Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Weight Gain/Loss: A Journey and an Introduction

(My Credentials:  Years of Firsthand Experience)

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        If I taught my students anything, it is that if you keep writing long enough, you will get to a real story, an authentic tale, a truth so sharp it has to be told.

        As I sat down today with my laptop, five months into my second year of blogging, I realized today is the day.

        Why?  Because there is nothing anyone can think or say about this topic , or even this post, that I have not thought or said myself.

        I am in this wonderful stage of life that may have me writing a blog post on growing tomatoes or painting furniture one day and the very next day I may decide to write a post on an issue that my heart tells me plagues us all, in one form or another.

        It has different faces.

        It is socially acceptable.

Contrary to what some may think, it is not an issue of morality or character.

   It is a contradiction in terms. 

Some people may see it as a harmless, periodic overeating experience that everyone enjoys.

It is love and nurturing and memories and tradition and cookbooks and past happiness.

Others may feel it manifested in the need to over control that urge, socially or otherwise.

For some, it fuels our need to do more, be more, fix more.

It keeps the smile tilted and the anger/fear in check.

In still others it may be an insecurity that can’t be appeased- a feeling about fitting.

Most people may choose to not address this at all. It is a non-issue.

        One last caveat.

        There are no universal answers here, no perfect food plans, no magic, no last chapter in the diet book, no magazine article read at the check out counter,no doctor’s admonishment, no aha moment.

        This is a cautionary tale.

        Take what you like and leave the rest. 

My blog profile picture was taken two years ago, the night of my retirement party, that my daughters and husband hosted.

Unknowingly, I was at the end of a 3 year period of substantial, sustained weight loss.

I didn’t know that chapter of my life was going to change that very next day.

I didn’t know I would not have the willingness to do what I had done anymore.

All I knew that night was I was being set free from a schedule, from bells ringing, from a wonderful world that was in my soul.

Who would I be? What would I do?

I did not know the slippery slope I was on.

        The plan I followed for three years prior to that night began as a last ditch effort to once and for all address the craziness of being off or on a plan to lose weight, progressively losing that battle.

        That plan worked if I worked it.  In fact, I believe God carried me.

God did for me what I couldn’t do for myself.

By now, many people may have stopped reading.

I understand that.

So now after two years of highly overrated  yet glorious freedom , I am seeking answers.

I am not sure where God leads you when he has given you the answer once.

Is it like my daughters sometimes teasingly say?

Mother, I thought we discussed that.”

I hope not.

       

       

       

       

 

32 comments:

Debra@CommonGround said...

You said so much in this post. Things we ALL need to hear and ponder. No matter what the issue is, whether it is our weight or anything else, I know God always has a plan, even if He has told us the answers before, He never gives up on us or grows tired of us. He is patient and kind. He knows our hearts and our humanity and will love us through. And yes, He carries me every day. Love you dear Laura, and thank you for talking about tomatoes and your garden and all the projects you are doing, but most of all thank you for being Laura, dear friend, and sharing your heart.
love you,
Debra

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Thank you for the honesty in this post. I too fight the weight but I don't know if I have the will to change it. I should, I need to but will I? I am with you dear Laura.

joanne said...

it isn't easy to take the step and put your heart out there for everyone to 'see.' I appreciate your honesty and strength and wish you well. I have not been here long but I can tell you that I am in for the long run. take care...

Jojo said...

On a regular basis I try to remind myself that my body is the temple of God and with that being said, it puts a responsibility on each of us to work hard to take care of the body that has been given to us.

As we are reminded about our bodies, we are also told that all things can be accomplished with God.

A wonderful post.

Tanna said...

Laura, thank you for your beautiful, honest post. I have struggled at this phase of life. The freedom is wonderful... but, sometimes I feel like I have lost my "purpose". I seem to be wandering in the desert... and find myself grumbling. I no longer have the self-discipline to watch what I eat or to exercise regularly. It is a struggle I find myself giving up on... Without the regiment, I have not found real direction. I don't know really where this will lead... I pray for direction, but I may be just like you have said... already had the direction... just seem to be unable to follow along. Look forward to reading how this plays out for you and will be praying for the best... for all of us. =)

Linda (Nina's Nest) said...

