Month: February 2012

The Magic of Believing

I read this book, The Magic of Believing, when I was an adolescent.  This book, combined with a very strong faith, enabled me to pursue many paths and dreams with conviction and courage.  I very much believed in the power of the imagination to deliver on goals.

I started creating posters of my future.  With a little glue, scissors, magazine clippings, and poster board, I would assemble a collage that reinforced what I was working toward.   These posters were amazingly effective.  Even after I graduated college, I still enjoyed making them and displaying them.  I took a lot of satisfaction in achieving the dreams that I outlined on these posters.

I found an old one recently and realized I had achieved everything I set out to do.

To that end, I created a new one for my 50% off campaign.  I can probably even afford a frame now, so I’m looking forward to hanging this one and allowing the images and promise to seep into my sub-conscience.

Pinteresting Goal-Setting

As you know, I’ve decided to approach this mammoth weight loss effort as a project, or better, a campaign. I call it my “50% Off” campaign.   It’s a great way to keep focused on the goal, but have some fun along the way by treating it as a series of milestones and achievements.

Accordingly, I created a 50% off board on Pinterest. I’m posting clothes there that I like in normal sizes.   Although there have been great strides in the fashion world to offer better-designed plus-sized clothes, it’s still a fashion travesty if you’re not a size 0 or 2.

I’ll never be a 0 or 2.   (I think I was born a woman’s size 12.)  Nonetheless, I look so forward to the day I can buy something in a normal size.

Here We Go Loop de Loop!

Only Boomers will recognize loop-de-loop, but I thought it was a fitting headline for this post.  My new friends and colleagues from (the company formerly known as) XPLANE have taught me that anyone can draw. I wanted to demonstrate on paper how these “loop de loops” are the bermuda triangle (circle?) of weight loss.

I’ll be going along just fine with a gradual, steady weight loss… and then BAM!  I gain a pound or even two pounds, for no rational reason.  I’m convinced these upticks are devil-inspired obstacles that throw you into a fiery burning pit of anxiety, self-doubt, shame, and hopelessness.  These anxiety wormholes will snatch you and leave you in despair if you don’t get on top of them.

This is where I’ve been for the past week.  Battling the loop demon.  But, alas, I’m back on track and moving forward.

The best news, however, is I fit into a pair of jeans that were in my closet: TWO (count ’em) sizes smaller.  Fashion milestones matter.  Seriously.  I’ve even started a “50% off” board on Pinterest.  I’m pinning things I would like to wear… some day.  When (notice I didn’t say “if?”) I reach my goal weight, I hope to fit into an old pair of Levi’s.  I remember I used to wear a 29 x 30 in high school.  (Same size as my son today).

The Incredible Shrinking Woman

I’m actually down thirty pounds, but Lose-it! doesn’t have a badge for that.  Not sure what the next one is, but I’m looking forward to it!  It amazes me how much these milestones and personal support from friends matters as I truck along.

I’m still dealing with my pulled groin, or whatever it is.  And the heel thing is not going away.  Today, I tried to swim as I thought that would be less stressful on my muscles.  It still hurt, but I was really out of breath, so I guess I elevated my heart rate.  Of course, I got in the pool and swam down the lane and realized I had my FitBit on when I stood up.  It seems to be working now though, but I thought it was a goner.  We’ll see if it’s reliable.  They may permit a return on it according to their customer support community.

On the weight loss itself, it feels kind of strange.  I no longer have the gignormous stomach that obstructed the view of my feet.  (Where did it go?)  My clothes are all fitting loosely now, with very few exceptions. Like most women who’ve gained and lost, I have clothes in my closet in nearly every size.  I refuse to buy new clothes right now.  What I have done in the past is buy smaller size plus clothes in thrift shops.  I may do that again if my clothes really start not fitting at all.  The other noticeable weight loss is actually in my face.  I think it’s thinning out.  For a woman my age, I have very few wrinkles, so this is a welcome development.  When I reach my 50% off goal, I am definitely going to lie about my age. 🙂

I have been using a number of devices to keep me motivated (apart from the online friends and tools).  One device I’ve used in the past is to make a simple poster of my future state from magazine clippings.  It’s entirely old skool, made with scissors and glue.  It’s kinda fun though.  Lots of photos of horses.  I’ll post it when I have it finished.  It’s not a work of art, just a mental reminder of what I’m working toward.

My health has really improved, as I’ve said before.  I still can’t believe I don’t have acid reflux anymore.  I drink water exclusively, unless I’m drinking tea.  (Oh, there is plenty of drinking Chardonnay on occasion.)  I can’t give up alcohol altogether when I go out.  I still have not had a piece of bread since December 1st.

Tomorrow, I’m signing up for something at the gym called a 90-day challenge.  I hope it’s not just an opportunity or them to upsell me, but I’m going to do it.  There are a variety of programs associated with it that I’ve been curious about.  Yoga, grocery shopping, Zumba, even a 5K at the end, which I should be able to do by May 1.

Well, that’s it for now.  I’m feeling great and moving forward (albeit gingerly until my injuries heal).

Oh, best news?  I’m no longer “morbidly obese.”  Now, a pleasant “severely overweight.”  I’ll take it.