Scrapbook on hangers

My project for today was to physically remove everything hanging in my closet with a tag that said XL or a numeric equivalent.  That made more room to see what actually fits these days.  Plus it reinforces that I am not allowing myself to plan on being that size again.

But I noticed lots of things are in my closet for other reasons than I wear it often.  Sometimes it is the memory that goes with the clothes that I don't want to get rid of.  A souvenir shirt from a vacation, a gift from a family member, etc.  So I basically have a scrapbook on hangers in my closet.  I guess the other thing that makes me aware of how many dated items are in there is seeing those trends come around for the second time in my lifetime.  Neon colors, maxi skirts---I have seen (and worn) those things before.  Even leggings are just reworked stirrup pants.

So I am starting with the closet, but it carries over into the rest of my life, too.  I don't really have to keep the item to keep the memory.  And I don't need old baggage to weigh me down.  A new day starts every morning.  That's just one example of the grace of God to everyone.

I like big snacks and I cannot lie

Well, it is a new year.  The gyms are crowded so this is no time for me to join.  Just wondering if anyone else is taking a break from their weight loss blog to eat some chips and salsa.

Maybe it is from growing up in a family with more than one child.  I have this fear that if I leave snack food just sitting out or even in the pantry it won't be there when I come back!  So to save myself from future temptation, I just eat it at one sitting.  Of course, it does not help that if I do leave some for a long time (like overnight) my husband thinks I don't like it and he does eat it.

I know this is probably not a common fear like fear of heights or public speaking, but it is my own.  I also could not understand the concept of a cookie jar when I was a kid.  Cookies were made to be eaten warm just as soon as they cooled enough to  handle as they came from the oven.  What jar?  Between the five or six of us at home we could polish off each batch as it came out.  I never remember there being leftover cookies.

Well, everyone has some family dysfunction to overcome.  I am just lucky it was about food.

Now it is the theme from "Rocky"

Did it.  Finished my official walking 5K.  So glad my friends encouraged me.  Especially Ruth, who slowed way down to walk it with me.  I had one goal.  The race began at 4 p.m. and I wanted to be done by dark.  Met my goal!  And I am wearing my very nicely designed long sleeve T-shirt as I type.

Stopped hearing the theme from "Jaws" and now I am hearing the theme from "Rocky".  You know, where he runs up all those steps.  Gonna fly now!

It feels good to finish with a group, instead of just walking for the "fun" of it.  By this time next year, I am visualizing myself wearing a single, instead of double-digit size.  Yes, I can see it!

I hear "Jaws" music

I did it!  Signed up for a 5K.  An official one with an entry blank and T-shirt and everything.
Can't say it was on my bucket list.  Can't even say it was on my radar, before this weight loss, cholesterol-lowering journey.

But, until it is done, the ominous music from "Jaws" keeps playing in my head.  After this, I can no longer describe myself as a couch potato.  I can't even accurately describe myself as a "fat lady".  But, the overweight lady sings just does not have the same ring to it.

Happy Thanksgiving

One more day and then I will be sitting with friends and a feast.  I am trying to not let the day or this whole week be about the food.  But I do love turkey and stuffing and sweet potatoes with marshmallows on top.  My mouth can water just thinking about it.

But I am cooking to avoid leaving leftovers, so the big meal does not become "Big Eating Week".  Used the healthy cookbook recipe for my apple crisp.  My side dish contribution is green beans.  If I can visualize what a serving size is on my plate and not believe the plate should be full, I will be fine.

And just to keep me on track, I bought the size medium sweat pants,  Not the size large.  That way, they should still fit in the spring when I keep losing weight.  Pray that I learn how to eat to live, not live to eat.  Blessings to all and enjoy your family first, then the feast.

Happy or Gorgeous?

The other morning in the shower I noticed the two choices for my body wash.  One has happy in the name; the other says gorgeous.  So every morning, I make a choice. Do I want to be happy or gorgeous?

The gorgeous body wash was actually picked out by my daughter.  She likes the scent and it has some sparkle to it.  The happy one, I picked out and it smells mildly of citrus and is very reasonably priced.  But even so, I normally pick "happy" to start my day.  Maybe "gorgeous" just seems like too much work.  Also, I figure with God's help, I can be happy every day.  Gorgeous seems to fade with age.

So every morning, with God's assistance.  I can have a happy day.  Whether the number on the scale is slightly up or going down.  Whether home schooling seemed productive or a day-long argument.  Whether the laundry gets completely done or left in the dryer.  Jesus, we are set to have a happy day!

Do they have FBC?

After shopping with my friend Bonita, we have a new acronym.  You only need this when shopping for sweaters or long shirts to wear with leggings.  Does it have Full Butt Coverage?

I really like my calves and ankles, but right around the bottom and belly area I appreciate a full coverage in this area.  Perhaps it is just another way I am lying to myself, but that is not something I want the rest of the world to see.  It was fun though to say when asked if everything on my driver's license was correct to say:  "No, my weight is wrong!"  To put it in Weight Watcher terms, I have lost 10 percent of my starting weight.

Not a good idea to slack off now.  Thanksgiving and Christmas are coming.  In the name of hospitality I have felt false guilt about not eating other people's offerings at potlucks, homes, parties, etc.  No one really cares whether their dish goes home untasted by me.  Just another example of my egocentric thinking.  I would like to be aware of every bite, lick or taste.  And if I have tasted it before and it is not on the Top Ten List of things I most like to eat, then pass.