I am no longer speaking to my scale.
ByFirst off, I’m quite sorry I failed to do an American Idol recap last night. I started it and I realized I wasn’t in the mood to be “funny” or critical, plus yesterday’s post was very emotional and important to me, so I wanted to give it the credit it deserved. But I did watch Idol and these are my basic thoughts:
The new judging format is ridiculous, especially when we can solve the time problem by putting a piece of duct tape over Paula’s mouth. My favorite performance was Kris Allen’s and as much as I love Allison, I thought she sounded off, but the judges disagreed with me, which is good because I love her. Also? I missed my mid-Idol nap since Scott was voted off. Finally? Randy’s mouth should have been taped shut, too.
Bottom three – Lil. Lil. & Lil.
Who’s going home? um, Lil? (which would break Ariel’s heart because she LOVES Lil, but sometimes we can’t protect our children from everything. Even bad music. And bad hair extensions.)
On to my stupid scale. She’s such a bitch. I had a really good week, I mean, a REALLY GOOD WEEK. On Easter I showed self control, I still had plenty of chocolate and Jelly Beans but I also cut back on the ham and other yumminess that was in front of me that day.
On Tuesday, I weighed myself and saw a new low and I laid down on the floor and gently caressed my scale while telling her what a good friend she was. Well, apparently she woke up on the wrong side of the bathroom floor today because she increased my weight. On weigh-in day.
Since last Wednesday, I lost 1.2 pounds.
First weight – 181.4
Today’s weight – 175.
Total loss: 6.4 pounds. Man, why is this going SO SLOW? I’m still motivated and I’m still shredding EVERY SINGLE DAY. (am now on Level Two and I survive it…I even LIKE it), but I’m frustrated because I feel like I am giving so much and giving UP on so much (hello? No chocolate since Easter, even though it’s sitting right next to me, taunting me!) and I think I should be seeing a bigger loss on the scale.
Now, you know me, I’m not one to complain and be a jerk for an entire post, so I’m going to try to post some positive things about this journey.
1. I’m so proud of myself for continuing to shred every single day. Today will mark day 15 of shredding, without breaks. I’m having a hard time right now because my legs and my knees hurt so bad and I know it’s because I need new shoes. So, I just need to go out and get some. But I’m so lazy. Speaking of lazy, I really, really need to do some laundry.
2. I am loving the way my arms are looking and the strength in my legs. And I do feel a difference in my belly. (I’ve lost inches!)
3. My 6 year old saw me in just my workout pants and my sports bra yesterday and she called me “thin.” This is a big deal considering she told me just the opposite a few weeks ago. (I believe she looked at me and said “Mom, why are some people fat?” good times.)
4. I’m sleeping ridiculously well. Maybe even too much.
5. I’ll continue to be motivated because in less than three weeks I am taking a trip, a very exciting trip which includes palm trees and mouse ears. While I’m doing hundreds of crunches, I picture myself in this bathing suit and I crunch extra, extra, extra hard.
I honestly can’t tell you what a difference it has made making this commitment to shred so publicly. I feel like if I skip a day, I’d be letting you down, so everyday, no matter how much I don’t want to do it, I always do it, all because of you.
I know so many of you have started shredding, I’d love to hear how it’s going for you, so tell me about it, and feel free to make the same commitment to me that I made to you. I’ll hold you accountable, if you don’t shred, I’ll come over and beat you up. With my big arms muscles.
Are you sure it’s not the muscle weight that is confusing the scale? I hate going by the scale. I only like going by how I look and feel, to be honest. And since shredding, that has made a difference to me in these areas!
Steph
Keep up the shredding! Slow weight loss may be frustrating, but it is more likely to stay off because you are losing it the right way. I know that doesn’t help on the bad days, but it seems to be true. And using a blog as a motivator is totally normal, because I do it too. I wouldn’t have committed to run a half-marathon and actually done it without the encouragement of my readers.
Zoe broke my scale by pretending that Troy was a baby polar bear going to auction. (Don’t ask.)
I’m not buying another one. I can button my pants and that’s what matters! (Plus, I’m OCD with the damn thing. I weigh myself like every ten minutes.)
I am going to look into shredding this weekend.
You are absolutely gaining muscle if you’re doing that toning program so rigidly (and you’re seeing/feeling the results in your clothing)…I know it’s hard, but you can’t rely so much on that number!! And you know you’re doing well if your daughter calls you “thin”–what a compliment (especially if she basically called you fat a few weeks ago!).
