With FYM challenges, we typically check out our progress every 4 weeks. So I’ve taken new pictures, stepped on the scale and took new measurements.

At first glance at the scale I was totally bummed. I only lost .8 pounds. I was super dedicated to my workouts and was 90% clean on my food. What happened? But then, I took my measurements and everything changed. I have been a muscle building machine! Darren felt my flexed bicep this morning and said, “Whoa! You need to slow down!”

“Not a chance, Dear.”

(I’m sorry about the skin pictures. I really don’t like posting them, but wanted to show you the difference with the clothes vs skin–it’s just harder to see progress through clothes.)

Here are my stats:

Height 5 foot 6″
Age 36 years old
6 Kids (oldest 13-youngest age 21 months)
Weight 145.2-144.4 (-.8 lb)
Bust 38-38
Waist 33.25-31.5 (-1.75″)
Tummy 38.5-36.5 (-2″) I’m thrilled!
Hip 39-38.5 (-.5) My hips were 38″ when I married, so I’m not expecting a big loss here. I carry most of my weight in the belly.

Totals for the last 4 weeks: loss of .8 lbs and 4.25 inches. Also my arms will flex rock hard now and I can do things I couldn’t do before, like stability ball leg curls and stability ball planks. I still have a long way to go to reach my 10 push up, 1 pull up, and 20 burpee goals. But I can definitely see progress.

I did Feb workout of the month A, Saturday for the first time. When I went through it, all the exercises were possible without modifications and I was telling Darren how I planned to increase weights next time. Bwa ha ha. I’m SOOO sore today that I can hardly go upstairs. I think my weight level was appropriate :).

Anyway, my scale situation reminded me of this pin I found recently. It’s super motivating to me and reinforces the idea that strong truly is the new skinny: