Ok, its time for the follow-up post to the 'how much do I weigh' question. If you are reading this, you will also see that I did a 'not what I was expecting' post which you may enjoy reading as well, since it pertains to the original post too and addresses some things I hadn't foreseen.
Anyway, the results are in and I want to thank all of you who were willing to participate. I know it wasn't easy for all of you (in fact, lots visited the site but didn't comment). I myself thought it would be a lot easier than evidently it was, however when my friend, Jen, tossed the question back at me and made me guess HER weight (even though we frequently TELL each other our weights) I myself was struck with how hard this could be for some people. You don't want to guess too high (and offend), but yet you want to be accurate, so you can't guess too low either or that would be a waste. Anyway, I once again want to thank those of you who DID reply because your replies were exactly what I thought they would be. They completely prove my point. First off, let me share the results...
These were the results I received on the survey...
146
140-145
153 (most accurate because Jen knows me so well: smile)
143
147
133 (the only guy to reply: that tells you something, guys think you weigh WAY less than you really do!)
145
125 (haven't seen this since high school, but thanks for the vote of confidence Jennifer lol)
140-145
145-ish
135-145
low to mid 150's
130-135 (Sugarberry u should be scolded for guessing so low, u are a 'follower' so u should know the last time I saw 135 was in 2007 ha ha)
150
Only 3 of these replies were even close to my actual weight.
My actual weight when those pictures were taken was...
(drumroll please lol)
155
That's right. One hundred and fifty-five.
Which only goes to prove what I believed all along...
We are much harder on ourselves than those around us are.
You may be struggling with some health/weight issues, but those around you don't see what you see. They are seeing you in a much more positive light than you give yourself credit for. This doesn't just apply to me. I have a friend who recently told me that she reached 170 recently. I never would have guessed it. Looking at her I would have honestly pegged her for 150, maybe 155 (she is shorter than me, which of course always makes it harder to guess when u are guessing someone who is a different height than yourself) -but regardless... I was wrong. And so were all of you!
We as women need to learn to be happy IN the moment, instead of always looking to a future goal or a previous moment for our happiness. I have written about this before on here, but how many times have you or someone you've known been at a weight, and instead of being HAPPY in that moment, were unhappy because they either weren't to their goal yet (something in the future), or they were heavier than a previous weight (the past). This has happened to me. I remember when I reached 140. I was so bummed out and only focused on the 120-125 of the past. Well, after I passed 140, how many times did I look back and think "wow how many wasted years did I have there of uncontentment?? if only I'd been happy then, because wow, I sure would be happy NOW if I was back at 140!"
That's the thing, we can't always look to our happiness to either be in the future or the past.
We need to learn to be happy RIGHT NOW! I'm not saying this is an easy thing to do (it honestly has taken me a full year to get this thoroughly INSIDE my head. Not just coming out of my mouth (because I have been SAYING it for a year), but REALLY believing it and living it every day. That is why I wanted to do this survey so that I could prove to you that nothing is as bad as you may sometimes think it is. This applies to all areas of life, but yes, this is a fitness blog so we are going to focus on the fitness aspect. Chances are you look better than you give yourself credit for. Chances are you are stronger than you give yourself credit for. Chances are you are faster or can run longer than you give yourself credit for. Its amazing the things we can do when we really HAVE to.
I know you can do it. I know you can do anything you set your mind to because God instilled in all of us a sense of purpose. (I have another blog where I share my faith and I usually save any posts that relate to scripture for that blog but God's word applies to everything we do and its really hard to not point that out because...) The truth is, God made you. He made your body. Your body is a temple to Him. He thinks its beautiful. So who are we to think any different?
And if you are worried about the opposite sex... did you notice that the only guy who replied was so far off (underguessing) that those few pounds that stress you out are probably not stressing out your mate at all! So please, take what I have learned from this journey over this past year and try to begin living it in your life as well. Now some of you may not be struggling with this, this sense of unhappiness, or discontentment. But a good friend I know, Pastor Chris, always says he's preaching from the heart because he wouldn't be preaching to us about it if he wasn't preaching to himself because he is or has gone through it too. Its so true. We can teach from what we know. If we have experienced it, we can help others. You don't go to a divorced person for marital advice, nor do you go to a bankcrupt person for financial advice. Go to someone who can try to lead you in the right direction because of what they have experienced. And believe me, I have been experiencing this sense of discontentment with my weight for 22 years. I decided I didn't want to waste another day living like that and so a year ago I really began focusing on being happy and content with where I was at THAT moment. My close workout buddies can attest to this. I no longer am on a single-minded quest for perfection, I am happy with where I am. I still work out and I still try to eat right (always a journey, remember?) , but by consciously working on fixing the inside (my feelings), I am fixing the outside too. I am a better mom because I am not so stressed out and angry about not acheiving a scale goal, I am a better wife because if I feel better about myself I have more to offer my husband in all arenas of our relationship together, and I am a better friend because I care more about how a person feels now instead of just cheering for them to attain a certain number on the scale. Some of you commented that the scale isn't important to you anyway, its just how your clothes fit that matters. I agree. I want my clothes to fit good. But even if they aren't perfect, I no longer berate myself and beat myself up internally over it. I simply try to regroup and refocus, all the while being HAPPY that I am here today and I have a wonderful family and friends around me, and that I am thankful for all that God has given to me through His son, Jesus Christ. I did the survey so that I could write this post with 'proof' to back it up. Proof that your happiness needs to come from inside you. You need to be able to say "no matter what, I am happy". If you were one of those people who was experincing discontentment or unhappiness because of your weight I hope you will receive something positive from this post. Know that you are your most critical judge, those around you are not critiquing you the way you are yourself. So increase your sense of happiness by knowing that its really up to YOU on how you feel. Others will always think more positively than you do of yourself, so if you can make YOUR thoughts positive as well its a win-win situation for you.
