Thursday, April 15, 2010

The truth about my weight..

I never ate a lot...I just ate often and the worst things for me..

And, I saw myself with skinny-eyes..never thought I looked "that bad"...{isn't the reason I wear glasses to see better??}

AND...I looked from the neck-up..and straight-on..not from the side or in a full-length mirror..and I was lookin' go-oo-d...

Until I saw a photo of myself..or tried to have an active day..or went clothes shopping...

But that was then..and now is now. I've lost a total of 63 pounds from my heaviest..and I am more active..



So, what was my "last straw"'?? An airplane..

Yep, those pesky seat belts that are needed to save your life?

Yeeeah..I couldn't get it around me and I was too embarrassed/ashamed/humiliated to ask for a seat-belt extender.

Can you imagine? I had to pretend I "put the end of the buckle in until you hear it click"..

If we had an emergency, I would have been the one bouncing off the overhead compartments..

And, I don't ..."bounce"

And wouldn't is suck if after beating breast cancer, I died of a heart attack??

Yeah, that's what I thought too.

So with the help of Weight Watchers, a supportive Mr. B and his Mom {who often cooks for us}, my twice weekly Zumba classes and a genuine caring for myself..I am on my way.

Still have 40 pounds more to go..but.."slow is better than never"..



And I am was the WORST..the absolute WORST at eating right and the BEST justifying/hiding/sneaking/pigging-out on all the really not-so-good-for-me-foods..

Physical activity? The last I had was going into labor with my kids...some 35 years ago! No more "fast food" unless it's a salad..then only rarely..

 I do still enjoy all most of the foods that I used to eat, but now I know it's a manageable amount, and not every meal/every day..

While not easy (I hate those commercials that say "Oh, it was SOO easy!") I remember what the WW leader told us...

 "Being overweight is hard..
 Loosing weight is hard...
Maintaining weight is hard....Choose your hard."

I know what I'm choosing...

 I've found some great helpers along the way: http://www.hungrygirl.com/ - sign up for daily hints, product reviews, recipes and good humor..and she had several GREAT recipe books!

Gave up the rich creamer in my coffee{except on 'special occasions} and now use the 10 calorie powdered kind..

Greek yogurt - great substitute for sour cream..

Sandwich Rounds - what can I say...I LOVE bread! And these are great toasted!

Better-n-Peanut Butter - wowzer! Expensive, sometimes hard to find, but goo-oo-ood!

 Sugar Free Ducle de Leche pudding..yum-

OH Fruit! - right now, apples (with Laughing Cow cheese!) oranges and bananas (with the peanut butter on the Sandwich Rounds? Youbetcha!)

So, let's help each other..Dawn at The Feathered Nest has a new blog about her journey...go to The Journey Back to Me on my sidebar...

We can do this..we deserve to be healthy and happy and...pretty :-)

Love, me :-)

30 comments:

doxiemom said...

You've inspired me! Way to go. As much as I've changed my eating my eating habits my diabetes is still out of control, or was. I'm on shots now and they're working but I hate needles!! This zumba thing is sounding pretty good too. I can't be hopping around upstairs though. LOL Going to have to find a class somewhere because it looks like fun. I've got a new pic of Connor to send to you too. I still can't believe he's almost done with his Junior year! Holy Cow time flies! Well way to go and keep up the great work! (((hugs)))Christine

Sherry Goodloe said...

I need WW!
I'm inspired!
I'm signing up on Monday!
Ok - there, I've put it out in the universe. YIKES!

Ice Queen said...

You are doing so fabulous. :D Congratualtions on the changes you have made for the better and your success, so far. I wish you well on your continuing journey to your goal. :D

diane b said...

Ice Queen couldn't have said it better. Well done on your hard work and keep it up. Its hard is right. Bill has lost weight after I have been nagging for ages and he took no notice, then one day he just decided to do it himself...beets any nagging. He has cut down on the amount he eats and no desserts, but he still doesn't exercise enough.

Laurie said...

Thanks for this post Colleen, you're an inspiration! I'm loosing slowly also, the way we should. Can't wait to get down to my last 40!

RoeH said...

I never had a weight problem till a pesky operation in 1999. And then it zoomed. It is so depressing. Great post.

Vee said...

Not ready myself...eating being my "medication of choice" right now, but I'm watching you gals! :D

Hearty congrats to you for the weight loss. It's not easy and what's really not easy is keeping it off for good. Glad that you have a no-nonsense WW leader who tells it like it is.

Unknown said...

wow you look great. congrats. keep on going girl!

Breezy said...

You look Mahhhhhvelouus dahlink!!!

Jules said...

Thank you for sharing your story! How inspiring!!!

The Feathered Nest said...

