End of challenge!

The 10:4 challenge has ended! This is my result:

• April 3 (my start): 110.2 kg - 46% fat - BMI 36.8
• May 1 (10:4 start): 104.9 kg - 45% fat - BMI 35
• June 5 (1st update): 99.3 kg - 43% fat - BMI 33.2
• July 3 (2nd update): 97.5 kg - 41% fat - BMI 32.6
• Aug. 1 (3rd update): 93.5 kg - 42% fat - BMI 31.2
• Sept. 1 (10:4 ends): 92.3 kg - 40% fat - BMI 30.8

(1 kg = 2.205 lbs)

The goal of the challenge was "To lose 10 pounds between May 1st and September 1st; 4 months, 2.5 pounds per month." The last month I didn't lose much weight, but I defeated the object some time ago. I did it in the right way and I'm happy with what I've achieved. In 5 months I lost 17,9 kg (almost 40 lbs), 6% fat and 6 BMI-points.

This is not the end of my diet though. I still want to see where I can end up with my weight by dieting in a healthy way. I want to be under 90 kgs, but I'd love to go under 80. We'll see if that's possible. I'm doing my best and that's all I can do! :-)

Weigh In 3

The 10:4 challenge is three months on its way; here's my "score"...

• April 3 (my start): 110.2 kg - 46% fat - BMI 36.8
• May 1 (10:4 start): 104.9 kg - 45% fat - BMI 35
• June 5 (1st update): 99.3 kg - 43% fat - BMI 33.2
• July 3 (2nd update): 97.5 kg - 41% fat - BMI 32.6
• Aug. 1 (3rd update): 93.5 kg - 42% fat - BMI 31.2

(1 kg = 2.205 lbs)

My goal for July was to get to 95. I succeeded there. Last week I was around 95 and a bit below, but all the exercise in Luxemburg (a lot of walking, up and down hill) must have given it another boost. Strangely enough the fat percentage is a bit higher (I rounded it off, so not a whole %) than last month. Ah well... Perhaps next month it will be less again. I'd like to get beyond the 90 limit, but we'll see if I can accomplish that before the challenge ends. I'm planning to get there anyway, sooner or (not too much!) later.

People start noticing my weight loss and give me compliments. I'm not that good in receiving compliments, but I love to hear them! And I need them too, because I don't always notice the difference myself. Yes, I'm wearing a smaller jeans size, but in the mirror it is still difficult for me to see. Distorted body image for life...?

I've got the Jack LaLanne's Power Juicer I told you about in my last update and it's fabulous! So much easier to use and to clean, I love it! I can throw whole apples, kiwi's etc. in the large opening. Only thick peels and big seeds have to be removed. The juices are yummy!

Weigh In 2

The 10:4 challenge is two months on its way; time for an official update again...

• Apr. 3 (my start): 110.2 kg - 46% fat - BMI 36.8
• May 1 (10:4 start): 104.9 kg - 45% fat - BMI 35
• June 5 (1st update): 99.3 kg - 43% fat - BMI 33.2
• July 3 (2nd update): 97.5 kg - 41% fat - BMI 32.6

(1 kg = 2.205 lbs)

My goal for June was to stay under 100 but aiming for 95. I'm on my way there, so I think this month can be called a success. You say I don't sound enthusiastic? Yeah, true. It wasn't easy. Especially the last two weeks; up and down, but on balance no change. I think I'm too impatient. I want it all, and I want it now! Oh well... nothing new for me. ;-)

This afternoon I was making orange and kiwi juice with a juicer. Not my favourite job, but fresh juice is the best and so yummy! Suddenly I got an electric shock, the fuses blew and the juicer stopped. I'm okay, I was just a bit shaken. The juicer is definitely deceased though!
I've been thinking about purchasing a Jack LaLanne's Power Juicer. I especially like the extra-large feeder, the pulp collector and the fact that it's easy to clean. Perhaps it's time to get it now... Do any of you have experience with it?

Weigh In

The 10:4 challenge is well over a month on its way; time for an official update...

• Apr. 3 (my start): 110.2 kg - 46% fat - BMI 36.8
• May 1 (10:4 start): 104.9 kg - 45% fat - BMI 35
• June 5 (1st update): 99.3 kg - 43% fat - BMI 33.2

Yayyyyyyyyy, I'm under 100 kg!!!!!!!!!!!!! ***happy dance***
It hasn't been easy. It still isn't, but then again no-one promissed it would be... I try to exercise as much as I can on my Health Walker and outdoors. I watch what I eat, although I don't have 'forbidden' food. If I really crave 'bad' things I allow myself to take some, but most of the time I take something healthier instead.
My goal for June: at the very least stay under 100 but aiming for 95!

(1 kg = 2.205 lbs)

Update

Today Ron has gone back to work. He'll work 3 days a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) for 4 hours. There will be someone who helps him reintegrate, starting with adapted tasks. He wasn't really nervous, but felt a healthy tension. It was strange to be up very early and see him leave for work. He has been home since September and I'm used to having him around. I miss him, but of course I'm glad he's doing better. He still has psychological help, but that's a good thing.

My diet is showing ups and downs. I try my best... It seems like the 100kg-limit is playing games with me though. Everytime I get close, the next time at the scales I'm heavier again. Sometimes that's for obvious reasons (ate too much, didn't move enough), but often it's inexplicable and that's frustrating! I mustn't grumble, I've lost 10 kg already. Still, I'll be so glad once I'm on the right side of 100 again...

The weight is over

On Stephanie's blog I came across a challenge that seemed to call me: the 10:4 challenge, started by Carl V. Here it is:

"The rules: lose 10 pounds between May 1st and September 1st. That is 4 months, 2.5 pounds per month. That may not seem like alot. Quite frankly, that is the point, because the other rule to this challenge is that weight loss must be done in a healthy manner. The point isn’t so much to lose the weight but to improve health. That means no skipping meals or fad diets or impossible-to-keep decisions like “I’ll never eat dessert again”. This is about taking the next 4 months to make some lifestyle changes that should result in steady, consistent weight loss and increased health. The 10:4 Challenge is about baby steps. It is about no longer accepting the excuses we all make for ourselves and going forth as a group to accomplish small, but important, changes in our lives. I have tried this sort of thing before, alone, and it doesn’t work. My hope is that if we do this as a community and encourage one another on a fairly regular basis that we will all see steady results and will feel much the better for it. "

It appealed to me, because it doesn't encourage a crash diet. It's all about doing it the right way. That's the only way that works for me. I have to watch myself not to start eating less and less and/or binging. I want to lose weight, but not at all costs. I also have to take my underactive thyroid into account. And I want to exercise; I can't do a lot, but I can do more than I did the last months.
The amount in the challenge is not what's the most important. Convert-me told me that 10 pounds is 4.536 kilogram. That's attainable, but I need to lose more. I already started watching my weight and eating habits in the beginning of april. I was 110.2 kg (242.9 lbs) and that's BMI 36.8! Time to get a grip... I got a new pair of scales, that measures weight, fat, water and muscle percentage. I don't do a particular diet, because that's no good. I eat everything I want, but in moderation. It doesn't work to ban things. I try to make healthy choices, but if I really crave chocolate I better take some. Nothing wrong with that.

It's only fair to start the challenge now. In the first month I always lose a lot, but mostly water. I won't post too many numbers, but here are some:

• my start: 110.2 kg - 46% fat - BMI 36.8
• 10:4 start: 104.9 kg - 45% fat - BMI 35