Walking Challenge - November results and accepting December's challenge

I'm really happy to have one month of walking behind me.  I walked 15 out of 30 days (keeping in mind that Sunday's are "restore" days) and logged a total of 32 miles.  The last week was the most disappointing because I simply didn't walk.  However, I stayed at my parents which means multiple trips up and down the stairs.  And we went to Silver Dollar City two days and of course, walked a LOT!  So, over all, I feel really good about the first month!

Other progress made:

Weight loss - none.  But considering that the last four days have been vacation days - which equals four days of eating out and one lovely Thanksgiving dinner...

Measurements: 

• Neck - none
• Waist - 1.5" lost
• Hips - forgot to record my measurement at the beginning of the month! Weird.  But I am showing a 3" loss since last August!  I'll take it!
• Bust - also forgot to record at the beginning of the month.  No loss shown yet.

Non-scale victories:

• I'm sleeping better!
• At SDC I was no where nearly as winded as I have been in the past.  I kept up with my hubby who is over 6' tall and has those really long legs.  I think this was a HUGE victory!!
• I'm much more aware of what goes in my mouth!!
• I feel so much better on the days I walk!
• I stuck with this.  I'm terrible about starting something and not finishing it.  So it feels good to say: I did it.

Overall, this has been a very positive experience for me.  So yes, I gladly accept next month's challenge!  

Here's the updated, re-usable, monthly challenge: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1S1tLaRCrNOPolp40mDeUnL8z06ULzdBuA0cSyKGgqsA/edit?usp=sharing 

November Walking Challenge - Day 12!

Wow... I can't believe I'm already 12 days into this walking challenge.  I do have a confession to make:

I'm terrible about sticking with something I start!!  Absolutely terrible. 

Even though I posted about the challenge, I really wasn't sure I'd stick with it.  And I knew it when I started it.  Still, I wanted to give it a try.  There have been a few days that I considered quitting.  I have so many excuses I could use... but by God's grace, I am sticking it out. 

To be honest, there has been NO weight loss since I started walking.  It has been very discouraging, yet I remind myself there have been two major factors that, I'm sure, have impacted my lack of loss.

1 - Hormones.  It sounds cliche, but the truth is... I've made a couple personal decisions regarding prescription meds that have wrecked havoc on my hormones.  My cycle is messed up and weird and thus... yes, hormones, has contributed.  

2 - For some reason... when you jump into an exercise program from a somewhat sedentary lifestyle, it seems to send your body into some kind of shock.  My sister, who loves researching these things, has a really good, scientific explanation for what happens.  It happened to both my sisters and myself when we all joined Weight Watchers three years ago.  We walked/exercised faithfully for weeks before it really started affecting the scale.  It is very discouraging, but I know if I can just stick it out... there will be a pay day soon!!

Another big challenge has been learning to curb my increased appetite.  When you work out and burn 500-600 calories, your body seems to think it needs food to replenish those calories. I'm still learning to curb that appetite or to fulfill that craving....