Forget The Scale, These Numbers Matter More!

It's time for another progress check from me, and I have to admit, I'm starting to like what I see. I've never liked my midsection, and while the front still has a lot of loose skin and fat, the sides are starting to show some serious definition! The most startling change is in my hips, though - the ratio of waist to hip is not nearly as dramatic as it once was.

First off, my weight: I haven't had my Weight Watchers weigh-in yet this week, but I was at 202 last week, and stepped on the scale this morning to see 200. I'm hoping that number holds on until Friday's weigh-in. I've been working really hard to stay within my points when eating, and for the most part I've been successful. Eating out is always hard, but I'm learning that the chocolate cake isn't going off the menu anytime soon, and one or two bites are still just as satisfying as an entire piece, without the uncomfortable stomach ache afterward.

I wish I would have written down my measurements at the beginning of all of this, but I didn't start writing them down until March 23. So here's a comparison from March 23 to April 23 showing the differences I've made in a month:

(first number is 3/23, second is 4/23)
Bicep ----- 15" ------ 14.5"
Chest----- 36.25" --- 35.25" (underbust measurements)
Waist ---- 36.25" --- 35.5"
Hips ----- 47.75" --- 46.5"
Thigh ---- 27.75" --- 26.75"

One other indicator that proves I'm really making a difference in my body, even if the scale isn't moving much, is body fat %. I have one of those fancy scales that measures body fat %, and while it can be off by 3% either way, it can still show when you're trending downward or upward.

Since the beginning of March, my scale shows that I'm down about 8% bodyfat. That's a lot of fat that has now disappeared!

The hardest part is still buying clothing. As much as I'd like to be done with it, I'm still a size 16 in many pants, although I am now fitting comfortably in many 14's, also. I'm exclusively buying large tops instead of XL tops now.

All except Old Navy, of course. They have to have the weirdest sizing I've ever encountered. I tried on some capris at Old Navy the other day, and I was disgusted with their weird fit. A pair of size 16's didn't fit me, mostly because the Sweetheart "classic rise" - which is supposed to fall just below the waist - only came up just past my pubic bone. And the legs felt like they were for someone half that size. I tried on a size 18 too, and found it was still too tight in the legs, while enormous around what they think is my waist (but is really my hips). Note to Old Navy: if someone needs a size 16 for their hips and waist, they'll probably need some room for their larger legs, too.

But the truly odd thing is that I also tried on some knit capris and the XL were too large for me! I needed a large instead. Weird, weird sizing. It's no wonder women have such a complex over a little number sewn in the back of our clothing.

I'm also only an inch or so away from taking off my old jeans without unbuttoning them - you can bet I'll be filming that when it happens!