Accepting yourself

Friday, May 06, 2011

One of my buds made the comment on how she envied my curves, since she's not a curvy girl. It took me a really, really long time to embrace those curves myself.

I didn't develop early & I'm not busty, so I didn't get unwanted attention from the boys early on. But I do have a big derriere & big hips - and I did get teased a lot because of that.

You have to keep in mind this was the 70s - the era of twiggy & Peggy Lipton. Thin was in. Long before JLo became famous for her butt. The last thing you want to do when you're a kid is stand out because of your body.

I wasn't even heavy then. I was never skinny, but I didn't start getting heavy until I was a teen.

So it has taken me a long, long time to embrace my curves, but I do. That's me - I can't change it & probably wouldn't even if I could. Just like I would never get a nose job like my sister did.

We are all beautiful in our own way. It's okay to be different - being average is boring!

Accepting ourselves goes way deeper than our looks. We have to accept the consequences of our beliefs & choices, too. As frustrated ad I get, I have never really stopped believing that I will get down to a healthy weight. I know I'm almost there, but I also just know in my bones that I have just a little further down this road to a healthy lifestyle to travel.

I also know that I didn't always make the best choices last week. A gain of 1+ pounds always surprises me because I never think I stray THAT much, but it's always a wakeup call, too. It's so easy into fooling ourselves that we're making healthy choices. Little choices can add up in a bad way, too.

I WILL continue on my journey to self acceptance, I WILL accept the consequences of my choices, & I WILL continue to believe that I can & WILL get to & maintain a healthy weight.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

PCOH051610 5/8/2011 7:26PM

Thank you for this wonderful blog which instills the thoughts that we have to love ourselves, first and foremost! I wrote 120 pounds on my drivers application because I was ashamed to be 130 pounds..this was in 1983!!!! Thank goodness teens today have some more realistic body images to look up to. Report Inappropriate Comment

HEYRED221 5/7/2011 12:09AM

Yep, we definitely gotta embrace our bodies! Report Inappropriate Comment

CYNTHIAMINUS40 5/6/2011 12:07PM

Growing up in the Twiggy era was miserable for us curvy girls and then there's the double whammy if we have curly/wavy hair. I begged my mom to let me iron my hair! I think too as we get older we begin to accept ourselves more and feel comfortable and confident in our skin. You're beautiful! I loved the photos you posted of the outfits and that 2 piece bathing suit looked fantastic with your curves! Report Inappropriate Comment

NATPLUMMER 5/6/2011 11:20AM

You know I feel you on the hips and thighs. Report Inappropriate Comment

FRECKS96 5/6/2011 9:11AM

Love it!!! It is often hard to accept ourselves. It's something I continue to work on and I've certainly gotten better about embracing who and what i really am. Keep up the great work! Report Inappropriate Comment

KISSFAN1 5/6/2011 8:51AM

Like you, I grew up with large hips/butt. I got picked on by my aunt and mother (both obese) about it and it always made me very self-conscience of it. I developed early and had very large breasts and can remember at a very young age wearing coats/sweaters to cover them up even in the sticky, hot, humid south I grew up in. I can remember one boy in my classroom always sitting across from me so he could oogle me and it always made me very self-conscious of my early developement and especially when they wouldn't stop growing and were huge for my frame. I can't change my bones and I will be curvy regardless of the weight I am. I will never be stick straight (really don't want to be) and although it seems like the fashion industry still holds that shape into high esteem, I thank goodness for curvier ladies like Kim Kardashian, J-Lo, Beyonce, Mariah Carey, etc. They seem very confident in their curviness and I'm trying to do the same. We have to learn to accept our bodies for what they are. No diet change or workout will change my bone structure, it's what I was born with and I have to accept it for what it is. Comment edited on: 5/6/2011 8:53:31 AM Report Inappropriate Comment

EMGERBER 5/6/2011 8:39AM

I really enjoy your blog. I am trying to work on my self acceptance and to be happy but I keep letting things get in the way. thank you for sharing. Report Inappropriate Comment

SKINNYPOWELL1 5/6/2011 8:39AM

Well said, we have to learn to love ourselves and forgive ourselves. We all have to work with what we are given. Report Inappropriate Comment

Classic case of overestimating, I guess

Thursday, May 05, 2011

Why do people sometimes gain weight while training for a marathon? There are many reasons, but a common one is overestimating how many calories you're burning.

Today was not a good WI, which frankly sort of took me by surprise, but even tho I tracked my food & think I ate fairly healthy this week, I think I gave too much "weight" to how much I burned off last Saturday.

