Sticking with it

Even though I haven't been posting it, rest assured that I HAVE indeed, been sticking with my plan to lose weight. Unfortunately, my measurements are at home and I am at work right now so I can't post all of those. However, I do have my weight, fat %, and bmi. And, I am proud to say, I am making progress. So, here it is:

Weight: 168.2 lbs (7 pounds lost)
fat%: 40.0% (down 3%)
fat mass: 67.3 lbs (8 pounds lost)
lean mass: 100.9 lbs (1 pound gained)
bmi: 26.3 (down 1.1)

While these numbers are still sobering (before having kids I was 140 lbs and 22% fat), I am happy to see that I have made an improvement already. I do have to question the validity of the fat% numbers as it varies significantly based on the time of day. I have a Tanita scale that measures it but it obviously is not as accurate as having it measured with calipers. In the evenings it says I have a fat % of more like 33% but I always weigh in the morning so that is the number I am using. When I get close to my goal I will get real measurements done.

I am going to go for a walk now because I really want chocolate and am not going to allow myself to give in.

Accountability starts here

And what am I going to be accountable for, you ask? My weight. Yes, the dreaded weight that seems to only be going up up up in the past 4-5 months since Ironman. I am finally forcing myself to make a 100% effort at losing some weight.

Step one: announce to everyone you know that you are trying to lose weight. The last thing you want to do is fail in front of your friends.

Step two: Track progress. So, I have 10 measurements plus my weight, body fat, and bmi. Totally humiliating to post this where everyone can see, but I am going to do it. Here goes.

Weight: 175.2 lbs
Fat: 43% (75.3 lbs)
Lean Mass: 99.9 lbs
BMI: 27.5 (right smack dab in the middle of the OVERWEIGHT category)
above bust: 36.4"
bust: 41.1"
below bust: 35.2"
waist: 37.5"
hips: 41.7"
Butt: 41.9"
Thigh: 22.8"
Calf: 14.8"
Upper Arm: 12.8"
ForeArm: 8.3"

So, there you have it. Not very pretty. Below is my goal:

Weight: 145 lbs
Fat: 24% (35 lbs)
Lean Mass: 110 lbs

So, essentially, I need to lose 40 lbs of fat and gain 10 lbs of muscle to reach my goal.

LIFE

Wow. I'd say that life gets in the way but if you think about it, that's really just life itself. I started writing this thinking that I was going to whine and complain but I suddenly realized that I love it that way. Seriously.

Work has been so busy lately. I spent all last week in Connecticut doing supplier audits. And while it was fun and I learned a LOT, I missed my family every minute of it. I am such a homebody. I love my kids. I love my husband. I love spending my free time with them.

So, about all that training that I was supposed to be doing. Yeah, right, haven't hardly started it. So that means this year will have a max distance of a 1/2 IM. I've had to give up on the idea of of having a coach this year since I had to make some unexpected repairs on my truck. Instead I am putting together training plans for both myself and Jake. I am hoping that we both can do a 1/2 this year. So, the *current* plan is the Redman 1/2 for me and the Longhorn 1/2 for Jake. I guess we will have to see how this works out.

Motivation and plans

the current plan: TexasMan 1/2 IM in May and either 1/2 or Full IM at Redman... I'm thinking it might need to be the full. But I'll have to wait and see how the training for the first 1/2 goes.

Motivation Found

After a hard hour (actually, 68 minutes) on the elliptical last night my motivation has returned. Now I just have to decide on my big race for the year. Will it be the full at Redman or an attempt at a PR at Longhorn? Still have some thinking to do on that. I might still have a fraction of a life if I only do the 1/2.

I still feel like I need some redemption for Cozumel though. It is really disappointing to have all that hard work end that way, being sick and not being able to race my best. I still have a couple months to decide what I want to do. Either way, I better get my butt back on my bike and back in the pool.

Not much going on here

I still haven't found the motivation to sign up for anything or commit to anything at this point. Ashlynn has a gymnastics event the same morning as the ultra that I was considering doing so I get a free pass on that. It's probably for the best as I really haven't been running much anyway.
I am just enjoying spending time with my kids.

The year in summary

Wow, I can't believe 2009 is over. It was definitely a roller coaster year for us with trying to fit in all my training for Ironman, all the training races, and of course, Ironman itself. Although the final outcome of all that hard work was not what we had hoped for, it was still worth it. I have greatly enjoyed this past month with extra time to spend with my girls and know they have enjoyed it too. I spent today painting Mackenzie's room and baking cupcakes with Ashlynn.

I have not set any huge goals for this next year and don't really want to pick anything that requires and many month commitment like an Ironman race does. Right now I am looking at doing an ultrmarathon in February and not really sure what else after that. Jake keeps talking about me doing Redman but I am not sure I want to make that sort of a commitment. Thankfully, that is a race that I can sign up for later so I can wait and see how my training goes and sign up at the last minute.

It will be interesting to see what all 2010 brings for us.