Anyone who has ever worn pantyhose will know what I am talking about! Now, try being 100 pounds over weight and put pantyhose on. Sorry guys, but this post will make more sense to women!
Photo source: deviantart.com
You start at your feet, pull them tight, pull them up to your calves, then come the thighs, this is hard, you lift one leg like giving it strength, then lift the other, you twist and turn and pull the pantyhose to get them up and over the thighs. Then comes the hips and belly, at this point you become a contortionist!

You bend at the waist to gather more of the pantyhose. You pull, tug, twist, bend, groan, jump, jiggle and whatever else you have to do to get those dumb things on.

I was so out of breath getting those dumb things on. And I certainly didn’t want my dear husband to witness my pantyhose jiggle!

So I started wearing knee highs. Oh dear! To me that is such an old lady thing to do, but I could not deal with the pantyhose dance.

Instead, here's what I would do: I would buy control top pantyhose, cut the legs off and wear the pantie part with the knee highs. Not a pretty picture at all!

Last week, I realized my new church skirt needed pantyhose and not knee highs, as there was a small slit on the side that would look hideous with knee highs under them.

I bit the bullet and went to buy pantyhose.

Immediately I wondered What size do I get? I had no clue. The size charts all go by your weight and I don’t know how much I weighed! So, I did the best I could and some old habits do not die quickly, I got control top.

I got home and pulled them out of the package.

WOW--they look so small!

Oh dear, will I get them on? 

I didn’t want to do the secret dance, but I had to wear them with my skirt! So I started...
Feet OK.
Calves OK.
Thighs OK.
OK? Wow!
Hips and belly, oh my--they went on without too much dancing.
The next thing I knew, I had them up and on--and I wasn’t out of breath!

I didn’t have to dance to get my pantyhose on! This time I didn't have to be a contortionist!

Wow, oh wow--this program is really working for me in more ways than I knew!

Pantyhose, who in the world invented them?

Well at least now I know: I can wear these dumb things and they fit me right!

Another non-scale victory for me! LOL!
April 23, 2013
I'm heading off this afternoon for vacation in a few minutes. During the three weeks I'm away, a couple of my blog contributor friends will post to the blog and moderate comments. I'm taking the program with me and will stay in the river while I'm there. I'll be in Holland, France, and Italy. I will be back on May 9, 2013.
April 20, 2013
It's amazing how one can lose nearly a hundred pounds (9-10 sizes; my actual weight loss is not known) and how one little photo can leave you feeling like you haven't lost any weight at all. I had a situation last weekend that left me feeling like I hadn't lost an ounce of weight, but I have been able to put things into perspective and get over myself.
This blurry photo inspired me to buy a new camera.
Last weekend I had a great day visiting a cousin with my brothers in RI who we hadn't seen in years. We spent most of our visit talking family history. We went to Bridget Crowley's grave, our first relative from Ireland to come to America. A few years ago relatives donated money to put a headstone on her grave. It's hard to believe someone didn't do this 60 or 70 years ago, but I was happy to be part of making it happen at long last. I'd heard about Bridget over the years and I'm looking forward to learning more about her life and her family from my cousin.

While visiting we took a few photos of each other. Nobody can ever take a sharp photo with my iPhone, but I uploaded the photo anyhow because this is what I want to talk about this morning.

I was feeling great that day and then I saw this photo and my mood quickly changed. As blurry as the picture is - all I could see was my belly! Note to self: wear longer blouses with these jeans. I was so bummed about my belly hanging out like that and I felt embarrassed that I left the house in that outfit.

A few days later, I saw the obituary of my friend's husband, George Gladir and that helped pull things into perspective. Life isn't measured by the size of our belly or the size of our body. It's measure by the size of what we do with our lives.

We're all doing incredible things with our lives: changing them for the better and helping each other do the same. Today we focus on our bodies, but at some point, we get to move beyond this focus an on to bigger things in life. That's what I'm excited about, when I find the next big thing I can use all my energy to focus on instead of myself.

A friend once told me "If you don't know what you want, how can you possibly get it?" She's right. And it's time for me to figure out what I want next.

