Whoot!  Fourteen weeks to a new dress size, and I made it!

Here’s the dress again.  Yep, it still fits the same this week.

Here’s the Wrapup.

Starting Weight, 157.2; Final Weight, 156.5, a whopping total of 0.7 pounds.  My goal was a smaller size, and THAT I did, even if the actual weight didn’t show a spectacular drop.  My starting dress pant size was a loose 12.  I just purchased new dress pants, and they are a very comfortable size 10.  I have some older size 8 skirts in my closet that I wore this past week, without any of that pinching, binding “segmented worm syndrome”.

DO-IT:  The Dress. Done.

DO-IT: My  Weight Watchers points. Kept to the dailies 90% of the time, and worked off the extras those times that I didn’t.

DO-IT: Earn 50 activity points a week. Yes, with the exception of the week I was sicker than a dog. Lot’s of biking, self-defense, kettle bell training, kickboxing, P90x, Insanity and just plain old regular walking.

DO-IT: Consistency. Duh.

DO-IT: Hydrate.  Done.

DO-IT:Read a Book.  I actually did finish Refuse to Regain, and yes, there was plenty of useful information about maintaining in there that I still need to process and incorporate.

DO-IT: One update post a week. Yes, even an extra here and there.

DO-IT: Link up to your weekly updates.  Yes!  I missed the deadline one week, but left my link in the comments.

DO-IT:  Be supportive. Yes!  I’ve met some wonderful, strong and dedicated women in this challenge.  I’m delighted to call you friends.

What did I learn?  Nothing new.  But I did get reminded of two very important aspects of getting to and maintaining a healthy weight.  First, it’s not the number.  156 pounds is technically overweight for a person 5′-3″ tall. 156 pounds on me is very compact and toned.  156 on someone else with a more delicate bone structure would be overwhelming.   can’t let that NUMBER dictate my attitude towards my health and towards my body.  My trainer and the saleslady who helped me pick out smaller pants all tell me that I’m healthy and fit.  That I’m an absolutely normal, medium-sized person. My doctor tells me that I’m spectacularly healthy.  My diabetes is very controlled – my last A1c was 5.4.  My blood pressure is fantastic.  My allergies and asthma are not bothering me at all.   My cholesterol is slightly high (117 LDL), but it’s genetic, not a result of poor diet and sloppy exercise habits.  I take meds for it now, and expect my next checkup to be in a normal range.

Second, persistence is key.  Stubbornness is crucial.  Being  mule headed and determined will get you to a goal weight, not perfection.

Be persistent. Keep the Faith.

I’m sitting here at the kitchen table; my youngest son is here with me, procrastinating about studying life science for his mid-term; my husband and older son are outside hanging Christmas lights; my younger daughter is hanging ornaments on the tree and laughing at Whiskey Bob as he tries to attack dangling ribbons and doodads.  I love Sundays.

Weight:  Back to normal, 156.5

DO-IT:  The Dress. Done. In fact, I’m going to wear it tonight for a Christmas Party.  edit…jump ahead a few hours to party time…

 That is a stunning red dress, if I do say so myself.  I ended up with a size 12 but oh gracious, it’s a snug 12! It’s still an entire size down from where I started in September. Just to let you know how hard I’ve been working out…no spanx under there, no control top hose, no shapewear.  Just a regular slip. And a very pushy up bra.

DO-IT: My  Weight Watchers points. Kept to the dailies, which are now 26. Thank you WW for looking out for me.

DO-IT: Earn 50 activity points a week. Yes! Oh my gosh, I’m back in business.  68 points this week, including a bike ride, two kettle bell training sessions and self-defense, and a couple of hours on the elliptical.

DO-IT: Consistency. I must be the most boring, predictable person on earth. Really.

DO-IT: Hydrate.  Done.  Lots of hot tea because it’s cold here, dang it!

DO-IT:Read a Book.  Bad Girl!  I didn’t read at all this week.  Well, not my book.  Instead I read a case study for my continuing education requirement for my engineering license, I read two infiltration reports for a sewer line project, and I read an environmental impact statement for a project site.  No ‘fun’ reading at all!

DO-IT: One update post a week. And yes, it was about my behind.

DO-IT: Link up to your weekly updates.  Done for sure, this week!

DO-IT:  Be supportive. Yes!  And I’ll visit you all this week, too!

Look! It’s me and Mr. Pea!

Wear a Red Dress!  Keep the Faith.