Last week, I talked about my crafty New Year's resolution, and you guys are so awesome and supportive! Thanks for all the fantastic comments. As I'm cleaning out my stash, keep your eye out for some fabric giveaways!
Today, I have a confession, and my other big New Year's Resolution. I've been debating whether or not to talk about this here, because it's not really related to craftiness, but my guess is that some of you struggle with the same things I do, so I decided to spill.
Here's my secret:
I'm chubby.
And by chubby, I mean I'm packing an extra 90 pounds.
Yes, really.
Now, this is totally NOT a secret to anyone who knows me in real life. But, if I'm being honest, the truth is I selectively post pictures of myself here that mask that fact.
This one's only from the waist up, and I'm shielding myself with children.
I'm barely even in this picture...it's all cowl, glasses, and teeth.
Again with the glasses and teeth...
This one might be the most of me you've ever seen, and it's still only from the waist up, and I'm using a baby to hide the chub. (Also, why on earth did I post that picture, with my crazy frizzy summer hair? UGH.) And while, we're on the subject, do you know how many dresses I made for myself this summer, that I could
have blogged about, given you all tutorials for, but I chose not to
because the pictures made me look fat? This dress below is an example.
Well, this year, no more hiding behind huge cowls and children.
This year, my goal is to shed those extra 90 pounds. I'm already down about 7 pounds so far this year. I don't expect to shed them quickly, and I'm totally ok if I don't get them all off this year, as long as I'm moving in the right direction.
So, how am I planning to lose the weight? Well, first, I'm going to Weight Watchers. I am a HUGE fan of their program, and have been for at least a decade. It's all about choices, flexibility, and teaching you how to eat well in the real world. It's a program that I believe in, and that has worked for me in the past.
I'm also eating a whole foods, plant-based diet. For those of you reading between the lines, yes, that means vegan. I've been a vegetarian on and off since middle school, and haven't eaten red meat since the early 1990's, so eliminating meat products isn't really a change for me. I've always been a HUGE fan of dairy products though. Oh, cheese. Cheese, glorious cheese, how I love thee.
So why am I giving them up?
Well, I've been convinced by the scientific evidence supporting a whole foods, plant-based diet for optimum health, and in particular in reducing cancer incidence and heart disease. If you're interested in some of this evidence, I would suggest starting by watching the film Forks Over Knives, and reading The China Study.
In the last 5 years, I've watched several of my grandparents wither away from Alzheimer's and dementia. My mom died from a massive heart attack at age 50, only 2 days after her 50th birthday, and less than a week after getting a clean bill of health from a doctor. Her first sign of heart disease was death. If I can make choices for myself that spare my kids the pain of watching ME go through those types of health problems, then I feel like I have an obligation, as a mother, to do that. So I am.
Now, I understand that this style of eating freaks some people out. That's fine - I'm not interested in preaching to you, or changing the way that you eat or feed your families. I'm simply sharing my choice with you.
I hope you don't mind if I share my weight loss journey with you all. I'm thinking I might post weekly, or maybe just a few times a month, about how things are going on my journey. My weight loss series will be called:
More on the name in a future post. :)
Is anyone else here trying to lose some pounds this year? How's it going?
Now, I understand that this style of eating freaks some people out. That's fine - I'm not interested in preaching to you, or changing the way that you eat or feed your families. I'm simply sharing my choice with you.
I hope you don't mind if I share my weight loss journey with you all. I'm thinking I might post weekly, or maybe just a few times a month, about how things are going on my journey. My weight loss series will be called:
More on the name in a future post. :)
Is anyone else here trying to lose some pounds this year? How's it going?
Love that! And you're beautiful no matter what. Good luck on your weight loss journey :) I'm doing a 21 day fast diet and I've already lost 8 lbs... feels so good, can't wait to see you share your successes!
