I am not sure why I call it ‘weigh-in’ as the weight is only a small part of the equation. At least, I am telling myself that after a fairly disappointing result this week. Current weight now 251 pounds (114 kg) down only 1.1 pounds (0.5kg). At least it is still weight loss. However, there is a brighter side of the weekly measurements. Although over the four weeks I have only lost 13.2 pounds (6 kg), the better result is my body fat percentage. When I started four weeks ago, it was 35.3% – yes, over 1/3rd of me was jubbly fat! That percentage is now sitting at 18.67%, so I have nearly halved my jubbliness in four weeks. In the last week alone, it went from 20.49% to 18.67%, so it isn’t as if I am sitting around doing nothing – in fact, I worked pretty hard last week. I am pretty rapt with the body fat percentages, although I do want to see faster weight loss, being as impatient as I am.

Weigh ins are never fun!

Over the last four weeks, my stomach has gone from 46.5″ (118cm) to 43.7″ (111cm). So I am getting smaller. And although I am now in week five, I believe I will get to my target by the end of the 12 week transformation challenge. I decided to change my routine a little and make Friday my weigh in day (so no weigh in until next Friday now) and Monday my 60 minute personal training session. I will do my training session this Friday as well as next Monday, so if I don’t see some better weight loss by the end of it, ARGH! I have also decided to cut back on my meals a little, by reducing the size about 10-15%. Although I have been eating to plan, I want to see if this will have an impact.

I pushed myself very hard from Monday through to Friday last week, including an hour with my personal trainer.  However, Saturday I just walked, and Sunday, I walked even less, only 35 minutes with a jaunt up the stairs.  So not sure if this affects my weekly monday weigh ins but I really need to find a good non-gym cardio workout for Sundays.  If you have any ideas, let me know in the comments!

working out is starting to show results!

The results today were positive, although not as dramatic as they have been.  My body fat percentage, which started out at a crazy 35.3% (I was a flabby fatbird!) is now 20.49%.  Not bad for three weeks.  Weight loss for the week was only 3.3 pounds (1.5kg) bringing my new weight down to 252.4 pounds (114.5kg).  So progress is being made.

I wore a red t-shirt today (not a flattering color on fatbird) and it is not a size or two too big.  When I saw my reflection, I realised I still have a long way to go. For a moment, I experienced the old feeling of “oh no, the goal is too far away!) but then I reminded myself of where I was three weeks ago (heck, it has only been 3 weeks!) and that I felt great and was enjoying life a whole lot more.  The feeling quickly passed and I headed off back to the gym of r a workout where I decided to push a little harder.

So I worked out on the weights for about 50 minutes, with a variety of exercises.  Then I finished it off with 20 minutes on the exercycle.  And I rode hard.  The funny thing is, I am much fitter than I was , and although I am pushing myself harder than I could have even beared three weeks ago, I do not end up as puffed out as I used to.  For example, my heart rate on the bike went from 150 down to 110 in just 3 minutes.  Quick recovery.  But yes, my gym clothes still ended up covered in sweat!  I have to say, I do an awful lot of washing now!!  Thankfully, I am downsizing into some cothes I have not been able to wear for a couple of years.  Beats shopping for more clothes!

It is that time of the week again! My weekly weigh in and measurements. I lost 3.3 pounds (1.5kgs) this week. Initially, I was very disappointed with this result. I wanted more! However, weight is not the best measurement and Steve, my trainer assures me that body fat percentage is a far more significant measurement.

Now if only all weigh-ins were like this!

It seems I have been piling on muscle, so will change my workout a little bit and increase the amount of cardio.  Currently, I only do real cardio on Tuesday and Thursday’s.  I will now include cardio on my three workout days.  Although building muscle is great, I am not wanting to body build!  I want to trim down, so by increasing my cardio, I should drop the fat faster.

My measurements today (with starting measurements in brackets):

• Blood Pressure 125/100 (130/100)
• Chest  45″ or 114cm (46.6″ or 118.5cm)
• Stomach  45″ or 114cm  (45.6″ or 116cm)
• Upper Arm  13.7″ or 35cm  (14.3″ or 36.5cm) – getting much more muscle now!
• Thigh  22.6″ or 57.5cm – minimal change, guess walking and stairs + workouts is good for my thighs!

AND THE BEST MEASUREMENT – BODY FAT PERCENTAGE

• Start      35.3%
• Week 1  25.7%
• Week 2  21.7%

Yes, my body fat percentage has dropped 13.6% in just two weeks!  This translates to FAT LOSS of 11 pounds (5kgs)!!!!!  This is why I am increasing my cardio, although muscles are growing and eating fat, I need to burn fat faster than I build muscle, so I actually lose some weight!  All in all, I am getting smaller, and people are starting to notice!  So I am happy with this weeks result and will push hard on cardio for the coming week!

Had 30 minutes with my personal trainer, who took the same measurements that we did at the start of the program.  While I managed to take 2cm off my chest, I only took 1cm off my waist.  Oh dear, the tummy fat is going to be stubborn!

I just want a smaller tummy!

However, the rest of my measurements were quite a shock, especially body fat %.  Here they are:

• Blood Pressure  WAS 130/100 NOW 125/95
• Stomach   WAS 116cm (45.7″)  NOW 115cm (45.27″)
• Chest   WAS 118.5cm (46.25″)  NOW 116.5cm (45.8″)
• Upper Arm   WAS 36.5cm (14.37″)  NOW 34.5cm (13.58″)
• % of Body Fat  WAS 35.3%  NOW 25.7%

Wow.  Body fat from 35.3 to 25.7  -  it is very hard to believe!  I know I pushed hard, and feel like my body is responding well, but that is a huge number.  I will put it down to maybe an incorrect reading the first time, OR, I simply nailed it in the last 9 days.  Either way, I am stoked with the overall results.  2cm off my chest is fantastic.  Looks like the weight loss was not the only positive result from last week!  I feel as if my body has moved out of the sluggish gear it was stuck in and now the machine is in top gear and going smoothly.

The day has come at last!  Time to get on the scales!  And the result?  5.5 pounds or 2.5kgs!  I was a little disappointed, but Steve, my personal trainer, was very surprised and his initial reaction was “too much!” NEVER! hehe.  Perhaps I watched too much of ‘The Biggest Loser’ before starting this program (one series in a week!), so got used to seeing ridiculous numbers on their weigh ins.

Weigh in time!

However, any weight loss is good weight loss, so I will take the 2.5kgs and step up a little harder this week.

Starting Weight        265 pounds / 120 kg

Week One                 259.5 pounds / 117.5 kg         ( – 5.5 lb / – 2.5 kg)

These are the measurements as taken by Steve, my personal trainer

- Body Fat = 35.3%

- Chest = 118.5cm

- Waist = 116cm

- Thigh = 57cm

- Upper arm = 36.5cm

- Blood Pressure = 130/100

- Weight = 120kgs (or 265 pounds)

I have some hard work ahead of me.  Here is my ‘before’ photo for entering into the competition.  I’ve cropped my face out, my apologies to any stalkers out there.