September 13- Day 30

So I have officially begun Week 5 of this challenge. I am almost halfway there! (In time, not weight) But I am very excited. Changes are still happening, albeit small and seemingly inconsequential. But they keep me moving forward with a conviction I never really knew I possessed.

A day or so ago, Pasquale made the first comment about my appearance. He's been so supportive of me this whole time, but I think he's starting to see that I'm really sticking with it and that I have been losing weight consistently. He told me that I looked good and that he has noticed my clothes fit me looser than they did. THAT WAS HUGE!! First, because he's not a real observant person. He'll be the first to tell you that. But second, because the changes are so small and gradual, that  unless you are paying attention and really looking, you can't really tell.

But I am now officially into a size 16 jean comfortably. My fat tire is not a flat tire. Still there, but quite deflated now. That's always a good thing. I still wear nursing bras and I had a hard time finding ones in my size originally. So I just bought those little extenders for fat people. I can take them off all my bras except one now. That was a sad day for me, though. Realizing that my bra size is also going to shrink again. Oh well. C'est la vie.


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I was working out on Saturday and really pushing myself. An old man came up to me and this was our conversation (after I took my headphones out.)
"You're really strong."
"I'm working on it."
"How long have you been working out."
"This is week 4 and I've already lost about 20 lbs."
"I'd love to see what you look like in a year. I lost 24 lbs right off the bat, and then nothing for months."
"I expect to see some pretty big results in the next few weeks or so, but I'm going to stick with it."
"Well, good luck!"
"Thanks!" (headphones back in)

I told Pasquale about this and he swears the old guy was hitting on my. I don't think so. He was sweet and it was so exciting to talk to some random stranger about my progress. I got such a boost of confidence and energy just from that little exchange, I pushed myself so much harder the rest of that workout. I find that I am so proud to tell people about my progress. Never before would I have brought up to acquaintances how much weight I've lost and about my eating habits. But now, that's a topic of conversation that gets brought up quite frequently.

So I weighed myself this morning and I'm a bit heavier than I was yesterday at 225 lbs. Yesterday was a first. I actually hit the 223 lb mark. That was an exciting morning for me. So I decided to do a measurement checkup and compare my sizes with those that I started with. Here goes.

Then                            Now             Difference
Upper arm: 16"            14 1/2"         1 1/2"
Wrist: 7"                       6 1/2 "         1/2"
Chest: 40"                    36 1/2"         3 1/2"
Bust: 43"                      41"               2"
Waist: 47"                     44"               3"
Hips/Butt: 52"               48"               4"
Thigh: 31"                     26"               5"
Above knee: 23"           20"               3"
Ankle: 10"                    9 1/2"           1/2"
Weight: 244.2 lbs          223.7 lbs      20 1/2 lbs

How exciting! I knew I lost weight and started shrinking, but I had no idea the change was this much already! I can't "weight" to hit that 12 week mark and measure again. I think I'll do a measure one more time at around week 8 and then at the end of the challenge.This is so cool!