The Fat Trap

Since I last wrote about the "150 Project" back in April of last year, I really fell off the "healthy lifestyle" wagon. I just wasn't motivated. As a result, between then and now, I've gained at least 15 pounds -  and I wasn't tiny then!

 Christmas was the final straw.  I thought I went to a party looking like a foxy "Mrs. Claus" and then I saw this photo. Seeing it was a reality check, for sure.  Look at those boobs! Look at those arms! Look at that invisible waistline! I have to face it:

I'm fat.

So three weeks ago I rejoined Weight Watchers ("WW")  to work my way back to my goa weight of 150. It was a relief, actually. My eating had gotten out of control with travel and the holidays.  And, (Tada!) it worked: I lost 7.3 pounds my first week back!

I also went way out of my comfort zone and joined Planet Fitness.

Which I love because it's a "no judgement zone". 

There are people working out there of every age, shape and size.

My kind of place!

I always hated gym class in school, which is probably how I ended up fat. Running the track was my idea of hell. But as of week #3, this gym isn't so bad. I can exercise, or not, and work at my own pace. I usually do 2 miles on the treadmill at a fast walk (3.0 mph) and then some circuit training and stretches.  I'm lucky here too: DH is my personal trainer!

I've been going to the gym 3-4 times a week for the past three weeks and finally eating right - lots of chicken and fish. Tomorrow is weigh-in day at Weight Watchers. I'll let you know how I do.

Meantime, hope springs eternal!

Do you have to work hard to maintain a healthy weight or does it just come naturally for you? Have you found that the older you get, the harder it is to lose weight? Or, like some of my friends of a certain age, have you reached the point where it just doesn't matter and you've accepted yourself at whatever size you are?  I'd love to hear how others cope with "feeling fat". Is it just me?

Yours in Bumble Bee Snack Packs!

This post is linked to:

Inspire Me Tuesday # 485 at A Stroll Through Life
Amaze Me Monday #300 at Dwellings

The 150 Project #3: "What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger"

Welcome to the "150 Project"...
One of my "Retirement Resolutions" was to get healthy...hence the "150 Project". That's my goal weight on Weight Watchers. Putting that number right out there keeps me from going back into denial. I was also a smoker. I quit in June 2013,  on the day I retired from teaching. Now that I'm retired, I hope to add exercise to my program. Posting my progress on the "150 Project " is my way of keeping myself honest, tracking progress, and, just maybe, inspiring others because...if I can do it, anyone can!
~Cheryl

The song that's the title of this post, sung by Kelly Clarkson, is my mantra. It's even the ring tone on my cell phone! And, in my third month with my trainer, Ben at Body by John, I really am feeling stronger. Going to the gym isn't even scary anymore (well...except for "leg day" maybe).

 I thought it would be fun to show those of you who may have "gym phobia", as I did, what a typical training session is like.

 

And the fitness model for this post?

Well it's middle-aged "Moi", of course!

 

 I like the fact that the gym is quiet and non-threatening. I'm usually with Ben while John is training someone else at the other end of the gym.

The trainers push us to our personal limits...but not quite over.

 The music helps me keep moving.

(We seem to have negotiated a pretty painless mix of Beatles and rap.)

 

Doesn't it look like I'm having fun?

(Look at that face!)

 

  

Check this out:  "0" intimidation factor...no spandex in sight!

 

 And best of all, I get to work with Ben and John, two amazing trainers.

 

My DH, Hank, is training with Ben now, too.

 

 So that's it...a morning at the gym.

Time to give the sneakers a rest until tomorrow...

 

When it's time to do it all again!

 

“Don’t worry about failures; worry about the chances you miss when you don’t even try.”

– Jack Canfield

 

 



Sewing Soothes My Soul

When I am stressed...as I have been since Mom has been ill...I like to sew. During tough times, while the physical exercise of working out with my personal trainer, Ben, helps strengthen my body, sewing seems to soothe my soul.
 

My mother taught me how to sew on her old Singer when I was a young girl so maybe sewing makes me feel closer to her right now, when she can no longer sew.

 

I found this fabric...it was a sample size donated by a decorating shop...at Goodwill for $1.99. With batting I had on hand, I turned it into a chair cushion to brighten up a dark corner of our living room.

The chair has an interesting story too. We brought it back from the overgrown rural two-room farm house in Virginia where DH's father lived as a boy. The old chair is handmade and utilitarian, with a rope seat...but it is full of family memories, real and imagined.

 

This pillow comes from another fabric sample from Goodwill. I just folded the sample in  half, stuffed it, sewed the edges, and voila!

 

This folding screen was once Mom's. I brought it home and sewed new panels for it. It's perfect next to my desk in our "library" area.