And you’re going to Disney World? I’m so jealous! That’s exciting
I agree with Steph! Go by how you look and feel more than anything. If you feel better and look slimmer, then some of it could be muscle weight or water weight or just stupid, your scale is being a dumb ho weight.
I didn’t know you were going to Disney! That is very, very exciting, and I’m sure you’ll rock that bathing suit.
Let me tell you, I did the Biggest Loser Cardio Max dvd for a month and NEVER lost a pound. However, I lost inches. When I did WW for a month, I lost 7 lbs, and I lost the same amount of inches as I had before, but with cardio max, I gained muscle. When you gain muscle, as I’m sure you know, you lose more, faster the further along you go. Inches are what matters the most, not pounds.
You have inspired me to start shredding!
And I think you have confused your poor scale. You’ve obviously lost fatty weight and gained some muscle weight, so you are way awesomer now.
Keep it up!
It is hard to not be frustrated, but listing our the positives is wonderful! Those things can keep you working, if not just a bit more.
I am proud of you Beth! It makes me want to do more!
Today should have been day 6 of shredding, but my wonderful husband changed our alarm clock from 5:30 (when I needed to wake up to shred) to 6:30 because he didn’t want to get up so early!! ARGH! So, I’ll shred tonight. I am not weighing myself, and I have no idea if I am losing or not. I don’t feel any thinner, but I can do more pushups than I could 6 days ago, so that is progress.
Disney???? Yay! You won’t be too far from me! Wave hi as you fly over (or drive by!)
does BUYING the shredding dvd count as a step in the right direction? i got it on saturday…it’s still in the wrapper but at least having it in my house is kind of a good thing, right?
I agree with Steph. Ignore that scale! You’ve lost inches!
You are my inspiration! I went out and brought the dvd and tomorrow morning my hubby and I will start. I’m excited!
yes, lil has to go….though i’d be THRILLED if it were adam instead!!
today is day 4 of shred. i love it. a friend comes over every night after the kids are in bed…we shred then have fresh juice from our new infomercial juicer. hahaha (my hubby got obsessed w/ this informercial one night at midnight and ordered, but we love it!) so even though i really want a donut, i have fresh grapefruit/apple/carrot juice. =)
anyway…i’m not weighing myself yet, but i do feel stronger. and the push-ups are getting easier….i can’t wait to see my push-ups on day 30!
how long did you do level one??
the only thing i hate about it is having to listen to jillian talk that first couple of minutes…ugh! why can’t we skip that??
I just ordered The Shred DVD from Amazon yesterday. Now, I just have to wait for it to arrive and I’ll be shredding too! I’m excited for this change in my routine.
It’s totally muscle. Shredding rocks.
And Lil does not. She must go.
“Just keep swimming!” (for the disney theme, you know, in case you missed it)
On one of the many occasions that my son blessed me with an opportunity to say “No.” He asked me “WHY NOT?” So I said, “because I’m a big fat meanie.” Gently laughing, he says, “Oh Mommy, you’re not mean!”
Can I borrow yours for a day?
Oh my gosh Beth! You lost 1.2 pounds while working out that much??? Give yourself a pat on the back! It’s near impossible for some to show a loss when they are working out so hard. Besides, at different times in the month we weigh more–no matter what we do. Next week you will probably show more of a loss, but regardless, you are doing the right thing and KUDOS to you for being so disciplined and focused!! Keeping it around a 2 pound loss per week is the best way to go–so you’re doing awesome! I know there is really no greater motivation than to see the pounds drop every week on the scale. It’s hard for me not to expect immediate results when I work out. haha I try to go by inches and not pounds–and how great I feel when I eat right and exercise. I remind myself that’s all that really matters and that this is a lifestyle change. When I reach my goal–no matter how soon, I’m not giving up! I will continue on this journey. So, sometimes it’s good for it to take a little longer to develop the habit.
I haven’t joined Sisterhood, but I’m right there with you! I’ve lost 13 pounds and have 16 to go.
Congrats on reaching day 15 of the shred! You’re almost there! Wow! I tried it, twice. Can’t make it past 10 minutes, lol. But today, I started a Leslie Sansone Walk Away the Pounds, tape. I have the 3 mile one, but I only did a mile… which is HUGE for me! I’m hoping to be up to the 3 miles soon. I feel good, though!