I know I sort of rabbit-trailed here. (Anytime I start talking about God I can go in all kinds of directions! lol). But this post was intended to show you that others are going to perceive you more positively than you might think, so go ahead and BE HAPPY with what you have and where you are! Improvement doesn't have to stop, you just need to keep being happy during your 'improvement process' ;)
I hope this was a help to someone out there, and not just me. Because putting myself on the chopping block needs to rewarded with someone gaining some of the same insight I've gained this past year and applying it in their lives. Its time to go, kids are almost home, I hope you have a very Blessed day and a positive experience from this post. :)
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Didn't know it would have this effect
Ok, I'm writing this shortly after my last post (the one about the weight guess), but I'm not going to post it until I'm done with the survey.
But here is something I didn't expect...
When I was getting no replies at first, I was really bummed. I wanted people to reply because I feel confident that these replies are going to prove a point I want to make to women. I was tempted to re-post some encouragement to get folks to answer... like
"please do this, its not going to offend me if you guess higher than I am"
"Don't guess lower than you really think, just to try to flatter me"
"No, I'm not selling 'miracle jeans that make u look lighter than u really are' ha ha"
"Don't avoid this survey, because you don't want to get involved in what u are perceiving is self-absorbtion (when I post my follow-up you will see this is going to be positive for everyone, not a pat on the back to me)"
"Please partake in this survey regardless of your lifestyle-even if you aren't a gym-rat or health-crazed nut"
"Don't take this the wrong way, I'm not posting pix of me to boost my self-esteem, actually it could hurt it". But that's not what this is about, so I'm hoping that won't happen. I really want it to be about the second post that I make. But I have to do the research on the first post in order to get the results for the second post.
Anyway, if I don't get more replies I may do a follow up request post of some sort, but for now I am going to try to lay low and wait it out.
The other thing I didn't expect was my anxiety about opening a reply when one finally came in (thanks Mindy for being the first!). I didn't expect to have that hesitation about what people were going to say. I really just wanted a cut and dry answer, but since most people who get this will know me, I guess it made it more personal and therefore I opened myself up for some potential 'hurt' if people said anything mean. When I got that first reply I realized it was sort of personal (which is why some people may not do the survey) and which I didn't expect at all. Because the follow-up post really isn't personal, its general to all women so this is just my 'research' in order to prove the follow up point. But anyway, I guess I'm human so I did get a weird feeling when I began to get replies.
Hopefully, this whole thing will work out and I can prove my point instead of blowing up in my face and being a train wreck. Fingers crossed.
1/26/11
Ok, I'm going to go ahead and post this now because I am about to tally the results and post my 'follow-up post'. Just decided that these thoughts that went through my head were worth sharing as well (because we are all human) and I thought it might help some of you too. It also sort of addresses why only got 14 replies, yet I had over 50 visitors to the site. Hmmm, makes me think some of you were feeling the things I mentioned above (??) maybe you didn't want to get involved, didn't want to hurt me, or didn't realize that this was just the research to something much bigger and more important than how much I really weigh.
I realized today when reading a comment a stranger made to my friend about this survey that I really did open myself up for a ego blow. But I took a step back and thought about what was said, and reminded myself that I knew going in this could be bad, I was just willing to take the risk because as I said before
I AM HAPPY,
and that means my weight or what others think of me or my weight aren't going to change that. Therefore, I was willing to take the risk and put myself out there for all the world to see (but not in a swimsuit ha ha-I wasn't THAT crazy!) so that I could hope to try to bring some insight and encouragement to others. So here goes, I'm posting this, and off to write the follow-up posting. Again, thanks for participating
But here is something I didn't expect...
When I was getting no replies at first, I was really bummed. I wanted people to reply because I feel confident that these replies are going to prove a point I want to make to women. I was tempted to re-post some encouragement to get folks to answer... like
"please do this, its not going to offend me if you guess higher than I am"
"Don't guess lower than you really think, just to try to flatter me"
"No, I'm not selling 'miracle jeans that make u look lighter than u really are' ha ha"
"Don't avoid this survey, because you don't want to get involved in what u are perceiving is self-absorbtion (when I post my follow-up you will see this is going to be positive for everyone, not a pat on the back to me)"
"Please partake in this survey regardless of your lifestyle-even if you aren't a gym-rat or health-crazed nut"
"Don't take this the wrong way, I'm not posting pix of me to boost my self-esteem, actually it could hurt it". But that's not what this is about, so I'm hoping that won't happen. I really want it to be about the second post that I make. But I have to do the research on the first post in order to get the results for the second post.
Anyway, if I don't get more replies I may do a follow up request post of some sort, but for now I am going to try to lay low and wait it out.
The other thing I didn't expect was my anxiety about opening a reply when one finally came in (thanks Mindy for being the first!). I didn't expect to have that hesitation about what people were going to say. I really just wanted a cut and dry answer, but since most people who get this will know me, I guess it made it more personal and therefore I opened myself up for some potential 'hurt' if people said anything mean. When I got that first reply I realized it was sort of personal (which is why some people may not do the survey) and which I didn't expect at all. Because the follow-up post really isn't personal, its general to all women so this is just my 'research' in order to prove the follow up point. But anyway, I guess I'm human so I did get a weird feeling when I began to get replies.
Hopefully, this whole thing will work out and I can prove my point instead of blowing up in my face and being a train wreck. Fingers crossed.
1/26/11
Ok, I'm going to go ahead and post this now because I am about to tally the results and post my 'follow-up post'. Just decided that these thoughts that went through my head were worth sharing as well (because we are all human) and I thought it might help some of you too. It also sort of addresses why only got 14 replies, yet I had over 50 visitors to the site. Hmmm, makes me think some of you were feeling the things I mentioned above (??) maybe you didn't want to get involved, didn't want to hurt me, or didn't realize that this was just the research to something much bigger and more important than how much I really weigh.
I realized today when reading a comment a stranger made to my friend about this survey that I really did open myself up for a ego blow. But I took a step back and thought about what was said, and reminded myself that I knew going in this could be bad, I was just willing to take the risk because as I said before
I AM HAPPY,
and that means my weight or what others think of me or my weight aren't going to change that. Therefore, I was willing to take the risk and put myself out there for all the world to see (but not in a swimsuit ha ha-I wasn't THAT crazy!) so that I could hope to try to bring some insight and encouragement to others. So here goes, I'm posting this, and off to write the follow-up posting. Again, thanks for participating
Saturday, January 22, 2011
How much do you think I weigh?
