Hi all! I hope you’ve had a great an enjoyable week on our weight loss journey. And the fact that I wrote that sentence is such a contradiction.
A big contradiction! Because as much as my week has been enjoyable—both at work and otherwise, I still would just about kill for a Peanut M & M or a Snickers bar. And the worst part about it is that I can’t eat just four or five M & M’s or one of those little miniature Snickers candies. Like a crack addict or an alcoholic, a tiny bit of candy would trigger something in me off. It is just better to drink water and let the desire leave—as well as relieving my bladder!
But I’m proud of myself this week. I’m down to 155.8 from the 157.6 from last week. That’s two ounces shy of two pounds! That number is inspiring me to keep eating healthier and also to not “pick” when I get home from work.
I reaped the benefits of making better food choices, not snacking and not overeating! This number made me truly happy!
Bonaparte has become my biggest supporter in really helping me and keeping me from snacking which I appreciate. He also suggested that when I lose another ten pounds, I should take the rest of the weight loss very slowly.
This coming Saturday night we have been invited to Bonaparte’s daughter’s for dinner. I’m bringing dessert and will actually be thinking about my loss this week. Under normal circumstances I’ll lick the bowl and the mixer attachment with reckless abandon. This time, I’ll reach for an apple!
I’m going to make shortbread with a layer of caramel and a layer of milk chocolate. I’ll be good and won’t like the remnants like a dog. But I will treat myself to a bit of dessert after dinner! A treat once in a while isn’t the end of the world!
Willpower is beginning to be my friend. I mean, really, how sick is it that I ate a half bag of spinach this week the way I would eat a bag of potato chips?
I can’t make this up. Oona and I had our first “What-are-we-doing-for-Thanksgiving-and-Christmas-conversation”. I was so stressed that I ate half a bag of spinach. I’m still trying to decide if that was a good thing!
Anyway, last weekend I was watching my friend Ina—The Barefoot Contessa. She had a recipe that I don’t think is in any of her books that I have. It was a Haricot Verts Salad. I made a variation. I blanched a bag of Haricot Verts and cooled them down. When cooled, I added chopped mushrooms and peppers mixed in oil and vinegar that I purchased at Wegmans. I made a large quantity and have been taking this for lunch every day. It really is good and I’ll make Ina’s version this weekend!
There is still plenty left over. I can have some with dinner tomorrow night.
I’ll have a salad!
And on Sunday evenings, Bonaparte likes his “American” food. He changes it up between hot dogs with “American” mustard (i.e. French’s), and sauerkraut and hamburgers. I’ve been making turkey burgers for myself. And my “bun” of choice is the 3-point, Arnold Sandwich Thins. Some spinach, a slice of tomato, a slice of red onion (to give me heartburn) and a thin slice of low-fat mozzarella fills me up.
Yum! It isn’t a hamburger, but a turkey burger is the only turkey I like! No mustard. No Ketsup! Just flavor!
I’m not starving myself but I have cut down so much. For pasta cravings, I’ve had the Weight Watchers Mac & Cheese. It sates the craving.
My clothing is starting to fit better too. This journey is bringing back the fun in dressing. I’m back into a makeup/dressing routine before work and I’ll tell you. I’m enjoying the process of getting ready in the morning.
Here are a few outfits I wore this week:
I brought out the black watch plaid twice this week. A skirt one day and pants today!
Let’s start off with the outfit on the left. Remember the outfit on the right from last week? Look how much better the outfit on the left looks! I’m wearing a Tippi Sweater with the plaid skirt and the look is more flattering and body slimming than the tucked in shirt! It was also another victory “moment”. I hadn’t worn that skirt on the left in a year because it got too tight. Fits nicely now!
While doing my makeup, I realized that my cream blush had hit pan. My bright idea–I took my iT cosmetics Lip Vitality lipstick and glided it over my cheeks. The “Je Ne Sais Quoi” color was the perfect pink and now…
I’m using it as blush and lip color. While I have you, this sweater is hunter green (it looks more blue in this photo). Hunter is not one of my “colors” but with a white fake pearl statement necklace, the sweater works because of the white near my face!
I stinkin’ love the yellow/navy combo. I wore this J. Crew Factory skirt with a J. Crew shell. The skirt is wool and doesn’t have stretch but I am happy to say that it fits much better than it ever has! I was hesitant to wear it because of the bees. But then I figured if I got stung, it would be in my ass and I would run like hell, therefore giving me some great exercise!
I also wore a navy cardigan over the shell because the weather is finally getting cooler. And another thing. You CAN wear a shorter skirt when you are over 50, 60, 70 and older! This is a classic look! Don’t let the “experts” tell you that you can’t wear a short skirt!
Today I wore the same black watch plaid in pants. Thank God for the year J. Crew decided to use this plaid! The pants are a wool blend and are lined all the way. There are side pockets and the length is just above the ankle. It truly is a great pair of pants! I put a 4-clip hair extension in today to give my hair a bit more fullness. Very ’60’s! The necklace is from Forever 21 from forever years ago and the earrings are the cheapo Walmart hoops. I’m starting to love the pointy-toed ballet flats. The ones I’m wearing are from J. Crew and are extremely comfortable!
