This blog was formerly dedicated in 2009 to my Dad who died of Alzheimer's in 2013. It's been three years now...and I find myself missing blogging...so I am re-inventing my blog... because, after all, life is about moving through, and going forward...

Saturday, September 18, 2010

I Gotta Whittle Down My Middle...

Still no grand baby...my daughter is home and dilated to one.

Betty over at A Corgi in Southern California, blogged about weight loss and her plan to lose it. She got me motivated to confess too.  Since we have moved to Nevada, almost four years now, I have become the most sedentary I have ever been. 

I can't really blame blogging, because I have only been doing it for a year and a half...but I have been on the computer emailing and playing games more than I ever have.  I have packed on a good twenty pounds since moving here.  Course, the buffets and incredibly delicious restaurants near by don't help either. My body type must be an Apple.  I have bird legs and a big bulge around my middle. It squeezes northerly to my upper arms, which look like flying squirrel wings.  My lower chin hangs down past my neck like a turkey and my cheeks look like I am storing nuts for the winter.

My husband works a ton of hours so when he gets home, he pretty much eats dinner and zones out.  We have our date night once a week, and despite him yawning, he does his best to be good company.  We have gotten in a rut when we go out.  We used to get a good share of out of town company, which kept us busy and "on the go"... Once a month we used to meet with friends for dinner and conversation or play cards.  We used to go to the occasional show at one of the Hotel/Casinos. Every now and then, we would pop over to one of his two sons and visit with their families. We used to take Izzy and go walk around the District or Town Square, which are out door, dog friendly malls. We used to go to concerts every now and then...Now, most of the time, go out to dinner, see a movie and play a little Keno afterward.

I would rather do something new, something more fun....like dancing. Every time my husband asks, "What do you feel like doing tonight?" , I say, "Let's go dancing".  He laughs, and we go do the same ol' thing. I know he is stressed from his work and desperately needs to retire... Maybe after he retires, he will dance with me again.  We used to dance all the time when we were dating.  I guess when the ring goes on the finger, the dancing shoes go as far back in the closet as he can hide them!

I have started dancing alone at home to loud music for about an hour.  I am huffing and puffing turning fire engine red and have to take a shower to cool down.  Izzy thinks I am playing with her and jumps around with me or attacks my feet.

I want to get a Hula Hoop.  The one I bought is a cheapo from Wal-Mart. Its hot pink and lights up. I can't keep it going, and I am getting bruises up and down my legs.  I need the heavy one with the weights in it.  I used to be an excellent "hooper" and would win contests.  I desperately need to whittle down my middle... Everything I read says the bigger your waist, the bigger chance of  a heart attack.

We have a state of the art gym up at our Rec Center which is free for everyone in our community.  It has an indoor pool and all kinds of equipment.  Of course, I don't use it.  I tried.  But, other people's sweat grosses me out...even when there are signs all over to wipe the machines down...I don't care.  It's probably an excuse.  I never have liked exercise or gyms, let's be honest.

I used to be so skinny most of my life.  I could eat whatever I wanted and had to drink those meals in a can along with my meals to GAIN weight.  No chance those days are coming back...

So what am I going to do about it?  I don't know yet, but admitting I have a problem is the first step...right?

8 comments:

betty said...

thanks for the shout out, Donna. I'm a pear (big hips, got to love those Slovakian genes of mine :) But you are right; it is not good to be an apple. Stress is a detriment to losing weight, something with the cortisol levels or something like that and we know you are under a lot of that. Be realistic in your goals whatever you decide to do. Just realizing what I was eating and how much was a wake up call for me. I go to the gym at 5 a.m. when all the faithful (and not skinny) people are there so its not too crowded. I do 30 minutes on the bike or elliptical machine and that's it. But it is working. I think walking with Izzy is a good idea; I know how hard it is to walk in the heat; Koda and me walk at 6 a.m. (later now that it is cooling down) and hubby and me walk him at night when it is dark. I truly believe you can do this; develop a plan and stick with it and you will do just fine!

betty

Mari said...

I'm an apple too and my middle is also is desperate need of a whittle!
Last year I was faithfully walking every day and I gradually quit. I know I felt better when I was doing that. Now I just need to start again!

The Words Crafter said...

I really appreciate your honesty. When we went through our layoff, I became such a stress eater. That was six years ago. I weigh the most now that I ever have in my life. I used to be much much slimmer(125-130). I won't even say how much now.

I'm inspired by your determination to do something, even if you haven't figured it out yet.

No one here (home, work, etc.) will hold me accountable. What do you think about accountability partners? I have a great mat that I can start out with-I know lots of floor exercises.

I also have a treadmill and weights....but no one to work out with. I, too, like to avoid gyms. Once I get home, I like to stay there.

My husband works late hours but that changes in the winter/spring seasons. Still...

I was a good 'hooper' when I was a kid. Now, ha!!!!

Jeanie said...

I am an apple too....any weight I gain goes right to my middle.
I love your idea of dancing around the house. It is great exercise and probably very good mentally also.
I wish we could Hula Hoop together, I'm pretty good at that. I try to impress my grandkids, but they always just want it to be their turn. haha
Right now walking Dodger is about the only exercise I am getting, but I have great intentions of getting back to using the treadmill more. I have tried to teach Dodger to walk on the treadmill, without much success. It just kind of freaks him out.

Cindi said...

i hear ya loud and clear and find i spend way too much time either painting or computering..

maybe we could all get together and hold our selves accountable?? im trying to walk 2 miles a day.. but can easily forget..LOL

have lots of stress with hubby being ill and i eat my way thru it.. somethings got to give and it cant be another seam... will be watching to see any ideas...

good luck!!

Donna said...

Well, I guess we are all in the same boat. Except I let my weight get so bad several years ago I ended up with Diabetes. Another reason to watch that middle weight. I lost over 40 lbs and then gained some of it back, and the blood sugar went up, and doctors orders were exercise and lose weight. So I am back on my "dreadmill" as I call it and now I really need to watch what I eat. Pleas everyone that has that middle of the stomach fat, do something about it now, and don't ignore it like I did. Diabetes is right around the corner just waiting to show its ugly head. Admitting we have a problems is a step in the right direction.

Marguerite said...

Good for you for dancing, Donna! I dance every day, either at home, or out, and that is the main thing that keeps the pounds off of me. Also, swimming is great, too, and I also swim everyday, as well. These two forms of exercise, in addition to portion control, and eating very little meat and sugar, helps me to maintain my ideal weight. Good luck with your plan!

Pat said...

I need to lose a lot of weight! I need motivation! We head back to AZ for the winter and I always say I want to go back thinner. I have a month to drop a few pounds or at least get to what I weighed when I left last year!