Someone suggested this to me a long time ago and I thought I would pass it along for the many new friends we are gaining here at our little site. Make yourself a little spreadsheet with the months of the year straight down and the following across: weight, bust, waist, hips, arms, thigh, calves, etc...whatever you want to see results in. Then on the first day of the month or the first Sat. or Sun. of the month (whatever you can remember best) write down your official weight (it doesn't count the 200 other times during the month you've stepped on the scale ) and also write your measurements. Then when you feel you've hit a slump or the effort just doesn't seem worth it, look at your sheet and see the results you have made. Its a great motivational tool. Just keep it hidden in a drawer or proudly displayed on your bulletin board. Its up to you. The few minutes it takes to record these things once a month is so worth it and you'll be so glad you did it. I am actually excited about my next weigh in. Not because I lost a tremendous amount of weight, but hopefully I will see another 2 or 3 pounds come off. Its slow, but it is coming off for good. I know that because I've got the documentation to proove it!

Denise... your calandar comment just gave me an idea... I'm also going to set up a calandar this weekend... with all my goals...

for example... i'm trying to increase my exercise time by a couple minutes each week... so on each day of the calandar, I'm going to write how many minutes I want to do... and what kind of exercise...gradually going higher...

I am also trying to quit smoking... and have decided to try the baby steps for that... so I will also write how many cigs I can have each day... gradually going lower...

I'm going to put the calandar somewhere where I see it every morning... and cross off the days I make my goals...now I have to come up with a reward for making them...

jacqui

This sounds like a really good idea. Right now I'm pretty sure I will be showing inches and not pounds. weight seems to be staying the same the last month or so but my clothes are fitting different. Will get the tape measure out shortly and start that spreadsheet.

Thanks, Stephanie, that sounds like a great idea!

As much as we all hate the thought of measurements, you can see a change with the tape whereas you might not see it on the scale. Honestly! The tape has showed a decrease at times when the scale hasn't. Give it a try. Face that fear and spit in its eye!

Lynnette

I have done this for weight in the past but measurements -- ugh. I hate taking them, even though I know I should. They always seem like huge numbers.

I write my weight on a calendar every day. Also write cardio minutes.

I can't fool myself and say, "I exercise pretty much every day..."

I don't pay much attention to the day to day weight number. I do care about the 1st and last day of the month!

You might want to get a separate calendar. I just used the family calendar last year. I went to a band director's meeting, me and 15 guys. They all had palm pilot things and I had grabbed the calendar from the wall. One of the guys had battery problems and asked to see my calendar. Had my weights all over it. OMG!

Denise

bump for the morning crew...

I've done this, and what a excellent upper for me. When I didn't show pounds lost, I did show inches lost. You have to be very careful to weigh and measure after your period (for women) because of bloating etc. So rather than the first of the month, I followed my cycle and did it a week after my period stopped and my body was back to "normal" My results were more accurate and I was a happy camper, not measuring water retention.

I think I'll add one of those to my journal as well. Also I think I'm going to post mine on the first when I set up my next set of goals. That will really keep me accountable.

Laurie

Stephanie... what a great idea... I'm going to set up a spreadsheet this weekend!

jacqui