Lose It With Lamb, Week 8

I’ve always dreaded back-to-school shopping. But this year, thanks to all the weight I’ve lost, I’m actually looking forward to it.

I’ve been trying to make do with my old clothes because I’m not done losing weight. But the situation has gotten dire. Before I left school back in May, one of my colleagues observed the belt holding up my way-to-big, 52-inch-waist pants. “Mr. Lamb, if you are going to wear those big pants you need to stop cinching the waist — it looks ridiculous — and invest in some nice boxers,” she said. “At least go for style!” I knew she had a point, though the low-slung pants look isn’t quite the one I’m going for.

Still, I held out. Why should I invest in new clothes that will soon be too big? Finally, Jody put down her foot. Time to go shopping!

At the department store, I guessed my current waist size and headed into the dressing room with size 44s. I can’t tell you how great it felt to shout, “Honey, these are too big. Can you bring me a smaller size?” Here’s what did fit: waist size 38 or 40, depending on the brand. 38! I haven’t seen 38 since, well, let’s just say it’s been a long time.

Same thing happened with shirts. Instead of the size XXL I used to wear (and even that was sometimes tight around the midsection), I now fit nicely into a size L.

I truly believe that the reason I’m able to fit into these sizes is that I have incorporated exercise into my way of life. Even on days when I can’t get to the gym, I do things like yard work (push-mowing is an unbelievable workout), helping Jody with housework (I am the official House Vacuumer) and walk the dog. Add in healthy eating and I think I’ve found a foolproof plan to keep shrinking.

Speaking of exercise, Jody and I ran two unofficial 5Ks this week on the streets around our house. I’ve really been noticing how crucial my core strength is to running, so a lot of my success is thanks to my trainer Wendy Batts and her kick-butt, core-centric workouts. (“Core is the foundation for all aerobic exercise,” she often tells me.) Challenge yourself to my latest workout with her. I guarantee your midsection will be worn out by the end.

This week’s weigh-in was flat — no gain or loss — but I’m okay with that. That trip to the department store and those two runs are enough to tell me I’m making great progress.

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