I did it!
It's over. But it's not really. The good stuff is only just beginning! THIS is over.
Midday yesterday marked the final moments of the ten-week weight-loss challenge that I took part in with a group of girlfriends. We met up for the weigh-in and tally, then gorged on delicious foccacias (oh bread, I've missed you), cheesecake slice and glasses of champagne. Well I only had one, as after ten weeks of no alcohol, I felt like just one glass of bubbly was plenty.
After just one glass, I sat there silently giggling as I felt the scrumptiousness of the champers sweep over me. Then I rejoiced! I actually did it. I sacrificed a lot of things that I thought I would never be able to do without. I created an entirely new routine. I feel like an entirely new person. And brilliantly, I am being told by people whose opinions I truly value, that they can see an entirely new person as well! Hoorah!
The Important Stuff - Final Stats
I lost 14.88% of my total body weight. Yup! I had actually lost slightly more at the eight-week mark, but when I got bored with my cardio, I lifted the intensity of some of my running to a little bit of short distance sprint training, and consequently put a teensy bit of weight back on in the form of muscle in my thighs - dammit.
Even though the weight-loss competition was being measured solely in kgs and percentage lost, we also recorded cms lost, as for girls, this is the real kicker. Seeing clothes fitting better, then fitting like sacks, then not fitting at all = frigging awesome! I lost some supreme cms, 14 cms in some places, so was very very pleased with that. I am struggling to find appropriate work clothes in my wardrobe which don't make me look like I'm dressed in a tent. This is a good problem to have. I won a nice little wad of cash through the ten-week challenge as we all contributed $60 to the final prize, and can't wait to go shopping for new clothes that fit. Hello size 10, how are you doing?
But... I just calculated my Body Mass Index (BMI) with my new weight, and was slightly disappointed. I am still officially 'overweight' by that rubbish number. I was really hoping to fall into the 'healthy' weight range, as I am feeling fantastic, but it's not to be.
I shan't take it personally though, as BMI does not distinguish between weight due to muscle and weight due to fat, so it does not take into account differences in body composition. An elite sportsperson may have a high muscle mass, and a BMI above 25, but not be carrying excess body fat. So stuff you, BMI.
What Next?
Now that I have lost some weight, it's all about maintenance. I will continue the exact same exercise routine that worked so well during the challenge, but I will slowly introduce some foods back into my diet that I had restricted.
The key here for me will be quality. I don't feel like rubbish food at all, the smells of KFC, Maccas and HJs are doing nothing for me. Waft a bowl of incredibly fresh pasta, basil and black pepper pesto with real grated reggiano under my nose though, and watch out! And camembert and quince paste. Lord, I think I could live on camembert for the next week. And soy and linseed Helga's bread. And cashew nuts. And lamb shanks. And and and... I'll stop now, the drool in my computer keyboard is making this difficult.
Am off to skip around a little, drink a gallon of water and get rid of this fuzzy-headed feeling from the wine last night, enjoy your day!
PS Super-thanks to Shannon for starting this ball rolling, keeping me determined throughout and hosting the whole troop yesterday - you are gorgeous and appreciated.
PPS Thanks to Lou also - and big congratulations for doing well, sticking with it, coming second, dropping centimetres off, and dropping me off too!
Midday yesterday marked the final moments of the ten-week weight-loss challenge that I took part in with a group of girlfriends. We met up for the weigh-in and tally, then gorged on delicious foccacias (oh bread, I've missed you), cheesecake slice and glasses of champagne. Well I only had one, as after ten weeks of no alcohol, I felt like just one glass of bubbly was plenty.
After just one glass, I sat there silently giggling as I felt the scrumptiousness of the champers sweep over me. Then I rejoiced! I actually did it. I sacrificed a lot of things that I thought I would never be able to do without. I created an entirely new routine. I feel like an entirely new person. And brilliantly, I am being told by people whose opinions I truly value, that they can see an entirely new person as well! Hoorah!
The Important Stuff - Final Stats
I lost 14.88% of my total body weight. Yup! I had actually lost slightly more at the eight-week mark, but when I got bored with my cardio, I lifted the intensity of some of my running to a little bit of short distance sprint training, and consequently put a teensy bit of weight back on in the form of muscle in my thighs - dammit.
Even though the weight-loss competition was being measured solely in kgs and percentage lost, we also recorded cms lost, as for girls, this is the real kicker. Seeing clothes fitting better, then fitting like sacks, then not fitting at all = frigging awesome! I lost some supreme cms, 14 cms in some places, so was very very pleased with that. I am struggling to find appropriate work clothes in my wardrobe which don't make me look like I'm dressed in a tent. This is a good problem to have. I won a nice little wad of cash through the ten-week challenge as we all contributed $60 to the final prize, and can't wait to go shopping for new clothes that fit. Hello size 10, how are you doing?
But... I just calculated my Body Mass Index (BMI) with my new weight, and was slightly disappointed. I am still officially 'overweight' by that rubbish number. I was really hoping to fall into the 'healthy' weight range, as I am feeling fantastic, but it's not to be.
I shan't take it personally though, as BMI does not distinguish between weight due to muscle and weight due to fat, so it does not take into account differences in body composition. An elite sportsperson may have a high muscle mass, and a BMI above 25, but not be carrying excess body fat. So stuff you, BMI.
What Next?
Now that I have lost some weight, it's all about maintenance. I will continue the exact same exercise routine that worked so well during the challenge, but I will slowly introduce some foods back into my diet that I had restricted.
The key here for me will be quality. I don't feel like rubbish food at all, the smells of KFC, Maccas and HJs are doing nothing for me. Waft a bowl of incredibly fresh pasta, basil and black pepper pesto with real grated reggiano under my nose though, and watch out! And camembert and quince paste. Lord, I think I could live on camembert for the next week. And soy and linseed Helga's bread. And cashew nuts. And lamb shanks. And and and... I'll stop now, the drool in my computer keyboard is making this difficult.
Am off to skip around a little, drink a gallon of water and get rid of this fuzzy-headed feeling from the wine last night, enjoy your day!
PS Super-thanks to Shannon for starting this ball rolling, keeping me determined throughout and hosting the whole troop yesterday - you are gorgeous and appreciated.
PPS Thanks to Lou also - and big congratulations for doing well, sticking with it, coming second, dropping centimetres off, and dropping me off too!
Posted by Katy Potaty CUPCAKE LADY at Monday, May 31, 2010 8:40 AM 
Categories: ten-week challenge, fitness, fabulous friends
Categories: ten-week challenge, fitness, fabulous friends
Just letting you know - BMI was originally designed for measuring population levels, so do not be disappointed in your weight loss!! Its a goal in itself to have stuck to the challenge!!
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Wow! You should be so proud, well done gorgeous girl...
Do we get to see pics on the blog of your progress at all?
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Right. That's it. I am GOING to lose some weight. Been a while since Foxy and I have been in the same room. Heh.
BB
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Wow, Ms Potaty! Well done!
Weight loss is such a journey, but so worth it! I am 43kg lighter than I was 8 years ago and even despite having a child 2 years ago I have maintained and am still losing - a few more kg would be nice, but no biggie if I don't get there.
So I understand the elation, the struggle - all the facets you've gone through. Good luck maintaining motivation from this point on and remember - be KIND to yourself! That's the most important thing
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