Thursday, December 15, 2016

Time For a Change





                Alrighty then. As I wrote in my last blog post..I'm going back to blogging.

I also wrote that I am working on my health issues; mainly my weight.

About a month ago I attended a family birthday party, then someone thought they would be funny to mention my weight gain by asking.."You pregnant?" and tapped my belly.
                                      Image result for shocked face meme
                                                 source
                                                   
I was mortified. My weight gain has been a source of angst for me. I wanted to have a good time that night, but I felt like I was under a microscope. Earlier that evening I picked out a blouse that I thought would sort of hide my weighty faults. I guess it didn't work. When it came time for dinner I put very little on my plate and all night fought tears as others enjoyed themselves.

I forgave the person who said the idiotic comment, (He's Old) but the sting of his "joke" hurt for days...and if I'm honest...still.

As a teen and up until my thirties I was very very slim.

Even after I had my first child I lost the weight rather quickly. I figured out that breast feeding really helped with the loss of the extra pounds. The  OBGYN I had then strongly suggested that I wear a spandex girdle to encourage everything in my belly area to go back into place. It worked!

Two and a half years later I was pregnant again. This time I gave birth to a much bigger baby and for some odd reason I decided not to wear a girdle. BIG mistake. I went back to work 7 weeks after my son was born, so breast feeding was more difficult and ended sooner than with my daughter.

After I turned 40 the pounds started to gradually pile on. In the last two years My Doctor has commented on it over and over again. She was kind though, but ugh I hated getting on that scale.

Even so I still felt I could pull it off....

                      Until this past year.

 Clothes have become so uncomfortable! Going shopping has turned into something I DREAD. Jeans fold over and let my muffin top hang out. Blouse sleeves tighten and squeeze my upper arms. If I run everything jiggles and bounces and trips up my rhythmic flow.

I dread seeing people I haven't seen in a while because as much as they don't want to react....they do. I'm like that TV cop that looks for Micro facial changes that would indicate proof that they think me a big fluffy blob.

Most try to just stare at my face avoiding the whole flabby body 
                       Alba's crazy eye
                                  source

Their slight twitchy eye means "Sheeeeeez, Joanne has gotten big!"
                                         
The slight frown after a smile would say "Holy Fa molies! she's HUGE!"

The reddening neck would say "Quick, what can I say that's positive?"

My energy and mood have been super low, and the clincher (as I wrote in a previous post) was the bad results from my medical physical.

I am now 53 years old and I have been saying I'm going to lose the weight for years and years.

So recently I said "ENOUGH!"

I downloaded an app to my phone. It's one of those apps where you list everything you eat during the day. You can even scan the bar codes of items and it will give you the calories and fat per portion. I know I should be able to do this on my own , but for some reason seeing it there on my phone really keeps me in check.

I've stopped drinking sweet drinks like soda (except for a juice once a day) and just drink water or seltzer.

Portion control and watching my fat intake (and especially cholesterol) will inevitably help with this process. Its not going to be overnight, but I will lose the weight if I stick to a healthy plan.

And one more thing...juicing. It really works to curb the appetite and give me that needed energy mid-day. 

I'm off to a good start, but if anyone jokingly ever asked me again if I am pregnant...I might bop them in the head and say


                "Oh sorry, it must be those raging pregnancy hormones"




12 comments:

  1. The person who said that is CRUDE and RUDE! And his old age is no excuse, that just means he should know better then most not to say hurtful things. I have been battling my weight for decades! I recently lost 100 pounds, but have now gained 20 back!! So I am back on my diet. It is a constant battle. But I weighed much more than you do, so I KNOW you can do it!

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    1. Thanks Ginny! Wow you lost 100 pounds! That is amazing! Thanks for your encouragement, I really appreciate it

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  2. Good for you Joanne. I know as I get older, the weight just kind of "sticks" more than it used to, and it is hard. Best wishes in the coming new year!

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    1. Hi Alice! Yes as we get older it does get harder to get rid of the weight, but I am determined!

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  3. I'm so glad to see you back my friend. I read this and the back to blogging post too and I think you are seeing that you need to do some things for YOU...for yourself! I hope you can blog what you want and do what makes you happy. I am concerned sometimes when I think of the different people that read my blog but then I think...I better just do what I want. You can't please everyone, that's for sure. And if you are ready to lose weight, you'll do it. Just remember it takes TIME! Lots and lots of hugs, Diane

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  4. That was so mean. ((Hugs)) I too lost weight quickly after our first child, not the same after the second. Sounds like you are off to a great start. I wish you success. Watch your carbs too, only eat the good ones like Brown Rice, Oatmeal and Whole Grain bread. I have COPD and A-Fib so exercise is out of the question for me so eating a healthy diet is a great idea. They recently put me on a heart healthy diet which is very similar to the Mediterranean Diet which is good for the heart. I've been drinking water for 15 years no and I now add fresh lemon juice. You are definitely on the right track for success......

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    1. Thank You Debby! I have to check out that Mediterranean Diet. It sounds interesting! Carbs are my weakness...I swear I could live on bread and butter!

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  5. Joanne, First of all thank you for your comments on my blogs. I have had a really bad year and would only get on and post some pictures and things that are going on in our family and post some artwork but quickly get off and did not take the time to read blogs from people I am following. I decided to get back into visiting other people's blogs. The funny thing is when you do that you realize everyone has their issues and it puts things into perspective for yourself. I really hope 2017 brings good health to all. Our family has had many losses and many people who are ill and many with cancer this past year. On the positive, my husband is little by little recovering from his stroke. He works on it everyday.
    I too struggle with my weight and I started having problems in my 40's. It was gradual. I have two problems, one is I love sweets and the other is I had polio as a young girl and the weakness in my leg and foot restrict a lot of activity. I too used my phone for a while to count calories and etc. but quit doing it. But, since I used it for a while I pretty much know what my body intake is and should be with every meal. I go to the gym 2 or 3 times a week and workout on the Nu-step for 45 minutes. This has seemed to help suppress my appetite. I have cut my intake considerably, minimized sugar, and trying to eat healthy. I really feel for you because I realize my own struggles. Remember to love yourself and try not to worry about what others are thinking. Don't give up. On an encouraging note, A friend of mine used the phone calorie app for one year and lost 70 lbs. The best of luck to you.

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    1. Hi Barb! I will be praying for your family. Thank you for your encouraging words! I pray that 2017 also brings to you health for everyone you love and a calmer year!

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  6. Oh dear! My sister got that question, it is awful. She is over 40 also. I would be just as hurt if someone asked me that. Good luck on the never ending weight loss journey

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  7. Hi Joanne,
    I stumbled upon your blog as I was cruising through and thought, "WOW! This is me!" Another of those poor souls who grew up thin, had kids, stayed thin for a while, then lost it - big time! I track my food with my Fitbit ap, which I love, love, love! I'm kind of addicted to the fitbit, and it's pretty easy to track. It is working for me. Hugs!

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I LOVE comments...I think I'm addicted to them! they are like chips...oooo chips....or chocolate....yum...chocolate. Or like......can ya tell I'm dieting? Please leave me a comment so that I can keep my mind off of snacks!!!