~Success!~

So today was my monthly weigh-in day and I lost 5 pounds! I plateaued for about 3 months and I didn't lose a pound. Now I am down to 155 pounds and my goal weight has always been 150. I always promised myself that once I reach my goal weight of 150 pounds I would get a massage (one of my favorite things to do!)

In addition to weighing myself every month, I also measure myself every month. Since last month I've lost 3/4 of an inch in my thighs, 3/4 of an inch in my waist, and 1 inch in my hips!

I can't tell you how good it felt to wake up this morning and see those numbers on the scale. I've been trying to lose weight for so long- it's like a dream that's finally starting to come true.

I've been really good about exercise. I finally got a routine down. I walk 3 miles every single day and once a week I go on a 2 hour hike. Starting in January, I'm going to start focusing more on strength training to build more muscle.

The hardest thing for me is keeping to a good diet. Because I'm a college student, I do not have very much money available for groceries, so I basically eat whatever is available. Like junk food at work or at my mom's house. Lately I've been having 40 cent burritos for dinner. I would like to improve on that in the future.

Now that it will start getting cold, I will have to start getting creative about exercise. Yes, I know I am a major wuss. I am extremely sensitive to the cold. I hate being outside when it is that cold. That is why I will be joining a gym in January. But before then, I will try walking mid-day when it is warmest, and also try online workout and yoga videos. If anyone has any other ideas, please let me know!

I also got some blood work done recently and the numbers look really good! Check this out: Blood work I got done back in February 2008 vs September 2009:

CHOLESTEROL : was: 113 now: 87
CHOLESTEROL/HIGH DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN was:3.2 now 2.5
HDL is still 35 (it is supposed to be at least 40- I'm working on it)
LDL CALCULATED was: 58 now: 36
TRIGLYCERIDE was: 98 now: 81
FASTING GLUCOSE: was: 92 now: 88

I feel really good, but I am not done losing weight yet. I will have to try even harder now since it is harder for me to lose weight in the winter when it's cold (not to mention all the great holiday food coming up). Good luck to everyone on the challenge and stick with it! I was originally 230 pounds. That gives me a total weight loss of 75 pounds. It took much longer than expected, but it is well worth it!