Using Measurements to Track Progress

[cactusrose63]

Hey all, I noticed quite a few threads with discussions of slow weight loss or stalls...

I am going to take and track measurements once a week along with checking the scale. I am hoping this will be a source of encouragement for continuing this WOE and lifestyle, because I am certainly loving how I feel and how clothes are fitting better. This will be an objective way of looking at our mass losses/fat losses not seen on the scale.

JUDDD Week Two Summary...

Starting weight 4/30: 154
Weight 5/7: 151
Today's Weight 5/14: 152

Inches Lost in 2 weeks
Waist: 1.5
Hips: 1.5
Each Thigh: 0.75
Each calf: 0.75

[sterlinggirl]

Im here.. I dont have my numbers yet.. BUT i am starting tommorrw with a whole work out plan based on the 34 pound s i have lost now is making my body look funny.. I have lose skin like every where, so i am now goin to stop looking at what my scale says and decided i need to track inches.. due to its really about how the body looks at this point in my journey .. so i will post my numbers on this site tommorrw!!~

[cactusrose63]

Kimberly, welcome! Glad to see you here.

How is all in MI? I remember going to Midland in HS for an away football game. I lived in Lincoln Park until 1999, now here in Tucson AZ. I miss the fall colors in Michigan.

[gotsomeold]

I am a dedicated measure-er. The longer I JUDDD, the more I see a pattern of two - three weeks of scale stalls, inches drop; then one week the scale drops and inches stabilize.

As long as I am losing inches, I am one happy JUDDD BUDDD.

[theredhead]

I was just showing off my tape measure to my DH this morning. My weight has stayed pretty steady (up and down about the same four pounds), and I'm very happy with it. I've been watching the measurements, though, and they're still shrinking. I'm as small today as I was when I was a teenager and that blows my mind! When you've had 48" hips at one time, having them get down to 36.5" is amazing! I'm so grateful for JUDDD!

[LayMiz]

I've also measured my head. It's amazing how people's heads get smaller when they lose weight!

[TryingJudd]

I really need to start measuring. Maybe tomorrow when I step on the scale for the first time in 5 days will be my baseline measurements -ugh. Not looking forward to those numbers though!

[cactusrose63]

JUDDD Week 3 Summary...

Starting weight 4/30: 154
Weight 5/7: 151
Weight 5/14: 152
Today's Weight 5/21: 148.5
Total pounds lost: 5.5

Inches Lost in 3 weeks...
Waist: 1.5
Hips: 2.0
Each Thigh: 0.75
Each calf: 1.0

Feeling good and so energetic too. One of my co-workers even said I looked more "trim". I haven't heard something like that for a long time. And it feels gooooood.

Looking for others' successes with the tape measure!

[Kissa]

Brilliant numbers Cactus, I don't measure, but I know how little I am compared to 6 months ago.

[cactusrose63]

For anyone how isn't seeing the scale move as quickly as they would like...I wanted to encourage anyone who has recently joined to keep with this WOE for at least a month, and see how great you feel inside!

So very impressed with the losses on this WOE. Some Down Days are definitely harder than others. But the results are so worth it!

JUDDD 1 Month Summary...

Starting weight 4/30: 154
Weight 5/7: 151
Weight 5/14: 152
Weight 5/21: 148.5
Today's Weight 5/31/12: 147.5
Total pounds lost: 6.5

Inches Lost in one month...
Waist: 2.5
Hips: 2.5
Each Thigh: 1.0
Each calf: 1.0

Best to all of my fellow JUDDDers! Looking forward to hearing about your successes too!

[sterlinggirl]

Your stats are looking great~ I had gone to Curves back in Dec got weighed and mesured and did not attend that club.. changed my mind.. Well here i am 35 pounds lighter and i went back and signed a contract.. when i walked back in there,, i had a 17 inch loss over all but there are certain things they dont measure IE calfs and the true waist.. So i know my numbers were actually larger than what they showed me for.. Well since one week of Curves i have lost 1 inch in my true waist,, and half inch in my muffin top.. and half inch in my thighs soo wooo hoo here i go~

[2BoysMom]

I am trying to measure at the beginning and middle of each month - so twice a month - tomorrow is my day, so keeping fingers crossed that I see some good results since the scale loss has been a little lethargic lately.

