Source: skinnytaste.com
You might remember that last summer was the Summer of Pie around here. Harry was finally allowed to eat gluten and dairy and I wanted to teach the kids how to bake and spend one on one time with each of them. Well, the summer of pie added a few pounds to my waistline! I have been very lucky my whole life and have never really had to watch my weight (don't judge... trust me I have lots of challenges to work on but that was an easy one for me). Until now. I think I have hit that awful age where it all catches up to you!
Since Dave and I married (almost 16 years ago) we have not owned a scale. I was a little exercise obsessed when we got married and Dave did not want me to weigh myself all the time. I am REALLY glad we have never owned a scale. I have always been gentle with myself as I have had children and worked to get back to my "normal"size. I have never defined myself by a number on a scale. If I felt good and my clothes fit..I was happy with my weight.
All of sudden, my clothes are not fitting. They are tight. Some do not fit at all. I do not like the way my body moves or looks. I have a roll around the middle when I sit down. I have never had that before and it is even hard for me to write. I recently was weighed at the doctor and I weighed 118 pounds. One day at the gym, the scale said 122. Now I know that is light to many people but I am very small boned and short and for me a good weight is 105 pounds. I have never weighed this much unless I was pregnant. In fact, I have gained about 10 pounds in one year.
I know some of you will tell me that I am fine the way I am. But I don't feel fine. I feel flabby and out of shape and overweight for my body frame. I have a layer of fat around my stomach and hips that has never been there before and I know it is not healthy to be there.
I am not putting this out here to be judged so please don't do that. And I truly do not judge others by their weight or size at all. I have loved ones and friends of ALL shapes and sizes and I could care less. I am putting this here to be accountable. It is really hard to share all of this as I am embarrassed of how out of shape I have become. I am putting this out there so that I do not give up on my goal. You see, I do not have the greatest will power sometimes. I LOVE food and I do NOT love exercise.
Anyway, I WILL lose 15 pounds or at least get into all of my clothes by the end of summer. I am thinking that is about pound of week but I have not done the math. Maybe that is too ambitious but I am going to try. I have been exercising daily (step aerobics and walking). I am also following Ani's 15 day fat Blast to give me a little jump start/clean out. I will let you know how that goes as it is a big commitment. I am avoiding gluten and dairy too.
I am going to turn this around. I want to age gracefully in good heath. I want to be strong and in shape. I do not want to hurt and get out of breath going up the stairs. I want to be a healthy example to my children.
So, instead of a summer of pie...we are going to each set a goal this summer. Mine is to exercise 4-5 days a week (although I tend to do more when I get in the mode), eat healthy and lose this extra 10-15 pounds of fat while hopefully gaining muscle. I might have Dave take a before and after photo so I can track my progress. Not sure if I'll post as I am quite modest about my body but I will share the kids goals this week and I will keep you updated on our progress.
Do you have any summer goals?
P.S. I have a lot of posting to catch up on ...the rest of Kate's birthday, the boys graduations, last days of school...so I might be posting like crazy the next few days to get caught up...just warning you!
Yes! I, too, have found that I used to be able to "think" my way back down to size, and now it takes real work! I have 8 lbs. to go. I just want to be able to wear everything in my closet again!. I, too, am short, and while our actual weights and goal weights might look small to others, every pound gained looks like two, I have found! Anyway, I'm with you...
ReplyDeleteWay to go Jeannine! You re right...when you are small....every little bit shows. Let me know when you reach your goal!
DeleteTrust me...from the bottom of my heart, I know eactly what you are going through.When I was sick, I dropped a significant amount of weight in such a short amount of time since I couldn't eat anything...when I say significant...I am only 4'11 and have been about 114"ish" I think...basically a size 4 for many many many years.
ReplyDeleteI dropped down to a 0 and at times a 00. I was certainly not healthy and I missed being able to run without being in pain and finding clothes was terrible. I remember crying in Lilly's changing room because every dress just hung on me and I would have had to spend a fortune tailoring it.
