OFFICIAL WOMEN'S CHALLENGE: Monthly Progress Pic Thread - MONTH 4 PICS and STATS

[missjane]

Month 4 pics and stats are due by Monday, May 5. I'm starting this thread a bit early so nobody will forget!

Please post your Month 4 pics and stats anytime between now and then.

[dillytl]

Since DH and I are leaving this eve to go camping for the weekend, we did pics and measurements this morning!











I am just THRILLED about my progress this month!!!!

So what did I do different this month than last?

One word - DIET...DIET.....DIET

No more out-of-control "treat" days (they are now tracked) and no more food scale denial! I have become a food nazi!!! I measure EVERYTHING, and if I put something into my plan, and then end up with a slightly different meaurement, I update my program! No longer do I say "oh, well it's just a few extra grams, I don't need to update my program!" There are also NO more instances of a "tiny handful of this" or a "bite of that" that I don't track - basically if I eat it, I track it - EVERY BIT OF IT!!!

Is this fun? Hell no - but if I have to do this for the short term to meet my goal, then SO BE IT! I know this is not a forever thing, and I can live with it for now.

I have also increased my "general" activity every day. I try to get in a walk every single day (and I'm talking a stroll here - at most 2mph on the treadmill!) and I purposely take extra trips up and down the stairs. For example, instead of piling ALL of the laundry into the basket for the trip from the basement laundry room to the bedrooms (2 flights) - I'll take each load individually! EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS and it really does make a difference!!!

I'm in the 160's for the first time in about 3 years, and not only in the 160's but AT THE LOW END!!! I see the 150's in my very near future, cuz I have no plans of giving up! My goal is in SIGHT!!!!!

[Silly Sally]

Originally Posted by dillytl

I'm in the 160's for the first time in about 3 years, and not only in the 160's but AT THE LOW END!!! I see the 150's in my very near future, cuz I have no plans of giving up! My goal is in SIGHT!!!!!

Inspiring.

Thanks for sharing.

[realcdn]

Originally Posted by dillytl

No more out-of-control "treat" days (they are now tracked) and no more food scale denial! I have become a food nazi!!! I measure EVERYTHING, and if I put something into my plan, and then end up with a slightly different meaurement, I update my program! No longer do I say "oh, well it's just a few extra grams, I don't need to update my program!" There are also NO more instances of a "tiny handful of this" or a "bite of that" that I don't track - basically if I eat it, I track it - EVERY BIT OF IT!!!

I think the concept of treat days are great if you're the type of person who can control yourself slightly. I decided a while ago that if I was going to have a 'treat' day I'd only consider not hitting my daily macros as an acceptable variance. This might come in handy in a month when I mix up a batch of pisco sours (lime juice, water, sugar substitute, pisco - well not pisco as the silly lcbo no longer carries it). My treat days will be sitting on the patio having a couple of drinks and maybe not hitting the 30% min protein for the day. I know I'm still they type that could do a lot of damage on an uncontrolled treat meal.

I do what you mention, plan a specific amount, but update the program if it doesn't match what I planned (ie. with homemade breads I'm not always consistent with slicing, so I put in what the average is and modify it later). Those bits and bites can add up if you're not careful.

Hey, I forgot why I started the post in the first place - great progress!

[SpacecityPaula]

Originally Posted by dillytl

One word - DIET...DIET.....DIET

No more out-of-control "treat" days (they are now tracked) and no more food scale denial! I have become a food nazi!!! I measure EVERYTHING, and if I put something into my plan, and then end up with a slightly different meaurement, I update my program! No longer do I say "oh, well it's just a few extra grams, I don't need to update my program!" There are also NO more instances of a "tiny handful of this" or a "bite of that" that I don't track - basically if I eat it, I track it - EVERY BIT OF IT!!!

Is this fun? Hell no - but if I have to do this for the short term to meet my goal, then SO BE IT! I know this is not a forever thing, and I can live with it for now.

Very good job Tracey. You hit the nail on the head with the stuff in bold. I had these point driven home very hard last night. If I want to reach my goal, I can't wing it. Maybe when I get closer yes but for now no.

[Littlemermaidklb]

Wow Tracey, you're doing phenominally!!! And good for you for tracking every litlte thing... it's such a pain but I'm sure it will be short-term and then you'll have met your mark! Great great job!

