Living Proof

Last weekend I made a quick, 72 hour trip to Sacramento to see family and attend the wedding of some dear friends. It was a much needed escape from reality and I'm surprised to say that one of the things I enjoyed most was talking to my parents KID FREE. It hadn't occurred to me that for the past 10 years there have always been kids in the room or outside or needing food... and while of course the kids were missed, it was also nice to be able to talk to my parents and just enjoy them. 

At the wedding I ended up sitting next to the gal that was our Sysco food representative for the restaurant that I worked with. About 5 minutes into the meal she turned to me and said, "You look lot different than I remember. Have you changed?" I responded that yes, now my hair was blond... and I had dropped about 60 lbs since I had seen her. 

Her response was, "That's awesome. I lost about 70 lbs nearly 35 years ago and it has been amazing to see how much my life changed." She went on to share how as the food representative every day as she entered different restaurants the owners tried to bring her their newest and fanciest meals... "just for a taste". She said she learned to just say "Oh, no thank you, I just ate breakfast/lunch" as that was the easiest way to stay on her plan and not offend anyone. She shared how over time working out became part of her maintenance plan, but it wasn't her entire focus and than only when she retired 2 years ago has she begun going to the gym or yoga on a daily basis. 

It took me a minute to connect the dots and realize that I don't think I had ever had a conversation with someone that could say that they kept weight off for 35 years. 

I mean... that's a long time. 

She shared how now she basically only ate meat and veggies and avoids complex carbs and refined sugars. And she also mentioned that she never forgot what it was like to be 70 lbs heavier... as she knew that deep inside those old habits were there.  She was sure to state also that she doesn't see herself as skinny, "but as healthy". 

As our conversation ended I felt a sense of encouragement. 

If she could do it... I could do it... and you can do it! 

Talking to someone that is living proof that maintaining weight loss is possible was huge and I hope that you too are encouraged by her success!

Giving Yourself Permission

There was a period of time time when every visit to my grandma's resulted in my bringing home something that she wanted to give me. Sometimes it was a sweater (80 year old-lady sweater), or appliances or jars of whatever or frozen meat or shoes or drapes... you get it - totally random stuff that she was passing along. Obviously I didn't fit nor need granny clothes, but I always took what she was giving me. You see, when I had shared this with my mom she asked me to just take whatever it was and give it to her so that she could toss/save/donate whatever it was to wherever it needed to go. There was no need to reject her blessing and in a way it was helping to empty out an overstuffed house that soon would need to be downsized for her future move to an independent living community.  So I took home lace slips and old makeup and spatulas - and then passed them along.

I had a conversation this week with someone who shared how she was at an event and at the end they divvied up all the food and she was sent home with a bag of homemade mac'n cheese. Talk about temptation! The host didn't want it in her fridge as she is super health conscious... but hey, aren't we too??? 

Hearing this story it remind me of my grandma and her pawning stuff off on me... and it reminded me that we need to give ourselves permission to toss/save/donate off-plan food that enters our homes from outside loving sources. 

We are not required to eat it.  

We can say thank you and throw it away. 

We can say thank you and save it in the freezer for when the grandkids come over, etc. 

We can donate it to a family that you may know could use a blessing or to someone on the street begging for food. 

There are many options of what you can do... but remember, you are not required to eat it!

Give yourself permission to say thank you and then make the best choice for your health. 

You are worth it!