Now I am back to a healthy weight but I feel so fat now...mind you, I am at like 113ish and not yet back in my 4's but I have been able to drink wine again without getting sick and can eat what I want and have started exercising.
It's so hard to be small..5 pounds literally changes everything.
One guy I knew overheard me talking and called it "vanity weight".
People do judge for sure. I know some people are looking to lose like 20+ pounds (eh hem...my dear boyfriend!) but it totally is reflective of your body type.
I'm rooting for you Kim!!!
You are a gorgeous woman inside and out!
Thank you so much Laura!!!!
DeleteRight there with you. I am 5'1" and 106. I have gained about 6 lbs this year and it's ALL fat on my backside.
ReplyDeleteI'm SO glad you posted this Kim. I was actually thinking about your "Summer of Pie" the other day thinking that there was no way I could ever do that. I'd blow up like a blimp! I'm actually having a really hard time this week too. I'm taking Lisa's Push Past Your Comfort Zone class- which I LOVE!!! However, this week's assignment is a self-portrait and frankly, I'm petrified! I had an incredibly stressful year and I comforted myself weekly with nachos and cheese. :/ I gained about 15 pounds this year and I'm just so embarrassed when I see myself in photos now. But you're right. It's TIME to TAKE CONTROL! I've been in my new SAHM role for about a week now and I have exercised the past 4 days consistently, and you know what? I'm proud of myself! And I already feel better! Now, I just need to start changing the way we eat, one meal at a time. If you run across a yummy, healthy recipe, please pass it along. I'm going to do my best this summer to not "get skinny" but to become "healthy and confident"! And btw- I'm 5'2" with a VERY short torso. I agree with Jeannine- every pound gain looks like two- at least! :/
ReplyDeleteI'm SO glad you posted this Kim. I was actually thinking about your "Summer of Pie" the other day thinking that there was no way I could ever do that. I'd blow up like a blimp! I'm actually having a really hard time this week too. I'm taking Lisa's Push Past Your Comfort Zone class- which I LOVE!!! However, this week's assignment is a self-portrait and frankly, I'm petrified! I had an incredibly stressful year and I comforted myself weekly with nachos and cheese. :/ I gained about 15 pounds this year and I'm just so embarrassed when I see myself in photos now. But you're right. It's TIME to TAKE CONTROL! I've been in my new SAHM role for about a week now and I have exercised the past 4 days consistently, and you know what? I'm proud of myself! And I already feel better! Now, I just need to start changing the way we eat, one meal at a time. If you run across a yummy, healthy recipe, please pass it along. I'm going to do my best this summer to not "get skinny" but to become "healthy and confident"! And btw- I'm 5'2" with a VERY short torso. I agree with Jeannine- every pound gain looks like two- at least! :/
ReplyDeleteKim, I am with you! Never really worried about my weight . If I didn't fit into my clothes , I behaved myself for about a week and things were fine. We have never owned a scale , having four daughters , it has been very important that number doesn't define them. As soon as I turned forty , all bets were off. If I eat , I gain . It takes months to lose and seconds to put back on and then some. I know the answer is exercise I just need to do it ( darn Pinterest choc chip cookie recipes)! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteI understand completely! I have 6.5 pounds that I want to loose. I know that it doesn't sound like a lot, but it's enough to make my clothes tight and my stomach roll more pronounced. We can do it!
ReplyDeleteVisiting from Paige's page - great post! We are all on the same wavelength right now! (I am 14# into my goal of 30#). I should start documenting and 'being accountable' in my blog too!
ReplyDeleteGood for you Karen!!!! You are 1/2 way there:)
DeleteGood for you, my fiance feeled just the same, he had gained a few pounds and despite me telling him that I love him the way he is, he was just not feeling comfortable witg his body. I gave him a gym membership for his birthday and he has not only lost a lot of weight but he feels a lot better in his own skin, so thats all that counts. I hope you will soon feel better with your body, have a great summer!
