Ahhh. Where do I begin?
I’ll start with two minutes prior to my sitting down at my laptop and welcoming 2021!
The start of a new year! It’s very much welcomed!
This morning, at the start of this New Year, I woke up at 7:30 after going down for the count at approximately 10:00 PM last night. There was no fanfare to welcome in the New Year. No midnight Champagne. No banging of the pots and pans. In fact, my pots and pans were resting from being constantly heated and assisting in the Holiday cooking and the comfort cooking to expand my body.
My goal was to watch Anderson and Andy. However, my husband had other aspirations of watching his Netflix mystery series so he fed me wine. I fell fast asleep.
It is a well-known fact that wine puts me to sleep. Therefore, when my husband wants to watch his TV shows, he offers me wine. And I don’t refuse.
And so, I woke up rather well-rested on this January 1st after 9 ½ hours of slumber and was ready for my coffee. With no goals set aside for this New Year, I decided to face reality instead. This came to fruition while in the bathroom to do what was surely needed other than to empty my bodily wastes. I got on the scale. I figured that after the huge amount of toxins that exited the orifices of my being, perhaps the numbers would be slightly lower.
The shock of my life. It is with deep guilt, anxiety and stress that I can now announce to you and the rest of the world, that the 20 pounds I gained have risen to 30 pounds. I’m weighing in at 170 pounds. This didn’t happen magically. It simply happened because I did nothing but shove cookies, bread, butter and any stray bits of food, with exception to Chippy’s kibble, into my mouth.
And this is how we gain 30 pounds! The Angel Gabriel didn’t magically make my gut, arms, chins and thighs bigger. FOOD did!
At that point, I decided to move my body and get some well-needed form of exercise by lifting the newly air-dried clothing that hung over my bathtub and taking them downstairs to iron them. After all, walking down three flights of stairs to iron and eventually up those stairs after doing so was exercise enough for the first of the year. I do believe taking baby steps will be more beneficial in the long run.
And while ironing I thought how easy it is to take that hot steam and iron out the wrinkles in clothing and table linens but at the same time how difficult it is to iron out the wrinkles in our lives.
’tis so much easier to iron out the wrinkles in clothing than in life–dontcha agree?
A spray bottle to make ironing easier wasn’t needed because the salty tears falling from my now chipmunk cheeks were making the cotton fabric nice and damp—so much better for ironing! And completely natural too!!!
Why bother to use a spray bottle to dampen the clothing when I can just cry onto them? It’s really more organic anyway!
And upon smoothing out my shirts and napkins, I returned upstairs to strip myself of the filthy pajamas I wore. They were replaced with a clean pair of leggings since nothing else fits me’ and a gray Henley shirt which I immediately spilled grease on. Yes. I’m multitasking. The chopped meat for Bonaparte’s weekend chili is cooking and in my adept gift for soiling my clothing, grease spilled on the shirt.
Once a hot mess-always a hot mess! Within moments of donning this shirt–I got grease stains on it!
Sigh. At least my underwear is clean…….for a while at least.
And with that, a step back in time will be taken. I’ve been on a bit of a hiatus for the past month. Trust me, it wasn’t self-imposed. It’s just that life had a way of telling me to just stop and rest my mindless mind. This made sense because my body doesn’t move. I may as well rest my spirit and brain.
My last blog post was written December 13, I wrote about our cancelled visit to Oona and Sam’s home for their first Christmas. I’ll take it from there….
It was upsetting enough to not visit Oona for Christmas. Jake, my oldest son had cancelled his visit and was staying put in L.A. Thankfully, Roman would still be coming to visit so I wasn’t completely depressed. I was more agitated that due to the pandemic, I wouldn’t be able to see Oona in her last trimester. (Actually, that might be a good thing—for her, simply because I have an innate tendency to be annoying.)
And then it happened. My laptop just kind of died. With the camera not performing correctly and the issues I was having with everything loading, it was too much. So off we went to the Geek Squad only to find the battery exploded and there was mold on the inside of the computer. Could it possibly be because I never even bother to clean this godforsaken piece of technology? Hey. I’m only human. It’s a clean house and an organized cubicle at work. Everything else gets thrown to the curb.
