Hi guys,

It’s been yet another six weeks without a scale, as I don’t own one in my dorm.  However, I have returned for a one-day vacation to my mom’s place who does, indeed, have a scale.  The last time I stepped on a scale, I was at 127, having broken the 130 lb mark for the first time in five years.  Today, I was very pleased to record 122!  And I haven’t even been going to the gym!  I suppose walking 30-45 minutes per day and walking 15 flights of stairs, and daily push-ups, and cutting out most (not all) processed desserts really does work!

My ideal body weight is apparently 110, and I’m working towards that, though I don’t have any sort of timetable.  Without tracking too much, I’ve been losing at about a pound a week, apparently, so 110 by the end of the summer seems perfectly reasonable.  I’m not in any rush.

See, simple works!  Yay!

Julie

Congratulations, Julie! 

Stairs really are a fat burner.  When I first moved into the house I’m in now, I lost ten pounds over two months just by climbing the 300 feet of stairs between my office and my house every day.  That’s probably a little less than the 15 flights you’re doing, so no wonder you’re losing weight if you’re also walking and eating smart.

I’m in Canada today - Quesnel, BC.  I waved but I guess I’m still too far away for you to see me.  But I can see your buff arms from here… good job on the pushups.

Way to go Julie!!!

No special equipment, no gym membership, no crazy diet - simple does work!

Way to go Julie! I always believe that the best weight you can lift is your own body and there’s hundereds of ways to do it without the need of a fancy gym or machine. Stairs, squats, bridging, push-ups, crunches, etc. It’s all in there. All you really need is motivation to keep at it - and considering how you’re already inspiring so many of us as it is, I’m sure you’ll be well on your way to smash your goals before schools out. Thanks for the update!

Hey Julie,
Sounds like a cool way to get to your goal.  Just watch what your eating, (but don’t stress over it), live intentionally in all you do, and try to find ways to get a little bit more exercise (stairs etc), and it is just natural that you get to your goal.
I curious, ......how did you get to what you call your “ideal weight”? .
I have looked in a number of places, on line and in books, and have various weights for my ‘ideal weight’, as it depends on your overall body type, age etc. 
It’s all about keeping moving, and what I have come to believe as living an intentional life.....in what you eat, do (exorcise etc), think, say and think.  It really involves every aspect of your life, relationships, and spiritual aspect of everything.

Thanks for your uplifting and provoking thoughts in MTV land!!!

Take care,

Tom in Carlsbad

Julie - 08 April 2006 07:55 AM

110 by the end of the summer seems perfectly reasonable.  I’m not in any rush.

Hi Julie!

You must be shrinking away!  Congrats on the steady progress.  It inspires me and I’m sure all of us girls who have said… ”this summer, I want to get into my swimsuit and feel comfortable about how I look!” Just keep thinking of how great you’ll feel… or should I say, how great you are already feeling along the way to your goal.  That’s great!

Your plan of operation reminds me of the old martial arts concept of “picking up many small breadcrumbs on the path"… or tackling and achieving those small goals one by one, along the way until you easily, one day, reach the larger goal.  It works for achieving higher ranking belts and also seems to work for getting your body to the size/condition you want it to be right? 

Thanks for the inspiration,
Sheryl

Thanks for the encouragement, everyone.  I appreciate it!

A few choice replies to the replies:

Laura—yup, BC is still definitely too far to see me.  My arms may be buff, but there’s no way I can attach wings to them and fly over.  Still working on that whole “human bird” thing.  I’ll let you know how it goes.

Carrie—yay for simple!  What have you been up to, by the way?

Adam—I went to a Core Conditioning class once and was absolutely blown away by what you can do with nothing more than a flat, slightly padded surface to work on.  I also love martial arts, and I know you do too—also great for working without special equipment.  By the way, I’ve been listening to Burning 20 from day one: keep up the good work, man!

Tom—Just goes to show there’s always more to learn: I just figured that what the website told me was the right thing in terms of ideal weight!  I may have to rethink this, now.  Again, I didn’t really have a time gooal, so I was just letting nature run its course (active lifestyle + eating sensibly = weight loss).  I figure that when my weight plateaus, that’ll be a good weight.

By the way, we’re in MTV land?!?  Who brought the video camera?!?

Sheryl—I like the breadcrumb analogy.  I was personally thinking of it in terms of long-term goals: marathoning instead of sprinting, as Scott would say.  I don’t mind indulging if it’s worth it, or taking a day off to relax… it’s all about the long term.  I’m only 23, so whatever changes I make now will have to last me for many, many years.  “Sprinter” dieting and insane exercising won’t work when I’m 70… walking and eating right will.

Thanks again, everyone!

Julie