Ok, so if you know me in real life or have been following this, you know that I have pretty much finally grasped this new way of life that appreciates where I AM, instead of being unhappy because I'm not at a specific goal. This isn't to say that thoughts don't come into my head that say, 'yea, that would look better if I was 5 or 10 pounds lighter', or 'hmm, should I eat this salad, or some pringles?' It is a process you know, just like most things in life, we grow in them and grow stronger as we go. But as we go, we get stronger by making better choices, or choices that help our plan/goal and don't hinder it. That being said, I am not at my lightest, and not even at my preferred goal. But I am pretty happy anyway. In fact, I took some pictures and I want you to comment and let me know what you think I weigh based on these pictures.
I think when the results are in, I will be able to share something with you that will not only help prove what I've been saying for over a year, but will also help others who are on a path to improving their health.
I will give you this info to aid you in your vote...
I am 40 years old. I am 5'8".
Please partake in my project and cast your vote. How much do you think I currently weigh?
Post your comments on this blog please. If you don't have a google account, you can post a comment 'anonymously' and just sign your name at the end of it if you want me to know who you are. Or if you are like my mom and can't figure out how to 'comment' on a blog you can leave your comment on FB because I am going to put a link to this on there to try to get lots of responses.
P.S. These pictures aren't the best quality. It was too dark in my closet to get a good full length picture, so just do your best to guess. I did take pictures of my normal 'problem areas' (ie hips/butt) so you have close-ups of the part that shows my weight the most to help you in your guess. I guess next time I should have taken them in a better lit room with a full length mirror. Sorry.
I think when the results are in, I will be able to share something with you that will not only help prove what I've been saying for over a year, but will also help others who are on a path to improving their health.
I will give you this info to aid you in your vote...
I am 40 years old. I am 5'8".
Please partake in my project and cast your vote. How much do you think I currently weigh?
Post your comments on this blog please. If you don't have a google account, you can post a comment 'anonymously' and just sign your name at the end of it if you want me to know who you are. Or if you are like my mom and can't figure out how to 'comment' on a blog you can leave your comment on FB because I am going to put a link to this on there to try to get lots of responses.
P.S. These pictures aren't the best quality. It was too dark in my closet to get a good full length picture, so just do your best to guess. I did take pictures of my normal 'problem areas' (ie hips/butt) so you have close-ups of the part that shows my weight the most to help you in your guess. I guess next time I should have taken them in a better lit room with a full length mirror. Sorry.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
you want some of these guns?
Finally, results!!!
Lol
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Friday, December 10, 2010
Grasping the Concept
Some of you may be wondering where I have been. (or maybe not ha ha). Anyway, just been busy with life and now that the 'newness' of blogging has worn off its not near the top of my list. I actually wouldn't even be on here writing this (because I have more important things to do with my family, and hence the reason its not near the top of my list---not that it was ever above my family u understand, but since the newness is gone its not pushing itself up there stealing my time as much anymore). So anyway, BUT... I wanted to share with u where I am because I feel its important. I think its healthy, and I think its good.
So that being said... no, I haven't dropped a ton of weight and entered a modeling contest for the boniest 40 year old on the planet. :) In fact, I've actually gained weight. BUT... I'm pretty ok. In fact, I'm good. I am finally absorbing into my attitude and outlook all the things I've been saying with my mouth over the past 9 months or so... and that is... JUST BE HAPPY!
I've said it before, it seems women are never happy with their weight, but yet they always wish they were x number of pounds lighter, BUT when they WERE x number of pounds lighter they weren't happy then either because they wanted to be Y number of pounds lighter! Well, I am not at my lightest, I am not even really at my 'pretty normal' weight (it is the holidays u know?) but I'm happy. And I don't want to spend all (or actually ANY) of my time talking about weight, food choices, or denied foods with anyone. There I said it. I am tired of talking about weight and food. I mean it. There is more to life than this, and I am going to live my life enjoying life and enjoying my family, and NOT thinking in my head all the time about this stuff. If anyone doesn't like me for this. oh well. I think you will find I am an actually better and happier friend, wife, and mother when I am not beating myself up over weight and food. I am not obese. I am not huge. I am not unhealthy. I am not hideous to look at. I am normal. I hope everyone accepts that. I think they will. There is one person who doesn't want my attitude to give me free reign to hop on the chocolate cookie induced fat train. But don't worry, I'm not taking this to the extreme. I'm not saying get me the Big Mac and the shake, in fact make it a double and lets pack on the pounds. No, I'm just saying I'm sick of highs and lows, I am just going to stay here in the middle and enjoy life and myself. I'm not taking it easy. I'm not giving up. I'm not a wimp. I still work out 6 days a week doing running, treadmill, weights, and classes. I still try to make healthy food choices BECAUSE they are healthy for me, NOT because I want to deprive myself of something. In fact, there isn't much deprivation because my attitude has changed. If I don't eat it its because I don't want it, not because I'm depriving myself. If I do eat it (Bang Bang Shrimp I love you) its because I want to and I'm living a normal life where people do indulge some, but we just make some adjustments in other choices to cover the big indulgences.
So there u basically have it. I'm not going to keep going on about this because honestly I don't want to be on the computer, I want to go play with my daughter. But if u are around me, don't think I'm being rude if I change the subject when talk turns to 'dieting'. Its just not something I feel is worth talking about anymore, and I don't want my young girls to overhear those conversations. Even though I've tried to make sure they don't hear much (because I want them to have healthy body images), I'm sure they've still heard some, because even if its not coming out of my mouth I can't say how often it comes out of the mouths of women any time they get together, no matter what the circumstance of the gathering may be. So, this is why I won't be partaking in those conversations anymore and I will either change the subject or remove myself from the situation. Hope u all understand. Happiness is better than a number on the scale. Happiness makes for a better mother, a better wife, and even a better lover. If you aren't happy with your situation, you aren't confident, and being unconfident in the bedroom is a real buzz killer. Just ask my husband :) In the past we've had several nights where my unhappiness with MY body ruined the fun we could have had together. So I'm just saying, it took me awhile to fully grasp this concept. (I knew it and said it, but didn't really get it into my heart and soul until now), if you can grasp this concept too, it might be something good for u. Its been good for me. Talk to ya later gals! Rene'
So that being said... no, I haven't dropped a ton of weight and entered a modeling contest for the boniest 40 year old on the planet. :) In fact, I've actually gained weight. BUT... I'm pretty ok. In fact, I'm good. I am finally absorbing into my attitude and outlook all the things I've been saying with my mouth over the past 9 months or so... and that is... JUST BE HAPPY!
