Monday, May 12, 2014

Weight Watchers Before and After: Update

If you've read one post of mine, it's probably this one. Where I confessed that after college graduation I had blindly gained weight while drinking studying, and then joined weight watchers and lost 25lbs in three months.

Here is proof, this actually happened.

About a year ago, I got on the scale I was 10 whole pounds heavier and my heart shattered right there.   Two five pounds bags of flour heavier, shoot me, but before you do, bring on the cookie dough were my actual thoughts.  But after further assessment, I realized my body fat was down and muscle mass was up. Not much to complain about, except my arms still looking fat...will they ever look how I want them look in pictures???
After another year, and a crazy encounter with a six week training program, I hopped on the scale to see a number that about made me shit my pants right there.  I mean at least then I'd be lighter, right?  ANOTHER five pounds heavier, but again 4.5 inches smaller throughout my upper half.  Not sure this picture can prove it, but here it is.

So two years out I am fifteen pounds heavier.
+15lbs. heavier 
-5 inches smaller
+ more muscle (3% increase in muscle mass)
- less fat (-2% in body fat)

I plan on going 'hardcore' (this is relative) with working out and watching my weight two months before our wedding.  If we're being honest, I'll probably join WW again- it's interactive, and holds me VERY accountable in a way that I can't be on my own.  Like those two crunch wrap supremes I scarfed down after the Tim McGraw concert on Friday.  Sweet mother of all things sinfully delicious, they were awesome, and will be paid for in full by my weight, I am almost sure.

Monday, May 5, 2014

On Motherhood

Having a little one in the terrible twos can be exhausting.  Take this weekend for example when she spent all of Saturday begging, and I mean begging to go to great grandmas pool to beat the heat.  When we finally loaded up, and delivered on her endless whines by taking her for a quick swim, she proceeded to 'shake' right next to me every single time, leaving me soaked to the bone.  But after almost an hour of diving, I was wet, and she was ready to come home.

This picture was snapped moments before she ran off to the car, only after being sternly reminded three times that no, she could not jump back in the pool.  Seconds before the picture,  I had opened the towel and welcomed her in my arms, and for that second I felt like I 'real' Mom.

I don't mean the word 'real' to sound offensive, because the modern take on Mom can encompass anything and everything, which embrace myself.  To Zoey, I am Mom, and my fiance often references me as Mom when talking to her which I, not so secretly, love.

What I think strikes me most about this picture is, I know it will exist again in my life.  I get that this exact picture won't 'exist again', but the premise of the picture will exist again, which is the feeling I was overwhelmed with.  I am confident that in my lifetime, I will have pictures like this with nieces and nephews, and at some point, my actual child and children.

Bending down to welcome and comfort with a warm embrace, wrapping them up tight to shower them with love demonstrated in that moment in the form of incessant kisses, and smiling so big for the camera that most certainly the lens won't be able to capture warmth and fullness the heart is feeling will happen again.

I'm already a Mom, but someday when my role as 'Mom' has a longer definition and bigger job description, we'll be making memories like the one captured here.  We'll have this moment again together, and that is what makes my heart so full and happy.

I've got lots to be thankful for.