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In the past 4-6 weeks, I have reached three milestones in my ongoing quest to lose weight and be healthy. While two of the three might not seem very major, to me they were all equally important. Since some of you have told me that you find it helpful to know that you’re not alone in your own journeys to get healthier, I thought I’d share these with you:
Milestone #1 – It took me far longer than I expected, but I finally replaced those janky-ass jeans with some that are smaller AND the correct length. (Imagine that.) The angels practically sang from on high when I tried them on in the dressing room and they not only slid up over my butt, but even zipped and snapped AND I could still breathe. Glory hallelujah!
I’d like to be down another size by the end of the year and thus hope that these new jeans are temporary and will soon be known as my old new jeans. Wait, here’s a great gimmick: Jeans that are made of a special fabric that will biodegrade after X-number of washes, so put down that cupcake and get your ass outside for a run before your jeans disappear.
Milestone #2 – I realized recently that I’ve lost 45 pounds, which means I’m over halfway there. Actually, I don’t know what there is yet, so I might have scooted past halfway five or ten pounds ago. A healthy weight range for my height is 111-141 pounds and I have no idea where I’m going to land. I’m still just thinking about this journey in 5-pound increments and not looking beyond that, lest I get discouraged by the distance remaining. So let’s just say that I’m over halfway there and be happy with that.
Milestone #3 – My wedding band fits again after seven-ish years of it not fitting and of me wearing my cheapo pregnancy wedding band during that time. Y’all, that is one-third of my marriage during which I have not worn my wedding band, which is just sad. I am happy to have it back where it belongs.
So along with the half marathon, I’m pretty pleased with how things are going on the getting healthy front.
All that said, food has been a challenge in the 10 days since my father died. The first couple of days, I didn’t want to eat at all, but after that, I started wanting comfort foods, which lead to a desire to snack on crap. I know you’re thinking, “But Jen, you should be kind to yourself right now” and I hear you, but eating crap is not kind to my body. It makes me gain weight, my skin breaks out, and I feel sluggish.
On Wednesday morning I woke up, thought about my goals, and decided to get my act together. It’s only been two days, but I’ve eaten more vegetables and less bread and chocolate. And what do you know, I feel better and I’ve lost a couple of pounds already. I’m still fighting the urge to snack late at night, but that’s just an ongoing thing for me.
So that’s the state of things. I guess it’s kind of a Weight of the Union Address or something like that. Anyway, where are all of you in your respective journeys?
Don’t forget about the book giveaway.
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Yay you! SOOOO proud of you. Those are three REALLY BIG IMPORTANT milestones, and you are doing so well! You look great (I imagine through the screen) and you’re stronger and healthier and BRAVA! Keep up the good work, and great job taking care of yourself. I’m sure everyone who knows you IRL is very, very proud of you.
I don’t like that gimmick. Nobody would ever wash their pants ever again. it would be stinky.
Congrats on that wedding ring – I know the feeling of “yay this is the right ring on the RIGHT FINGER and it FITS!” It’s a hallelujah moment for sure. You are kicking pants! … non-biodegradable pants!
45 pounds is amazing. Congratulations! Strangely enough, I find that if I don’t snack after dinner I am less hungry in the morning.
Totally. I’m always starving in the morning if I ate a lot the night before.
Congratulations! I love the idea of the disappearing jeans. That may be what it takes to get me moving right now. I seem to be stuck in a slo-mo rut. Lethargic. Hopefully the cooler weather we are supposed to get will fix that. I don’t handle heat and humidity well, and I was offended to experience it in October!! Kudos for getting back on track after losing your father.
Go Jen!!! I know that each of those pounds has been well earned!!!
Huge congrats on wearing your wedding ring again. 
Wedding rings are good indicators, aren’t they? My engagement and wedding rings are from Rob’s maternal grandmother. They are inscribed inside, 1920. When we got engaged, I had to have them sized down. When Emma was a few years old, I had them sized back up
Funny how you can look back and see more clearly –I didn’t realize that I was having anxiety issues then, until they became panic attacks a few years later. That changed me into a very sedentary person, hiding inside with a new baby. A new baby who cried the moment she wasn’t touching me, and now has her own anxiety issues. Did my mom’s anxiety cause mine? Did I cause Em’s? Or is it all just genetics? Whatever, I certainly gained weight!
Anyway, I am moving along on this journey –I have an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon in Madison, WI next month, on my way to getting a new hip joint, and then hopefully into a less-pain, less-sedentary lifestyle.
