Just a Number

Image found: http://victorianrose.ecrater.com/p/2450803/this-is-number-eight-a-happiness

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When I made the commitment to change my habits, weight and life on January 1st, I was scared witless.  I had no idea that I would be successful. I'd never had a substantial amount of weight to lose, and the psychological triggers behind my overeating were overwhelming at times. Maybe I would be the human who would defy physics and continue to grow fatter no matter what!

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Anyone who makes that first serious step toward making a change - be it weight loss or some other goal- should be commended for their bravery. It is, after all, a major leap of faith. They have no idea how much work, perseverance, willpower or stubbornness it will take to succeed. They only know that the unknown finally looks better than what they see in the mirror.

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Seven months ago, I avoided full length mirrors at all costs. I'd find myself in a dressing room trying on clothes ONLY when I had outgrown everything in my closet. I'd change as fast as I could, and glance up only to see if the fit would be passable. That feeling has slowly changed over the past few months, but it will take time for my mental body image to catch up with my physical one. I put on about a pound a month for 4 and a half years, and have lost over 35 pounds in the past seven months.

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I had a "use it or lose it" coupon for Old Navy last week. For the first time in over 5 years, I put on a pair of size 8 jeans and stared at myself in wonder. Not only did they fit, they looked damn good. Sophie stared at me and said, "You look HOT, Mom!" In my head, I thought, "I KNOW!"

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It's way too warm to wear those jeans now, but you know what? If I have a bad day, I'll be putting them on and dancing around in front of the mirror. NOT going through the MacDonald's drive thru. Eight may be just a number, but right now, to me, it's a badge of honor. A certificate of amazing achievement. I have many things in my life to be thankful for, and proud of, but this ranks right up there. Anyone who has been there knows exactly how I feel, and anyone who wants to be there, I sincerely wish you all the best. You CAN do it!!

Friday's Favorite Fabric Finds

Oh my goodness!  The fabrics I have to share today are GOR.GEE.US!!!  I can't believe I found even one of them, let alone four:

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Sick, right?  The second one down is 100% cotton, too!  The last one... the LOVE one?  I couldn't get over its mod grooviness.  I was thrashing around in the thrift aisle with that one, madly checking for the tag to make sure it was real vintage and not some new-fangled lookalike.  Yeah baby- total 70s.

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I had something awesome happen the other day, and I just have to share!  Anyone who's been reading over the last few months knows I'm working hard to find my way back to my slim self.  Well, as I grew bigger and bigger over the years, I slowly donated my "thin" clothes as I grew more certain that I'd never fit into them again.  I'm at a point where most of my pants are way too big.  I've been belting them and hoping to just limp along until it gets warm enough to just buy new capris/shorts for the summer. 

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So, as I was moving some things around in my laundry room the other day, a glimpse of khaki peeked out at me from the bottom of my "iron these things someday" pile.  Further investigation turned up not one, not two, but FOUR pairs of bottoms that now fit me!  Manna from heaven!  It was like finding money in your pocket, but better!  Happy dance, happy dance!  I realize this says quite a bit about the state of my laundry room, since I know I haven't worn these pants for about 3 years, lol!  Don't judge me, OK?  ;)

Hasta La Vista Chubby

I am not a health nut, not by a long shot.  But, in my 2012 quest to regain my girlish figure, I've been forced to take a good hard look at some of my very unhealthy habits and make some changes.  Fast food can be blamed for a good portion of the pounds I packed on over the last few years.  Or rather, my EATING of the fast food on a regular basis.  It's so easy.  So satisfying.  Such a lovely guilty pleasure!  I knew it wasn't going to be easy to cut it out of my life, but it had to be done. 

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Since I am often on-the-go at the lunch hour, I now make sure I have easy to eat snacks packed before I leave the house.  Carrots, nuts, pretzels.  Anything that's "good" to grab when I get hungry, so that I don't start looking around at restaurants and tempting myself with things I shouldn't be eating.  That works most of the time, but occasionally I find myself without my personal supply.  I've learned not to panic about this.

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Determined not to fall back into old patterns, my first line of defense is usually to find the nearest Subway.  Failing that, there's always the pre-packed healthy snacks that they now carry in most grocery stores.   Sometimes you just don't want to get out of the car, though.  Am I right?  It's sad, but true.  Enter the weight-conscious person's dreamy little McDonald's treat: the fruit and walnut salad!  Lowfat yogurt, crunchy glazed walnuts, seedless grapes and red and green apple slices.  210 calories and only $1.49.  This little number has really saved me a few times, so I thought I'd pass it along. 

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I'm down over 25 pounds since January, and I'm NOT willing to go back.  I try to add something new to my regimen every month while maintaining what I did the previous months.  So, in January I quit drinking alcohol and eating fast food.  February I added walking.  March I added going to the gym.  April I increased my cardio workouts.  May is "add abdominal exercises" month.  Now that my stomach isn't sticking out further than my chest, I'm ready to tighten up my mid-section.  Do you have any special diet tips that work for you?  Any sure-fire "million dollar abs in 20 seconds" routines to share?  Please leave a comment!