Tale of The Tape (December)/WOW Moment

I had my latest measurements taken at Curves today ... here are my new stats:

BUST - Then: 64"; Now: 44.25"

WAIST - Then: 55.5"; Now: 40.75"

ABDOMEN - Then: 58.25"; Now: 45.5"

HIPS - Then: 51.25; Now: 43.75"

THIGHS - Then: 33.75"; Now: 23.5"

ARMS - Then: 18.5"; Now: 12.5"

I was able to get the "girls" in a size 16W blouse (non-stretch) at Catherine's today! I guess the changes are really real! (I remember when I had to buy everything big on top, so I wore very few dresses.)

I Am in Onederland!

At today's WI I needed to lose 1.4 lbs and I lost 3.2! I am less than 200 lbs for the first time since age 17!

I will never forget going to my pediatrician in the spring of my senior year for my college entrance medical exam, seeing him write 202 on my chart and then add, "Overweight but otherwise healthy." I will never forget going through college and the work world in a 200+ (and later 300+) body. I never intend to cross this bridge again!

As speechless and happy as I was at that meeting, I cannot help but be sad that so many people in my life (mom, grandmom, many relatives and friends) are no longer with me and were not able to see my progress.

My next goal is to no longer be obese (under 180).

Off to take a new photo!

The Tale of the Tape

I have been a Curves member for three years. Because I was not always a diligent Curver (or eater, lol), I gained my customary 10 lbs in my first year.

Today I made an official loss (net) of 100 lbs. with Curves. I am more impressed with my measurements. Note: "Then" is June 2003. "Now" is today.

In the beginning, I was a proverbial apple shape (i.e., my waist was bigger than my hips). I am especially happy to have reversed these proportions!

BUST - Then: 64"; Now: 46.75"
WAIST - Then: 55.5"; Now: 41.25"
ABDOMEN - Then: 58.25"; Now: 46.5"
HIPS - Then: 51.25; Now: 45.5"
THIGHS - Then: 33.75"; Now: 24.5"
ARMS - Then: 18.5"; Now: 14"
WEIGHT - Then: 310; Now: 208.5 (In my first year I got as high as 320)
Total Inches Lost: 78
Total Pounds Lost: 101.5 (again, net)
Body Fat Pounds: 71.01

NSV!

Since I am getting smaller on the bottom quicker than I am on top, I went out to get some jeans I can hold on to all winter. I ended up with three pairs, all name brand.

All three fit. Two are size 18 REGULAR!

The third is a size 16 -- and they're Ann Taylor Loft jeans! Who knew?

I can't wait to go to that store for real!

The best part is that none of these jeans are "stretch" and I got them all for $21!

I had a difficult morning and this was a great pick-me-up.

Weekly Weigh-In -- 100 Lb. Star

I missed my regular WW meeting last Sunday (due to a weeklong vacation in Jamaica) so I went on Monday. I was too afraid to look at my book and I asked the receptionist not to tell me. TOM was upon me, so I was pretty sure I was up (last year I went up almost 6 lbs.) I finally looked -- I was up 4.2 lbs. I said to myself, "I need to lose 5.8 -- in six days! -- to make 100."

Soooo ... I got up each morning and did Turbo Jam as though I was going to work, did Curves as well, drank water like a fish and stayed on top of my points. Wednesday I raked leaves for 2 hours and yesterday I shopped for 4 hours.

The results today? Down 6.8! I cannot believe that I have lost 101 pounds with WW! I got the magnet today and will have to remember to bring my camera next week when I get my certificate.

Only 7 lbs to Onederland! Wow!

In other news, I bought some really cute stuff yesterday. I am going to be really hot this winter!

Weekly Weigh-In

My cold finally left me and I got back to my old routine of two workouts a day and plenty of water. I was a little worried because I attended an overnight retreat (Friday and Saturday) at a hotel that has no gym. Salad with regular dressing, greasy string beans and ice cream with both afternoon meals ... I was really worried. But I used most of my flex points there ... and I lost four pounds! I haven't been in the low 200's since I was 17 or 18.

