Weekly weight loss update – December 9

A paradigm shift

Hello there!

Been a couple of weeks since my last update. Getting busier and busier, so it is even more important to keep on top of things!

The past few weeks have been trying. Not because I haven’t been behaving, more from the scale not moving. Since the numbers didn’t move, I started to work out even more. Guess what? That didn’t help either. It would seem as I have hit a wall. The numbers on the scale don’t budge – which leads me to the reason behind the paradigm shift.

You see, I know what is happening, just don’t want to believe it. I am loosing – just not weight. From a few of the past diets I have learned (and fail to remember) that it is not “weight” loss that is important. What is important is “fat” loss. Sometimes the two do not go hand in hand. We need to measure the difference in our bodies over all items, not just weight. Which brings me to my latest check in.

When I went down to Med Team I was prepared. I knew the scale hadn’t moved, and I also knew I worked my butt off [ok, not really, it’s a metaphor] and was diligent with the diet.

I weighed in and had actually gained a pound. Great. Didn’t feel that good for not loosing any weight, now I even gained a pound according to their scale. [My appointment was a bit later and I had breakfast – still doesn’t help]

Now we get “the rest of the story”. Tom is a great person and I really believe he has found his calling. He came in and asked me how I was doing. I explained my situation and how I felt. His response was “that is why I pay over $3,000 for my scales. From the complete reading it goes like this:

• loss 7 pounds of fat
• gained 8 pounds of muscle mass
• retaining ~ 6 pounds of water

From a big picture perspective I am doing well. (Tom’s words not mine.) I asked why I was retaining water, to which he replied that he wasn’t sure. Just keep drinking water and flushing my body out. It will regulate itself over time.

Do I feel good? Yes! Just not liking the scale.

This past weekend was another weekend away – East Hill Farm dance weekend. A great place for dancing, eating and having fun.

Tom’s suggestion was to go and have fun, don’t worry about the diet. Get right back on it when I came back. My thoughts were a little different. I was going to still stay away from carbs, and focus on meat, salad and veggies. I can say that I did well, not perfect, but very good. I could not resist their chocolate chip cookies and snuck one in on Saturday night.

Between working and dancing we all kept busy. I did get out and walked on Saturday morning. We did 4 1/2 miles at a pretty good pace.

End result – we had a LOT of fun, and I lost a pound to boot! A successful weekend all around.

For this week I will be going to the gym in lieu of cardiac rehab. I completed the 36 session rehab class last Friday. Now I need to keep exercising on my own. This will be another test that I am ready to face.

One thing I will try to do this week – stay away from the scale. I will wait for my next check in on Saturday to see what happens. I need to stop thinking about the numbers and keep focus on the bigger picture – diet and exercise!

Until next time.

Peace,
-Dennis