The chubby fight
February 28, 2008
Before I begin, I would like to add that today's post is not meant to get anyone's sympathy or anyting of the like, I am doing it for me as a way to encourage me in the days to come and hopefully to encourage others that are in the chub fight.
As many of you know, I have been diligently working on getting the fat level in my body down. Although, I have been tempted by all the commercials that promise a "quick" fix (New Year's seems to quadruple the number of this type of commercials). I have stuck to my guns and instead of choosing the easy way out, I have taken the "road less traveled". I started running last summer and tried to go out at least 3 times a week and hit the pavement. However, when Fall arrived and Winter the next day (it appears to be like that here in Utah), my plans for getting in shape got a bit thwarted by mother nature. I had a membership to the local gym but due to my inability to drive myself around, I couldn't attend regularly. Once I passed my driving test in October, my way was opened. A door to "freedom" to get to wherever I needed whenever I needed.
It has been about five months since I got my driving license and during those five months, I have gone out very little. I don't venture to too many places, but three times a week, my little zoomer goes out at 5am and we head to the gym. First, I started taking a spinning class and then I decided to start running too so I run about 3-4 miles each time, then a month ago I decided that lifting weights will make my arms look a little more than just spaghetti noodles so I started lifting. Five months later and I feel like a new woman. I am not a size 2 (probably will never be again) but I feel strong. I can run 5 miles and survive. Heck, I can run 4 miles, spin for 1hr, and then lift for 30 minutes and then swim and not die. I feel strong. Capable. Secure.
Despite my diligence in working out, my "weight" hasn't gone down. I weigh the same as I did before I started exercising and sometimes this makes me feel depressed (and downright ornery) but I have to keep reminding me that it wasn't weight that I went in to lose--it was fat! But how do you really measure the change if the scale is not showing it? The scale can be deceiving...and at times it can be our very own worst enemy. I have opted for another method to track my changes...since the scale is not helping me. I have decided to measure certain areas and keep track of those.
I am exposing my most personal and sensitive area of my life but I hope that this will encourage me and those of you who are fighting the chub.
Measurements Record
Measurements in Summer 2007
- Natural waist (mine is about 1-1/2 inches above belly button): 33 inches
- Waist by belly button: 37
- Hip: 39 inches
- Lovehandle area: 38.5 inches
- Leg (I measure about 7 inches from my knee): 19-1/2 inches
- Calf: 14 inches
Measurements in November 2007 (after exercising for little over a month at the gym).
- Natural waist: 32 inches
- Waist by belly button: 36
- Hip: 38-1/2 inches
- Lovehandle area: 37-1/2 inches
- Leg: 19-1/2 inches
- Calf: 13-3/4 inches
- Upper Rib cage: 34 inches
Measurements in February 2008
- Natural waist: 30-1/2 inches
- Waist by belly button: 33
- Hip: 37-3/4 inches
- Lovehandle area: 37
- Leg: 20-3/4 inches
- Calf: 13-1/4
- Upper Rib cage: 31-1/2
Now the biggest change that I saw was going from a 34DD down to a 34C (and these are getting big so I may have to go down to my pre-baby 34B!). Clothes wise: I have gone down 2 sizes in pants and 1 size down in shirts.
My body type has a lot to do with the way I lose weight: I am one of those people who have very skinny legs (no shape to them at all), skinny, wimpy arms, no butt (none at all) and a big fat torso. When I gain weight, it goes first to my face (big chubby cheeks and second chin), then my b00bs, then my pansa (belly). You know there is pear shaped bodies, well, I am an apple with little sticks sticking out the bottom and the sides for legs and arms respectively.
Overall, I am extremely happy with the changes in my body. Some areas have gotten smaller,biggest changes in my waist and b00bs, and some have gotten a little bigger, my legs-expected from the running and biking. Some areas are a little more muscular, my calves, legs and arms. The change is slow and I have worked very hard to get them but with each step (when I run) with each turn of the wheel (when I spin), I think to myself that I am making my body stronger.
I will keep going with my chub fight, I will report again in the months to come. In the meantime, keep on sweating the chub away!