This felt really good since I was sick most of last week, went to a wedding on Friday night ... and was up 2 lbs at last Sunday's weigh-in.

I cannot believe I am only 10 pounds away from Onederland and 2 pounds away from my 100-lb star!

Not only that, but I calculated my BMI and it is 34.8 (my highest BMI was almost 54)!

I now don't qualify for WLS under any surgeon's criteria! Woo-hoo!

Sorry for the late post ... I've spent all day getting sexy hair for Jamaica. Everybody have a great week!

Weekly WI

Between TOM and a wicked cold that zapped my appetite, I lost another 4 lbs this week. I've lost 96 lbs with WW -- everyone is very excited because it won't take long before I earn the 100 lb magnet!

I still feel like crap -- whenever I get a cold, the cough is always the last thing to go. I am opening some windows since it's mild today.

NSV -- People Noticing!

Our parking lot is about two blocks away from our office. On my way there I walk past an elementary school. This morning I was taking my normal route and one of the elem school's security guards (a cutie!) stopped me to tell me how great I looked and to ask me what I was doing.

I told him that it has taken 2.5 years and how I did the exercise thing and gave WW a major plug, and he commented that one of his colleagues was wondering about her own weight. I should have given him my card (smirk) and had her call me.

This alone made my entire day. And all this time I thought nobody was looking, LOL!

Weekly WI

I gained 1.4 on Oct. 1 and last Sunday I lost 0.2! I worked the program (after I binged on Sunday, LOL) and today I lost 2.2.

Only 16 pounds to Onederland!

NSV -- Size 18!

This morning I took out a pair of black trousers to wear to work. It wasn't until I got there that I realized that the waist is really big on me now (the pants are a size 26). I am wearing a binder clip in the back to hold them together, LOL.

I realized that there is no way I can buy tons of new fall/winter stuff, so I walked up to the local Goodwill center to find some slacks and a brown jacket. I found a brown jacket that would go well with a skirt I picked up elsewhere, and I found a pair of size 18 straight brown microfiber-type pants. I figured if they didn't fit now, they eventually would.

After lunch, I shut my office door and tried everything on. No need to grow into the pants -- they fit now! I haven't worn a size 18 since my freshman year of college, some 16 years ago!

The best part is that the pants were only half price -- so I got a blazer, a pair of pants (that are close enough in color I could wear them as a suit) and a book (I'm always buying books) for $18.50! Go me!

Weekly WI

At today's weigh-in, I was down another 3.8. I received my 90-lb star from Weight Watchers, and my total loss from Ground Zero (highest weight) is ...drum roll please ...103.6 pounds! I can't believe it! Century Club is done!

I can't even remember 216 ... I was probably 18 or 19 (14-15 years ago).

I'm psyched, psyched, psyched! Next goal (125 pounds) will be the diamond earrings!

Labor Day Weekend WI

I went down 4.4 -- I just missed the 85-lb. star (at WW) but I am still psyched because I only need 3 more lbs. to be down 100 lbs. from my highest weight. That is what will keep me going this week.

Century Club Makeover Opportunity

I am nine pounds away from losing 100 lbs (from my highest weight - pre-WW). I was planning to have glamour shots taken as a reward, but the nearest Glamour Shots-type location is a few counties away.

I got an email this morning -- a plus-size shop in Long Island, NY (I live in NJ) is offering a mini-makeover (makeup, clothes and pics) for $100. They are offering this the weekend of Sept. 15.

I told my husband that I would find $100 to do this if I can lose those last 9 lbs. Now I'm debating whether to go ahead and make the appointment because it seems like an awesome opportunity, OR ... wait until it's official to take the photos somewhere else (by the time I'm able to afford something comparable I'll probably have lost more).

Knee-High Boots -- NSV

In 2000 I bought a pair of knee-high leather boots. Back then, I did not come close to zipping them up over my ginormous calves (which I happen to love, BTW). Out of curiosity, I pulled them out of the closet Thursday night and got one of them up. Oh, well -- only took six years!