I am also on a DD and having a "want to eat everything in sight" day (although I am resisting and am right on track for the day) - so while it isn't much fun, I hope it means that I have good news in store for me tomorrow!

[mayleesa]

inspiring!!! thanks for sharing i'm so sad but still plugging along!!

[cactusrose63]

Kimberly, that is just so fantastic--17+ inches in just a few months time, you must feel so different than just the beginning of the year! Looking for more good news as you continue your working out. Goodbye Muffintop!

[cactusrose63]

Marianne, crossing fingers with you for good ####'s tomorrow!

[cactusrose63]

JUDDD Six Week Update...

The scale keeps bouncing up and down, I weighed in yesterday, I have lost 5 pounds in 6 weeks now, highest loss showed 7 pounds. No time to measure yesterday because it was a work day, and up really early.

Another example of unexplainable JUDDD magic today that is not reflected in the scale!! I woke up feeling smaller so today I thought I would try on some capris I couldn't fit into six weeks ago. I mean they fit technically, but we're talking major bulges everywhere, so I couldn't wear them in public. Today I tried them on to see if I was any closer to being able to wear them, hoping that I could wear them next month on a mini vacation. Well...they fit...I could zip them...no muffin top...AND they were loose in the butt and soooo comfy to wear. I wore them out to run errands and I felt so good wearing them.

Next measure day, next Monday.

[Sheridan]

Yay Barb!! I just know how good it made you feel to wear those out running errands!

I'm tellin' ya'. . . the pants don't lie!

[Muffabuff]

Barb on your capris fitting comfortably. I can feel your joy. Isn't that just the best feeling ever? I'm very happy for you. KUTGW!

[Joyjoy]

Beautiful, Barb!! What a feeling! Bask in it.

[cactusrose63]

JUDDD Week 7 Summary...

Starting weight 4/30: 154
Weight 5/31/12: 147.5
Today's Weight 6/18/12: 146, TWICE in the past 3 days, so I think it's officially my new baseline weight.

Pounds Lost in 7 weeks: 8

Inches Lost in 7 weeks...
Waist: 2.5
Hips: 2.5
Each Thigh: 1.5
Each calf: 1.0

AND I am feeling so much better, it really keeps me motivated on the Down Days. SOOOO enjoying the Up Days WITHOUT GUILT OR OBSESSION! I LOVE this WOE!!

[Joyjoy]

Barb, those are incredible numbers!!!
Congrats. Hope it feels blissful.

[sammycat]

Originally Posted by cactusrose63

So very impressed with the losses on this WOE. Some Down Days are definitely harder than others. But the results are so worth it!

This is a great way to look at it cactusrose. I will make this my mantra on my DD tomorrow if I struggle and want to eat more.

Thanks.

[Yam-Yam]

Barb: You are doing a great job!!! Congrats on the pounds and inches lost.

Thank you for this thread. It really encouraged and motivated me.

Yesterday I felt "thin". I wore an outfit to a meeting I had to go to, and I felt like I looked great. Even got a compliment or 2.

So, after seeing this thread today, I got out the tape measure and also got out my measurements from highest to today. I measure about once a month.

Here goes From my highest recorded measurements until now I have lost:

Under arms (armpit fat) -4.5 "
Under boobs (bra strap) - 7 "
Upper arm - 2" each arm
Upper thigh - 2" each thigh
Above knee - 2" each knee
Calves -1.5" each calve
Boobs - 4"
Waist - 5"
Abdomen - 4"
Hips - 5"
Neck -1"

If I added correctly, I have lost a whopping 45.5 inches from all these places I measured!!

I think the bra strap area shows how much back fat I lost. Wow. I recently bought a smaller sized swim suit. Noticed that I no longer have "back cleavage" if you know what I mean.

That makes me very, very happy!!

Thanks for getting me to actually do the numbers. Even though I'm in a holding pattern on the scale, the tape measure and my clothes don't lie! I feel awesome compared to how I felt almost 40 pounds ago!!!

[gotsomeold]

Bravo Barb!

[cactusrose63]

Yam-Yam, so over the top excited with you on your achievements!

