I haven’t posted anything recently about weight loss or fitness, and that is probably because I have been distracted by work, family, and little bits of people I shouldn’t be seeing.
As many of my regular readers know, I got kinda fat a couple of years ago. Not that it happened all of a sudden, mind you. In January of 2013 I was just tipping the BMI scale at obese, and let me tell you, having been a skinny kid? Cruising close to 200 pounds was not something that I was proud of. I got lazy, I got happy, I got complacent. I got a job just around the corner from the cafeteria at work. ‘Nuff said.
The hubs? He loved me thin, he loved me fat, but he also wanted me to be comfortable in my own skin, which I wasn’t at 192.
12-12-03 A wedding photo. 135-ish pounds
3-2012 – mid 180’s 😦
In a moment I’m going to (as I put it to Bobby, a body building friend of mine earlier) grow a pair and show you three progress pictures; one from Week 1, one from May of last year (when I got brave enough to put on a two piece swim suit), and the last from just a couple of weeks ago. I probably need to do one from tonight, but it’s late, I’m tired, and I am feeling comfy in a tee shirt and workout pants, and don’t feel like standing in front of a mirror in a bikini trying to take a decent selfie.
This past 18 months has been more like an experiment in the kitchen than a “journey,” as many people like to call it. It’s like perfecting a recipe that you created. You have to use trial and error to get the correct amount of ingredients into the pot to make it taste the way you like it. Not enough salt? Add more. Maybe cut back on the cayenne pepper. You get what I mean. Everyone’s recipe to where they want to be, physically, is going to be different, just like everyone’s favorite recipe is going to be different.
That said? I’ve tweaked carbs, increased protein, eaten more, eaten less, and am still fine tuning all of this. I’ve bulked and cut, and decided not to bulk again until fall, because bikinis. I have this idea in my mind that if I hit 135 pounds that I’ll be satisfied, but realistically? I know that’s not true. It isn’t about the scale number. It’s about how I look and feel.
I joined a 12-week challenge a month ago, and there are actually minimum cardio minutes to do in order to keep your team going, as well as strength minutes. (And the minimum minutes change from week to week, so you have to stay on the ball, lol!) I have noticed a lot of change in the past month with the added cardio and regular lifting (and I say regular, because between Christmas and Easter I got slack, had dental stuff done, and just basically got complacent again, lifting one to three times a week and that was it). I guess my competitive nature won’t let me stop, plus I now have a team that I count on, and they count on me, and we all pull our weight (no pun intended).
Why am I telling you all of this? It’s because I see people every day, in person and online, that get frustrated because this isn’t working or that isn’t working, and they just throw up their hands and quit. It isn’t an overnight thing, this getting back to where you once were or better. It takes trial and error. It takes patience. Most importantly? It takes TIME. This stuff isn’t for the impatient, that’s for sure.
Will I ever be through with all of this? Nope. Even after I have reached my personal goal(s), I will continue to pick up the heavy things, because it’s good for my bones and me. I will continue to do some form of cardio, because it’s also good for my heart.
This has been a rather difficult post to write, because it was one thing to write about it without the images, but it’s another different animal to actually SHARE these with the rest of the world. Only a handful of people have seen them.
So while I’m not there, yet, here are those progress photos I mentioned above. Please refrain from laughing so loudly that I can hear you, because I still have some insecurities and see some of that fat girl left in the mirror:
192 pounds 1-13, 163 pounds 5-13.
145 pounds 5-14. Still need some butt, though.
All of this said? In forum-speak: TL;DR (or Too Long; Didn’t Read) – Don’t give up. It sure doesn’t happen overnight. Find what works and stick with it till it doesn’t, then find something else that does. Did I mention don’t give up?
Until next time…
Random Musings From a Type-A Workaholic 
Way to go, Julie! You are so refreshingly straightforward, and once again you are an inspiration! I’ve been playing around at losing the extra baggage, doing the yo yo for the last 20 years between 155 and 170. At 5″ 4″ that’s a bit chubby-ish.Started getting serious about it now my knees are screaming at me, and the doc is saying scary things like “pre diabetes.” It got my attention. So far I’ve been keeping simple portion control and moderate exercise, but find stress is definitely the biggest issue. Makes a beer and chili fries sooooooo attractive! Down to 152, and aiming at a pound a month.Making the shift to being healthy to enjoy a glorious life instead of feeling deprived of all the things I used to crave! Thanks for the encouragement!
About shagging… had only heard the British meaning ala Austin Powers before. Don’t have a clue what the dance involves, but I imagine bare feet in thick dense shag carpet!
Keep it up, and bless you for sharing from the heart.
Awwww! Thank you, my friend! I am amazed that nobody has told me to please pull those god-awful pictures off the blog, but the response has been overwhelmingly supportive!
