So I joined Weight Watchers for the 4th time, 2 weeks and one day ago. I joined it after I had Conrad, just because, after I had Molly, and now, after having Rhett. I was 205.4, 2 weeks ago, and as of yesterday, I am 198.4 or something like that. It feels good, but I still have a long way to go. I always think to myself... Why did I ever let myself get like this? I know I am an emotional eater, and I do like to cook, and appreciate a good meal, or tasty treat. I really had to force myself to join this time, and I waited a long time to do it. I just didn't feel emotionally ready to make the commitment. Luckily, I have a great support system. I go walking with Christine, and Kristen has joined us in the last week. I go to Weight Watchers with Kristen. I don't think I would be committed to either thing if I didn't have the support system I have.
So, I was thinking about my goals. They say I need to be between 135 and 160. I was 127 in college, and my mom thought I was anorexic, 145 when I got married, and felt great. I went on birth control when I got married, and gained 40 lbs in 3 months. I think I had a bit of depression. I never took the weight off. 180 is pretty much where I stay. The lowest I have gotten on Weight Watchers in 169, 170, and then I plateau. I can't seem to ever break into my target range. I wonder if I can do it this time? I am 38 lbs away. Seems far, but it is better than being 46 lbs away. I have to tell myself that.
I did HCG 2 1/2 years ago. I got down to 174, then got pregnant a month later. Hubby wants me to do HCG again, instead of WW, because he thinks it takes the weight off my middle, and leaves "the girls," intact. What the? I want to lose weight to look better, but also to feel better, be more healthy, and have more energy. I don't want my kids to look back on their childhoods, remembering having a chubby mom with no energy, who was always grumpy.
Haley asked if I want to run the Moab 1/2 marathon. I think I do. It will force me to exercise this winter. And, I am always up for a girls weekend.
I think my weight is my lifetimes struggle. Maybe someday I can master it. Baby steps. My first goal at WW is 5%. I am hoping to reach it by Sat. 2 more lbs. I can do it! I can do it! I have to keep telling myself that. Maybe I will be brave and post the worst (Fat) picture of myself I have ever seen - maybe. No one reads this blog anyway - right?
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
LOOOOONG WEEK!
We got the news Wed. night, that Grandma may not make it through the weekend. I spent a couple days there this past week, and managed to stick to my, "NO SUGAR or WHITE FLOUR," diet. It was not too hard, and seems to be getting easier mentally, but it was hard, because grandma's house is FULL of candy and treats - always has been. Also, I am nursing full time, and so I need to keep my calories up, and it was hard to find anything there that fits my guidelines. I ate a banana and a bowl of pistachios. Also, water in Garland is YUCKY! I brought my mug filled up, but ran out, and had to drink theirs. I brought bottled water the next day.
It was also hard not to be an emotional eater this weekend. I just love grandma so much, and this has all happened so suddenly. It is a stressful situation, and my mom has been the primary caregiver since Wed. night. She is exhausted. I want to help her, but I have sweet little Rhett, and he is my first priority.
So, it is Monday morning, and Grandma is still here. It seems she is even doing a little better. I would love a miracle!
Yesterday was Mother's Day. We got chocolates at church, and I gave mine to my kids. I didn't even miss them. I think I am mentally there. I was talking to a friend who told me she, "wanted it that much," (being skinny) after having a baby, and that's what kept her motivated. That really clicked for me. I also want it that much.
I am starting a new week today, and am going to run to the grocery store before everybody wakes up. I am planning the menu for the week. For some reason, I am craving lentil soup? I don't think I have ever even eaten it before. So, I am looking for a good recipe. It's Wayne's birthday on Wed night. He wants Fish Tacos, and traditional birthday cake. I still haven't decided if I'll have a piece. He would understand if I don't. Con wants cheesecake for his birthday in a few weeks. I think he would feel bad if I didn't eat his cake ;)
I baked bread yesterday. Wayne bought whipped honey... A little piece of Heaven - really. Honey is the only sweet thing I am allowed to eat, and I think I went overboard with the whipped honey. I need to do better this week.
Last time I weighed myself, I was down 6lbs. That's 6 lbs in 10 days! It is so encouraging! My jeans are even a little looser. I know it's weird, but I am thinking where I have cut the sugar down completely, and cut the fat down so much, my milk production needs both of those, and is taking it from my body - hopefully my middle. If I hadn't had such great results, I don't know if I would be able to stick to it like I have. I am 14 lbs closer to my end of June goal of losing 20lbs!
