SandTiger's work in progress thread - starting weight 245

siouxieq62

you look amazing!!! I can only imagine how good you must feel! Congrats on all your hard work

JBanx256

What I want to know is, how is it possible that I am just now becoming aware of this thread?!? D'oh! Regardless, you are killing it & I'm stoked for your progress!

Sand_TIger

Thanks for stopping by! And - I really do feel great.

Sand_TIger

My two week diet break is over - I ate at maintenance for two weeks. My weight is about the same though I'm a little stronger than before. Still a long way from doing a true push up. Darn it! Here's my latest blog entry.

https://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/Sand_TIger/view?id=diet-break-over-back-at-it-989625

jenilla1

Maintenance breaks are great! It's a good way of stepping back from the weight loss routine without doing any damage. I think a lot of people push themselves too hard and get burned out, and then instead of pausing for awhile at maintenance, they just give up completely, go off the rails and undo a lot of hard-won progress. I hate seeing that happen. Unfortunately, a lot of the people I know IRL tend to use the crash and burn approach. And they do it over and over, without learning their lesson. You've got the right idea!

LilianaV22

Stay strong, my motto is PROTEIN! PROTEIN EVERYDAY!

Sand_TIger

So true, Jenilla! Just knowing this is possible is truly freeing for me. So nice to have a break and not lose my progress. And Liliana, that's my motto too! I aim for at least 1 gram of protein per pound of lean mass every day. I know, I'm going someplace warm just for mixing Imperial measures and Metric - but oh well, LOL!

Sand_TIger

Today is the kittens' birthday. They are a year old! It doesn't look like it but Hiroshi is actually a lot bigger than his sister, but he's flat lying down and she isn't. The spouse and I got them a toy/treat assortment box and all three cats had a good time. So did we, watching them. Nishiko liked the catnip stuffed squirrel best, Hiroshi liked the play tunnel, and Shinji liked the treats. Go figure. My own update below. I'm not uploading a different picture yet because honestly I look pretty much the same, all the changes are subtle.



As for me, I'm kind of bouncing around between 156 and 159. My fat percentage is between 28 and 29, and my muscle percentage is a bit above thirty. So that's going in the right direction. I still have that belly hanging around so my clothes fit oddly. Weight loss has slowed way down partly due to stress and partly due to having less time and energy for exercise. I'm still lighter than I've been since high school and healthier than I've been in years, so I'm proud of that. Also I'm this close to ditching my size large shirts and switching to a size medium - perhaps after we get the pool up and running and I can do a different kind of higher intensity exercise, that might get the scale moving again that way. I'm also eating more vegetables than I do in the winter time and having more salads and tacos made with lean chicken. That should eventually show some results! The biggest issue is that due to my height I only really need 1500-1600 calories a day to maintain so it's a little hard to keep a decent deficit.

Anyway, there's the update! Happy Birthday, kittens!

Latrellis

Beautiful kitties. As you exercise more and gain more muscle, your calorie allowance will increase. You're doing a fantastic job!

g2renew

Girl! Just found your thread and blog! So inspiring! So proud of you and happy for you! Love the kitties:-). You mention loving Japanese cuisine-Do you watch "Trails to Tskiji/Oishi" or "Journeys in Japan"? I am such a fan of both of these, but have most likely butchered the spelling. What a wonderful journey you have undertaken for your health! Congrats!

lynneburgess714

You look fantastic Tiger!

Sand_TIger

Thanks to you both! I'll have to check those out, G2renew - I like Just One Cookbook and No Recipes as far as stuff to watch while I'm pedaling. They are both fun and interesting. Japanese home cooking made as I watch - and some of it is so healthy and flavorful.

Cyulrichsen

wonderful, are you maintaining your weight loss as of today?

Sand_TIger

Cyulrichsen wrote: »

wonderful, are you maintaining your weight loss as of today?

I still have 20-30 pounds to go, but as I've mentioned my loss is rather slow. Mostly due to work stress and not enough time or energy for heavy exercise. So it'll be a while till I reach maintenance. I'm truly enjoying the benefits of carrying less weight though!

