Last Day at FR and my FR Stats!

My last Sunday at FR passed in quite a blur. I was frantically packing up the remnants of my month long stay there and trying to say goodbye to as many people as I could. As I was moving out, K's new roomie was simultaneously moving in. I had scheduled my final weigh-in right before breakfast and I made sure to wear exactly what I wore on my first day of weighing in. I was truly surprised at the numbers and celebrated with my roomie and some friends right outside in the front lobby once I was done. My taxi arrived early and before I knew it... it was time to go.

I wasn't looking forward to the travel ahead but I couldn't wait to get home and see my friends and family and to continue on this new life path at my own pace. So of course, the first stop was McDonald's.... lol. No, it wasn't what you think!! For some reason, there's no Greyhound terminal in St. George. The 'terminal' is located within the McDonald's. I was good and drank from my water bottle and ate my bagged lunch from FR while I waited. (Yes, for those of you that are leaving on Sunday, you can pick up a bagged lunch on your way home, FR is kind enough to know that lots of us are tempted while we're waiting for flights, etc;) 

I was still in shock that it was all over. Once the bus arrived and it started leaving St. George, I put on the Biggest Loser theme song, Proud, on loop on my Ipod. To my shock, I started crying! More than once I had been miserable at FR and couldn't wait to leave the place and yet, as I was going home, I was actually crying that I was leaving! I think a lot of emotions and thoughts hit me at once.

I was sad that my adventure was over.

I was sad that I was leaving some good friends and generally a pretty amazing experience behind.

I was proud that I had done what I had formerly thought was impossible.

I was scared that I still had a long road ahead of me on my weight loss journey and didn't know if I could do it on my own.

I was also sad that I would no longer have my bed made, room cleaned, all three meals prepared for me and have an amazing staff on hand! lol. 

Well anyway, the trip back home was really long. I did meet some great people on the way back though! On my way home, I met a great guy named Tony V. I had told Tony all about my experience at FR and how life changing it was and I find out later from Tony himself that he had signed up and gone to FR and how it had changed his life too! I felt great about that. :)

Another great thing was that I felt so much stronger and fitter this time around on my journey. I was climbing up stairs, carrying my heavy duffle bag everywere, running around and wasn't even out of breath like I would have been a month ago!

I was very good about my food intake on my way home and didn't eat everything that was put before me while I was on the train like I did on the way there. I did have myself a Chicago hot dog while I was at Union Station though. (I like NY hot dogs better! Chew on that!)

When I arrived home, N was at the station to pick me up. Though we had talked each night on the webcam, he was really happily surprised when he saw me. :) It made me feel great. I asked him if I looked any different and he said that I did. When I saw my friends and family, they were also encouraging of how I looked as well. I really felt great.

Two days later, after settling in at home, I set about changing things around me so that I could best reflect what I learned at FR. I went out to buy ingredients for the food from the receipe books and I joined a gym that I had wanted to join a long time ago. I hadn't joined in the past because I knew that I would never have gone.


Soooooo..... has the suspense gotten to you yet? After all, I made everyone wait 7 months to reveal my d*mn results. lol.

Here are my results and my stats after 4 weeks at FR:

Age: 29
Height: 5'3
Date: May 30th, 2010

Beginning Weight: 193
Weight at 4th week: 178
Change: -15 pounds

Measurements:

Chest: 
Start: 44.5"
End: 41.5"
Difference: -3"

Belly:
Start: 45" (see, my gut did stick out further than my lady lumps)
End: 37.5"
Difference: -7.5"

Hips:
Start: 48"
End: 44.75"
Difference: -3.25"

Body Fat Percentage:
Start: 39.9%
End: 37.3%
Difference: -2.6%

BMI:
Start: 34.2
End: 31.5
Difference: -2.7

For one month, I think the results are pretty impressive. Who's to say that if I hadn't gotten sick and injured that my results wouldn't have been even better? While the numbers aren't as crazy as what you would see on the t.v. show, The Biggest Loser, I think it was pretty good for an average Jane. Especially since I could barely walk... much less hike anywhere before!

Most important of all is that I got my health back and the inklings of being fit. Once I got home, I felt a lot more energetic than when I had been at home last. I could move easier, I could tie my shoes and breathe at the same time, I would voluntarily walk places. It was an amazing thing for me. The best thing was that I once again I felt hopeful about the future. For the longest time, I had just been getting fatter and fatter and more sad as time progressed. Things were changing. :)

So in a nutshell... all those stories about FR? Life changing, proud about blisters, etc;? They're all true. :) It did change my life and while I didn't get any blisters, it was tough and I was proud that I made it through. 

So... did I live happily ever after? Did I go bust? What's happened in the past 7 months?? I'll let you know tomorrow. ;) Tomorrow, I'll post an update regarding how I've done since I left FR, pictures of my progress, etc;

Yes, I know I'm a tease!