What about you? Do you have the next big thing lined up to do when your weight is no longer the focus of you life? You don't have to know what it is today, but you can start dreaming today. If you can't dream it - it won't happen, so dream big.
April 20, 2013
An act of terrorism happened in our backyard on Monday when bombs went off at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. My friends and family are all safe and I hope yours are too. I talked with my key hypnosis friends and many said they ate more than usual on Monday night, but they stayed on program. One friend said her response was to turn to what she learned over the years would comfort her: food. But her story has a happy ending.
My friend's new mantra
Overwhelmed with emotion about the Boston tragedy, unable to find the face-to-face support she needed, one of my key hypnosis friends turned to her old friend---food. Tuesday morning she told me "It was a very quick minimal visit, and it ended with a tall glass of milk--a new friend. So it's behind me, but the sadness of yesterday is not. I wasn't going to tell anyone, but I believe asking for support will help me through this."

She was encouraged by words from another key friend "this is only a test." My friend embraced these words and created a new mantra for herself, which she carries with her on her iPhone:
This is a test
Off the Wheel
Reveal to heal
Plan
Hugs
Breathe
There we have it - a happy ending for my friend!

My reaction Monday night: I ate two dinners Monday night; all foods on program. I don't have non-program foods in the house; one benefit of living alone. I got caught up in the news until late in the night and again all morning. I couldn't turn it off even there was so little new information. The news was so sensationalized and hypnotic that I couldn't pull myself away. Being in a this kind of hypnotic state like this is akin to getting drunk: both leave you vulnerable to eating out of control.

If you went off program in reaction to Monday's tragedy, it's time to get back in the river right now. No amount of food dissolves pain or changes acts of terrorism. But there is something each of us can do: be successful in our lives, live happy lives, and take care of ourselves and our families - this is our best agent against terrorism.

Each day you stay in the river (on program), you teach yourself new ways to react to what life throws at you. Your automatic response will change over time, because you are training your mind to react in new ways. You will be tested along the way; it is part of the journey.

You should know that after the marathon bombing, good people did random acts of compassion. Things you should read about. Things to help soften the pain, to help us heal from that which we are at a loss of words to express. Here are a few stories you should know about:
April 17, 2013
Last week Linda wrote about following Julie's advice to get off the hamster wheel in her post "Letting My Inner Animal Out." In reading her story, I was inspired to do the same. I want to share what this experience looked like for me, so I created a few short videos in hopes to inspire you all to get off your hamster wheel too. Or, at least provide some comedy for you.
image source: Big & Small: My Cartoon Collection
In my first video, I capture what we look like when we fail to switch up our exercise routines: we look like and act like hamsters spinning round and round going nowhere. Just like our foods, which we mix up instead of eating the same foods over and over, allowing our minds to think we're on a diet, which halts our weight loss, our bodies want us to mix things up too. Do something different for exercise this week, rather than the same exercise week after week.

Get off the Hamster Wheel (5 seconds)


It's so painful to watch oursleves looking like a rat in a cage, I ended it quickly.

This is next video is me jogging. I did three takes and I crack myself up. I hope you get a good laugh too.

Jogging: Take One (1 minute 57 seconds)


Take Two (36 seconds)

Take Three (1 minute 12 seconds)


If you've been having a hard time getting off the hamster wheel, read this inspiring article
Get Off the Hamster Wheel, in which author Karen Kimsey-House writes deep and profound thoughts about how to see the difference between doing something because it comes from a a genuine desire inside us rather than the hamster wheel approach.

Here's an excerpt from Get Off the Hamster Wheel:
We need to be in action to make dreams real in the world, but action needs to be connected to a larger sense of meaning. Why are you doing what you're doing? Are you doing it because you should or is it coming from inside you from a genuine desire? The Hamster Wheel approach: If I exercise three times a week, I'm "good." Or, if I go to see my mother-in-law twice a month, I'm "good." The Co-Active approach I am advocating for you: I care deeply about my health and well-being, so I devote time to nurture my body. My relationship with my mother-in-law is important to me, therefore I'm going to invest in it. See the difference?
Now go outside and get moving in the real world!
April 14, 2013
Here a couple question about what to do if you have a stomach bug that someone asked on the FAQ page. I want to bring to this to the surface, so those of you who have had this issue can share your experiences.

