March 10, 2006 10:10 AM
Diet Report and Contest Update
Okay, it's been 5 weeks on my diet. I have only cheated twice - once to have a half a coke (sugar and all) at the opera intermission because I wanted to stay awake and once when the kids got Taco Bell and I had some kind of burrito and a couple Meximelts. Other than that, I have stuck to the plan, also fasting one day a week.
The report is: 28 pounds gone and lots of big clothes sold on Ebay so I won't ever go back there again. I finally got over the plateau where I'd lost 22 pounds and my body refused to budge another ounce. That lasted two weeks, but I stuck it out and feel good about not giving up and then seeing the weight start to fall off again. The weird thing is that I actually seemed to lose inches even while not losing pounds. And my energy level is so much more reliable - no more falling asleep at my computer!
I haven't been exercising much, but will start Monday - even got the old Jane Fonda tape out - what a riot it will be to once again see those chicks with the enormous hair singing about what independent women they are! Oh well, it worked many years ago and I plan on it working today.
I had my lab work done and my doctor's office called to say that everything looks terrific - which it didn't not so long ago. And my blood pressure is holding steady at 130/75. Amazing. It kind of makes you wonder how many people have to take pills because they won't give up bad habits.
But, hey, I'm not judging. I'm too busy being grateful.
It's all about the intersection of timing and our will. I knew I could do this long before I got up the gumption to do it. Who can understand the mystery of the moment of decision - when we finally get around to doing what we knew needed to be done all along? How I wish I'd done this before our trips to the beach, before family photos, before book signings, before Jasmine's wedding.
That keeps me motivated. Not to mention seeing mommies slim enough to fit in their washing machines or on top of cabinets.
Btw, I love the way the Love That Laundry Room Contest has networked and introduced readers to each other. There are no qualifications for the contest at all. No religious affiliation, marital status, or even whether you have a laundry room. This is one contest where we're all standing on common ground - the need for clean clothes :) So even If you're carting clothes down to your local Laundromat - which I did for many years and still do on the rare occasion my trustworthy machines are broken down - take your camera and ask someone to take a shot. It will resonate with me and other readers too.
The thing about getting older is that you get a lot of experience under your belt. But that's all I want to make extra room for anymore :)
Posted in Contest, Diet, Meet Me in the Laundry Room Contest, Mothering | Permalink
Comments
Good for you, and congratulations on your diet success! You must feel really good.
And yeah, how is it possible for grown women to fit inside their washers and dryers?! Amazing ....
Posted by: Damselfly | March 10, 2006 11:22 AM
Congratulations!!
Last December I also started a new diet of sorts. It's called Only One Cup of Coffee A Day. Last summer I was appalled to realize that I ate 4 pounds of sugar in one month and it was all in my coffee - I like it sweet and I like a lot of coffee. A lot. I tried cutting back the sugar but it didn't work so I decided to cut back on the coffee. I also quit drinking cokes* because I can go way overboard with them. I'm not overweight but I am very out of shape and I began to think that type 2 diabetes was lurking around a very close corner (it also runs in the family which doesn't help).
We joined a gym two weeks ago and I've been going regularly. I feel so much better now!
I miss my coffee. I reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaallly miss my coffee, but I can live without it.
*all sodas are called coke down here.
Posted by: Spring | March 10, 2006 11:40 AM
I've loved seeing the pictures, however I do confess to some serious laundry room envy!!!
Posted by: Lindsey | March 10, 2006 1:22 PM
Congrats. on your weight loss. that's a lot in such a short period of time. You go girl.
Posted by: Faith | March 10, 2006 2:31 PM
Can't you get disfellowshipped for exercising to Jane Fonda?
Guess I better say just kidding in case someone thinks I'm serious. . .
Posted by: Monika | March 10, 2006 3:22 PM
Congratulations! You are such a delight--I am so glad to have found your blog. You inspire me! You motivate me to maintain my own blog! You make me smile...as I read and see all the photos submitted...in the laundry rooms! You have enhanced my day-to-day co-mom-drums; the challenges of finding the strength to do the best job I can as mom, wife, friend, daughter, volunteer, all around...interesting person. There's a challenge!
Just one more question: what was your original motivation to tackle this diet? I ask with personal motives in mind--as I have been struggling to find just that--the motivation to even find (!) the old Jane Fonda tapes! :) Maybe you've already posted about this, if so, just redirect me!
Congrats again!
Diane
Posted by: Partners in Prayer for Our Prodigals | March 10, 2006 3:24 PM
WAY TO GO!!!! 28lbs is GREAT!!!! Praise the Lord for how He has given you such grace to have such self control to stick to a plan...and the fruit is amazing!
Celebrating with you!
I loved all the pics too on the laundry room contest too...thanks for sharing all of those!!!
Posted by: shawnda | March 10, 2006 3:54 PM
Congratulations! I have been STUCK at the same weight for a solid year no matter what I do. It is so frustrating...and I sadly DO give in and eat a plate full of cookies.
