Wednesday, January 22, 2014

A "Selfie"...

Quote for the Day:

Striving for excellence motivates you; striving for perfection is demoralizing. 
~ Harriet B. Braiker 



I don't do "selfies" because...well...because I don't like pictures of myself...taken by me or anybody else.  

But I came to a realization this past weekend and I thought a picture would be appropriate.

I have had a CONSTANT battle with my weight since I can remember...seven or eight years old?   That is no way for anyone to live their life.  I have tried lots of things over the years.  Some worked and some didn't.  

At age 40, I weighed the most I've ever weighed.  And my weight has fluctuated a LOT over the past 13 years since then.  However, it has slowly, slowly, slowly come down.

This past weekend I was adding it up, and I now weigh 38 pounds LESS than I did at the age of 40!  That only equals about 3 pounds a year...but 3 pounds OFF a year is better than 3 pounds ON a year!  

When my daughter gave me this shirt in September, it was too tight.


For comparison purposes, here's one of me at my son's wedding in 2005 (and this wasn't even my highest weight)...


The moral to the story???  Don't just look at the day-to-day details, but consider the big picture when seeing where you've come!  It helps give motivation for the future!

Loretta

13 comments:

  1. Your face looks much thinner than I remember! Yeay for decreasing numbers on the scale!

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    1. Thanks, Kristin. I think I have lost weight in the "jowl" area, but unfortunately, still have the double chin. :(

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  2. You look wonderful!! Great selfie...and great job with the new lifestyle!!

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  3. Congrats Loretta! When I started reading your story above...I thought, hey...we must be twins! I've battled my weight all my life too....I think during my college years I finally trimmed down for all of 5 minutes....then back in the mid '80 I did WW (the first time around) and lost almost 1/2 a person...that lasted a little longer but I managed to find 'her' again (and a friend too...lol) BUT it will be 3 yrs this coming July that I said "yo girl, you're not getting any younger but you sure are getting wider"...so back to WW I went....made goal (again) about a yr later...(that was -48lbs)...and now at about 60lbs down (61 on a good day..haha)....I can add ww 'receptionist' to my repertoire (my moonlighting job away from the quilt shop...lol)....it's still a daily 'challenge' that I think only those who have been there (or are there) can understand...so KUDOS TO YOU!!!! Thanks for sharing - You Got This!!!! :))

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    1. Congrats on your journey! It's a daily issue, but I try not to let it ruin my daily happiness! I went gluten-free on Nov. 2 and have been very slowly losing weight since then. I'm gluten-free to try to slow the progression of my arthritis. The weight loss is a bonus and definitely helps my joints! :)

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  4. Good for you, Loretta! I struggle with my weight, too. I started WW about 6 years ago and just by watching my portion size and numbers lost 40 pounds in 4 months. I kept going down but when I had to give up more points (and eat a little less food), I quit -- and, of course, gained back some of the weight. I'm working my day down again. Gosh, darn, if I just didn't enjoy food so much! You look fabulous! Congratulations.

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    1. My weight, too, has gone up and down over the years, but thank God that the general direction has been DOWN! My weight even fluctuates during the week and from week to week, but as long as we lose more than we gain, we are still winning! :)

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  5. I'm proud of you...you did such a brave thing (by taking the selfie)! And you got to toot your own horn every now & again! :-) You're reaping the benefits in so many ways of the hard work you've done thus far....Kudos!

    Oh, and you look like Aunt Bev in your selfie - !!!
    ~Susana

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    1. Thank you for the encouragement and the compliment! I had to go back and look at the selfie to see the resemblance! I guess all of us sisters look alike, really! :)

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  6. I am right there with you! The minute I came into the world the doctor told my mom she had a football player! Congratulations to you for finding something that is working for you. You look great!

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  7. Good job ... keep up the good work, Loretta!

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