Hey y’all! I hope everyone is doing well. Sorry for the extra long break but I realized it was something I needed. I had been feeling really sad/frustrated/disappointed/confused, etc. in most every aspect of my life; from shopping, my marriage, food, exercise, this blog and everything else in between. I knew I needed to change something so I started with the obvious…weight.
I’ve been pretty unhappy with the way my clothes, new and old, have been fitting and it’s because of the weight I’ve gained in the last 2 years or so. My peak was 160 and that was before and after Thanksgiving. My arms aren’t fitting into shirts that fit me well everywhere else. Skirts and pants are fitting better in a size up, which I know is a combination of weight gain and vanity sizing. Even my engagement ring doesn’t fit any longer. (That one really bugs me.) The first thing I did was join a StepBet and DietBet. You pay money to walk a certain amount of steps a day for 6 weeks or to lose 4% of your weight. Those are going well. I have been walking about 4 miles every day. The weather has chilled so it’s harder to get the steps in and that’s where my next action comes in .
Right before Thanksgiving I visited a few gyms in the area and eventually found the one that I felt would be right for me, Lifetime Fitness. They had a few extra perks with membership as part of their Black Friday offer so it was hard to pass up. And to go all in, I also hired a trainer twice a week for the next two months. I wanted to get an handle on weight, exercise and food during the holiday parties and through Christmas. I didn’t want to gain another 5 lbs in December. I didn’t want to start a gym as a New Year’s Resolution in January, when everyone else would. I knew if I put this off I would never start. I knew if I didn’t pre-pay for my trainer for that time period I would never go. I knew the change had to be now because I would never start later.
And I’m so glad I did. I already feel better. I have more energy and my head is much clearer. I haven’t been tired or lethargic through the day and I’ve only just yesterday modified my eating habits. And that’s just making sure I each breakfast and lunch. I would almost always skip breakfast, just having a cup of coffee. And lunch would be a quick run to one of the 7 fast food places 5 minutes from me, or Chick-Fil-A that is 10 minutes away. YUM! Who knew eating three meals a day with sensible snacks would make you feel better? Oh yeah, my Health teacher knew. Sesame Street knew. Mr. Green Jeans knew.
Lastly, we did lose a family member last week. Dear Sweet (in his own way) Sammy, the original Grumpy Cat, passed away last week. He was diagnosed with a kidney disease in late August so it was only a matter of time before he would go. We had him for 17 years and Husband and I were pretty sad, which is a little funny because he wasn’t all that affectionate, especially with me and I have so many scars from scratches he gave me. And he HATED my mom! Not funny but really funny! We also realized he held us hostage in so many ways. We had to keep all doors closed and clothes put away, out of sight, or he would find it and bring it to us. If the closet was left open he would find something on the shelf and bring it to us. He fetched us things on his own, when the mood struck him, even if it was 3 in the morning. One day we caught him taking a small blanket up the stairs. Had the thing in his mouth and he was meowing all the way up. Crazy cat! We are happy he’s no longer suffering.
I hope you are all doing well and have all your Christmas and Holiday shopping complete! (I know. I know. You’re not even close, just like me.)
Much love to you!
Sorry to hear that but sounds like you’re taking control of things! Personally I’ve been having a really tough time since the election, so I understand feeling out of control. Happy holidays! -lep33shops
Lauren – That was probably the worst punch in the gut I’ve felt in a long time. I can’t even see a news headline right now. Occupying my time with something else has helped tremendously. Happy Holidays!
It sounds like you are making some positive changes. Don’t be too hard on yourself. I have found doing some sort of exercise daily is great. And, I have tons of videos: aerobics, weight training, walking, etc., so that I can mix it up every day. I have several walking videos by Leslie Sansone and Jessica Smith (3-6 mile walks), which helps since our weather is so often crappy. It makes it easy to get in the 4-5 miles a day. Sorry to hear about your cat. Sounds like it’s a lot to go through at once. Take care of yourself. I tell my college-age daughter to make sure she does one thing everyday that makes her happy, no matter how little — you do the same!
Hi Audrey!
Oh….so sorry to hear about Sammy! It’s hard losing a pet; especially one that has been a member of the family for 17 years.
Good for you for taking care of your physical self! It’s so hard to find that motivation, sometimes, to get moving again in the right direction. I know that when I gain weight and the clothes stop fitting correctly, the rest of my life kind of follows suit….funny how that happens, right? I just recently went thru a weight loss and restructuring my daily diet and have enjoyed the resulting loss of pounds and the extra energy! I now have to accept that it needs to be a lifestyle change due to (ahem) ‘age’ and move on. Yuck…tough pill to swallow…LOL!
Best of luck to you….I know you’ll get to where you want to be!
Karen
Sounds like great changes! I hope you inspire me to do the same. I am so sorry about your kitty. Those pictures of him with things in his mouth are hysterical, I’ve never known of a cat who fetched things like that.
I’ve also never known a fetching cat, what a character, and I’m sorry you’ve lost him.
It’s been a hard year, I’m looking forward to the new one that’s for sure. I can relate to the physical issues, I’m getting older and have clued in to the fact that I need 4X the exercise I used to, walking an hour a day with lots of hills helps lots. Staying on task with stretching and yoga is more difficult because I’m busier, but it’s important to make time for just looking after ourselves… allows us to be busy, and busy people get things done! (My current mantra lol)
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and good luck with everything. Cheering for you. xx
Hi AB, Been meaning to check your site out ever since you posted on FB about wanting to skip to February — I’m sorry I hadn’t gotten a chance until now. I’m sad to hear life is messy right now, but it sounds as if you’re being proactive about it & I love that! Taking control and having a game plan always makes me feel like there’s hope and this isn’t impossible. I like having goals and I know you will reach yours. Also, even if there’s a lot on your plate right now, just one thing/day at a time. I know things will fall into place, even though at the beginning of plans like this, you want results, like, yesterday. Hang in there, hon, you got this!
I’m sad to learn about dear Sweet Sammy, but your story made me reminisce on a much loved, but rather mean kitty we had for a long time growing up. Quiqui was a rescue — we found him on the street, on a snowy day here in cold NY. My sister and i were very little at the time, but enchanted by the idea of a cat. Given how we rescued him, you’d think he’d be grateful at the idea of a steady meal & shelter, but you’d be wrong! Peed all over my dad’s work suits, ate (& threw up) all of my mom’s plants, ran away a few times, fell off the fire escape (miraculously survived), couldn’t stand to be petted, let alone hugged (that resulted in inch long scratches on whoever dared)! A real charmer. He was the true anti-cat but we loved him anyways. His health started to fail so we put him down during his twilight years, sniff. Anyways, I’m sorry that your kitty is no more, but glad he’s not suffering. I love your selections of him, sweet & funny!
xo!