I've lost 70 lbs since September of 2011. Wow, when I think about that I can hardly believe it's true. I stuck with it and now I'm so close to the goal weight that I've set for myself, I can taste it, haha.While losing weight is good for your health, losing weight in your 50's is not pretty. It's not for the faint of heart and the squeamish. It takes dedication and the ability to look beyond the saggy, jiggly parts of your body that you may not recognize as yours.
Every day I discover new things about being thinner that make me happy. Like putting on my shoes without having to hold my breath while reaching past my belly. There's still a little belly there, but it's not in the way anymore. And like walking all around campus at work and not feeling winded and sweaty. And riding my bike...it feels like I'm flying! So much less of me to pedal around.
But, yesterday, I felt very self-conscious. I didn't expect to feel that. I mean, I've been so self-conscious from being obese that I thought once I lost weight I'd feel totally confident. Maybe with time I'll adjust, but my new shape is making me feel like wearing baggy clothes. I've gone from size 24/26 pants and 3X tops to size 16 pants and size L/XL tops in six months. Over all, I like what I'm seeing, but now there are saggy parts of me that I've never seen before. It's time to start really working the arms and mid-section. There's not much I can do about the girls, but under clothes, nobody knows ;) If you know some great exercises for arms and abs, please share.
I'll try to post some progress pics soon. I don't take my own picture very well, but I'll give it a try.
Big yay! Awesome!
ReplyDeleteI hear ya about the jiggly parts! I've got a little yo-yo thing going on right now and the jiggly parts get jigglier when the yo-yo goes up. I need to stop that so the jiggly parts can go away. At least for the most part.
Taking pictures of yourself is hard at first but I bet you like what you see when you do!
Thanks, Linda! For sure, all those years of yo-yo-ing have left there mark!
DeleteCurses, /I/ was going to use the word awesome! Now I'll have to think of another way to describe your achievement... Amazing is another word that comes to mind...
ReplyDeleteCurses...I love that :)
DeleteWell, shoot. *I* was going to use amazing. Guess I'll go with INCREDIBLE!
ReplyDeleteAnd I hear you on the saggy bits. My midsection looks like a sharpei. Or Edward Munch's 'The Scream. :)
Thanks, Cammy! I have a little sharpei under each bicep, haha!
Delete70 lbs is a ton! (not really but still...) You have done really well with this weightloss. Amazing and very healthy as your life moves forward.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Feels like a ton to me! I feel so much better.
DeleteGreat Job! I can totally relate to the saggy arms and feeling self-conscious. I am in about the same place as you are with my loss and sizes. I know I have done good but, it's hard for me to see sometimes. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteXO to you Tena...
ReplyDeleteHope everything is going well still...
This weight loss is great news. So much weight too! I really think as we age, none of us looks fantastic underneath clothing, however, as long as we are mobile, and our bodies functional, isn't that good news? Weight-loss has certainly improved my mental outlook. I don't care how I look under my clothing as long as I can move and breathe.
ReplyDeleteI don't care how I look under clothes either anymore. I just love being able to do just about anything I feel like doing! Like having a new life.
Deletewow, I commented twice. Maybe you lost even more by now. haha
ReplyDeleteHaha, yep, I'm at 84 lbs now (since September)!
DeleteWeight loss in my fifties and gravity has made spanx VERY VERY necessary!!!!
ReplyDeleteHi there!! Oh i remember that wonderful feeling! And i can tell you one exercise that i think helped put my belly back up where it
ReplyDeletebelongs.........except i don't know what you call it so i'll try to explain it. Its a contraption at the gym but you might be able to do something similar on something that will hold your weight. Your standing up and your back is supported and your elbows and forearm are resting on a ledge and your raise your legs straight out in front of you. I started with like 5 reps and worked up to 20 and 30 one day i looked down and there was my belly button riding right where it was suppose to be. lol. hope that made sense??? Hugs! deb
Congrats on your progress and I know how you feel when it comes to the dreaded jiggle. I lost 100lbs in about 1 1/2 years and I thought I would be more confident about myself but sadly no. I still wont wear shorts or tight clothing even at 136. I ended up with the skinny fat syndrome. I look good in clothes but my thighs are still big with the jiggly jiggles so does my stomach and lost my booty. I am in the process now of trying to correct this and break out of a plateau I have been in for 6 months. I have read a lot on strength training to firm and pull yourself in. Not only will you be gaining lean muscle but I hear muscle burns more fat then cardio. Hope this helps :)
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