Today is the last day of my fat life

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

I’ve had it.

I have a closet full of lovely clothes that fit me, and I get compliments all the time, but I still hate how I look. I wear only a few outfits, and they get fewer all the time. I have boxes full of more lovely clothes that I cannot wear any more, some after wearing only a few times, if at all.

A day’s worth of walking while shopping or running errands wipes me out.

I have a bulge on my abdomen that when I sit is roughly the size of a four-month fetus. I’ve never had a small butt or skinny thighs (at least not after puberty), but the cottage cheese and stretch marks are getting to be too much for me to bear.

My old swimsuits still fit, but they look terrible and the elastic is starting to go, and the thought of buying one of those old-lady suits with the skirt is pretty horrible.

It’s frequently uncomfortable for me to wear a seatbelt because it compresses the (small, but getting bigger) rolls on my back.

And last, but certainly not least, I have a glimpse 25 years into my future whenever I listen to my overweight mother complain about her sore joints, bad back, bad knees, inability to lift her 3-year-old grandaughter, etc., etc., etc.

My 36th birthday is this week, but that’s not what got me kick-started. My 20th high-school reunion is next year, but that’s not it either. I’ve just had it.

My lifestyle has changed quite a bit since I got married. When I was in college, I had no car and lived in the city, so 90% of my transportation was by bike or walking. I walked a mile to campus and back every day for two years, carrying my art portfolio and toolbox, along with a big bag holding my books and purse. I took a biking class and rode a century (100-mile ride). I biked home to my parents’ house, 25 miles one way, about every other weekend in the summers. I went for bike rides in the evenings for fun. I took a running class and went running 2 miles nearly every night. Sometimes the endorphins would cheer me into an extra mile or two. I often wore only a brightly colored sport bra/tank top and shorts in the summer.

Now I live in the country. I have a sedentary job, sitting at a computer all day. My husband is basically out of work and my income just barely pays the bills, so it’s to our advantage for me to be at this desk as much as possible and let him runs the errands. Time and money are tight. And I have motivation and procrastination issues. My thighs, stomach, and upper arms have not seen the sun in years.

On the other hand, I refuse to let diet and exercise be an obsession. I’ll say it: I love food. I think it’s one of the chief pleasures of life. I like to try new tastes, and I absolutely refuse to become one of those whiny women who keep a calorie counter in their purse and turn every meal into an ordeal and beat themselves up for having a cookie. I don’t eat much fast food, and hardly any red meat; I love veggies and fruits; but I do need to improve my eating habits.

I have a fitness book/program that I followed once for a while, and while I was on it, I really enjoyed it: Strong Women Stay Slim, by Miriam Nelson. Basically, it combines simple strength training, aerobic exercise, and an eating plan that does not obsess over every pea and bean, yet allows me to have the “bad” stuff in moderation. I don’t like planned menus; for this plan, I made a daily chart showing the numbers of dairy, fruit, grain, etc., portions allowed each day, and I cross off one tick for each portion I eat, so I can see what’s left as the day progresses and what I can have. (I don’t plan to be anal about this when we go out, but just be sensible.) Suggested portions are taped inside the cabinets. Mr. S does a lot of our food prep, and I’ll be showing him how the portions work so he can help me. (For example, he brings me breakfast every morning, and I showed him what 6 oz. of juice looks like in our juice glasses.)

Oh, speaking of Mr. S: What a great guy. We talked about this yesterday, and about the old pictures I found from about ten years ago, when I swore that I would NEVER go over 150. (I would LOVE to be 150 now, but that’s about mumble-mumble-too-many pounds away.) He said he likes my look now, but yes, I looked better then. He has always said that if I decide to lose weight, he wants it to be for me and my health, not to try to please him. I think I’ll keep him.

Anyway, he’s completely on board – and he has about ten pounds he’d like to drop too. This week we’ll eat up all the bad stuff in the cupboards, and I’ll start tracking what I eat to get back in practice. He’s the chef, so he has time to shop and pick out good stuff like fresh veggies every day and keep the lettuce bowl filled. We went for a two-mile walk this morning – according to the program I don’t even have to start aerobics for two weeks, but I’d like to start taking casual walks every morning just to get in the habit of putting my shoes on and getting out there. We have a treadmill, no no excuses in bad weather! And tomorrow I’ll start my Monday-Wednesday-Friday strength training with a chair and free weights – 20 minutes a day. I can do it when I take a break from working, in front of the tube, instead of lounging on the couch eating.

I have no concrete goals. I’d need to get down to 160 to be back in a healthy BMI. According to the plan and my current weight, I should be able to get below 200 in the first ten weeks, losing a pound or two a week. I figure that’ll do to begin with. Other than that, I’m looking forward to wearing my new old wardrobe. And maybe having a bit of a waist again. And wearing T-shirts that don’t cover my ass.

I like this plan. It seems sensible, something that can be maintained without turning me into the Diet Witch. And I know that my main health problem has been Not Getting Enough Exercise (or Any, For That Matter). I well remember that endorphin rush, and I’d like to have it again. I could stand to get up a little earlier in the mornings, and after exercising, I should be glad to sit and work for a while – having already gotten out to enjoy the day, and having gotten myself a bit tired out – instead of resenting another day looking out the window at the sunshine.

Today is the first day of my healthier life.

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Good Luck. Sounds like you’ve got a good plan going here.

3

You go! Yes, it is worth the fight!

I started going to a gym at lunch hour last November. (Long commute, so I knew I wouldn’t go at home) Where I really saw the difference was not in my shape, but in my weekends! I finally had the energy to do stuff, and to get stuff done, and it not only helped me have more fun, I no longer had to beat myself up about chores ignored.

Didn’t lose any weight, so finally I went on the Atkins, and I’ve lost 30 pounds so far.

