Okay here I go...once again on another weight loss movement. If you've been following along with me for any length of time you know there have been many, many, many, many of these posts! Geesh that's embarrassing. The fact is I will always try to be my best. That's just the way I'm wired. It was about day 5 of my latest vacation, and I could feel the switch starting to flip once again. And that's what you need "the big serious, I mean business, I'm not messing around switch" to click into place in your brain. I just knew that when I got home I was going to have to get on it. HARD!
So I went through all my clothes. Painfully trying on pants, shorts and sweats...all one after the other not fitting. CRAP! Four entire drawers worth!!!! It all stems back to the move and the approximately 10 pounds I gained from that stressful year, and then in June I went home. What is it about home that does me in?? Oh I remember...mom made lemon squares, and there were family gatherings with CAKE, and then there were friend days where we did nothing but pig out, and by the end of the week I had gained 8 pounds. 8 POUNDS! Is that even possible in 7 days?? Holy cow. Anyway I didn't worry too much because I thought the second I went back to the gym and ran a little it would all magically melt away. Well guess what? It's now the end of summer and they're still there and they've even added a few friends!! They are having a little party...laughing at me. And I don't like it one bit!
What I've come to realize after living away for approximately 10 years is that there will always be a weekend trip, a vacation or family coming in. It happens almost every month. There will always be a reason to celebrate and I cannot continue to eat whatever I want on those occasions. I'm almost forty people! And "they" say, whoever they are, is that 40 is when it all hits the fan and you can't get it off like you used to. Guess what?? YOU CAN'T. They were RIGHT! So I came up with #operationzipthosepants and if you follow me on Instagram (farmgirlpaints) you've seen my hashtags. You've seen my ridiculous pictures of me all sweaty...throwing out healthy ideas and trying to be good.
I've got a goal friends, and it's not to be skinny. It's not unreasonable. It's to fit into the clothes I already own! Inevitably when I write a post like this I will get some sweet/snarky comments and emails telling me how good I already look. They tell me to love myself and to just go buy bigger pants. They will tell me not to be so self centered, and that I should devote my time and energy to something more important. They will tell me to love myself and to not be so hard etc...And this is what I say to all those sweet kind saboteurs...I JUST WANT TO FIT INTO MY PANTS! I know I'm not fat. I know I'm beautiful inside and out...blah, blah, blah;) BUT I refuse to turn 40 and become frumpy, and how do you think that happens? By ignoring one 8 pound gain after another.
So there you have it. If you want to join in I'd love it if you use the #operationzipthosepants hashtag too, and document your journey with me. I might even make a button and you can link up with me when I post. Just share what you are doing. Encourage each other. We can do it together, and before you know it those post it notes will be coming off and we'll be able to wear our clothes again;) More posts (workouts and nutrition) to come...
Have a blessed day.
758. that flip switching!
759. greek yogurt
760. pistachios
761. ezekial bread
762. an able body that allows me to push myself
Yeah, I so get what you are saying! That switch flipped for me recently. I went on a strict lower the calories, but eat yummy wholesome foods "diet". The first week I did great. This week has sucked! I start out so good in the morning and afternoon and in the evening I just s-l-i-d-e. Once I've messed up once I just go for it and eat all kinds of junk. So lame! I remember another post you did where you talked about diet and sabatoging yourself. That has really stuck with me. Why sabatoge myself? I am only hurting me! So I'm starting another week. I plan on asking God for help during the week because He loves me and is willing to help with anything!! I've also started a blog/journal. It is private because there are embarressing before photos on there I use for motivation. Anyway, didn't mean to write you a book! I just wanted you to know I'm right there with you. :)
ReplyDeleteyou know what drives me crazy?? when i start running hard... and i end up gaining a few pounds! it's all because of muscle, but still... so then when i cut back on my mileage i end up losing a few. BUT! i gain inches. needless to say, i need to lose some of those inches because i have cut back on my mileage. anyways, you can totally do it. you've got this. you have done it before and you can do it again!! those jeans will zip!!!! GOOOOO BECKKKKYYYY!!! can you hear me all the way up there? i'm cheering you on!
ReplyDeleteI am on board! I was actually going to blog tonight about all of my healthy cookbooks I (literally) dusted off today and have been pouring through. I started to lose weight in January because I turn 40 in November and I want to be fit and 40. I lost 17 pounds and then....I have slowly gained back 4. Which doesn't seem like a lot, but I am only 5 feet tall. And I have another 17 to go. Sooo...let the journey begin for health reasons as well as weight loss!