ReplyDeleteKristine
I so get it!!! I have always been embarrassed to say I want to lose a few pounds since I am pretty small anyway but when your clothes feel yucky so do I! I do love to exercise and I'd say that is my selfish time, but I so enjoy food and love to not think about what I eat. Not any more, my late 4o's have kicked my behind and now I exercise and have to think about what I eat. Oh well, at least it was fun while it lasted:)
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your goal!!!!
i am doing the same thing! i have totally overhauled my diet and i feel sooo much better. you will get there- you look fantastic, but i know what you mean. it's about feeling great- having energy- and staying young. ((((hugs)))
ReplyDeleteSo proud of you for putting this out there, Kim! Like you, I lack willpower.. so a big part of me wanting to share that I was on the Daniel Plan a few months back was accountability! I am still trying to lose some weight, but even more than that, eat HEALTHY!
ReplyDeleteI know you're going to do it! And if you want an accountability partner, I'm your girl :)
oxoxo!
I say, good for you Kim!
ReplyDeleteWe all know our own bodies best :) Please keep us "up to speed" with your progress and if you stumble across any "handy tips" or great recipies etc, I for one would love to read them!
I can definitely relate. I have a small frame and never had to worry about my weight - although I'm still young, my metabolism is starting to catch up to me. I am currently in my "fat & happy" stage of my relationship and we have been cooking more, working out less, and ended up gaining some pounds (and love :)). I'm up 10 and he's up 15! I am 5'10" so I'm really the only one can tell but I understand that feeling of just feeling BLAH. Here's the shredding that last 10+ :) Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI can definitely relate. I have a small frame and never had to worry about my weight - although I'm still young, my metabolism is starting to catch up to me. I am currently in my "fat & happy" stage of my relationship and we have been cooking more, working out less, and ended up gaining some pounds (and love :)). I'm up 10 and he's up 15! I am 5'10" so I'm really the only one can tell but I understand that feeling of just feeling BLAH. Here's the shredding that last 10+ :) Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI can definitely relate. I have a small frame and a great metabolism -- but it has started to catch up with me. I am in a new-ish relationship and I'm currently in that "fat & happy" stage :) We are cooking more, working out less, and gaining the weight (and love:)). I am up 10 and he's up 15! YIKES! Thankfully, I'm 5'10" and I'm really the only one who can tell there is a gain but I understand the feeling of just feeling BLAH! Good luck with your goals!
ReplyDeleteOver the past year I have learned to love working out. Hated sweating before. Changing up classes at the gym helped a ton! My goal this summer is to eat all natural foods. I just bought peanut butter with just peanuts and salt. Not sure how I will like the kind you have to stir! Good luck losing the lbs...You'll do it!
ReplyDeleteI know the feeling, when we came home from China I lost a fair amount of weight, but i have put it back on, plus about 10 lbs more... I really need to shift that 10 lb this summer. Especially, because like you, I have clothes that I love and they don't look as good on me, or even fit me anymore. My weight is in the same area, belly...ahhh, must get back to pilates! ...hips and butt. I also have no willpower and LOVE LOVE LOVE food. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm cheering you on, and you have given me insentive too! :)
Jill
You are so brave, Kim! It is scary to put it out there so I'll be thinking about you this summer! I know I'm taller, but I haven't seen those numbers you mentioned since like 5th grade! ;)
ReplyDeleteKim,
ReplyDeleteI am completely where you are. I am short and small boned and weighed 105 forever. Then I turned 50 and started menopause and...boom! I put on 30(30!) pounds in less than two years. It's all in my belly, abdomen, and above :).
I went from a 34B to a 36DD. Ugh.
It won't budge. It doesn't help that I have fibromyalgia, bulging discs, and migraines that limit my ability to exercise. I stretch and walk on good days. I can't stand the way I look and feel. I want to be active and keep up with my twin eight year old daughters. So, I am really going to try to lose weight this summer too. I already eat healthy, vegetarian, low cal. The only thing I can change is no ice cream at all (my weakness) and increase exercise when I'm able. Good luck and keep us posted on anything that you find that works please!