ReplyDeleteGood luck! Looking forward to hearing about all your success. I'm making some drastic changes to my diet this year too and returning to dairy & wheat free (I see your slightly chubby and raise you scarily ugly eczema ;-)
ReplyDeleteok, I love the name. you really need to make a before picture of yourself in a little coat, a la Chris Farley. Better yet, a video singing the song :)
ReplyDeleteYour strategy sounds great, I wish you great success! I would actually love to lose 30 lbs this year, maybe watching you will inspire me.
Emily, Like Jennifer Hudson said on Dr. Oz yesterday, don't do it for anyone else, do it for yourself.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I'm doing. I'm following Dr.Fuhrman's program from his book Eat to Live. It doesn't matter what system we follow, it's all about being good to ourselves and putting ourselves first, then we can have more quality time in our lives for family and friends, and be so much happier.
One suggestion I would make, is stay away from Dream Stealers, those people who don't support your efforts and find nothing positive to say. You keep going and before you know it, you'll posting to tell us that you have done it, you know you can.... ;o))
I'm a lurker, but you sound a lot like me. I've been a vegetarian since I was a kid, but I can't kick the dairy, which has always kept me from going full vegan. And I had a baby (almost 2 years ago now!) and he's still breastfeeding a little and allergic to soy and chickpeas and beans (and a bunch of other healthy stuff that I love) so I've been having to eat a lot of dairy to keep up my protein... oh hummus, how I miss thee. But I could stand to loose about 90 lbs too and I'm trying to shake quite a bit of that because I want to try to get pregnant in about a year and I don't want all this extra weight on me then. I'm watching what I eat and trying to hit the gym. The food cravings are hard... boy would some chocolate milk be nice right now. Good luck to you! I hope you kick some (fat) ass!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you...just working on getting the post-holiday motivation. I'm stuck in that hibernation stage.
ReplyDeleteI had 66 pounds to lose. I'm down 36 and tackling the last 30 this year. I've been blogging over at http://bingertobabe.blogspot.com for a little while now and need to get back at it.
Best wishes to you! Hopefully, watching your success & happiness will convince me to try the vegan lifestyle. :)
Oh, and share your creations no matter what your size! I completely relate to the careful cropping, but think it's so sad that we feel a need to hide ourselves if we don't look like the typical fashion blogger.
ReplyDeleteI recently joined weight watchers also - have decided to make one of my resolutions this year not only to lose weight, but to be healthier. Eating healthier, working out (I joined the local YMCA and have been there a couple times so far). I think weight watchers helps you do it in a healthy way, and can help you with a lifestyle change, not just a "diet".
ReplyDeleteGood luck to you, and kudos for posting on here about it. It can be hard to share our personal things versus our craft things.
I know it's off topic, but I LOVE your baby's expression in the wrap! So stinkin cute.
ReplyDeleteWith that said, good luck on your journey! I've got a friend that's been doing weight watchers, and it's done wonders to help her with her MS. She loves it and she says she feels healthier.
And I think it's awesome that you're vegan. I read a book within the last 5 months about veganism, and while I don't have enough willpower to switch to even a vegetarian diet, I understand veganism way more and have a new profound respect for vegans.
I'm right there with you! I need to drop 40 pounds to be pre-bsbies 3ight, 60 to be happy, and 80 to be super psyched. I'm 5'8" tall and zI've never been a small girl. But 2 c-sections later and I am what I refer to as 'lumpy.' It is my goal to lose at least between the 40 to 60 pound range by August which is when I will be done breast feeding my son and if my weight is there I am treating myself to new boobs. I had huge ones to start with. After feeding two kids thry're more like udders. So that is my goal. I have a new elliptical machine in my basement that I kick my own ass with.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping to lose roughly another 15lbs this year. I think I tipped the scales at the doctor's office this time last year somewhere over 190! She'll be pleasantly surprised when I go in there next week with about 30lbs gone. Yes, losing weight to look/feel better is great, but most importantly I didn't want to be carting all that extra weight around and trying to get pregnant. I'm looking forward to the new blog!
