What started last January has boiled down to this one fact: I bought new jeans last week—jeans that, if I'm being honest, I haven't spent that kind of coin on since my brief, misguided Guess jean phase of 1984—and the tag on those jeans that left the Lucky Brand Store with me read as follows: Size 8.
I realize that getting into shape has numerous benefits. It lowers your cholesterol and blood pressure. It aids in general stress reduction and buoys your overall mental state. It contributes directly to the potential to extend your life on this big blue ball by many, many years.
But buying new jeans in size 8? I'm sorry for seeming vain and shallow, people, but that's a side benefit that just doesn't suck.
It has been an interesting month. The scale didn't move until last week. I had a few over the top food fest days. I also realized with my increased levels of running and cross training, I simply wasn't eating enough calories. This is a good thing.
And while new jeans are definitely a cause for celebration, the little devil that sits squarely on my other, more weighted down shoulder is whispering in my ear like a pesky gnat: "Don't get too comfy there, missy. Don't screw the pooch on this one, like you did last time."
Gee, thanks inner critical voice. Your generous and thoughtful support is greatly appreciated!
Here's this month's layout documenting the journey:
JOURNALING READS: I’m not gonna lie, seeing the before and after comparison is never going to get old, unless of course they begin to start matching up again. Here I am at the start of Month 9, and after a brief mental breakdown a few weeks back with a solid stretch of total crap eating and no visible weight loss, I had two major breakthroughs. The first? The scale finally moved after 3 weeks of remaining static. The second? I went shopping for new jeans. I realize the scale shouldn’t rate so highly. Really, I get that…ideologically. But seeing it move and realizing that I DO need to eat more calories to match my workout levels was a really critical piece of this pie, so to speak. I also realize that buying new jeans shouldn’t be the end all be all of getting into shape, but I’m sorry: I walked out of the Lucky Brand Jeans store with a pair of size freaking 8 jeans in my bag. WHAT? Get. Out.
I realize how few clothes I’ve bought in the past 3 years. Oh sure, I’d pick up a new blousy chubby girl shirt every now and then to mask my ever expanding muffin, but I’d sort of just given up. I wish that weight and confidence weren’t so inextricable for me. Maybe that will change over time. Maybe it won’t. I’m very proud of the work I’ve done. I’m very scared that I may not be able to hold onto these results. I continue to explore the process as I continue my efforts to move more and eat less. Like I’ve said, it really is one day at a time.
So here I am at a critical juncture. The time when I am closing in on my goal (135) and need to prepare to transition into maintaining the results.
I'm evaluating a lot these days. How much to eat. How much and how far to run. How to read the signs of my body for tweaks and pains. How to live in balance with life and food.
I will tell you this in all honesty: it is never automatic.
For now, steady as she goes. Eat less, move more.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go admire my new Lucky Jean clad-ass. I figure, flaunt it while I've got it, right?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Want to join in? Or document your journey? Or whine along? Or celebrate successes? Both the template above and this one are available at Designer Digitals for those who want to track their progress along with me. There's a Flickr Group as well, to share your pages with others making similar changes.
SUPPLIES: Layered Template No. 38 (Cathy Zielske) • Krafty No. 7 Cardstock Pack (Katie Pertiet) • Aki Solids Paper Pack (Michelle Martin) • Avenir and Archer fonts
To read more on my journey of Eating Less and Moving More, all posts on fitness related issues can be found here.