It was also hard not to be an emotional eater this weekend. I just love grandma so much, and this has all happened so suddenly. It is a stressful situation, and my mom has been the primary caregiver since Wed. night. She is exhausted. I want to help her, but I have sweet little Rhett, and he is my first priority.
So, it is Monday morning, and Grandma is still here. It seems she is even doing a little better. I would love a miracle!
Yesterday was Mother's Day. We got chocolates at church, and I gave mine to my kids. I didn't even miss them. I think I am mentally there. I was talking to a friend who told me she, "wanted it that much," (being skinny) after having a baby, and that's what kept her motivated. That really clicked for me. I also want it that much.
I am starting a new week today, and am going to run to the grocery store before everybody wakes up. I am planning the menu for the week. For some reason, I am craving lentil soup? I don't think I have ever even eaten it before. So, I am looking for a good recipe. It's Wayne's birthday on Wed night. He wants Fish Tacos, and traditional birthday cake. I still haven't decided if I'll have a piece. He would understand if I don't. Con wants cheesecake for his birthday in a few weeks. I think he would feel bad if I didn't eat his cake ;)
I baked bread yesterday. Wayne bought whipped honey... A little piece of Heaven - really. Honey is the only sweet thing I am allowed to eat, and I think I went overboard with the whipped honey. I need to do better this week.
Last time I weighed myself, I was down 6lbs. That's 6 lbs in 10 days! It is so encouraging! My jeans are even a little looser. I know it's weird, but I am thinking where I have cut the sugar down completely, and cut the fat down so much, my milk production needs both of those, and is taking it from my body - hopefully my middle. If I hadn't had such great results, I don't know if I would be able to stick to it like I have. I am 14 lbs closer to my end of June goal of losing 20lbs!
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Going Down
I went to zumba with nice Elizabeth again today. But... before I went, I weighed myself. And... I was down 3 lbs! Yup, I am thinking, "no sugar," is working! I wasn't as good at zumba today. The teacher taught her second class in a row, and had asthma. She wasn't doing many of the moves. It was hard to follow, and a bit frustrating. But, I still want to go again. I am trying to make enough of a commitment to feeling good about getting a pass... well, paying for the pass anyway.
I am tired now, but it felt good to exercise. I felt great for hours after. I liked it, and want to do it again. Elizabeth made me a cd with music from zumba. I think I am going to load it on my ipod. I was looking forward to getting some new exercise music. This will be fun to have.
I am tired now, but it felt good to exercise. I felt great for hours after. I liked it, and want to do it again. Elizabeth made me a cd with music from zumba. I think I am going to load it on my ipod. I was looking forward to getting some new exercise music. This will be fun to have.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Encouragement
I did it. I made it another day without sugar. I did have honey in my oatmeal, and on a piece of bread again. It was a great treat! No processed sugar again, and no white flour.
My headache went away by about 2pm. That didn't last long.
I went to Sophie's Spanish performance. I ran into a mom who was so beautiful in high school. She is still beautiful, but had gained a bit of weight. She was looking thinner, and I told her she is shrinking. She said thanks, and when I asked her what she is doing, she told me she has a personal trainer, and had dropped thirty pounds since February. It was so encouraging to see her! She has obviously worked SO HARD! If she can do it... so can I! And so, I felt encouraged. Thank you Natalie!
As I was walking the halls with the baby during the program, I saw myself in the reflection of a door. I saw my sweet baby boy, who I love. I saw my large droopy stomach. It didn't make me feel hopeless. I know it will get smaller. I know I can do it. At next year's Spanish program, I will be a whole new person! Well, not a whole new person, but have a much smaller body.
A friend of mine on facebook, wrote this in her status last night:
Thanks Linda for the encouragement! Thanks Natalie for the encouragement! Even thought neither of you know it, you helped me today!
My headache went away by about 2pm. That didn't last long.
I went to Sophie's Spanish performance. I ran into a mom who was so beautiful in high school. She is still beautiful, but had gained a bit of weight. She was looking thinner, and I told her she is shrinking. She said thanks, and when I asked her what she is doing, she told me she has a personal trainer, and had dropped thirty pounds since February. It was so encouraging to see her! She has obviously worked SO HARD! If she can do it... so can I! And so, I felt encouraged. Thank you Natalie!