ReplyDeleteAnd I didn't leave a comment yesterday, however doesn't it feel like you are often looking for a friend who get's you? What I mean is, as we grow older, we change. And what we want in a friendship changes. In a perfect world, I would love to move to a neighborhood and have all of my favorite bloggers as neighbors because we have alot in common. Bible Study groups, book clubs, craft groups, wine on the porch, dinners while swapping entertaining and decorating ideas.
Um. Ya, over and over again I've lost it and gained it back. And lets just say I have WAY more than 10 or 20 lbs to lose. But I'm there. I'm so there. #operationzipthosepants? Done. My switch has been flipped, and THIS is the time. Can't wait to be successful together. ;)
ReplyDeleteI hear what you're saying about 40! I turned 40 and got the flabby tummy that all my friends had. I had the flattest tummy in the land which I thought was rather wonderful and then pretty much over the space of a month I got this tyre around my middle. I'm 44 now and it's still there. I would like to see it go! :-)
ReplyDeleteCheck out the GAPS diet. It's a lifestyle of eating, not a temporary diet, but it really works. Cuts inflammation, heals the gut, prevents cancer, cures most food allergies and so many other things. And you can lose some serious weight!
ReplyDeleteI started it after my friend's son was healed of his autism on this diet. I'm doing it for my kids allergies, eczema and asthma and we've seen huge changes!
Love this post! I so admire what you're doing~setting a goal that's right for you, regardless of what anyone else says (even though you are gorgeous & you do look fabulous) & sticking to it. Hardest thing ever. Good luck, girl. I'm rooting for you!
ReplyDelete#operationzipthosepants! I'm in:) Praying for us all!
ReplyDeleteIt makes me sad that you talk about this so much.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to you though. I am sure you can do it.
To me you look skinny and fantastically beautiful.
yay - I'm going to change my hashtag to yours :) Now that you are offering - LOL - I just didn't want to be a copy cat so I came up with my own :) My shed20 will turn into #operationzipthosepants. Get a button for it please - that will be awesome! Good luck to you! Thanks for inspiring me :)
ReplyDeleteOh.....how I know EXACTLY what you're feeling and going through, Becky!! I can totally empathize with you. I remember when I was in my 30's and would look at women in their 50's on the beach and think, "I'm NEVER going to let my belly look like that! Ever!" Well....you guessed it. With menopause, came the infamous "meno-pot". UGH!!! It was like overnight, while I was sleeping mind you, I scarfed up 20 pounds!!! How did THAT happen????!!! AGH!!! That was four years ago. (Yes, 50 is even more difficult than 40, I hate to tell you.) I've carried this weight around for that long. Battling the thoughts in my head, trying to eat less, working out once in a while, hiding the flaws under empire waist tops.
ReplyDeleteYou're so right about not wanting to be skinny. Until you've carried extra weight around with you for a while, it becomes so much more than that. It's how you SEE yourself, how you FEEL in your clothes, how it FEELS to move your body during the day. The jiggles you feel on your hips and thighs become evil laughter in your ears. It becomes a battle through and through.
A friend of mine recently lost 15 pounds doing "The Mean Lady's" DVD. lol! (Jillian Michael's Ripped in 30). After 8 weeks of doing the workouts 5x/wk, she looks fabulous and feels even more fabulous. I tried it out, but quickly got tired of being yelled at by JM. Sooooo....since the weather is cooler here in MI now, I picked up my old routine of running. Jogging really. I pray before I head out. It's peaceful and I talk to God all the time I'm out there. I'm starting out slowly - doing 2 miles three days/week. The other days I'm on my elliptical for 30 minutes. I don't really like it. I'm forcing myself to do it. But like you, I WANT TO FIT INTO MY CLOTHES!!! I have a huge closet full of beautiful clothes I can't wear! And......with a Florida vacation just five months away, I want to look good in my bathing suit and not feel embarrassed anymore. I'm cutting back on carbs. I'm cutting back on portions. Nothing passes by these lips after 8:30pm except water. And I'm doing some type of workout 5 days a week for 30 minutes. I'm also eating a handful of almonds every day because they're a good source of calcium and keep me full for a long time.