I know I didn't eat as well as I could have on a few occasions & I tried to go lower on points/calories overall to compensate, but apparently not good enough. Sometimes it just sucks, plain & simple.

Moral of the story is don't think exercising hard is a guarantee to weight loss. They do say nutrition is 80% of the equation . . .

Moving on. Tried my honey stinger chocolate peanut butter protein bar today. I would give it 2 thumbs up - not bad ingredients, not a bad nutritional profile - not the rave so many people gave it, but good.

Made the chocolate quinoa protein bars from nomeatathlete.com - another disappointment. Been that kind of a week! First recipe I've made from the site that I didn't like. It wasn't horrible, just not great & I doubt I'll make it again.

DH has to work late tonight AND it's pretty chilly, so I don't think I'll be swimming. I would've gone if he were here, but the dogs hate being on their own at night. Which is really an excuse . . . they can be left. Just makes everything awkward. Plus he'll be on a business trip for part of next week . . . gonna do some ST soon instead.

Tomorrow is supposed to be a much better day weather-wise so hopefully i'll be more upbeat tomorrow!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

DDOORN 5/6/2011 9:15AM

I've tried the stingers while on bike rides where they offered freebies...too carbie for me...wakes up the sleeping tiger! Don Report Inappropriate Comment

TEMPEST272002 5/6/2011 12:29AM

Sorry to hear about the surprise weigh-in. Could be overestimating... could just be those mysterious forces acting on it again. Next week you'll adjust & hopefully the scale will be kinder next time. Report Inappropriate Comment

NATPLUMMER 5/5/2011 4:50PM

It is definitely easy to overestimate the calories burned. Some weeks are just bad for weigh ins. I'm glad you like the protein bars. I often take the rave reviews of anything with a grain of salt. I hate when you try a new recipe and it's not great. At least it wasn't horrible. That would really suck. Have some good ST. Hopefully you can get a swim in tomorrow. Report Inappropriate Comment

FRECKS96 5/5/2011 4:26PM

It's that kind of week. Hopefully the sun helps lift our moods. Report Inappropriate Comment

LEONALIONESS 5/5/2011 2:43PM

http://www.runnersworld.com/article /0,7120,s6-242-304-311-8402-0,0 0.html I found this to be super useful! I just do my general calories burned per mile (net) and work around that. I do a fair amount of hills but I don't work that in, just to avoid overestimating. At my weight, I burn only about 80 calories net per mile. Which makes me go :( But knowing that (and not guessing the 95-100 you commonly hear) really saves me from big oopsies. An extra 20 calories x 40 miles a week = 800 calories that I'm off on my weekly burn calculations! Not good at all. It's .63 x weight in lbs = net calorie burn per mile. Seems reasonable to me! :) Comment edited on: 5/5/2011 2:43:48 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

PCOH051610 5/5/2011 2:34PM

Sorry to hear you are having an off day and that your weigh-in didn't bring you the results you thought it would. Although I'm not at the stage of my makeover as you are, I do learn a lot from reading your blogs. I really have never had to increase my calories due to doing too much exercise....but maybe one day I will reach that stage. I think you raised a good point all the same. The recipe review are helpful as well! I've been really off track when it comes to my food/caloric intake and I'm feeling it! What kind of temperatures are you having? I laughed when I read that you didn't want to leave the dogs at home. I know you meant it as an pseudo-excuse but how many of us do that...plan our lives around whether or not our pets will have somebody to keep them company! Report Inappropriate Comment

I had a protein bar for lunch - oh yes she did!

Wednesday, May 04, 2011

First, thank you for all your kind comments on yesterday's blog. I'm trying to get back to everyone individually, but if you don't hear from me it's probably a senior moment.

I think I look good in the bikini - sucking that stomach into the ole backbone, of course - but smokin? Well, all I can say is thank you for seeing something in me I don't see (and no, I'm really NOT fishing for compliments).

I cut the tag off the electric blue top (told you those were really bad photos) & wore it for DH, who noticed it & complimented me. Thanks again!

So yesterday was a weird day of eating. I usually plan out my meals the day before, but for the first time in a long time I didn't. A while back I made a spinach sweet potato frittata. It was awesome, but I kept putting the leftover portion in my plan & then eating something else instead.

Finally I ate it for breakfast yesterday. And it was still awesome - and really, really filling. So filling I wasn't hungry when lunch rolled around. I've found I really do better if I don't skip meals even if I am hungry, it's a couple of weeks before TOM, so I decided to indulge in a power bar instead if my planned salad. I knew I had an intense session of ST coming up.

But wouldn't you know my honey stinger order arrived almost as soon as I finished? People rave about their protein bars, and I admit that I was really tempted to try one after my workout, but I stuck with the strawberry protein smoothie i'd planned.