As I was walking the halls with the baby during the program, I saw myself in the reflection of a door. I saw my sweet baby boy, who I love. I saw my large droopy stomach. It didn't make me feel hopeless. I know it will get smaller. I know I can do it. At next year's Spanish program, I will be a whole new person! Well, not a whole new person, but have a much smaller body.
A friend of mine on facebook, wrote this in her status last night:
Thanks Linda for the encouragement! Thanks Natalie for the encouragement! Even thought neither of you know it, you helped me today!
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Yesterday
I plan to continue on with stories of my past, but I just wanted to write what happened yesterday. So, Tuesday night, Wayne was looking at booking a trip to San Diego. It would be a family vacation. The last family vacation we took to California was so fun, but I was sad about the pictures. I did the typical, "hide behind my kids," in the photos, and the pics we did get back were not worthy of display in my house due to how large I felt. So... when Wayne said he was looking at booking another trip, I was a little anxious. I didn't want to cancel a family vacation due to my own issues with weight. I decided it is time to be serious. I want to be serious... right? What am I afraid of?
I set two eating goals:
1) No sugar, unless it is in fruit. (No artificial sweeteners.)
2) No white flour.
I have set these goals before, and lasted about 4 days. I am on day two. My headache started last night, and I still have it. I didn't know where it came from at first, but realized this morning that it is due to sugar withdrawal. I am not one to get headaches on a regular basis.
Yesterday went fine as far as eating. I had a green smoothie for breakfast. Cottage cheese for snack. For lunch, I met some friends and went to Plates and Palates for lunch, where I had a delish Greek Caesar salad. I didn't eat the roll that came with it, or the croutons. I felt fine, and only wanted the roll for a minute. At home a had a cheese stick for snack, as well as a spoon full of almond butter. Then I ground wheat, and made bread for the week. I had two pieces right out of the oven, and put organic honey on them - not butter.
Then, I did it... I asked Elizabeth if I could go to ZUMBA. I have no idea why, but as the day went on... I got a serious case of anxiety! I started trying on exercise clothes to wear. It was depressing. I got rid of most of them in my yard sale last summer. I had forgotten that. I really had nothing to wear. My mind started playing tricks on me, and got me in a panic. I started having serious anxiety about going after watching zumba on youtube. I didn't really know what it was before watching. I think Rhett could sense my nerves, and was crying more than usual.
I told Wayne I had nothing to wear, and he told me he would watch the baby as I ran to the store for some clothes. Five minutes later, I was in the minivan, and on my way. Again, I started having an attack of the nerves, and thought... Who can I call? I decided to call Becky. I told her I needed a pep talk. Becky is my awesome friend who knows my issues with my weight, and how I don't love to exercise. I told her what was going on, and she was SO GREAT! She made me feel better. I love her, and miss her so much! She told me how fun zumba is, and how I am beautiful no matter what size I am. Thanks Becky! You are a great friend.
I got some clothes, went home, fed the baby, put him to bed, got dressed, and waited for my ride. I was feeling much better.Elizabeth picked me up, and then we stopped and picked up Karen before heading out. The car ride was fun and easy. Both those girls are so great.
We got there, and stood in line for about ten minutes before going in. Of course I saw a few people I knew... Don't I always? They were nice too, and were also beginners. Well, one of them was a girl I knew from when I went to Gold's Gym. She was a teacher there, and remembered me. I was impressed. It has been years. I think it was the last time I really exercised.
Zumba was SO FUN! The room was super crowded. I was in the third row, and could barely see the teacher. I was able to keep up for the most part. I am thinking some of the moves will take a little practice. Then it was over. The ride home was fun. I talked to Elizabeth after in her car for a while. I can't wait to do it again.
I don't know what I was so worried about. I was not the biggest there, but I was definitely on the bigger side. Hopefully I can change that!
When I got on the scale today... I had lost a pound and a half! I don't know how it happened so fast, but it was VERY ENCOURAGING! We will see what tomorrow brings :)
I can do it. I can stick to it. It is worth it. I am worth it!
I set two eating goals:
1) No sugar, unless it is in fruit. (No artificial sweeteners.)
2) No white flour.
I have set these goals before, and lasted about 4 days. I am on day two. My headache started last night, and I still have it. I didn't know where it came from at first, but realized this morning that it is due to sugar withdrawal. I am not one to get headaches on a regular basis.
