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Seeing Progress

Posted by Trish Milburn Mar 1 2011, 12:01 am in calories, exercise, food diary, goals, inspiration, motivation, Trish Milburn, weight loss

There is little more exciting than seeing visible progress being made toward goals. For 17 days out of the 28 in February, I stepped onto the scale and saw a weight loss from the day before. Yes, that means there were 11 days where the number went up, but I tried not to let that depress me. I kept my eyes firmly fixed on the end of the month and what I might accomplish during the month as a whole. The answer is a total weight loss of 7.2 pounds. Yes, I could have possibly made it up to 10 pounds if not for those upticks, but I’m not going to focus on the past. Instead, I’m looking forward to what I might accomplish in March, particularly since I’ll have the added challenge of exercise/eating while traveling. I’d like to lose 8 pounds, which will put me down 15 pounds from my starting weight and milestone in this journey.

So how was I able to accomplish what I did in February? It comes down to one word — awareness.

Food

I was aware of everything I ate by tracking calories and keeping it within the 1,200-1,600 range most of the time. There were days where it went considerably above, like when I caved and ate takeout from my favorite Mexican restaurant. But those days had consequences when I stepped on the scale the next morning. I think back to the times when I ate without having any idea how many calories I was consuming, and it’s no wonder that I gained and gained. Duh. I swear I’m smarter than the average bear, and yet I wasn’t really seeing what I was doing to myself.

Exercise

I blogged here recently about my devotion to my new FitBit. By wearing it every day, even while I slept, I was able to keep track of the calories burned and the number of steps I’d taken each day. This helped me to be aware of how active or inactive I was being throughout the day with the push of a button and to make adjustments accordingly. Using FitBit’s online tracker, I was able to collect these stats:

Most steps taken in a day — 18.492 on Feb. 23

Longest distance walked in a day — 8.04 miles on Feb. 23

Highest daily calorie burn — 2,384 on Feb. 17

So what did I do differently on those days? I exercised for at least 3 hours versus my normal weekday goal of 2 hours.

Fitbit’s site also lets me compare my stats to other Fitbit users. I can also add in those who are my age and/or gender, and even those in my same BMI range if I so desire. Looking at female Fitbit users who are 40 years old, I rank in the 97th percentile in steps and 94.5 in distance walked over the past seven days.

Why do I need all these stats? Because they keep me motivated. And if I stay motivated, I’ll keep taking positive steps toward my goal weight.

How was your February? Meet your fitness goals? What would you like to accomplish in March?

9 Comments

Comments

9 Responses to “Seeing Progress”

Michelle Butler says:

March 1, 2011 at 9:21 am

Awareness/mindfulness is so much more challenging than you would think! I think that’s part of the argument for living in the moment. I’ve worked to develop tactics/strategies that help me be more aware of my life – and deepend my enjoyment of it.

Congratulations on losing 7.2 pounds in February!! That is incredibly impressive!

Reply
- Trish Milburn says:
  
  March 1, 2011 at 12:01 pm
  
  Thanks, Michelle. I’m hopeful I can continue to see progress each day. I do really think this type of daily awareness (and positive actions based on that awareness) is the key to being successful at this weight-loss journey.
  
  Reply
Joy Held says:

March 1, 2011 at 10:54 am

Awareness doesn’t seem like it would take extra effort but it does and it is always worth it. Your successes prove it! Congratulations!
Joy

Reply
- Trish Milburn says:
  
  March 1, 2011 at 12:01 pm
  
  Thanks, Joy. I think the awareness takes so much effort because we all have a million and one other things that can demand our attention.
  
  Reply
Tawny says:

March 1, 2011 at 3:10 pm

Trish, I’m with you on the Fitbit love! There is a strong sense of empowerment and insight using tools like this brings. Before, I’d wonder why I wasn’t losing when I was ‘doing everything right’ or get frustrated with setbacks. Now I have information that lets me see a bigger, wider picture of what I’m putting into the effort. Am I hitting those required steps? Am I getting enough sleep? What is my activity level and how does that match up with the caloric intake. It’s easier to fix things if you can see them

You’re making such awesome progress. I’m so happy for you!!!

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MaryC says:

March 1, 2011 at 8:35 pm

Trish, this sums it up perfectly for me as well.

I think back to the times when I ate without having any idea how many calories I was consuming, and it’s no wonder that I gained and gained. Duh. I swear I’m smarter than the average bear, and yet I wasn’t really seeing what I was doing to myself.

It really is all about awareness. Even if I choose something unhealthy, I’m aware I’m making the choice so I’ll weigh the choice more carefully or make a tradeoff with something else.

For me it’s not as simple as calories. I’m finding it really has to do with they type of foods. Not all calories are created equal or something like that. I’ve always known that certain foods (coughicecreamcough) put weight on me faster than others. Now I’ve learned that certain foods take it off faster than others.

Congrats to you and good luck with all the challenges of March.

Reply
- MaryC says:
  
  March 1, 2011 at 8:36 pm
  
  Ooops this part should have been in quotes.
  
  “I think back to the times when I ate without having any idea how many calories I was consuming, and it’s no wonder that I gained and gained. Duh. I swear I’m smarter than the average bear, and yet I wasn’t really seeing what I was doing to myself.”
  
  Reply
Marlene says:

March 1, 2011 at 10:26 pm

So let me throw the whining water on things.

Eight miles?

2300 calories in one day?

How often is that possible? This is the kind of thing I find so discouraging. I cannot do this on a regular basis. Yet, you are talking about consuming between 1200 and 1600 calories a day, while doing all this.

It’s not impossible to eat in this range – I do it all the time. But it takes constant effort. If I let go even a little, I’m eating up to 1800 calories.

Never mind the exercise.

How do you maintain this? Because, goddess knows, as soon as we glance away, that friggin’ weight creeps up…

Reply
Gillian Doyle says:

March 6, 2011 at 12:36 am

Thanks for the great blogs again. I REALLY need to stop by more often. I’d lost 10 lbs, then left town to welcome my new grandson…and almost all my good habits went out the window, especially exercise.

LOVED learning about the Fitbit! I use a pedometer, and barely get to 10,000 steps/day. I also track food & exercise on FatSecret.com (mentioned in my earlier comment). It’s the motivation that’s been a challenge. This week I’m going to join an 8 week challenge at the gym, hoping that will help.

Thanks again to ALL of you. (I’ve got to try some of those cabbage recipes!)

Happy & Healthy writing to you!

Gillian

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