Baseline

I believe I have actually turned a new leaf.

In the past, my efforts to get healthy or get to a certain weight have been unbalanced. I either focused on counting calories, or focused on doing 30 minutes of WiiFit exercises or followed a weird diet. Though some may argue I’m still doing that last part, I think my approach this time is much more holistic. I honestly feel like a switch was flipped in my brain, so no I don’t actually want that donut or piece of cheesecake (though I admit I will be having a small piece today at my mom’s as we’re going over there for a birthday lunch for me) or Diet Coke. I’m not showing restraint or exerting my disciplined willpower. I just don’t want it. And it’s just been a little over two weeks!

Last week in the TEAM Weight Loss class, we took measurements and tests. (Everyone who started at Week 1 has their earlier numbers to compare to, but this will serve as my baseline.) It will be interesting and of course it’s great that we do this, but I was kind of disappointed Monday because we didn’t have time to do a full workout after doing all of our tests, so my heart rate didn’t stay up. By Tuesday I was craving another real workout. And I love that I’m already to that point. I believe this will be an easy routine to maintain after the class is over for that reason and that’s definitely going to get me into shape faster (and maybe win this challenge!) as well as maintain my health once I get there.

For comparison’s sake in 6 weeks when we take our final tests, here are my numbers from this week (not that I necessarily want to share all of this publicly, but whatever):

Body fat percentage: 40.8% (egads! – though, this was 42% or 43% in September, I think)
Arm: 14.75″
Chest: 43.5″
Waist: 46″ (this was 49″ in April 2011)
Hips: 47.5″
Thigh: 25.75″ (This was 28″ in April 2011)
In 15 days I’ve lost approximately 6% of my starting weight.

Timed Endurance Test (30 min)
Speed: 2.7mph
Incline: 6.0
AT: 150bpm
Distance: 1.37 miles

Pushups: 8 (toes) then 13 (knees)
Situps/30 sec: 16
Plank: 54 secs
Wallsit: 47 secs
Sit and Reach: 15.75″

I’ve come quite a ways just since last year, I suppose. But there’s still plenty of room for improvement and I’m totally looking forward to it.

Woot!