Body Image and Weight

A friend of mine has been telling me for years to "dress the package," no matter what my weight was at the time, or that I didn't believe I could.  She tried to take me shopping so many times, but to no avail, I usually ended up with my usual stretch pants and a big top.  I got to where I detested shopping.  Soon, I couldn't shop at those stores anymore; I even got too big for Lane Bryant and had to order my ill-fitting clothes online, receiving them in the mail.

I hated my body, and I'm still not happy with my belly or flappy arms, but I've learned to dress the package.  I never thought anything would look good on me, and I grew up with all thin women - oblivious to my problem of finding clothes.  I remember one outfit my grandmother bought me, and I looked like a grape in it- an all purple jumpsuit!

It was my hubby that reminded me of beauty at any weight, and I shouldn't punish myself with no decent clothes just because I'm big.  It was strange the first time he took me shopping.  In fact, he told me to go to the dressing room, as I was freaking out - knowing that nothing would fit, but he came back with a ton of clothes.  Only a few fit at the time, but it was a start - in a real store!  Fitting in a bathing suit came next, then more stores were added, and I've found I love Wal-Mart's women's section.  I can buy cheaper clothes while I'm losing weight and then branch out some more.

It's been a very long journey, and to most people (those that judge), I look big no matter what I put on, but I like what I wear now, and I wouldn't change a thing.  I dressed the package, and now I like it!

Sleep Deprivation and Weight

I've seen research on the fact that people who have interrupted sleep or can't sleep lose less weight than those who get their eight hours.  That's one thing.  Next, you have hunger pains in the middle of the night when you wake, and you eat, because that's what you're body wants.  Right?  Tell me, who eats an apple in the dark of night?  So, your snack is not exactly healthy.

Don't forget how tired you will be in the morning either.  You'll be too sapped to exercise or even work properly.  Sleep is my main component in staying healthy.

What to do when you can't sleep:
1.  Get up and do a small chore (if you won't wake the rest of the house...)
2.  Don't play with your phone or computer. (I know, but I'm a writer.)
3. EXERCISE during the day, so your body will be physically tired and not just intellectually tired from work.
4.  Eat.  You need to make sure you aren't going to bed hungry.  You will have a hard time sleeping and you will most likely eat when you wake in the night.
5.  Read yourself to sleep or put a low, dark, boring show on and listen to it drone on while you fall into sweet slumber.  Now, doesn't that sound nice?
6.  Leave the TV off, turn your thermostat to 70 degrees (or lower for menopausal women!), as that is an optimal sleeping temp, and turn on your fan.  Your fan will lull you to sleep without those pesky commercials.

You may have your own ways to fall back to sleep.  I know I need more exercise.  I also, apparently need to eat more spaced out through the day, so that I won't be night hungry, like now.

These are my favorite ways to sleep, besides on my hubby's chest.  But, that's only mine.  :)

Getting Back On Track With Exercise

I have not followed the exercise plan that I set out for myself.  I get all excited, get stronger and on my way, and then I quit.  Now, to be sure, I have been working out like crazy with "forced exercise."  Gardening, painting, cutting trees, and cleaning have kept me somewhat active, at least on those days.  but, there were plenty of other days that I didn't exercise.

It happens.  I just need a plan.  Just get out there and do it.  Easier said than done.  However, I have tons of support, a husband who is trying to lose as well, and we must get back in the gym.  I plan on doing yoga today to get my muscles stretched back out before I tackle the gym tomorrow.  I'd like to start basketball again.

That was really taking the weight off.  Basketball burns more than 1,000 calories an hour, according to Live Strong.

For those of you that have fallen off the wagon of exercise, or if you haven't even started, do one thing today.  Walk 10 minutes.  Do some stretching.  Play with your kids. :)