Posted by: SheriLynn | March 10, 2006 3:58 PM
Oh, I was looking and looking for your first post about losing weight. We all got busy commenting on the "must all babies be wanted" thread that I felt we overlooked giving you MAJOR KUDOS for your weightloss! I am so glad you posted this update. I have lost a "significant" amount of weight twice in the last 5 years and it is so HARD, but SO WORTH IT! I just want to give you THREE CHEERS and encourage you to stick with it till you get to the goal! I lost #60 in 2001 and I lost #40 a year ago...(with diet and exercise). Unfortunately when I am expecting (which I am now) I "BLOSSOM" and GAIN and GAIN and GAIN...so I have gained most of the #40 back again...but I have every intention of losing every pound of overweight as soon as this baby is well on solid foods...(in about a year and 1/2). I feel so much better at a weight closer to what I was when I got married...and it's NOT unrealistic...it's DO-ABLE....you just gotta stick with it!
Anyway...all that to say I am SO THRILLED you are finding success and hope we can encourage you all the way to the GOAL!!!!
Posted by: Tara | March 10, 2006 4:59 PM
I'm a fairly new reader, but I just wanted to comment on how I really appreciate what you say. I don't know how you do it, but everything you write about lifts my spirits.
(and don't tell anyone, but I love Jane Fonda tapes!)
Posted by: Emily | March 10, 2006 5:42 PM
the pic of the hand cranked washer makes me very very solemn, when i think of my mother-in-law, who would wash her cloth diapers with water she had to draw herself in rural alaska. she told me how she would have a 50 gallon drum full of wet dirty diapers, and would crack through the ice so she could wash.
and i complain about scraping mine into a flushing toilet...
Posted by: meggan | March 10, 2006 6:31 PM
Oh, too funny about the videos - are they the ones with the big hair AND the twisted bandana around the forehead? and the leg warmers? Oh. the. 80s. I do not miss them - much!
Congratulations on the weight loss. I kind of gave up on the actual weight loss thing and just decided to go for tone and health. I've got curves that will never be small in some places again after five babies, but I want to get rid of the saggy-baggy-tummy-bummy look. And after nursing five babies for at least a year or so each, the right push-up bra would be helpful too. Can I say that on your site? I've actually come to love my womanly curves - I just wish the curves were in their proper places LOL. I can't look at the scales - it doesn't work for me. It's my body type. I'm 5'2". Because of a dislocated disc in my lower back at age 17 I entered college weighing 87 pounds. No that's not a typo. I continued my physical therapy at college and worked out hard. I finished my freshman year weighing 130 pounds, but wearing the exact same size as when I went to college. I weighed 102 when I got married and looked too skinny. I gave birth two times both times returning to 102 within a few short months, extremely high matabolism. With my third baby I contracted 5th disease and ballooned to give birth at 172 pounds - which is a lot for one pregnancy. She was a preemie by induction to saves both our lives. I had to work, but not very hard to lose that weight and I did. I got to 115 and loved the way I looked. Had two more babies and seem to be resting at 127 these days. As I am working out some now, I seem to be gaining weight again, but fitting my clothes better. I'm not sure why. I've read that is actually a myth that muscle weighs more than fat, but I have learned that I can't watch the scales - I have to watch my shape, tone, and overall health.
Posted by: the SmockLady | March 10, 2006 6:49 PM
Halleluia!!! God is so good! Congrats on letting him work through you even with your diet! You are definitely an inspiration to those who need reminding that slow and steady wins the diet race.
Keep us posted on the ups and downs, Barbara. We're with you in spirit and prayers.
As to Damselfly, I didn't know I could fit in the washer until I tried. (I was kind of hoping it would break so that I would have a really good excuse for not doing laundry, but alas, it still works.) Gotta go, there's the dryer telling me it's done. Back to the old ironing board. Sigh...
Posted by: Shalee | March 10, 2006 10:10 PM
Ack! Jane Fonda! I was in high school in the 80s. My girls PE class would go to the wrestling cages in the school's basement and have to do the Jane Fonda tapes. A little TV and VCR on a stand, I could barely see it, much less keep up with the moves. It was an uncoordinated, sedentary, thinks-she's-overweight teen's nightmare. And of course, there were always a few cheerleaders in my class. Right behind or beside me. Or, at least that's how I remember it.
No wonder exercise classes (and gyms in general) intimidated me until well into adulthood.
Posted by: Jennifer | March 11, 2006 5:14 PM
The denial period of thinking that my jeans are shrinking EVERY time I put them in the drier is over. I just recieved my Land's End catalog filled with pictures of thin models walking down the beach in countless cute suits. Next to the suit descriptions are shapes to show what suits are better for different body types. A rectangle...a star... a triangle. I noticed quickly they didn't have anything shaped like a blob of jell-o. After analyzing my abs of spam I decided to take action and check out the local Curves. I am now going three times a week and love it! I esecially like the voice over the up-beat music tht calmly says,"move to the next station now," and back away from the station to check you pulse". I seriously was thinking that I could use that at home. Imagine your favorite music playing then in a calm voice. "Please start lunch now." and, "Back away from the dryer and check the lent trap now".
As far as laundry goes, it is a blessed day if all the socks leave the ark two by two. My husband refused to believe me when I told him the washing machine eats them. "What do you think the loose change in the bottom of the drum is," I told him one day, "it's my TIP!'
Posted by: Marci | March 11, 2006 9:38 PM
Wow, I first hooked up with you through HolyMama!, am hoping I'm not too late to submit a laundry picture.
But then scrolling through your page I see something about your weight loss and I'm FLOORED. GREAT JOB! Very encouraging, inspiring. I've been putzing around with loosing weight, not taking it seriously. It's time I did, though. I'll have to keep checking in to see how you're doing.
Posted by: Karin | March 12, 2006 5:04 AM
