breakthrough

A Letter from a Reader and an NSV

Last night, I went to my Thursday night Candlelight Yoga class... Seriously, this class is my favorite part of any week. The instructor always has a unique message to share with us and it’s just a great way to let go of the week and honor yourself. If you’re a Colorado reader, seriously… there are a lot of candlelight classes all over the city. Find one, and go!!!! So amazing!

I’m still working to perfect my half moon. I can only do one side… I guess, I’m more of a quarter moon still. (Source)

Walking into my class today, I had a realization and an NSV that I wanted to share with you guys, but it also tied back to a question from a reader. So, I figured I would combine the two stories…

Hi Kelly!
I am a good friend of (one of your sorority sisters) from college; she told me about your blog and I love it!! I am also trying to lose weight and I have a question for you. I was hesitant to ask because it’s personal but my friend said you wouldn’t mind:) when you lost all your weight did you have a lot of loose skin? I am so afraid of that! You don’t look like it at all but I was just wondering:)

I thought this was a GREAT question. It was something that I’d wondered about before I started to lose my weight. Would my body bounce back?? I’d carried about 100 extra pounds on my frame for years. To make matters worse, I’d lost and gained and lost and gained and lost and gained… my skin is probably exhausted at this point.

So, what gives? Here is the answer I sent over to this lovely reader:

Overall, I’m VERY lucky. And, I definitely don’t mind the personal question. I sort of see it as part of the process… So, I have a few spots that I’m not nuts about, but I’m not giving in to plastic surgery. I’m pretty sure I can tone them up by working out/building muscle.

I carry my weight in my thighs/hips/butt and apparently in my upper arms (geesh). I’m not a huge fan of my left inner thigh now… I think it looks sorta saggy and my triceps are also sort of flappy (if you will).

What I would ultimately suggest is to begin weight training IMMEDIATELY. I hated working out, so I waited until I was about 65-70 lbs gone. Yeah, not the smartest of ideas. I think that is my prob. I definitely try to target the areas now through strength training. I think you can combat it that way or at least minimize as much as possible!

I wrote this response several months ago…

And, I just CAN’T share pictures of my bod that are that detailed. No need to gross you nice people out… but I’ll tell you about the progress I’ve seen in the past few months.

My Arms: They’re looking better. Not great, but better. The bicep definition is definitely quicker to develop than the tricep area (which will always be a problem, I have a feeling)

Belly: If I would only do crunches… I know this situation would be a lot better. Still I’ve lost 15 inches in that area… so I don’t stress on it so much. One of these days I’ll start working that area. Yoga works it a little bit, but I could use a little more.

I’ll never have these thighs… and frankly, it’s ok.
(Source)

Thighs: Holy hannah – - My thighs have been a-changing! A few fun things… and I share these because it’s REAL, so bear with me. My thighs used to be VERY full and frankly they’re still thick (and will likely always be.) But… maybe you should sit down for this…. and let’s keep this between us friends.

They No Longer Rub Together When I Walk

I wish I knew exactly when this happened… but I just noticed it last night. No more swishiness of my slacks rubbing together, no more strange wearing of certain fabrics that couldn’t stand the friction, and I can almost sneak up on people! That’s my Non-Scale Victory of the month… and one I’m VERY proud of. Also, that saggy-ish area I reference above – - GONE!

Now, don’t let me confuse you… they still touch, but the constant rubbing together and extra flesh has disappeared. I still have a lot more leg work to do, but results… we’re seeing results!

I honestly attribute it to my Couch to 5K Training, all the yoga I do, and just walking. It’s an amazing feeling!!! It’s also motivating to see results like this and makes me want to tone more… lift more weights and just get the rest of the bod in order.

I love when little things you never thought would happen become a reality.

Just another sweet moment in my little life. Happy Friday, my dears!

Picking up an LBD or Two

Yoga Healing

Weigh In Update

Independence Day

This day means a lot of different things to different people. There’s so many wonderful ways to celebrate. Let’s talk about traditional celebrations to start….

Something I won’t see this year….

BTW: There won’t be any fireworks in Colorado this year… and I speak for all the Coloradoans when I say, I’m perfectly fine with that. There’s too much fire devastation going on here. To all my neighbors if you follow one rule this year, please follow this one.

We also have to think of these guys…

I also can’t help but think of all the men and women that fight for our freedom on 4th of July. They do so much to keep us safe every day and to make the world a better place. Thank you to each and every one of you who put your life at risk to make sure that mine is not in danger.

Happy Birthday, America. You look SO good at 236 years old, and I have faith that you’re going to continue to get better with age. So beautiful.

Another Guy that I think of on the 4th of July is this one… he’s exactly 230 years younger than you, America. I just love him to pieces.

Happy Birthday to the Small Boy! My handsome nephew is turning 6 today!

Overall, I like to equate independence day with celebrating life, celebrating summer, and celebrating this fantastic country we live in. Ironically, I used to also associate it with eating a burger and a hot dog, a heaping pile of pasta salad, and whatever dessert I could get my hands on.

Now, I associate this day with treats that look more like this. (Source)

Today, I’ll spend my morning at another Spin/Yoga class, celebrating my FREEDOM from 79 lbs that I used to carry on my frame. Despite being in pain for 3 days, I’m going back again for some additional sweating because I am FREE to choose to do so.

February 2006 – Meeting Hayden

Oh, if you were to say that I would have been heading to a spin class on a holiday, I can honestly say I would have laughed at you. See, at this time last year, I was still sedentary and trying to avoid working out by all means. The last thing I would have done was to wake up at dawn to get to a workout class. That‘s too early for this girl on a day off, I would have said. Since the light bulb went off though, it’s all changed.

If you haven’t yet made the decision to get healthy… I ask WHY!??!?

January 2009 – Las Vegas

If I had known then that I would feel as amazing as I do now, I may have started this journey sooner. I would have started eating right and working out sooner. I would have started putting me first more often… and honoring my body sooner.

This year, I can’t help but celebrate my independence from my previously unhealthy life. It’s one of my most prized possessions and it deserves a day in its honor. For me, it’s November 1, 2010 which was my first day on Jenny Craig… but yours could be today.

So, you eat a lot of fast food. So, you’re 20-100 pounds overweight. So, you have a family that likes to eat junk food. So, you’ve been on every diet and have had minimal success. So, you think it sounds hard.

Honestly, so what.

December 2011 – Family Christmas

My challenge to you is to celebrate today as YOUR Independence Day: the day you decided to free yourself from your food demons and your weight loss barriers. I can’t promise that it will be easy, but I can promise you that you will never EVER regret making the decision to head down this path, making better choices, or going to the gym for 30 minutes.

Today is a day for us to honor those that give their lives for our freedom. If they’re willing to do all of that, don’t you think you need to fight equally hard for yourself and your health?

June 2012 – Las Vegas

Think about it. If you’re not convinced, revisit it later today. I promise you, you’re worth it. Trust me… it’s worth it.

Please know that I don’t say what I say here to be harsh; instead, I say it because I want you to feel wonderful, to have good health, and to conquer obesity.

I’m not the only one celebrating my independence today. My current independence is from the 79 lbs. I used to carry around every day. How many pounds are you FREE from today and do you ever regret declaring YOUR INDEPENDENCE?

Thanksgiving Eve

The Ghosts of Thanksgivings Past

Weekly Weigh In and Snow Boredom