One Year, Baby!

One Year, Baby!

     This is my one year post.  Yeah, I'm a little late, but by now, you have all probably come to understand that I'm not on time very often.  But, here we go, Folks.  Back in December, 2012, I weighed 232 lbs, my blood pressure was 190/140 and I was having migraines and nose bleeds.  My schedule was crazy - literally 5:30 am - midnight pretty much every day.  When I wasn't working, I found something to work on.  I felt heavy physically, emotionally and spiritually.  I felt ugly and like a football player next to thinner women.  I ate waaaay too much, easily 2500 - 3500 calories a day.  Spaghetti was my weakness and I ate it at least once a week.

     I had been on diets before, of course.  Those high protein diets make me sick.  Invariably, I get stomach pains and for some crazy reason, my period will start up out of the blue.  THAT can't be normal and goodness knows, I only want THAT once a month - not TWICE!  Eating salads just made me want a cheeseburger.  Who gets full on a salad?  Diet drinks, fat pills, binging/purging, massive working out were all things I tried.  But, in December, 2012, I decided to take control.

     Now-a-days, I am eating 1500 - 1800 calories per day.  I've lost 21 lbs in the pictures below, but honestly, I've lost a couple more since these pix were taken just a few days ago.  I drink about 6 glasses of water per day and if I drink soda, it's diet and I generally, can't finish one.  I eat spaghetti about once a month now and ironically, have found that if I over-eat on it, I get sick and have to throw up.  So, my body is forcing me to keep control of that vice.  I've always struggled with dinner - and eating too much at dinner.  I'm doing better with that weakness.  I've concentrated on trying to make my meals more even as far as calories go.  I don't always succeed, but I try.  I used to eat a lot of fast food.  I've definitely reduced that and try to make better choices I can deal with when I find myself at a Mac, Jack or Carl's. I am on blood pressure medication and it's normal - no more migraines or nose bleeds.

     From October - December, I kind of fell off the wagon and gained back 8 lbs.  Man, was that tough.  I almost gave up and felt like a failure.  But, something about the New Year kicked me back into gear.  I've lost 6 of those 8 lbs and moving forward.

     When I took the original pictures below (that's the ones on the left), it was a spur of the moment - here, take these pictures kind of thing.  I'm really glad I did.  I haven't looked at them really, all year until I took the next set (those on the right).  I look at them now and see a tired, bloated woman who looks older than the woman next to her.  I feel like my face just looked like I was dragging where now, I look much more perky.  Not my boobs, but at least at 42, my personality can be perky. LOL sorry, I digress .... I did have to buy different shorts and tank top but I tried to make them consistent with the originals.  Here's my progress at 21 lbs down...

Starting Weight: 232lbs

Current Weight: 211 lbs

Starting Size: 20/22

Current Size: 16

Neck: -0.75"
Bicep: -1.25"
Chest: -3.5"
Upper Stomach: -3.25"
Waist: -5.5"
Belly Button: - 3.5"
Lower Stomach: -3.0"
Hips: -3.25"
Thigh: -2.25"
Calf: -0.5"
Total: -26.75"

Front View

Side View

Back View - My Favorite

Turtle Neck View

(original is on the right in this one, and the newest is on the left)

Side note: I took the pic on the right thinking I looked pretty hot until I saw the picture and went, OMG, THAT's what my chin/neck looks like?  Really bothered me so part of this journey of mine is to restore my neck and chin as two separate beings instead of one long, turkey neck.

     So, how are you, doing, my friends?  Are you inching forward?  I am proof that small changes in "your reality" can make big differences.  It's not a get thin quick scheme.  I can't promise you will be in a bikini by summer, but I can promise you that you'll feel better about yourself if you keep going.  Take measurements and record them - take photos and be accountable to yourself.  Find the nutrition path you can live with, that allows you to feel and look the way you want.  I have more to go ... really want to be down another 19 lbs by the end of the year. Today, I weighed in at 209.6.  10 more pounds and I'm under 200 for the first time in years.  That's my next goal.  I want to encourage you all to keep your goals and to never, EVER give up. Until next time, my fellow Fat Chicks .... love ya!

Come to Jesus Blog

Photo Credit: http://www.zazzle.com/lets_have_a_come_to_jesus_meeting_shirt-235505740032811807

You know, I really did mean to write.

You have all been on my mind the past couple of months but did I stay in touch?

Noooo.

I really did mean to stay on track but if it ain't one thing ... it's fifty!

In the past three months, I've:

• Started dating a guy
• Realized he was crazy
• Stopped dating the guy
• Had Halloween candy
• Had Thanksgiving dinner
• Had Christmas dinner
• Had an amazing trip to San Diego full of good food

Good Lord ... Yes, I meant to stay on track, but I fell off it somewhere around the time I dropped, "Crazy." I went from 208 (wow was I proud the day THAT was on the scale!) back up to 217 (yyyyeah ... not so proud that day).