You have SO totally inspired me Colleen...and I've seen your beautiful transformation right here on your blog! You've always been beautiful though! Thank you so much for mentioning the new blog ~ it's all about the accountability for me. I love these tips too, thank you!! Have a wonderful weekend, hugs and love, Dawn

Little Penpen said...

Colleen, you look great! I like the tips and especially "choosing your hard".... very good!

just call me jo said...

You foxy lady! So cute and THIN. I too struggle with weight daily. Constant battle and yet worth it if you can conquer the munchies. You can do it!!

C'est moi Claudette said...

Dear "love you"
I love your new look. Sometimes it takes that extra piece of the puzzle to make sense of the whole thing.
You are looking fabulous girlfriend. You rock! Your hair is just about as white as mine and we look good "in it" I used to wear mine short like yours, then I needed a little "mrs. brady" for spunk.
Keep up the incredible work. I'm here for ya.
Love Claudie
xoxoxoxo

Chrissykat said...

Fab-u-lous! Good on you for taking charge of your life! You're quite the inspiration to us readers. And whatever it is you're talking about, you always make me laugh. I wonder if you even know how funny you really are. Have a great weekend!

Stacey said...

You are a stong woman with great will power! And you sense of humor is the the best! Keep up the good work, you have and continue to inispire many! You are definatley, paying it forward

La Dolce Vita with LeAnn said...

Once again you have inspired me....and by the way I think you look absolutely beautiful and marveously slim. I've had to to many excuse of what is hard for me, as soon as the sunshines for 2 days in a row I will have no more excuse to not get out there and "Get to IT" ....thanks for your smiles and laughs.

Robin said...

Way to go!! I know what you mean about hard and choosing which hard!

Pearl said...

I am so proud of you girlfriend!! What a journey you have been on and I got to watch you do it. (not join, watch) I'm getting the book "Eat this Not that" I saw it on the "Bonnie Hunt Show" and can't wait to get it. Alas maybe some day I will look like you! Skinny Minny. Your beautiful inside and out. Come on over and comment on my giveaway. "you go girl!"

Unknown said...

You look great to me. Go get yourself a food allergy or sensitivity as they now call it. That will keep you from reaching out for anything that look good, believe me.
Sometimes I get so hungry I could reach right over to the plate across from me and just grab half of what they are eating. Very frustrating !
I was searching around on your blog for the Irish book you had. I do have that book and love it. The page that told about all the different wars and how the Irish fought in all of them was amazing to me. We live up on the Erie canal near Lake Ontario and they really built most of the canal. Interesting tours if you are ever up this way, especially near Syracuse.
Good luck with your eating !!

Lori R. said...

Excellent post and encouragement! I started a new self improvement program through my church, 40 Days and 40 Nights. One of my bloggy friends joined with me too! I just think I can do this. You described me to a "T", I am so in denial! So on with the long "HARD" trek, but I am determined and that ugly monster, sugar, is going to be beaten! Thanks Colleen!!!

Jean said...

Colleen, You look great! Congratulations! I had held my weight for several years and even dropped a few pounds now and then. Gained after my hand surgeries and just can't get them off. Thanks for the encouraging post. Jean

Shopgirl said...

I found you because of Dawn, she is so good to share. I love that you are sharing your journey.
I always thought I ate less than anyone I knew, and maybe I did, but it was the wrong food. I started my new life style in January. I have lost 20 pounds. Just a start, but it is coming off slow, and I wish that I would wake up one morning and I was the skinny gal that is yelling to come out. "Dreams are a wish your heart makes!"
I love your blog and I will return...Hugs, Mary

Art by Darla Kay said...

YOU are a rock star!! Congratulations! Love the attitude and LOVE the quote about 'choosing your hard'
You should be so proud♥

Journal Swag said...

Wow, how inspiring you are! And energetic taking Zumba classes. You look great, and you were cute before too (just fyi, which is important if in the past you were like me... I can't stand to see my image in person or in pic). Hurray for you!!

Sheila

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Good for you. I must get on the wagon with you. I signed up for the emails at HungryGirl. Thank you for the suggestions on ways to change what you use. I love sour cream! I only have coffee on the weekend but I do use the fancy creamers :( I can't do much on exercise because of my asthma but maybe I could walk Skye. Keep up the good work, I am so proud of you.

June said...

You are beautiful! What an inspiring story. Hard is hard, but it will get easier because habit is a strong force.

Vicki/Jake said...

Colleen...you're just awesome no matter what the weight..
Congrats on the loss and when we 'do' lunch, you get to pick where..I'd have to go for fattening Italian...

me said...

I can't tell you how much I needed to read this...right now! I was just hitting the "next blog" button and something just said I needed to stop and read. I finally quit smoking after twenty plus years. Now its time to lose the extra 100 lbs. and I've been struggling so hard with making the commitment. Thank you for sharing your story!

Unknown said...

I am proud of you zumba girl

Wanna see what I've been up to ??

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