It’s been about six weeks since I posted, “Weighty Issues” and I thought I would give you an update (by the way, thank you all for your supportive comments and lovely e-mails).
I suppose I was quite strict for the first two weeks or so, but then I went to my friend’s wedding in D.C. which was a three day eating and drinking fest, followed by a long weekend with my father-in-law and his wife who came to visit us from England. What else can you do with out of town guests? More eating. More drinking. Along with a lot of fantastic sightseeing.
I’ve learned over the years that it’s best for my sanity if I don’t own a scale, but my parents have one at their home in Connecticut. Mom and Dad were vacationing in Pennsylvania for the month of August so I hadn’t been to Connecticut in a long time. All I knew was that I’d had a lot of “good days” peppered by a fair number of “bad days.” Last week I was back in Connecticut for the first time in over a month and I plucked up the courage to hop on the scale. I was eleven pounds lighter. I could not believe it.
When I thought back over the previous six weeks, I remembered a lot of special events and fun days, filled with delicious food and drink—which is why my success surprised me. But when I really thought back, I also remembered a lot of smart decisions. Small, but healthy choices that were mildly annoying at the time, that had added up over the course of nearly 40 days to equal steady weight loss. If you’ve ever lost weight, you know—there’s nothing like success to motivate.
As I said in Weighty Issues, I am always cautious about getting over-excited that this is the “new me” or that I’m “changed.” I’ve pretty much learned that my weight will be an issue for life. I just have that body type. But for the first time, I made small changes, forgot about the scale and had to change a lot less than I thought I would and saw real results. I wasn’t “on a diet,” I just opted for wine when everyone was having beer or had a delicious salad instead of carb-heavy pizza. It wasn’t difficult or even that conscious; it was just lighter choices when the opportunity presented itself. And the ability to splurge when it was unavoidable.
This week I’m at Rancho La Puerta with Mom. We’re calling it Summer Camp for grown-ups. There are endless activities—hikes, yoga, pilates, Latin dance, postural therapy, guided meditations, jewelry-making and pool fitness classes. The meals are vegetarian and light—in “spa portions.” I am hiking every day and really giving yoga a try for the first time. I’m attending classes on nutrition and fitness and learning to take better care of myself in every way. This sojourn is just what I needed. I feel inspired, strong and healthier than I’ve felt in a long time.
But in a few days I’ll leave here and no one will be cooking for me—and certainly not serving me “spa portions.” It’ll be up to me again. And then it’s like they say in the program: One Day at a Time.
Loved your post today, Maggy. Congratulations on eleven pounds gone! I applaud you for making small changes that can be sustainable for life. Keep up the great work!
Susan
Congrats on your weight loss! It’s true–those little decisions do add up, and your 11 pound loss is proof of that. I, too, find it much better not to own a scale. It’s never good to be slave to a number.
Woot Woot! Congratulations!! I am so excited for you. I hope you are able to hang on to what you’ve learned in the past six weeks and at the ranch. (And teach me some of it!)
That picture looks like you’re on top of the world…bet you feel that way, too. I remember someone gave Mom this embroidered pillow a few years ago after she lost all the weight and, at the time, I thought it was weird. It said “Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels.” I don’t think that’s completely true, but I think I would modify it to “The last bite never tastes as good as being healthy feels.”
My pants, too, are getting looser these days. Let’s stick to that mantra, shall we?
Keep it up! You’re inspiring all of us.
Congratulations Maggy. Isn’t it fantastic how small changes can have such a profound impact?
good for you! I’ve struggled for years with my weight and thyroid problems but when I went to see a nutritionalist she told me i wasn’t eating enough because I run marathons! I added 700 cals a day to my diet, plus more when I run and I’ve lost 7 pounds…the body is a crazy crazy thing! have a great time at camp!
Congratulations!! 🙂 Very exciting news! Keep it up! I love how you are just making small healthy choices and still allowing yourself to enjoy special occasions, too. A good lesson for everyone!
That’s awesome. You made me want to push my computer chair away and commit to the bike ride I’ve been hemming and hawing about all morning.
My mother-in-law always says that “nothing tastes as good…” quote to me, and I disagree, but I agree more with Sharon, though with the caveat that “The last bite RARELY tastes as good as being healthy feels.” 🙂
Congrats on feeling healthy!!
Maggy- you look fabulous. I congratulate you and applaud you for taking the plunge to get healthier & being brave enough to share your experience w/ the world. I’ve done this a few times on my blog… some times more successful than others. After we had our fabulous dinner the other night, I pulled your Mom’s “light” cookbook off of my shelf and began reading it. I suppose I had never really read her story before. You both have provided loads of motivation for me to keep on top of things… and lose some lbs before BlogHerFood! It’s so tough in the fall/holidays to stay true to this mission.
PS: I’m of scandinavian descent as well (thanks, Dad for those lovely large bones!!)
Lovely to meet you & can’t wait to see you in again in Oct. Hello to Mom for me 🙂
Yay! I love it!
Maggy-
I love your vulnerability and authenticity. I was not aware of your blog at the time of your previous post, but I have read it now, as well as your mom’s story in her book. I just recently did a post, letting the world (not that “the world” reads my blog:) know that I have been getting [what I term, “The ‘F’ Word”] FRUMPY. I want to get in shape, make healthier choices, and simply *take care of myself. Your success and your story is very inspiring and it sounds like the week with your mom will continue to build a healthy-lifestyle foundation for you to enable yourself to make good choices, while still enjoying great food, wine, ‘treats’ and so-on.
Please continue to share what you’ve learned as well as recipes that can help us as well!
Thank you all for your wonderfully supportive comments! I hope I can keep it up – but let’s all do it, together! Feel free to e-mail me if you want to talk about your own weight problems. Talking helps. Sharing helps. Which is what I’m doing on the blog. Thanks again, xoxo
I am so glad that you got away with your mom and are having a wonderful adventure. Eating right can be trying for sure but it can also be fun which seems to be part of what took you for surprise. 🙂 I can’t wait to see what new recipes you will be coming up with from your latest trip. {hugs}
Several years ago I lost a considerable amount of weight and I actually used that mantra of ‘Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels’ and in the context of reminding me to not take that last bite and look forward to feeling thinner AND healthy, it was a motivating factor for me. If someone ever said that TO me or someone else, it’s a totally different story!
I also applaud your efforts, and your honesty and know many of us have the same challenge. I’ve spent most of the past 7 months firmly planted on my butt while recuperating from a serious leg injury. While typically semi active in the winter..I go nuts in the summer with biking and sweat inducing yardwork that did not happen this year so I’m excited beyond belief to now be cleared to head back to the gym! Yes,I’ve put on a few pounds and at the time of year when I’m usually more lean. So, you are most definitely not in this alone!
You go girl! Keep up the good work. You can do it.
wondering if you have experimented with edamame-guacamole with some type of low-carb chip?
yey mags!!!!
Congratulations, Maggie. Slow and steady really is the only sustainable approach to weight loss for those of us who have struggled with the whole yo-yoing thing. I am so envious that you are spending a week at Rancho La Puerta. It’s on my list of places to visit some day! Little positive changes day after day can really be powerful with both health and weight. Good for you!