A Physical Update

As you all know, yesterday was the final weigh in for the BIGGEST LOSER.  As you may have also realized from all my other posts, I am not going to be the winner.  At least not of this private contest. 

21 people entered this competition.  I was the “baby” in the group.  Meaning all have been at this training thing a significantly longer time then me.  They have all built muscle and were primed to burn some fat.  I, on the other hand, had only 2 weeks prior to the competition start, began building muscle. 

I don’t think I need to do a biology class.  I’m sure we all understand that muscle is inch for inch weighs more then fat.  With this in mind, after I joined the competition and paid my entry fee, the trainer told me that I was not expected to be in the running – my goal was to learn and participate.

When I arrived I was initially disappointed.  My points for the week were not bad, having chalked up 106.  I missed 1 snack and drank 2 alcoholic beverages, cutting off 4 points.  But that didn’t bother me much.  I’m a moderation person, I believe we still must live.  And those Appletini’s were so worth the cost.

The disappointment came from a weight gain.  Yep, you read that right I gained weight, about .6 lbs.  I’m chalking this up as being female.  That dang water comes and goes on this roller coaster ride all the time.  I guess I was just hoping to see a 10 lb loss for the 8 week period.  I think it ended up being 8.

Then it was time to be squeezed by that “fat meter”.  Actually, I have no idea what they call that pinching thing, but a fat meter is as good a name as any.  This was where the gloom was lifted off my spirit!  There are many places the trainer measures.  She obtains a reading from the fat meter.  Then adds all the readings together from all places, arm, love handles thigh.  She then does some sort of calculation that is purely mind boggling. 

When I first began this journey I was firmly planted in the obese side at 35.7% of body fat.  My chart on the side goes with home scale, not trainer.  I haven’t lost a ton of weight, as of yesterday per her scale I’m down to 173.2 from 185 starting from day one.  So we are looking at a mere loss of 11.8 lbs.     Yesterday’s body percent showed me at 25.7%.  That is 10% of body fat lost!!! 

This is why my pants have gone down 2 sizes.  Yea!!!  Because this also amounts to 13 inches from all places on my body, less the arms and calf’s which have remained the same. 

I never thought I would say this, but I like being measured.  2 1/2 months since I started this.  I can only guess where I am headed too now.  Is there a size 8 in my future?  I remember this size well. 

By the way, I won’t know for sure until Saturday, but I do think I have taken 2nd place in the contest.  My 10% body fat gone, earned me 30 points.  Which, by my calculations, leaves the projected champion 110.1 points behind me.  He averages about 106-107 points a week for exercising and eating.   He also loses a couple pounds a week.  So even if he doesn’t have fat loss, which I expect him to, he would beat me.  bummer.