Laura, well said. Freedom has many faces, many challenges, many struggles; but we love it just the same. Linda

Debbie's Garden said...

You are not alone on this one Laura. I see what you wrote, and I think I know what you left out. At not quite 5'4" my whole life I'd never gone to the doctor and had to move that big bottom weight on the scale from 100 to 150 (except pregnancy). but about 5 years ago it had to be moved and all the weight loss things that used to work just don't anymore. Perimenopause? Stress? Life? Is this my destiny at this weight? Because I hate it.

Chatty Crone said...

Thank you for sharing your story - I have an issue with weight. It's hard! sandie

deb mills said...

i don't know you, laura, and you don't know me. but i do want to say this...
i just discovered your blog a few days ago. i check your newest post each morning and am weaving my way back through to the beginning each night. i can honestly say, it is a book too good to put down. i only stop when my eyes are too drooping to read anymore.
you need to write a book. :)

Anne Marie said...

I just read a quote last night....and it was so profound to me: "I am nothing...I can do nothing...without Him"

completely empty all your thoughts and then He can take you to where you need to be - and it's not of this world - always seek the eternal

Lisa said...

Laura,
There is nothing I can add to this wonderful post. You said it all so eloquently. I am nodding my head in absolute agreement. I go round after round over this weight issue. Thank you for your transparency.

Anonymous said...

Yes, I can relate. This last holiday weekend a relative made a comment about my "junk in my trunk" and I couldn't enjoy food the rest of the trip. Menopause and midlife have wrecked havoc with my ability to burn off calories.

We all share so many of the same struggles. Thank you for sharing.

Tamra said...

I hate that weight is such an issue in my life! It's so hard to lose and yet so easy to gain. I am talented, smart, funny and capable of so much, but I see the way many people look at me. I see and feel the immediate judgements that there must be something wrong or that I'm lazy and that is why I'm overweight. Not true. As an overweight person we have to work harder than others everyday just to keep going. It's hard carrying around extra weight. We have to get to core of the emotional issue as to why our bodies keep the weight on, then and only then will the weight come off and stay off.

Hang in there Laura. You are not alone a it can be done.

Rustydiva said...

Lovely post Laura. I guess we all have our "weight demons" to wrestle with. Personally, I embraced mine a long time ago. I enjoy good food and I enjoy good activity and if weight loss or gain comes with that then so be it. Life is too precious to live in fear of a few curves. Good luck on YOUR journey!

Nancy's Notes said...

Oh Laura, I know. I know. I have this kind of conversation with myself on a daily basis. I have tried every diet known to man, if I lose, it comes back. The only thing I have not tried is hypnosis! The one and only thing that has helped me is working out. If I can’t control the eating all the time, I do know that I have to move this body! I know that things just get moved around, but that is okay. Hang in there, be easy on yourself. I care.

Hugs,
Nancy

Rebecca Nelson said...

I read all the way to the end.

I love the way you write.

I love your passion.

Your honesty.

The thing that spoke most to me as I dug-deep to get to the meat was this...

God, with all of His love and grace, believes in us, His children. He is there with us at every fork in the road, every turn of the hidden corner. He leads and guides and encourages us along the way to be ALL of what He knows we can, and will, one day be.

You are a gifted writer my friend. I never fail to come away from visiting with you that I'm not uplifted and inspired.

Love to you~Rebecca

Nocona said...

Good post! I wrote about weightloss too today. THat is funny.

Olive said...

Dear Laura, weight loss is the journey you so eloquently describe. Retirement with it's liberation of scheduales can hinder or help us. I for one cannot decide whether my lack of attention to TIME now is good or not:-}

xo,
olive

Charlene said...

Laura,

I posted just last week about my struggles with weight--for a while I just gave up. I'm working on it again, but it is more difficult now than when I was younger. Only by the grace of God, through prayer and fasting, along with changes in my diet, I've begun to take it off, little by little. I have a long, long way to go, but thank you for being so open and helping us all to know that we aren't in this alone.

Cathy~Mille Fleur said...

Wonderful post Laura! I feel your heart and soul in every word. God will honor your honesty and sincerity...he will finish the good work he has started in you...I absolutely believe this! Stay strong and remain in his love!

