Monday, February 2, 2009

Up Close and Personal

This is a topic I don't like talking about because it makes me uncomfortable. But I was reading Oprah's magazine and she said to blog about it increased your success so here goes nothing...

I never struggled with weight until college. I was stick thin growing up. In high school I played tennis and worked out all the time. I had a four pack for goodness sake. In college I didn't gain the "freshman 15," I gained 30 pounds. I joined Weight Watchers with my mom the summer before my freshman year of college and lost the weight and kept it off all through college and grad school.

Then I got married. I'm happy and comfortable and I gained 20 pounds. I have lost 10 pounds, and cannot for the life of me lose these last 10 pounds. I have been working out three to four times a week and eating right...except on the weekends. Which may be where the problem lies!

So now it's time to get serious. I need to lose these last ten pounds before our anniversary trip next month. This morning I bought "Results Fitness" which provides a meal plan, 2 workout videos and a free subscription to "Fitness" Magazine. I have started it and I'm ready to lose these last stubborn ten!

Garth is doing this with me which is great. Thursday nights we will be going to the gym together, and hopefull once during the weekend too.

I plan to make this tonight:
Pasta Fagioli (Pasta and Beans)
From: Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 5 servings Total Time: 30 minutes Points: 6.4 ww points
This is a great tasting, thick, hearty Italian soup. Great to make on a cold night and super quick and easy. I serve it with Italian bread for my family, who are not counting points. Vegetarians can use vegetable broth instead.
1 tbs olive oil
1/2 onion
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 celery stalk, chopped
1 carrot, finely chopped
1 15 oz can cannellini beans
15 oz can tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
1 large bay leaf
1 tbsp basil
1 tbsp parsley
1 tsp oregano
2 cans fat free chicken broth
2 cups water
salt and pepper to taste
1-1/2 cups Ditalini pasta or other small pasta
Grated Parmigiano or Romano
In a deep pot, saute onion and garlic in olive oil over medium heat. Blend the can of beans with one can water in electric blender until almost smooth. Add blended beans to pan then add the can of tomato sauce, celery, chicken broth, basil, bay leaf, parsley, oregano, salt and pepper. Add 1 cup water and bring to slow boil. Let simmer for 20 minutes stirring occasionally. Add pasta and cook uncovered until pasta is al dente, according to pasta directions. Ladle soup into bowls and top with grated cheese (extra pts).

I just can't get up the guts to say how much I weigh, but every Monday I'll update you on how it's going. I'm hoping this keeps me motivated! So thanks for reading this, it was hard for me to write, but I'm glad I did.

43 comments:

d.a.r. said...

Thanks for posting this sweet girl. I know that had to be hard to say and very uncomfortable to publish!!

Good luck, I am cheering for you!!

Jon and Steph said...

Hon, I FEEL your pain! I know the feeling of being happy and a little overweight. But you look great! I think it's awesome that you blogged about this and were able to share this with everyone. I've gained 10 pounds since I met Jon, maybe 15. I am the heaviest I've ever been and can't stand it. I don't fit in my jeans and I don't even recognize the body I see in the mirror! Let me know if this works for you! Good luck with this.... It's wonderful that you work out together and are doing this together!
Sorry to write a short novel ;)

Lis said...

I totally know what you are going through and it's so frustrating!!

Good luck, let us know how you are doing! I'm sure the weight will be gone before you know it!!

Mrs. S said...

Good for you. I know that when you write about something difficult, it has a "release" quality and helps set you on the path you want.

That recipe looks delicious! Sorry I haven't been commenting as much, but I promise I have been reading everything you post...

Mrs. Southern said...

Oh sister, I am right there with you! I have gained so much weight about 16 pounds to be exact since our wedding in June! I finally got to the point where I am mad about it and angry with myself for getting like this. I joined a boot camp and it starts next Monday, I'm a little excited about working out for the first time ever! You can do it! You have a great headstart and sounds like Garth is supporting you too!

Elyse said...

Cheering from the fan section now :) You will do great! I am so honored to be reading your struggle since mine is one too. Looks like I have a new favorite blog to read :)
Stay strong!!!
~Elyse~

Mrs. Dirnberger said...

It takes guts I know...I will never be back down to my college weight, I can't get motivated to do! Maybe your blog about this will help

Brett Alexandra said...

You go girl! I know how frustrating it is. I lost 10 lbs before my wedding and can't seem to lose the other ten. You definitely have the motivation! You can do it:)

Maria said...

I have been working out and watching what I eat, and somehow gained 2 pounds. I think I'm gaining muscle, though, because my clothes are fitting better. Silly scales!!

The Pink Chick said...

Weight has been a life long struggle for me. I have never been brave enough to really talk about the ups and downs of it on my blog. I applaude you for blogging about this! I think you look amazing, but I am cheering you on as you lose those last 10 pounds!

LyndsAU said...

Good luck girl!! You can do this! :) And we are all here when you need us :)
I know this is hard to talk about for most women so you are not alone!!

Jules said...

I can definitely relate and you will lose the weight. The soup you're making sounds great!

Bekah said...

very gutsy my friend! But good for you! You are already halfway there!

Unknown said...

I completely understand I have gained about 10 pounds that I just can't lose but I am working on it good luck!

Robyn said...

A lot of my friends have been working out to the dvd, "30 day shred", and love it. Might be something to look into. Good Luck!

Minnesota Girl said...

Props to you for posting on this subject---obviously it's something that's hard to discuss. I'm sure you look great, but I totally empathize with the feeling about getting rid of the last 10 pounds. I've been working out sporadically the last couple of weeks, but I think I need to kick it up a notch.

