WEEK ONE WEIGH IN
Starting weight: 210.6 lbs
Current weight:
200.8 lbs (-9.8 lbs)
Measurements
Waist:
45" > 40"
Mid: 51
1/2" > 49"
Hips:
48" > 47 1/2"
Cardio workouts: 6/8 days
Weightlifting workouts: 3/8 days
Average Nutrients
https://imgur.com/a/XTFhi
https://imgur.com/a/x2GXL
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Overall, I'm pretty satisfied with the results of my first week. Every day I found myself feeling a bit more motivated/strong, as the more effort I put in, the easier it was to say no to bad cravings and bad habits. My body is feeling a lot more capable already, and I have noticed I'm walking with my head held just a bit higher.
On a mental note, I have been feeling more positive. Even better, because I'm not lethargic, depressed or have been drinking, I have been able to offer more support to my partner. I feel that in just this short week, I've been able to be a better partner and an all around more present person. I'm really looking forward to seeing that attitude of mine continue to improve. I'm not there yet, but maybe in a couple of weeks I won't be afraid to go out and meet with friends again.
Reviewing the reports, I do see where there's room to grow.
Let's start with...
Successes:
- I ended every day with a calorie deficit
- No late-night snacking
- Woke up every day at 6am, workout or not
- No alcohol (today marks 14 full days without a single drink)
- Drank 3L of water every day
- Tracked ALL meals
- Daily gratitude journals (feeling grateful really lifted my spirits every day)
- Didn't skip any planned workouts
- I WORE PANTS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN, LIKE, TWO YEARS!
Goals for Week Two:
- Stretch daily (looking to fit this in right before bed)
- Drink cold lemon water every morning (good for digestion)
- Get in my massage chair more frequently (good for achy muscles, and overall feeling of wellness)
- Be diligent about taking glucosamine
- Eat enough fiber every day
- Stay around 1200 calories/day
Of course, there's been some casual observations that I didn't even think I would be seeing, let alone this early. Firstly, and negatively, it's a lot harder to lose weight when you're 30 as opposed to 20! No shit, you're probably thinking, but I didn't really expect to see the scale sit at the same weight for almost 5 days. BUT.. positively..... my kidneys have finally caught up, and I'm not peeing so frequently. I didn't experience heartburn at all this week! I've felt more alert during the day. I have noticed I'm more outgoing than usual, and that's without effort. I've begun to enjoy smaller things, a good song on my way home from work, some playtime with my cat - things like that. I no longer dread mornings, and I don't count hours anymore until bedtime. On a personal level, my sex-drive has had a small boost. All of those are pretty amazing NSVs and I'm excited to see how I'll feel a week from now.
Moving forward, I'm going to tackle that list up there. They're all small things, which I like. It means, if it takes less than fifteen minutes, just get up and do it. Nothing there I will regret once it's done. I think my biggest concern is that MyFitnessPal app is overestimating what I am burning during cardio. I'll stop watching the "net calories" and instead focus on what I am actually taking in.
For my workouts, as of this morning I was finally up to 45 minutes on the elliptical. It's a workout, so of course it's not a breeze, but it didn't feel too difficult. I am noticing that I am getting more bored around that 25 minute mark though. My plan is to add in some intervals of higher intensity, and perhaps try to find some activity to entertain myself with while I'm there. Browsing Instagram and audio books aren't cutting it.
I think that's really all I have to say today. I am very grateful for all the communities I have that keep me focused on my goal, and for every person that comes by and reads this.
Again, if you want to add me on MFP:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/profile/elizab3t
That sounds like a workout in itself... Skipping a day on the elliptical sometimes is probably a good idea (assuming you´re as gung-ho about your cardio as you are about your HIIT). Did you know that HIIT has been shown to give better cardio results than "classic" cardio? I assume you´re doing the cardio to burn extra calories so it probably isn´t of interest yet but it´s a thing that makes me happy 
