Oh my, Ladies. I expected you to all say, "Go exercise" I did not expect such compassion and some very practical advice, too! Once again, I am just humbled by your kindness.
First, I must make it clear: I have no problem losing weight. None. I can lose about forty pounds in six months. I have done it more than a few times. But always, obviously, I gain it back. So, I don't want to lose weight--not a significant amount. It is harder on your body to yo yo than to just remain constant--even if it is "too much."
Secondly, I do ascribe to Healthy At Any Size, in other words, it is perfectly possible to be overweight and healthy and strong. Whether I am healthy or not is something I do need to have checked out. Thanks for reminding me of that.
RamblingAnn--such a sensible perspective. You are right, if I were to lose anything significant, it would be Spring before I'd need anything new.
Peri--not an either/or. I need to keep reminding myself of this--in many areas of life, lol!
Laurinda--those are some great specifics to focus upon. I wonder if there was some way I could access those numbers. (Here in Canada, if you see a doctor and he orders tests, you generally have no idea what those tests actually say unless there is something actually wrong. There is such a shortage of physicians that you don't just call them up to find out numbers when things are positive--and I certainly won't wait an hour or more while the doctor runs late. Happens all the time.)
Weight training plus diet = fat loss. Without conditioning your muscles (i.e., only dieting) you lose muscle mass as well as fat.
alaskagirl--I too get very attached to my possessions. Well, some of them more than others. You are so right: exercise affects how I feel, too. It's better than any "mood pill"--at least in my case, it really helps even out my mercurial mood swings--which, now that I think of it--do get worse in winter without the sun. I am sorry that you aren't as happy with your size as you were pre-baby. But, from what I've seen, you must have been no more than a puff of smoke! You look great. I love that you think of your body as your most important wardrobe accessory! I love that thought.
Gaylene--you are so right, they do go hand in hand--food and exercise. It is probably no surprise to you when I tell you that I am a both feet kind of gal. Whatever I do, I jump in wholeheartedly. I am not going to do that about diet and exercise, right now. I have far too much going on for me to devote that kind of time and energy. (Just properly answering this post alone, for example, is going to take most of my time this evening.) And so maybe that's not a bad thing. Jumping into weight loss with both feet makes it far too much like a "project" and not enough like dily life--too much like decorating the living room and not enough like doing the dishes. So, yes, finding a spot in my life for a bit of exercise is all I want to do at the moment. That would be sweet.
rabbit- yes, I may have been worried unecessaily. You're right that oversized fits means I robably can wear my clothes through quite a few pounds gone. I think I'd be much happier even just ten pounds lighter, right now. (I can fluctuate up to five pounds in one day, so my ten pounds might be different from someone else's, lol.)
IK--well and succinctly said.
Thank you, Mo, taking the long view is excellent advice--and again, maybe it will take a significant amount of time before my clothes are loose enough to worry about downsizing.
Gigi--I hope you can stay in your clothes! But, if you can't, and it is because you are getting healthier, then I would say, "go shopping!" In other words, I would say the same thing to you everyone is saying to me. Clothes just aren't as important...but my, weight fluctuations are mightily inconvenient, aren't they?
Cocolion--I have been meaning to get a pedometer for myself for long time. I have been extremely curious about how much I walk at work. Thanks for the reminder.
Windchime--thanks for the reminder that it doesn't have to be extreme. And it could be part of the change of life, lol! But I really blame the potato chips.
Alexandra--thanks! Sideseams, it is, lol.
Aida--what an interesting excercise. I've tried it out a couple of times. It's not easy at all! I've only managed two repetitions so far--and then I am panting like crazy.
carter--thanks! I appreciate the reminder.
Suz--thanks. How interesting that you now work for them--it is keeping the weight off that I find the most challenging. I am thrilled you have managed to do that.
You are all so wonderful. I am resolved to do a fifteen minute (or one mile) walking workout tomorrow in front of my TV and imagining all of you cheering me on. I'll also do some stretches tht I use when I am feeling particularily stiff--as I am now. I work a six hour shift tomorrow in the afternoon/evening so it is eminently doable. And we will go on from there and take it a day at a time.
