Weight Loss Challenge – End of Week 12 – Last Weigh-In and Measurements

Hard to believe that 12 weeks have gone by! I started this challenge on July 13th — crazy, isn’t it, starting a weight loss challenge in the middle of summer.

So, first things first: I didn’t quite make my body fat percentage goal. My goal was 18.27% and I ended up at 18.80%. I’m off by half a percent… but I’ll take it! Ha!

I didn’t re-read my original goals daily, which I know would have helped even more. Amazingly enough, the daily soy does seem to have helped my hot flashes; I am drinking more water. But I haven’t been taking my omega-3 pills — although I do eat salmon once or twice a week, so that’s good.

What I’m most happy about is regaining the strength I lost when I broke my wrist back in December. I’ve been weight training 3 times a week (the majority of time) and doing my Cardio Coach twice a week. That has paid off in spades! My body is so much stronger than it was 12 weeks ago! Quite the difference!

Here are the final stats for these past two weeks (including pics):

Starting Measurements
Date: Sunday, July 12, 2009
Weight: 138.8lbs
Thighs: 22 1/2″
Hips: 38 1/2″
Waist: 30 1/4″
Body Fat %: 22.30% (10mm)*
Lean Body Mass: 107.8lbs
Fat Weight: 31lbs

End of Week 12
Date: Monday,October 5, 2009
Weight: 136.6lbs
Thighs: 22 1/2
Hips: 37 3/4″
Waist: 3/4″
Body Fat %: 18.80% (6.6mm)*
Lean Body Mass: 110.9lbs
Fat Weight: 25.7lbs

Difference between Start and Finish
Weight: -2.2lbs
Thighs: same
Hips: 3/4″
Waist: 29 1/2″
Body Fat %: -3.5% (-3.4mm)*
Lean Body Mass: +3.1lbs
Fat Weight: -5.3lbs

Keep in mind, these measurements are only as good as the person taking the measurements! I try to be consistent, taking the measurements at the same time and under the same circumstances.

The numbers to be looking at is that even though I technically only “lost 2.2lbs”, the Accu-Measure says I lost 5.3lbs of body fat and gained 3.1lbs of lean body mass.

I took some before and after pics — I have to say I don’t notice much of a difference, but I can tell you I do see a difference when looking in the mirror and in how my clothes are fitting (even went down a jean size!).

Okay, vanity be damned! Here are the pics…

Before / After – Side View

Changes I can see:

My derriere (to be polite): It’s definitely much rounder, to me, especially the bottom part. Instead of sagging down, it’s slowly lifting up. Those squats and lunges have been paying off!
My chest (again, to be polite): Lost some in that area and I’m every so thankful!
My belly: you have to look closely. It’s just slightly less round/sticking out.

I don’t think it’s noticeable in these photos, but I find my upper arms are smaller — and I’m seeing more definition.

(Here’s a larger photo, if you really want to look more closely.)

Before / After – Side View

Changes I can see:

My waist seems to be less flabby; not as much muffin top. My hips seem to be a tiny bit smaller. But my legs seem bigger. In a way, that doesn’t surprise me: my legs have gotten much stronger, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they got a bit bigger.

(Here’s a larger photo, if you really want to look more closely. Do you really??)

And just for kicks, here’s me at my heaviest. This is circa early 90′s, at around 165lbs (the scale said 160bls, but I know that darn thing was always off by 5lbs!). Terrible glasses and I was going through a blonde phase (hey, we learn from our mistakes, right?). But, wow, I think my ankles were killer!

And It Ain’t Over Till the Fit Lady Sings!

I’m on a roll now! Got my strength back and my motivation is there. It’s on to the next fat loss goal! I’m going to take a week off; give my body a rest weight training-wise (but I’ll still do some cardio and walking).

I’ll take the time to decide on some new goals and do it all over again. This next phase will be shorter – 8 or 9 weeks — which will bring me close to the Christmas holidays. Then, another 12 week challenge starting January 1st, where I want to get into the best shape of my life.

These past few years, I’ve been dealing with a lot of injuries. But I’m feeling really good right now; those injuries are all in the past. I’m looking forward to being really fit and the feeling of strength and energy that brings!

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