These are the numbers we want to be BIG

Body weight, body fat percentage, body part measurements...those numbers we want to get smaller. Equipment weights, timed exercises, reps (and my bowling average)...we want those numbers to get bigger.

My trainer said I should blog this, cause it's a big deal:

This morning I did barbell squats - 145 pounds - ten reps.

Not that I don't think it's a big deal, but I don't pay close attention to those numbers. He keeps track of it, and I just do what he tells me to do (as much as I can). If I looked at the weights on the machines too closely I might freak out. Like when he put the leg press at 200+ and told me to do one leg at a time. I knew he was nuts, but I tried it anyway.

Because some days, I discover I can do even more than he thinks I can. And those are the days we both smile.

So there you are, Mr. Trainer. Hey...we never settled on a nickname for you...I have some ideas.

One Year Stats

It's hard to believe, but I have been exercising regularly for a year now!

It has taken me a year to lose 49 pounds BUT I have lost 11 pounds in the last three weeks. The contest at the gym is a great motivator. But what is really making the difference is the low-carb eating. I have, I believe, found what is going to work for me as a lifestyle, not just a diet.

I have to give a lot of credit to my trainer. Since the beginning he has known when to push me harder and when to back off. He doesn't do much backing off these days, and he even gets mean once in a while. Well, not really "mean" in the drill-sergeant way...but more in the "tough but beloved football coach" sense. He knows I can do more and brings it out of me. Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! And Happy Anniversary!

Here are the stats:


My clothing sizes may be smaller by now, but I haven't bought anything in a while. Except a belt so my jeans will last a few more weeks!

New Stats

One of these days I'll figure out how to make this show up the same size every month:

Did a tiny bit of backsliding if you look at inches. But I did go down a bit in body fat, so that was good.

April workout stats

Well, April is over. I've been working out regularly for 10 months, and I've recently started to seriously annoy my family and friends (but not strangers - yet) by asking them to feel my bicep. And I actually attended a bodybuilding competition on Saturday night. And I've rented (but not yet watched) Pumping Iron.

This was "strength building" month, and quite frankly I'm glad it's over. Although it was really cool to have leg-pressed 450 pounds last night!

Here are my final numbers:

19 workouts - 10 weight lifting, 9 cardio
Total calories burned - 20,704
Average calories burned per workout - 1,090
Average heart rate - 136

I'll get my measurements on Saturday. I don't know what my body fat percentage will be, but I don't expect the scale to have moved down (maybe up a couple of pounds). I only ate "clean" six days in April. But that's all about to change.

On Monday, I start a 12-week body transformation contest. More on that later.

New stats!

Final March Numbers

I'll get my new measurements (weight, body fat percentage, inches) from my trainer this week. But here are the final stats from my new monthly workout log for March:

Number of workouts: 22
Total calories burned: 27,260
Average calories/workout: 1,239
Average workout heart rate: 134

Plus...some exciting news coming very soon...stay tuned!

Latest official stats

These stats are from a month ago. We usually measure the first week of each month, but in February I missed the first week due to travel and the second due to illness.

We are going to officially measure next the first week in April. But I can tell you yesterday the scale said 278.

New stats

These are my first stats since October. What happened is that I was at an emotional and physical low point when it was time to measure in November, so my trainer suggested I skip it that month. Which was good. I think he sensed that I was near a breaking point.

Then in December we did measure, but I had gained. I was upset and I didn't write down the numbers, and I cried in the car on the way home. Not writing them down was a mistake (not that I can't get them from him now). Not facing something does not make it go away. That's an old coping trick from childhood that has no place in an adult's life...unless you are Scarlett O'Hara (look it up).

So no more skipping the measurments.

And as I have written, my low point was followed by a rally and I am on fire right now! Check out that waist measurement - 6 inches lost! There's a number anyone can love!

The sizes have question marks because I haven't bought any new clothes in a while. That will change soon.

Official Stats

I actually do "fit" into size 24 slacks, but they're too snug for me to wear in public so it doesn't quite count.

New Stats

OK, I can't give you all the official stats using my chart, because my computer crapped out a while ago and I haven't re-installed my MS Office Suite and I'm too tired right now.

But I can't wait! I lost another 7 pounds on the scale...I'm now 293! Not bad, considering I spent the first week after my last measurement gaining four pounds, and the week after that losing those four pounds.

Yeah me!

Good news

I lost those four pounds I gained last week, plus one more. Which means...

...drumroll please...

I AM NOW UNDER 300 POUNDS!!! 299 is my new favorite number!

Actually, 290 is my new favorite number. Ten pound goals seem like a good idea, eh?

It must have been the chicken wings

Probably not a good idea to go out for drinks and salty appetizers the night before you get measured at the gym. Live and learn.

I came SO CLOSE to that milestone I wanted today, which was to say goodbye to that "300" slot on the balance beam scale once and for all. But I am still way pumped by my progress:
It's a happy birthday for me - 48 and feeling great!

Results

Got my first new stats today (had to cancel my session last night). I actually gained three pounds by the scale, but my body fat percentage went down an amount equal to five pounds. I'm not sure, but I think that means I gained eight pounds of muscle. Sounds about right.

My trainer reminded me (although he didn't have to) that the important thing is that I have been building a foundation of fitness (stronger muscles and a better-conditioned heart) that will allow me to push harder and go longer, so the weight will start coming off faster. Believe me, I take every visit to the gym, and every inch lost, as a victory. After decades of being a couch potato, I am very happy to be where I am now.

So here are the results after six weeks of pretty regular exercise:

Weight: 309 (gained 3 pounds)
Body Fat: 48% (lost 5 pounds of fat)
Upper Arm: 14-1/4" (down 3/4")
Thigh: 26-1/4" (added 2")
Waist: 50-1/4" (down 2-3/4")
Hips: 58-1/2" (down 1/2")
Chest: 51-3/4" (down 2-1/4")

And my clothing size is now 26 for the bottom and 24 for the top.

I have made some minor changes in my food habits, but now it's time to really step up those changes.

More on that next week. I'm offline for the weekend.

Wacky scales

I haven't posted my weight stat yet, because every time I get on a scale I'm either way up or way down. I know I'm building muscle, but still I don't get it. So I'm not going to weigh myself anymore. I'll just do the monthly official weigh-in and measurements with the trainer. I think I'm due for that at the end of next week.

Happy retirement to...

...my size 28 work slacks. Worn today for the very last time because they are TOO BIG!

My biggest pants size ever was 30, and I still have those. They will come in handy during my People Magazine/Oprah interview phase. You know, the classic photo of a woman who has lost half her body weight and her entire body fits into one pants leg?

Someday.

More stats

Just for the record...

My clothing size is between 26 and 28 (depending on style). Although my size 28 work slacks are already loose.

Stats - June 19, 2008

During my first visit with the gym's personal trainer last week, he took my baseline measurements so we can track my progress each month.

I know this might sound like a cop-out, but his scale was wrong. Seriously. I was surprised that the number was about six pounds lower than I expected, having weighed myself at home in the morning. They have those doctor's balance-beam scales, but you have to make sure they are in balance before you step on them, and I didn't notice if it was. So I weighed myself on the scale in the locker room and that seemed more accurate. So I'm going to use that number as my official starting weight.

So here goes. My official beginning stats:

Weight: 306
Body Fat: 49.6%
Body Mass Index: 44.3%
Upper Arm: 15"
Thigh: 24-1/4"
Waist: 53"
Hips: 59"
Chest: 54"