Yeah, I had good intentions but let's face it, good intentions just aren't enough.  So, this is my "Come to Jesus" blog, my "I'm sorry I'll never do it again" - Oh, who am I kidding?  My "I'll try harder blog" - My "quit my excuses" blog.  In short ....

Well, I did survive the holidays and I'm back on track.  My Fitness Pal accepted my heart felt apology and we are friends again.  I'm back to logging and am happy to say I'm logging pretty much every day now and going strong.

I'm back to doing my bathroom exercises too.  At my new job, I have to walk down a long corridor to get to the bathroom.  I timed it one way and it's 30 seconds.  So round trip is a minute.  I'm keeping track of those walks, walking a little faster and twisting my upper body (to work my obliques) 25x (each side) by the time I reach the bathroom.  Yyyyyeah ... I only do the twists when no one else is around.

Also, I'm taking the stairs 2-3x a day.  72 stairs - 4 flights - not bad.  It's a minute up and a minute down.  I'm keeping track of this too and logging it.  It's hard on my knees though - they sound like gravel shaking up in a can.  So, I've also started taking Glucosimine to help them out.  Haven't seen an improvement yet but I hear it takes awhile.

I'm also trying to do two work outs a week.  I have been going to the gym and walking my dog (who has FINALLY learned how to walk on a leash without dragging me!)

I've been trying to make better food choices as well.  I have reduced my caloric goal to 1560 on My Fitness Pal.  I'm shooting for 1560 - 1800 now.  Just a few weeks ago, I was back to 2000 - 2200 per day.  It just took some adjustments to reign myself back in.  It's hard to believe in December 2012, I was eating 2500 - 3500 calories a day.

All these good intentions are hard for me to forgive but I have pulled up my boot straps and heading back in to battle!  What about you?

Photo Credit: http://brunswickplantationliving.com/new-years-resolutions-promises-bev-filer/

Constant Cravings

Constant Cravings

Photo Credit: undergroundwellness.com

"Even through the darkest phase,

Be it thick or thin,

Always someone marches brave,

Here beneath my skin,

And constant craving,

Has always been." 

- K.D. Lang

(Listen to K.D. Lang's beautiful voice singing Constant Craving here:)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXqPjx94YMg

Cravings

by Beth Weston

I'm going along, doing GREAT

When suddenly I'm reminded of something I ate.

Might have been last year, last month or last night

And, I find my mouth salivating for just another bite.

Be it spaghetti, ice cream, chocolate or fries

It pulls me in with another set of lies..

You're sure to work it off when next you work out

(though you never go, so what's that all about?)

It's just one candy bar, or second plate of food

Eat quickly and no one would possibly know but you

Ahh, the taste - so sweet, so salty, so NOW

Go ahead and pinch an inch, you weak little cow ...

Oh these lies I tell myself when I want to be bad

Then, I wind up frustrated, bloated and mad

What to do? What to do?  When I want what I want?

And every aisle in the store seems to sparkle and taunt?

Of course there's that one week every girl dreads

Chips n Chocolate, Chips n Chocolate is all in her head

So what, my friend, can you possibly do?

To avoid the temptation and and focus on you?

It's OKAY to indulge and even salivate

I would never be one to say it's not a normal state!

It's how much, and of what, that will definitely tell

If you just had a small indulgence or totally fell

Take a few fries off your kids plate - but oh, just a few

Maybe a small ice cream once in awhile will do

Don't forget this is war, so don't fall in the pit

Controlling this small thing is no easy shit.

Be proud when you win

Be forgiving when you "sin"

Get up the next day, stretch and skip the scale

Just one day, so you don't feel you failed

Push yourself forward, keep moving ahead

Indulge rarely, and mostly make healthy choices instead!

Pretty soon, you'll see that your tastes aren't the same

The indulgences are fewer and might even seem lame

Because you change your normal from fattening to free

It won't be long until your salivating for what you might BE

You can do this, my friend,

You can win this war!

So get up once again

And flip off that store.

Challenge of the Day:

Cravings happen - just learn how to control them so they don't control you.  I challenge you to control them one craving at a time.  You get double points if you control them when you're PMSing!

Give Me My Stripper Pole, Please ...

Stripper Pole, Please...

Photo Credit: www.flickr.com

Now, I might not be as flexible as Barbie, or look that good in sequins ....

I certainly don't have a pout that seductive ...

and Ken has never, ever tried to hand me a dollar bill .... 

And, if you have gotten to know me well enough through my blogs, you would know that not only would I never attempt to fling my body at a stripper pole (let alone, subject some poor man to watching it) but the fact is, I'd probably wind up being one of those girls in the videos where the pole falls down and I land on my !@#$%^!