I've said it before, it seems women are never happy with their weight, but yet they always wish they were x number of pounds lighter, BUT when they WERE x number of pounds lighter they weren't happy then either because they wanted to be Y number of pounds lighter! Well, I am not at my lightest, I am not even really at my 'pretty normal' weight (it is the holidays u know?) but I'm happy. And I don't want to spend all (or actually ANY) of my time talking about weight, food choices, or denied foods with anyone. There I said it. I am tired of talking about weight and food. I mean it. There is more to life than this, and I am going to live my life enjoying life and enjoying my family, and NOT thinking in my head all the time about this stuff. If anyone doesn't like me for this. oh well. I think you will find I am an actually better and happier friend, wife, and mother when I am not beating myself up over weight and food. I am not obese. I am not huge. I am not unhealthy. I am not hideous to look at. I am normal. I hope everyone accepts that. I think they will. There is one person who doesn't want my attitude to give me free reign to hop on the chocolate cookie induced fat train. But don't worry, I'm not taking this to the extreme. I'm not saying get me the Big Mac and the shake, in fact make it a double and lets pack on the pounds. No, I'm just saying I'm sick of highs and lows, I am just going to stay here in the middle and enjoy life and myself. I'm not taking it easy. I'm not giving up. I'm not a wimp. I still work out 6 days a week doing running, treadmill, weights, and classes. I still try to make healthy food choices BECAUSE they are healthy for me, NOT because I want to deprive myself of something. In fact, there isn't much deprivation because my attitude has changed. If I don't eat it its because I don't want it, not because I'm depriving myself. If I do eat it (Bang Bang Shrimp I love you) its because I want to and I'm living a normal life where people do indulge some, but we just make some adjustments in other choices to cover the big indulgences.
So there u basically have it. I'm not going to keep going on about this because honestly I don't want to be on the computer, I want to go play with my daughter. But if u are around me, don't think I'm being rude if I change the subject when talk turns to 'dieting'. Its just not something I feel is worth talking about anymore, and I don't want my young girls to overhear those conversations. Even though I've tried to make sure they don't hear much (because I want them to have healthy body images), I'm sure they've still heard some, because even if its not coming out of my mouth I can't say how often it comes out of the mouths of women any time they get together, no matter what the circumstance of the gathering may be. So, this is why I won't be partaking in those conversations anymore and I will either change the subject or remove myself from the situation. Hope u all understand. Happiness is better than a number on the scale. Happiness makes for a better mother, a better wife, and even a better lover. If you aren't happy with your situation, you aren't confident, and being unconfident in the bedroom is a real buzz killer. Just ask my husband :) In the past we've had several nights where my unhappiness with MY body ruined the fun we could have had together. So I'm just saying, it took me awhile to fully grasp this concept. (I knew it and said it, but didn't really get it into my heart and soul until now), if you can grasp this concept too, it might be something good for u. Its been good for me. Talk to ya later gals! Rene'
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
coming clean
You are probably not wondering, but I'll tell u anyway, I deleted all those posts from July that had the yucky pictures in them. They were just depressing and I didn't want to see them anymore. So if u got a chance to see them before I deleted them u know I'm not perfect, but if you didn't you'll just have to trust me ha ha. Anyway, good riddence!
Monday, October 11, 2010
chugging along
Just a note to keep u updated. Not much excitement or change around here lately, just living day by day. Not really being deprived in regular meals, but trying really hard to resist the sweets. Still working off that bday weight, actually I probably did work it off, but then it crept back up a bit. Anyway, not going to beat myself up over this. I'm still happy. Clothes still fit. I'm not 135, but I'm not fat either. I'm actually just pretty normal. No, I'm not a model, but I'm not an overweight housewife either. So I can't really complain. That is something I am getting a grasp of (and have been working on it for about 10 months now) is to just be happy/content with where I am, not always wishing for something that used to be whether it was 3 years ago or 20 years ago. Accepting myself for who I am now and what my body looks like now. Not letting it go to crap, but taking care of it in a HEALTHY way , not a maniacal way. Anyway, that's where I am right now. Hope u are happy with where u are too :)
Friday, September 10, 2010
The famous pie
I made a post on my other blog about the pie and its recipe if you are interested. You can make it and see for yourself how awesome it is. Check it out at this link.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
The results of turning 40!
Just checking in with an update. For those of you who don't know... I turned 40 a week ago-woohoo! I say that to explain why I haven't quite been seeing the progress I'd wanted (a wee bit of celebrating). My husband and I went to Aspen CO with our friends for my birthday weekend and had a glorious time. Albeit there was no restraint. I ordered gourmet food I've never had before (yum!), and also consumed $50 worth of chocolates almost all by myself! Then add to that a lot of raw cookie dough and cooked cookies that my friend Jen and I made together to celebrate my birthday, and u can see that I probably wouldn't be losing any pounds this week. Therefore, I am not unhappy with the 2 pounds I gained. It had to be expected, I'm just glad it wasn't 5! Two is a lot easier to get off than 5! We also went camping this weekend which wasn't so bad, but yes there were treats there too (ice cream on the patio). Now I'd like to say this has all come to an end and I am back on track... but I still have a candy bar (that my daughter's thoughtfully bought for me for my birthday) to eat, and I have a pie (to make) and eat. I haven't made it yet, but just because my bday was a week ago doesn't mean I'm not going to-ha ha. (It's my favorite pie, and we make it for every birthday in our family) Its the BEST! Maybe I'll post a recipe and pix when I DO make it :) But after my pie is gone, u will see some improving posts from me I guarantee it! Also, my jean shorts are wearable again :)
P.S. I would like to point out, that even though I was indulging a bit in the food, I still had some great exercise... when Marlenes and I went for our massages at the Aspen Club, we also took a pump class, plus we went on a couple hikes, plus while we were camping I rode my bike, ran with the dog, and hiked up the foothills of the mountains. So even though I had a few splurges, I was still staying active :)
P.S. I would like to point out, that even though I was indulging a bit in the food, I still had some great exercise... when Marlenes and I went for our massages at the Aspen Club, we also took a pump class, plus we went on a couple hikes, plus while we were camping I rode my bike, ran with the dog, and hiked up the foothills of the mountains. So even though I had a few splurges, I was still staying active :)
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
probably not making the goal
Remember I wanted to be at 140 or 139 by Monday (my birthday)? Well, it probably won't happen. I appear to be on a plateau right now at 145 and I'm heading out Fri for a weekend birthday celebration trip (which means... not much restraint is planned in the eating department). i.e. Probably not going to lose any weight over the weekend, and therefore won't reach my goal. Bummer.
