I'm still not brave enough

However, after five months of sporadic exercise I did manage to achieve some of my weight loss goals.  May 15 I took some measurements, and my body fat % based on the scale and weight. I have repeated this weakly over the past several months and have noticed steady progress. But it wasn’t until this past month, when I started my daily running plan (more on that later) and a new medication to prevent migraines, that I have seen the most results.  So without getting into specific weight and measurements, because I’m pretty sure you all don’t care about that, here are my losses so far:

 

May 15 – October 10

Loss of 9 pounds

Loss of 28 ½” (-4” stomach, -5 ½” waist, -4 ½” hips, -10 ½” legs)  

31.6% Body fat to 25.6% Body fat (-6% body fat according to the scale)

BMI 22.4 to 21.0

It was nice to have a group to be accountable to. Even when I was feeling horrible and lazy I knew that I still had to get my workout in for the day. Most of my exercise over the summer was walking our over grown Tater Tot on a 30-60 min walk. This not only provided exercise for me and the pooch but it also gave the hubby and I some wonderful quality time.

Over the summer I began suffering with some pretty intense medical issues. We still are not sure what is going on after over 30 doctor appointments. I wasn’t able to push myself as hard as I would have liked however the slow and steady approach of walking has yielded pretty steady results.

 

I love a good challenge.  I feel like if I am in a challenge with someone else or have an accountability partner that I am more likely to stick with my workout plan.  15 days ago a co member of the fitness group I am in posted a 100 day challenge that involves running at least 1 mile every day for the next 100 days.  I decided to take the challenge.  The first few days were miserable! I couldn’t breathe; I couldn’t run the entire mile without a few walking breaks. Now I am decreasing the time it takes to run my route each time, without walking. I have even run my route in reverse, up the hills. My calves really did not like me after that.  In just two weeks I have seen such a change in my body. I am getting muscle tone in my arms and legs, and my clothes are fitting much better. This running is very addicting.

I admit I am a lot more tired! The symptoms of my mysterious illness are worse. However I have this theory. If I can get my body stronger when this illness takes hold of me I won’t end up in a wheel chair. I will just need a cane or maybe a walker. Who knows maybe I can put it in remission again. If I can be healthy enough maybe it will go away altogether.  I just wish we knew for sure what it was instead of all of these suspicions.