I went with a really dark eye today (you can’t tell from the other pics due to the glare) and decided on a nude lip. I “rediscovered” an old Nyx Butter Gloss. The color is Tiramisu. My likey. Imagine that. Tiramisu with no calories or WW points!
So now I want to talk about body image.
Yeah. CAN we???
My sister sent me a picture that was taken 28 years ago at her wedding. It’s me and I was dancing with one of my brothers. She kind of used one of those apps that distort your body a bit so I have a big head. Well, bigger than it usually is. She asked if I wanted to be as thin as the picture.
*sigh* I wish my hair was that thick again. I can’t dye it auburn anymore because of my scalp–and those curls are natural. It sickens me to think I hated the way I looked! LOL. I didn’t need to wear my glasses everyday back then either! Fun times!
And when I saw it, I realized that at that time, I thought I was fat. I’m not kidding. I remember feeling somewhat self-conscience because, as a bridesmaid, I could have been thinner. WTF was I thinking???? My weight was around 125. We really need to stop beating ourselves emotionally about that. You don’t need to be thin to look good. I’m losing weight simply because I want to be healthier. I don’t want to lose more than 15 more pounds. That’s it.
We need to love ourselves more and accept our shortcomings. My eyes will never be straight. I will always be cross-eyed. I will always see double in some instances. And that’s ok. It’s who I am.
And that is what makes us unique. We’re not like anybody else!
Today I give you a song I was listening to on the way to work. It’s from one of my Kinks CD’s. Dave Davies sings it and I love it because “I’m Not Like Anybody Else” and neither are you! XOXOXOXO
Have a wonderful week and let’s all strive for trying!
You go, girl. I’ve been on a similar journey. It’s tsken me 3 years to lose 30 pounds, 10 to go. But with the move in June, and Steve’s sudden death last week, boy, have I gotten off track! I will be cheering you in!
Hi Jackie. My deepest sympathies to you. Grief works in many ways and if you get off track then that’s fine–remember you are empowered to get back on track at any time. You are an inspiration–you could have gained thirty pounds in three years but you went the other way. I’m rooting for YOU!! XOXOXOXO!!!
Thank you, Catherine.
You are looking GREAT!! Kudos on all the veggies!!!!! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🙌🏼
Thanks Rhonda. Yeah. The veggies are actually keeping me from eating garbage!! I’m a human compost these days!! XOXOXOX!!!
You look amazing – I love the photos, that young one of you is incredible, you still look incredible. I didn’t get to weigh myself this morning, husband is back after a week away (how can one grown up male cause so much chaos, he is like a giant toddler hell bent on tea and radio4 of a morning, and the daughter woke up late for her summer waitressing job then commandeered the bathroom – not sure which of them is worse)… But you have me thinking on self image, why is it we can recognise and appreciate beauty/attractiveness/good things in other people and yet when we look at ourselves it is often a big giant “meh” and how do we avoid passing that on to our daughters (and our sons)? I can’t say I have that figured but I’ve tried – I like to tell them they are perfect – at least as perfect as anybody else and everyone has their own perfect which won’t fit others, sometimes that perfection might make me want to wring their necks but I still love them all the way through. Have a fantastic week
HI Juliet! I hope your husband isn’t driving you so crazy now that he’s been home after a day. Isn’t it incredible how we are fine left to our own devices for a while then when someone comes back home it ruins our routine?? As far as self-image goes its so true. We are always thinking everyone else is perfect and we concentrate on our shortcomings rather than what is good or great about us! I think we all need to go back every now and then to the past and pick out a pic and see that we weren’t as bad as we thought! LOL!! XOXOXO!!!
Good job girlfriend. You look marvelous. I remember having the same realization one day when I was looking at an old picture of moi. Now I remind myself of that thought when I look in the mirror and think how old I look.
Thanks Bernadette. Hey. I’ll look in the mirror in certain light and just go “Ugh–when did I AGE that much?” But–it’s all part of the process and we just have to try our best to roll with it:)!! XOXOXOXO!!!
My goodness, you are fading away before our very eyes! You have encouraged me to slow down on the biscuits and chocolate but I don’t have your will power or the Frenchman!
Mary–sometimes the Frenchman can get on my last nerve. He was policing my baking last night–and at the time I was pissed but today I’m thankful!!! XOXOXOXO!!
Congratulations on the weight loss! I’m wrapping up a Whole 30 and I already know what my ‘trigger’ foods are and know I have to avoid them. Love that you share your outfits and makeup daily and you’re right-women don’t have to wrap themselves in a brown bag just because we’re older. Rock on!