Remember --- we're all here to listen to you vent =) Best of luck!


Best of luck to you =)

Kristin said...

Good luck!! I know I've struggled with weight too, but keep your chin up and I know you'll get that last 10lbs off!!

Kim @ NewlyWoodwards said...

I wish you lots of luck and I know you can do it. Thanks for sharing this with the world (I do not blame you for not posting your weight - I would never do it in a million years).

I have also gained weight since we got married. I'm hoping by getting healthy on the eating front, I will be able to be more open to getting healthy on the working-out front. Luckily, I've been losing weight with eating healthier.

I'm rooting for you!

Sassy Engineer said...

I can defnitely relate. I have never been overweight, and I'm not now, but I have gained and continued to gain a couple of pounds every year since I got married (maybe more like 3 or 4).

I weigh 20 pounds more now than I did when I graduated high school. It has been gradual over the last five years so I think it didn't hit me as much until recently.

I would really like to just get healthy and in shape, but it is hard to blog about, and I haven't either. Maybe I will someday soon. I'm trying to start small by eating better and do at least some exercise everyday. Know you are not alone!

Kaitlyn said...

Oh, I understand how hard it must have been to publish this. I did a post on my freshman 15/20 and it got a great response-- but it still makes me cringe! It is so great that you're taking charge of your goals. From the pictures I have seen, I think you look fan-tab-ulous! However, it is more about feeling better in your own skin-- so kudos to that! Good luck :)

Megan said...

There is so much accountability through blogs! Even if it is just from your own self knowing that you typed it out and made a commitment! I am proud of your for posting this even though it was probably hard for you, Keep us updated. You can do it! :-)

Ginger said...

for what it's worth I think you look great but I also understand we see ourselves differently.

Prayers and support from me.
Good luck in your journey and that recipe sounds amazing I might have to give it a try myself.

Whitney said...

I always got aggrevated because I often talk about needing to lose weight and people that are heavier than me look at me like I'm crazy. BUT, I know what is best for me and I know how much I need to lose. So, I understand completely. Good luck on the 10 lbs. You can do it!

~Mrs. Guru~ said...

That recipe looks delicious! Let me know what Garth thinks of it. Because Mr. Guru is darn picky I have to be choosy about what recipes I make.

author@ptgbook.org said...

Don't worry if someone wants to know your weight. Just say 115 pounds plus a few ounces. You don't have to say how many ounces over 115 pounds. (only kidding).

KRISTEN'S PALACE said...

girl i feel ya! i was soo skinny until college! why does that happen :( and then i blew up again when i got married, its so stressful i know. stop by my blog later for a giveaway!

amy (metz) walker said...

We call that "happy fat" around our house! ;-) You sound like you are doing the right things and, unfortunately, the last 10 are the hardest b/c it gets harder to create your daily caloric deficit! I know you can do it!

Pleasant Living said...

Good luck! Marriage is hard on the body!

SusanD said...

I am right there with you. After all the chemo, radiation, steroids, and dozens of other drugs, I put on weight that has been extremely difficult to get off. I've stepped up my exercise routine intensity and frequency. My step-daughter is getting married the end of May and I really want to ditch the extra baggage. We'll encourage each other! Blessings, Susan

Shanny said...

That was very brave! Good luck getting to where you want, I know you will. I'm fighting to lose some weight myself so I know exactly how you feel.

Chels said...

You've got this!

I've been there and this will probably always be something I struggle with. I know how hard it is to talk about and am so proud of you for posting this.

Sara said...

Just by posting it you are owning it! It doesn't even matter what your numbers are. You can do this and we'll all be here to root you on!

Julie said...

Hello!

I've never visited your blog before, but it was a great first day to do so! I'm struggling with the same thing - the 5 to 10 lbs that you just can't get rid of! I think the best thing is talking about it and finding a support system. Good luck! Also, thanks for sharing the recipe, I always love new WW recipes.

~Julie

New Girl on Post said...

Thanks for sharing that! I think a lot of women our age struggle with our weight, even if it's only that extra pesky 10 lbs. I know you can lose this!

Anonymous said...

I think that was remarkably brave of you to open up like that. Many women, myself included, identify with your plight. It's very frustrating but having a partner in it all is so important and its wonderful that Garth is joining you in the good fight! :)

Don't feel like you have to measure success by the numbers on the scale or admit your weight. Instead, maybe focus on pounds or inches lost or how those jeans feel on you? Those are just my thoughts!

xo

That Fresh Feeling said...

The recipe does look delicious.

Please continue posting any other good ones you come across.

Good luck! You can do it!

Unknown said...

You can do it! Sometimes all it takes is the realization that we need to try something different. Plus, the support of Garth is priceless.

We're all rooting for you!!

Inspired Kara said...

Oh girl. I am RIGHT THERE with you on the pesky ten pounds sitaution. Weight Watchers is the only thing I can EVER seem to get to work for me.

Tabbie:) said...

You can do it you can do it you can do it!!
Don't give up!
Mr. Wonderful and I joined the gym last night and worked out. I am pumped to see some weight start coming off!!

Mary said...

I know it isn't easy to put it all out there and keep people updated on your progress. Good luck to you!

La Petite Chic said...

I think you look beautiful regardless of those last 10 pounds or not, but I wish you the best of luck! It makes it so much easier when your hubby is right there beside you too.

Jill said...

I know how you feel. The last 10 pounds is so hard. I'm trying to lose about 10 pounds right now and it's killing me. Thanks for posting this and the recipe!

BTW~ love your blog. Very cute.

Daddy's Boo Portraits said...

I wish you much luck, setting your goal is the most important step. I hope you conquer it.