10 Pounds Gone

I hit a milestone today.  I've lost just over 10 pounds from my highest weight on January 16th.  I keep a spreadsheet and I also track my average weight for the past 7 days because a daily weigh-in can fluctuate quite a bit.  My 7-day average weight lost over these past 10.5 weeks is 8.5 pounds - so, not quite 10.  

I am happy to have reached this point.  Just the other day, I was walking up a flight of stairs at school and I realized that I literally felt lighter on my feet.  When I had to put on a pair of black dress pants the other day for church, I hesitantly reached for some I haven't worn in 18 months.  I was able to zip and hook them comfortably.  I cautiously squatted down and there was room!  I didn't have to worry about splitting a seam.  That felt really good.

I'm still about 7 pounds away from my ultimate goal; what I call my "race weight" from my late 30's and early 40s.  Since I'm about ten years older than the last time I ran long distance races, I don't know if that number is realistic or not, but it is ten pounds higher than before I had children, and well within the healthy weight range for my height.  I don't expect to look like I did when I was 22. 

For fun, I picked up two half gallons of milk from the fridge (which weigh about 9 pounds together) and jogged in place while holding them.  Holy cow, I was running back in January while hauling this around?  I will be glad to lose another seven, if it's possible.

The plan is to keep training and eating healthfully and to always be aware how I feel.  I think that's how I'll know when I'm where I need to be.  I feel young and energetic these days - a whole lot better than I did in December and early January.  I am gradually increasing my distance, trying to stay uninjured because I've got that race series to finish and I have another big goal in mind for later this year.  More on that another time.

Now it's off for a daily walk and lifting session!  :)