Hi Marianne! Thank you!! How do you like the Whole 30? My daughter is a fan–a huge fan of it. One thing that helped my “trigger” of pasta is the Weight Watchers Smart Ones Mac and Cheese. I know that its processed and that’s not good, but the portion keeps me satisfied. I honestly cannot keep boxes of pasta in the house. It’s crazy. But pasta IS my number 1 trigger food. I’m lucky to be like you and be aware of that!
Hey. I WANT to share my outfits because I get upset with the fact that the beauty/fashion industry shoves older women aside. What do we have as examples? Pigeon-toed bloggers who are 18 to 25 years old wearing shorts with tights and looking down at their feet? And these are the ones who get into NY Fashion week for free and are “influencers” WTH are they influencing anyway? We older women need to be supportive of each other! XOXOXOXO!!!
Hey, wonderful news re: your weight loss of nearly 2 pounds. That’s great but I would agree that a slow weight loss is the best and healthiest way to diet. Also although the pic of you when young is gorgeous, I think you look absolutely stunning now in that yellow skirt xxxxx
Thanks Pen! I’m taking things slowly for sure. Is that skirt not great or what? BTW, I’m looking forward to more of your photos from the trip to France!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
You are an inspiration!
Hi Elaine. Thank you–but honestly, its my friends who read and follow the blog and support each other who are my inspiration. The friends of Atypical60 keep me going! Thank you! XOXOXOXOXO!!!
Great news! I think at a certain point, your brain starts to ‘get’ what you are trying to do, and if you don’t fall off the wagon big-time (i.e. entire multi-serving bag of M&Ms), you can keep going.
I would love to be able to wear skirts without tights. But my legs are so bruised and veiny, that I am really self-conscious. So I like winter when I can wear tights …
Have a good weekend, and enjoy your treat.
Bridget. My legs are fish-belly white, freckled and veiny too. I stopped fake tanning because I”m too lazy and I don’t care anymore. If I like the skirt. I’ll wear it. I don’t wanna sound preachy but people need to see the TRUE legs of an older woman. They need to see the reality and not the airbrushed or photoshopped look of real people. The clothes will still look good if worn the right way. Right??? But I AM looking to cooler weather so I can wear tights! I hate pantyhose, but I love tights!! XOXOXOXO!!!
I think the SPINACH eating was BRILLIANT!IN FACT SO FANTASTIC I THINK I MIGHT DO THE SAME since I HIT the JELLY BEANS GRANDE JAR yesterday from COSTCO!
Hahahaha! Elizabeth. Jellybeans are the one food item that I am not crazy about. Same with anything “gummie” except bubble gum! If all jellybeans were chocolate–then I would be in big trouble. Spinach and Chapstick–what could be better–right?? XOXOXOXO!!!
That yellow skirt is tres adorbs, a majorly trending color.
I cannot even go near sugar – it is like CRACK. Even a small amount triggers cray cray candy cravings.
Thanks TV! Yellow is quite the happy color, I must admit! Sugar with cream and butter = caramel–another bit of crack!! XOXOXOXO!!
I’ve also been trying to lose a few pounds. Carbs are my enemy! I’m making little changes though – we grilled brats for dinner last night and I skipped the bun and just cut it up. Dipped in hot mustard with a side of sauerkraut and I was good to go!
Do you make your own turkey burgers with ground turkey, or buy them already made and seasoned? I have yet to find one that doesn’t taste like cardboard to me.
Hi Maids. Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh..you had me at Brats! Brats and summer sausage with tons of mustard are greatness! I’m going to have to try your way. I’m so disgusting that I love the way the bun gets mushy inside after a while. It’s so gross but I love it.
I make my own turkey burgers. I season before cooking with a bit of garlic powder, a few red pepper flakes and a sprinkle of parm cheese along with salt and pepper. No, it isn’t hamburger, but with the tomato, onion, and extras, it’s pretty good! I don’t like the pre-made turkey or beef burgers! XOXOXO!!!
Hi Catherine, Well done on the continuing weight loss and if I had your legs I would only wear mini skirts. I love blackwatch tartan and loved all your outfits, hair and make up. You really put your ensembs together so well. Well the highlight of the London Olympics Opening Ceremony (or was it closing) was Ray Davies singing Waterloo Sunset. However, I thought Paul McCartney’s voice had completely gone and mentioned this to my friend from Liverpool luv and boy did I regret that. Husband saw Paul McCartney about six weeks ago (I didn’t go) and he thought the show was better than Bruce (Springsteen) which was a huge admission. So many artists tour here and hopefully Ray Davies and the Kinks will tour the US one day soon. Just remembered husband saw them at Madison Square Garden either 80’s or 90’s. cheers and last as always Y
Yvonne. Plaid is my favorite color! I’ll be writing more about the kilt. It’s very weight-loss friendly! Ohhhhhh…be still my heart. To see Ray Davies singing Waterloo Sunset would have me in a love trance. I’m a fan of Sir Paul, but George is my favorite Beatle–still, I would not mind going to see McCartney. The Kinks will only tour if Ray and Dave make professional nice-nice. I hope they do!! XOXOXOXO!!!