The only reason I decided to indulge in the power bar in the first place was because I'd had a fair amount of veggies in breakfast & would be having a fair amount in dinner too.

Most of the time I stick to the plan, but sometimes I do eat weird - but always try to make sure I get in enough freggies if I do. It worked for me yesterday - no cravings at all.

So I'm trying to work my core a bit more. Right now I'm doing core exercises every time I use the bathroom. At the moment, I'm doing an exercise where you get into plank position, walk your hands out as far as you can with good position, then hold it for 10 seconds, then walk your hands back to the starting position. Killer!

Looking for some variety; things that just take a minute or so. Any favorite core exercises that are out of the ordinary?

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

CYNTHIAMINUS40 5/4/2011 11:33AM

If you have an exercise ball, sit down on it and then walk your feet foward until the ball is positioned along your back, legs are bent, feet are flat on the floor and you begin to feel it in your abs. The longer you stay in that position, the more work your abs have to do to keep you there. I learned this from watching an exercise physiology class at our local college. I sometimes do this while watching television and it's a great exercise. Comment edited on: 5/4/2011 11:33:53 AM Report Inappropriate Comment

PCOH051610 5/4/2011 10:38AM

The frittata recipe sounds divine should you feel like sharing your recipe...hint...hint! All the compliments were well deserved and it is enlightening to know that others see things about us that we don't see ourselves. Report Inappropriate Comment

TEMPEST272002 5/4/2011 10:13AM

My smokin' compliment was 100% sincere - all that running & core workouts have paid off. The scale might not have moved in a while, but that bikini tells a different story. Do you have a recipe for the frittata? My two very fav veg: sweet potato & spinach! Could you send me a link if you have one? Report Inappropriate Comment

NATPLUMMER 5/4/2011 10:06AM

The top is cute no matter what color it really is. Sucking in the tummy is a great isometric exercise. It try to do it as much as possible when I'm thinking of it. Sweet potato frittata does sound good. I don't think there is anything wrong with a power bar for lunch every once in a while. It kept the cravings at bay, so it's a win. Report Inappropriate Comment

MZSLYDE01 5/4/2011 9:30AM

Thanks for your sweet words on my blog earlier. I really did miss you and all my other sp friends. It's good to be back. It was nice your DH noticed your new top and complimented you. My DH is really good about that kind of stuff - which is really nice. Your frittata sounds wonderful. I am going to have to search for a recipe to try it. Anything that taste's good, is healthy and keeps you full is a winner in my book. AND YOU DID LOOK SMOKIN' IN YOUR NEW CLOTHES AND BIKINI. Have a great day. Report Inappropriate Comment

DDOORN 5/4/2011 9:15AM

Core exercises can be wicked...good on ya for making time for them! Don Report Inappropriate Comment

Photo shoot -- need my peeps' input

Tuesday, May 03, 2011

Altho the photos are so bad not sure if you'll be able to give me an opinion. Was feeling very tired & out of sorts & decided to do some retail therapy after grocery shopping & a trip to the library.

I bought some of these thinner hangers at Target the other day . . . I've been meaning to try them forever. The original plan was to go back there & get some more, but I ended up at Marshalls instead, and lo & behold they had a bunch at the checkout line. Cheaper than Target.

This are felted, they're thinner than plastic hangers, keep your clothes from falling off them, and take up less room in your closet.



Am on the fence about this top, but I think I want to keep it after seeing the photos. This wrappy-style (which you probably can't even see) seems to be all the rage lately. My gold dress is like that, and they had tops exactly like that with v-necks, which is more flattering to me, but the material would be shredded in minutes by the animals. I think this material will stand up to them.



With a belt.



This dress isn't anything exciting, really, but I bought it for wearing around the house. Just wanted something comfy & light -- last year by the time I went looking, they were all gone. The price was certainly right ($19).



Young professional on-the-go with the jacket (if you ignore all the grey hair, of course).



It's amazing how you can change an outfit with a few items of clothing or accessories -- the belt, the jacket -- things I already owned. I'm really, really good at finding things that will go well with something I already own -- even years later.

Play with your clothes! Shop in your closet!

I bought this dress a while back. I like it a lot, and really love the color -- it's a deep green, which brings out the green in my hazel eyes -- only thing I don't like about it is the fat I get hanging over the sides around the bra area. Wish I could figure out how to tighten that up -- I know, you can't see it in the photo cause I have my arms bent.

Trust me, it's there. It hangs over the sides of my bras, too. Annoying.