Anonymous, March 30, 2013:
This week my family had the stomach bug that lasted for days. Myself included. I am now over two months with the hypnosis and have been doing great...up to this point. I tried just eating chicken broth and staying hydrated with water. I just found that I was not getting my energy back. The thought of eating protein made me nauseous. I finally broke down and started to eat some saltines and drank Pedialyte. I quickly got my energy back but sure enough that made those darn Army men come running out. 3 days off (and I would love to say I just ate saltines but I would be lying) and today I am back on and feeling better.

What is done is done and I hope I have not messed up my hypnosis too much. I live far away and do not want to have to travel (or pay!) for a refresher.

Has anyone else faced this? Is there a way to stay on the plan yet be able to get better?

April 10, 2013
I subscribe to a mail list from SparkPeople and I find many of their articles inspirational. With a mission to "Spark millions of People around the world to get healthy and reach new goals every day" - who wouldn't want to hear what they say? This morning's article provided a hundred reasons to work out today.
100 Reasons to Work Out Today; image source SparkPeople
Since we're having such great weather, I thought we could all use this bonus to help us get outside to exercise, so I copied their list below. Do any of these motivate you to get out there today?

100 Reasons to Exercise Now
  1. Because it makes you feel confident
  2. Because it helps you get stronger
  3. Because exercise helps combat depression
  4. Because you'll feel proud of yourself
  5. Because you have goals you want to reach
  6. Because you'll feel bad if you don't
  7. Because you want to move forward, not backward
  8. Because it burns more calories than not working out
  9. Because it improves your heart health
  10. Because you want a great butt
  11. Because it prevents diabetes
  12. Because you want to be a good example to your kids
  13. Because you want to feel good in your clothes
  14. Because it reduces your risk of cancer
  15. Because your body was made to move
  16. Because you want to be an athlete
  17. Because you want to look better
  18. Because it lifts your mood
  19. Because you want to stand taller
  20. Because it reduces back pain
  21. Because it feels good
  22. Because it makes you feel accomplished
  23. Because you spend most of your day on your butt
  24. Because swimsuit season is always coming
  25. Because strong is the new skinny
  26. Because dieting only works so much
  27. Because it strengthens your bones, too
  28. Because it helps you lose weight
  29. Because it allows you to eat more food
  30. Because it's the best way to spend "me" time
  31. Because it helps you de-stress
  32. Because it's cheaper than therapy
  33. Because you want a strong core
  34. Because you want to take care for yourself
  35. Because you take pride in your body
  36. Because it strengthens your legs
  37. Because it helps your clothes fit better
  38. Because you want to push yourself
  39. Because you are capable of more than you ever imagined
  40. Because moving your body feels good
  41. Because it keeps your mind sharp
  42. Because it helps you beat belly bloat
  43. Because it helps you sleep better at night
  44. Because it gives you energy
  45. Because you want to stay healthy as you age
  46. Because you want to look younger
  47. Because you want toned arms
  48. Because it improves your balance
  49. Because it burns off last night's dessert
  50. Because it boosts your immune system
  51. Because sweat is sexy
  52. Because you want to live longer
  53. Because you want to get better at your game
  54. Because you want to catch some one's eye
  55. Because exercisers earn more money
  56. Because you're more likely to eat better when you exercise
  57. Because you want to shave time off your running pace
  58. Because you want to breathe easier
  59. Because you want to see the scale drop
  60. Because exercise improves your sex life
  61. Because you are worth it
  62. Because being fit makes everything in life better
  63. Because you promised yourself that you would
  64. Because you deserve a better life
  65. Because it'll help you drink more water
  66. Because you want to do real push-ups
  67. Because it reduces your health care costs
  68. Because you'll miss fewer days of work
  69. Because you want to create a new future for yourself
  70. Because it'll help you like what you see in the mirror
  71. Because it makes clothing shopping more fun
  72. Because you want to look and feel incredible
  73. Because exercising can be fun
  74. Because it'll give your skin a glow
  75. Because it's a good way to spend time with your friends
  76. Because it'll help you prevent the middle-age spread
  77. Because it reduces your blood pressure
  78. Because you don't want to let yourself go
  79. Because you don't want to squeeze into an airplane or roller coaster seat
  80. Because it strengthens your spirit
  81. Because it's a cheap way to entertain yourself
  82. Because you'll be able to reward yourself
  83. Because you need a reason to wear those new workout clothes
  84. Because you're tired of being tired
  85. Because not working out is not going to get you very far
  86. Because it's a great way to spend time outside
  87. Because you made a commitment to yourself
  88. Because you're tired of starting over
  89. Because there will always be another wedding, vacation or reunion
  90. Because you're not a quitter
  91. Because it improves your cholesterol
  92. Because it boosts your metabolism
  93. Because it prevents age-related muscle loss
  94. Because if you can do this, you can do anything
  95. Because a fit body is a healthy body
  96. Because it beats sitting on the couch
  97. Because  everyone has at least 10 minutes to spare
  98. Because you want to be stronger than your excuses
  99. Because not working out isn't working out for you
  100. Because the only workout you ever regret is the one you skip