[Bytsi]

Originally Posted by dillytl

No more out-of-control "treat" days (they are now tracked) and no more food scale denial! I have become a food nazi!!! I measure EVERYTHING, and if I put something into my plan, and then end up with a slightly different meaurement, I update my program! No longer do I say "oh, well it's just a few extra grams, I don't need to update my program!" There are also NO more instances of a "tiny handful of this" or a "bite of that" that I don't track - basically if I eat it, I track it - EVERY BIT OF IT!!! <snip>
I have also increased my "general" activity every day. I try to get in a walk every single day (and I'm talking a stroll here - at most 2mph on the treadmill!) and I purposely take extra trips up and down the stairs. For example, instead of piling ALL of the laundry into the basket for the trip from the basement laundry room to the bedrooms (2 flights) - I'll take each load individually! EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS and it really does make a difference!!!

Originally Posted by realcdn

I think the concept of treat days are great if you're the type of person who can control yourself slightly. <snip> I know I'm still they type that could do a lot of damage on an uncontrolled treat meal.

First - AWESOME progress!!!! You look amazing Dilly!!!

Your comments about activity and measuring are right-on... I'm probably due for a check on my food scale (I do it intermittently to keep myself honest).

As for cheat/treat stuff - I absolutely am NOT the kind of person who can have slight control. I'm more like the alcoholic with food - I think I can have "just one sip" but then I'm on a pig-out drunken food-fest. Sugar/processed carbs are the worst - I just get hungrier and hungrier if I eat them, end up alternating sweet/salty.

So for me, I might split a dessert with DH or have a portion-controlled serving of something every once in a while, but an entire treat/cheat meal or (gasp!) day? No can do!

[fengshway]

tracey, you are doing fantastic!!! obvious changes going on.

[BobbieK]

Congratulations Tracey,

Wow, you can really tell the difference! You are inspiring! Bobbie

[Natalia]

Awesome job, dillytl. Downright awesome!

My original stats / current stats


At 5’7.5 HEIGHT


CHEST: 35 in / 34 in
WAIST (narrowest point): 28 in / 26.5 in
TUMMY (widest area): 33 in / 31.5 in
HIP: 36.5 in / 36 in (tried hard not to lose my butt by doing lotsa heavy RDLs)
THIGHS: 21 / 19.5
CALVES: 13 / 12.5
ARMS: 11 / 11
WEIGHT: 140lbs / 134 lbs
Body Fat: 17.5% / 15.5% (initially I put a wrong %-tage...but after consulting a respectable 'fat-o-meter' person, he placed me at 17.5%)

original pix / current pix









I am pretty much almost where I want to be, so I am happy.

[Littlemermaidklb]

Wow Nat... I wish my stomach looked like yours! Do you hold your stomach in or flex your abs in the pics? Or is that you letting it all "hang" out? Mine looks not terribly far off in my pics, but I always hold my stomach in... it's actually hard for me to not do that. I don't mean sucking it in so I can't breathe, but my abs are "engaged" I guess. Basically, if that's your stomach in its relaxed state, I'm pretty darn jealous! Well, I'm jealous either way, but at least it gives me something to work towards!! And it's completely awesome to me that you continue to make great progress when you started from such a fit state already! Can I be you when I grow up??

[Natalia]

Originally Posted by Littlemermaidklb

Wow Nat... I wish my stomach looked like yours! Do you hold your stomach in or flex your abs in the pics? Or is that you letting it all "hang" out? Mine looks not terribly far off in my pics, but I always hold my stomach in... it's actually hard for me to not do that. I don't mean sucking it in so I can't breathe, but my abs are "engaged" I guess. Basically, if that's your stomach in its relaxed state, I'm pretty darn jealous! Well, I'm jealous either way, but at least it gives me something to work towards!! And it's completely awesome to me that you continue to make great progress when you started from such a fit state already! Can I be you when I grow up??

Thanx, Kara. No suckin' stomach in. Just standing straight. If I bend down there is some skin you'll be able to observe. But I believe that will tighten up with time. Did you post your stuff yet? Lemme see....

[Bytsi]

You look amazing Nat - those quads are ripped!!!

[Littlemermaidklb]

Hey Nat! No, I didn't post my stuff yet, I should have it up on Monday though sometime. You probaly can't tell what I'm talking about as far as "holding my belly in" in the pics, since it's not sucked in, just held or something, lol. I dunno, it was something my mom ingrained in us when we were younger and now my ab muscles almost don't know how to NOT hold it in anymore.... believe me if I relax it completely it's not as nice-loking as it is in my pics. Oh well, I guess my ultimate goal is to someday be able to feel like I don't need to hold it in!

[LWilson212]

Hey Nat-

You look great! I thought your legs looked great before, but you have really managed to cut them up! Awesome work.