Yesterday went fine as far as eating. I had a green smoothie for breakfast. Cottage cheese for snack. For lunch, I met some friends and went to Plates and Palates for lunch, where I had a delish Greek Caesar salad. I didn't eat the roll that came with it, or the croutons. I felt fine, and only wanted the roll for a minute. At home a had a cheese stick for snack, as well as a spoon full of almond butter. Then I ground wheat, and made bread for the week. I had two pieces right out of the oven, and put organic honey on them - not butter.
Then, I did it... I asked Elizabeth if I could go to ZUMBA. I have no idea why, but as the day went on... I got a serious case of anxiety! I started trying on exercise clothes to wear. It was depressing. I got rid of most of them in my yard sale last summer. I had forgotten that. I really had nothing to wear. My mind started playing tricks on me, and got me in a panic. I started having serious anxiety about going after watching zumba on youtube. I didn't really know what it was before watching. I think Rhett could sense my nerves, and was crying more than usual.
I told Wayne I had nothing to wear, and he told me he would watch the baby as I ran to the store for some clothes. Five minutes later, I was in the minivan, and on my way. Again, I started having an attack of the nerves, and thought... Who can I call? I decided to call Becky. I told her I needed a pep talk. Becky is my awesome friend who knows my issues with my weight, and how I don't love to exercise. I told her what was going on, and she was SO GREAT! She made me feel better. I love her, and miss her so much! She told me how fun zumba is, and how I am beautiful no matter what size I am. Thanks Becky! You are a great friend.
I got some clothes, went home, fed the baby, put him to bed, got dressed, and waited for my ride. I was feeling much better.Elizabeth picked me up, and then we stopped and picked up Karen before heading out. The car ride was fun and easy. Both those girls are so great.
We got there, and stood in line for about ten minutes before going in. Of course I saw a few people I knew... Don't I always? They were nice too, and were also beginners. Well, one of them was a girl I knew from when I went to Gold's Gym. She was a teacher there, and remembered me. I was impressed. It has been years. I think it was the last time I really exercised.
Zumba was SO FUN! The room was super crowded. I was in the third row, and could barely see the teacher. I was able to keep up for the most part. I am thinking some of the moves will take a little practice. Then it was over. The ride home was fun. I talked to Elizabeth after in her car for a while. I can't wait to do it again.
I don't know what I was so worried about. I was not the biggest there, but I was definitely on the bigger side. Hopefully I can change that!
When I got on the scale today... I had lost a pound and a half! I don't know how it happened so fast, but it was VERY ENCOURAGING! We will see what tomorrow brings :)
I can do it. I can stick to it. It is worth it. I am worth it!
Friday, April 22, 2011
Admissions
The first time I ever thought about how my body looked, I was 11 years old. I was at the park one night with a group of kids from my neighborhood. There was a girl there that was two years older, whom I really looked up to. She had large defined calves. I looked down at my legs, and they basically went straight down from my knees to my ankles, with a little taper. I remember thinking I needed to eat more, so my calves could look like hers, and I did.
The next thing I remember is, my dad told my mom I was, "flabby looking." I don't know how I found out he said this, but I felt so bad. I still remember the green and pink sweater I had on at the time. I walked up to the top of my driveway, sat down on the curb, and cried. I didn't know what to do about it, but it confused me. I didn't think there was anything wrong with me. My dad had been overweight as long as I could remember. Why was he talking to my mom about my weight? Was something wrong with me?
My mom was a fantastic cook, and our meals were extra tasty. They never lacked flavor, or fat. We ate lots of vegetables, full of butter and salt. We never talked about healthy food choices. I am not blaming anyone for anything. I am the only one in charge of me. In a way, I think it's good we didn't focus on weight. I think that's why it wasn't a concern for me for most of my life, not even until my twenties. I could pretty much eat whatever I wanted, and look fine.
I developed early, and got a bra in 4th grade, because I needed one. It was kind of embarrassing, but in a way, I liked it, as I felt more grown up.