We left the computer at Best Buy and got it back within a week, only to have the suggestion of bringing it back for a complete rehaul. After agreeing and quite willingly I might add, I left my laptop’s future in the hands of these computer geeks to perform a miracle.
Another week of a computerless existence.
The next morning, I got into my car to head to work. Happily, nestled in the driver’s seat and enjoying New York Jazz Trio’s Christmas Album on Spotify, I started daydreaming of living back in Manhattan. In my mind, I’m driving down Broadway admiring the Christmas decorations from the apartment buildings and shops. And reality, once again, slaps me upside the head.
This little gem of an album turned out to be my favorite Christmas one of 2020! I’m still listening to it!
I felt a kind-of rumbling coming from my back tire. It didn’t sound good. A passerby walking his dog yelled to me and pointed to my back tire. It was flat. In the timespan of less than two minutes, I left my driveway happily listening to Christmas music and received an early Christmas gift in the form of a busted tire due to the possibility of a stray nail that many neighbors’ tires had also received.
This was not what I was looking forward to–especially at the expense of the roofers who don’t clean up after themselves!
Back to the driveway, and having my husband chauffer me to the office, I was now cursing having a car as opposed to the NYC Subway system, spewing foul language about living in the Philly suburbs and going off the deep end because the goddam roofers in the neighborhood were not picking up nails after doing work on other homes.
Needless to say, the tire was fixed and it was a nail that was deeply imbedded into my tire.
Now we’re inching upon Christmas. Still no computer but…my girlfriend MaryBeth messaged me that the book series she was reading mentioned my husband’s grandfather in the book “Rich People Problems” (which are problems I’ve never known and never will) the third of the Crazy Rich Asians trilogy. What better time than then to order the three books on Amazon and treat myself to reading about the tribulations of rich people?
This was so cool–and I’m deeply shallow enough to have ordered all three books due to this paragraph!
Now, in the meantime, I got my laptop back. It was cleaned and rehauled and working but only after it took me an hour to figure out just how to get back on. Yeah. I’m that person.
But I decided to procrastinate writing and rather, opted for reclining on the loveseat in our sunroom. It was the weekend before Christmas and we would be traveling to New York to pick Roman up. I was on a hiatus from everything but work and Roman was about to embark on a two-week hiatus from work.
I read……
…and I read until Chippy joined me to let me know he needed to be fed!
We drove to the City to pick him up and I teared up at how beautiful NYC is in the winter. I know. I know..as much as I adore the hot weather and not having to wear shoes, there’s something about winter I find comforting. It’s the same with the communal living of an old pre-war NYC apartment building. But that’s another blog post—so I’ll continue with this.
While I realize living like this isn’t everyone’s cuppa tea, it makes me so comfortable and as though I’m nestled in a cocoon. You have no idea how much I miss City life. I cry when I look at this photo!
Back home, with my son and my husband, I was looking forward to just shy of a week off from work. I went into work on the Monday before Christmas with the remainder to stay home and cook and eat and bake and eat and eat and eat. And read. And relax. While preparing for Christmas, Roman and I took a drive around to put us in the spirit of the season. It worked.
Next to city living, I’m a sucker for big old homes like this. There is character and a story to be told. Aren’t this homes just so Christmasy?
On Christmas Eve, after a delightful meal of just the three of us, I was looking forward to blogging. I figured that Christmas morning would be quite the good time to wake up early and write. But that changed. A rain and wind storm were Mother Nature’s Christmas gift and our internet service was out. As was our landline phone (Yes. We have an old-school phone—strange but true). As was our cable TV service.
The table was set in a different tone this year. I went with black and cream. It just seemed appropriate for 2020!
You know what? It wasn’t that bad. We opened up a few gifts and enjoyed the remainder of the day.
I got a robe. And slippers. Give me another week and this robe will be food-stained!
I also received some great skincare and cleansing products. I think it was a hint to perhaps take a bath.
The meal was great. It was wonderful to have one of my kids at home. And eventually, Verizon sent a repair guy to come and make thing right. In fact, he arrived Sunday morning just hours before we drove Roman back to New York. The damage was, in fact, due to the storm and now everything is back to normal.
