13 Days In

It's been 13 days since I dreamed up this challenge to get 20 workouts in this month. The first of the month was spent planning, preparing, organizing. The second of the month the challenge truly began.  In 12 days, I've stayed on schedule. I'm on track to meet and exceed my goal.

I decided to step on the scale this afternoon when I woke up... Something I hate doing. That little square box on the floor has caused me so much heartache, damage, and insecurity. I wasn't sure that what I'd been doing was enough for quantifiable change in my weight. I wasn't sure that I would be able to maintain my progress with my activity if that number went the wrong direction.

I checked my ears for earrings (like Kate) to make sure they were out, took a deep breath, and stepped on the scale.

I almost didn't want to look.
But I did.

And I was so surprised. I was down 2 pounds since I started!!

Now y'all... This may not seem like much. But for a girl who has been struggling for the past year to lose weight and has only gained weight, two pounds in two weeks is huge. I'm halfway to losing my first five pounds!!!!

This is so... Motivating. Encouraging. Invigorating.
I might actually be able to do this.



I was also a little annoyed with myself. I took my before pictures. I noted my starting weight. But I didn't (no -- I couldn't) take starting measurements. I couldn't handle seeing what those numbers were. I didn't want to be reminded in ANOTHER way how far I'd fallen and how bad off I was. But now that I'm down two pounds (two of those giant yellow blobs he was holding in his hand), I *want* to know those numbers.

I think that a lot of people can understand not wanting to know what those starting numbers are. If anyone's been through the process of getting your measurements done, it's humiliating. You could have the nicest, kindest, most non-judgmental trainer in the world, but when they have that tape measure around your waist and your butt and your thighs and your arms -- your mind goes crazy with creating what their inner monologue "must" be. "Good grief how can anyone have a stomach that big? How does someone let themselves go so far?" You imagine them thinking the worst things you think about yourself

I can say from experience as a former trainer, those thoughts do NOT go through a trainers mind if you've got a good one. But even though I know this, I still am convinced that someone would think that of me. I still didn't want to see the realities of my state.

But now that I've had a little taste of success, I'm going to take my measurements tomorrow. I will *not* post my measurements, but I'm excited to have them so that I have more than just the scale to track my changes.



If you're considering starting the body change process, please get your measurements... I wish so badly I had them. I totally understand why you don't want to. But get your friend or your significant other to do it. You don't even have to look at what those numbers are after they take them. Because at that point, they mean nothing. They mean nothing until you have your first progress report and you can compare and start adding up how many inches fall off.