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| Before: 227 lbs, size 22, XXL After: 138 lbs, size 6-8, Medium |
Minggu, 26 Mei 2013
Selasa, 14 Mei 2013
Top 100 most influential weight-loss blog?????
Say WHAT? This was totally random and surprising but I love it. See me at #60?!
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Vacation: Obese vs. fit
I am fresh off of a wonderful 4 day vacation to Ft. Myers Beach, FL, with my hubby. After a crazy year of some major life changes, we really needed the time away. Let me tell you, it was magnificent! One of my best vacations ever - and I can tell you that at least part of that is due to the state of my health.
When you are obese, unfit, unhealthy or any combination of the 3 (because while they often go together, there are times that they don't), vacation can be bittersweet. It's always great to get away and to relax. But it's no fun to stress over things like airplane seat belts (will it fit) and the tray that comes down (will my tummy be in the way of getting it all the way down). Even worse, it can be exhausting to do much walking and make you sweat 10x more than the average person. Getting into a bathing suit sucks. For many people, such as me in the past, doing certain things is intimidating.
Case in point: I would NEVER have went para-sailing in the past. Never. Ever. NEVER EVER. Not only is it nerve racking anyhow, but I would have been overcome with worries, founded or unfounded. Would the weight limit be enough? Would I look like a bit fat blob and be laughed at? Did my fat butt really belong up there? These things might seem, or even really BE ridiculous - but they were things I would have thought.
But not this time. Nope....hubby and I decided to go for it and it was spectacular. I was nervous, but I didn't let anything hold me back.
We also did a lot of walking - and I managed it just fine (other than the heat getting pretty tiring after being in the HOT sun for several hours a day a few days in a row - but that was mostly my wimpy Minnesota blood, not a low fitness level). One time, we were in a hurry to catch a trolley scheduled to come in, and the only way we would make it is if we ran. So we did. AND I was wearing flip flops! I really don't think I could have done that 2, and certainly not 3+ years ago. (We made it, by the way - we ran up to the trolley stop just as the trolley was arriving)!
Another new thing for me besides being more adventurous and being able to actually walk without keeling over....wearing cute swimsuits. Until now I have worn a lot of one-piece or 2 piece tankinis with built-in skirts. They were just fine, I am not knocking them so don't get me wrong. But everyone is different, and I longed to wear something "cute" as opposed to something that obviously came from the plus-sized racks. I ended up buying a red 2 piece tankini and a black/blue tankini as well as a black bikini top to go with the black/blue tankini bottom (got that? haha). And I WORE the bikini. Oh yes, I wore that sucker. I rocked it. I may not be perfect. I may have some stretch marks and a nice big vertical c-section scar. But I am proud of my hard work, and felt confident enough to go for it. It's not like it was some tiny triangle top. It provided good coverage. The bottoms didn't sit too far down. It was actually really perfect for me, without scaring others away yet still making me feel comfortable. Okay, but here is a confession - I mostly wore it in the mornings, before the days meals and drinks had a chance to "bloat me up" too much.
So there you have it. A great vacation, filled with confidence and the ability to physically do whatever I wanted to do, with no worries or paranoia. We swam, shelled, lounged, ate good food and drank cold tropical drinks, did a 6-hour private charter fishing trip during which my hubby caught a 400+ lb "Goliath Grouper" (along with plenty of other smaller fish for us both), we went para-sailing and saw a shark from up above, saw dolphins and a sea turtle, saw some beautiful scenery...it was a wonderful vacation.
Following are a couple of vacation pics. Just a couple from my phone - we haven't taken any off of our camera yet.
When you are obese, unfit, unhealthy or any combination of the 3 (because while they often go together, there are times that they don't), vacation can be bittersweet. It's always great to get away and to relax. But it's no fun to stress over things like airplane seat belts (will it fit) and the tray that comes down (will my tummy be in the way of getting it all the way down). Even worse, it can be exhausting to do much walking and make you sweat 10x more than the average person. Getting into a bathing suit sucks. For many people, such as me in the past, doing certain things is intimidating.
Case in point: I would NEVER have went para-sailing in the past. Never. Ever. NEVER EVER. Not only is it nerve racking anyhow, but I would have been overcome with worries, founded or unfounded. Would the weight limit be enough? Would I look like a bit fat blob and be laughed at? Did my fat butt really belong up there? These things might seem, or even really BE ridiculous - but they were things I would have thought.
But not this time. Nope....hubby and I decided to go for it and it was spectacular. I was nervous, but I didn't let anything hold me back.
We also did a lot of walking - and I managed it just fine (other than the heat getting pretty tiring after being in the HOT sun for several hours a day a few days in a row - but that was mostly my wimpy Minnesota blood, not a low fitness level). One time, we were in a hurry to catch a trolley scheduled to come in, and the only way we would make it is if we ran. So we did. AND I was wearing flip flops! I really don't think I could have done that 2, and certainly not 3+ years ago. (We made it, by the way - we ran up to the trolley stop just as the trolley was arriving)!
Another new thing for me besides being more adventurous and being able to actually walk without keeling over....wearing cute swimsuits. Until now I have worn a lot of one-piece or 2 piece tankinis with built-in skirts. They were just fine, I am not knocking them so don't get me wrong. But everyone is different, and I longed to wear something "cute" as opposed to something that obviously came from the plus-sized racks. I ended up buying a red 2 piece tankini and a black/blue tankini as well as a black bikini top to go with the black/blue tankini bottom (got that? haha). And I WORE the bikini. Oh yes, I wore that sucker. I rocked it. I may not be perfect. I may have some stretch marks and a nice big vertical c-section scar. But I am proud of my hard work, and felt confident enough to go for it. It's not like it was some tiny triangle top. It provided good coverage. The bottoms didn't sit too far down. It was actually really perfect for me, without scaring others away yet still making me feel comfortable. Okay, but here is a confession - I mostly wore it in the mornings, before the days meals and drinks had a chance to "bloat me up" too much.