So, why then, is the theme of this blog about stripping, you ask?

Well, today it happened.

That "it" I've been waiting for to happen since December 7, 2012.  

I found myself repeatedly pulling up my pants.

Then, I found myself absent-mindedly playing with the thigh on the pants because there was plenty to tug.

And, it hit me ... these pants are too damn big.

I went to the bathroom and checked things out.  These pants used to leave a mark at the waist when I would wear them.  I checked the waist band and guess what?  It pulled out several inches.  And, I found myself measuring the pant legs - wow, at least 4-5" of give in the pant leg.  As they rested on my hips and I pulled them up one more time, I looked at myself in the mirror and thought, 

"YOU GO GIRL."

I hadn't really seen the difference though my measurements were telling me I should be seeing something going on.  And, someone told me this week they had lost 50 lbs in 6 months and I got discouraged that I've only lost 15 since December.  But, just like the dents I wrote about before, this was another motivator.  Keep going and maybe, juuuuust maybe I'll buy that stripper pole someday.

Yeah, probably not.  But, that's ok.

As for feeling discouraged about that other person's weight loss (jealous much?), I have to remember that he is on his own journey while mine is completely different.  Where he could drop his weight down that fast, I have learned that quick weight loss doesn't work for me. Why?  Because I wind up losing my motivation and gaining it back. This is not a diet, this is a journey.  My journey.  Little by little as I inch my way along to smaller pants, form-fitting sexy dresses (instead of tents) and cute bathingsuits, I need to remember what I am doing.  I am changing my normal.  

I'm so glad you are here with me.  I'm so happy to share this journey with you all and hope your journey is going well.  Until next time, you wonderful, beautiful, fellow Fat Chicks ....

Challenge of the Day:

Keep your chin up, keep on your journey and watch out for your opportunity to invest in your own stripper pole! Just kidddding!

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Granny Panties

Granny Panties

Photo Credit: www.facebook.com

"I'm on the internet ... wearing a diaper?

I'm gonna binge drink now until I pass out." 

 Miri from Zack and Miri make a Porno

There's something to be said about Granny Panties.  They're comfy, cover your butt and are made of cotton so they breathe.  They don't roll down over your belly and wind up at your hips.  You feel like they even offer just a tad bit of tummy control.  And, when it gets down to it and you walk over a man hole and the gust of wind blows up your white dress, all the goods are covered.

Ladies, ladies, ladies ... in case no one has clued you in, Granny Panties are about as sexy as a block of cheese.  Sure, they serve a purpose but you wouldn't put a block of cheese out on a dish and expect people to oooo and ahhh to get a nibble, would you? Be honest ... when was the last time you put on a pair of Granny Panties and twisted in the mirror to admire how they looked?  Probably never.

Photo Credit: efashionhelp.com

Whether you are small, medium, large, extra large or fluffy, you deserve to feel beautiful.  You deserve to wear pretty things that make you feel feminine.  Soft fabrics, lace, flowers, hearts and maybe even a little dangle. Don't get me wrong, I'm not talking G-strings, Thongs or anything else itty-bitty that would cut into you.  I want you to be comfortable, yet remember that even large, you are still a woman and women love to feel beautiful.  I like what the model in the picture above is wearing.  She's not a stick, yet is wearing something pretty.  She's still covered, yet feminine and sexy. Having hair like that certainly doesn't hurt!

Putting on Granny Panties is like putting on an apron.  It serves a purpose, can get dirty and can be washed with bleach.  But, sliding on something soft against your skin immediately gives you the feeling of being feminine.  And, no one needs to know (unless you want them to know), but this feeling is just for you. 

Why is that important?  Because taking care of yourself, doing nice things for yourself and allowing yourself to feel beautiful is one step towards self confidence.  Once your self confidence grows, your desire to keep changing your body will grow as well. Pretty soon, you'll notice someone noticing you with a sparkle in their eye.  It all starts within yourself.  It's personal, right?  Start somewhere, my friend.  Start small and let it grow.

Challenge of the Day:

Go buy yourself some pretty panties and bras today.  You don't have to tell anyone but allow that soft feeling of femininity to come over you.  Allow yourself to feel beautiful.  Until next time!

Work Out Buddies

Work Out Buddies

Photo Credit: acam.typepad.com

You see them coming from a mile away ... clad in sexy work out attire, looking fly, daring you NOT to check out that cleavage.  They've got swagger, and strut their stuff like beauty queens.  You half expect one to pull a stripper pole out of her bag.

Yeah right.  

I don't know about you but those socks would irritate the hell outta me, that chain would find a fold to fall into, my boob would flop out mid-stride and that gold uni-tard would have sweat stains in the most unattractive places ... When I work out, I tend to be in an over-sized shirt and shorts and well, that's just fine enough for me.

