The Biggest Loser Challenge-Week 4

Yippee!! Finally a really good week. I lost 4 lbs. this week for a total of 8 lbs. in 4 weeks. Right on schedule!! I was really disappointed last week when the scale showed a 0 and I didn't understand Why! I was starting to think that the game was calibrated wrong or something, but I figured out that where I was looking to show my current weight each day, it was actually showing my current weight from when I officially weighed in last. That makes sense and explains the difference between my weight on there and my weight on the scale and my weight on the Wii Fit Plus. I believe we are all in line now. I can't tell you happy I was to see that 4 on the scale. I see now how the actual Biggest Loser contestants must feel when they attain a personal victory week after week.

Since I wrote in last Wednesday, I had an idea that I might actually be consuming too few calories on some days. The game says I need 1491 calories a day to lose. Some days I have been getting about 1200 and average about 1350. I haven't been hungry with those numbers, so I just figured the bigger the deficit, the better. I've done some research on it though, and I think that weight loss is a major balance of exercise and calories. I really need to try to hit my calorie target every day, not less to optimize my weight loss. That means that some days, I have had to have a chocolate treat in the evening to get to my 1491. That's not such a bad deal!! I also read that it's best to actually try to meet your weekly caloric intake in a week and not focus exactly on the daily intake. Meaning that 1491 calories x 7 days is 10, 437. So, instead of worrying so much about hitting 1491 everyday, I can mix it up a little to "confuse my metabolism and keep it in high gear." Like I could get 1491 calories one day, 1591 the next day, 1391 the next day, 1641 the next day, 1341 the next day and so on. That way, I can keep my body guessing and if I have a special occasion in there, I can get a few extra calories without the worry.

Friday, David and I went to Logan's Roadhouse again to eat for New Year's Eve. I got the same meal I got in one of my previous posts for 600 calories, but I did let loose a little more. I had two small rolls and two beers on top of that. So, it made for about a 1300 calorie meal. I really felt it in my pants too. I hadn't felt that full in a long time. I was almost miserable. I told myself right then and there that I would be working out double or triple on Saturday.

Saturday came and I slept until 12:15 p.m. Now, understand, it really wasn't all as wonderful as it sounds. I couldn't fall asleep until 5 a.m. and I woke up several times between then and noon. I woke up at noon and had terrible stomach cramps. Surprisingly, I didn't have diarrhea, but I felt like I could throw up and my stomach just hurt really badly. I went back to bed after having a small bowl of cereal around 1:15. I just tossed and turned and was doubled over with stomach pain. I guess I did doze off and woke up around 2:30 and texted David to bring me a thermometer. I felt hot and had aches all of a sudden. He brought it to me and at that moment it was 99.7. It gradually went up all afternoon till it hit 102. I felt awful! I even cried and wanted my mom. Needless to say, I didn't exercise, and hardly ate anything all day.

Sunday was much the same. I slept a lot and just rested. My stomach felt better and my fever was gone by the end of the day. I guess it was a 24-36 hour bug. That's the good thing about stomach viruses....at least they are over quickly. I hardly ate anything that day too.

I'm very happy with my first month's statistics! I started it in the hardest month of the year in my opinion to not give into temptation. I did that on purpose because I knew that I was making a lifestyle change and from now on, this would be my life every Christmas. And I NEVER felt deprived. I am a choco-holic and I can promise you that I've had my fair share of the brown stuff this month....I've just modified my usage. I have not had ANY back pain since I've started exercising. I believe my fatigue is being helped by working out too. I have averaged 6 days a week exercising since I've started. I attribute that to the game. I do something different everyday and if I can't finish an exercise one day, I'm anxious to try it the next time when I'm stronger. I'm anxious to be in a smaller size too....maybe next month. I'm going to keep working hard!

Total Weight Lost since December 7th: 8 lbs.
Weight Loss Goal: 55 lbs.
Pounds to Goal: 47 lbs.