I am "The Angry Blonde" and I am an "Addict"

I'm lucky in that all of those other numbers are nearly perfect...my BP is 110/70, the highest it's ever been under cases of stress was 120/70 and I am so lucky to not have any sugar, cholesterol, or any other problems. I don't know how I got so lucky, but I am. I have had several physicals recently, including EKG's, so we know everything is just fine.

I have two areas, which are the most stubborn to lose, but even my personal trainer says it can be done, it's just going to require even more work then I've already done. I used to laugh at people who would tell me how hard it was to lose 10-20 lbs, I was like "yeah, right" but I've found now, that these last few ARE indeed, the hardest to lose. I am very small, I can put my hands on my hips bones (that I never had before and touch my finger tips in the middle, and I've got very small wrists, hands, ankles, feet, etc., so I'm not very big boned. I do have the large boobies, which aren't going anywhere unless I have a reduction surgery, which I may do later this year.

We do eat well...while I love to go out to dinner, I much prefer cooking home, so I can control how our meals are made and what is put into them. My Fiance's ex hardly ever cooked, so before he met me, he was used to going out to dinner, or having take-out 4-5 days a week...and you know, he's got a rock solid body, and can eat anything he wants, his body just burns it up and turns it into muscle. My biggest downfall right now in regards to eating, is not eating enough...I have to plan my day out to make sure I'm getting enough calories in.

And, as for being active, I'm at the gym with my trainer 2-3 times a week for an hour each time, plus, we are very active at home and on the weekends. Even when I'm here on the computer, I'm not just sitting here...I'll type something, do some things around the house, come back, type a little more, etc.

Yes, one day my days with the scale calling my name will come to an end, then I will put it away, only to be seen once in a while, and let my clothing and how I feel be the judge. Some people might find this difficult to understand, but, when you have a really slow metabolism, which is slow because of the damage you've done to it, if you don't eat enough, it will go into "starvation mode" By doing that, it conserves every bit of food that you put into your body, rather then burning it and as a result, a person will either not lose any weight, or can in fact gain. So, the scale serves as a tool to tell me that I am keeping my metabolism going, when I see those numbers going down, I know my body is burning.

Fortunately, I am told that a bad metabolism can be repaired, but, I had 43 years of it being damaged, so the repair isn't going to happen overnight.

No apologies necessary. I'm not striving for perfectionism, I'll never be perfect and honestly, if I never lost another pound, I am so much better now then I was before, and believe me, I am enjoying life.

There's 2 areas that are being difficult, I am concentrating on the one area I know that I can improve by building muscle and that's what I'm working on. And, I actually am starting to see improvement, it's just a slow process, but perfectionism...nope, I'm not striving for that.

It has been an amazing journey. I found a chart today that I had filed away, with my measurements from January 2005. If you can imagine, my waist (didn't really have a waist), but my waist was 70 inches, I dug out my measuring tape this morning and my waist is now 33 inches. I can't wait to bring this old chart to the gym for my personal trainer to check out!

It's amazing how similar families can be, all of my mothers siblings and their children look exactly the same body-wise.

That being said, it can be done....keep workin' at it! Not easy, but worth it when you succeed

I actually had another scale that did exactly that. I knew something was wrong when both my Fiance and I weighed the exact same thing, right down to the ounce. I did some research on Consumer Reports and found a digital scale that they highly recommended. I've gotten on it, then gone to the gym or the Doctor and between the 3 of them there's only a couple of pound difference. The Dr. scale actually shows me about 2 lbs lighter and the gym a pound or two heavier.

Thank you gemini

Without a doubt you need rewards!! My Fiance is like you, he can eat anything and not gain weight, he just has that kind of metabolism as well as the kind of body that easily builds muscle and keeps it. yes, he works out, we both do, but he can do some weight training 2 or 3 times a week and he's just fine, I do weight training 2-3 times a week, plus cardio 4-5 times a week.

