Health Nut

We have a new guy that is being trained in our office. He's only here for a week - and then after that he'll go into outside sales where I'm sure he'll pretend he's better than us. It's what sales guys seem to do.

Anyway, today I was passing him in the hall with a bowl overflowing of honeycrisp apples. I LOVE THOSE APPLES. Anyway, he looked at me and said "Oh, you're a health nut, huh?"

My first reaction was to look behind me to see who he was talking to. Then, once I realized it was me, I sort of laughed in a SUPER sarcastic way and then said "Oh YEAH" also sarcastically.

But on my way back to my desk I realized that this is what people will start thinking of me. I mean, I still want to lose more weight - for many reasons - but the big one is so that I will be healthy.

Eventually, I won't be the token fat girl in my group. I will be the one who is healthy.

And that was a pretty cool revelation.

Learning to say "thank you"

I love my Weight Watchers meeting. It is by far the best group I have ever been affiliated with - the people at that meeting are fantastic!! There are several who have lost a lot of weight and are in the maintenance part of their "journey" - and I find them so inspiring! Those that haven't reached goal yet are such cheerleaders for everyone else. I really look forward to seeing them each week - and I know that if I were gone, they would wonder what happened to me and where I was.

But what I noticed was that tonight, when people were congratulating me on my loss this week, I said "Oh thanks - but it's no big deal - I have so much more to lose!" And while part of that statement is accurate (I do have a lot more to lose), I am proud of the weight that I have lost - especially since I had a HUGE meltdown this past week and chose to NOT eat out of comfort.

I guess I'm realizing that while I do have a lot more that I want to lose, for me to downplay what I have already lost would be silly. I have lost five points on the BMI scale. I am really proud of what I have done...because as great as the outside transformation is, the inside transformation is pretty amazing too.

I'm trying to learn how to take compliments. And I'm trying to learn that self-deprecation helps no one.

Any advice from those of you who have been there? Any tips on what you did during your transition?

Awww...shucks

So I started this blog and to be honest, I didn't even think people would notice it. That's why I haven't been as funny as I am on the other blog - and it's also why I haven't made it look pretty.

I guess because in a small way, this blog represents how I think I am when you strip away my layers of self defense and the makeup. Not as pretty, and not as much of a need to make others laugh.

Here's the thing - the people that have read this post by stumbling by it have been awesome...and I have really appreciated your comments of support.

I am proud of the weight I have lost - and I find myself downplaying it to others...but it's nice to come here - to this safe place where I can write freely about the issues that surround my weight and my weight loss. My self-image and my self-worth have been tied for so long that it's hard for me to even understand one without taking into account the other.

I guess that's why your comments still mean a bunch - that you would read this blog - even though it's not as funny, not as pretty, and not as helpful as other blogs out there.

Huh, I guess I am changing

As I was getting ready for work this morning, I was doing my typical thing by trying to figure out what I was going to bring for lunch.

Then I remembered that I went to the grocery store last night and I had a new batch of fresh fruit, low fat soups, and new green teas! I was so excited. And that's when it hit me.

I remember days when I would be almost salivating over the goodies I had bought at the store - being so excited to eat this new brand of chips, some chocolate that sounded great, or even a frozen pizza. And here I am, able to avoid those foods at the store AND able to look forward to crunching into that fresh new crisp apple at lunch.

I guess my mindset is changing. I'm probably just as pre-occupied with food. I'm not sure that that will ever go away 100%, but I am looking forward to eating the healthy things. I've started to think of it as a challenge and I think the next step is going to be cooking...so I can experiment with all of the fun flavors that are out there.

I know - this is a big change from where my mindset was a week ago. And when I weighed in on Monday, I did gain - but it was only 0.8 pounds. And that's not a big deal. I mean, in the whole scheme of things, I really am still doing great.

And I'm proud - that somehow my mindset is changing and my brain is starting to learn different things.

I still have the issues with my family and weight. I know I will probably always battle with those creeping feelings of insecurity. But at least now I have some healthy habits to help me along.

Self Sabotage

So I realized this past week, as I was sabotaging what I have worked SO hard for that it was me getting in the way of me.

Maybe there was something going around, but today there were several blogs posted on this subject.

Stephanie posted about her revelation. That when we sabotage ourselves, we're really playing the role of a punisher. And I so get that. I have held myself to such high expectations by should-ing all over myself. And really it's silly. Because if someone takes days or weeks or months to call me back I don't think they're worse as a person. But if I don't call someone back, then I feel horrible. This, of course, means that in my life of constant checks and balances, that I should be some sort of demerit.

I think if I took more enjoyment in the actual eating of the food, even if I overeat, that it would be worth it. However, what it turns out to be is me getting fed for some other reason...such as was the case last Wednesday. The big thing is that I do it to comfort AND punish myself.

Roni had a video Q&A posted today and she also discussed how why people might sabotage themselves. One of the things that really resonated with me was how she lost her identity. That if she had always defined herself as a chubby girl, what would she be when she was no longer chubby? She no longer fit into that whole group. And I guess that has really resonated with me.

I pride myself on being funny. I love little more than to know that someone else is laughing at what I said -probably because I feel of value. Sure, I feel like people might want to hang around me more if they have fun with me; but I also feel like I have a place that I don't have to fight for. I can be the funny person. And so I am.

But what if I was another thin girl? How would that feel? Then how would I define myself?

The times in my life when I've been thin or at least thinner, I've felt VERY uncomfortable. All of the sudden guys were buying me drinks at bars and people wanted to kiss on me. It was a great feeling on one hand, but was also very scary.

I think it was scary because *I* didn't believe that I brought much else to the table. I mean, I know I'm loyal, I'm enthusiastic, and I'm supportive to the point of enabling, but what if I was all of those things and then I got fat and then he hated me? Yes - that would be me with someone like my dad all over again.

The difference is this time, I'm trying to concentrate on the things that I get to be if I'm thinner. I get to be not worried that I'm going to break someone's furniture. I get to be something slutty for Halloween if I want to. I get to buy things in a store because I know that they will fit! I get to not be the token fat girl in the group. I get to feel more like a part of the group instead of outside of the group.

Mind you, I'm not romanticizing my life when I get thinner. I've fallen into that trap before...I'll be happier, married, have kids, successful, help solve world peace when I'm thin. Instead I'm trying to focus on what I'm gaining (more mobility, more pride, putting myself first) versus what I'm losing.

I'm sure I'll always want to make people laugh (because of the reasons listed above) but I'm looking forward to being comfortable in my skin - no matter what the size.

Perspective

Okay - I'm better now.

I mean, I'm feeling better.

Actually, I am feeling over-full, which is not a fun feeling, and is not a smart idea since tomorrow is weigh in...but the sandwich I was eating tasted so good and apparently I had no impulse control at lunch.

Anyway, I have been reading a lot of blogs that focus on health. A couple of weeks ago I found Roni's Weigh. She had a post yesterday that I thought was great - and something that I hope to keep in mind during my journey.

So here it is. And I hope that it brings some satisfaction in knowing that you are not alone.