ReplyDeleteHi Emily, so brave of you to put it all out in the open. You look like a beautiful mama to me, but its about how you feel. Something I found really useful to lose post-baby-chub and still live by now is a low / no sugar approach. You feel so much better anyway. I turn into devil-mama when I eat heaps of sugar. This site is all about it: http://www.sarahwilson.com.au/
ReplyDeleteI am finally going to hit my goal weight this year! I have been doing WW since last April, I haven't been actually working the program like I should, but I do believe in it because after having twins I went from a size 22(and I was squeezed into them because I didn't want to go up another size) to a size 6. Good luck with learning to Edit you choices!
ReplyDeleteYou have to find what works for you---and you will have no problem being dedicated to it. Hubby and I did a juice/fruit/vegetable fast for 14 days starting the middle of October, then adopted a vegan diet with a little Boneless/skinless chicken added to the mix (ala "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead"). At Christmastime, I had lost over 30lbs, and he 50. We kind of let go of the restrictions over Christmas and even tho we didn't lose much weigh during that two week period, we didn't gain either. It worked so well for us because apart from portions and restricted meats, we ate whenever we want and as much as we want. We have also steered away from Bread and Dairy (which is also easy if you stay mostly vegan). As we explored vegan recipes, we also opened a whole new world of amazing variety and delicious foods. We are never hungry, and my sweet tooth (always my downfall in the past) never came in to play for some reason.
ReplyDeleteLike I said, this is working for us and might not be for everyone, you have to find your 'thing'. Anyway, we are about 1/2 way to our first goal, and plan to be there by spring. Good luck--remember nothing tastes as good as thin feels!
oh how i can relate! ive been running down this road since july 14, 2010. my now 1.5 year old was just 6 weeks and i didnt feel like myself anymore. i had already lost 22 pounds since delivering him, but had so far to go. http://asecondtry.blogspot.com has been my accountability partner and ive been in a plateau for about 5 months now. i have 15 pounds to lose to make my original goal, and i know its happening this year. this winter even.
ReplyDeleteso, ive done it, i know you can too! one choice at a time. my best advice? find a hobby that makes you sweat. and find a partner! mine happens to live on the other side of the world, but that encouragement and communal suffering is essential.
I am compelled to wish you great luck with your goal! All the best for you in 2012 xx
ReplyDeleteBest of luck! I'm just working on the post-baby weight right now. Breastfeeding is good to me at the moment :) My dad did weight watchers when we were kids -- he used to weigh himself weekly in front of the whole family. What a motivation, ha.
ReplyDeleteGuess what, we share the same resolution :) just posted about my wish to lose weight this year http://just-chic.blogspot.com/2012/01/from-size-12-to-size-8.html
ReplyDeleteGood luck! It's so easy to put on weight but so very hard to lose it - not fair ...
You are so awesome to share this on your blog. I personally am a flexitarian, but fully support the vegan lifestyle. If you love sweets and baked goods, check out manifestvegan.com, awesome vegan, gluten free recipes, she redoes things like thin mints, so good. Good luck, I love the name you chose for your journey and look forward to seeing your progress.
ReplyDeleteHigh fives! I have never commented on your blog before, but I've been following for quite a while. I love to craft, and I have a son (16 months old), and I love hoodies, too! (Oh, and P.S. I've been reading since before I had my son.) Anyway, the three of us eat a vegan diet. My husband has been a vegetarian since the late '90s and I always hated meat, but our thing was always the cheese, too. I read many books about nutrition in my quest to also lose the chub, and The China Study did it for me. After I read that one, I was convinced and kept reading other books, while we (my husband and I) made the emotional switch. Saying goodbye to cheese was hard! One year after deciding we'd ultimately eat only plants, we made the change. Talk about resistant! Anyway, it's been over four years, and we're healthier than we've ever been. And all the things we eat now -- we don't miss any of the dairy. I am easily 30 pounds lighter and I'm not a gym rat. Like two different people, really. And your taste buds will adjust to all the new stimulation. Now, carrots taste like they were dipped in sugar to me. For reals.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, congrats and even though we've never met, I am so excited for you! Cheers!