But I will enjoy my birthday with friends, and I will enjoy my favorite birthday pie Monday (even if I have to make it myself-I already bought the ingredients) :) so after Monday, I'll get back on my stricter plan to continue my weightloss journey. I'll keep u posted.
But I will enjoy my birthday with friends, and I will enjoy my favorite birthday pie Monday (even if I have to make it myself-I already bought the ingredients) :) so after Monday, I'll get back on my stricter plan to continue my weightloss journey. I'll keep u posted.
Friday, August 20, 2010
making progress, taking the plunge
Well, I've made some progress lately, so I took the plunge...
I wore my purple shorts with the black stripes to the gym today.
Of course before I put them on I spent a full five minutes trying to pull them in every direction possible to stretch them out as much as I could LOL (but very true).
They clung a tiny bit under my butt which I don't like, but the rest fit perfect. I even got compliments from my girlfriends, so even though I still think they would look better in another 5 pounds, evidently everyone else thinks they are ok. Even my husband seemed to think so ;)
I wore my purple shorts with the black stripes to the gym today.
Of course before I put them on I spent a full five minutes trying to pull them in every direction possible to stretch them out as much as I could LOL (but very true).
They clung a tiny bit under my butt which I don't like, but the rest fit perfect. I even got compliments from my girlfriends, so even though I still think they would look better in another 5 pounds, evidently everyone else thinks they are ok. Even my husband seemed to think so ;)
Friday, August 13, 2010
Those measurements I promised
Finally getting around to posting this... the measurements!
If you'll recall I promised I'd post the ugly numbers so that ideally someday I could compare them to improved numbers and revel in the glory of that progress with you. Well, today is the day. Here they are...
I took these measurements:
Date: 7/15---> 8/13
weight 155---> 145
diameter of widest thigh area 24.5"---> 24"
diameter around body at widest
butt area 40.5" --->39.75"
diameter at my panty waistline 34" --->33.25"
diameter at belly button 31" --->30"
There u have it. I've seen some improvement and I hope to keep improving. But I must admit I am starting to think/dream about cookies and snacks. I need to make sure I don't succumb, yet also don't feel deprived. Because the deprivation will cause me to fail. I'll keep u posted.
p.s. I DID eat a few chips and queso recently, but wasn't that satisfied by it (yippee) and didn't eat too much of it.
If you'll recall I promised I'd post the ugly numbers so that ideally someday I could compare them to improved numbers and revel in the glory of that progress with you. Well, today is the day. Here they are...
I took these measurements:
Date: 7/15---> 8/13
weight 155---> 145
diameter of widest thigh area 24.5"---> 24"
diameter around body at widest
butt area 40.5" --->39.75"
diameter at my panty waistline 34" --->33.25"
diameter at belly button 31" --->30"
There u have it. I've seen some improvement and I hope to keep improving. But I must admit I am starting to think/dream about cookies and snacks. I need to make sure I don't succumb, yet also don't feel deprived. Because the deprivation will cause me to fail. I'll keep u posted.
p.s. I DID eat a few chips and queso recently, but wasn't that satisfied by it (yippee) and didn't eat too much of it.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
More progress
Things are still going well. Been eating good (ok, a few chips with a few dips of queso at the restaurant on Sunday), and I'm down to almost 145. Its hovering just a hair over it , so its probably 145.5, which means I've lost 9.5 pounds so far. My clothes are already fitting better (yippee) in fact I'm wearing my chino shorts again and totally enjoying the way they fit-Yay! Now I did succumb to the temptation when my friend Jen brought over homemade cookies today (darn those cookies!) Don't know how many I ate but probably about 5. I TOLD you I like cookies! I'm secretly hoping to be at 140 (or 139 fingers crossed) by my birthday at the end of the month. I turn 40, and I'd like to be able to say and feel like "look at 40, pretty good", instead of feeling old and fat. Hopefully, I'll be at my goal so I can feel hip and healthy and 'young at heart', even if my age does say 40. Which by the way, my husband and I were discussing recently how fast the first 20 years went by (since h.s.), and at this rate, the next 20 could go fast too, and that means in a blink of an eye I'll be celebrating 60 (!!!) Yikes! Our parents are celebrating 60's, not us! Anyway we also came to realize that in 13 years BOTH our kids will be out of h.s.---wow! that is too fast, especially since our youngest is just starting school this year! Time better not go as fast as it has up to this point over the next 20 years because that will just be TOO fast! Anyway, enough of this, have a great night!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
progress continuing...
Still on vacation. Getting lots of walking and sweating in while at SeaWorld (ha ha), have also used the treadmill here at the hotel. Have eaten pretty good (ok, 3 shortbread Shamu cookies), and the gourmet mac and cheese at lunch today was probably alot more calories than the shrimp skewers I also ate. But if u are at new restaurants, sometimes u have to try new things, and it looked tasty. Even though I love salads, I don't want to eat them for EVERY meal!
They did have the most amazing looking dessert though -don't fret, I didn't get it- its my favorite, hot cookies and ice cream, mmmmmm! I was certainly contemplating it. But by the time I was done with lunch I was too full anyway. Thankfully. Remember Rene'-may taste good for moments on my lips, but will look horrible for TOO long on my butt!