So there you have it. A great vacation, filled with confidence and the ability to physically do whatever I wanted to do, with no worries or paranoia. We swam, shelled, lounged, ate good food and drank cold tropical drinks, did a 6-hour private charter fishing trip during which my hubby caught a 400+ lb "Goliath Grouper" (along with plenty of other smaller fish for us both), we went para-sailing and saw a shark from up above, saw dolphins and a sea turtle, saw some beautiful scenery...it was a wonderful vacation.
Following are a couple of vacation pics. Just a couple from my phone - we haven't taken any off of our camera yet.
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| Starting out with a drink at the airport |
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| One of my favorite pics from the vacation |
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| Para-sailing! |
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| Nothing like an beach sunset at the ocean. |
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| Starfish everywhere! |
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| A bird feeding one evening before sunset |
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| First day, right after we arrived. Checking out the scenery. |
Rabu, 01 Mei 2013
Shopping
When you lose 90 lbs and many sizes, it is inevitable that you will need new clothes. And I did buy a few things here and there a long the way, but never too much because I always knew I still had a ways to go - and why buy a bunch of new clothes that you know won't fit anymore soon anyhow?
But for awhile now I've been fairly stable in my weight. I do have a few pounds left to lose, but the major changes are done. Especially on top, I feel pretty safe in building a new wardrobe. But of course, there is another hurdle and that is finances. It isn't cheap to buy a ton of new clothes! Being that we recently moved and have had a lot of adjustments going on, new life to settle into etc, all of our extra money has been allocated towards other things such as debt payoff, beefing up our saving account, getting our kids into some (not cheap) swimming lessons, etc. These are priorities to us (yes, even the swimming lessons - it's not about fun, although my kids do love it...but no, it's about safety).
Now, finally, we had a little play room, thanks to the official closing on the house we sold and (still in shock) actually made money on. Hubby gave me a budget and said, go shopping.
YESSSSSSSSSS!!!!!! I was SO EXCITED. SOOOOO EXCIIIIITED. I headed to a local, very popular and kick-ass outlet mall and shopped all day long with my mom. I bought clothes from stores that I would never have dared stepped foot in before, due to knowing without even looking that they did not have my size. But on this day, I shopped my little heart out. I ended up with several pairs of shorts, a few pairs of pants, several shirts and several tank tops. It felt amazing and there were at least a couple of times where I found myself in a dressing room nearly in tears - not because I was upset, but because I was so happy. It was also amazing because I am pretty sure I have not ever bought that much clothing in one day. It was a BLAST!! But more than that - it was truly needed, and I think well deserved. I worked my butt off, and continue to work my butt off, for every single ounce I lost over the last 28 months.
My body certainly is not perfect, but it is healthy. Sure, if I could snap my fingers and get rid of the excess chub and skin and stretch marks that are still on my stomach, I would do it. But I am carrying 90 less pounds on this frame. I am strong. I can run!
Anyhow. I followed up my shopping trip with a hair cut and color a couple of days later, and then a little more shopping afterwards, primarily to find a swim suit. I ended up finding 2 actually. And I am looking forward to rockin' them during our vacation just a week from tomorrow (no kids!). We will be staying at a resort right on the ocean and beautiful sandy beach in Florida. Just a short 4 day trip, but I intend to enjoy ever moment.
Now I leave you with a current pic...me and my new do'.
But for awhile now I've been fairly stable in my weight. I do have a few pounds left to lose, but the major changes are done. Especially on top, I feel pretty safe in building a new wardrobe. But of course, there is another hurdle and that is finances. It isn't cheap to buy a ton of new clothes! Being that we recently moved and have had a lot of adjustments going on, new life to settle into etc, all of our extra money has been allocated towards other things such as debt payoff, beefing up our saving account, getting our kids into some (not cheap) swimming lessons, etc. These are priorities to us (yes, even the swimming lessons - it's not about fun, although my kids do love it...but no, it's about safety).
Now, finally, we had a little play room, thanks to the official closing on the house we sold and (still in shock) actually made money on. Hubby gave me a budget and said, go shopping.
YESSSSSSSSSS!!!!!! I was SO EXCITED. SOOOOO EXCIIIIITED. I headed to a local, very popular and kick-ass outlet mall and shopped all day long with my mom. I bought clothes from stores that I would never have dared stepped foot in before, due to knowing without even looking that they did not have my size. But on this day, I shopped my little heart out. I ended up with several pairs of shorts, a few pairs of pants, several shirts and several tank tops. It felt amazing and there were at least a couple of times where I found myself in a dressing room nearly in tears - not because I was upset, but because I was so happy. It was also amazing because I am pretty sure I have not ever bought that much clothing in one day. It was a BLAST!! But more than that - it was truly needed, and I think well deserved. I worked my butt off, and continue to work my butt off, for every single ounce I lost over the last 28 months.
My body certainly is not perfect, but it is healthy. Sure, if I could snap my fingers and get rid of the excess chub and skin and stretch marks that are still on my stomach, I would do it. But I am carrying 90 less pounds on this frame. I am strong. I can run!
Anyhow. I followed up my shopping trip with a hair cut and color a couple of days later, and then a little more shopping afterwards, primarily to find a swim suit. I ended up finding 2 actually. And I am looking forward to rockin' them during our vacation just a week from tomorrow (no kids!). We will be staying at a resort right on the ocean and beautiful sandy beach in Florida. Just a short 4 day trip, but I intend to enjoy ever moment.
Now I leave you with a current pic...me and my new do'.
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