Svelte (svelt) adj. (Fr) 1. slender; lithe 2. suave
Growing up, that word came up a lot. It was the word my mother used to describe a tall, thin woman. It was the word my teen boyfriend used to describe what he'd like me to become.* It was a word I never thought I'd hear used to describe me at age 47.
Thanks to Linda, my co-worker, for making my day yesterday. She saw me on the dock as we were unloading our trucks, and said, "You're looking very svelte lately!"
Oh! You could have knocked me over with a feather! Up until now, any word anyone has used to describe me sounded unreal. I've been called "skinny" and it didn't register that maybe I was getting there. Although "skinny" is not necessarily a complimentary word. Maybe "fit" or "healthy" sound better to me. "Skinny" sounds like you're sickly.
Anyway, the word svelte is a word that sums up exactly what my goal has been all this time. When I was 256 lbs, I never thought I'd see the day when someone used that word to describe me! I was never svelte as a teen, certainly not svelte in my 20s and 30s, and up until the last 8 or so months, I was hardly svelte. I was unhealthy, bloated, and pale. The farthest thing from svelte. My 5' 10" was almost embarrassing, because I always considered myself an Amazon; too tall, and too heavy. Now, my height is attractive again. You gotta be tall to be svelte, right?
Ahhh... how nice to be to this point. I'm so looking forward to the rest of my time on this planet, now that weight is not an obstacle. Holy cow! I can do anything!
Oh, and by the way... I weighed in at 173.2 this morning! Woohoo!
* See "Boots" entry, March '10.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Bonus photo!
Here's a little bonus photo. Me in my size 10s again. I think I have a photo of me in these jeans a few posts back, but this one is a frontal view. :-)
I really should enlist my son to be my photographer. These bathroom mirror pictures are pretty cheesy.
Drink Mixes
This morning I woke up and realized I hadn't written anything in the blog for days. When nothing much is happening, I'm not always motivated to write. But in fact, my weight has been up and down, but slowly staying towards the down side.
Over the weekend, I overate. Well, overeating to me now, is way different than overeating how I used to.
On Saturday, we went to Bunna's parents' house for dinner. We brought with us a pea and cauliflower salad, and they had steaks, baked potato, green salad and cottage cheese and peaches. Overall, in the right proportion, it was a great healthy dinner. So many times, leaving home can be treacherous. To come out of your comfort zone and try to blend with the people that eat regular food is still something I'm learning to do.
Bunna's mom also made a chocolate cake. I had three small squares. I just couldn't resist. We also had coffee and Bailey's with our dessert. I knew for sure that I would wake up Sunday morning feeling guilty and bloated.
BUT... Sunday morning, I weighed my least yet! The scale said 174.2, and I had to rub my eyes to believe it.
Maybe it was a little dehydration, or maybe just a fluke, because Monday morning, I weighed an even 176 again. And this morning, I'm back to 174.6.
I've been considering ways to make sure I'm getting all the water I need, and all the protein, without going over my calorie count for the day.
I've discovered the Crystal Light zero calorie drink mixes. I'm probably the last person on the planet to find these, but over the summer, I started trying them, and now I don't leave home without them!
Better yet, I've found that Walmart makes a version of these drink mixes, and I've also found the Wyler's version at the Grocery Outlet.
Each flavor packet is designed to do something different for your body. I've got the fiber packets, the energy packets, the metabolism packets, the vitamin enhanced packets, the hydration packets and the immunity packets. I half-freeze 3-20 oz. bottles with water each night, and the next day for work, I fill the bottles the rest of the way with water, and mix in a packet. I get three flavors for the day! And since my day consists of 5 hours in the hot sun in the summer, I always finish my 3 bottles. That's a good 60 oz of water, which is not a bad start. On really hot days, I find myself hitting up every drinking fountain on my route, too.
Now that the cooler weather is here, I'll likely cut back to 2 bottles a day. When it's 30 degrees outside, I just don't feel like slamming ice cold water. Call me crazy.
Anyway, these drink mixes are great. And with no calories, they are the perfect way to get that sugar taste without getting all the caffeine and other bad stuff they put in diet sodas. They're not as good for you as drinking straight water, but they are, in my opinion, the next best thing!
And as much as I enjoy a fresh glass of real orange juice, the sugar content in real juice is unreal! Three hundred calories in a glass of real orange juice compared to zero calories in a glass of Wyler's Immunity Orange Flavor mix? That's a no brainer.
Over the weekend, I overate. Well, overeating to me now, is way different than overeating how I used to.
On Saturday, we went to Bunna's parents' house for dinner. We brought with us a pea and cauliflower salad, and they had steaks, baked potato, green salad and cottage cheese and peaches. Overall, in the right proportion, it was a great healthy dinner. So many times, leaving home can be treacherous. To come out of your comfort zone and try to blend with the people that eat regular food is still something I'm learning to do.
Bunna's mom also made a chocolate cake. I had three small squares. I just couldn't resist. We also had coffee and Bailey's with our dessert. I knew for sure that I would wake up Sunday morning feeling guilty and bloated.
BUT... Sunday morning, I weighed my least yet! The scale said 174.2, and I had to rub my eyes to believe it.
