Full April Progress

Yes! I'm alive! This month has been crazy as I've adjusted to a new schedule of cross training and mostly running. I can feel that my weight loss is slowing down since I've lost over half of what I want to. I was prepared for this and don't feel like I need to adjust my eating or anything like that, I just need to continue being consistent and keep pushing my body. I am glad that I am making progress and that my body continues to feel stronger each day. Some days are definitely harder than others, but I find that as long as I am consistent I am successful.
Here are my measurements for this month:

Right Arm: 13 (1 inch lost)
Left Arm: 13 (1 inch lost)
Right Leg: 24.5
Left Leg: 25
Right Calf: 15  (.5 inch lost)
Left Calf: 15.5
Natural waist: 30 (1.5 inches lost)
Waist at belly button: 33.5 (1.5 inches lost)
Hips: 42 (1 inch lost)
Bust: 38.5

Left: Jan 4//Right: April 29

Left: April 1//Right: April 29

Starting weight: 197.6//Current weight: 164.4//Loss since Jan. 4: 33.2 pounds//Overall: 75.6 pounds

Full March Progress

Sorry I've been a bit MIA with the updates, this month hasn't been extremely impressive as far as changes in my weight. I'm okay with that, as I've been focused on improving in other ways. I finally saw a drop in weight as the week progressed. I find that I tend to lose more weight later in the week, I'm not entirely sure why. Now that I'm incorporating running into my exercise routine 5 times a week, I find I'm more focused on cross training as well. I do more to strengthen my muscles overall, but I still enjoy the workout I get on my recumbent bike.
I can feel how my body is changing as well. My calves and quads are much more pronounced and strong. My arms have some definition now as well. I can also feel my core strengthening and can feel muscles when I flex.
Here are my measurements for the month:

Right Arm: 14 (1 inch lost)
Left Arm: 14 (1 inch lost)
Right Leg: 24.5 (1.5 inches lost)
Left Leg: 25 (1 inch lost)
Right Calf: 15.5
Left Calf: 15.5
Natural waist: 31.5 (1 inch lost)
Waist at belly button: 35 (1 inch lost)
Hips: 43 (1 inch lost)
Bust: 38.5 (1.5 inches lost)

Left: Feb 28//Right: April 1

Left: Jan 4//Right: April 1

Starting weight: 197.6//Current weight: 170.6//Loss since Jan. 4: 27 pounds//Overall: 69.4 pounds

Full February Progress

I cannot believe that another month has come and gone. Time is flying by in so many ways and I can hardly keep up.
I'm still going strong with all of my goals and have found that consistency is key more than anything else. This month I lost 8.6 pounds, keeping me ahead of my targeted weight loss. I am still so shocked by how great I feel and how much easier it is to go about my day. I am still working to kick the caffeine habit, but I haven't had any soda in two months.
This month I've decided to add the goal to be up by 6:30 am each week day so I can get ready for my morning before Everett gets up. I feel like this will help me get a jump start on things.
I am so excited to be sharing my journey with all of you and can't wait for what comes this next month!

Right Arm:15
Left Arm: 15
Right Leg: 26 (.5 inch lost)
Left Leg: 26 (.5 inch lost)
Right Calf: 15.5 (.5 inch gained)
Left Calf: 15.5 (.5 inch gained)
Natural waist: 32.5 (1 inch lost)
Waist at belly button: 36 (3 inches lost)
Hips: 44 (1 inch lost)
Bust: 40

I didn't see quite the same results in loss as last month, but I feel like I am losing more weight in the areas that I tend to hold onto it, mainly my midsection. My progression photos have helped me to see how my body is changing so I take that into account as well.

Left: Jan 4//Right: Mar 1

Left: Feb 2//Right: Mar 1

Starting weight: 197.6//Current weight: 177.6//Loss since Jan. 4: 20 pounds//Overall: 62.4 pounds

February Progress Week 1

I was going to include this with my January update, but I didn't want to take my measurements that early. I think its important to consider your body measurements when looking at your overall progress. Weight loss can be from water weight, but real results will show up in your body measurements. I measure both my natural waist and waist at the widest part because I have such an hourglass shape, so it's helpful for me, hence the reason I have two separate measurements.

January 7th inches-                                               February 5th inches-

Weight: 195.6                                                        Weight:183.2
Right Arm: 16                                                       Right Arm: 15
Left Arm: 16                                                         Left Arm: 15
Right Leg: 27.5                                                     Right Leg: 26.5
Left Leg: 27                                                          Left Leg: 26.5
Right Calf: 16                                                       Right Calf: 15
Left Calf: 16                                                         Left Calf: 15
Natural waist: 36                                                  Natural waist: 33.5
Waist at belly button: 41.5                                   Waist at belly button: 39
Hips: 46.5                                                             Hips: 45
Bust: 41                                                                Bust: 40

Total: 242/247.5                                                   Total: 231.5/237

That's a total loss of 10.5 inches! This isn't extremely surprising considering I've lost 12.4 pounds in a month. This is not typical weight loss, but since I started at a much higher weight and have a lot to lose, I've lost more in a shorter amount of time. This isn't a sustainable rate of loss and I wouldn't want it to be. A key to successfully keeping the weight off is to be consistent with new habits and stick to your goals.