Heaven, at this point on my weight loss journey would be a place where you get to eat ice cream, any food item with salted caramel, soft pretzels and mountains of oil and garlic laden pasta.
If you are as old as I am and older, you will remember this cartoon from childhood TV viewing. I didn’t realize it at the time, but these two kids are in foodstuff heaven! I can’t stop thinking about this cartoon! I want to be animated!
It’s OK. And I’m doing fine. In fact, I’m down another pound.
Another pound down. About ten to thirteen more pounds to go!
But there definitely is a struggle!
Oh yes. The struggle IS real–it isn’t processed like cheese food. It is real like a good brie!
The struggle feels like the one you get when you are trying to put tights on. You know what I’m talking about! They are called “tights” for a reason! Just getting them over your toes straight and not twisted is a struggle. And being this far into a diet is like having that tights struggle in your stomach!
You know what I mean. Forget getting tights up over the thighs–just getting them over the toes is bad enough!
Not going to lie. I actually had a moment two nights ago. When I arrived home from the office, Bonaparte noticed that I wasn’t quite “myself”. I was cranky and looked very sad. He thought I had a bad day. I had a bad lunch!!
And by that I mean I didn’t have lunch. Let me explain. My coworkers all have hearty appetites. (Which is one of the reasons I love my job so much!) And they order really good food. I’ve been bringing lunch—usually a sandwich thin and a Boca Burger or yoghurt and fruit. But on that particular day, I was running late and did without. So I drank my Chai tea instead.
And sitting with everyone in the conference room, and watching them enjoy plates of deliciousness just made me sad that I wasn’t joining in on the culinary fun! I know. This is my choice—but it got to me!
Bonaparte was concerned with my confession, but he was even more concerned when I started to cry. As in sobbing. As in tears streaming down my face. WHO DOES THIS OVER FOOD???? I’m a grown-ass woman for cryin’ out loud!
I think Bonaparte thought that I was as my mother would refer to, as “touched” in the head! I’ll agree with that!
Anyway, after that cry, I felt much better and was able to carry on.
Until yesterday. A coworker arrived at the office with a huge brown bag filled with Philly Pretzel Factory pretzels. Soft, salty, doughy twists of happiness. Like soft misshapen pillows these pretzels be. And I didn’t have any. Well, I did. But, I very carefully wrapped one up. And like a baby in a bunting, I took special care of it. I placed it gingerly in my purse. And I took it home. And last night for dinner, I ate it! I ate all 8 points worth! Yes—the pretzel is Weight Watchers friendly and had a decent point allowance. But—had I started eating this in the office, I would have gone back for a second and a third and quite possibly a fourth.
This is a loaded gun for me. Seriously. It is a trigger waiting to be pulled–and gobbled down!
I ate my pretzel with a side of boiled shrimp. Bonaparte remained concerned. I remained blissfully happy!
Chippy was concerned too–but it was because he was mad at me for not sharing my pretzel. He didn’t speak to me all night! Too bad! I don’t go after his Milk Bones–what does he want from me anyway?
And that pound that I lost? I’m thrilled about it!
That moment I had this week—I’m sure I’ll have more. It’s what you do when you choose to change the way you eat. 
Right? I know I”ll have more moments–but I’ll remain strong and reap the benefits with looser clothing!
And fitting into clothing that was either too tight or didn’t fit at all are two rewards that come with being diligent.
Here’s a sampling of what I wore over the week! I want to point out that every item of clothing that I wore was from “shopping” in my closet. With the exception of the kilt, all the clothes are at least two or more years old.
Friday is jeans day at the office. I could not zip these jeans up a month ago and now they fit fine. That sweater–I got it the year J. Crew introduced this French Hen, I think it was 2012. I am wearing it again. I forgot I had it!
This is what I wore when we went to The Barnes Foundation to see the photography exhibit. Old J. Crew Factory Gigi pants–the Factory version of the Pixie Pant. These are maybe three years old. Everything else is years old. I’ve gotten a ton of use over the past couple of years from the Kut From the Kloth denim jacket. Oh..and speaking of trendy stuff–ghillie shoes are really popular now. I got these last year at Old Navy for about ten bucks. They look just as good as the pricier versions and are incredibly comfortable!
On Monday I was in a “black and white” frame of mind because of the after effects of the photography exhibit. I got my “Sixties” on. I wore my new SportKilt. OH..BTW, did you know that SportKilt will take in a kilt that got too big! This is a weight loss journey miracle. I’ll be sending this kilt back to be tailored in a few weeks! The boots are Nine West–about three years old–maybe four!
I think another reason I may have been a bit sad this week was because Monday was Jake’s birthday. He is now 33! I was sad because he’s really busy at work–especially now that the news is all about the election–and I haven’t seen him in a while.