Good for you!! I am trying to exercise more this summer too. Just bought an elliptical machine so I have no excuse. Good luck to you!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you already have a great plan....just committing is tough! Saying " I want to be a healthy example to my children".... I'm with you. My oldest...9 yrs. And taking in everything I do ( eat, say...). My summer goal? Old school roller skates for my girls and me! Don't know if they are still made, but oh how my...how much fun it would be!?! And we live in a woods where the public won't see! Ha!
ReplyDeleteKim,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing that! You are so brave!
I'm dealing with a similar thing this summer. Two years ago, I started exercising and eating healthier. I lost 60 lbs and felt amazing. I was training for a half marathon when I broke my foot. And then I hurt my back so badly that I needed surgery. All told, I spent about 9 months in so much pain I could hardly walk, let alone exercise. And I spend much of that time on hard-core pain meds that made me RAVENOUS all of the time. And I'm... decidedly not in half-marathon shape right now. So I totally get the feeling of not being comfortable in your body. I think your goal sounds totally reasonable and do-able. One thing that really helped me lose the weight was focusing on easily attainable PHYSICAL goals - focusing on what I could DO instead of what size I was. Whether it's running a 5K, holding a 5-minute plank pose, biking 20 miles... whatever. It made me feel much more powerful when I focused on gaining strength and endurance instead of losing weight.
But whatever you do, best of luck to you! I know you can do it!
Laura
Good for you! My mom, sister, and I are all small framed and short so yes, a few pounds really does matter on a petite body. I believe most people have their "happy zone" weight and it is totally understandble to not like being above (I, for one, get very antsy!) I have started barre classes and tried spinning here and there. My mom does the On Demand excercises at home. I really admire you for writing this post. Great inspiration!
ReplyDeleteKim, I truly APPLAUD this post! I'm in the midst of an OVERHAUL on my body. My daughter gymnastics class co-partnered in the SAME BUILDING w/a ZUMBA instructor. This was my "kick in the pants" to get moving! Instead of sitting and watching her "practice her gymnastics", I'm now next door dancing, and ENJOYING Zumba!!! I'm seeing results that have me so excited I can't even put into words!!I've tried the gyms (boooooorrrrring), I tried walking (tooooo hot and booooorrrring) and I've tried the "exercise channels" TOTALLY BOOOOOORING!! I actually can't wait for class to begin! I have totally given up FAST FOOD, SODAS, SWEETS and my all time favorite...WHITE RICE and PASTA! I'm eating healthier and feel totally ENERGETIC! I look forward to class!! I love the way I feel and the way my body is transforming!! Add that to the fact that "CLOTHES SHOULD NOT HURT" when you wear them!! :)
ReplyDeletegirl you can do it.... I have started taking vitamins .. now my next step is the gym.. I have never been to a gym and don't really like to work out but looks like this girl has to also...
ReplyDeletelove ya..
Hugz.
I like your post, Kim. It's nice to hear about your goal, and I know you'll be successful with it!
ReplyDeleteI have the opposite "problem" with my weight - and it truly is a problem . . . although many people just laugh and say "oh, sure it is." I am very tall, very small-boned (like you) - but very THIN. I have a chronic medical condition that prevents me from absorbing nutrients. People look and me and I can just hear them thinking how I need to "eat a hamburger" or "eat a candybar" to fatten up, but it's not nearly that simple. So I completely understand what you say about how people - and very uninformed people, at that - can be quite judgemental.
I wish you the very best with your summer plan, and I'll be thinking of you. I'd love to hear what yummy/healthy things you come up with to eat - and also about your exercise program. Have a great day!
I get it Carrie. I have known tall skinny people like you:) I think accepting our natural, healthy body is what we all need to strive towards and I KNOW that I am not in that at the moment.
DeleteI will be sure to share what i learn and do:)
I could have written your post! Same thing recently happened to me (after starting thyroid meds). After years of being the same size, my whole shape began to change and my clothing no longer fit. I felt trapped in an uncomfortable, "fat" body yet had a ridiculous appetite due to the meds. Finally, the appetite has settled down and I'm trying to get healthy and strong and have taken off a few pounds and am getting stronger.
