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Who's That in the Photo? Me????

Posted By: Maie Pauts · 8/9/2012 1:12:00 PM

It creeps up!  A pound here and here and then there.  Sure it took 20 years but I am now almost 35 pounds over my ideal weight.  I have tried several programs over the years and taken off and put back on the same 10 pounds several times.  But in the last 2 and a half years I have put on another 10 and I am not happy about it.  Nothing fits properly anymore and I have no intention of buying a whole new wardrobe.  I also can't stand the way I look in photos or the reflection that I see when passing a glass storefront.  Who is that slightly paunchy middle aged lady?  I don't recognize her and I certainly don't feel like her on the inside.  So ... time to stop the nonsense and get my diet back on track. 

This ties in nicely with a change I started about a year ago to eat "cleaner" food.  I've switched to, whenever possible, organic meats and poultry.  At the very least, hormone and anti-biotic free.  I try to get organic veggies and berries. And will soon switch to organic grain products too. More expensive but I'm worth it!  I'm also looking to eat better quality rather than more quantity which, quite frankly, has been my big problem.  I love food .... and LOTS of it.

It's been a slow changeover as I didn't want to throw out everything I had in my fridge and cupboards.  I just will replace foods with their cleaner versions as I use them up. And right now I'm also not replacing all of them.  Because I want to lose weight, I am cutting waaaaaay back on my biggest weaknesses- dairy and starch and sugar!!!  I love potatoes, pasta, bread and cheese, cheese and more cheese and yes... ice cream of course! And pie ... I love my pie but my oh my if I keep eating like this I am gonna die!  Hahaha!

So if  you catch me chewing my microphone ... you'll know why!  ;-) Forgive me and wish me luck!

Feel free to share your diet and nutrition challenges, triumphs and advice. It's always nice to know you have buddies working with you.

Cheers

Maie

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  • 19
  1. NL495 posted on 08/10/2012 11:02 AM
    Good luck, Maie!!
    Let us know how you're doing. I wish I had the same willpower as you!!
    Cheese is my downfall!!
    1. MaieP posted on 08/11/2012 06:51 AM
      @NL495 Thanks .. yeah I love me my cheese too!
  2. christina h posted on 08/10/2012 11:14 AM
    sugar and sodium are huge problems for the middle aged woman. I'm also looking at my diet and making some changes. Any weight I gain goes right to the middle I've heard that the body can crave what it is lacking. how can my body be lacking a bag of potato chips. :) Just getting rid of potatoes and bread and sodium for awhile should help. When i had to go on a strict diet restriction for sodium and started reading labels, I couldn't believe how much salt is in foods... I use Mrs. Dash for everything now and dont even have a salt shaker and try to buy as much sodium free or reduced product as possible or make my own broths and gravies. Now that I have the sodium intake figured out..time to work on the carbs (: Good luck! as you omit some of the carbs you'll probably find you have more sustainable energy as oppose to the quick buzz and crash
    1. MaieP posted on 08/11/2012 06:56 AM
      @christina h Hey Christina, The middle is exactly where I've packed it on. The difference between my waist and hips has almost disappeared. I guess that's why they call it middle age ... cos that's where all the fat goes. LOL. You're right about the sodium and there's also a crazy amount of sugars added to everything too eh? Good luck on your next battle with the carbs! Cheers
  3. lynn posted on 08/10/2012 11:15 AM
    I could have written your blog myself! I can TOTALLY relate! I feel like a yo-yo with my weight! This Fall I am back at keeping to a fitness schedule and eating healthier during the week (weekends...not so much, that's ME time).
    Keep your head up (mine has a natural "double chin") that seems to have also crept up over the years! That's my "yuck"! Oh and the tummy bulge sucks too!
    Ending with a sad note... I do find that in comparison to a lot of young girls that I see during the course of my job (teacher at an elementary school) many kids today already "battle the bulge" and they are over 30 years younger than ME! Many students do very little running and being kids and play video games and sit around and this catches up with them!
    ps I need my photos be airbrushed like the stars and models!
    1. MaieP posted on 08/11/2012 07:02 AM
      @lynn I know ... those poor kids. I feel they live in a disadvantaged society where for various societal reasons (and there's many) they don't get enough activity and where processed foods are just the norm. My own daughter (22) has weight struggles too but we are working on it together. And it's important to deal with these things before they can develop into other health issues.
  4. Jeff Trupp posted on 08/10/2012 11:35 AM
    Good luck Maie...to me you look fine..but you do what you feel is right for you (Y) keep us posted with your new pics when you reach your goal !!
    1. MaieP posted on 08/11/2012 07:03 AM
      @Jeff Trupp Thanks Jeff!
  5. Tim Sweeney posted on 08/10/2012 01:32 PM
    Maie,

