CDCC Final Update: Pics and Wrap-Up

Tanita-san: 177.4

Starting weight: 184.2

Very few pounds lost, but body composition has changed. I see it, and I feel it. Hubby sees (and feels) it.

The dress totally did not fit when I started the challenge. The pics of that are here.




Here's the dress today:

I still think it will take about 7-15 pounds for it to be absolutely perfect--if the pounds come off the belly and upper back. I hate that upper back fat...but this is how I am built. Even in the 130s as a teen, I was the spider (bulk in the middle).

I went from wearing 16/18 women's jeans (18 if they were small fit designer ones), to now wearing 14 women's comfortably. Even bought a pair of 13 juniors to celebrate (hey, 12 bucks). These are the 13 Junior jeans, with my granny panties showing, cause, really, I ain't got nothing BUT granny panties. hahaha. What I like is that they aren't baggy in the thighs/butt, like "Misses" Jeans tend to be on me. I have that weird pannus/big belly, but my thighs aren't huge....so I'm the reverse of you pear ladies. If only the junior butt/thigh fit was made with the Misses higher waist, I'd be happy. So happy.

Anyway, here is the too low-rise juniors on me, size 13.

Flying my Granny Flag!

How i love the "thigh hug" on these. I have nice hamstrings. :D

So, with a thickish sweater over it, that's about the only way I'd wear these in public. I am not into granny panty flashing, and I refuse to wear itty-bitty stuff with  my big pooch/pannus.

Okay , with the pics outta the way to show progress has been made, let's see how to wrap this up.

I mostly did really well. I'm at a stage where losing is tough. I will no longer to 1200 cals, and I tried refeeding (caused some regain, then I backed off). I was experimenting with a metabolism stimulation program. I will likely continue this experimentation, just to see if I can help some stuff.

But I know I cannot eat anywhere like I have before. We all know this, right? Challenges are a way for me to stay focused. My goal of 160 pounds...well...I don't care when I get there. My priority now is to stay OUT of obesity (for me, the line is at about 185 pounds), and to get closer to goal, as possible, while staying very well nourished on good, solid, real food.

I take that back. I LIKE to get there by this blog's goal of September 3, 2012. Yes, I still would like to MAKE it. But I won't overstress my body to do it. I want to do it as nourished, rested, full of joy as I can. I will not do a TBL bang-up. But yes, 9-3-2012..how nice to beat that date to 160.

I was slack in exercise at points in the last months due to 1. an ankle injury and 2. the holidays right now messing with my schedule. But I know it's too easy to return to couch potatohood, and for the holiday season, I aim to keep to a 2x strengthening and 3 to 4x walking regimen. It's one that isn't too taxing, is feasible, is livable and makes me FEEL GOOD.

I am pretty stable and good with fluids. The DDDY challenges got me into that habit. And it has stuck pretty well.

I am pretty decent at supporting some bloggers, but hey, some days, you're just busy and you lurk. I hope the ones I supported got some good out of my chiming in.

I think, for me, the important thing learned in this challenge is that good habits must be kept up and an open mind must be nurtured. Just cause we did things ONE way, doesn't mean that's the only way. Just cause something worked in the past, it may not work now. I want to stay open to learning. Experimenting.


I've also learned what mainenance kinda feels like. I spent a couple months pretty much maintaining--as defined by varying only a handful of pounds (2 to 5) from one's regular weight (goal weight, current weight, whatever). It's still work. It really is. It is not easy peasy pleasy pie. It's still having focus on eating and moving and hydrating.

No magic wands or bullets people. It's always work. It's always something to be mindful of.

I'm lighter and leaner than when I started. I made progress. I fit (snugly) into my dress. I helped others. I did not quit.

That's what I wanted to do in this challenge, and I did it.

I thank all who participated and supported me. And if you're in the next one with me, let's continue to make progress together. The journey goes on for my "happy weight after"...though I'm darn happy with my "now"....even if I'm a weirdly shaped spider-lady.
; )

Hah.

Happy holidays to us all. (Let's not go on a mad eating spree, right?)

Be well...