You might look for a community gym, either near your home or work–their rates are often very reasonable. The money will be worth it, both for your heath, and all those clothes you won’t have to buy. Biggest mistake I made was thinking I couldn’t afford it while finishing my degree. Energy is what makes life worth living. But with your supportive husband, you may well work out a home-based exercise program.

Best of luck, and good for you! Facing it is the hardest part–willpower gets easier as you feel better.

4

Yes, home-based is definitely the way to go for me. I work at home, and with time and money tight, it’s easier for me to just pop onto the treadmill or work out in front of the TV than to pack myself up and go somewhere. I did try joining a gym once, but the 20-minute drive (we live out in the sticks) was a demotivator. Plus we’ve already spent the money on the treadmill and free weights, and we have a Bowflex also, which I plan to start with again after we move it into a usable location, probably this week. (Workout folks, yes I know the Bowflex is not highly regarded among serious lifters. We bought it for space reasons, and since it’s already here, I might as well use it. I’m not planning on getting a six-pack.)

I have a friend who keeps telling me, “Oh, you need to find a partner to work out/walk with!” She walks with a friend, and she says it keeps her going and she likes to gab. Well, again I don’t have time to drive to meet someone, and I prefer to keep my own schedule rather than coordinate with someone else. If it works for her, that’s great! But it doesn’t work for me. My doggies are ready to go for a walk/run whenever I grab the leash.

Thanks for the pep talk, you guys! I know that the most important motivation comes from within, but encouragement is good too. :smiley:

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Scarlett, good for you. I made the same decision awhile ago, and since then have lost 20.5 inches, two and a half sizes, and 27 lbs. You can do this! There are a bunch of us on the boards who are. There is a Weight Watchers support thread, and another thread in MPSIMS with a bunch of us who are losers. Looooooosers! I certainly don’t mind being this kind of loser.

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Good for you, Scarlett! It’s wonderful to hear someone talk about who they are taking control and making a change for the better. (It’s especially super how supportive your husband is being. Go him!) Best of luck. Be sure to keep us updated on your progress.

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Thanks, guys! The new diet this first week will be spotty, as we eat up the old fatty food and replace it with better stuff. But I’m getting in the habit of keeping track again.

I did my first strength training today. It says to start with 1-pound weights, but those are way too light for me and don’t put me at a high enough level. On Wednesday I’ll try 3 lbs for some routines and 8 for others. (I can be on the “fast track” for this book, so that should be OK.) I can already feel an allover ache from the extra walking and muscle workout. Feel the burn!

Another sign that I need this: Yesterday I found some old dog Frisbees when I was digging out the weights, and I took one out on one of our walks out back to see what the pups who’d never seen one thought of them. They totally didn’t get it, so Mr. S and I ended up playing Frisbee for about ten minutes. When chasing a Frisbee (and not far, either) gets you winded after ten minutes, you’re out of shape. Another thing I used to do all the time! Never mind the dogs, I need to play Frisbee!

I remember seeing (but not reading) that Weight Watchers thread. I’m guessing that my plan is a lot like their “points” thing – you can have “bad” stuff, but in moderation and you have to give up more of your daily allotment. I might pop in and say hi to the other losers, though. :smiley:

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I highly recommend that you start a running program to help you lose weight - go to runnersworld.com - they have a message board very similar to this one with 20,000 registered users and lots and lots of support from new runners. They have healthy nutritional meal tips and all sorts of cool stuff. Don’t like ‘running’? Bet you will if you follow some of their beginners programs - lots of walk/jog stuff to get you going, then once you get hooked you won’t want to “decrease” mileage!

When you have the support of a lot of people it will be that much easier! Just go check it out anyway - read through the beginners forum.

Cheers, Powers106

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Actually, I did run for a while back in college (see the OP) and enjoyed it very much. But I’m pretty well out of shape and need to ease my way back into it. But watch this space!

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CONGRATULATIONS!!!

I wish you all the best. It will be hard, but OMG it is worth it!
Don’t give up. Set small goals, like fitting into one outfit at a time, or going 10-15 minutes of walking, or playing frisbee without getting tired, whatever it takes.

You’ve got my support if you want it.
I’m a Nutritionist with 7 years at Jenny Craig, so any advice you need I’m happy to share. I have so much respect for people who make that decision to change their life.

Keep me up-dated and good luck!

You are the only one who can do it, but you’ve got to really want it.

Be happy.:slight_smile:

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Scarlett, I’m rooting for you too! You go girl! :slight_smile:

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Scarlett, you’re an inspiration, and I have fantastic faith that you can do it.

So much so, I’m gonna start, too. I’ve fallen off the wagon with a lot of these programs, but it’s really hit me that I need to start losing. I’ve been heavy all my life, but I gotta do it. I’m gonna keep an eye on this thread and keep cheerin’ for ya! Go go go, you loser! (Er, wait, that didn’t sound right, did it? :wink: )

13

YOWZA, do my muscles ache today! I can really tell that I’ve been using them. Mostly upper thighs, but also ankles and biceps. Really felt the ankles on my mile walk this morning. It’s not crippling, though – I haven’t injured myself, I’m just waking up those underused muscles.

Weight training tomorrow should be interesting.

superstar, I’ll take you up on your offer, with a question. What’s the deal with white basmati rice? Is it considered an unprocessed grain? I seem to remember reading that it was, but that was several years ago, and now I’m not finding anything definitive on the white, just brown. What’s the scoop? It’s our favorite kind of rice, and I’d hate to have to limit it severely. And if it IS unprocessed, that’s great because I’m already in the habit of eating it. Whole wheat bread and pasta would be a bit tougher switch, especially out here in the boonies where the grocery selection stinks.