Hilarious about the back cleavage! I call them my "chicken wangs" in my best southern drawl! One day they will be gone!

[Yam-Yam]

Originally Posted by cactusrose63

Yam-Yam, so over the top excited with you on your achievements!

Hilarious about the back cleavage! I call them my "chicken wangs" in my best southern drawl! One day they will be gone!

chicken wangs

This excitement is why I'm always telling everyone to measure. Yes, you can use clothing to measure progress and that's great. But to me, seeing those numbers makes me feel a real sense of accomplishment and progress. And, it keeps me going! So, when I step on the scale and it's stuck, I don't get discouraged. I just get out the tape measure -- again!

I just spent a few minutes trying on some clothes I was not sure about. Definitely decided it's time to give away 3 more pairs of baggy pants. And, a new pair of dress pants that has been too small, now fit and I have a nice new out fit to wear this coming Sunday. Yay!

[cactusrose63]

JUDDD 2 Month Summary...

Starting weight 4/30: 154
5/31/12: 147.5
6/18/12: 146, TWICE in the past 3 days, so I think it's officially my new baseline weight.
Today, 6/26/12: 147.5, quite high sodium yesterday.

Pounds Lost in 2 months: 8ish

Inches Lost in 2 months...
Chest: 1.0"
Waist: 2.5"
Hips: 2.5"
Each Thigh: 1.5"
Each calf: 1.0"

Really no significant change in measurements in the past week. One thing I do notice however. It seems as though I can see more muscle definition in my arms and legs. I have been working out on average two days a week. Weights for about 45-60 minutes each day and elliptical for about 30 minutes each day. I feel stronger, and seem to carry myself with more confidence somehow. Wanting to greatly improve cardio for hiking. Actually going up the mountain on Thursday for a hike. I will see how I do at elevation....it has been 6 months since last on the mountain. **Fingers crossed**

[Joyjoy]

Barb, I love this thread, and wish, wish I'd measured at the beginning because I swear my body is reshaping. Thanks for letting us watch your progress with these numbers.
All the best with the mountain.

[cactusrose63]

JUDDD 2 Month Summary...I know I already posted one, but this is really the official one, beginning of May until the beginning of July...

Starting weight 4/30: 154
5/7/12: 151
5/14/12: 152
5/19/12: 149
5/29/12: 150
5/31/12: 147.5
6/4/12: 148
6/18/12: 146, twice in 3 days, so my official new low
6/26/12: 147.5
Today, 7/2/12: 145

Pounds Lost in 2 months: 9

Inches Lost in 2 months...
Chest: 1.0"
Waist: 2.75"
Hips: 3.0"
Each Thigh: 1.75"
Each calf: 1.0"

I have been up and down the same 5 pounds over and over since about mid May. I finally had one pound less than my lowest in six weeks, so I am running with it as my new baseline. I am working out a bit and I seem to see more muscle definition, AND more and more of my clothes are fitting more comfortably. I did see smaller numbers on the tape measure today, first time in 2 weeks. I am trying to get the mindset of liking how I look and feel more than relying on a scale number. This is not an easy thing for me.

Thanks Joy, you look simply beautiful in your avatar.

As for the mountain, my legs felt much stronger than last time I was up there. Still quite winded and had to rest quite a bit during the hike, since I was about 6000 feet higher than my house. Elevation is always a HUGE challenge for me.

[cactusrose63]

UPDATE...

I am in the middle of two weeks for weigh in, after a DD, and off from work. Official measurements next Monday....

I weigh the same. 145-146 for the past 3 weeks. I keep trying on different clothes-about once a week-to see what changes are (hopefully) happening to my body since the scale wants to stay the same so consistently. I am working out, I know that is part of why there may be no change in the scale.

I feel stronger, more confident in how I carry myself somehow. Part of the transformation I want to see in my life, no longer frumping around, not liking how I look or how I feel about myself. Another perk of the JUDDD WOL in my opinion. An almost "I can take on the world" outlook, simply because I control my food, my food doesn't control me.

The "I Have a Dream" portion of my closet is starting to become reality. Capris, skirts, shorts are snug when standing upright, still no sitting in them. BUT, they are fitting over my hips and I can actually zip them. Yes, progress is being made.