 

 

I love the fabric...it is reproduced text from vintage newspapers.

 

 

The "articles" in the fabric newspaper, seem to fit my current mood..."Memories", "Forgiveness"...

 

and "Curiosity".

 

 

  

 I found the fabric at JoAnn's. It is designed by Tim Holtz, whose repro vintage embellishments are so popular right now with scrapbookers, jewelry creators and altered-art aficionados.. They can be found at Michael's and A.C. Moore.
 

 

 

Or, you can visit the Tim Holtz website here.

Tim Holtz has a whole line of "Eclectic Elements" fabrics at JoAnn's. They are a bit expensive at $14.99/yard for 44/45' cotton fabric so I used one of my 40% off coupons.

 

 

 

I must be really be in stress mode because I even dug out an old sewing project and finished it. I had found this partially finished piece of embroidery at a flea market a few years ago and always intended to do something with it. It just seemed sad sitting all by itself, unfinished and forgotten by some long-ago girl scout.

 

So...if the Girl Scouts have a pillow-making badge, I think I finally earned it.

The way things have been going around here lately, "Be Prepared" seems like a pretty god motto to keep in mind.

 

Or how about this Girl Scout pillow from Etsy? The badges come with it!

 

 

Then I sewed throw pillows for the guest room...

 

 

Lots of them!

 

 

I didn't sew the white "ruffled" pillow...found that one on Clearance at Marshall's for $10.00 and love the texture it adds to the grouping.

I liked it so much, I went back for an aqua one for the master bedroom.

 

I have to keep reminding myself that texture is as important as color in pulling a room together. Sometimes I get so "into" finding the perfect color that I forget to consider varying shapes and textures.
 

I made this simple pillow for our little "TV couch" in the Master Bedroom....the fabric was in the remnant bin at our local Curtainshop.

 

And, on an especially stressful day, I came home from visiting Mom and reupholstered the ottoman in front of my reading chair.

 

 

There's still a good-sized basket full of fabric left so I'm "Prepared" to sew my way through any stressful days ahead...

 

 

 

And where will I put all the pillows I make and can't even use?

Why in this gigantic new basket from Home Goods,  of course!

 

 

 

Did I mention that home shopping also does a pretty good job of relieving stress?

 

How do you cope with stress?

 

This post is linked to:

Sew Darn Crafty Linky Party at Sew Many Ways

The 150 Project #2: OMG, I Have a Personal Trainer!

Welcome to the "150 Project"...
One of my "Retirement Resolutions" was to get healthy...hence the "150 Project". That's my goal weight on Weight Watchers. Putting that number right out there keeps me from going back into denial. I was also a smoker. I quit in June 2013,  on the day I retired from teaching. Now that I'm retired, I hope to add exercise to my program. Posting my progress on the "150 Project " is my way of keeping myself honest, tracking progress, and, just maybe, inspiring others because...if I can do it, anyone can!
~Cheryl

 

Since my Mom has been ill, it's ironic that physical exercise has been what has kept me from losing my mind  somewhat sane. If you knew me you would know why that is totally out of character:

  

 I absolutely hate  to sweat. 

 

John of "Body by John"...not scary at all!

 

But...desperate times call for desperate measures!

 



Having gained back almost 10 pounds since I quit smoking last June, I made a New Year's resolution to add exercise to my Weight Watchers program in 2014.
 

 I didn't really think I would keep it.

My first day at Body by John

Mom being admitted to the hospital on New Year's Eve seemed like just the excuse I was searching for to break my resolution...until the trainer called me! The gig was up...I was out of excuses. It was like an out-of-body experience when I heard someone with my voice agree to a "free assessment of my physical strength, flexibility and percentage of body fat". Moi???



My trainer, Ben

OMG!!! Did I really just agree to THAT? With a muscle-bound young male trainer? At a gym? In spandex? Just kill me now.



My trainer, Ben



But sometimes the unexpected happens. The gym is small and there are no spandex-clad 20 year olds there while I'm working out. My trainer, Ben, isn't scary at all...he's firm but very sweet. And I'm not only able to do what he asks of me, I'm enjoying it.



 

 

 Hey, I'm 66 years old and hanging out with guys like Ben and John...

 

And I'm doing things I never ever ever thought I could do...

like "Planking"...



 and "Inch Worms".

 

I've even learned to embrace the pain of "LEG DAY".
 

After two months of training four times a week, I can't believe that I've actually stayed with it.  Maybe my body has been taken over by an alien?  I love my time at Body by John and I'm no longer afraid to sweat a little. I feel more energetic and more confident. What I have always avoided has become a gift of additional strength...

Just when I need it most.

 

 

p.s. Thanks, Ben, John and Pam!