Philippians 3:12-14 (The Message Bible)

I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.

Friday, June 18, 2010

Hips Don't Lie

Besides the number on the scale, besides having to SqEEzE into my jeans, do you know how I KNOW I've gained weight??????
My hip bones disappear.
And yes, my friends, this IS a tragedy. I LOVE my hips. (hey that's not something you hear women say everyday! ha ha) Okay, really, I don't love my HIPS...but I love my hip bones. When my tummy is flat and I've been working out diligently and eating right, they are pronounced and quite shapely and lovely. They frame my hard-earned abs just perfectly.
But today as I stood in the dressing room at Old Navy trying on a size larger pair of white linen shorts, I realized that I CAN'T SEE THEM ANYMORE!
AUGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!
Their absence is honestly the "last straw" for me, I can't stand it! I refuse to let them be suffocated by layers of blubber. I've worked toooo hard to set them free to let this happen!
So what's my game plan? .....Beats me! I've had ENOUGH of making plans/goals/decisions and failing. I'm not exactly sure what I'm going to do about this, but I know a few things:
1. Even my precious hip bones aren't more important than quality time with M, G and B.
2. A hour+ a day of exercise is too much to ask of myself (at least until school starts back up)...but maybe I could give half an hour!?!
3. Dessert is a necessity in my life and while I might be able to cut back, I've proven that I am incapable of cutting it OUT...and quite honestly, if I have to live life without eating a brownie fudge sundae every now and then, --then just go ahead and kill me now! :o)

So...there you have it peeps. The let down post. The one where all you people who think so highly of me just got your "bubble burst". I'm sorry. I've disappointed myself too. But along the way, I've also learned some priceless lessons about family/parenthood/God's calling on my life. While exercise and healthy eating will ALWAYS be a big part of my life and a priority for me, from here on out, they are taking a small baby step down the ladder.

4 comments:

KC said...

I'm proud of you girl. It took a lot of courage to put yourself out there like that, and be so honest. I think that's why we all love you so much; your honesty, that we can all relate to.

BTW: Who said we all have to have sculpted rock hard abs and no body fat, in order to be beautiful? Frankly I think a slim woman with muscle tone and definition is more beautiful that a rock hard muscular woman with little body fat (it just doesn't look natural or feminine).

Who said we have to do the same hour+ workouts EACH day to lose weight? We don't! Frankly, if your working out regularly, and having fun doing it, and eating healthy, then your living a healthy life.

If you are eating healthy most of the time and splurge on your favorite food occassionaly (not everyday though), then your doing great. I wouldn't want to live without my occassional ice cream cone....that's why I workout, so I can have my favorite foods occassionaly, then I don't feel deprived either.

I don't think exercise should be something you dread, because it takes so much time away from your family. It should be fun things you can all do together, or something you enjoy as a treat to yourself for being a great mom (we all need that alone time to focus on ourselves for even just 30 minutes a day...we are better mom's for it).

Hang in there sweetie. Remember, this is a "lifestyle", not just an exercise program. We all have to find a way to fit the exercise time and healthy nutrition into our busy lives, without sacrificing our family time...life is to short...when our kids are grown we wont say "boy I wish I'd spent more time exercising", instead we'll be saying "I wish I had spent more quality time with my children when they were at home" and that is exactly what you are doing. I'm proud of you for that!!!!

Rene' said...

I like the way u put that "they are taking small baby steps down the ladder" :) It can still be part of our lives but it doesn't have to be the main focus :) kudos to you! When I first started reading this I thought it was going somewhere else, and I was like "oh no, she's going to get crazy on this again and start running in that circle again" but instead (and I'm so proud of you!) you didn't brush aside the growth and positive acknowledgements u have made recently, you stuck with them and lifted them even higher! way to go sista! I love u and I love u even if I can't see your hip bones! joyfullness comes in the morning :) think about it.

Kate said...

is it wrong that reading this post made me very happy for you? not about the hip bones; i mourn the loss of mine too. but your priorities and your honesty make me smile.

love you girl!

PS - You're still one HAWT!!!! mama IMO!

Gina said...

Hey Jen! I love that you found your way over to my blog...totally obvious we have a lot in common! I found your blog back in March when my hubby & I started P90X (we finished at the end of May) and have been reading you since. I like that you're so devoted to your family & your faith. Lots of luck to you on this continued journey. I have a feeling you'll go on another fitness rampage soon...it seems in your blood a bit to take on a challenge. We all need a break every once in awhile though. Love your pic on the front page of your blog; you guys are super cute together! God Bless!