What does it mean to be “in shape”?

Posted: January 6, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: Great Expectations | 4 Comments

One of my broad resolutions for this year was to get in shape. I mentioned before that after having Christian, I gained quite a bit of weight. Part of that may also be due to taking Zoloft daily – but I’m guessing it’s mostly due to grief-eating and my body changing as I get older. (I turn 30 this year! Hooray!) This is the first time in my life I’ve had to actually consider the benefits or ill effects of what I eat. I’m not a fan. I loved my old metabolism.

At any rate, I had to buy new pants. I donated too-small clothes that I wasn’t very attached to and boxed up the ones I love, as motivation to be smaller.

Many times I was getting ready to go out, even just to the grocery store, and ended up in tears because I hated my shape. It isn’t the shape I used to be. It isn’t what “attractive” people look like. I felt miserable because I needed to be smaller, and slimmer, and to weigh less.

I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about this. If I eat well and am active, do I really need to be smaller? Am I allowed to just be the size and shape I am? Aren’t there better things I can do with my life than struggle with body image issues? I’ve had 3 children. I’m almost 30. Of course I don’t look like a teenager. Of course I don’t look like a young twentysomething with no kids and no major stress. And of course I don’t look like a model – from what I’ve seen of retouching, even models don’t look like models.

That being said, I still want to change something. I don’t think the number on the scale is nearly as important as how I feel about myself. So my resolution isn’t necessarily “Lose 10 pounds” or “Fit into a pair of pre-Christian jeans” or “Do a workout every morning before the kids get up.” That last one is the most unlikely of the three!

Here’s the resolution I’ve made, at least for now:
Eat dessert only once a week (Monday night), with no sweets any other time; and take Ender on a 30-minute walk at least twice a week.

Now, I realize this won’t significantly change anything about my body. But it’s where I can start to form healthier habits without feeling like I’m being starved – or that I need to be starved.

I guess I don’t have a really clear definition of “in shape.” That’s more or less intentional. Instead of saying I want to get in shape, maybe I should just be trying to be comfortable with my shape while making healthy choices. What do you think?

This week

Posted: January 3, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: Weekly World News | 1 Comment

Here’s a summary of this week’s highlights:

  • We got a new nephew early Tuesday morning.
  • I worked on baby announcements for said nephew. Cute animals are involved.
  • I made a blanket for Evan. I used two bulky yarns and finger crocheted it, then put tassels on the border. Too bad I don’t really know what I’m doing and 4 tassels have already been pulled off, and it looks like a few stitches have come undone. Oh well! It was nice and soft and warm while it lasted.
  • We spent New Year’s Eve with our good friends Scott and Alitha, who introduced us to the game Wits and Wagers.
  • I learned, once again, that intentionally staying up until midnight is much different than reading a good book and accidentally staying awake late. I was so, so ready for bed well before midnight.
  • Jarom and I cleaned the kitchen. It was very clean for Christmas (and even a few weeks beforehand), but then we spent a nice week vacationing and not cleaning.
  • We started our 2014 resolution of only eating dessert/sweets on Monday evening. This year we’ll be making one recipe a week from the International Chocolate Cookbook. First up is a black velvet cheesecake, so feel free to invite yourself over for a slice next Monday.
  • I made a menu and grocery list for the month. As part of our efforts to get out of debt, we’re tightly controlling our food budget, which requires careful planning. Last night we tried a broccoli beef recipe, tonight we’re having quesadillas, and later in the month we’ll have tikka masala and claw chowder. Food is great, even if I don’t have a personal chef.
  • Can you tell I’m trying to blog more this year? I hope to get back to my weekday posting schedule like I did last year before the world fell apart. This means I might solicit guest posts every now and then. Interesting ones. I promise you’ll like them. You might even write one!

I like beginnings

Posted: January 2, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: Great Expectations | Leave a comment

The idea of a fresh start is always appealing to me, but especially as we leave 2013 behind (good riddance, in many ways). I’m not the best at keeping resolutions – or necessarily even at making them. This year I have a few broad goals in mind, as well as some specific things I’d like to achieve.

1. Get in shape.
2. Get organized.
3. Get out of debt.
4. Take care of my yard, so it isn’t embarrassing.
5. Create a vertical indoor herb garden for my kitchen.
6. Finish my reading challenges.

It’s so easy to feel motivated at the beginning of the year. What do you do to stay motivated?

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