Hanauma Bay, Hawaii – Me and Diane – October 1975
Dieting. Isn’t that a taboo word that we never admit to doing.
As a teenager who was out to please mom and the boyfriend, I tried many ways to stay thin. The boyfriend could tell if I weighed 93 lbs or 97 lbs. He called them elephant ears. What they really were was happy thighs.
There weren’t names for eating disorders in the 70’s but I now know I suffered from anorexia. Being only 5 feet tall, (I claim to be 5′ 1″. I’m really 5′ 1/2 “) means an extra pound or 2 looks like 25. I knew if I didn’t run several miles before going to go out for dinner, I wouldn’t weigh 93 pounds the next morning. So I would climb over my backyard fence into the middle school campus behind our house and run several times around the entire school fence line.
Over the years I have gained a few pounds. (HA!) Okay, so we all have excuses as to why we gain weight.
First, I had children. That’s the best excuse isn’t it? Only I was thin after having all my babies.
It must be something to do with, hmmm… how about, PTA, carpools, class parties, soccer… No? Didn’t think so.
I was in an auto accident in January of 2002. I injured my neck and shoulder and was pretty much in bed until I had surgery to repair both.
In April of 2006 I had major surgery which landed me in bed again. I am a firm believer that people should not live in bed.
So, enough with the excuses.
In June, NY and I started following the “Weight Watchers diet plan. We are on the “flexplan” which gives “points” to each food. We count the points we consume without going over our total daily points and the weight is dropping off. We both have lost over 20 pounds. We eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and rarely have to fight hunger binges. We can make our own meals or buy frozen meals. I highly recommend this weight loss plan. It’s healthy and filling and most importantly, the light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter and brighter.
Shauna says
Hooray for you!!! I love those treats, also. The raspberry is my favorite!
We have all struggled with one end or the other of the eating disorders!