Cheeseburgh

I wasn’t quoting anyone. I’m at a healthy/normal weight and BMI. Statistically it is very difficult for people to achieve a “normal” BMI especially if they have been overweight for most of their life. I just worry when people read about ideal weight they feel like maybe they failed if they don’t achieve that or if that is not their goal. Those of us who achieve the normal weight range are outliers. It is a good thing to aspire to if someone wants to, but it isn’t possible for everyone.

I personally think aiming for my high school/college weight (which would be the“ideal” weight) is ridiculous. I’m 58; almost 59, I’ve had 3 kids, quit smoking 20 years ago and had breast cancer. All 3 of those factors played into my weight gain in some fashion. I’m a Grandma now and my body is simply not the same as it was in the 70’s and 80’s, nor will it ever be. I’m realistic and I’m fine with where I am. I’m at my low normal 40-50 year old weight. I honestly wasn’t sure I would even achieve where I am. I feel fortunate that I did and I don’t take it for granted. *my height is rounded up here, I’m 5’3.5” Not everyone can achieve ideal weight ranges for a variety of reasons. Statistics show people who have surgery can expect to lose 60% of their excess weight, they aren’t failures. I have no idea why this struck a nerve with me, but it did.

3 mile walk today, we are no longer in an excessive heat warning! This is one of the gazebos on the river walk.

3 mile walk today, we are no longer in an excessive heat warning! This is one of the gazebos on the river walk.

@Freiabr I really love your dress!

I initially set mine for 140 which seemed realistic and yet so far to me, but it gave me something to shoot for. Around March I was beginning to wonder if I was being too ambitious because my weight loss slowed down to a crawl. I worked hard and hit 140 about 5 weeks ago then decided to aim lower. I’m 58 and I do think age is a factor for most of us when trying to lose, even after surgery. Please note, I am shorter than you and I weighed in the 140’s 10 years ago. We are all different. My advice is to pick a realistic goal weight so when you reach it you will have a better grasp on how you feel, how active you are and your diet. You can always change your goal. Psychologically it would be tough for me to set a goal I might not reach. So many people lose a bunch of weight yet still feel like they failed. I believe hitting a goal boosts your confidence and morale, at least it did for me. Best of luck to you.

Check in on arms: I am working on strength. I feel like I just have crummy upper body strength. Some exercises are getting easier but some of them remain a challenge for me. I’ve been “shooting hoops” in my driveway for extra arm work, it really is a decent workout. I played basketball in high school and it is how I used to relax and clear my mind. I do get a little self conscious hoping the neighborhood kids aren’t laughing at the old lady playing ball. I get over it pretty quickly when I realize they could care less who I am or what I do! Pictures: All dolled up. No photo. Last night was the opposite of that, sweat shorts and comfy t-shirt. Happiness: So many to choose from this year alone. I’ll think about this one a bit.

I think we were separated at birth.

I just realized after reading @Saved4Ever post that I never bought plus size clothing because of vanity sizing that is available. I could still wear JJill xl or even L in certain things for sure. I simply wouldn’t buy anything if it didn’t fit in “regular sizes”. I think it gave me a warped view how big I actually was while I was gaining. It is crazy an obese person can wear brands that are labeled regular to boost sales. It did more harm than good for me. Looking back I realize it was getting harder to find things and that was when I asked my Dr about options. To answer your question I donated my clothes.

It’s super weird, I don’t know how I got so tan this year. My best guess is I’ve spent more time outdoors than I have the past few years. My ADHD prevents me from staying still long enough to lay out in the sun past 20 minutes. Old Navy shorts well represented on this thread!

The Cubs game was crazy hot yesterday but we made it! There is no way could I have made it through a day like yesterday last year. We left the house at 8:15 am and got home at 10 pm while it was a heat index of 106. I would have been too exhausted and overheated to stick it out. I’m so grateful I was able to go this year. We walked a lot and didn’t eat great, although we did have dinner at a fantastic taco place. I stayed just under 1000 calories. I swear I drank over a gallon of water at the game. Back to the routine today, however we are still under an extreme heat warning so I’ll probably stay indoors for the most part.

I’m no longer critical of how I look now that I’ve reached a healthy weight. It’s pretty much how I looked the majority of my life. I got obese fast so that was such a departure for me. I feel like me again and I feel comfortable in my own skin. Everyone looks great, everyone is a different age and body type with different goals. This is a fun thread, be proud of what you’ve accomplished!

Off I go to Wrigley! Hydration will be number 1 concern today.

Update: The burger was delicious, I had half of it. You have a large shoe collection!

I definitely have not worked out as much this week. I’ve been active and walking but not as much gym time. Sometimes I think I need to regroup and recharge. I’ll be walking 2 miles tonight because it isn’t going to be gross hot. Tomorrow will be another story. We’re going to Wrigley Field for the 1 pm game and the heat index is supposed to be 105-110. Maybe I’ll sweat off a few pounds.

Practically everything I own is polka dot or striped. I love all these outfits. This is my super cheap comfortable t-shirt dress I live in. Nothing fancy, throw and go.

@sillykitty Here are the shoes, they are super comfortable. I love everything this store carries as a rule. Boden USA shoes

Here is one at Amazon, looks like the kind at Doctors office. Healthometer scale

I’m so excited. The club we joined has burger night on Thursdays and we are going tomorrow night. I am having a burger, not chicken, a burger! I might go rogue and eat half of the bun too. They have healthy side choices like fruit so I’m covered. I haven’t had a burger in forever. I have an iron sleeve so I have no fears. How pathetic is my excitement?

It really is a great picture !

Made this last night and had leftovers for lunch. Smoked a lean carnitas (Frontera) marinated pork loin. I’m lucky, my husband really knows how to smoke and grill and I’m a decent cook. This is 2 oz with 2 Mission street corn tortillas, a teaspoon of pineapple salsa. It was amazing and 160 calories. I can stay on plan because I eat well and don’t feel deprived.

B. Who do I resemble. It is an obscure actress, Linda Fiorentino. When the original Men in Black came out strangers would stop me to inform me of the resemblance. “You look just like the actress in Men in Black”. I think it happened 10+ times over a few months. I’m sure it helped that we had the same hairstyle and color. Even my husband mentioned it separately one day. I kind of see the resemblance, but not to the degree where I was stopped on the street. This was 20 years ago, so not so much now.

I just realized my love of navy blue is well represented in my picture.

Cute outfits! I’ll play too.

Went to the gym and did cardio and weights. As I was doing a set of arm pull down things the trainer walked in and corrected my form. Ouch, no wonder I thought they were easy, I was doing it wrong!