Awesome! I too love Weight Watcher's and have just started counting points again and I just watched Forks over Knives and have committed to a plant based diet too! I have been vegetarian for years, but I always ate dairy and eggs. My brother read the China Study and lost tons of weight and ditched his blood pressure medicine after changing to a plant based diet. I just wish that I could get my 3 boys in on the fun. The baby is easy to persuade, but the 8 and 10 year olds, as well as their dad will take some work! Good luck to you!
ReplyDeleteGood for you, Emily! I am needing to shed some this year,too, in the 25-30 lb range, and have joined Spark People to track my intake. Keeps me accountable! Iwe all know an apple is better than chips, and just as easy, but we just have to make that choice. I think it is great that you are taking control and getting started. You have your whole life to benefit, and you want Tito be a long and healthy one! I will be cheering you on!
ReplyDelete..and you want IT TO be a long healthy one.....darn auto spell!!
ReplyDeleteGood luck on the weight shedding. You can do it with walking and a healthy diet. After the birth of my fourth child. I had an extra 3 stone to get rid of too. I did it simply by walking lots and lots and eating healthily. I will look forward to watching you and how you get on.
ReplyDeleteFirst time reader and commenter :) Way to go!!! Great post! I had a similar realization a couple years ago about the chub and WW helped me get in to the ideal weight range for my not-very-tall height. You can do it! You are fabulous (crafty and otherwise) and being able to blog the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth proves it. Keep it up :)
ReplyDeletewhile i was veggie for a good ten years, i struggled with being full on vegan. i do eat meat these days but my personal eating goal is to eat only things that rot......no more pop tarts, deli meats etc. my primary reason for cooking from scratch was the amount of migraines i was getting from nitrates, preservatives etc. i am going to check out the forks over knives video soon...it is in my queue!
ReplyDeleteGood luck! I'm trying to get my belly under control again too. Have you seen Erin's challenge? She's hilarious and fun and rallying a great supportive group of quilters trying to do the same thing as you. http://missymaccreations.blogspot.com/2012/01/weigh-in-wednesday-day-1.html
ReplyDeleteI can relate. Good luck. I think your posts will keep me honest about my own weight loss.
ReplyDeleteI was so thankful to WW for teaching me how to eat right! I had never learned before... portion sizes anyone??? I loved the meetings and the support of everyone and their good ideas. Good luck in your journey!
ReplyDeleteYou are very beautiful and veryy brave!
ReplyDeleteI am in with you! I have lost 10 pounds since I started my journey back in 2009, and have 24 pounds to go. I enjoy reading your blog, and look forward to supporting you in your new journey. Have you checked out SparkPeople? It is a weightloss site that allows you to track your food, fitness, and much more. If you would like to email me, my email is equest2005 (at) woh (dot) rr (dot) com. Also, that site is www.sparkpeople.com
ReplyDeleteBody Bugg's work amazingly well also! Mine broke last year, so I am back to the "hard" way of dieting.
As you can see, there are so many of us that can relate! I have about 10 - 15 lbs. to lose, myself. I'm doing it by cutting WAY back on sugar, a BIG increase in veggies, and even adding in some healthy fats. I also joined the YMCA and it's my goal to go 2x a week, maybe more as it becomes more of a habit.
ReplyDeleteWay to go! And I love your Tommy Boy reference :-D
I'll be cheering you on the whole way! Glad you found what works for you. I'm watching my carbs, flirting with a paleo diet (meat and veggies) in an effort to get healthy and reach my second weight loss goal. I've lost 15 to 20 pounds since August (depending on the time of day) and hope to lose another 15-20 before the end of the school year. Eventually I'm hoping to be 90 pounds lighter than when I started.
ReplyDeleteI saw this recipe for Gluten free/Vegan mac and cheese and thought of you. It sounds yummy!
ReplyDeletehttp://alisaburke.blogspot.com/2012/01/vegangluten-free-mac-cheese.html
Your mother-in-law is proud of you and inspired by you. Love, Gayle
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