ReplyDeleteI consulted with an amazing women's preventative cardiologist a few days ago (the meds had caused palpitations which led to heart testing, false positives...and she straightened all that info out). Anyway, what she said might be interesting to some. In terms of wellness and health, she likes to use the word "activity" rather than exercise. She said that so many women (especially moms and caregivers) don't have time to devote 45-60 minutes at a time working out 5-7 times a week and she said that this kind of routine isn't required to be healthy. She suggested a pedometer and said to work up to 10,000 steps a day. She thinks that "exercising" can be a burden to some but learning to stay active doing what one needs to do (cleaning, chasing kids around) or what one enjoys doing is really what is most important. I felt like her approach was supportive and empowering rather than making women feel guilty for not being able to find the time to get to the gym on top of everything else they need to get done in a day.
Good luck! I'm sure you will reach your goal. And, BTW, you look beautiful!
Thank you Wendy for sharing that perspective and in general I agree. Being active is the real key. Exercise has often felt like a burden to me at this stage of life. Although...I was feeling so run down and tired that I was spending a lot of my day sitting down whenever I could. I was not being active. Forcing myself to exercise and sweat each day has given me more energy throughout the day and I am more active. I needed a kick start:)
DeleteI wonder if my thyroid meds have contributed to my issues too....the docs don't seem to think so but who knows.
THank you for the sweet compliment.
Kim
Good luck kim!! This post really hit home for me!! I have been pregnant or nursing for the past three years. After Grace I hardly even knew what the "real" me was anymore. I gave myself two months after grace, and starting in January I have really been working hard on my weight and fitness. I have dropped 28.5 lbs since then and I am finally back down to my size 2 jeans from after Bradley. It feels amazing to head into the summer knowing all of the hard work as paid off. But more than that I started working with a trainer doing small group exercises at ACAC. She has been so so awesome and motivating. I just love that now I am probably the fittest, and strongest I have been since turning 20 and graduating from college. I can run six miles and it doesn't kill me. More than the clothes, the scales, the jeans, I just feel great and that is the most important thing!! good luck! skinny taste is the most awesome website. I have printed and cooked almost every single one of her recipes. I actually started a separate binder for just her recipes because I was collecting so many. My favorite salad is the penne with arugula and sundried tomatos with chick peas. It is delicious. Her crock pot meals are easy and great! Her chx panini with arugula is another weeknight favorite that I make almost every week! xoxo, c
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean Kim. I am only 5' tall and my whole life I weighed around 110 pounds unless I was pregnant and never owned a scale.....never needed to exercise. I am approaching 49 in a few days...yikes....and I weigh over 125 pounds. I would walk here but it is not safe. I know most people think I look fine but my entire family is obese and I fear it actually....I will be thankful to leave the land of muy good tortillas in 23 days:) Praying for you!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this post. I am in the same boat: never had to worry about my weight but put on 10 pounds this winter that won't budge. On a whim I just bought the 15 Day Fat Blast book-- should be here Friday. If you have time & don't mind, I'd LOVE to hear how the program works for you. I've never done anything like this before, but I was really motivated by your post!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kim - I too have put on about 4 pounds and I can tell. I have not been exercising and I feel tired all the time. I am a teacher and the last few weeks of school were delightfully filled with "teacher treat days". I love food and won't pass up a cookie or piece of cake. But I know my comfortable weight is 134 and I can tell by my clothes when I have strayed. Just this week I started getting up earlier and power walking two miles. Although my clothes haven't yet noticed, I already feel an energy boost.
ReplyDeleteAmanda
Thanks Kim - I too have put on about 4 pounds and I can tell. I have not been exercising and I feel tired all the time. I am a teacher and the last few weeks of school were delightfully filled with "teacher treat days". I love food and won't pass up a cookie or piece of cake. But I know my comfortable weight is 134 and I can tell by my clothes when I have strayed. Just this week I started getting up earlier and power walking two miles. Although my clothes haven't yet noticed, I already feel an energy boost.
ReplyDeleteAmanda