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Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Have You Lost Weight?


I've gotten this question now from about everyone at church. Some ladies phrase the question more enigmatically, almost like I'm supposed to only understand the question they're asking if, in fact, I have lost weight.

But the few stranger-ladies at the gym who have asked? Well they just get right to the point. No minced words in group fitness at Gold's gym.

I guess they noticed because I switched my schedule around and wasn't going to a particular Zumba class on a regular basis. When I came back for a visit with some friends, these ladies popped out of the wood-work (it's a HUGE group) before class, and just fired away: "Have you lost weight? How much? How'd you do it? Are you buying new pants anytime soon? Taking donations?"

Okay, so the last two questions weren't really posed, but I can read minds :)

I was flustered, and I passed up a golden opportunity. In my surprise (yes, here in the South random people are known to make friendly conversation, even in regards to somewhat personal information. But I'm still stunned that people notice any changes in my form) I just rattled off the basic information, and when it came to the "how" question, I brushed it off with an "eating less, moving more" response.

So I drove home feeling like I'd failed. Because one of the ladies was well into the obese category, and really seemed to be looking for some advice. And I wish I'd had several hours to sit down with her and go through it all: I blog and read inspirational blogs. I don't eat out much anymore. I don't eat 'junk' but once in a blue moon. I don't keep junk in the house at all. I like the security that counting calories gives me. I track all food and exercise and stay within a daily calorie budget. I try never to say, "I blew it". I try to eat every 3 to 4 hours....

The list goes on and on, and all of this is the result of learning some hard lessons over the 20-odd years I've struggled with food and my weight. But Zumba was starting, and I was flustered. And 'what works' for each individual (in my opinion) is as different as we are unique in our person hood.

How do I fit all of that into a pre-Zumba nutshell?


Now on to why I have that Happy 101 button up at the top of this post...

A lovely fellow-blogger, Blessed Mama, over at Blessed Vegan Life, passed along this award to moi! I will in turn, list 10 things that make me happy, and then 10 blogs that do the same:

  1. Hanging with the ladies who are in my discipleship group from church
  2. Cuddling with my girls and husband
  3. Driving home after a good, hard, workout
  4. Iced green tea
  5. Seeing a new low on my scale :)
  6. The change of seasons, especially Fall and Spring
  7. Sinking into my comfy bed after a busy day
  8. Remembering what it was like to feel my girls kicking and rolling around when I was pregnant with them
  9. Reaching a goal I've set for myself
  10. Remembering the hope in all of God's promises to me

And here are just a short list of the many blogs that make me happy:

  1. Diane at Fit to the Finish
  2. Keelie at Real Fat
  3. Lynn at The Banded Blubbery Blogger
  4. Karen at Real Food Rules
  5. Kim at To Dream the KIMpossible Dream
  6. Lindsay at PancakesNPajamas
  7. Chris at A Deliberate Life
  8. MrsFatass at Did I Just Eat That Out Loud
  9. Heidi at One Step at at Time
  10. Syl at Live, Smile, Run

Take a look at their blogs and enjoy, along with several others in my blog-roll. I truly get so much out of keeping up with all of the bloggers on my roll!!

10 comments:

  1. I completely agree with you. It would take more than 3 minutes to talk about all the changes and decisions one has made to lose weight. I've been in your situation. That's what's so great about having these blogs. This is where your story unfolds. Congrats!

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  2. Isn't it a wonderful feeling when people start to notice? I work at a job where my employees are in and out of town for weeks (up to a month+) at a time and when they come back into town, I get lots of attention. At first, I was flustered by it, but now I soak it up.

    Congrats are your commitment and your success!!!! =)

    Thank you for your sweet words. It's funny because when I first started blogging I thought who in the world would want to read what I have to say?! I enjoy your blog as well because you keep it real - that's what I love - real people talking about real issues with life, health, and everything else!

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  3. Awww. I know how it goes, dealing with that moment where all the attention is on you for that. You did fine. Great. Congrats on all of your hard work!

    And second, thank you for the kind award! I have been lucky enough to have received it in the past. So, for you, your VERY OWN personal list of things that make me happy. After having read yours, we'll be able to consider the ice broken!

    1. The ocean. It is how I know there is a God.

    2. Cooking. I'm certain I was a chef in a previous life. Lol.

    3. Reality television. Yes. Not my proudest thing, but I love bad tv.

    4. Hearing my kids start to have the tiniest bit of a southern drawl.

    5. Playing football in the swimming pool with my brothers and their wives. It's not real football, but a sort of kamikaze variety that has often been likened to "Kennedy" football games.

    6. The song Here I Am, Lord.

    7. The lines around my husband's eyes. They weren't there when we met.

    8. The color orange.

    9. The smell of coffee brewing.

    10. An afternoon alone with absolutely nothing to do.

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  4. Great post and some good advice. I don't usually say to people, "Have you lost weight?" Some people like it, but some are uncomfortable (like me). I just say, "You're looking fantastic. I love that colour...or...." If they want to talk about it, they usually bring it up themselves.

    Congrats and keep it up.

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  5. Wow-your post really hit home with me. All those things that have made you successful...there are so many and each one is equally important. "How" you are doing it is just about word for word how I am doing it too. Great post today. You made me feel proud of me for making all these lifestyle changes. And you should be proud of yourself too.

    Jennifer
    http://wecanlosethepounds.blogspot.com/

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  6. What a great post - it's so great to see that people are noticing your hard work, just makes you want to work that much harder.
    Thank you for the award that was very sweet of you!

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  7. I can explain myself in 30 seconds. Being that I'm at the gym, obviously I exercise, and they want to know about food. I eat less, and better. Less fried, less cheese, bread, sugar, more vegetables.

    It makes me slightly uncomfortable when people comment, but if they don't drag it on, I don't trip.

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  8. Congratulations on such awesome weight loss! I'm almost at 20 since May, but I have a ways to go yet. But, someone at the gym noticed just this morning, so that put a smile on my face. I'm so glad you like the award, and I love your list! You continue to be an inspiration.

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  9. Congratulations on your weight loss and I'm so glad that people notice! That just helps you stay excited about the whole thing doesn't it?

    And thank you so much for the lovely award!!

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  10. I haven't been visiting blogs in awhile so I'm glad to hear your doing well. Makes you feel good when others notice and comment on your progress! Keep up the good work.
    Oh, and thank you for your comments on my blog. I'll return to it more often when life allows me.
    Have a great day!

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