OutsideIsMyInside

Hi! Just read your blog, been watching you on and off as we started, I think, near the same size. I , however, lost thirty and came to a screeching halt and need to figure things out so I can lose again. Anyhow , mostly here to say, you’re dealing with a lot and you are an inspiration to many. I’m rooting for you and sending hugs your way!

jenilla1

Sand_TIger wrote: »

Cyulrichsen wrote: »

wonderful, are you maintaining your weight loss as of today?

I still have 20-30 pounds to go, but as I've mentioned my loss is rather slow. Mostly due to work stress and not enough time or energy for heavy exercise. So it'll be a while till I reach maintenance. I'm truly enjoying the benefits of carrying less weight though!

The closer you get to goal, the slower the loss seems to get, IME. Seems to me that the last 5 took as long to lose as the first 20. It's not a race, tho, right?

Even though you've still got a bit to go, it's nice to hear you're already enjoying this healthier version of you so far. Might as well enjoy the journey while you're on it. To me, the journey is just as important as the destination! (We don't get our wisdom from being at goal; we learn it along the way.)

❤ 🐈🐈🐈

Sand_TIger

Hi, Outside and Jenilla! I so agree with you Jenilla - we learn so much along the way. As much as I wish I had an "instant loss button" the things I've learned and practiced, the habits I've formed, will carry me into maintenance and keep me at goal weight instead of rebounding again. The longer I have to practice, the more ingrained my new habits become! So in a strange sort of way, taking longer at weight loss is a blessing in disguise.

Outside, thank you for finding me and reading my blog - I'm glad that you gained some inspiration from it. I have been inspired by so many people here that I don't know where to begin. All the best to you as you find your own answers and take steps on your healthy journey!

Sand_TIger

Figured I should post a more recent pic than from like... November or something... in any case, my face hasn't changed much but it's okay, I don't mind. I do have loose skin on my jaw and neck still. Oh well. I'll take it! Still holding around 157-159 without much change in muscle mass even though my arms are a trifle more defined.

g2renew

You are looking healthy and strong! Such good work!

Jenpec98

Wow! Just Wow! I have skimmed through this, but I really want to take some time on my days off and read all of it. Thank you for sharing your progress.

elishaslee

Congrats!

corinasue1143

Your face has changed so much since you started. You look great.

Sand_TIger

Thanks all I kind of like having the top of my head being the widest part and not the bottom! And I'll take the loose skin over the chins any day.

Beautyofdreams

You're doing awesome. Hope the stress at work has lessened for you and you can focus more on your interests and fitness goals. What is the next step in your shoulder stand goals or will you work on something else? Best wishes for continuing success.

Sand_TIger

Thanks! Shoulderstands weren't really a goal, just something I wanted to see if I could still do on a lark. I'm pretty much doing calisthenics and some home grown weight lifting. What I'd like is for the pool to be working again so I can get back to swimming! Soon enough.

jenilla1

Sand_TIger wrote: »

Figured I should post a more recent pic than from like... November or something... in any case, my face hasn't changed much but it's okay, I don't mind. I do have loose skin on my jaw and neck still. Oh well. I'll take it! Still holding around 157-159 without much change in muscle mass even though my arms are a trifle more defined.

Wut?! Are you kidding me? Go back and look at your original before pic again! You look amazing now. Admit it. You look good. ⭐

Sand_TIger

Quick stat update for my own records: 155.4, body fat 27.9, muscle percentage 31. Calorie needs to maintain (before exercise) 1530. Goal 1400ish.

DontStopAchievin

Sand_TIger wrote: »

Quick stat update for my own records: 155.4, body fat 27.9, muscle percentage 31. Calorie needs to maintain (before exercise) 1530. Goal 1400ish.

Great update, my friend. You look marvelous! Wonderful changes are happening and can be seen. I'm so proud of you and FOR you. You are such a wonderful inspiration.

Ringbearer2

I just wanted to thank you for being an inspiration and cheerleader for so many. Your success is well deserved and you are more than paying it forward.

Sand_TIger

Thank you! That means a lot. I wouldn't be here if it hadn't been for other people inspiring me. I still have a ways to go - but I'm happy to be here!