Ugh!

Earlier today, I posted that I’ve been less than diligent about my healthy lifestyle over the last few weeks. I really struggled in February. Despite staying on track with my calorie goals and exercise during the beginning of the month, I actually hit a few days where I gained six pounds, then stayed there for a while.

When it finally started coming off again, it came off fast! I lost around 10 lbs in nine days, which was awesome… but it didn’t last long. I hit a week and a half of unfortunate events that really messed me up.

First, I had lunch with a friend at a chinese buffet (this is a killer for me). The next day, my step-dad had surgery and I had most of my meals at the hospital he was staying at. It’s amazing how bad for you hospital food can be! The weekend following the surgery was crazy, and I made poor food choices. By Monday, I had developed a severe Gout flare-up, which though it’s getting better, I’m still dealing with. I also fell on the ice in my driveway midweek, which messed up my back and hip. Needless to say, exercise didn’t happen like I would have wanted… and I’m just getting back up to speed physically.

So, with two ups, two downs, and a few less days this month than last, February was challenging. Here are my stats:

Measurements

• Weight: 334.4 lbs (335.8 last month, down 1.4)
• BMI: 47.98 (48.18 last month, down 0.31)
  
• Waist: 59.5 inches (59.5 last month, no change)
• Neck: 17.75 inches (17.75 last month, no change)
  
• Hips: 48.75 inches (48 last month, up 0.75)
• Chest: 53.5 inches (53 last month, up 0.5)

Photos

Front

Side

Back

Overlay

Thoughts

Well… I guess it could have been worse. I definitely wanted to lose more than 1.4 lbs, but losing ANYTHING is progress. On the other hand, I actually gained some in my chest and hips, which is annoying.

I included a fourth picture, this month. It’s my current side profile, with my original side profile from January 1st lined up and pasted over top of it in a see-through fashion. You can see the black outline of where I was, and where I am today. I may have had a hard month, but I’m motivated by this picture.

There were some other contributing factors that made February hard. Obviously, the Gout flare-up and the ongoing Arthritis that I take medication for has been a distraction. I also have Sleep Apnea, and my CPAP machine broke early in the month. It took quite a bit of fighting with our insurance company to get me a new one, and in the mean time, I slept miserably. I also made some new changes in how I’m scheduling work hours, so as to (hopefully) allow me to get more done, and hit the gym on a more consistent basis. I haven’t seen the benefits of these changes yet, but I trust things will level out soon.

Other than that, I just need to do the obvious. Get back to being incredibly anal about what I eat. Force myself to get on the exercise bike first thing in the morning. Make sure I go to the gym or use my home equipment for strength training. Take my medications, get enough sleep, etc. It’s not rocket science, I just got lazy… And I’ve repented of that, and am ready to go!

So, February was a hard month, but not a failure. I’m 16 lbs lighter than I was two months ago, and I’m motivated to keep moving. It’s March 1st, and as good a time as any to recommit to living healthy, not just for weight loss, but for a better longer life. If you’re doing this too, especially if you’ve been discouraged, KEEP MOVING!

I’d love to hear from you, so be sure to post a comment. And Congratulations to my friend Maria who has lost (over?) 20 lbs at this point. You rock!