Maybe it was a little dehydration, or maybe just a fluke, because Monday morning, I weighed an even 176 again. And this morning, I'm back to 174.6.
I've been considering ways to make sure I'm getting all the water I need, and all the protein, without going over my calorie count for the day.
I've discovered the Crystal Light zero calorie drink mixes. I'm probably the last person on the planet to find these, but over the summer, I started trying them, and now I don't leave home without them!
Better yet, I've found that Walmart makes a version of these drink mixes, and I've also found the Wyler's version at the Grocery Outlet.
Each flavor packet is designed to do something different for your body. I've got the fiber packets, the energy packets, the metabolism packets, the vitamin enhanced packets, the hydration packets and the immunity packets. I half-freeze 3-20 oz. bottles with water each night, and the next day for work, I fill the bottles the rest of the way with water, and mix in a packet. I get three flavors for the day! And since my day consists of 5 hours in the hot sun in the summer, I always finish my 3 bottles. That's a good 60 oz of water, which is not a bad start. On really hot days, I find myself hitting up every drinking fountain on my route, too.
Now that the cooler weather is here, I'll likely cut back to 2 bottles a day. When it's 30 degrees outside, I just don't feel like slamming ice cold water. Call me crazy.
Anyway, these drink mixes are great. And with no calories, they are the perfect way to get that sugar taste without getting all the caffeine and other bad stuff they put in diet sodas. They're not as good for you as drinking straight water, but they are, in my opinion, the next best thing!
And as much as I enjoy a fresh glass of real orange juice, the sugar content in real juice is unreal! Three hundred calories in a glass of real orange juice compared to zero calories in a glass of Wyler's Immunity Orange Flavor mix? That's a no brainer.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
100 Calories?
I started this "body overhaul" on February 2, 2010. Today is October 14, 2010, so I'm just over 8 months into this process. Today I weighed the same as I've weighed before, and matched the lowest weight so far to date. My scale said 175.2 this morning.
I've seen this weight before. It seems as if I stay here for a day or two, then I start feeling secure, and I have a few extra calories over the weekend or for some event. The next thing you know, I'm back to 178. I know it's only temporary, and a day or two of counting every calorie gets me right back down, but so far, and for the last month or so, that 175.2 is the lowest I can go.
Everyone goes through that stalled period. The "plateau". I say, "Plateau, Schmateau!" I good day of exercise and whole foods should get me down that next 5 lbs! I've got only 13 days until my 47th birthday, and I intend to hit that 170 mark by then.
I have sustained myself on the same type of food for over 8 months. I eat fiber bars, fruit, cheese, egg beaters, whole grains, lean meats, soy meat substitutes, dairy products, lots of green salads with tomato and low-cal dressing, and low-cal tv dinners. There are times when I just need a taste of what I used to eat. I don't want to cut that "bad" stuff completely out of my diet, but I need to know how much is enough. No more 1" thick peanut butter sanwiches. No more, "I'm gonna have a second donut! There's just so good!" I can snack responsibly if a situation comes up where there's bad food. I just have to know when to stop. Easy enough, right?
When you need to satisfy a craving, I've learned to go for what you crave. If you try to satisfy the craving with something else, like a rice cake, (haha) you'll still have that itch. If you want peanut butter, go ahead. Put a little on a rice cake, and stop at one! There are ways to get your fix without going off your plan.
Here are a few things that can be substituted for a fiber bar occasionally. But remember... these things might satisfy an urge to splurge, but they won't stop your stomach from growling if it's 3 hours from dinner!
One tablespoon of peanut butter.
Seven potato chips.
Four chocolate kisses.
1/3 of a fast food cheeseburger.
Fifteen french fries.
2/3 of a can of soda.
1/2 of a glazed donut.
Eight saltine crackers.
One tablespoon margarine.
I do have a fry once in awhile. I do have a potato chip. And I love a bite of chocolate occasionally. But I remember back in the day... I used to enjoy a PB&J so much, I'd make a second one. I'd stop on my route for a coffee, (sugary and creamy) and finish it off with a couple of mini-mart fried snacks. I was doing that twice a week! Baking every weekend was the norm, and fast food places were always there for last minute dinners. Pizza, thick and cheesy, was on the dinner table at least once a week, and boxed side dishes like Rice-a-Roni or mac 'n cheese were regular part of dinner.
But not so much now. I've got healthier foods in the pantry and fridge. And the family is benefiting from it.
I've seen this weight before. It seems as if I stay here for a day or two, then I start feeling secure, and I have a few extra calories over the weekend or for some event. The next thing you know, I'm back to 178. I know it's only temporary, and a day or two of counting every calorie gets me right back down, but so far, and for the last month or so, that 175.2 is the lowest I can go.
Everyone goes through that stalled period. The "plateau". I say, "Plateau, Schmateau!" I good day of exercise and whole foods should get me down that next 5 lbs! I've got only 13 days until my 47th birthday, and I intend to hit that 170 mark by then.