As I write the ending to this blog post, I’m happy that 2020 is behind us. Who knew what last year was to bring? I’ll admit. I did a lot of crying this morning.
Pretty much sums up my feelings about 2020! Oona sent this to me because she knows me so well!
I cried because I gained 30 pounds. But I’ll lose those pounds and have begun a plan to do so. I won’t do Weight Watchers. I won’t do Noom. I’ll just do Willpower. It won’t be easy. In fact, it’ll be very difficult. Food is my comfort. Food is my happy medication. Food is my stress-reliever. And I have to stop that behavior. And garnering up all my inner strength, I’ll do it. It will take time but I’ll do it.
There’s a lot more of me to love–or despise depending on how you feel about me. Oh My Gut!
I cried because I miss the kind of job I used to have before I had children. I was an executive secretary on Wall Street. I worked for a company that took care of me and I was loyal AF. After years of being a stay-at-home mom and re-entering the workforce at 50 plus years old, I realized what true ageism is. And it hasn’t stopped. I’ve never had another job to equal my beloved job at Morgan Guaranty. The company I’m with now, only cares about profit and not me. It’s a sad truth. But—in this time of difficulty, I’m fortunate to have a job. I’m fortunate to work for two great women. I’m fortunate to have medical insurance. And I have to stop that behavior of looking back at a time when companies took care of their employees and corporate loyalty. I can look forward to five o’clock when I can come home and concentrate on writing! I need to move ahead!
This is where I worked. The building on the left–across from the NYSE. And my salary was higher back then then it is now. I had free lunch. Working after 5PM? A car service drove me back uptown. Those days are over and I need to move forward!
I cried because the aging process has left me with a sagging body and with more wrinkles than I could have imagined. I cried because I miss that luxurious head of hair I used to have. I cried because the woman in the mirror looks elderly now. I don’t know the exact moment when it happened. When did I lose my youth? I can’t be that old—or can I? But I’ll deal with it. I’ll continue to enjoy my time every morning when I transform my aging face with its spots, uneven coloring and lines, scars and wrinkles into a better version of myself.
The pity party ended.
I picked myself up, dusted myself off, and realized what I’m going through is normal. 2020 was a year we all want to forget. Many of us gained weight. Many (oh I’m jealous) actually lost weight. We were worried and stressed and felt like we aged ten or twenty years. Our social lives came to a halt. We couldn’t see loved ones. (Sorry but Zoom and Facetime aren’t cutting it for me). 2020 was the year when we ceased going to a weekend movie. We couldn’t make plans to meet for a drink. We couldn’t call a friend and meet for dinner.
It does seem that way–doesn’t it? Hopefully during this new year the world will reopen!
2020 brought serious polarization. More hate. More viciousness. More rebellion. It made many of us rethink the kinds of people we do want to be with and those we don’t want anywhere near us when this virus ends. The pandemic changed life as we know it. That was 2020.
Sorry Charlie but your behavior is NOTHING to be proud of. It’s vulgar and violent.
Perhaps 2021 will be better. We have hope for this new year. A vaccine could be just the thing we need. But more than that, we need to believe things will get better. We will be social once again. We will see our loved ones and hold them and hug them and enjoy them. We will be able to enjoy an afternoon at the movies again—and escape the hot weather with two hours of luxurious air-conditioning inside a theatre with surround sound while watching a story play out on a big screen. We will be able to meet our friends at a bar or restaurant.
Let’s welcome 2021 as we would welcome our loved ones or friends.
I got rid of the grease stain! Have a great New Year all!
It’s nice to be back!
I enjoy your blog so much! Don’t be so hard on yourself…
You always manage to make me laugh. I love your blog and I keep looking at all those great hair pieces which one day will be in my future as well my hair is thinnng quickly and you inspire me that it will be ok to embrace the different hair looks. Keep writing and posting on that weight thing I’m right there with you from an 8 to a 12 ! I bought a new pair of jeans that fit that are on constant wash wear repeat so I’ll be joining you in the new year trying to discipline myself
Thanks so much Janet! I have a wig that I’ll be reviewing on my YouTube channel hopefully tomorrow. But yeah. The freaking weight gain. Why is it so easy to put those pounds on and so difficult to lose them???? Stay tuned and we’ll be disciplined together!