I am very impressed with how you’ve been able to stick with your more-healthy lifestyle, and I’m very happy for you that you’ve met such important goals!
Well Lady Jen from Cville, I’m proud of you. You’re rocking it and making a way for mommas like me who just joining the train. Although, I need to understand the term janky azz so that I may use it.
So signed,
Foxy Dynamite
My new moniker…
Wow! You are doing an amazing job! I decided that it’s time for me to get my body healthier too. I started October 1 with eating better and working out. We’re getting married next year and I booked my dream photographer… now I want to get to my healthy weight again! I agree that the 5 pound increments are much easier to focus on!!
YEA YOU! Awesome job!
I have a friend fighting allergy issues so I’ve joined forces with her. No bread/wheat/pasta until New Years (a few exceptions…my kids birthdays, my anniversary, and the turkey day/Christmas). I’m also adding in serious sugar elimination. I’m still going strong getting back to my fitness regime and I’m actually considering signing up for a turkey trot. All depends on how much and when company is arriving that day.
You have done amazingly well on your journey and I have no doubt that you will make it to your goal. I need to adopt your idea of thinking in 5-pound increments.
Your transformation is really remarkable. And I’m in awe of your fortitude throughout this journey!
I learned long ago to not keep junk food on hand to avoid tempting myself. Instead, I have a good bit of fruit & nuts around. The beauty of eating too much of them is well, you don’t make that mistake again.
Congratulations! You’ve really achieved something to be proud of.
Hi, Jen, and congratulations on your victories. Getting your ring back is big!
Jen, I didn’t comment, I don’t believe, when you Father died. I am so sorry you are grieving. He must have been a good guy.
I don’t know if you have heard the following. It is often read at Jewish funerals and it is direct and understanding at the same time.
Fear not death; we are destined to die. We share it with all who ever lived, with all who ever will be. Bewail the dead, hide not your grief, do not restrain your mourning. But remember that continuing sorrow is worse than death.
Seek not to understand what cannot be explained, search not for what is hidden from you.
As a drop of water in the sea, as a grain of sand on the shore are a person’s few days in life. The good things in life last for limited days, but a good name endures forever.
In the time of our trouble, seek the consolation of friends. In days of distress and desolation, may they help us to endure. (after Ben Sira)
I hope you liked that.
JEnny
45 effing pounds…that’s a lot of weight, wow! Last time I could say I lost that much (and more) was after baby #2…who is now 20 yrs old!!! yow!
I totally agree with the continuing to goal towards 5 lbs only. At a time. It’s so much easier on the mental hoops the mind wants to jump through. Managable bites! lol.
Can relate to the wedding ring dilemma. I had my anniversary band (which was the wedding band for me, way back when) and my 5 yr diamond solitaire ring made into one ring, many years ago. Wait, it was 2004. I know this because a few months after I had it remade into one ring, we vacationed in Lake Tahoe, and I lost the sucker at the beach! I found it 5 hours later, and did a big WHEW!. It was not insured. But, it was a whole size less than I wear now. I waited 6 years before I had it sized up. I thought for sure I’d lose my weight, but you know, menopause has a mind of it’s own. And my knuckle joints kind of got bigger. Did not see that coming! All to say, do what you are doing, do it now, because if/when you hit the big M, you will want to be the size you want to stay at. It is so much easier to gentle into no more hormones, if you are not already trying to drop the weight. I speak from the mother of experience here. It really is next to impossible to lose weight if you are not filled with estrogen.
Okay. That’s it for me. I will live vicariously through your ramping down the jeans sizes, and call it a day for this old woman. Heh.
Jen, you are really committed to this! Congrats on all the success.
I got so discouraged by the Lose 60/gain 30/ Injure my neck/Can barely walk.
I’m still doing really well on the zero sugar/ controlled carbs and calories plan but with no exercise my weight just won’t budge. It was WAY easier at 45 than it is at 55.
It’s weird that in 35 years, my weight has been between 130 and 235 pounds and my wedding ring has always fit. I didn’t even take it off while I was pregnant. The only time I couldn’t wear it was after I injured that finger and they took it off in the ER.
What a great accomplishment! You have also started a healthy new love of exercise and make a great role model for your daughters.
You do seem to keep on keeping on–that’s an accomplishment in itself.
You rock, Jen. Your commitment to gaining fitness and losing weight in a healthy manner is awesome.
Jen, congrats!!! Your determination is awesome
I’ve been trying (not very hard) for two years and I’m still nowhere near my goal (I have about 40 pounds to lose).