I don't know if anyone else is as anal as I am, but I created an Excel spreadsheet that tracks my weight each week (on Saturday), the amount lost each week, a running tally of my total amount lost, goals, BMI changes, body fat % changes (they have on of the little hand-held body fat calculator things at the gym I attend), and measurement changes. I'm weighing each week (well, recording each week -- have to admit I'm jumping on the scale a lot in between) and everything else monthly. I'm hoping that seeing it on the screen / on paper will help me to be more committed to watching the numbers drop...and more even-headed during those times when they don't.
I also have little "conditional formatting" things in there to do fun stuff when I reach good points, like changing the text color to green when my BMI reaches normal range, and turning the cell bright yellow when I hit at or below goal.
If anyone wants a copy, let me know. If there's enough of a demand, I'll probably stick it online somewhere -- otherwise I can email.
I do this as well. I also track my calories every day and average it out for the week. I like to see the big picture, plus I'm a math freak so I like numbers.
Yodagirl, I'd like a copy of your spreadsheet! I have one where I track my weight and I have a graph that shows my actual vs. goal, etc. I don't have my BMI in there or any conditional formatting set up, though. I used to deal with Excel all the time when I was a financial analyst, but now that I'm an English teacher I'm out of practice! I'm sure I could figure it out pretty quickly, but it would be easier to just copy yours!
Please PM with an email if you are requesting a copy of the spreadsheet, it will be really helpful -- otherwise I'm going to have to PM you anyway to get your email... LOL
Thanks much!
I'm a little behind at the moment, but will try to get them out tomorrow and Monday. I'm so excited that so many people think it's useful!
I just wanted to let you know that you are not the only one that is that anal. I am too. I created an excel sheet that has all of the weights starting at 229 and going to 135. With each I have the BMI for my high and the stages of obesity (Morbidly Obese, Severely Obese, Obese, Overweight, Slightly Overweigh, and Healthy). I then have a date column where I put on what day I meat that weight.
Whoo hoo, way to go ladies with your excel spreadsheets! I'm a computer teacher who is constantly trying to convice my students that they WILL be using excel for many different things for pretty much the rest of their lives, so I'm always excited to hear how people are using it differently!
Ahem...I'd like to point out that I have never gotten *into* Excel and it has yet to hamper me. I figure out other ways to do things. Are you sure Excel is that vital?
This is a discussion I've had a few times...I have yet to have anybody who's really convinced me that Excel is *necessary* in life. It might be useful for some things - witness this creative application of it - but necessary?