Oh Catherine, I so loved reading this and knowing that I wasn’t the only one who had a pity party! I had a little weep on Christmas Day, just remembering how it used to be. But like you, I have turned the corner and hooray, we have so much to look forward to! Happy New Year and thank you for everything. Xx
It is always refreshing to read your posts. I have to say, you carry your weight marvelously, you look terrific and as you say, you will take it off in your own way. I discovered and followed your blog in 2020, enjoying and admiring your candor, tenacity and humor. Thanks for that boost of inspiration you bring to your writing. Best wishes for your daughter’s safe delivery of your grandchild and for a 2021 filled with all the things that bring you contentment.
Thank you Marietta! LOL. Luckily, I have big bones and am not a slight person. And I adore clothing with stretch! Thank you for following and being a part of this great group!!! XOXOXOXO
I am sorry you have had such a rough time. We all know you are a survivor! Sometimes though we just need to let the emotions flow and get them out. I am with you – I am suddenly old. Was it the horrible year that made it happen? I don’t know. But, we are still here so we will carry on, and even have some fun too! I wish you all good things in the new year.
Hi Maryellen! YES! it was this year that aged us. Both physically AND emotionally. I swear 2020 is that year to forget. Christmas even felt weird this year–but we dust off and march forward! XOXOXOXOXO
Hi Catherine, I’m a new follower and so happy to have found your blog and social media posts. It almost feels like your message/story is being told by me (as I sit here wearing leggings because they are soooo comfortable)! There’s no question that we are hard on ourselves. After all, we’re only human. But, having women who I can relate to gives me warmth and comfort. Your confidence and strength and your ability to communicate so thoroughly is an inspiration to so many. We’re not alone. Thank you for your blog and your messages. Keep writing. Keep living the dream. And, most importantly, stay safe and healthy. Happy New Year!
Hi Elizabeth! Thank you so much for your encouraging and kind words. I’m so happy to be continuing to write about my foibles. Life is more imperfect than perfect and I’m happy to see that my keeping it real is being appreciated! Thank you so much again! XXOXOXOXO
I think this is your first post that made me cry, it is a good thing though that I believe in the power of healing tears. I’m right there with you, looking forward to the possibility that 2021 brings positive changes in our lives.
Thank you Arabella! You know, sometimes we need good cry because it’s healing! Happy New Year to you!! XOXOXOXO
Happy New Year to you and Vincent. Glad I’m not the only one with extra weight – whilst I am sorry for your extra pounds I feel less alone. I think I’m carrying about 40 pounds more than I need – but when you’re ready then maybe think about resurrecting the weekly weight loss post – that way whatever we all sign up for/or don’t we can support each other. I have a work wifey who lost half her body weight – HALF and is now a slim trim little thing that goes out for 6.30am runs, now I know that her programme wont work for me – but thats the thing, whatever works for the individual is great and if we all gee each other along then who cares what we are signed up for or not. We can use the group power you have created to do a great job. Anyway, I think you are looking fabulous
Hi Juliet! Ugh. That weight gain. I’m trying to spend the remainder of the weekend planning what I need to eat. I tried my hand at establishing a Whole Wheat bread recipe and it was an epic fail. The ads on the internet were driving me crazy so today I’m following one and will let you know how it turns out. Sometimes I just want a tuna sandwich or a tomato sandwich and am trying to not buy store bought! XOXXXXXO
If we make little tweaks and celebrate the little victories like when we pass on the cheese or something then we have achieved something, in time the little victories add up and we can gradually steer ourselves in the right direction – although to be fair trying to adjust my wayward self is like turning the titanic on a pinhead 🙂 Your female posse here is a great force for good change I reckon
Happy New Year – and hope for a brighter future. i worry when I don’t hear from you. I start to think what might be wrong with someone you love or even you. So a New Year’s gift was your blog in my mailbox this morning. I’m looking forward to having a messy life once again sometime soon. Enough with waiting for Godot!
Best of luck with the weight loss. I need to ditch the sweets and carbs too.
