There are so many ways for me to monitor my progress. Too often I get stuck on using the scale as my only measure. Today I decided to take my measurements. The last time I measured was 9/26/06. I weighed 4 lbs less then than I do now and I was 3.5 inches smaller (stated another way, I gained 4 lbs and 3.5 inches since 9/26/06). I realize I am actually down 10 pounds from my highest weight since this time, so the trend is shifting. Keeping track of my measurements is important for me. I have tracked them since 8/2000. Two measurements that have helped me gain perspective are my waist and hips. I have lost 12.5 inches in each of them since 8/2000. That’s a total of 25 inches in just these two areas of measurement. I believe it will be important for me to measure each month for a while, as I apply my new skills. In this way I will be able to prove to myself what is working and keep my weight loss and body size in perspective.
Exercise: another day of 45 minutes sweating in the garden (Today I listened to a CD I had wanted to hear, so I am linking my garden work with ‘reward’ time.) I have decided that since I have to expend so much exercise energy to keep the garden up, I will not expand my exercise into other planned areas until I get help here. I realize this is worded as an ‘excuse’, but it important for me to stay within the parameters of my energy and fitness level.