But, these girls have an important thing to teach you.  Yes, they do. Yeah, I'm serious.

They kinda match each other in flamboyance and confidence/arrogance.  And, that's what we are talking about today ... finding a good work out buddy that matches YOU.

It's so hard to find that person, isn't it?  To be honest, my most consistent work out buddy is my dog.  She is always ready to go and motivates me (read: pulls my arm out of its socket) to keep going when we go for a walk.  Most of the work out buddies I've had fall by the wayside sooner or later.  They are either too busy, too tangled up in drama or not dedicated to hitting the gym as you are.  It's irritating.  Kinda like those socks, isn't it?  Just rubs you the wrong way.

So, here's my recommendation ... find yourself a good friend hopefully that is as motivated as you are.  Don't go work out with a Barbie doll because you won't feel motivated but will feel self-conscious next to her like she brought along her favorite football player to hold her pom-pom's.  Know what I mean?  So, someone that matches you but wants it as badly as you do. This person should motivate you, encourage you and cheer you on - just like you should do for her.

Next, pick a time that is realistic and that you both can commit to showing up.  If you are a trained tri-athlete, you MIGHT be willing to hit the gym at 4am "to beat the rush."  But, for most of us, dragging our butts out of bed at 0 dark 30 is just that ... a drag.  Right after school gets out is another bad time - why?  Well, Mom will probably have to run errands, take the kids to soccer practice or do homework so not a good time.  For  me, the best time is after dinner.  The day is done, kids are fed, homework's completed (I hope), my errands are run and after I'm done, I can shower and hit the sheets.  I like it too because I feel like I've burned off some of the calories I've put on during the day and I can feel it the next morning.

Hopefully, you find someone who's in it for the long haul and not just for 30 days.  That is so irritating!  Maybe you can't go every day, but try and at least commit to 2 - 3 times a week together.  You will see a difference!!

Challenge of the Day!

Match yourself up with a good work out buddy!  Then, motivate each other, encourage one another, laugh during your work out and have fun.  You will find that working out is not a bore or a drain, but something you look forward to!  Until next time, you lovely Fat Chicks ...

!@#$% Thigh Gap!

Photo Credit: Totallyloveit.com

Have you heard about this?

Not only do we have to worry about having a flat stomach, perky boobs, full butt, toned legs and arms, but NOW we have to worry about whether we have Thigh Gap.

WTH??

If it wasn't enough that I have to worry about all these other things, I now need to worry about whether I have a GAP where my thighs meet up with my coochie-coochie-coo?

Good Lord.  

When I lived in California, I would see women stand like this all time:

Photo Credit: agefotostock.com

I saw that a lot.  And, not just on celebrities but on co-workers, or teen age girls waiting to get into a restaurant.  Man, I can't even stand right.  How the hell are they going to have their thigh gap standing like this?!

This will be the demise of society, and we all know it.  I hereby make the decree that with all the suffering in the world, starvation, bombings, natural disasters, governmental disasters, terrorists, child abuse, and mental illness,  you better damn well stand right and have a friggen gap up by your coochie-coochie-coo if you are going to fit in with society.

Damn, how do I even add taking the measurement of that area to my list of measurements every month?  My measuring tape? I couldn't stand with legs crossed to do that.  A ruler?  What if my gap is wider than a ruler? What if my ruler disappears?

Who am I kidding?

Do I need to just say it?

What IDIOT got it in their heads that women/girls should stand like this and mandate we have a gap up .... well up there?  How many teen age girls are going to become anorexic because their gap isn't wide enough?  What happened to women being soft creatures and curvy?  I doubt Marilyn Monroe had a friggen thigh gap and yet, isn't she the epitome of feminine sexiness?

Ignore this, fellow Fat Chicks.  Don't you DARE allow yourself to look at your crotch and think, "if only I had a thigh gap."  And, I better not see you standing on the corner with your legs crossed ridiculously like that.  Hell, if it was me, I'd fall over.  I'm more concerned that I don't rub my thighs raw rather than if I have a gap there.  (As for the rubbing raw, wear a pair of work out shorts under your pants and you won't rub raw).  

We are better than this superficiality, Ladies.  Goodness, even if I could pull off a thigh gap and cross my legs like I have to pee all the time, where in the world would I ever wear such a cute short dress and stylish shoes?  I don't think that look works at the grocery store.

We are REAL, Ladies (and Gentlemen).  We are not this superficial spectacle on the news (on the news!!) that is being put in front of us.  Don't buy into it.  Don't wonder if your legs are good enough because of a gap.  Just be you.  Good ol' glorious, beautiful YOU.

Challenge of the Day:

Find a way to measure your thigh gap standing with your legs crossed , standing on your head, wearing a hot black dress and heels.  OOOORRR, just be you.  Until next time ....