They did have the most amazing looking dessert though -don't fret, I didn't get it- its my favorite, hot cookies and ice cream, mmmmmm! I was certainly contemplating it. But by the time I was done with lunch I was too full anyway. Thankfully. Remember Rene'-may taste good for moments on my lips, but will look horrible for TOO long on my butt!
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Progress report
I'm on my second day of vacation, and I'm still doing good. Today I actually REALLY wanted some ice cream -because it was so hot and because I couldn't eat much of anything (I'll explain later) and ice cream always go down really easy for me. But I didn't. Instead I grabbed a peach and 2 pieces of string cheese. Was very satisfying too so I'm glad I refrained. I haven't told anybody this, and I haven't really made a 'bet' with myself, but I'm sort of trying to see how long I can go with NO junk. Its going good so far :)
So to explain last night, yesterday we ate at a really great authentic mexican restaurant. I ate the most delicious shredded beef tacos ever. Very flavorful :) But they didn't bode so well with me (probably because my body was already kind of wacked out from the long bumpy (love these roads) ride here. I've come to realize that long car bumpy car rides sort of make me sick. Well combine that with these spicy tacos... oh it was a very long no-sleep filled night. I literally slept only a few hours and was in the bathroom on the toilet and trying to puke the rest of the night and early morning. I never did puke (I wish I had, because I know I would have felt better if I had) but was still very queasy with a sensitive stomach all day today, which means I ate only bland/healthy food and very little of it. Fortunately I feel better now so when we head to Sea World tomorrow I hope to be a peak form and have full energy and stamina for the day's events.
So to explain last night, yesterday we ate at a really great authentic mexican restaurant. I ate the most delicious shredded beef tacos ever. Very flavorful :) But they didn't bode so well with me (probably because my body was already kind of wacked out from the long bumpy (love these roads) ride here. I've come to realize that long car bumpy car rides sort of make me sick. Well combine that with these spicy tacos... oh it was a very long no-sleep filled night. I literally slept only a few hours and was in the bathroom on the toilet and trying to puke the rest of the night and early morning. I never did puke (I wish I had, because I know I would have felt better if I had) but was still very queasy with a sensitive stomach all day today, which means I ate only bland/healthy food and very little of it. Fortunately I feel better now so when we head to Sea World tomorrow I hope to be a peak form and have full energy and stamina for the day's events.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Best (and very healthy) meal I ever made!
A few weeks ago my husband taught me how to use the grill (I blogged on my other site about this). May sound simple, but I had no idea how to turn it on without fear of blowing it up. So now that I've learned I'm made some absolutely FABULOUS marinated chicken on it as well as veggies. Its the best way I like to eat chicken and since chix is about the only meat I eat, its nice to finally have a way to cook it that I actually look forward to eating it. (I'm not much of a meat person if u can tell). So I decided to try my marinade on shrimp ( I love flavorful grilled shrimp at restaurants but have never been able to duplicate it trying to grill them on the stove).
Oh
My
Word!
They were AWESOME! Best meal I ever made. Dan AND the girls loved them too (I didn't even make plain ones for the girls and they STILL loved them marinated!) I'm going to get them eating a wider variety of food yet, eh?
Well, anyway, it'd be nice if I could post some fancy homemade marinade sauce recipe for you. But I just use packets from the seasoning aisle. They are McCormick's Grill Mates. Tonight's flavor was Mojito Lime. FANTASTICO! And besides being delicious, its so incredibly healthy to cook on the grill! LOVING IT! (except for the sweating part. I came in at one point and my face was drenched in sweat and my daughter was like "Whoa what happened to you?!" lol
By the way I read to cook each side for 2 minutes. I did them a bit longer just because I couldn't get them flipped fast enough and I wanted to get some black grill marks on them. I also did them at medium heat for most of it, after I realized the grill was still on high from lighting it, and I finally turned it down (ha ha) (still getting this grilling technique down pat obviously) :)
I have some metal skewers so filled four of those, but had extra shrimp so cooked those in a grill pan (the kind with holes). All turned out fabulous.
By the way, on a funny note, I invited Dan's dad to eat with us because I thought I had too much shrimp. He couldn't come though. It turned out that was a good thing, because we devoured it ALL (it was so good!) and if there was more we probably would have eaten that too, ha ha.
Oh
My
Word!
They were AWESOME! Best meal I ever made. Dan AND the girls loved them too (I didn't even make plain ones for the girls and they STILL loved them marinated!) I'm going to get them eating a wider variety of food yet, eh?
Well, anyway, it'd be nice if I could post some fancy homemade marinade sauce recipe for you. But I just use packets from the seasoning aisle. They are McCormick's Grill Mates. Tonight's flavor was Mojito Lime. FANTASTICO! And besides being delicious, its so incredibly healthy to cook on the grill! LOVING IT! (except for the sweating part. I came in at one point and my face was drenched in sweat and my daughter was like "Whoa what happened to you?!" lol
By the way I read to cook each side for 2 minutes. I did them a bit longer just because I couldn't get them flipped fast enough and I wanted to get some black grill marks on them. I also did them at medium heat for most of it, after I realized the grill was still on high from lighting it, and I finally turned it down (ha ha) (still getting this grilling technique down pat obviously) :)
I have some metal skewers so filled four of those, but had extra shrimp so cooked those in a grill pan (the kind with holes). All turned out fabulous.
By the way, on a funny note, I invited Dan's dad to eat with us because I thought I had too much shrimp. He couldn't come though. It turned out that was a good thing, because we devoured it ALL (it was so good!) and if there was more we probably would have eaten that too, ha ha.
147
Well the countdown is on. Its been two weeks and I've gone from 155 to 147. The crazy thing is I haven't really changed my workout routine, but I have changed my eating habits. I haven't even cut out bread or pasta, I've simply only snacked on fruit and veggies instead of crackers/chips/ice cream/cookies. Its great to see this improvement just from good eating, but its also bittersweet because I had this knowledge all along (eating right is more important than working out), and I just didn't apply it regularily. It just shows you that it can be a lifestyle and not a diet, but it will still take choices and willpower, so I have to make sure that old mentality doesn't creep back ('I can eat whatever I want 'cause I'm skinny now') because if it does I won't be skinny for long and I don't want that to happen. Keep rooting for me to stay on track please :)
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Where do I start...