I have sustained myself on the same type of food for over 8 months. I eat fiber bars, fruit, cheese, egg beaters, whole grains, lean meats, soy meat substitutes, dairy products, lots of green salads with tomato and low-cal dressing, and low-cal tv dinners. There are times when I just need a taste of what I used to eat. I don't want to cut that "bad" stuff completely out of my diet, but I need to know how much is enough. No more 1" thick peanut butter sanwiches. No more, "I'm gonna have a second donut! There's just so good!" I can snack responsibly if a situation comes up where there's bad food. I just have to know when to stop. Easy enough, right?
When you need to satisfy a craving, I've learned to go for what you crave. If you try to satisfy the craving with something else, like a rice cake, (haha) you'll still have that itch. If you want peanut butter, go ahead. Put a little on a rice cake, and stop at one! There are ways to get your fix without going off your plan.
Here are a few things that can be substituted for a fiber bar occasionally. But remember... these things might satisfy an urge to splurge, but they won't stop your stomach from growling if it's 3 hours from dinner!
One tablespoon of peanut butter.
Seven potato chips.
Four chocolate kisses.
1/3 of a fast food cheeseburger.
Fifteen french fries.
2/3 of a can of soda.
1/2 of a glazed donut.
Eight saltine crackers.
One tablespoon margarine.
I do have a fry once in awhile. I do have a potato chip. And I love a bite of chocolate occasionally. But I remember back in the day... I used to enjoy a PB&J so much, I'd make a second one. I'd stop on my route for a coffee, (sugary and creamy) and finish it off with a couple of mini-mart fried snacks. I was doing that twice a week! Baking every weekend was the norm, and fast food places were always there for last minute dinners. Pizza, thick and cheesy, was on the dinner table at least once a week, and boxed side dishes like Rice-a-Roni or mac 'n cheese were regular part of dinner.
But not so much now. I've got healthier foods in the pantry and fridge. And the family is benefiting from it.
Friday, October 8, 2010
New photos.
At the point when I realized I was way more heavy than I should be, I had just ordered a new pair of work pants. The USPS carrier pants I ordered were a men's waist size 46. FORTY-SIX!
These days, I'm wearing a 34, and am almost comfortable in a 32.
This morning, I hit up the thrift stores to see if I could possibly be comfortable in women's pants as low as a 10. The first and only pair I picked up and tried on fit. Really? ME? In a 10??
Here are the photos to prove it... and as an extra special bonus today... photos of me doing the ever-so-original "pull the waist out" pose, and the even more cool, "both legs in one pants leg" pose! Enjoy!
Friday, October 1, 2010
Lowest weight to date!
Yesterday, on my route and throughout the day, I consumed approximately 700 calories. I was saving 3-400 for my dinner, which always tends to go a little over that.
Last night, for dinner, I made spaghetti and "meat" balls. The pasta was angel hair, and the sauce was jarred, and the balls were of the frozen soy variety. My son, and The Bunna normally don't eat the soy food I bring home, but the cupboard was bare, so they were forced to consume, with me, the un-meat products I keep just for me.
The bread box was also devoid of the proper spaghetti accompaniment, so I went for the wheat sandwich bread, which I topped with a little margarine, some garlic powder and a dash of Parmesan and parsley. Under the broiler for a couple minutes, and we had a meal.
Started with our usual green salad, with a new variety of dressings, thanks to my wild shopping spree the other day. I think the checker at the store thought I was having a salad party, since I walked out that store with no less than 7 new dressings. :-)
Anyway, with the salad, pasta and meatballs, and pseudo-garlic bread, I'm sure my calorie intake for the day was higher than I normally go. Not to mention the sliced apples and vanilla yogurt dip we all shared for dessert!
Regardless, my weight this morning was 175.2, which is the least I've weighed throughout this whole process! The closest I've come to that was 175.6 a couple of weeks ago.
I'm not exactly on track, but I'm still moving down slowly. Five more pounds in the next four weeks should be easy enough. I'm going to hit that 170 mark before my birthday!
Last night, for dinner, I made spaghetti and "meat" balls. The pasta was angel hair, and the sauce was jarred, and the balls were of the frozen soy variety. My son, and The Bunna normally don't eat the soy food I bring home, but the cupboard was bare, so they were forced to consume, with me, the un-meat products I keep just for me.
The bread box was also devoid of the proper spaghetti accompaniment, so I went for the wheat sandwich bread, which I topped with a little margarine, some garlic powder and a dash of Parmesan and parsley. Under the broiler for a couple minutes, and we had a meal.
Started with our usual green salad, with a new variety of dressings, thanks to my wild shopping spree the other day. I think the checker at the store thought I was having a salad party, since I walked out that store with no less than 7 new dressings. :-)
Anyway, with the salad, pasta and meatballs, and pseudo-garlic bread, I'm sure my calorie intake for the day was higher than I normally go. Not to mention the sliced apples and vanilla yogurt dip we all shared for dessert!
Regardless, my weight this morning was 175.2, which is the least I've weighed throughout this whole process! The closest I've come to that was 175.6 a couple of weeks ago.
I'm not exactly on track, but I'm still moving down slowly. Five more pounds in the next four weeks should be easy enough. I'm going to hit that 170 mark before my birthday!
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