I Don't Do Write-Offs Contribution To The Diet & Exercise Write-Off
Sep 10 '05 (Updated Sep 11 '05)
The Bottom Line You can't lose weight to please others. Lose weight for your health, peace of mind, self-confidence-yes, yourself.
As a rule I just don't do write offs, but I have not been able to write for a while due to an injury to my right hand, and specifically my middle finger (uh, yeah, never mind). Anyway, I am finally mostly pain free (for the last couple of days) so am able to type for a decent amount of time, but have run into the writer's block that sometimes occurs. Hoping this write-off can help pave the way.
1. What is your current Weight? (optional)
You know what? I haven't weighed myself in about 5 years. When I go to the doctor I turn away from the scale and let them do their thing. My normal thinking is kind of anorexicy/bulimicy (my own words) and I don't want to get hung up on weight. When my weight has been just what it should be for my build/height/age my mother has always suggested I'm fat. . . so I don't go there. What I do is go by my clothing size or measurements. Okay, whatever I weigh, another 7 or so pounds lost would be "perfect" I think.
2. What is your goal weight, or how many pounds do you want to lose?
My goal clothing size was/is a "6". I was up to a 12, almost 13/14 and didn't feel good about myself, and didn't feel healthy. I am just 5'2" or 5'3", so every pound shows. I am now wearing a size 6 in most of my clothes.
3. Are you currently on a diet regimen? If so which one?
I don't believe in diets, because I think most people can start a regimented diet but get bored with them and start craving the foods they love. My "regimen" now is to eat smaller portions, try to eat more good stuff, less bad stuff. When drug reps bring in breakfast or lunch for us at work, or when I am going out to eat I plan ahead how I'm going to handle it. Either get small portions, or eat half and take half home to savor the next day. My thinking is not to think I'm being deprived by just eating half, but "Oh yay, I get to enjoy this again tomorrow." And I believe it! When I crave something sweet I have it. On the weekends I may have a banana tart or the like from Whole Foods. During the week if I am craving chocolate (my downfall) I may get a tiny 15 cent little dark chocolate Dove bite or whatever they call them.
4. When did you begin your current plan and how's it going so far?
I got really upset when I saw photos of myself about 3 or 4 years ago, but coincidentally started losing when I adopted this psycho, super-hyper border collie/lab mix from the pound. I thought she was sweet, affectionate, playful when I saw her in the cage. I didn't realize she had probably been playing with the other dog in the cage with her all day, and was therefore unusually mellow. Big surprise when I got her home. She is still over the top energy-wise, but has compelled me to walk her twice daily. My work is also on a large medical campus, so overall I walk about 3 miles or so a day. I think the pounds started falling off when I got Lacy, and have just continued dropping very slowly over time. I really didn't change my diet at all until about 6 months ago. I was stuck at a size 8 for quite a while. The last month or 2 I became very stressed out with various personal things going on (my other dog, Mika, with cancer and just 3 years old, etc.) I am now a pretty good size 6, and just need to firm/tone a little.
5. What other diets (if any) have you tried in the past? What were the results?
As indicated I always was on a roller coaster with my eating habits/weight, but don't do trendy diets at all, and never have. I think you have to make a permanent lifestyle change, not diet for a reunion, or hot date, or whatever. One time I put a huge note on my refrigerator stating I would lose 10 pounds by February 30th. . .
6. Do you include exercise with your diet? If so what activities or workouts are you performing?
I walk a few miles daily and also aquajog on the weekends (wear a weighted belt around my waist in the deep end of the rec center pool) and do exercises such as emulating cross country skiing, rock climbing, in the pool. I also walk about 30 laps in the shallow end. Great for those with injuries that preclude you from most activities (i.e. knee or back problems). Great low impact exercise. I also have free weights (1 pound and 4 pounds) that I purchased to alleviate my flippy/floppy, fat upper arms. Hated that over 40 pudgy arm look. I have been using them for about a year, and my arms are really showing it now-they aren't muscle-bound, but definitely thinner, and my sleeves are all longer in my tops.
7. What was your most dramatic weight loss?
After my first son, Scott, was born I got down to 103 pounds. My ex husband had lost his job suddenly, and we were just able to afford 2 peanut and butter sandwiches a day (of course Scott was fed as he should have been). I thought I looked really good, but others told me I looked gaunt. My face does get skinny when I lose a lot. So I deliberately gained back 10 pounds, and was up and down ever since then.
Also when my ex and I separated the first time I felt very guilty (horrible mother taking the kids away from their Dad, blah blah), so got down to about 112. I looked really good, but again gained back when we got back together, back to the normal routine.
8. Have you ever gained back the weight after a diet? If so why?
Answered above. Up to the last few years and a regular walking/swimming routine, I've always gained back what I lost. It was very frustrating and up to 3 years ago I felt hopeless and stuck.
9. Out of the following: Neck, arms, legs, calves, abs, shoulders, back, chest...which do you feel is most defined?
Hmmm, this will sound weird, but my chest had blown up to almost a 36D, and that is huge for someone my height who has always been borderline flatish(my normal bra size is 34B and the B was for my ego, not my boobs). I am now a good size 34B and just thrilled. I know other women crave a big chest but I am happy this way. When I am in the mood to be busty I wear either my Wonder Bra or my Water and Oil bra.
10. Which area from the above mentioned do you feel needs the most work?
I would like my waist to get back to its previous 24" or as close to that as I can get. Due to my previous large weight gain, my stomach needs firming or surgery, and not sure I can afford that. I had abdominal surgery several years ago, so the nerves are cut. Not sure how much I can firm on my own, but it has gotten substantially smaller, so there is some hope.
11. What is your impression of the "real women" ads you see on billboards advertising skin care products (women in white bras and underwear posing and smiling)?
By real women ads I assume you mean women who are "larger"? I think real women are tiny, are small, are medium, are a little overweight, are large or are very large. Real women are whoever they are, and at whatever weight feels good to them, and allows them to feel good about themselves. I definitely don't like models who are all bones. They don't look healthy, and make our children insecure about themselves.
Sorry so wordy, but trying to get back into the groove with writing and trying to share my experiences. I strongly encourage animal lovers to adopt a rescue dog who requires regular walks, but this is only if you will commit to loving and caring for the dog for its lifetime. Not only did I save Lacy's life from the high kill shelter I adopted her from, she has given me more love than I could ever ask for, and she has helped me go from a size 12 to a size 6. I look and feel 100% better. If a dog isn't your thing, find a method of eating, exercising that is doable for you for a lifetime. If you have a lot to lose, please see your physician before starting any exercise program, or any type of different diet.
Many thanks to the host of this write-off: romasuave. Please feel free to jump on in! The more the merrier.
If you have love to give to a rescue dog, please consider going to the Petfinder website. You can input the desired breed (or dominant breed of a mix), gender, age, location that best fits your needs. There are also many local rescue groups listed there.
http://www.petfinder.com
Thanks for reading.
Suzi
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
Suzer
|
 - Top 100 |
|
Member: Suzi
Location: Southern Calif.
Reviews written: 588
Trusted by: 839 members
About Me:
Compromise-Art of slicing the cake so each person thinks they have the biggest piece.
|
|
|
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.