Well, if you've been reading this you know that I got pretty mad lately when I realized that all the clothes that should fit me, didn't. I also said I was going to make a change , and I am. I don't have all the figures yet (yes I promised to post measurements too and haven't yet), but I started this mess at 155 and I've already lost 5 pounds just by not eating JUNK, so I'm at 150. I was hoping after my 5 days in Houston I'd be UNDER 150 because the clothes that I took to wear there (that were going to be really tight, remember I was punishing myself lol), weren't that tight and were actually presentable in public. Still tighter than I like, but I could tell already that I had lost some by the way they fit. Good news.
I still want to get under 140. That is my goal. I want to stay there. That is my MAJOR goal. THAT goal is going to require a different gameplan than I have ever used in the past. So let me share some things I learned recently through a not-so-fun conversation with my husband, and share how some things have changed in my head which I believe will be instrumental in helping me attain my goals.
First off, some history.
I ate whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted until my freshman year of college when I gorged myself and wound up with stomaches (u'd think that would have told me to stop) and gained 25 (!) pounds. In h.s. I LITERALLY ate 5 HUGE servings of ice cream every day during the summer and ate all the candy bars I could find. I didn't have much pop, cookies, or chips bc my mom didn't keep them in our house, but I certainly made up for it with the ice cream, didn't I? I only weighed 120-125 then.
Well, fast forward several years, and unfortunately I realized I stillhave had this mentality.
When I'd reach my goal, I'd hold fast for awhile (even a few months), then I'd fall back into this old way of thinking that "I'm skinny, I can eat whatever I want". Well, guess what. I don't have the same metabolism that I had at 17 and I can't do that! So consequently, my weight since college has gone up and down, up and down, up and down, about 20 pounds in each direction. No fun.
Well, in talking to Dan, he made me realize that yes, people probably do 'crave' or "want' some things, but they make choices NOT to eat them. He himself does this. I get myself into my pity parties, whining to myself that its "not fair" that others can eat anything and not work out, or never seem to battle weight, but I do. So he made me realize that for most people (yes there are those lucky few who have such a great metabolism it doesn't seem to matter at all what they do), but for MOST people, they are making WISE choices. I wasn't. I was in la-la land thinking I could do one thing (eat anything) , but reality is , I can't (anymore). I am coming to face this reality head-on with the maturity of an adult. I'm not going to whine that its 'not fair'. I am going to accept it , and then deal with the cards I am being dealt. I am going to make wise choices. I am not going to eat candy bars/chips/ice cream all the time just because someone else might be partaking, including my kids. AND I'm reducing the amount of that stuff in our house so that they can start making healthier choices instead of always choosing crap for a snack. I'm not cutting it all out, because I think that can cause problems for kids, and its not fair to them to go cold-turkey on this when its not THEIR problem, its mine. But with less and less of it around, I am sure I will see them making better choices too, which of course can only be good news for them and their lives to grow up making wise food choices.
In our discussion, Dan couldn't get over the fact that I told him, that yes, in my head I really do want all that junk. I want (or used to) want to eat it. SO, in my mind, the step I'm in now is to NOT want it. To CHOOSE the jeans that fit and the happiness that brings, instead of the momentary taste of that item in my mouth. I purposely kept those hideous pictures I posted earlier on my camera, so that if I am out and about and about to falter, I can pull up those pictures and remind myself that NO I DON"T WANT THAT JUNK, not in my mouth, nor in my trunk!
I watch some people always trying to eat the healthy thing on a menu or plate, and I used to think (that's so sad, it seems so depressing to never get the 'good stuff' which is really the CRAP). Now I realize that they were doing what Dan talked about. They were making wise choices, they knew they couldn't eat anything they wanted to all the time, so they were making good choices so that they didn't have to battle yo-yo's all their days. I'm almost 40 (yes, I really do wish I still had the body and metabolism I had at 16-17. But I don't... so) I'm going to have to be more diligent in my choices ALL THE TIME, not just when I'm on a 'kick' to lose it then gain it all back because of that old la-la land mentality that doesn't work for me anymore (obviously). So there u have it, that's my game plan... realizing that it IS going to take EFFORT, but that effort will be well rewarded and worth it in the LONG RUN, not just in short runs. I'm not in la-la land anymore, I am facing this head-on and its just the way it is. Is it fair? probably not, but its life.
I still want to get under 140. That is my goal. I want to stay there. That is my MAJOR goal. THAT goal is going to require a different gameplan than I have ever used in the past. So let me share some things I learned recently through a not-so-fun conversation with my husband, and share how some things have changed in my head which I believe will be instrumental in helping me attain my goals.
First off, some history.
I ate whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted until my freshman year of college when I gorged myself and wound up with stomaches (u'd think that would have told me to stop) and gained 25 (!) pounds. In h.s. I LITERALLY ate 5 HUGE servings of ice cream every day during the summer and ate all the candy bars I could find. I didn't have much pop, cookies, or chips bc my mom didn't keep them in our house, but I certainly made up for it with the ice cream, didn't I? I only weighed 120-125 then.
Well, fast forward several years, and unfortunately I realized I still
When I'd reach my goal, I'd hold fast for awhile (even a few months), then I'd fall back into this old way of thinking that "I'm skinny, I can eat whatever I want". Well, guess what. I don't have the same metabolism that I had at 17 and I can't do that! So consequently, my weight since college has gone up and down, up and down, up and down, about 20 pounds in each direction. No fun.
