Sometimes...it's the little things

So....one thing about me that might be considered odd, I like to pack for my vacations WAY EARLY!  I mean like I start planning in my head, 2 weeks out.  And I will confess, I also start trying on outfit options, 2 weeks out.  Yesterday I didn't take a lunch so I was home an hour early and decided to get out the ole summer clothes.  In past years, this was NOT enjoyable.  I would try things on and just not feel comfortable in them.  OR...I would sit there and pray they would be loose and they weren't. :( WOMP WOMP.  So as I started to try things on, I said a quick prayer and dug in.  I was shocked, things were loose or too big.  Yes, this is AWESOME!  But then I was like, "damn, I need new clothes".  Oopsie!  Good thing my mom lives near an amazing outlet mall in Florida that has J Crew! I wonder if I have time to get a part time job to pay for these clothes???  Let's see, I leave on Saturday....what can make me some quick cash.  Hmmm...the only thing that comes to mind involves a pole or a shady motel.  Yeah, I think I will just stick to my bargain shopping and wear some loose clothes! :-)

What I cannot get over about this is how it truly motivates me.  It makes me want to go workout.  And like I have said in past blogs, this used to give me the"OK" to go eat.  I didn't "get it".  Now I do.  I promise you, this is why I take progress pics.  In no way am I trying to show off or "flaunt" my body.  I want to share with all of those women in the same situation I was in.  I want them to see that they too, can get the results they want.  No matter how much you have to lose or how old you are.  I am 41, so the odds truly are stacked against me.  My metabolism is not like that of a 21 year old.  Hell, it never was!  I am the type that can look at food and gain weight.  It used to drive me crazy!!  I could NEVER eat without gaining.  And having 2 beautiful and skinny sisters that could, sucked!  But that is just how I was made.  I had to work at it, and still do.  At least now, I know what it takes to stay in shape.  I know the exact amount of calories I need to lose and to maintain.  I also know just how much I need to workout, to get results or just keep myself at a "happy place".

One thing I want people to see from my posts/pics is that you CAN get results at home.  You CAN just workout 20 minutes here and 20 minutes there, and get amazing results.  You can eat "normal" food and still lose.  I do NOT follow a specific diet, take a supplement or drink a shake.  When I did follow diets and drink shakes (slim fast) I never saw these kind of results.  I also want people to see that you can also get results with low weights.  I only use 3-5 pound weights.  Now this may not work for others, but it does for me.  It is how I got lean and firm.  Also know that just because the # on the scale isn't showing a major change, you can still have results.  I honestly do not know the weight difference in the above pic.  I am thinking maybe 5-7 pounds.  But who knows, it could be less!  All I care about is the change.  NOT the #.  Remember to me, the scale is the devil.  A devil that I would obsess about and one that would cause me to take major steps backwards, in my journey.  I just want people to know their options.  I see so many people struggling and using all kinds of diet shit, that, in the end, will not work.  You might drop the pounds fast, when using shakes to lose weight, but if you do not change your eating habits, that weight will find it's way back, once you start to eat "real food" again.  You know, I love to eat too much, to drink my meals.  JUST CAN'T DO IT.  I like to sit down to a meal and actually chew it.  I would much rather get 250 calories from some protein and veggies than from a shake.  But once again, that is just me.  I guess I feel like I can say this, because I have tried it ALL!  And the only thing that ever worked for long term, is eating everything in moderation.  I mean just last night, I had a hot fudge sundae from Mc Donalds.  Yep, that is right, I sure did!  And let me tell you, I scarfed it down!  BUT....my dinner was an open faced turkey burger with roasted veggies and brown rice.  That was only 310 calories! And it was so filling.  Oh and I had some wine with dinner. :-)  So I rewarded myself with a yummy!  No fat free crap for me.  I ate the real deal!  And I am pretty sure at one point, I licked the container.  :)

Wow this post has been a big ole rambling of crap!  Sorry!  Before I go, I will admit to one thing I ALWAYS dreamt about when I was losing weight.  I wanted to be able to look cute in pj bottoms and a bikini top, like the skinny bitches of VS.  Yes, I know, I should be dreaming of world peace and ending hunger.  Well, when you grow up fat and miserable, sometimes you dream about stupid crap!  So last night as I was trying stuff on, I did my own little VS shoot.  Oh yes, I went there!  I will share the pic with you.  It was kinda like a big NSV for me!! :-)  OH....and I bought this cute little jumpsuit thingy last year and HATED how I looked in it  But for some reason, I didn't return it or get rid of it.  As I was going through my summers stuff, I found it and gave it a try.  And....I liked it!  I think I will pair it with some cute wedges and fun jewelry, when I am on vaca!

I  hope you are all having a great week!  If you follow me on IG and commented on my progress pics, THANK YOU!!  You all are so sweet and keep me inspired.  I mean that!  I am not a person that blows smoke up people's behinds!  If I say it, I mean it.  I love you all and consider each and every one of you my friend!

                                                                 XOXO,
                                                                  Lori