I’ve got your back, should you ever need some encouragement, because I, also, found it stressful to eyeball my favorite foods like they were the enemy. Once I got into the habit of portion control and calorie counting, I was able to plan ahead for the meals I loved, though I will admit…I don’t pine away for pizza and beer like I did at the beginning. I guess it is a mixed blessing that greasy or overly processed foods really mess with my stomach. You have totally got this! 🙂
Also…keep up the great work! On my tablet and it locks up occasionally, and that should have gotten into the last reply, but didn’t.
I have been developing sensitivity to greasy foods, large portions, and the built in unladylike bloating and “out gassing” helps me to return very quickly to healthier habits! It does take time.
And I think you are stunning in your ‘kini! Women are not meant to look like Malibu Barbies, and I don’t want my hubby trying to look like Ken, either…. Healthy and mobile! That’s a more worthy goal!
I love this! I wouldn’t want the hubs to be Ken, either! And I totally feel you on the out gassing. 😉 ❤
I am immensely proud of you! This was brave of you to show us with clothes off and in a bathing suit! I am short so when I crept up 40 pounds in my forties, it was horrendous! I went from a size 6 to a size 14 jeans. I was told to lose weight or go on anti-cholesterol meds. When I read the side effects, that did it for me! I did not lose nearly the amount you did, but I did maintain my loss into my fifties. So, I will tell you this, the effort you went through, will help you to keep it off for life, my dear! I am very happy for you and I lost my butt, too! I miss it, want to wear a padded one, just to swish around my behind and look sexy for awhile! No hope for breasts, unless I meet a rich man who wants to buy me a ‘boob job!’ Lol!
You’re gorgeous Jules! Inside and out! It took time to put the weight on and it takes time to take it off. We do get frustrated, we yo-yo, and we keep trying. I’m proud of you for having the courage to post pics and talk about it! I’m 5’6.25″ (I used to be taller! lol) and my highest weight was 197 pounds. I hated me, and I still do at 155 lbs. I finally got to my goal weight of 135 in 2010 which took almost 3 years, and I’ve gained yet again. But I’m lucky, like you, to have a hubby that loves me no matter what. I’ve worked harder this last year than ever at getting fit and I was doing great until I got sidelined, but I WILL get there one day at a time. You are a great inspiration which helps me to keep going! {{{hugs}}}
Awwwww! Lisa, you just made me smile really REALLY big! I almost didn’t publish this entry. I am kind of glad, though,mthat I did. Looking back at my red-head photo, I am more embarrassed by that than I am of my bikini pix. I can’t believe I let myself go like that.
🙂 I’m really proud of you! I think it really helps (I know it does me) if you put something “out there” whether verbal or in writing to help you reach your goals. I know that the older I get the harder it is, but telling someone makes you really want to succeed. I look back at the few pics I have and am like you….can’t believe I let myself get like that. I’m so determined not to be like that again. So, keep doin’ what you’re doin’ and you’ll get there! You’ve definitely got me in your cheering section and if I can help, just ask and I’ll do my best! I’m on this journey with you! I need to get there too so we’ll just get there together! 😀 {{{hugs}}}
Great job! I know that I also need to start moving more and am now reaching my 200 limit. Sadly, I SHOULD be taking better care of myself because I have Lupus. Anyway, as you probably know, it sure feels good to lose that weight! Keep it up!
Thank you! 🙂
Good for you. Is the hubs getting nervous now that you’re looking so fine?
LOL…no, he’s burning calories himself, chasing me around the house. 😉 He’s my biggest supporter. And you really can’t tell much of a difference at work, because scrubs are not terribly figure flattering, especially since now most of them are too big, LOL…so I’m never really “seen” anywhere but at home.
shagging down here is VERY SERIOUS BUSINESS. That said, I love jules no matter what! MWAH! Big Smoochies!
Awwww, thanks, Skwarl…I ❤ you, too!
I must have missed the boat on this shagging business. 🙂
When you get a minute: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carolina_shag
Ok, ok, I promise not to do the Austin Powers thing again. 🙂 So, this is related to the Jitterbug and goes back to 1937? That’s really cool!
Just a bit of local history. Wait till you try our BBQ!
Jules, you look fantastic! There’s no LOL here, just amazement at your progress. You’re right, people do get frustrated and quit. There is absolutely no point in quitting, and you’ll regret it if you did. Thanks for sharing the photos and your personal experience. BTW, I couldn’t help but chuckle when I read the name on the podium. (in my Austin Powers voice) Groovy, baby, yeah. 😉
Oh, right…:) Down here, “shagging” (and I swear I STILL giggle every time I say it) is a type of dancing to beach music. And thank you. It’s been a lot of work, but honestly? I feel better than I ever have in my life, so there’s that. Quitting isn’t an option.
It’s not an option. I quit last summer and I hate myself for doing so. If you don’t mind, I’ll keep these on my blog for, um, ………………inspiration. 😀
You are KILLIN’ me, Rob…KILL-IN ME! ❤