Tuesday I wore my new favorite outfit! I couldn’t even zipper this skirt four weeks ago. I got it about three years ago online, ON SALE at J. Crew for something like $19.99. I wore it with a many, many years old Black Tippi sweater and black suede shoes. I love the little splashes of red with the Longchamp bag and my hand-me-down bracelet from my bestie Anne!
OK. Let me talk about this get up. Not only could I NOT zip up this skirt before my “journey”, but my ass was so wide that the back of the skirt was shorter than the front. This skirt now fits perfectly. And I only lost 12 pounds so that amount does make a tremendous difference. The blue sweater is another Tippi I got years ago at J. Crew and the boots are from Nordstrom–I believe they are three years old.
Here’s a better pic of the skirt and boots. I went with different shades of blue and it worked…
I LOVE this Coach bag. I don’t even know how old it is–I’m guessing at least seven years old. Oona bought it when she worked at Coach during college and now it is my hand-me-down. It remains one of my faves and goes well paired with these boots!
This scarf was the perfect accessory to add some color. I hope Oona doesn’t want this back after she sees it–because she’s not getting it back! Bad Mom rules!
Here’s my outfit from today. I did the happy dance around the house because I was so excited that these pants fit me again. I LOVE this pair of Old Navy Pixie Pants. I got ’em quite a few years back on the clearance rack for seven bucks. I love them. The cotton textured turtleneck is from J. Crew..maybe a year or two old. I’m a vision of true class in my dollar Walmart earrings!!
SEE! You do not have to spend money if you go “shopping” in your closet!
I would like to mention, though, that I did wear the hair extensions that Irresistible Me gifted me this summer, every day. I’ve finally figured out how to cover my hair loss and let the extensions go unnoticed! I’m happy with this.
I hope your weight loss journey week was a good one and that you didn’t have those “moments” that I had. If you did, though, let me know. We can laugh about our adventures together!
Here’s a good song for weight loss. “I’m A Loser”–The Beatles!
Twelve pounds is ALOT! You should be very proud of yourself and you are looking GREAT! We are all entitled to feel sorry for ourselves from time to time–personally, I’d bet it was a “mom moment”—realizing that our kids are getting older makes us realize how fast time (life in general) goes by! Our kids will always be #1 in our hearts and the time we have them, before they fly the coop, is just a blink of an eye! You DESERVED that tasty pretzel! Watching our weight is a lifelong process and treating ourselves from time to time is the ONLY way we can do better all the other days! 😘😘
Thanks Rhonda. You made me feel really good! I am pretty sure the mix of “mom” went into that moment. Sometimes I wish I could go back in time for just a day when the kids were younger and I had them all to myself. I loved being with them. Being an empty nester just isn’t easy at times!! Oh..that pretzel was heavenly!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
I feel the same about going back in time-I have only one son, his father and I divorced when he was just 3, and I have always felt I missed out on so much (shared custody)… Now he is 31 and newly married– I still secretly wished he lived at home with me! 😯LOL!
You’re doing great! Keep going, girl! 😎 Crying over food… yeah, been there, done that. Those were horrible moments. I think everyone who has dieted knows the feeling.
Oh Adryana! You made me feel so good in knowing that you had the same horrible moments. BIg hugs to you!!! XOXOXOXO!!
Ah, you should have eaten some lunch with the others – that is toughing it out GF!
BTW what type of dog is Chippy?
Those ONavy pants do look cute – I am going to try and find a pair for myself.
HI TV. Since Chippy is a rescue dog we didn’t know much about his genetics but we had him tested and he is a first generation lab and poodle. He’s a Labradoodle!!
XOXOXOXO!!!
Fabulous for You Catherine…now I’m sorry I didn’t get on board the weight loss train with you…truth be told…I didn’t think it would really work this well….I hope it’s not too late now…I look at clothes I love and know they just don’t fit…ok…thanks for your encouraging posts…am I rambling…I am…count me in. 🙂 Oh…by the way…Old Navy shoes…Yes! Great styles, cheap and comfortable and toe cleavage…suede flats with pointed toes and v-vamps…perfect…$15! Thanks for the tips.
Hi Jeanne. Selfishly speaking..the thing that is great about putting your weight loss out there is that you need to be diligent about it. I wouldn’t want any of my friends to think I’m not trying. It’s a good thing. But YEAH, girlfriend. better late than never!! Come on aboard! XOXOXOXO!!!
Hi Catherine Loved the cartoon and so symbolic of the change in children’s television and attention span. It harks back to The Nutcracker without the evil rat. It’s really hard losing weight with so many many temptations, I am a sucker for bready carbs and there are some great choices which also involve lots of sticky caramel. Yum. You have a great support network and reading between the lines sounds like your colleagues at work are not pressuring you to “eat up” which is great. Keep up the good work and resist temptation as Paris calls. Cheers
Yvonne. I’ll tell you, I AM lucky to be working with a good group of people. In past position, I would have been egged on to eat–not here. OMG! I’m thinking more and more about being in Paris–even for the short haul! I can’t wait!! XOXOXOXO!!!