Hi Bonnie! Thank you so much! Ugh. This laptop is such a PIA! But at the point I had to get it serviced, I threw my hands up and just decided to take the last weeks of December off! Yeah. Hopefully this weight will come off by the summer! LOL! XOXOXOXO
I enjoyed your post- I have similar love of NYC- I worked down the street from you in the early 80s! ( 25 Broadway) I also remember the free lunches we could order in from local restaurants and the car service!
Thanks Rachael and Happy New Year! Those were the days to be employed! Corporate life was so much kinder back then! XOXOXO
Happy New Year sweet stuff!! Agree with Bonnie that I worry when we don’t hear from our girl! Good to know you were taking it easy with Bonaparte, Roman and Chippy! I was managing to lose some poundage then retirement came end of November and pandemic pudge started gathering over December. Back to intermittent fasting 18/6. Which I can do as long as I get my Cawfee! I walked sooo much at work so I need to get off the ‘wide end’ ( remember them from vintage SNL??)
and get moving on the daily.
You’ll get it under control over the coming weeks, you’ve done it before but don’t be too hard on yourself. 2020 has been crap. It’s had a few highlights…dumping Trump for one! For me a new baby grandson last January, for you a new one on the horizon. And there’s a new vaccine in town which will tell Covid to get outta Dodge. Unfortunately Covid ain’t leaving without a gun fight so be safe, stay healthy, mask up and sanitize the hands and hasn’t THAT had the aging effect on our elderly epidermis and nails? But we are PRO aging and would rather have wrinkly hands slathered in hand sanitizer than the alternative. There is always hand cream!
All the best to you and your family my dear friend. Know that you are the bright spot in so many of our lives, a pro aging woman keeping it real and telling it as it is!!
Bring on 2021, we are ready for our close up!!
Love, Momcat
Hi Mae! And Happy 2021! Ugh. I SIT so much at work that it’s painful –literally. When I get up I hurt! I’m so looking forward to Owen entering the world NEXT MONTH! He’s due on the 7th of February and I’m thrilled! I’m so happy that Trump will be outta here. Good God, the only good thing he’s done was make me rethink my relationships with those who don’t share my value system and ethical and moral compass! But let’s raise a toast to a better year! XOXOXOXO
Glad you draw the line at kibble. It tastes like crap. (Yes, I tried one.) Which is why I cook for my two pitties.
LOL! Cyndy. I did try kibble and it’s gross. Hmmmmmmmmmmm. maybe I should just try to eat stuff I hate. I’m back to reading the bittman book you recommended! XXOXOXO
It’s nice to see you back – and of course, to read of your holiday adventures! This last year (how I love to say that) was certainly a ring-tailed snorter, but the good part (perhaps the only good part) will come to fruition Jan 6 and finalization Jan 20 – two things to look forward to! Then we gird our loins, grit our teeth, and tackle all that needs tackling with a right good will, lending hands and shoulders to one another when needed, as you do so often!
Hi Marsha! Happy New Year! And it is wonderful to be back! XXOXOXOXO
Loved your vulnerable blog post this morning! We all can relate to your story. I also had a great job as an executive assistant but in Boston. I loved taking the train in and sipping my coffee or chatting with my fellow passengers en route to the city. We were treated so well by our employers with many perks from free coffee, interesting workshops, seminars, fantastic benefits and fun Holiday parties and swag. Toward the end, as I pro aged, I felt invisible and marginalized. In exactly one month I will be 69, my last year before entering my 70’s. Yesterday when I was FaceTiming with my daughter, I was staring at my reflection, horrified T my lines and bowels, very dismayed that my once youthful lips are now thin and my overall expression looks like resting bitch face even when I am not unhappy. My daughter clued in that I was examining my aged face in the mirror because apparently I was pulling my skin back the way we do when we are imagining what we would look like with a facelift. She snapped me back to reality when she tersely said, “Mom, that is not a mirror, it’s your phone and we are having a conversation!”. Startled, I sheepishly said “Sorry, I just look old”. Never one to mince words or to be sticky sett, she said “For Christ sakes Mom, you are going to be 69 on February 2nd and my 48th birthday is February 27th! What did you expect?” Shocked back into reality, I ended the conversation by saying”Happy New Year! I am going to ride my indoor cycle and be back in shape by this Summer!” Back to the Future for 2021 with renewed Hope and my fellow pro-ager girl squad to Shake it off”, as Taylor Swift sings. Good riddance to bad rubbish 2020. Onward and upward 2021! I love you, Cathe!😍😜
Lol, shoul say lines and jowls, not bowels! LMFAO!!!
