day 12: update

I never realized the therapeutic effect this blog would have on me. It’s actually pretty incredible. Not only am I getting the opportunity to share thoughts and ideas with you; which is, by the way, one of my most favorite things to do in the whole wide world, BUT I’m also getting a chance to get some weight off of my chest (no pun intended). Getting some of my more intimate thoughts out there, intimate thoughts that have never before left my head…it feels marvelous…simply marvelous. I always feel like I have to say simply marvelous after I say marvelous. OK…now I think I’m just stalling. Let me just get to it already…

I, Shawndra, have made an agreement with myself to go ahead and just lay it ALL out on the table. As you may or may not know, today is Friday Update Day. It is the day that I have dedicated to ME and my progress; where I’m at with my plan, any struggles I’ve faced over the past week, things of that nature. Are you thinking ‘just get to it already, lady’?

Well, once a month from here on out I will be posting my actual weight and measurements. There is never a bad time to get some extra motivation SO, to start, I’m going to be using my weight and measurements from April 4, 2009 to compare and give you and myself, a clear idea of where I stand right now and how far I’ve already come. Here we go…

April 4, 2009
Age: 27
Height: 5’ 8”
Weight: 258.6 lbs (yes, I count the tenths! Don’t judge me.)
Hips: 51”
Waist: 42”
Chest: 48”
Legs: 28”
Arms: 18”


September 4, 2009
Age: 28
Height: 5’ 8”
Weight: 213.0 lbs
Hips: 45”
Waist: 36”
Chest: 43”
Legs: 25”
Arms: 15”

Total LOSS(-)/gain(+)
Age: +1
Height: no change
Weight: -45.6 lbs!!!
Hips: -6”!!!
Waist: -6”!!!
Chest: -5”!!!
Legs: -3”!!!
Arms: -3”!!!

This is exactly 5 months of progress! Trust me starting numbers are always daunting but after looking back, I’m so glad I had a record of where I was. I would HIGHLY recommend to you, to keep track of your measurements. The scale isn’t always the best way to track your progress. There are several reasons your weight may fluctuate but if you are measuring on top of that, you are getting a clear idea of how your body is transforming. And please don’t weigh yourself everyday…you will, most likely, be disappointed. Checking your weight weekly and measuring monthly gives your body time to adjust and change. If you write it down, you can visually see those changes; that’s motivation in itself. And never ever forget…IT WILL TAKE TIME, especially to lose weight the right way.

So since today is all about ME, I say to myself, self, “You are a strong, powerful, beautiful woman…Oh shoot, did you remember to turn off the iron? I joke, I joke. I kid, I kid. I don’t iron! Ha.”