I was average sized in Jr. high and high school. Not super skinny, not fat. Just average. I looked alright. I was very primpy in Jr. High, and spent a lot of time on my hair and make up. I woke up at 5 to get ready, and curl every piece of my big hair. I got a fair amount of attention from boys and girlfriends for my looks. I was still taller than many of the boys. Because of my early development, I looked older. I started to feel like I couldn't keep up with the clothes, and the clicks. I was never super emotional, and didn't understand girls who were. Sometimes I thought many of those girls were exhausting! Some of the friends I had, started making choices that were not in keeping with what I had been taught in church, and by my parents. I decided to change friends, and I don't know if those other girls even missed me. I sat by myself at lunch for a while, and ate with random people, until I met a great girl who I clicked with immediately. Our styles and body types were very different. She dressed in boy jeans, and flannel shirts. I did the same sometimes, but liked to be girly sometimes too. She would tease me about it, but it was fine. We understood each other.
I had girlfriends in high school who were not into hair and makeup, and I went along with it. I was happy. I was fine. I remember not thinking I was super thin, but I never was worried about it enough to do anything about it. I remember a few of the girls that were my friends, were into wearing guy jeans and plaid shirts. I tried to do this too a bit, and the jeans NEVER worked for my body. I am an hour glass. I had a few boy friends, and lots of guy friends. I was very naive, and didn't have a real understanding of attraction, and hormones. I had never been in love.
I went the day after I graduated from High school to be a nanny for my cousin and his family, for the three months before college started in the fall. Suddenly, the boys were interested in me. I had a couple boyfriends in one summer, and my mom and dad were even worried I would choose to get married rather than go to college. I started to see how boys reacted when I was all done up. I got really skinny. I wasn't really trying, but I just didn't think a lot about food, and I went to the gym whenever I got a chance, as I didn't really have any social connections there other than the few boyfriends. My mom asked me if I had an eating disorder. I didn't. I like food too much. The thought never even crossed my mind. So, I got on the scale, and I weighed 125 lbs.
Everything changed when I got to college. I don't know why, or how it happened. I was back into the hair and makeup. I went to a small community college where most kids didn't have much money, and the clothes I did have seemed so nice and plentiful. I made lots of friends, and had a fair amount of boys interested in me. I was starting to understand how things worked, and what guys liked (for the most part).
I tried out for Dance Co. and made it. I was now dancing hours and hours every day. I took every dance class I could fit into my schedule. I wanted to learn everything I could. I never got to have dance lessons as a kid, and I wanted/needed to make up for lost time! I didn't have much money for food, and I stayed around 125 to 127 lbs the whole time I was there. I was pure muscle. I was in shape! My life and my time were all about me. I wore a bikini, and I felt fine in it. Not one bit self conscious. Wow... I can't believe I am even saying that!
My second year in college, I won the Miss Snow pageant. It was my first time. I kind of did it as a joke. Then I won, and it became more serious, because I had to go to the Miss Utah competition and compete. Winning the competition gave me all sorts of confidence. When we got the results back from Miss Snow, I found out I won the swimsuit portion of the competition, hands down. I felt great about myself. In a way though, I started basing my self esteem on my looks. At Miss Utah, I was the only girl who didn't need supplementation in the bust. I was proud of myself. Still though, I didn't have to work for the body I had. I didn't worry about it. It was just there, no matter what I ate. I didn't do a single sit up, or intentional exercise. Just my dance and aerobics classes. Years later, I remember a friend of mine telling me about her struggle with depression. I remember thinking to myself... "Why is she depressed? She is skinny!" The reason I thought that, was when I have had feelings of depression over the years, it is mostly associated with my weight in some way or another.
When I moved back home after college, I was on a mission to date as much as possible, and I did. Many times, I would have three dates a day - breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I was happy when I was surrounded my males who wanted my attention. I was a tease, and I knew it. My mom wanted me to get a job, but I was having tons of fun, and considered dating my job. :)
I finally got a job at a company where I sat for eight to ten hours a day. I was still eating whatever I wanted, but the exercise had stopped. I started dating someone I thought was my soul mate. I thought we were for sure going to be together. Things were getting serious, and we had talked about marriage. He was very into me, and then one day, he grabbed my double chin (that I have no matter what size I am), and looked at me and asked, "what is this?" Then, a few weeks later we were bowling, and he told me his cousin told him I looked like I had gained some weight. He put his hand on my abdomen right after telling me that, and patted it as if to say, "I know you can make this go away." I hadn't noticed, or even thought about it. I went home and weighed myself, and the scale said 135lbs. I had gained 7lbs.
For anyone who knows me, they know I am big boned. I don't say this as an excuse. I say it, because I have hips, I have a chest. Even at my thinnest, my wrists are bigger than my mom's. I have larger hands and feet. I have never been petite; never even at my thinnest, when my mom thought I had an eating disorder, and told me I was too thin.
