This whole weight loss thing is, to say the least, daunting. In the beginning, you make your decision to live a healthier lifestyle, diet, lose weight - whatever. And you're SO gung-ho about it. You think "If I just lose X amount of weight, I'll be at my goal on such-and-such a date." And you can almost visualize yourself thinner, healthier, more active. And you get EXCITED!
Then the next day happens and you're forced to THINK about what you're eating, and you're forced to follow the plan you've set out. Then you start exercising and you think, "My god, I hate this."
And that's where it all usually stops for many of us. Because change is hard. The easy thing to do is say, "my knees hurt!" or "I can't do this!" and quit. But if you're not willing to put in the effort, you're not going to see the results that you covet so much.
So, this time has been a little different for me. I'll be completely honest with you: the above scenario? With the fat lady on the treadmill coming up with excuses why she CAN'T lose weight? Yeah, that's been me many, many, many times. I didn't believe in myself. I didn't believe I could do this. But that seems to have changed for me, and after thinking about why this time is different, I think it's because of the subtle changes I've been noticing.
For a few weeks, my workout clothes have been fitting differently. I have exactly 2 workout "outfits" that I use, and they've both seen better days. but they're fitting much differently than they did when I started. Know what I chalked that up to? Not the 20+ pounds I've lost - I thought, "I must have stretched them out."
A friend of mine who I hadn't physically seen in a while stopped by the other day for coffee. She said, "Hey! Your pants are looking baggy!" I got embarrassed and mentally chalked it up to the fact that I'd stretched them out or something. But she's right. They are baggy and I have to hike them up all the time (SO pretty to see me do that!).
And something else that I can do now that I couldn't do a few months ago? I can wear my engagement ring. I haven't been able to wear it comfortably for more than 3 years. I'm pretty excited about that.
So all these subtle changes I've been noticing have been adding up, and it's really kickstarted me again.
What changes have you noticed in your body? Or in yourself in general?
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I am not in such a hurry about this anymore. I used to be disappointed if I didn't lose at least 2 pounds a week. If I didn't, I wanted to quit. Now I am more concerned with staying in control of my eating and exercising. I don't set myself up for being depressed by being unrealistic and expecting perfection. I can stray somewhat and not go off the deep end. Sometimes when I look down I just notice my thighs don't look quite as big as they used to look. Little things along the way that help.
ReplyDeleteI used to be a regular starter-and-quitter in the past myself, and I think for me it was the change from the quick weight loss during the first few weeks, when you're really diligent and excited, to the more gradual drop (or sometimes even slight gain) of later weeks. Even though I knew I couldn't expect it to last, it still dented my confidence to see the weight creep back on.
ReplyDeleteAnd I like the story about the baggy pants! I'm still waiting for my first "hey, you look slimmer" comment, and when I get it boy will I be over the moon! Big family gathering this weekend so fingers crossed!
My pants are also fitting looser and I was using the same execuses that I must have stretched them out or that I just hadn't worn them in awhile, but then my mom and husband told me that they were getting loose and thats when I realized that with 22lbs lost, that was the real reason.
ReplyDeleteI can fit easily into restaurant booths now. YAY! My clothes are all pretty baggy, some shoes don't fit at all anymore. But I keep telling myself to lose just a little more before I go buy some new things. Losing can be addictive if you can get over the not eating thing. ;)
ReplyDeleteBaggy Pants! Baggy Pants!
ReplyDeleteHooray for your Baggy Pants!
The things I remember noticing..seeing the bones in the back of my hands; seeing my collarbones!; walking and having my skirt spin around my waist so that the back was in the front because it was too loose; standing up in church and having my slip slide right down, puddling in the floor around my feet! THAT was the day that I realized "wow". I've lost some weight.
The first small change I noticed was yesterday. I went grocery shopping and as I walked up and down the isles I wad getting annoyed because I kept stepping in the hems of my jeans at the back. I thought that was weird because they were always the right length before...pants shrink not get longer right? Well apparently when you lose weight, the fact that you don't fill them out as much ads a bit of length, and the fact they are now sitting lower on my hips. I can't decide when to buy new jeans now.
ReplyDeleteToday I was wearing a tshirt and noticed that my arms look a bit smaller :) Now I'm motivated to tone up a bit : D
LOL @ Angela Pea. Yes, the small changes do add up. I have noticed my clothing is looser too and what a great feeling. Great post, Colleen, because I too know giving up is easy; change is difficult, but so worthwhile...and we'll get there if we give it time.
ReplyDeletei just thought the same thing about my bra yesterday. i've been having to hook it on the last one & it's still riding up. so what do i tell myself? "it's stretched out." funny how we think our clothes are growing as we shrink, same as we thought they were shrinking when we were growing.
ReplyDeleteYesterday I noticed that I no longer "hang over" on the seats of both a regular Amtrak train and the Acela. I did not feel embarrassed or uncomfortable to have to share row.
ReplyDelete"Not the 20+ pounds I've lost - I thought, "I must have stretched them out." I know exactly what you're talking about! I allocated my baggy clothes to poor quality garments, that because they were from walmart, they must have stretched or worn out quickly! Yeah right! No, it's you, all you baby! I'be been working out every day for 30 minutes on my rebounder for the past 2 months and I cannot believe that I am a size smaller now than when I began. Ah the miracles of weight loss! I think I should start saving money in a tin can now for the shopping spree that will be due by the end of my weight loss journey :-)
ReplyDeletei just thought the same thing about my bra yesterday. i've been having to hook it on the last one & it's still riding up. so what do i tell myself? "it's stretched out." funny how we think our clothes are growing as we shrink, same as we thought they were shrinking when we were growing.
ReplyDeleteThe first small change I noticed was yesterday. I went grocery shopping and as I walked up and down the isles I wad getting annoyed because I kept stepping in the hems of my jeans at the back. I thought that was weird because they were always the right length before...pants shrink not get longer right? Well apparently when you lose weight, the fact that you don't fill them out as much ads a bit of length, and the fact they are now sitting lower on my hips. I can't decide when to buy new jeans now.
ReplyDeleteToday I was wearing a tshirt and noticed that my arms look a bit smaller :) Now I'm motivated to tone up a bit : D
My pants are also fitting looser and I was using the same execuses that I must have stretched them out or that I just hadn't worn them in awhile, but then my mom and husband told me that they were getting loose and thats when I realized that with 22lbs lost, that was the real reason.
ReplyDelete