I Feel Like A Slug...

me with my boys on vacation...approx. 9-10 years ago...

I'm not quite sure what happened.

Or how it happened.

Or when it happened.

But my metabolism just isn't what it used to be.

on a trip w/ hubby...probably 9 or 10 years ago...

 So many moms gain their weight during their pregnancy, and then have a hard time losing the baby weight.  That was never the case for me.  I only gained 19 pounds with my first son, and 22 with my second.  I walked out of the hospital after having my first son weighing one pound LESS than my pre-pregnancy weight.  Yes.  I said A FULL POUND LESS than my PRE-pregnancy weight!  (please don't hate me!)

 I always had a great metabolism.  I never had to diet.  I could eat whatever I wanted.

I never really exercised.  I mean, hubby and I took walks.  I chased the boys around.

But I didn't "really" exercise.  And I never gained weight.

me and the boys 9-10 years ago...

 Then I started gaining weight.  It was a slow thing at first.

Each fall/winter, I'd gain maybe 4-5 pounds.  You know, it starts at Halloween with all the candy.  Then the big Thanksgiving dinner and pies.  Then Christmas comes with all of it's dips, spreads, cookies, and treats.  But after the holidays in late winter/early spring, I'd go on a diet and start exercising and I'd lose 7 or 8 pounds.  I'd get rid of the gut, gain more energy, look and feel better about myself.

me and my sis probably 7 or 8 years ago I'm guessing...

But then this year...everything changed.  I really don't know what happened.  Age?  Hormones?  Who knows.  Instead of the 4-5 pounds I normally gain each winter...

Between August and December...I gained 15 pounds.  It might not sound like a lot to some people.  And people who see me now say, "Oh, you look fine!"  Well, let me tell you...it's all about the clothes honey!  I do a lot of camouflaging!  All of my jeans are too tight.  All of my shirts are too tight.  I go through my closet each day looking for the baggiest/flowing blouses to hide my (more than) muffin top.  And it's not just how I look...it's how I feel.  I feel like a slug.  I feel unhealthy.  I feel tired...lethargic...unenergetic.  I feel out of breath doing the smallest things. 
It's time to change.

me...7 or 8 years ago...

Something's got to give.

I cannot do this anymore.

It's time to get back to portion control and exercising.

Because I feel (and look) awful.

I refuse to buy larger clothes.

I hesitate to share when I'm dieting because if someone sees me at a restaurant or eating pizza, they're thinking, "Uh-huh...there she goes messing up her diet!"  I can't "diet" like some people.  I'm not going all lean protein and greens.  I'm not counting points.  I cannot live if I deprive myself.  What I will do is do portion control.  I will make sure I'm eating "serving sizes".  If I want a cookie, I'll have ONE.  If I want ice cream, I'll have ONE scoop.  If I want pizza, I'll limit myself.  I'm not a HUGE eater to begin with.  I think the biggest thing for me is exercise.  I've got to get moving.  I'm rejoining our gym.  Hubby and I are going to get on the ARC trainers every day and get some cardio in.  I'm getting back on my fitness ball and doing my crunches again.  Gonna start working with the weights in my basement.  The slug is saying goodbye...because when your sweaters fit like spandex, it's time to make a change! 
(Note...these are all OLD pictures of me.  What my goal is!  I'm too embarrassed to post pictures of my currenet chubs!  Ha!)