Anyway, that boyfriend continued working on me about my weight. I started to feel self conscious all the time. My personality changed from happy and friendly, to closed and insecure. Even my posture changed. I didn't know what to do about it. I had never tried to lose weight before, or needed to. I had never met anyone so concerned with my weight. He told me all sorts of things, like his uncle said, "Girls that dance when they are young, end up as fat adults." I still loved him, as unhealthy as it was. I was asking him one night what we could do to improve our relationship, and he looked me in the eye, and asked if I could just, "lose a little weight for him." That was the last thing he ever said to me about my weight. I was finished.
Looking back, I am so glad I got out, but wish I knew how to cope with the emotional aftermath of dating someone like that. It took me years to realize it was him with the problem, not me. My weight went up about 5lbs from there. I stayed at around 140lbs for years. 140 is totally fine, but I felt like a COW! I really thought I was obese. I am so mad and sad I gave such a selfish person so much control over me and my emotions.
Now I know... I am an emotional eater. I know I am. I eat when I am stressed. I eat when I am happy. I eat when I am bored. I eat to celebrate. I eat for many reasons.
I will continue this later. It is midnight, and I will need to feed a sweet hungry baby in a couple hours.
The next thing I remember is, my dad told my mom I was, "flabby looking." I don't know how I found out he said this, but I felt so bad. I still remember the green and pink sweater I had on at the time. I walked up to the top of my driveway, sat down on the curb, and cried. I didn't know what to do about it, but it confused me. I didn't think there was anything wrong with me. My dad had been overweight as long as I could remember. Why was he talking to my mom about my weight? Was something wrong with me?
My mom was a fantastic cook, and our meals were extra tasty. They never lacked flavor, or fat. We ate lots of vegetables, full of butter and salt. We never talked about healthy food choices. I am not blaming anyone for anything. I am the only one in charge of me. In a way, I think it's good we didn't focus on weight. I think that's why it wasn't a concern for me for most of my life, not even until my twenties. I could pretty much eat whatever I wanted, and look fine.
I developed early, and got a bra in 4th grade, because I needed one. It was kind of embarrassing, but in a way, I liked it, as I felt more grown up.
I was average sized in Jr. high and high school. Not super skinny, not fat. Just average. I looked alright. I was very primpy in Jr. High, and spent a lot of time on my hair and make up. I woke up at 5 to get ready, and curl every piece of my big hair. I got a fair amount of attention from boys and girlfriends for my looks. I was still taller than many of the boys. Because of my early development, I looked older. I started to feel like I couldn't keep up with the clothes, and the clicks. I was never super emotional, and didn't understand girls who were. Sometimes I thought many of those girls were exhausting! Some of the friends I had, started making choices that were not in keeping with what I had been taught in church, and by my parents. I decided to change friends, and I don't know if those other girls even missed me. I sat by myself at lunch for a while, and ate with random people, until I met a great girl who I clicked with immediately. Our styles and body types were very different. She dressed in boy jeans, and flannel shirts. I did the same sometimes, but liked to be girly sometimes too. She would tease me about it, but it was fine. We understood each other.
I had girlfriends in high school who were not into hair and makeup, and I went along with it. I was happy. I was fine. I remember not thinking I was super thin, but I never was worried about it enough to do anything about it. I remember a few of the girls that were my friends, were into wearing guy jeans and plaid shirts. I tried to do this too a bit, and the jeans NEVER worked for my body. I am an hour glass. I had a few boy friends, and lots of guy friends. I was very naive, and didn't have a real understanding of attraction, and hormones. I had never been in love.
I went the day after I graduated from High school to be a nanny for my cousin and his family, for the three months before college started in the fall. Suddenly, the boys were interested in me. I had a couple boyfriends in one summer, and my mom and dad were even worried I would choose to get married rather than go to college. I started to see how boys reacted when I was all done up. I got really skinny. I wasn't really trying, but I just didn't think a lot about food, and I went to the gym whenever I got a chance, as I didn't really have any social connections there other than the few boyfriends. My mom asked me if I had an eating disorder. I didn't. I like food too much. The thought never even crossed my mind. So, I got on the scale, and I weighed 125 lbs.
Everything changed when I got to college. I don't know why, or how it happened. I was back into the hair and makeup. I went to a small community college where most kids didn't have much money, and the clothes I did have seemed so nice and plentiful. I made lots of friends, and had a fair amount of boys interested in me. I was starting to understand how things worked, and what guys liked (for the most part).
