When you and your dog can fit into your clothes, is it time to purge?

I know it's silly but I have a hard time letting go of some things....clothing in particular. Part of it is because I hate shopping to replace the clothing. Part of it is because it is a bit of a safety net. Most of it is because some of the pieces represent a comfort zone that is hard for me to leave. This is particularly true of my jean jacket. I remember being so relieved when this jacket finally fit me.

When I first started wearing it, the sleeves were tight and it barely buttoned....but that was okay. It was a jean jacket, something that I made me feel good when I wore it. Since I hate shopping and fashion so much and of course because of my size, I didn't really have anything that made me feel good.

Over the past few years, I continued to wear the jacket, even though it was looser and looser every time I wore it. Lately I have started to purge items from my closet. I have realized that part of the issues with my feelings of lack of progress is that I am still wearing clothes that are falling off of me. Some of these clothes I stuffed myself into when I weighed my highest weight. I am not really sure how. I blogged about jeans that I had to get rid of here. During Lent, I donated forty pieces of clothing.

Now that both me and one of my dogs can fit into this jacket, it is time for it to go. It is hard to get rid of it. I liked this jacket but it is time to let go. The jeans I have on in the photo below are also close to hitting the donation pile. This all means that I have to go shopping....UGH....but wearing clothes that actually fit me and are a much smaller size is a boost to my ego! It is silly as it is, it is a big step out of that comfort zone.

Starting to believe...

People keep telling me that they see changes in my physique. People keep coming to me and saying that it's obvious I lost weight. People keep telling me to ignore the scale. People keep telling me to just relax about it.

Well, I'm finally starting to believe...and am definitely seeing changes. Just this week, I am piling up even more clothes that I just can't wear any more. I have gone shopping twice and ended up with pants that are several sizes smaller than the ones I am donating. I need more clothes but just hate shopping.

I am lifting heavier weights. I am working out hard but also taking my rest days. I am healthier. I have great blood work results. I am calmer. I am more confident. I am happier. I am loving life.

Yep, I may have been down...but I get back up.

Just a new mantra....

Not sure I need to say much more other than it's time for me to start living like I believe this!

Random thoughts on a snowy Sunday in May

Only you can take charge of your health.....but support does help

I listened to an online seminar on thyroid health last weekend. One thing that struck me was a line by Chris Kresser. He said that "no one is more invested in my health than me." While you can listen to others about what you should do to make your health better, ultimately it is your responsibility to be invested in your life...to want to make the necessary changes....to learn as much as you can to make good decisions...to seek out trusted advisers....and to be invested in your health.

That being said, it is good to have strong support too. One Saturday I got sucked into a Discovery Health show, something like "My 600 pound life." It was the story of people who were around 600 pounds and opting for gastric bypass. While I have my own opinions on the surgery option, that is not the point here. What realized after watching this show that I am very lucky to have a husband that is fully supportive of the changes I am making in my life.

This particular show I watched the woman was tortured by her husband who didn't want her to get thin. He married her because of her weight. She needed to come to grip with the fact that she was doing this for herself and not for him. As far as he went, she couldn't do anything to change his attitude. She could only be invested in herself. I certainly hope that she was able to work out things for herself.

My husband is amazing and only wants me to be happy. He is proud of me and let me know how he feels constantly. I can't express how much his support means to me. I loved him before my transformation started but now that I have started to love myself, I love him even more, with my whole heart. It's amazing what changes occur when you view yourself as worthy.

Shopping

I hate shopping but yesterday my husband told me that I just couldn't wear the jeans I had on any more. So, off I went to look for new jeans. Even though the scale isn't moving, I certainly am losing inches. That is a good thing. BUT I hate shopping more than anything and it was made worse by the fact that I seem to be between sizes...or just have a weird body shape. Waist way too big in the size that fits in the legs. Legs too tight when the waist fits. I did finally find one pair of capris and a pair of jeans (which are three sizes smaller than the ones I am getting rid of).

The gym

I participated in a 90-day challenge this spring at the gym. It was a weight loss competition. Honestly, I didn't really lose any weight. I did lost body fat but the scale pretty stayed where it was at the beginning of the challenge. I however am not disappointed about it. I managed to stick with my attitude that it is more than about the number on the scale.

I am loving my lifting. I am learning a lot about good form and practicing. People have commented on my form for both my deadlift and my squat. It feels good that, if people have to notice things, they are noticing something that I am working on.

Food

I recently took a food allergy test. It has led to some changes in what I am eating. Most notably dairy is out for now. This has meant a change from my whey protein to a vegan version. I have not been happy about it but I am surviving. It is odd but even though I do pay attention to food labels, with this new list of things to avoid, it has become even more difficult. I am dealing with it and in general feel pretty good about it all.

Susan G. Komen  training

I am going to officially start training for the Susan G. Komen this coming week. They send you a 24 week training programming that I am loosely going to follow. For the most part, I am going to do the weekend walks and some walking during the week. I already am focused on getting my 13,000 plus steps in each day. I have gone for some long walks this spring. Now it's time to get the back to back walks on the weekend. I am close on the fund raising with a just few more hundred to go to make the minimum of $2300.

Miscellaneous

It's May and snowing. Such is springtime in the Rockies. 

I need to work on my 50 things to do this year. I am not running so I have some things to revise. If anyone has any ideas, let me know.