One thing I've taught myself is if I am going to splurge and have calories which I normally wouldn't, it had better well be worth it. I won't waste my calories on some rich creamy pasta meal, or something like that. I really do prefer eating healthy meals...my rewards are dessert and even then I've learned to take it slow. Chocolate...love chocolate, we'll share a slice of chocolate cake, my favorite part is the outside, I don't really care for the cake part, so I'll eat some of the outside and leave all of the rest for him. I eat each piece slowly, really letting the flavors of the chocolate penetrate my tastebuds, just sitting there on my tongue. It's a rather weird concept to some people, but it's what works for me.

And she is so right!! I have a bag of Ghiradelli Dark Chocolate Chips in our pantry. They're bigger then normal chocolate chips, 8 of them has just 40 calories, 3g of fat and 3g of sugar. And, like your wife, I relish each and every one of them. Placing it on my tongue, letting it melt and not just popping the whole handful in at once and chewing them down. It's so enjoyable when you really take the time to actually taste what you're eating.

Actually lost that and more...240lbs gone now and I'm right where I want to be.  Best part is that I can eat what I want (within reason) and I don't freak out if I gain a pound a day or two later.  Yes, I still get on the scale every single day.

Someday I'll stop.

TAB~

azsky13 I know it's difficult, but try to remain focused.  There were so many times I wanted to just give up because something bad was going on in my life...if I had, I don't know if I would have been able to regain the motivation or determine to continue this journey in my life.  And, if I hadn't, I wouldn't be where I am today, which is happier than I have ever been, recently married to my soulmate, who loved me even when I was heavier and now tells everyone that I am the sexiest, most beautiful Woman in the world.  But he knows me on the inside too, which has never changed.

I'm sorry to hear about your job loss, but don't give up....on anything.  Kepp your eye on your goal as you search for a new job and keep positive, look for something positive every day, trust me, it helps.

Good luck and if you need a shoulder, drop me a note!

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Thank Ron...that was cute and did make me chuckle.  I've been slowly, very s-l-o-w-l-y working on a book about my life and the journey which led me to my current state.  I'm hoping to just be able to sit and concentrate on writing for the next 6 months, while still living my real life.  If I can do that, I can get it done.  I don't know how these people who publish books can get them out so quickly!

Hope you have an awesome day!

TAB~

Just remember that every day is a new day azsky13 and with it comes a new opportunity to succeed.  Nothing happens overnight, it takes diligence and consistency for new routines to become....well....routine.  I read somewhere that it takes at least 3 weeks to make a habit a habit. 

Stay focused and you will succeed....if it doesn't happen today, try again tomorrow and the next day.  You'll get there.

Good luck

TAB~

worldknightboy, I'm sorry to hear about your health issues, but VERY glad to hear that it's in the past.  My workouts were also put on hold since August, but I too recently got the OK to begin as much cardio that I want, combined with light weight training.  I used to do 15-20 lifts, but am told I'm only allowed to do 5lbs.  That's going to seem like nothing to me, but something is better then nothing.  Now I need to get my butt out of bed at 5am like I used to and get to the gym.  When I was doing that every day it was no big deal, now that I've been sleeping till 7, I'm struggling with getting up earlier.  But, I will do it.

We can succeed....whatever our goals, weight loss, stop smoking, changing habits, whatever anyone's goal is, there's a way to accomplish it, a lotof it starts with our mindset....change your mindset and you can change a whole lot more.

Good luck!

TAB~

Just remember, each new day is an opportunity to try again.  If you fail, you just need to get up and try again the next day.

Only you can change your mindset, yes, your work it cut out for you, but diligence and remaining focused on the positive, rather than dwelling on the negative will be a HUGE step in the right direction.

TAB~

You're welcome!

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Thanks smith-j, it took me a long time to take control and a lot of "house cleaning" before I could make it happen.  I got rid of all the negativity, including negative people in my life and then suddenly everything started to turn around.  I'm writing about that now, will post it soon and post a link to it here.

TAB~

Sometimes we have to do what I refer to as "cleaning house."  When I say that, I mean getting rid of the negative people and negativity in your life.

You're right Sandie, I believe negative people find joy in bringing others down to their level and they get some kind of sick sense of satisfaction watching others fail.  The best revenge is to live a great life and surround yourself with positive people and positive things!

TAB~