I tried out for Dance Co. and made it. I was now dancing hours and hours every day. I took every dance class I could fit into my schedule. I wanted to learn everything I could. I never got to have dance lessons as a kid, and I wanted/needed to make up for lost time! I didn't have much money for food, and I stayed around 125 to 127 lbs the whole time I was there. I was pure muscle. I was in shape! My life and my time were all about me. I wore a bikini, and I felt fine in it. Not one bit self conscious. Wow... I can't believe I am even saying that!
My second year in college, I won the Miss Snow pageant. It was my first time. I kind of did it as a joke. Then I won, and it became more serious, because I had to go to the Miss Utah competition and compete. Winning the competition gave me all sorts of confidence. When we got the results back from Miss Snow, I found out I won the swimsuit portion of the competition, hands down. I felt great about myself. In a way though, I started basing my self esteem on my looks. At Miss Utah, I was the only girl who didn't need supplementation in the bust. I was proud of myself. Still though, I didn't have to work for the body I had. I didn't worry about it. It was just there, no matter what I ate. I didn't do a single sit up, or intentional exercise. Just my dance and aerobics classes. Years later, I remember a friend of mine telling me about her struggle with depression. I remember thinking to myself... "Why is she depressed? She is skinny!" The reason I thought that, was when I have had feelings of depression over the years, it is mostly associated with my weight in some way or another.
When I moved back home after college, I was on a mission to date as much as possible, and I did. Many times, I would have three dates a day - breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I was happy when I was surrounded my males who wanted my attention. I was a tease, and I knew it. My mom wanted me to get a job, but I was having tons of fun, and considered dating my job. :)
I finally got a job at a company where I sat for eight to ten hours a day. I was still eating whatever I wanted, but the exercise had stopped. I started dating someone I thought was my soul mate. I thought we were for sure going to be together. Things were getting serious, and we had talked about marriage. He was very into me, and then one day, he grabbed my double chin (that I have no matter what size I am), and looked at me and asked, "what is this?" Then, a few weeks later we were bowling, and he told me his cousin told him I looked like I had gained some weight. He put his hand on my abdomen right after telling me that, and patted it as if to say, "I know you can make this go away." I hadn't noticed, or even thought about it. I went home and weighed myself, and the scale said 135lbs. I had gained 7lbs.
For anyone who knows me, they know I am big boned. I don't say this as an excuse. I say it, because I have hips, I have a chest. Even at my thinnest, my wrists are bigger than my mom's. I have larger hands and feet. I have never been petite; never even at my thinnest, when my mom thought I had an eating disorder, and told me I was too thin.
Anyway, that boyfriend continued working on me about my weight. I started to feel self conscious all the time. My personality changed from happy and friendly, to closed and insecure. Even my posture changed. I didn't know what to do about it. I had never tried to lose weight before, or needed to. I had never met anyone so concerned with my weight. He told me all sorts of things, like his uncle said, "Girls that dance when they are young, end up as fat adults." I still loved him, as unhealthy as it was. I was asking him one night what we could do to improve our relationship, and he looked me in the eye, and asked if I could just, "lose a little weight for him." That was the last thing he ever said to me about my weight. I was finished.
Looking back, I am so glad I got out, but wish I knew how to cope with the emotional aftermath of dating someone like that. It took me years to realize it was him with the problem, not me. My weight went up about 5lbs from there. I stayed at around 140lbs for years. 140 is totally fine, but I felt like a COW! I really thought I was obese. I am so mad and sad I gave such a selfish person so much control over me and my emotions.
Now I know... I am an emotional eater. I know I am. I eat when I am stressed. I eat when I am happy. I eat when I am bored. I eat to celebrate. I eat for many reasons.
I will continue this later. It is midnight, and I will need to feed a sweet hungry baby in a couple hours.
The Why's
I just watched a few youtube video's about people and their weight loss journeys. I have wanted to have a journey of my own for a while now :) I am just trying to figure out my own roadblocks. This blog will be my own therapy. I am going to figure myself out! I set up this blog on a whim. I hope it helps me. This blog is going to basically be a journal for me. I will leave it public, and if anyone happens to stumble across it, they are welcome to read. I don't know if it will be very exciting for anyone else though. Maybe my kids will read it some day... Maybe not...
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