alwaysinmyroom's Journal
July is here...Summer is just startingJul 06 2009 13:44
I can't tell you how many times I have set my goal to be "summer ready", meaning,to be able to wear a decent bathing suit, tank tops, etc. I think I have been doing this since I was 15, so, over 40 years! Some years, I made it: like my senior year of college--I went to Florida and spent all of my time in a bikini and short shorts...and then my 33rd birthday--I had more tank tops than any other piece of clothing...I thought this was going to be one of those years, but, it is not...I put on a tank top this weekend and decided I was one of those ladies that people would whisper "she should not be wearing that"...I thought I could rise above it and not care, but I do care...I know it might be silly, but I really do care more than I should about how I appear to others...damn...I hate this!!
But then, I started thinking: I am the only one who can change this. I have two ways to do it: a physical change, or, a mental one...is one easier than the other? Sure...the mental one is way easier...just don't give a hoot...uh huh...or is it really that much easier??
Just how many more pushups and tricep extensions must I do? How much weight does one have to lose in order to have nice arms? Maybe some of it is heredity--my mom weights 113 pounds and hates her arms...my sister weights about 150 and hates her arms...my nieces are young and beautiful and thin and they hate their arms! I see a pattern here...and not a good one or one I like or want to perpetuate...
Hubby came up with a sensible idea---quit focusing on my arms and accentuate something I like...holy mackeral...that makes perfect sense now...I like my smile and I like my feet and I do like my hips, even if they are boyishly straight...so, now it makes me focus on getting decent shorts and tops with short sleeves---I betcha no one will even notice my arms! Sometimes I love how men are much more practical and focused on a solution rather than whining about the "problem"--
For July, I am going to concentrate my efforts on highlighting and improving the things I can and forget about those things I probably have spent way too much energy on that I just can't change...goodbye arms, hello hips!
Sounds like you have a smart hubby. We tend to exaggerate our faults. On the other hand, we may have reached the age where nothing short of plastic surgery is going to make us look bikini ready again. Some adjustments are necessary. Sounds like shorts and short sleeves are a great compromise. |
In this latter phase of my life, I have decided that I either need to move to France where everyone wears speedos or bikinis no matter what... Thanks for your common sense and sense of humor always! |
I've always found that focusing on a date or a season is doomed for me. It was only when I decided to start feeling better for the here and now was I able to get with the programme. I think that had something to do with doing it for myself and not for the sake of other's opinions about me. Honestly, I started to feel the external pressures melt away when I could look myself on the mirror and know for sure that I was on the road to recovery and that was good enough for that day. That being said...try this... it's good motivation and pretty darn realistic.... http://www.losertown.org/eats/cal.php
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Thank you for the link...after Zumba class last night, one of the other girls and I were chatting about how much we worked out and why weren't we a size two by now...we both admitted that we liked our food and maybe we could help each other stay on track a bit more with our food plans! It truly helps to read about other people's successes and to learn as much as we can from others...I think that women have it a bit tougher than men as far as our outward appearance...as I get older, I feel much better about doing stuff for myself, but it is still difficult to get over the "pleasing others" part of my life...thank you reminding me that this is for ME! |
or else, as you said, adjust! I am encouraged by my MAIN goals: remain healthy and active; do the things I love to do with the people I love!
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