The Talbots Skirt

In 2001 I did Weight Watchers for about 30 weeks or so (the longest stretch I'd ever done and I'd lost about 38 lbs. While I was there and losing, I had gone to a Talbot's sale and bought a silk long skirt with lace trip in a buttercream yellow color. I loved it. I found the silk top to match. Of course then I went and gained all the weight back and couldn't fit into the skirt (18W). I eventually had to get rid of the top - silk and sweaty underarms never go very well together...but I didn't have the heart to give away the skirt. Well, readers...of course you know what I'm wearing right now, don't you? And I still love it as much as I did in 2001. Maybe more because I've taken a journey to revisit it.

I am loving exploring better fashion now. At Marshall's the other day I bought two items in the regular section (XL of course!) But how awesome is that!! It'll be a while before I can buy everything there, but there's just so much happiness is buying a top and a skirt that I find flattering and fashionable. Often a troubling bit for us plus sized ladies!

Happy Sunday!

Don't let the door hit you on the way out!!

Okay, this is a funny story...not a mad one. Today I took the SHBam class at the fitness center...this is a lower key Zumba class that is just a ton of fun. When I went in there were these 3 young skinny girls with short shorts already in (probably late teens) stretching out, doing straddle splits and all that...like they were young and fit and could kick this classes a$$. These girls lasted 2 songs out of 10 maybe. They were out of breath and having side cramps. It can be an exhausting class for sure, but there was just so much humor because they had come in all haughty not really prepared for the workout it was. And here I was and this other woman who was even larger than I hanging in there....

I know everyone is at their own fitness level and I give the girls props for working out..but I couldn't help but think 'WOW, I Am more fit than a skinny teenager!!

And I also have to add the instructor Nita to my list of favorite instructors along with Kiersten, Donna and Therese (although she is out with an injury)

Happy Friday everyone! Have a great weekend!

Why is it different this time?

My good friend who is staying here asked me why my weight loss has been different this time and how I am staying constant. It's a good question since I've known this friend for 20 years and have never been able to lose this much weight before.

I told her what I think:
1) I stopped drinking Diet Coke and have very few cravings for sugar
2) I am consistent with exercise
3) I am setting more, smaller goals (something I never did before)
4) I feel freer since my mother died and a lot less sad

I feel like there should be more to this...like there is more to it, but I don't know what it is. I don't know how one morning in March I woke up and decided it was time. There wasn't a "moment". It just started to happen...little by little, pound by pound. I'm feeling more confident though each day. And there isn't a person that doesn't notice I've lost weight. (which was a trip up the last time when noone said anything after I'd lost almost 40 lbs). It's a great feeling.

You should know I haven't always been perfect. A few days ago I had 2 little debbie oatmeal pies and a Twinkie. I was feeling stressed. I eat pie occasionally. I had chocolate and marshmallows when we were camping. But I'm balanced..it's infrequent. I feel badly when so many people on their blogs berate themselves for having a few treats. It happens. But dwelling in it and looking down on yourself for doing it just keeps you in a spiraling circle of food depression. I guess I hate myself less now when I have some slip ups. Maybe that's part of the key. Learning that weight loss is an endurance sport, not a fast race. Sometimes we limp along, but we just need to keep going!!

Missing Routine

I've been out of routine since Friday. We camped this weekend and now a good friend from Boston is visiting until tomorrow. Normally I would go to the gym regardless or take her with me, but she has 3 kids (1 is a baby) and she is only here until tomorrow, so I really want to cherish the time with her.

But I miss my routine. It is what helps me be successful. I change it here and there, but almost 7 days out of it is tough! I've gotten in some exercise, which is good, but it's not the same.

I'm trying to plan for an anniversary trip with my hubby. Someplace we have to fly to that isn't super expensive...any ideas?

Camping Correctly!

We went camping this weekend at Devils Lake State Park in Wisconsin. It was quite enjoyable with the family and the dog. We hiked every day, and I'm proud of myself for doing it! Some of the hikes were up steep cliff slopes! We had some spectacular views. I managed to eat pretty well too. Only about 4 marshmallows and only 1 trip to Dairy Queen for a Banana Cream Pie Blizzard - YUMMALICIOUS!!

Otherwise I was wise and packed only normal foods and not our usually camping food of crappy caloric food. We had such a relaxing time playing ladder golf, UNO and just hanging out. We were fortunate to also have good campers on both sides of us!!

This picture was one of the hikes we took! (but not of us) It was pretty steep going up! (then down) Good workout. I also got in a jog one morning and did some rowing in the row boat we rented.

Eating well, exercising, relaxing....this is how to camp correctly!!

Loving Thriftiness!!

I love our local thrift store. With most clothing only a few dollars each I've been finding great deals as I am losing weight. I was very excited yesterday. I bought a skirt that was a size 18W because it was $1.50. I figured I'm doing well, it shouldn't take that long to get into it. Well wouldn't you know it actually fit!!! (It does have an elastic waist band, but it wasn't really tight)

I'm loving this. :)

Quarterly Report (April - June 2011)

So I have been becoming healthy for 3 complete months now (April, May & June). Here are the results:

Weight Lost: 41 lbs

Hours of Exercise: 82 hrs

Inches Lost:
Chest: 6 inches
Arm: 1.25 inches
Stomach: 7.5 inches
Neck: 2.5 inches
Calf: 2.75 inches
Hips: 6 inches
Wrist: .75 inches
Thigh: 3 inches
Ankle: .25 inches
Waist: .5 inches (newer measurement to differentiate different parts of my weird body)

TOTAL INCHES LOST: 30 and 1/2 inches!!!

Off to camp for the weekend so there probably won't be any updates until Monday or Tuesday!! Happy 4th of July!!!