32yo, Mom of 3, goal: size 12

[yaldani]

After a traumatic event I started gaining weight. Then, somehow, as life get better and happier, I gained for each happy event as well - dating my now-husband, engagement, marriage, and each child we've had. While pregnant with #3 I topped out at 252. It was terrifying.
I figured out that I have gluten intolerance, and a strict gluten free diet had me down to 208. Then I got lazy and started using a lot of pre-made products like GF pastas and breads, and my weight loss stalled.
A friend recommended 4HB, and it's remarkably easy for someone who's GF. I haven't been doing any of the exercises yet, which is silly, but once my older kids are back in school next week, I plan to start.
I've been doing it for 3 weeks. At the start I was wearing an 18/20. I'm posting Tim's measurements, but I also measure my bust, under-bust, and actual hips as those are very important details for me. My starting data is:
Weight: 211
Right bicep: 14.5
Left bicep: 13.5
Waist: 40
Widest hip: 51
Right thigh: 26
Left thigh: 27
Total Inches: 172

[yaldani]

My first week I had my binge day on Saturday as that's my Shabbat, and it seemed like a good day for it. Turns out, it's not a great day for eating freely as the meals are chicken and meat-based, and so I switched to Sunday for subsequent weeks to enjoy microwave popcorn and ice cream.
Weight: 208 (-3)
RB: 14.25 (-0.25)
LB: 13.5
Waist: 38.75 (-1.25)
WH: 49.75 (-1.25)
RT: 25 (-1)
LT: 26 (-1)
TI: 167.25 (-4.75)
Food wasn't such a challenge this week, but I don't drink enough water in general, so that's been VERY hard. I end up quite dehydrated. I also don't always get to breakfast when I'd like to because I have a baby, and he's allergic to eggs. So if he wakes up when I'm first up, I can't eat my breakfast until later.

[yaldani]

There's not a lot going on weight-loss wise, and there are multiple reasons for it. TF says to wait 4-6 weeks, so I am, mostly patiently. I'm not always hitting breakfast when I should, and I'm not yet drinking enough water. Cheat day wasm y daughter's birthday party - GF cookies, GF homemade pizza! It was a great cheat day.
Weight: 207 (-1, -4 total)
RB: 14 (-0.25, -0.5 total)
LB: 13 (-0.5, -0.5 total)
Waist: 36.75 (-2, -3.25 total)
WH: 49 (-0.75, -2 total)
RT: 24.5 (-0.5, -1.5 total)
LT: 24.5 (-1.5, -2.5 total)
TI: 161.75 (-5.5, -10.25 total)
I'm confused about how I can be losing all these inches without dropping much weight. I'm not exercising anymore than usual. I'm not complaining - I'd rather lose the inches. I just don't understand what's going on in my body.

[yaldani]

The past week was hard. At my parents' house there were pretty much no vegetables and no beans other than baked beans, so I mostly ate protein while I was there. I didn't drink enough water at all, and have just purchased a jug to carry with me. My cheat day was the day of my Chanuka party, and it was awesome.
Weight: 211 (+4, back to original)
RB: 14 (0, total -0.5)
LB: 13 (0, total -0.5)
Waist: 36 (-0.75, total -4)
WH: 48.5 (-0.5, total -2.5)
RT: 24 (-0.5, total-2)
LT: (-0.5, total -3)
TI: 159.5 (-2.25, total -12.5)
Everything slowed down this week. I'm back home, going grocery shopping today for more eggs and chicken, and should be back on track soon. I'm also going to buy the smaller boxes of frozen vegetables as I find that the when there's a large bag with 3 or 4 portions in it, I don't want to open the bag. Mostly because the unused vegetables don't taste very good when they refreeze in an open bag.

[4HBnewbiebill]

First of all CONGRATULATIONS on your progress!! Secondly, your weight gain is probably just water retention. The more you drink, the more you shed. Using myself and this week as an example; I didn't drink much water on Monday and had nothing but protein and it was salty at that. Tuesday morning when I weighed myself, I had 'gained' 10 lbs in 1 day! (I weigh myself daily just to keep track of things but only use my Saturday weigh ins as my official weigh in). I upped my water intake and in 2 days, I've 'lost' that 10 lbs.

The BIG tell that it is working is your measurements! You are definitely losing fat! Keep up the good work!

[yaldani]

Thanks! My "dinner" the last night at my parents was very salty pre-packaged corn beef. Ugh. I'm not overly concerned with the weight for now, but I'm looking forward to getting under 200 again. It's a huge psychological line for me. And 199 is not far from 180, where I look really good, which is close to 165, where I look great. My artificial goal weight is 154 based on BMI, but anywhere that gets me into a size 12 is perfect. Chugging along!

[yaldani]

I'll have measurements up tomorrow. This week was also not awesome - I went to a restaurant with my kids for dinner that used to have a GF menu only to be shouted at by the owner that nothing was GF there anymore. The only food they had I could trust was fries, so I had some. The next morning I was up 5 pounds! It's gone, but it was pretty funny.

Does anyone here use kettlebells? I am not particularly strong. I think Tim says to start with at least 25 pounds or so, but I want to start with a lesser amount. Does anyone have recommendations for a good starting kettlebell weight to buy?

[goatlady]

I'm also not very strong. I looked at Tim's recommendation that no one should start below 12kg and bought an 8kg kettlebell. That was a month ago... and I realised pretty quick that I'd made a mistake - I managed to do 60 swings right out the gate with no drama. So I just ordered the 12kg

[saramachen]

Just wanted to post my congrats for sticking with it. I have just started and i have a 10 month old baby. I am lucky that she is easy going in the morning so i put her down to play while i make my breaky before i tend to her, it only takes me a few minutes and she doesn't seem to mind. but she is also my only child, so i don't have 2 other kids to look after! Drinking water makes a HUGE difference diet or not... i am getting about 4L a day into me (2 mugs of decaf green tea, 2 mugs of nursing tea, 2 mugs of raspberry leaf tea, and 4 refills in my reusable plastic cup with a straw) its a lot but its worth it!

Hopefully you continue to see success!

[yaldani]

Thanks! Breakfast has been by far my biggest challenge, with hydration a close second. If I can will myself to get up 40 minutes earlier, I should have plenty of time, but it never seems to happen.