I so admire you and your talents...you are a bright light in this crazy world of blogging...thank you!

Enjoy!
Cathy

Theresa said...

It is a constant battle with me! I am 5'0 and 5 lbs on me looks like a whole lot more on a tall person:) I struggle with those few pounds and it is as difficult as others losing a bunch! You just have to keep on with it and when it goes bad... correct it and move on down the road, that's what I do:)

Hugs to you my friend! HUGS!

Cottage Rose said...

Hi Laura; I have been doing the same thing as you,,, and now I have just decided to eat a lot less then I used too(which I have) and if I feel like a piece of cake,, I eat a small one,,if I try to fight it or leave it out, I just eat so much more than I would have,, it seems to work for me.... and I try to walk as much as I can..... I really enjoyed your post,, and I did read it all too,lol have a great week

hugs;
Alaura

Attic Rat said...

It is completely selfish of me, but it would be WONDERFUL if you would not only keep up with your blog but write a book as well. Everyone has struggles. If it's not weight, it's something else. It's the way life is. The beautiful part is that we are all here to hold each other up. If you wrote a book, I would definitely buy it!

Smiles,
Teresa

Marguerite said...

Beautiful, post! I think that you're being too hard on yourself, cher! You accomplish so many wonderful things and your creative spirit is always bursting forth with worthy endeavors! Just relax and celebrate each day! Cheers!

Sally@Divine Distractions said...

Laura, I came to your blog through dear, sweet Kathysue, and although you don't know me, I felt a kinship to you after reading this post. I'll spare you the whole story, but running a business and adding blogging on top of that has made me very sedentary...actually I prefer to be sedentary...exercise is highly overrated...anyway, I too have just added it on and do not seem to have what it takes to make the necesssary changes. I'm going to follow you, so if you get any good ideas or if you need a cohart, I'll be listening and ready to figure it out with you.
Here's to the journey....another one!

Anita@Theycallmejammi said...

Laura, I am on a journey to make sure that I go into an older age with my head held high and ensuring that I am around for a long time with my Grandbabes and the family that I love so much. God has always blessed me with good health, but I have been overweight for many years now. I have tried to diet and have had successes but I never embraced really changing my lifestyle. I am doing that now and I am committed...I don't pressure myself and worry when I slip up, when I eat something that I shouldn't because I know that I am not on a diet....I am making a lifestyle change and that takes a long time. I have lost 8 pounds in 4 weeks...not a huge amount, but I already feel so much better. Come visit me and lets make the journey together. I post an update every Thursday and would love it if you would like to join in. Good luck!!

Simple Home said...

Thank you for writing this wonderful and thoughtful post. You've made all of us think, and I love posts that do that. Thank you for sharing your heart.
Blessings,
Marcia

Maree said...

"God did for me what I couldn’t do for myself."

He will and He does! Baby steps....one day at a time.

When I started my blog I was hoping to find a support group of bloggy friends on-line to help me...didn't happen. That was okay..it's still my dream though..maybe you can make it happen with your blog. You are a wonderful writer!

Michelle, All Home and Love said...

HI Laura,
I'm here to say that you won my surprise giveaway! Please email me your mailing address and I'll get your gift in the mail next week: brosequilts @ yahoo.com (no spaces)

~Michelle

P. Hentermine said...

Your weight loss journey is very nice as it is showing all the paths when we have to loose the weight.

Elton said...

I started exercising and substituting healthier things in my eating in March 2010. After 6 weeks, I was not seeing any results. My doctor prescribed phentermine for me and I have lost 25 pounds and 20 inches over my total body! I have about 45 pounds to reach my goal weight of 175. I am so happy!

Derenda said...

Laura,
I have decided that my weight is not me. If I calculate what I weighed when I graduated high school I have gained 1.7 lbs every year since then, that was 39 years ago. Now in 2010 I lost 10 lbs. In 2011, I have lost about 4, no big diet. Just changing a few things and being aware of what I am doing. In a year, I assume my high school class will have a reunion.
Will I weigh less? I hope so. I think my friends love me, for me, not my weight. Thanks for making me more aware and being you!

 

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