Muscle weighs more than fat and it sounds like you are getting stronger. Losing inches much more important.
I took a fitness/nutrition course several years ago and I TOTALLY agree with many of your comment-ers…the number on the scale is not what you should be focussing on. Muscle mass is much denser – you’re gaining muscle tone and therefore any (fat) weight you might be losing you’re making up with muscle weight!
Keep it up – you’ve inspired me to purchase the video!! Wish me luck!!
My husband and I started shredding last Friday but we skipped Sunday and Monday so today will be day 4. We are already noticing a difference and my husband lost 4 lbs. (damn those boys and their metabolism). I’m just trying to focus on the way I feel rather than the number on the scale. Inches and energy are what really matter.
Hi Beth…
I’m not a fan of level 2 yet. It’s hard! I must admit I skipped Easter Sunday. I was hosting so I didn’t have time. I do feel so much better when I exercise!! Thanks for your support and encouragement!!
I thought American Idol was kind of boring last night. I love Danny and tolerate Adam but other than that there isn’t one person who gives me the chills. That’s how I judge whether they are good or not! It could be either Lil or Matt that goes tonight. We’ll see….
I am shredding…
and I hurt… I’m only on day 3….. push ups + me = hatred
I have never liked a scale… I go by how I look and feel……. Muscle DOES weigh more than fat…
So as far as I’m concerned… I’m all muscle…….
I didn’t read all of the comments but I know the first one says what I was thinking…you can’t live by the scale completely.
Some people convert fat to muscle quickly…muscle weighs more than fat…so while you are losing fat you are gaining muscle making up that difference.
I was that way when I was in a training program. I didn’t see as much loss on the scale as I did the measuring tape (and clothes!). You should SO do that!!! Here’s what was measured if I remember correctly…just above ankle, calf, lower thigh, upper thigh, hips, waist, bust, upper arm, lower arm, neck. whew! It’s a lot but it’s worth tracking! And don’t forget that if you are bulking up muscle then you can’t trust the tape either!!! (at least when we’re talking about your huge muscular arms!) But generally it will give you a better idea!
Keep it going!!!
btw – you totally make me want to try shredding!
I so want to start shredding… I am due next month and cannot wait to start a weight loss program… You are such an inspiration!!!!
Ah, you sound like me. Except I’m not losing anything. I have gained for the past 2 weeks. It’s driving me crazy. BUT I’m consistently shredding AND I can feel a difference in my clothes…and that is what really matters.
One question: Land or World?
And I’m beyond impressed that you continued Shredding through Easter. Amazon delivered my DVD the day before Easter and I just laughed.
1.2 pounds is awesome! I think “The Biggest Loser” is giving us false hope in terms of weight loss. We aren’t working out 8 hours a day like those contestants. We’re living our lives, working out as we can. You need to give yourself some credit! Besides, the lost inches and the stronger looking arms and legs are definitely something to focus on.
BTW, I’m LOVING Shredding! I moved onto Level 2 yesterday (I haven’t done it yet today) and I really like the new challenge. You weren’t kidding about the arm stuff!
And I’m jealous of your trip to Disney! I’d love to get back there sometime soon! Enjoy!
Hey! don’t weigh yourself too much. muscle weighs more than fat! i am a very very skinny girl and have never weighed less than 60 kilos. Everyone of my friends and family think i am lying when i say that, thinking i weigh 50 kilos. I am basically more muscle mass and it weighs. If you have started exercising, which you have, you will initially begin to weigh more. It is normal and it doesn’t mean you are not losing weight. You are. You are losing fat but unfortunately fat doesn’tweigh much.
It’s like this. If you were to not drink any water and only drink diuretic drinks such as tea, you would weigh yourslef after 24 hours and you would have lost weight. Lot. but you know what? you’ve lost water. and as soon as you start rehydrating yourself you put the weight back on
i do have a point here, trust me
it is this – weighj yourself but not too much. no point. go with your clothes and how they fit you 9or don’t) much am better as an indicator
and exercise as that is the best! and yes, initialy u will weigh more but in a good its working kind of way 9or weigh)
You are doing great. 1.2 pounds is great for a holiday week.
Much better than mine this week. Mine is not even worth a post, just a comment. Keep it up, you inspire me to keep going.
I think you are doing an awesome job losing weight!