And the p'iece de resistance . . . the bikini. I like this picture. It doesn't look great from some angles -- like the back or the side. I took some side photos but decided not to share. I tried to take some back photos but couldn't get the angle right.



But I really do have to hit that core some more this month. If I could just feel energized! If it would stop being so gray & rainy all the time! I know, whine, whine, whine, yawn.

Take that, Valerie!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

ANGELCOWBOY1 5/7/2011 8:47AM

I think the green top is my favorite also, but they all look great. And yeah, you totally rock that bikini! You go girl! Report Inappropriate Comment

PCOH051610 5/4/2011 10:34AM

I want the green top! It is beautiful and suits you both ways. I love that neckline on you! The dresses are nice too and show off your body in a good way. My favourite though is the bikini shot! Your body is really toned....I totally agree with the person who said your husband should keep that photo in his wallet! Report Inappropriate Comment

BESSHAILE 5/4/2011 5:34AM

You really do rock that bikini and the green dress is fab! I also like the two tone dress with the yellow bodice. but hon - that bikini photo ought to be in your husband's wallet. va va voom Report Inappropriate Comment

HALFFAST 5/3/2011 8:01PM

I have those hangers and they are great! I think my favorite outfits are the green shirt (belted) and the green dress. And you are totally rocking that bikini! You look fantastic - I am so jealous! I just don't think I'll ever be able to wear a bikini again :( Report Inappropriate Comment

ASHERAH38 5/3/2011 4:47PM

I love shopping in my closet or in the trunk in the basement with all the clothes that didn't fit me before!! And the price is always right. LOL. The bikini pic is stunning. The outfits look great. My favs are the green top and the first dress--it looks comfy and is flattering. Report Inappropriate Comment

FRECKS96 5/3/2011 4:27PM

Girl, you are rocking that bikini!!! Love it, and the top. I'm not crazy about the first dress but it does look comfy. I love the neckline of the green dress. Report Inappropriate Comment

TEMPEST272002 5/3/2011 3:57PM

My fav outfit is the first one with the belt. Look at those curves in all the right places! You're smokin' hot in the bikini... it'll be nothing but wolf whistles at the beach! Report Inappropriate Comment

LEONALIONESS 5/3/2011 1:40PM

Looking AWESOME in the bikini lady! Report Inappropriate Comment

JEANLECUY 5/3/2011 1:40PM

Wow Wow Wow, Judy is ready for vacation. Love the green top both ways. A house dress? Wow, I never do that. Proud of you and all your hard work. :) Jeanne Report Inappropriate Comment

KARBIE18 5/3/2011 10:02AM

I think you look great in all of them, especially the bikini! Your hard work is evident! Go you!! Report Inappropriate Comment

NATPLUMMER 5/3/2011 9:28AM

I love the green top and the green dress!! I guess i just think green is your color. You look great in that bikini!!!!!The $19 dress is cute. Great for hanging out and it does dress up nicely. Report Inappropriate Comment

SHEILA1505 5/3/2011 9:21AM

That green top is really pretty And I agree with Kissfan about the $19 dress Doing well! Hugs Report Inappropriate Comment

KISSFAN1 5/3/2011 9:07AM

You go girl, looking good! Don't take back the top you bought (the first picture), it looks amazing on you and is very flattering with or without the belt. I love everything you bought but if I had to pick the least flattering (although you look great in all of the pics including that one as well) would be the beige/brown dress (that's what the color looks like to me) that you paid $19 for. Then again, you said you were going to wear it around the house so I'd keep it. You are like me as far as clothes go, in that you look better with clothes that fit closer to your body, so you did well! You look great in your bikini, wow! Comment edited on: 5/3/2011 9:10:20 AM Report Inappropriate Comment

MZSLYDE01 5/3/2011 9:05AM

I love all of them - You are looking amazing by the way. My fav is definitely the first and with the belt. Very cute. The color is very great on you. And that second dress - So adorable. Cute bikini - you rock it sister. Have a great day. It's great to read your blog again - I missed ya. Report Inappropriate Comment

MARIE625 5/3/2011 8:59AM

Woo-Mamma! Look at you! You are looking fantastic! I love all the outfits and can't get over how the one dress looks pretty casual and yet perfect for the office with the jacket. I have absolutely no sense of style or how to put together outfits. Although, maybe if I had something to work with besides jeans & t-shirts.... But then again, I continue to buy jeans & t-shirts because they always seem to match each other & I don't have to worry about putting together an outfit. :) Report Inappropriate Comment

IFDEEVARUNS2 5/3/2011 8:56AM

Green is your color! Love the top and dress. Oh, and the bikini. I envy you that waist. I'm straight up and down. Report Inappropriate Comment

SKINNYPOWELL1 5/3/2011 8:44AM

I love all these. I like the top with the belt, that looks young and sassy, and I love the neckline. Both dresses are very figure flattering - they are definitely "keepers" I like the bikini too. Your tummy is looking very toned. Comment edited on: 5/3/2011 8:47:41 AM Report Inappropriate Comment

Hits & misses

Monday, May 02, 2011

Wanted to share some of the food I'm enjoying lately - and one bomb.