Hi Catherine- Bravo! Sticking to your chai at lunchtime is Amazing! I am on the weight loss train and using Dr. McDougall’s “Healthiest Diet on the Planet” book as my guide. It is supportive, educational, and the weight is retreating. It has taken over a year to lose 25# and the pleasure is that I can eat huge plates of “McDougall food” until I am sated! YES! The pleasure of getting into smaller sizes thrills me – when I started I didn’t really think it was possible given my age (75) but I have gone from a size 11/12 to a 5/6 with 6 getting loose at this point. Wouldn’t believe it if I wasn’t experiencing it!
Olwyn–whew! That coveted size 6! Well. Done. You!!!! I’m thrilled to be back in an 8 but I’m taking it slowly. You are my inspiration!! XOXOXOXO!!!
I’m jealous you can already wear boots and sweaters – hell, I’m still swimming in the pool every day here in TX! Strictly sandals and shorts weather in October.
I’m just trying to lose five pounds, and it SUUUUUCKS. My fitness pal app says I should eat 1200 calories a day, and that’s just with me trying to lose .5 pounds a week!
That’s a half a pound up there, NOT 5 pounds. You can’t really see the decimal 😉
Cynthia. I just saw our weather report and it is supposed to climb up to the ’80’s this week. So much for boots and sweaters in the mid of October! And people don’t believe in global warming!! Ugh. The last 5 to 10 pounds is always the hardest to lose and takes the longest. I’m sure that when I get near goal it will be horrible because those last 5 pounds will linger for a while!! XOXOXOXO!!!
CAN YOU WEIGH- IN NOT WEEKLY BUT ONCE A MONTH?!!!!
THAT MIGHT MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER!!!!!
WHAT DOES THE FRENCHMAN THINK OF MY IDEA?
I WANT TO KNOW!!!!!!
XO
Elizabeth–The Frenchman would think ANY of your ideas are great! He has a secret crust on you–especially after seeing photos of Banksy! And the fact that Mr. Contessa is an Italian. He’s mesmerized!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
OH OH OH!!!!I have a CRUSH on him TOO!CAUSE HE LIKES MY HEAD FLOWER ACCESSORIES!I DO think the FRENCH HUBBY and THE ITALIAN HUBBY would have A LOT in common!!!!!!!GO BACK on my instagram and see BANKSY doing THE STAIR MASTER……its a video and my SON is hanging out a window HELPING HIM ALONG WITH WORDS!!!!!!LOOK FOR A TON OF STAIRS.This is what BANKSY climbs every day to get back in the HOUSE!MAYBE if WE had to do this it would help our thighs!!!!!I have a bad BACK this week…..REALLY BAD.YOU know your TOO BIG when they put a XXL back brace around you and it’s a BITCH TO CLOSE!!!!!!!!
ITALIAN hubby said, “I think it’s TOO big for YOU!!!!”I think you should have had an XL!!!!!!!!!
I say to HIM what size did you wear from the past……..a MEDIUM?!!!His reply, I never had ONE!!
Honestly,56 has not brought me gifts………expect the other day in the MAIL!STAY TUNED!!!XOXOXO
Oh. Elizabeth. If you and I and the Frenchman and the Italian got together, we would most likely have the best time together! We would dine on French and Italian food! We would drink great wine and Banksy and Chippy would become besties! I showed Bonaparte the Banksy pedicure IG and he was fascinated! XOXOXOXO!!! I’m on my way to IG!!
THERE is ALSO a VIDEO more recent of BANKSY ON COMMAND wagging his TAIL!!!!!!!!!!!!
ANOTHER VIDEO!!!!!!!XOXOXO
YES< TOO ALL THE ABOVE!
COME TO SAN FRANCISCO!!!!!!!!!!!!
XOXOOOX
I’m a bit late commenting on this, but had a tres busy weekend! Very well donor the continuing weight loss and may I say you look totally stunning in that grey mini-skirt and those slacks. Fantabulous!!!!
Can’t seem to be able to edit but that’s not ‘donor’!!!!! but ‘very well done for…..!!!!!’ xxxxxxxxxx
You look fabulous and what an inspiration. I am always trying to lose weight, so it is refreshing to hear from someone who is succeeding. Keep it up. Love your outfits and your blog! – Amy
http://stylingrannymama.com/
Thank you Amy!!! Yeah–I’m keeping it up, but I think I may have plateaued a bit come this week–it’s to be expected though!! I’m glad you are enjoying my blog! I’m goin’ over to check yours out girlfriend!! XOXOXOXO!!!