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FIT IN MY 40S!
a fitness motivational journal
by Cussette

(Right)  I am Woman, hear me roar....
Feeling great, June 27, 2003.
Never had toned arms before!
Home Background & Progress Setbacks & Inspiration
Running!
As my internet friends know, I set up web pages to document things - my daughter, wallpaper projects, discussions on the finance board I moderate, fitness support for a cyber-playgroup...Documenting my road to fitness was a natural!.

Fall of 2002 was one big eating party at our house:  Halloween (who can resist helping a preschooler sample the goods?), my daughter's 4th birthday, a week-long vacation to visit my parents in Arizona, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years.  I gained 6 pounds in 2 months, and there was nothing in my lifestyle that would make those pounds go away.

While I've never been overweight - my body mass index hanging between 20 and 23 - I've never been in shape either, having never exercised or engaged in regular physical activity.  And that stomach has always been a little bit paunchy!  In younger years, whenever I gained a little weight, I was able to cut out sweets and fatty foods, cut back on portions, and the pounds would come off.  As the the late 30s approached though, it was no longer that easy, and I knew the answer was adding physical activity to my sedentiary lifestyle.  Throughout the years, there'd been aborted attempts at exercising at home, and I had tapes to guide me, but aside from one motivated spell in 1998 which ended upon giving birth to my daughter, I never got really far.

Then came The Great Eating Blowout of 2002 and the Advent of the Six Pounds.  Whereas I'd tolerated my body before, I detested what I'd let happen... and got determined that after the holidays, I'd get started on shedding those pounds but also toning and shaping up, making exercise a part of my everyday life.

So to help maintain my motivation, on January 2nd, 2003,
I took my measurements, weight - and pictures.  What a hoot!


There wouldn't be a problem
with this year's styles -
if it weren't for last year's body.
Yanno that doughnut I ate
for breakfast?  *braaack*
Right here!
The thighs flap in the wind.
Looks like I'm wearing
a bumblebee costume.
.
If that's where it stopped, I wouldn't be writing this, and yes,
I recorded my progress in pictures as well.  At the end of two months,
February 27th - 7 pounds and 1-1/2" less of me at the waist.

Phase I of the Battle of the Bulges.
Containing the enemy.
I still have some work to do,
but no need to suck it in anymore!
Realigning a few curves.
Hey, that *is* a bathing suit!

End of six months, June 27th - total loss of 6 pounds,
1-3/4" at the waist, 2-1/4" at the tummy.


Actually heavier by a pound since February, but a lot leaner.
The kind of "flat tire" I like.
New two-piece bathing suit
for a new me.

 
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