist: - 1 1/8 "
Hips: - 1/2 "
Thigh: - 1 "
Upper Arm: -3/4 "
Total Loss since 29 January 2012
Weight : -3 kilos (6.6 lbs)
Breast : - 2 1/8 "
Stomach: - 3 "
Waist: - 3 6/8 "
Hips: - 2 1/2 "
Thigh: - 3 1/2"
Upper Arm: - 2 5/8 "
I've been slowly shrinking over the past 3 months, and I didn't even realise it!
How did this happen ?!
I'm putting aside the initial hypothesis of magical fat-zapping pixies in favour of a more likely theory: Less binging + semi-regular exercise + reasonable portions of nutritional meals + breakfast nearly everyday = a speedier metabolism, leading to fat-burning and muscle building.
Apparently semi-regular exercise really is better than none at all (could have fooled me... until now!) But, be that as it may, I want to up my yoga & Pilates dosage to three times a week and add in hand weights at least twice per week. This is a small increase, as compared to what I'm already doing, and I think it's a reasonable and obtainable goal. By increasing my aerobic activity, in conjunction with my newly discovered metabolic rate, I'm certain to burn more fat, faster.
I'm not planning to go back to obsessive calorie counting. Now that I have a good understanding of how many calories really are in the foods that I regularly eat, I feel confident in making reasonable choices and portions, without having to weigh everything down to the very last pea.
Feeling energised and optimistic, I take another step on the path to a happier, healthier me!
<3
