Regrets and Ambitions
April 11, 2007 at 2:13 PM
by Ashleigh
A long long time ago ....In between the garden and the school and the evening classes and the PTA and the kids' sports and the holiday planning and the urgent calls from foreign countries and the non-existent crafting, guess what I've decided to do?
I'm going back to the gym and I'm starting phase II of my weightloss plan.
A short recap of weight loss events up to now.
After I had Joe and we moved to the Netherlands my weight just kept climbing. I was never thin before, bar my teens and early twenties when I had a lovely eating disorder to go with my slimmer figure, but after Joe was born, wow.
I gained 25 kilos from a combination of loneliness (being an expat can do that), eating rubbish (all the food was surprisingly different), and sitting on my arse (two kids under 3).
In August 2005 I got to the point of actually being ashamed to catch sight of myself in a mirror and I started to do something about it.
I had been visiting an acupuncturist for a while and my eating habits had stabilised but I wasn't losing anything.
At the beginning of September 2005 I joined WLR and the gym, simultaneously.
I lost the first 25 kilos over a year.
Then I rested a year, partly because of ill health (I had managed to push my electrolytes out of whack, got gallstones and an ankle injury) and partly because of more of that sitting on my arse syndrome noted above.
Now I'm ready and I've started Phase II.
What's Phase II?
It's to lose another 25 kg which will place me at my goal weight and back looking like the picture you see above. In that photo I was five months pregnant.
I was getting dressed for my wedding to my first husband, a short-lived affair, but with consequences which still manage to reach across 12000 km to find me. Don't these things always have long-lasting consequences?
That's my mom in the background. She looks tight-lipped and annoyed, doesn't she?
You can see a colour full-length photo here which includes my ex. It's so strange to look at these photos and think that this was fifteen years ago.
Unfortunately I have no photos of my marriage to Brad, but we had a great day. I firmly believe the less fuss and to-do over the wedding, the more likely the marriage is to last. Of course, it helps if the bride isn' t just 18 and the groom actually wants to work, but that's a different story for a different blog post!
I've stayed within my 1200 calorie/day limit for two days now and today I'm off to the gym. Anything involving my right foot is offlimits, but I'm sure I can find something else to do.
If I can do this for 30 days it will become a habit again. 2 days down, 28 to go!
For inspiration on weight loss go read Diet Girl. Her other blog, What's New Pussycat? is also great!
Anyone want a diet buddy?
Comments
hey there ashleigh! i've dropped by many times after following your link from my comments but thought i'd pipe up today to wish you best of luck with your lard busting. and i hear ya on the expat loneliness thing, can remember all the mars bars i scoffed in my first year in scotland. all the best for the 28 days :)
Ash: Thanks Shauna, only 21 left now :)
We simply must compare first-wedding photos someday. There are some hilarious similarities (though I was nearly 10 years older than you).
I'm glad that you feel ready to get back to work on the weight loss issue - I know it's important to you. Just take it easy, okay? Like your previous comment says, 'pace yourself'!
See you soon???
Ashley, good luck with your goals. Emotional overeating became part of my life when we moved from Germany (my home country) in late 2003 to the US. I have to admit I have not tried a lot of dieting tips but I do try to eat healthier and I found an evening job, which keeps me off the couch and out of the fridge.
I'm sad to see you're not stitching anymore. I have always enjoyed your 'finis' on the Legacy.
Angie
Ash: Thanks for commenting Angie - I agree, it's a lifestyle change rather than a diet! Maybe one day I will start stitching again :)
It's interesting to see your photos from the past - thanks for sharing. By the way, I don't think your mother looks annoyed, it looks like she's just concentrating on your dress!
You made a beautiful bride! And I'm here rooting you on my friend. :)
Hi Ashleigh! The weight issue really stinks, doesn't it. I've fought with my weight my entire life. My mother unexpectedly died when I was 32 and I gained an awful amount of weight. I've managed to get 30 lbs off, but still have a long, long way to go. Hang in there. From the pictures I've seen of you, you are a beautiful young women with a family that loves you! If ever the stroopwafels calling your name, email me!!!
Good luck to you. I loved seeing that photo.
You were married to freakin' Jan Vayne :p.
(by all means, google him, if you are unaware of that phenomenon. he looks JUST like your ex!)
Anyway, you know, I could totally use a diet buddy, really.
I could use a diet buddy too! I have lost about 20 pounds and need to lost at least 10 more, thanks to a surgery last year.
Oh, do I relate, though my reasons for sitting on my arse have to do with consulting and not small children (yet).
Eating disorder to go with my slimmer figure? check.
Lonely expat life leading to excess calories? check.
Hitting rock bottom and deciding something must be done after not fitting into my already huge pants one day? check.
Ups and downs along the way back to healthy weight? check.
Good luck - this is such a hard thing to do, but so rewarding once you have some progress under your belt to motivate you.
Loved the photos, by the way. :)
Ash, this strikes such a note with me because my weight has been up and down all my life. Being an expat in a strange country where you don't speak the language too well and with tiny kids doesn't help either. I STILL have to address my problem with comfort eating - it's not out of control, but it's a coping mechanism and not a great one.
I love the picture of you with the great big smile.
I was 32 when I got married, which probabely makes a difference.
I gained about 40 kilo's since than (quit smoking, fertility treatments and thyroid disorder), I lost 25, gained 7 when my mother died and will loose the last ones coming year (I hope, I aim, I try). But I am more of a weithtwatch person; I have to learn control more than everything else, so I want to learn to eat nice things too, but in moderation.
Women and emotional eating - I feel I could write a book on it as I'm an expert. Like you I've put so much weight on over the years going from size 12 pre-children to - can't even bring myself to admit what now. I've decided to start walking the children to school from Monday and walking all the way back (uphill and tiring) and cutting back on things. I know I can do it I just need the initial willpower. Good luck to you Ash and thanks for bringing the subject up.
Good luck Ash!
I am back on the losing weight wagon, had to stop because of operation back slowly at it now.
Back slowly at the gym, should be back up to full speed next week. I have missed all my classes.
Think the key is to pace yourself - I don't calorie count, it just doesn't work for me. You have to do what works for the individual!
Good luck and I will keep encouraging you!
April 11, 2007 5:32 PM