🙂 I was trying to figure that one out
LOL! Well……..the bowels are dropping at times inappropriately! XOXOXOXOXOXO
Daughters….. if we didnt love them, their honesty might be a little bruising at times 🙂
LOL! I love you too Joan. Seriously. Oona may be 31 but she’s got the same personality as your daughter. She’s always telling me to “Stop it Mom” as though our roles are reversed. But yeah–company party’s–I remember at the Morgan Christmas Parties free cigarettes were supplied with the never-ending flow of booze and people almost fought over the never-ending trays of jumbo shrimp! Times certainly were different back then. Now corporations downsize by hiring from India, China and the like while letting American workers go. I honestly hope Joe does something about that when he’s sworn in. Tax corporations up the wazoo if they outsource. And what’s worse, after downsizing, the workers that remain are doing the work of three people. It’s really disgraceful! XOXOXOXOXO
I totally agree it’s disgraceful and with the work overload it is toxic and unhealthy!
Right??
Nice to have you back, Catherine! Wishing you — and all of us — a better, brighter 2021. By the way, you look wonderful!
Thank you Claudia! And a wonderful 2021 to you! BTW, I’ll always call her Dr. Biden too! 🙂 XXOXOXOXO
Great to have you back Catherine. Joan Brown-that was hysterical. Really.
Thank you Colleen! XOXOXOXO
Catherine, it could be worse – I have your 30 pounds but four inches less height to spread it around. Happy New Year and thanks for your blog.
Hi Jean. So true. So very true. Where I’m blessed is my husband likes me beefier. I think he envisions me as a steak! XOXOXOX
Oh, Cathe, what you have written is relatable to me from weight gain to rethinking relationships with some people after this tumultuous political year to looking in the mirror, seeing a 65 year old but still thinking I’m in my 40’s. My emotions have been all over the place but I am hopeful that the vaccine will get us back to some normalcy by the Fall. In the meantime, I try to focus on the blessings in my life from being a 15 year breast cancer survivor to being able to having two wonderful little boys call me Grandma. You are a beautiful person as you are and I so admire your honesty and grit. From one New Yorker to another, thank you.
Thank you Toni! And congratulations on your wonderful success of 15 years! Yeah. We really do need to rethink. I have siblings who pooh-pooh the vaccine and I’m all about it. People have been questioning the “long-term” results- I go back at them with “What about the long-term results of birth control medication” or “what about the long term results of Ritalin or any of those meds to calm overactive kids down–what happens to their bodies as they mature?”. There’s no response to my comebacks! My arm is at the ready! XOXOXOXO
Bonne année, bonne santé.
So glad you are back! I commiserate on the weight gain. Since our first lockdown in March, I haven’t been out and about as usual. Staying mostly at home and having to cook for three, lunch and dinner every day as hubby and daughter are working from home, the pounds have been piling on. I need to get a grip!
I also commiserate on low morale; you made me tear up. Remember you are not alone as I haven’t been my normal self either. I am without energy and just slouch around, not dressing up as I usually do and going make up free. I miss meeting up with my friends, going to the gym, having people over for dinner, going to museums and being able to put my feet under the dinner table and enjoying food someone else prepared. We’ll be celebrating our 36th anniversary in March, and I don’t know how we are going to celebrate this year. Unless the three course meal will be prepared by ME. Again! I don’t think we’ll be able to hop on a plane and whizz over to Madrid, Rome or Venice for an extended weekend, like we used to do, or have dinner at a posh restaurant in Paris. Restaurants are still closed and the virus is still raging on in the rest of Europe.
Hopefully 2021 will allow us to get back to some kind of normalcy. My husband is retiring this summer, my daughter will be leaving the nest and a new chapter in my life will open up. Changing houses is in the cards for us and I hope new exciting times lie ahead.
