Weight Loss Challenge - End of Week 4 - Weigh-in and Measurements

Posted in: July to October 2009, Suzanne's Weight Loss Journey, Week 3, Week 4 | Be the first to comment!

I didn’t want to advertise it all over the ‘net, but Week 4 had me away on vacation — yikes! Sitting down in a beach chair all day and not having access to a kitchen are not too conducive to weight loss, right? (Ooooh, are those excuses I hear? Like I said to Terry, “How important are my goals to me if things change when I’m on vacation?” “Only kind of important” appears to be the answer.)

Granted, I did get in *a lot* of walking in (and some jogging). Food-wise, I didn’t do too badly, but I could have planned ahead better. Without further ado, here are the numbers from my weigh-in:

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 2 Measurements
Date: Monday, July 27, 2009
Weight: 137.4lbs (-1.4lbs)
Thighs: 22 1/2″ (same)
Hips: 38 1/4″ (-1/4″)
Waist: 29 3/4″ (-1/2″ !!! Seems like a lot? Did I pull too much on the tape?)
Body Fat %: 21.30% (9mm)* (-1%)
Lean Body Mass: 108.1 (+ .3lbs — this is good! You want to increase your lean body mass!)
Fat Weight: 29.3lbs (-1.7bs)

Current Measurements - End of Week 4 (numbers in parentheses = change between Week 2 and Week 4
Date: Monday, August 10th, 2009
Weight: 139 (+1.6lbs)
Thighs: 22 1/2″ (same)
Hips: 38 1/2″ (+1/4″)
Waist: 30″ (+ 1/4″)
Body Fat %: 21.30% (9mm)* (same)
Lean Body Mass: 109.4 (+ 1.3lbs — this is usually good! You want to increase your lean body mass, if it means more muscle!)
Fat Weight: 29.6lbs (+ .3lbs)

* I’m using the Accu-Measure calipers. You can use my body fat percentage calculator if you don’t have calipers.)

I didn’t take measurements at the end of Week 3, because I was on vacation. I’m wishing now I had weighed-in, even if it was a couple of days early, just to see exactly what vacation did. As you can see from end of Week 2 to end of Week 4, I did gain 1.6lbs. But, only .3lbs appears to be body fat. Now, did I gain some muscle? Am I retaining water? We’ll see as time goes on. I am feeling good though! I’m feeling strong and energetic.

Overall Changes from July 13 to August 10

Weight: + .2lbs (that’s point two pounds, not “two” pounds)
Thighs: same
Hips: same
Waist: -1/4″
Body Fat %: -1%
Lean Body Mass: +1.6lbs
Fat Weight: -1.4lbs

If I look at my overall changes, I’ve gained .2lbs since July 13, but seem to have lost 1.4lbs of fat. Now, at first glance, that seems good! But I’m still wondering if it isn’t a measurement problem. We’ll see as time goes on… I’d like to start seeing a .5% drop in body fat per week.

Now, I don’t know if this is true, but I had a weight training coach tell me once, a looong time ago, that it takes about 8 weeks till you start seeing significant changes. I’ve found that’s usually the case for me. It’s as if my body finally “gets it” and starts burning fat.

So, 4 weeks down; 8 more to go!

How are you doing? What do you do to lose weight? Do you count calories? Follow a diet?

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Eat better, move more, and believe in yourself!