First, there's the banana soft serve - thus is not new, but it might be new to you. Peel a very ripe banana & then freeze it 24 hrs. Put it in a powerful blender, add a splash of whatever milk you drink (I use almond milk), blend, & voila! It's like ice cream. I use 3 bananas for me & DH & it makes a nice big bowl. Sometimes I add a scoop of protein powder. Yesterday I chopped up half a chocolate peanut butter bar & added that after blending - that's definitely only an occasional treat! For WW. it's basically 0 points! And healthy! But tastes like a treat!

I've also been making sort of a waldorf salad with tuna: celery, cut up apple, madarin slices, 1 tbsp walnuts, tuna & 2 tbsp mayo (yup, you read that right!). Wasn't really sure I'd like that combination but I'm enjoying it.

And the bomb? Brownie in a mug. It sounded so good, but the reality . . . The first version I tried was 1 egg, 1 tbsp peanut butter, 1 tbsp water, 1 scoop protein powder. Mix it all up in a mug & microwave 1 minute.

I did eat it, but it was nothing like a brownie & not something I thought i'd do again.

But then I searched spark recipes . . . there are quite a few recipes for it. One added some oat flour. Aha! I thought. That must taste more like an actual brownie. Only sadly not.

There are a lot of variations on spark recipes if you want to give it a whirl.

But try the banana soft serve. Trust me on this. I know it doesn't sound like anything special, but it really is. Today I'm going to try some with some protein powder & peanut butter as an afternoon snack.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MZSLYDE01 5/3/2011 9:35AM

Yum and double yum.. I am printing this out. I have been wanting to try banana soft serve for a long time. I think I will try it this week. Already have banana's in freezer..... I am excited now. Report Inappropriate Comment

SKINNYPOWELL1 5/3/2011 7:02AM

Banana ice cream sounds yummy. So simple, even i can make it, lol. Report Inappropriate Comment

PCOH051610 5/3/2011 6:05AM

Banana icecream....wow.....that sounds incredible! I actually have an ice cream maker that I've never tried....maybe this will be it! Report Inappropriate Comment

HALFFAST 5/2/2011 7:58PM

The frozen banana sounds good! Especially with some chocolate and pb! I have a question for you about almond milk. I just recently tried switching to almond milk in my coffee and noticed that it doesn't really mix in well. It's cloudy and only partially dissolved. Does that mean the almond milk is bad? Maybe that's a part of my tummy issues! Oi! Report Inappropriate Comment

KARBIE18 5/2/2011 4:18PM

Yum! The banana soft-serve sounds delish! Will definitely try that. Report Inappropriate Comment

XFITSTRONG 5/2/2011 2:39PM

Oh that sounds good! Bananas don't last long around here... I'll have to hide some so they can ripen and I can put them in the freezer. Thanks for the idea! Report Inappropriate Comment

JEANLECUY 5/2/2011 2:37PM

funny, i have been finding that my numbers have been a little low on my tracker. I either don't track and eat like a pig, or I do track and I have a hard time eating enough. anyways, I made a smoothie today with vanilla yogurt, skim milk and berries. I was thinking that i could up the protein with a little protein powder. Good idea. I will try it and let you know what I think on the banana one, not the brownie in a cup. :) Jeanne Report Inappropriate Comment

NATPLUMMER 5/2/2011 11:38AM

The banana soft serve does sound good. I'm not so sure about the brownie in a mug. I think I'll just stick to a regular brownie. Report Inappropriate Comment

FRECKS96 5/2/2011 11:18AM

I LOVE the banana SS. I don't use any milk, but I do usually add 1 TBS of PB and some choc syrup on top. In other food. Could you send or post the recipe for your cauliflower banana bread? I'm intrigued. Report Inappropriate Comment

CYNTHIAMINUS40 5/2/2011 11:08AM

Sounds yummy! I wonder what a teaspoon of unsweetened cocoa powder would taste like in there? I have a pretty powerful blender so I'm going to try your recipe first without the cocoa powder and then maybe later on with it. the brownie in a cup - won't try that one. Thanks for the heads up! Report Inappropriate Comment