    Sounds like you're off to a good start. "Diets" rarely (if ever work) long term. But choosing to alter your diet as a lifestyle choice is the way to go. I've lost almost 40 pounds this year so far...and the eating part was a piece of cake (oops, sorry). Like you I decided to cut out as much processed food as possible and eat clean (especially when I do eat meat), organic etc. The 2 things that worked best for me (both courtesy of Tim Ferriss) were: 1) Getting my body fat % tested at the start so I knew where I was starting from (it wasn't a pretty number)...and 2) Commiting to eating as clean as possible for SIX days a week, and allowing myself one weekly cheat day where ANYTHING goes. That rule alone was most responsible for my diet radically changing right away. When I feel like cookies or something that doesn't fall into my 'clean diet', I know I just have to wait until Saturday and if I still want it I can have all I want. My weight loss was basically a result of those eating changes and taking up jogging again. That's it. Overall it was rarely difficult, and I feel great. Go get 'em tiger! :)
    1. MaieP posted on 08/11/2012 07:06 AM
      @Tim Sweeney Congratulations Tim! That's fantastic. It's your kind of story that is inspiring to me.
  6. Glenn Orchard posted on 08/13/2012 12:16 PM
    Good luck, Maie!!
    I am a runner in my 50's and besides being a healthy eater, I always make time each day to workout. It kills me just to miss 1 day but rest is important
    Have you considered power walks?

    Some tips:
    1) Keep a diary of what you consume and check at the end of the week to see what can be eliminated regarding calories
    2) Do not weigh yourself everyday - some people get frustrated when they see very little loss in weight
    3) Rule of 5: 5 of each fruits and vegetables each day
    4) Drink water before meals - studies show it fills you up, lowering your appetite

    Stay with it, you can do it!!
    1. MaieP posted on 08/13/2012 12:28 PM
      @Glenn Orchard Thanks Glenn. Great advice and I really will have to work on not weighing myself all the time. And I've already started the diary. I walk my dog every day but he's a little pooch who like to stop and sniff all the time so I'm gonna have to go on some solo outings. I love walking. Good for you and much continued good health!
  7. mitch posted on 08/13/2012 12:45 PM
    Changing routine is essential. Cleaning out the cupboards so bad choices aren't within reach. Getting out of the sugar, white flour, fried, high fructose corn surop world is somehow life affirming.
    I found that with each of our four children, I gained weight in tandem with my wife. Then luckily I stumbled across Dr. Bernstein and lost a good forty pounds and for ten years now have kept it off. The key was they taught me what to eat and how to portion control. I think even more importantly, what was actually a good, tasty snack/meal low on the glycemic index.
    The better the octane, the more giddy up -- so keeping to pure foods sure made sense. I simply laugh at what is in a packaged pastry. I also know that I have to take my time and make good choices. And I don't have to eat like a Monk. I just can't get lost in the double, double world again, no matter how enticing a cheese danish may be.
    Good luck with your transformation, find that inner goddess again.
    1. MaieP posted on 08/13/2012 12:52 PM
      @mitch You are so right Mitch about getting the cupboards in order. And I appreciate your great insights. Congratulations on your new healthy life. I hope to soon be in the same position as you are with 30-35 pounds behind me. And not on my behind. Hahaha!
  8. Nikki posted on 08/14/2012 11:40 AM
    Good for you for doing this for yourself, and for being a role model for your daughter too!

    Unfortunately, changes in hormone levels cause women, as we get older, to gain weight around our middles (or to have fat "shift" there from other places, it seems!).

    A couple of years ago I lost just over 100lbs, and for the first time since I was a child I was able to buy "regular" sized clothing!

    I worked with a life coach, who helped me look at not just what and when I was eating, but also WHY. It helped me become a whole different person. I know I will never gain the weight back because I do not think the same way anymore!

    Some tips that helped me...I drink plenty of water - often hot water with lemon (when my friends laugh at me and tell me only old people do that, I am tell them I will gladly drink it until I am 105!), no carbs after 5pm, no eating after 9 (usually), eat protein with every meal (it's what helps keep you from being hungry) and ALWAYS eat breakfast (oatmeal is one of the healthiest breakfasts you can have). I also exercise at least 3 - 5 days a week - even if it's only 15 minutes on my mat at home. It all counts! (And it gets you in the habit!) Also, he very strongly advocates one meal a week where you just eat what you want.

    Remember that this is a journey, and while you might get pushed off the path here and there, all you have to do is pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and keep on just putting one foot in front of the other!!

    Thanks again for sharing this and inspiring so many others!!
    1. Mary M posted on 08/14/2012 12:02 PM
      @Nikki This is very inspiring! Thank you for sharing your journey and your great tips. I have struggled with weight loss/gain for the past 20 years. Funny how we don't think of ourselves as pretty or thin or stylish when we are young and actually ARE all of those things. Then we get older and somewhat wiser and wish we were young again. Problem is, that is not going to happen. So, we forge ahead and do the best that we can. With support, willpower, and dedication, I am fairly certain we can achieve the goal we have been aiming for our whole lives.

      Today is the beginning of the new me! Let it be your beginning too...

      Cheers to everyone - good luck on your journeys!

      Mary M
      Ajax ON
    2. MaieP posted on 08/16/2012 08:29 PM
      @Nikki I tried the hot water with lemon this morning and like it. Thanks for the tip!
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  9. TammyH_5 posted on 08/17/2012 11:51 AM
    Hi Maie, I met you at the station and you are beautiful. That you choose to do this for yourself is great. Too many do it for someone else. I think that is the beauty of "maturing", we do things for ourselves now.
    That being said, I can leave the cookies and candy alone but I like a small bowl (that is suppose to be better than having the whole bag) of chips and sigh....a nice glass of wine. The sugar in that is killer. I will have to abandon my girl talks to keep away from that :( I guess I will just dress up a glass of water!
    Good luck!
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