Attitude is everything, dah-ling. Yes, quite, and this morning, I am happy for the cool weather, a healthy family and a warm home. So much for the grateful list, I could go on, life is wonderful.
My gut and butt are another matter. This is not the happy weight-loss success story you were hoping to hear. Go to one of those skinny magazines for that. Not that I despise my looks. I love the second takes I get from people when I tell them I have five children. I don't look so bad for a mother of many, and two of them teenagers. I am more fit than I was a year ago, without a doubt. However, bottom line: I have NOT been successful at losing weight and keeping it off. There are fat molecules in the air. My thyroid is off-whack, and maybe I just like sugar more than I should. Burp.
This is a post on the topic of weight in America, by a brilliant writer friend, who, in case you get bored with my posts, has a magical way with words that enthralls and makes you want to read everything she's ever written:
How to Live in LA
Post-European Vacation Update:
This is a post on the topic of weight in America, by a brilliant writer friend, who, in case you get bored with my posts, has a magical way with words that enthralls and makes you want to read everything she's ever written:
How to Live in LA
Post-European Vacation Update:
I did not gain weight in France. Yee-haw. Not an accomplishment and not a disaster.
Total weight loss in the past year, that stayed off: 9lbs. I had done away with 6.5 more...but read on.
Total weight loss in the past year, that stayed off: 9lbs. I had done away with 6.5 more...but read on.
In France, Italy and Germany, I ate tons of duck, french fries, mushrooms and cheese, drank too much wine on a daily basis, never said no to chocolate or ice cream, and did not see the inside of a gym even once. I did walk a lot. Still...
I have been back home for a month. I've been to my class at the Y faithfully 3-5 times a week, biked or walked on the days in between and have gained 4 lbs. I have not had one single bite of foie gras nor the merest sip of champagne. I'm not devastated, just mad.
What is making the difference? I wonder if it is never needing to walk anywhere, ever here? Do those daily jaunts across the street to pick up bread and maybe 3 times a week downtown; a half-hour walk and back matter so much? Is it drinking coffee black in Europe as opposed to sugar and almond-milk enriched here? Is it simply not spending as much time outside, in fresh air, which was the norm for 2 months? (Which meant you walked more, which in turn burns more calories?)
My thyroid is practically non-functioning, according to the latest tests. But then, I've noticed all of those symptoms for years, now the blood-work simply matches the reality. So, can't really blame that anymore than I could before.
It's not the fat molecules in the air. My husband, who did not leave his office during the day to walk downtown or even get bread, came home with an extra 12 lbs. He has lost 5 already. Skunk.
Tips and comments welcome...but maybe not if you are a guy, who has never had to lose more than a pound or two in your life. We love you, but you probably don't get us.
P.S. Last statement does not apply if your resumé includes training Cher, Shailene Woodley or Ann Hathaway.
Tips and comments welcome...but maybe not if you are a guy, who has never had to lose more than a pound or two in your life. We love you, but you probably don't get us.
P.S. Last statement does not apply if your resumé includes training Cher, Shailene Woodley or Ann Hathaway.
Thanks for the shout out! I love your writing too, and am still pretty much in total awe of you homeschooling five children. The Battles of various Bulges continues. It sounds like you are far more virtuous than I've been lately. I actually fantasize about dessert now. I think it is the stress!
ReplyDeleteSorry, Loretta, I should not have prefaced my recommendation of your blog with "if you are bored with my posts." Even if you LOVE my blog; please go check out her post. She has another blog, too, that is incredible in its analysis of and recommendations for literature for adolescents: http://thetweenagefanclub.blogspot.com/.
ReplyDeleteVirtuous? Not I, chocolate mixed with sugar in any form:(brownies, ice cream, mocha lattes) are still my downfall. I have only developed a tiny bit of discipline, if you tell me it is gluten-free and has chocolate as an ingredient, I will eat it. Sigh.