Weigh-Ins and Dark Valleys

Greetings, Friends! To those who might have been waiting to hear about yesterday’s weigh-in, thanks for following my Adventure stories. I waited to post until this morning, because I’ve had to talk myself out of a big funk.

I was looking forward to weighing in! I’ve been working SO hard, physically and mentally. In the previous two weeks I only skipped one day at Lifetime Fitness. When I’m there I work as hard as I can. At home, I eat within the prescribed limits of the Weight Watchers plan. Even when Phil and I went out to dinner, we planned ahead so we could stay on-plan. I felt proud of what I was doing, and I just knew the scales would reward me. Well, pride goeth before a fall.

After working out in the pool yesterday afternoon, I ran some errands then waited for Phil at the WW meeting place. I was going to put off getting on the scales until Phil came, but I couldn’t wait to see those new numbers. It’s probably a good thing, because then I had time to get over my disappointment before he showed up, so I could act happy for him when his new weight was announced. Phil lost another 3.4 lbs, bringing his total to 11.4 lbs in two weeks. He’s doing great!

I only lost .2 lbs. Yes, that’s one-fifth of one pound. ONE FIFTH of ONE POUND. For this I worked my butt off? I told Phil what a great job he did, but one look at my face and he knew I was disappointed in my own loss, or lack of. When I told him what it was, I really wanted to keep my eyes from tearing up, but was unsuccessful. It’s a good thing he didn’t give me a hug at that moment or there would have been a full out flood of tears right there in the Weight Watchers weigh-in room. He just looked sad for me, and that was enough. He knew just what I needed from him at that moment. Mind you, he’s not always so discerning, but this time he was spot on.

I told him what the WW lady said. I had asked her if my lack of weight loss could be due to gaining muscle by working out so much, since (I thought) muscle weighs more than fat. She said, “A pound is a pound.” My very first thought was, “You are not very nice.”

But in a technical sense, she’s right. It’s like the riddle you give a third grader:

Question: Which weighs more, a ton of bricks or a ton of feathers?

Answer: Neither; they both weigh a ton.

Five pounds of fat and five pounds of muscle both weigh five pounds.

The proper way to express this concept would be, “"Muscle is heavier by volume than fat." I got that quote and the picture embedded here from a website called onemorebite-weightloss.com, which talks about emotional eating.

Therefore, if I have gained 5 lbs of muscle while losing 5 lbs of fat, I have lost volume, not weight.

So I had to ask myself, which would I rather have? Less volume, or a better number in my little weight-tracking book? I answered myself: Less volume. Less of me. So did that happen? I believe so. I was able to start wearing jeans a size smaller than I was wearing two weeks ago, Pre-Adventure. A whole size smaller! I should be very happy with that, and I AM. Here’s a list of what's better about my life than two weeks ago:

ü  I’m sleeping GREAT. Dr Oz says that proper sleep is critical to weight loss, and his web site has some important tips to getting a good night’s sleep. Remember, as part of The Adventure I joined his Transformation Nation, and now I can draw on his wisdom anytime at the TN website.

ü  Because I’m sleeping better than I have in years, I’m waking up refreshed, and ready to start my day. I don’t have to talk myself into getting out of my nice warm bed. I want to get up! Gimme that first cuppa coffee and lemme get at my day! It’s my day, a gift to me from God, and I’m ready to live it.

ü  I’m more alert now. Less brain-fogged.  I’m better able to read my bible and understand what it is I’m reading. Better able to pray, to plan my day. More awake!

ü  I feel healthier. Just over-all healthier. Sometimes even peppy. I still have fibromyalgia, and it will never be gone, but I’m not sitting dormant until I can’t get around without a walker. That day may well come, because that’s often what this disease leads to. But if I’m healthier in mind and body, I’m almost positive I can postpone that awful day for a good while longer than I would have otherwise.

ü  I’m wearing smaller clothes. I have a stash of clothing in several sizes. This time though, when I’m done with the larger items, I’ll either alter them to my new size or donate them to the Salvation Army. I’m not going to keep them around “just in case.” I don’t want to make it comfortable to put weight back on.

All in all, I really have talked myself out of that funk I was in. Last night was not good. Today, having calmly reasoned things out, and prayerfully considered the truth of the matter, it is a very good day indeed. Psalm 23:4 says, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Thank You, God. Though the Evil One wanted me to suffer over those numbers in my weight-loss tracker, You have comforted me, and calmed my fears. I’m ready now to get on with this day You have given me.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Phil 4:13