Keeping a weight loss journal.

Is it Monday already?

Last week I did a lot of soul-searching and thinking about my goals and plans and all that fun stuff, which was apparent in my post about stress, waiting on pregnancy, and about waiting around for moments that force us to change. I posted that second post a bit late on Friday – it was one of those “should I admit to this on the internet” types of posts. Ha.

Today, though, I’m starting something new: a weight-loss journal.

The concept is not a new one for me. The most success in terms of weight loss I’ve ever had has been while journaling my losses and/or gains, and I know that in this situation it probably won’t be any different. What I loved about Weight Watchers back in 2009 and 2010 was that I weighed in weekly and someone, even if it was the woman weighing me, knew whether had I gained or if I had lost. It was a great way to stay accountable, and I have, for the past four months, been sitting high up on a plateau, and I am ready to get down. (Besides, I’ve got some plans for races and a vacation to Florida this year. Incentive, right?)

How will this work?

Well, I will be honest with you: I am not a fan of the scale.

While I know that the scale is a good tool to use to determine success, it is also not the end all, be all of tools. The scale doesn’t tell you everything. The one thing I remember from when I focused on the scale too much is that I was stuck on a number – a number I thought was “right”. Weight isn’t a the one and only way to see the reflections of health, fitness, or body composition. I thought that at my height, I had to be certain weight. I’d pick a number within a range and go with it. Or I would just go for a number that sounded right. 

With that in mind, the scale isn’t going to be my only tool…and I won’t be sharing my beginning weight or final weight until “the end”. I don’t want to have a number staring back at me, creating unnecessary obsession. I don’t want to look at myself in the mirror and see results, but not really see them, because I’m too focused on a number. What I will see is me overcoming a plateau, my hard work, and my results. Not a number.

Every Monday, I’ll be checking in here. I feel as though this last haul on my journey has been the most difficult, and I want to make sure I’m on track to reach my end goal. I’ve lost nearly 70 pounds in the last 3 years, and I want this to be the last year of loss and the first year of maintenance.  I linked to my journal above, but I will link it every Monday as I discuss what worked, what didn’t, and the changes I’ve made or need to make.

Ya with me?

Just to update you for this week: no change in weight. I did, however, see a 3″ total loss – mostly in my waist! See. The scale isn’t end all, be all now is it? I’ll be adding more to my updates starting next week as I start a whole new routine this week now that I’ve added lots of yoga and daily meditation. Stress be gone!!!

Have a great Monday!!