Like many women, my weight is something that has been a struggle for me most of my life. I have gone up and down with it since Junior High. I've had 3 kids. I've been on and off of Weight Watchers since 2002.
I am up towards almost my highest adult weight ever. This is not ok. Not for me. My baby is almost 2 years old now, so this certainly can't be blamed on "baby weight". This is all me... lazy, complete lack of self control, no motivation.
I've gotten into the terrible habit of enjoying cold beers in the evenings a few times a week. Now I know why they say "beer gut". Gross.
Also, I really like food. I like it a lot. When pizza night rolls around, it's no holds barred. After preschool on Friday's, it's Thai food. Baked treats throughout the week. Snacking and grazing though the day... It's a big problem. It's a really big problem...
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| This is how BIG my problem is. It's really, really big. (And yes... I'm still playing with the idea that I may have lost my mind for sharing this photo publicly. WHAT is wrong with me???!!!) |
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| 2008. Just 10 months after baby #2. Down to about 135 lbs. From here, I lost another 8 lbs. |
And here I am, this morning. Not so good stuff...
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| No, seriously. WHAT is wrong with me??!! Am I really about to put a picture of my big booty on the big old internet? Ack! |
Ok. Now, down to the nitty gritty. Yes, I'm aware that I am not "morbidly obese". I'm probably not even to the point where if I was walking through the store someone would say "Check out the fatty!" However, I am 38 pounds overweight. And, even more importantly, I'm uncomfortable. I don't feel great.
I want to feel great again!
But I also want to feel happy and not stressing about my weight all the time.
So... is it possible for me to feel great physically and mentally? I think it has to happen.
I'm not planning on getting back down to my thinnest weight of around 2009. But... something's got to change. I'm down to one pair of jeans that fits me right now, and one pair of "mom shorts". Unacceptable.
The problem is that I don't really have a game plan right now. Mentally (and time-wise) I'm not really in a place to go to Weight Watchers again. It's just not going to happen. And I don't do well with the online program.
Craptastic.
I think the first step was calling myself out here in a public forum. I think my next step will be a simple awareness of what I'm putting into my mouth, and how much of it. And how often. Also, I'd really like to figure out some way to incorporate walking into my routine, at least a few times a week.
What next?
Obviously, I need to find my motivation. But how??? This commercial comes to mind. I hear it on the radio often.
What can you say to me to help? Please don't tell me I'm fat, please don't tell me "diet and exercise, ya moron!". Because, I KNOW that. But how do I get there? How do I juggle 3 kids at 3 schools and Dr appt's and PT/OT appts and housework and baseball and errands and still manage to give a darn what I weigh? How do I not take that cupcake, and then how do I not take that 2nd one? How do I not give in to that ice cold beer after a long, hot, stressful day?
Have you done it? How did you do it? I've done it before, I feel like I should know. But I think that part of me got lost in the shuffle somewhere...
Make a goal, it doesn't have to be a number, maybe it's fit into a dress you love. Then replace snacks with more healthy ones, air popped popcorn instead of potato chips keep healthy fruit and veggies around. Drink more water this will help with cravings. Most of all make yourself a priority. You didn't gain the weight in a day so you can't loose it in a day either. But each day you can try walk a little bit more, eat a bit healthier, and you might surprise yourself. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteHi! My name is Adrienne, I am a single mother of 4 and I so completely feel you!!! I went to see my Dr. a week ago, and she called me obese!!! UGH!!! I really in my heart of hearts, did not ever think OBESE! Chubby, yeah, obese no. I appreciate your honesty on the "subject", everyday is a new day to start anew. Oh, yeah I heard drinking warm water with lemon juice in the mornings 30 minutes before breakfast might help jump start your "diet"...
ReplyDeleteHope that helps.
Thanks for your comment Adrienne! I hope that you are doing well. Sorry to hear that you are also struggling. It's such a challenge. I wish you the best!
DeleteYou are AMAZING! I wish we lived closer, because I know we would be GREAT friends. (I think this every time I read your blog.) About 2 years ago, I lost 40 lbs. I just set a goal and didn't let anything stop me! I was determined. My "baby" was 6 at the time, so you are ahead of me in wanting to get the weight off! Gum was a HUGE help to me, I would chew it anytime I was hungry. Also, my husband lost weight right along side me, so that helped. And I did count calories, this worked for me, you just have to find what works for you. When I started I HATED to exercise, but I did it because I knew it would help. Now, I look forward to working out. :) I worked out on an elliptical and rewarded myself with my favorite show. I told myself that the only way I could watch that show, was if I was on the elliptical. This is what worked for me. Like I said, find what motivates you; new clothes, a night out, $$, whatever. And if you need a friend to help keep you on track, I can be that friend! (tory.jackson@gmail.com) You can do it! It feels SO great when you reach that goal!
ReplyDeleteOh, Tory, thanks so much for your kind and supportive words! I appreciate having you as a reader, and the advice that you shared also. Hope you are well!
DeleteI have absolutely no advice here, just commiseration. I've gained about 25lbs over the last two years. I've taken off 15, but those last 10 are still hanging around and UGH. I really can't seem to get motivated enough to lose them once and for all.
ReplyDeleteWeight gain is Craptastic.
DeleteMy weight issues are exactly the same. My litle guy is now three years old. My baby weight didn't come off even though I am running everywhere with him. I guess that congratulations you made it through the morning cookie isn't paying off :) I know that I should eat better but I did Weight Watchers pre-baby and lost over 55 lbs. I don't want to do it again... I just want it to happen. I don't want to do all the work to loose the weight and then have another baby!! I hope that you motivate me to get over it and loose the weight :) Glad that I found your blog tonight!
ReplyDeleteAlison! Your comment just made my night! It feels good knowing that there are people out there who can relate.
DeleteI'm still struggling... I lost about 2 pounds since I posted this about a month ago... But knowing that there are still people looking at this should be enough to substantially motivate me. PLEASE feel free to follow my blog with Google Friend Connect so that you can follow my weight loss, and hold me to it!
Thanks again! Best wishes :)
Honestly, Bethenny Frankel's books Naturally Thin and The Skinny Girl Dish are, in my opinion, the best "diet books" ever. Because they don't send you on some really hard or really crazy fad diet. Her whole mantra is about forming your eating habits into a lifestyle, not a temporary "diet". She tells you "how to eat" not "what to eat" and it's the most heplpful thing I've ever read or heard of. I could go on and on and on about all the great LONG TERM and SUSTAINABLE ideas she has, but it would take forever and you really should just buy them instead lol. And in skinny girl dish she talks about how she knows what it feels like to come home after a long day of work, sit on the couch, and be way too tired or overworked to cook a meal. She teaches you how to use the things you have in your house, without having a recipe, to whip up something healthy instead of giving into junk because it's faster and easier. Alright, I'll step off my soapbox now :)
ReplyDelete