source: Daily Spark
April 09, 2013
To anyone who has been to one of Julie’s re-freshers lately you know what I am talking about. I am really working hard to let out my ‘inner animal’

Activity has never been one of my finer points in my life, but after hearing Julie explain and use the hamster example I realize, it is time to really start. She isn’t magic and it really is up to me to let this animal out.

So spontaneous walking I have started.

The first day I decided my inner animal was a rabbit, I walked with a friend and we walked for over 45 minutes, up and down hills and fast. OH MY!! I was sore for days. YUK!!

The second day my animal was a turtle, I walked with another friend, up and down hills for 20 minutes, much slower and that was better.

The third day, my animal was a dog, no one to walk with but my grandchildren. So with a 1 year old in a carriage and a 3 year old hanging on we walked to my daughter’s house and back to mine. Didn’t time it, as you can imagine, I had my hands full. When we got back to my house I let the kids play outside. I decided my ‘inner animal’ needed to do some yard work and thus made that animal start raking the yard.

That animal, HOWELED, GROWELED, BARKED, and BIT ME as we raked. I am lazy by nature.

But raked we did, and boy I went to bed very early that night…

Yesterday in church, I obviously couldn't exercise, but I did fidget! I felt like a sleeping dog whose legs run while they sleep, or tails wag while laying down. Wasn't a real sweat breaker, but parts of my body were constantly moving. We are in church for 4 hours with an hour and 1/2 lunch/fellowship break, so I really got in some major fidgeting!!! Basically sitting with my legs crossed (do you remember that post when I crossed them for the first time? Don't laugh at my non scale victory?)

Why don’t I like to exercise, who knows!

Do I know it needs to become a part of my life, YES!!

Will I do it to reach my goal size, I HAVE NO CHOICE!

I am writing this and trying to decide what animal will come out today, even though I feel like a slug, maybe I will be a monkey and get my 3 grandchildren and just have fun with them outside. And while out there let the dog out again and do more raking (YUK) but I know I must move.

Like Theresa’s previous post, what am I willing to do to make this goal size happen!! ANYTHING!!! I WANT IT SO BAD I CAN TASTE IT (ok, so taste it probably isn’t the best term to use but you get my gist!)

Hey, if I can learn to eat vegetables and enjoy most of them, I can learn to move this body!

What animal will you be today? Putting it in that kind of perspective for me makes it a little more fun and some day I may even post on here that I like to exercise. Won’t that be a miracle!!! LOL!!! My former weight watchers leader would pass out if she learns I eat veggies now and am trying to exercise!!!!

Have fun with your journey!!! This is a GREAT way to live and loose weight!!!!!

April 08, 2013