I like your swimsuit that you chose. I bought the same one last month when I went to Florida. It didnt look that good on me because I didnt exercise beforehand. I got mine at target:
http://www.target.com/Merona-Swim-1-Piece-Purple/dp/B001GY18J6/sr=1-12/qid=1239835141/ref=sr_1_12/183-1792137-6179846?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=0&index=target&field-browse=1041790&rh=k%3Aswimsuit%2Cp_36%3A%2425-%2449&page=1
Um….You have inspired me to go to buy this dvd. I tried to find it at walmart but they didnt have it so I am going to go and buy it online. Thanks for the inspiration!
I am pretty sure it was the hormones that made me gain two pounds this week. But, I was pretty mad at the scale myself. You are doing GREAT!
I ordered the shred workout because you’re so fricking inspiring…
My 30 days will start May 4th – my first day back from Ireland.
I’m sure I’ll need to order a wheelchair shortly after that.
Keep it up lady – you’re doin’ great!
Girl, 1.2 pounds is AWESOME! Way to go! No sense beating yourself up about that!
Disney is going to be awesome!! I’m so excited for you
I start level 2 tomorrow! Wish me luck!!
1.2 pounds is awesome!
Because my next goal is to be able to go to the pool, lake, etc with my kids this summer with out being mortified by the way I look. You’re doing great!!!!!!
I got my Shred in the mail today and I am so excited to start. My plan is to start tomorrow and my goal is to not skip a day-JUST LIKE BETH!!
That’s it, I am totally going out to buy The Shred tomorrow. I’m tired of chicken legs & scrawny arms! I want muscle!
Actually listening to Jillian’s radio show online… she said the swelling of your muscles could be adding weight. Once they release the water they’re holding on to it will come off. Stick with it!
It’s the shred, baby. You’re lookin so fine.
Forget the scale, go with how your clothes fit. Totally.
I’ve been off the Shred for three days and I feel like crap! We had company in and it just didn’t get done. MUST start back tomorrow. Level 2 is kicking my butt. I can’t imagine that I will EVAH graduate to Level 3!
I can tell you there are a few reasons why you might not be seeing much difference on the scale, as it was true for me a while back – a) red meat. You might be eating a lot and it’s bulking up muscle while simultaneously losing fat, so little-to-no difference on the scale. Cut back or cut out and eat lean chicken, turkey and fish. b) salt. Check your labels, salt will cause water weight. c) hidden fats. Only consume the good fats if any at all, Omega 3s, no trans fats, etc. d) Milk. Milk can often hinder weight loss, so cut back to no-fat or none at all, if you can (check your cheeses, too, because there’s a lot of hidden sodium)
Try those and I think you’ll see improvement in the scale numbers. I’m trying to lose weight at the moment, too
It sounds like it is going well to me. Yes, it might take longer than we like but the weight WILL come off. On Saturday I start my EA SPORTS Active Challenge and I need all the support I can get. We can help each other out. Okay?
First of all that is a WAY CUTE SUIT!! I hope you get to wear it!! Secondly, way to go….6.4 pounds is a great loss!! Just think of all those pounds melting away!!
Thirdly, this is why we have children, isn’t it….to keep telling us various things that don’t make sense and just confuse us??!! Love to be told, “you’re so skinny!!” Of course, I think it will be awhile before that happens in my house, but I am getting there….I am 8.5 pounds lighter than I was 3 weeks ago!! So together we will get “skinny”!!!
Against all better judgement I started shredding yesterday. Today I feel sub-human. I can barely move. The best part? I can’t wait to feel well enough to shred again. Hoping to do it tonight.
And yes, the scale can go to hell. I’ve barely lost a pound in the month and a half I’ve been working out and dieting. I’m praying the fat is converting to very, very heavy muscle…
Shred me baby.
You {and my sister because of you} have completely inspired me to go and order the DVD right now! I’m so afraid I won’t stick with it. but I want to and I love reading what you write about it.
love you girl!
I’ve never tried shredding before so can’t really tell that it might be your body has adapted to the workouts so it has stopped losing weight (the dreaded weight loss plateau!).
The scale is never my bestfriend. They lie. Try the scale that measures body fat percentage instead. Keep going!
6.4 lbs is awesome! Way to go!
I did not read the other posts but I would suggest you measure and go by that. You will gain muscle that will not show you losing any weight.
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/PrairieLady
Go to the archives of my health blog and there are alot of tools in the first several pages.
I totally ignore the scale and go by how I feel and how my clothes fit.