Now, about that weight gain….
Hugs Brigitte
Bonne Annee Brigitte! We haven’t been to a museum since last February before the lockdown and I miss just taking my time to study a painting and sitting down and observing the people and evesdropping on their comments. The husband has been very very sad that two trips to France were cancelled last year and he’s now questioning his mortality. I tell you if this pandemic didn’t affect people with the viurs it affected our emotional well-being. Hopefully this new year will bring hope. Congratulations on 36 years together. Hopefully by that time you will be able to get to Madrid or Rome! XXOXOXOX
We’ve missed you ~~ those grand old houses at Christmas, sigh. Your table, so beautiful. that 30lbs, so relatable – please listen to me and give intermittent fasting a go ~ it’s the health plan with the side effect of weight loss. No it’s not quick, but it’s do-able, free and you don’t deny anything – just think of it as time patterned eating. Stop eating after dinner, say 7pm. Start again at lunch. in the morning drink black coffee, black/unflavored tea or water. That’s it. So simple! the book “Delay, don’t deny” by Gin Stephens totally changed my life – a quick read. Her follow-up book, “Fast, feast, repeat” is more comprehensive and a longer read. I left 32lbs and 50″ in 2020. I’m 5’2, that’s 62″. It’s not fast but it works ~~ http://www.ginstephens.com
Cheers to you, our beautiful, fashionable, and ever-fabulous, Catherine!
-MJ
Happy New Year MJ! Yeah. I’m going to give the IF a go. Oona said it would be perfect for me. This year was havoc-wreaking so it’s time to get down to business here! I’m gonna check gin out. Thanks for the recommendation–it is greatly appreciated! XOXOXOXO
I second IF, it works! The only problem I have with Gin Stevens is she pushes OMAD ( one meal a day) you know you can eat a LOT of food at one sitting so I gained weight:( I moved over to 16/8 and then to 18/6 which is my sweet spot. Sometimes I do a really long 32-42 hour fast but not often. Just watch what you eat because you need nutritious food. I did my macros and let them dictate Mon-Sat. I do a smoothie with protein around 1pm and a full meal at 5:30-6:00pm I play with those times depending on how I feel.
I have wine on weekends and I don’t fast on Sunday. IF is really doable and once that fasting muscle kicks in it’s a breeze. You can move times around around too ie. go out for a nice brunch have a small snack later then start fasting. I just don’t eat after 7:30-8:00 but I make my own rules. The added plus is you feel so much better, less heartburn, food cravings, bloat goes away. Try it Cathe I think it will work for you. I lost weight in 2020 and but the Dec pudgies are here:(
No where near as much as past years though.
I’ve really missed your posts and was delighted to see the update this morning. This coming year will be exciting, and for me there are several take-aways from last year. I’ve distanced myself from people who are MAGAs. I do wonder how strange it will feel to be vaccinated and be able to socialize again, because I sort of adapted to the social distancing. Grateful to be healthy, and I have to say some of those obnoxious Mormon bloggers in Utah are downright annoying. They are just lucky they haven’t gotten The Trump Virus – either that or they aren’t being honest if they had it. People like that who refuse to wear masks and social distance are repulsive and selfish — and they are bragging about it on social media. I know I should stop reading their $hit and perhaps I will.
You’ll soon be a granny and that will be so wonderful. May your entire family stay healthy and let’s do a virtual toast to the New Year. Jan. 20 can’t come soon enough, and then let the investigations into Trump’s Mafia begin. I look forward to that. I recently watched History of the Eagles – what a great documentary on a popular band from our youth. Really well done and I highly recommend it!!! Take care!
I both laughed and cried when I read this. I did lose weight this year, but I am retired so I can focus on exercise. Haven’t done well with that lately. My son got a dog this year, and my husband wouldn’t let her stay Christmas Eve, so it was a weird Christmas. My husband had 2 surgeries the week before Christmas so I didn’t push it but next year will be different. I did get to see some of my grandkids and my great grandkids, one and adorable little 1 month old girl, so that helped. I will gladly take a do over next year. You’ll get the weight off!
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