Well, in talking to Dan, he made me realize that yes, people probably do 'crave' or "want' some things, but they make choices NOT to eat them. He himself does this. I get myself into my pity parties, whining to myself that its "not fair" that others can eat anything and not work out, or never seem to battle weight, but I do. So he made me realize that for most people (yes there are those lucky few who have such a great metabolism it doesn't seem to matter at all what they do), but for MOST people, they are making WISE choices. I wasn't. I was in la-la land thinking I could do one thing (eat anything) , but reality is , I can't (anymore). I am coming to face this reality head-on with the maturity of an adult. I'm not going to whine that its 'not fair'. I am going to accept it , and then deal with the cards I am being dealt. I am going to make wise choices. I am not going to eat candy bars/chips/ice cream all the time just because someone else might be partaking, including my kids. AND I'm reducing the amount of that stuff in our house so that they can start making healthier choices instead of always choosing crap for a snack. I'm not cutting it all out, because I think that can cause problems for kids, and its not fair to them to go cold-turkey on this when its not THEIR problem, its mine. But with less and less of it around, I am sure I will see them making better choices too, which of course can only be good news for them and their lives to grow up making wise food choices.
In our discussion, Dan couldn't get over the fact that I told him, that yes, in my head I really do want all that junk. I want (or used to) want to eat it. SO, in my mind, the step I'm in now is to NOT want it. To CHOOSE the jeans that fit and the happiness that brings, instead of the momentary taste of that item in my mouth. I purposely kept those hideous pictures I posted earlier on my camera, so that if I am out and about and about to falter, I can pull up those pictures and remind myself that NO I DON"T WANT THAT JUNK, not in my mouth, nor in my trunk!
I watch some people always trying to eat the healthy thing on a menu or plate, and I used to think (that's so sad, it seems so depressing to never get the 'good stuff' which is really the CRAP). Now I realize that they were doing what Dan talked about. They were making wise choices, they knew they couldn't eat anything they wanted to all the time, so they were making good choices so that they didn't have to battle yo-yo's all their days. I'm almost 40 (yes, I really do wish I still had the body and metabolism I had at 16-17. But I don't... so) I'm going to have to be more diligent in my choices ALL THE TIME, not just when I'm on a 'kick' to lose it then gain it all back because of that old la-la land mentality that doesn't work for me anymore (obviously). So there u have it, that's my game plan... realizing that it IS going to take EFFORT, but that effort will be well rewarded and worth it in the LONG RUN, not just in short runs. I'm not in la-la land anymore, I am facing this head-on and its just the way it is. Is it fair? probably not, but its life.
one day at a time
I've been in Houston for the week. Things have been going good. I took workout clothes hoping I might get in 3 workouts while away, but only got in 1 mile run (in 98degree heat). Its ok. I ate cereal, oatmeal, and one regular meal per day. Twice we were at cafeteria type arenas and didn't have anything I really wanted, but still feel I did ok on what I did wind up eating. And I was full, without being stuffed, so that was good. One thing for me is learning to stop before it hurts.
Was staying with my mom-in-law in the camper and she had a bag of mini candy bars she had purchased mainly for my girls. Inormally previously would have been craving those and eating as many of those as possible at a time , but not this time. I didn't eat a single one, and I wasn't bummed about it.
Last night Dan and I played in a dodgeball tournament (a whole 'nother hilarious story in and of itself!) and afterwards we all went out to a restaurant to play pool etc. Everyone ordered buffalo wings, nachos, mozz sticks, chix fingers, potatoe skins, etc. Everyone that is but me. And you know what? I didn't even want it. I was not sitting there agonizing over the fact that I wasn't eating a mozz stick (like I used to do when the girls ordered them and I 'tried' not to eat one). I truly didn't want any, wasn't hungry, and certainly didn't wasnt THAT food.
YIPPEE for me! 99% of my success and failure in choosing the right foods is mental, so if I can get the mental part down (not desiring it), then I win win win.
Also on an 'improvement' note... Dan and I went to Bonefish before the game. I told him I wanted to get my free Bang Bang Shrimp that I love so much. He said I thought u were giving that up (with my new desire to eat better). I said no, Bang Bang will always be with me :) BUT I ordered it with the sauce on the side and probably only used a tablespoon out of the cup they gave me. So instead of about 1300 calories, I'm sure it was ALOT better. It still tasted great and I still got my hot Bang Bang flavor!
Anyway, I've got a post I need to write about my rude awakening in my weight history/hurdles, but I've been away all week, so that enlightening post will have to wait to be written ;) talk soon chickas!
Was staying with my mom-in-law in the camper and she had a bag of mini candy bars she had purchased mainly for my girls. I
Last night Dan and I played in a dodgeball tournament (a whole 'nother hilarious story in and of itself!) and afterwards we all went out to a restaurant to play pool etc. Everyone ordered buffalo wings, nachos, mozz sticks, chix fingers, potatoe skins, etc. Everyone that is but me. And you know what? I didn't even want it. I was not sitting there agonizing over the fact that I wasn't eating a mozz stick (like I used to do when the girls ordered them and I 'tried' not to eat one). I truly didn't want any, wasn't hungry, and certainly didn't wasnt THAT food.
YIPPEE for me! 99% of my success and failure in choosing the right foods is mental, so if I can get the mental part down (not desiring it), then I win win win.
Also on an 'improvement' note... Dan and I went to Bonefish before the game. I told him I wanted to get my free Bang Bang Shrimp that I love so much. He said I thought u were giving that up (with my new desire to eat better). I said no, Bang Bang will always be with me :) BUT I ordered it with the sauce on the side and probably only used a tablespoon out of the cup they gave me. So instead of about 1300 calories, I'm sure it was ALOT better. It still tasted great and I still got my hot Bang Bang flavor!
Anyway, I've got a post I need to write about my rude awakening in my weight history/hurdles, but I've been away all week, so that enlightening post will have to wait to be written ;) talk soon chickas!
Monday, July 19, 2010
Throwing it away!
Went to the store and returned $18 worth of m&m's, ice cream, and chips. Also threw out 3 bags full of junk food from our house. Its not empty (amazing after getting rid of that much stuff eh?), but at least now there isn't a plethera of stuff to tempt me. Need to set a better example for my kids by snacking on carrots and celery or fruit instead of junk. I will keep u posted. I'm still pissed. But I'm trying not to be pissed at the world. (That's my problem, when I get mad, I get mad at EVERYTHING, and that's not fair to those around me, so I'm trying to direct my anger appropriately). hopefully I'll have a good progress report when I get back Fri.
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