So...I'm right there with ya, sweetie. Because our bodies are the temple of the Lord, I'm cheering you on! I'm your accountability partner, girl! I'm running by your side! We WILL lose this weight together ~ and we'll be rockin' our bathing suits by March!!!!!!! RAH RAH RAH!!!!!! Let's GOOOOO, gorgeous!!!!!
xoxo laurie
Becky, I so get it and know exactly what you are saying. I've never really had a serious weight problem but have definitely had to watch my weight a whole more closely since turn 40 (which was 20 years ago, yikes). My mother always had a motto, "eat to live, don't live to eat." I like that and then I don't really deprive myself of anything but I use portion control. Good luck and there's no doubt you will get those pants zipped! I believe in YOU!
ReplyDeleteI don't do a tweet and I do facebook and also blogs of course.
ReplyDeleteYou do look awesome but you also want to feel good and be satisfied that you have done your best to get into those jeans. Yes it gets harder. Yes they don't go off like they used to. Yes they follow you around and hang on to you like a sweater... but YOU have the want to, You have the desire to, and You WILL win. Good job.
what a beautiful spirit you are:)
ReplyDelete(i feel my jeans
getting a little loose
already)
enjoy the ride,
Jennifer
Good luck Becky! you can do it! I've seen your pics on instagram and it inspired me to start my own program!
ReplyDeleteI'm in and just did a blog post! :) LET'S DO THIS! :)
ReplyDeleteStrong work, Becky. Some clever musician should write a theme song ... operation zipa those pants.:)
ReplyDeleteFondly,
Glenda
I am in too. Every night for the last week I've been taking notes from Joel Fuhrman's Eat to Live. I think I've got a good plan. Then if I can start up my Walk Away the Pounds ( 3 or 5 mile) cd, with Jillian's Shred dvd, I should be on my way...I would love to lose at least 15...20 would be my perfect world. I was always skinny. I used to try to GAIN weight. Not anymore. 46 with an 8 and a 13 yr old...I have a young spirit, and need to get myself back there. I would LOVE to not have to wear just skirts to school because my pants don't fit. Again. It will help to have lots of support!
ReplyDeleteSheesh!
ReplyDeleteKnow just what you are talking about! Got a bunchhhh of pants to zip into and refusing to buy that larger size! Have to lose it!
Let's do it!
I'm with you! I just want to fit my clothes too! I'm not going to complain about how hard it is for me now ;) and I don't blog but I'll be checking out the instagram and trying to keep motivated...so I guess I won't be skipping running on the treadmill tonight after all.
ReplyDeleteSign me up too!!! Hate that I feel so flabby and out of shape!! Will be watching for posts on this and any tips on avoiding chocolate and emotional eating!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great idea you can never have to much insporation or support in the area of weight loss, I'm in!
ReplyDeletei am so addicted to food.
ReplyDeletedon't get me wrong...i juice everyday and i love a great salad..i even love eating nuts and raw fruits and veggies....
BUT, i also Lerve me a greasy hamburger LOADED and fries dipped in mayonaise.
i love apple crisp at my mom's house and her fried chicken with mac n cheese and homemade biscuits dripping in butter.
i felt great about myself in Orlando...and then we moved back to GA....people LOVE food here. everything centers around food in the south. no joke.
i HAVE to take this 7-8 lbs off that i've added this year...i turn 40 next june and I wanna go into that birthday feeling great in my own skin.
i'm dying to know more of what you're eating....and even as i type that, i'm mad at myself bc i KNOW what to do. geesh....andy was a personal trainer while we were in seminary......i have NO excuses. none. not one.
i can do this. i can join you in this #operationzipthosepants.
it's on like donkey kong.
Good luck, you can do it! A year ago I lost 25lbs and it's been awesome!
ReplyDeleteDaNelle recently posted...How I lost 25 lbs. without exercise or counting calories
I CAN so relate to every word you said! Good for you. Can't wait to follow your journey. I truly need the inspiration cuz I'm not buying new clothes!
ReplyDeleteI'm pregnant and finally gave up wearing my none-maternity clothes when Ben asked what the red gashes in my skin were: "Er, they're from where my clothes are far too tight for me!" Once the baby is born (and after a few weeks grace) I'll be thinking about getting into my old clothes. I snapped back last time but then I was 22 not 30!Rx
ReplyDeletehttp://sandersonsmithstory.blogspot.co.uk/
go for it! I'll be peeking in, might join in! I've been going to the gym once a week and swimming once a week, but it's not enough! and through the summer it's all slipped. I'll see if I can muster my motivation, Heather x
ReplyDeleteZip' em!!!
