The Bra and the Measuring Tape

I told myself I didn't have to run anymore until my new sports bra arrived.  I'd ordered an Enell bra on recommendation of a commenter here and it arrived within two days.  Alas, it didn't fit.  (Too big!  Ha!  That was pretty funny, considering that I only thought bras came in size "too small for me.")  Anyway, I returned it, asking for the next smaller size.

And that was when I said, "Until that bra comes, I'm  not running anymore."  And so, I used an exercise bike instead.  (I was not feeling very well that day, either, and couldn't stand the idea of running.)

Yesterday, as I waited for my husband to get home, I thought, Oh, goody, no running since that bra hasn't arrived.  And as I stood in the driveway chatting with my friend, the UPS truck drove up.  And the guy handed me the little yellow package and I knew I'd have to run again.

No more excuses.

Fifteen laps is a mile at my YMCA.  I ran the first seven laps, telling myself I couldn't, didn't want to, wouldn't . . . but I did.  Then, I walked three laps and ran three and walked the last two.  So, I ran ten out of fifteen laps.  And I have to report that the sports bra really did a terrific job of supporting me.  I felt quite comfortable.

*  *  *

Do you measure yourself?  I haven't been a big fan of the measuring tape because it's so easy for me, as a squishy woman, to kid myself.  Pull that measuring tape a tad tighter and fool yourself into thinking you lost half an inch.  And if you measure ten different areas, you can add up the fractions of inches and fool yourself into thinking you're making progress, when really it's not so much.

But, I have to admit that a month ago, on September 25, I spontaneously whipped out the measuring tape and measured my bust, waist, thigh and hips.  I scrawled the numbers on my bathroom calendar on that date.  By then, I'd been exercising every day on my recumbent bike for ten days. 

Two and a half weeks later, I started working out at the YMCA in addition to my at-home cardio.  Two weeks after that, on September 27, I remembered to measure myself again.  As I wrapped the tape around me, I grimaced at the measurements.  I remember when my waist used to hover between 28 and 30 inches!  (And then, as a teenager, I thought I was fat!  Ha!) 

So, my 42-inch waist and my 44-inch bust measurements didn't impress me.  (I told you I was an apple!)    Until I looked back on the calendar and realized that I lost two inches from my bust, an inch from my waist, an inch and a half from my hips and a half inch from my thigh.  So, from those four areas, I lost five inches in a month.  (In that same time period, I've lost "only" 4.6 pounds.)

I'm aiming for at least a 34-inch waist, so I have much more work to do.  So, I'll keep the measuring tape near the bathroom and use it once a month, just to see my progress.  And I'll add an extra set of sit-ups.  Or two.

Comments

[Chrissie]

When I did the WW last time, I didn't measure. After losing 30lb, I was wishing I had. After losing 59lb, I was REALLY wishing I had.

I did measure this time. The numbers, they are atrocious. I too told myself I'd only measure once a month. Or every 4 weeks, I guess.

Anyway, Sunday is when that first 4 week interval is up. I hope that my inches have gone down.

[iportion]

I didn't measure SEPT at end when I needed new clothes. Well really my husnand helped
I know I'd mess up and measure all wrong so I just didn't.

[Julie]

Glad that you like the Enell!!

[Melisa Alviti]

I did measure awhile ago. I recorded the #'s at a site I cannot remember the name of and it told me I was over 50% fat lol. I know that isn't funny, but it kind of is to me. If you can't laugh at yourself then...........
If anybody can tell me where I logged these measurements, I'd greatly appreciate it. It was fitconnection or something like that.

Melisa