ReplyDeletewell, i will not be joining you ;) but i'm joining you in spirit! go, my friend! zip those pants!
ReplyDeleteYou CAN do it!!!!
ReplyDeleteIn April I saw some pictures of myself and new I needed a big change, so May 1st I started diet changes and exercise and I lost 26 pounds. I feel great and my pants zip. Actually I had to buy new pants...went from size 14 to size 10. So happy.
If I can do it. You DEFINITELY can!
Congrats for making good choices for yourself. Can't wait to see your results.
~FringeGirl
Oh girl ~ I know that you know that I know EXACTLY what you are talking about!! I saw a sign on pinterest last week and it said "do not reward yourself with food ~ you are not a dog". I loved it but that is what it stems down to. Everything that tastes amazing is BAD for you ~ plain and simple. I know with our group it is always about food ~ we celebrate we eat, we are sad we eat, family gatherings = food. I figure if I want a little bit of everything I have to move in order to get it. So that chocolate I really want because I am PMSing ~ I gotta move for it. Good luck and I will be a cheerleader for you as always. Hugs and Love to you. xo
ReplyDeleteI don't have Instagram, but I will follow your lead and check in with you here on your blog Becky. The past 4 days I've been trying to change up my eating habits to being more healthy and hopefully pounds shattering eventually. I am one of those who over the past 5 years, has let the extra 8 pounds that came on over past holidays, celebrations, family gatherings, stay around....and they do accumulate quickly. So over those past 5 years the 8 pounds has enlarged to a height that I just must do something about. So I'm with you! Hopefully, you will be posting on your blog and not just instagram, those nutrition and exercise tips.
ReplyDeleteLet's Do This!
♥Lee Ann
Ive got about 8 left too....u know im joining ya! :)
ReplyDeleteGood for you! Don't listen to anyone who says anything negative about wanting to loose a little weight- God gave us one body, right? And we should take care of it and that means from time to time losing some weight. Ever thought about weight watchers? Worked for me- just sayin'!
ReplyDeleteAwesome, Becks! I need to refocus too...just gotten a little lazy with my eating/drinking soda habits. We can do it!
ReplyDeleteWishing you lots of success with your Operation Zip Those Pants, Becky!!
ReplyDeleteGood for you! I started working out 3 times a week with a personal trainer doing a boot camp class. I didn't loose a lot of weight, but I lost a ton of body fat! But, I think the biggest thing that worked for me is cutting out the carbs...not all of them, but keeping them under 100 grams a day or less. And really upping the protein in my diet. Now, that I am down to where I want to me, I can add some more carbs back into my diet, but for a good 4 months I didn't eat that many....no bread, not a lot of sweets, lots of cheese, meat, eggs, veggies and fruit. It seemed to work.
ReplyDeleteI wish you luck my friend. And on a side note....camera question for you. My pictures seem to have a blue tint to them right now when I upload them to my computer...yours look great. What do you have your white balance set on? I think that might be my issue.
Miss you!
Good for you...for doing something that will make you feel better both inside & out...and for ignoring anyone who gets in the way! With every Instagram pic you post of yourself working out, you motivate me (and probably lots of other people) to do the same thing! Thanks for always keeping it real.
ReplyDeleteIt's like these words came right out of my head! I just had a baby 10 weeks ago and everyone is saying "you look great blah blah..." and I just keep saying the same thing. I just want to fit in MY pants! I'll join you in #operationzipmypants !!
ReplyDeleteLibscoffeebreak.blogspot.com
I couldn't agree more and I don't think you're self centered at all for wanting to be healthy and fit. Taking care of our bodies is so important. As a nurse I have met 60 year olds who look 90 and 90 year olds who look 60. The difference in most cases is simply one person decided to take care of themselves and stay active and the other person didn't. Good for you for not ignoring an 8lb weight gain.
ReplyDeletebut surely CWeekend doesn't count, right? {I'll split the piece of cheesecake with you if you promise to keep me away from the candy corn!}
ReplyDelete:)
xoxoxo
you go, girl.
ReplyDeletethat's all i gotta say.
you go.
i'm working on a post about gifting our children with a love of exercise. it's more than 1/2 the battle to good health.