Sunday, September 13, 2009

Dressing Room Confessions

Behold our first guest post from a Biggest Loser Mom contestant. Please welcome my friend, Sue.

I had an epiphany yesterday. And not the good kind where someone brings you gold, frankincense and myrrh.

My 9-year old needs an outfit for school picture day this week. So we headed to Kohls over the weekend and loaded up the dressing room with outfits. (Every one in which her 9-year old body looked adorable.) You know what wasn't adorable?

I caught a glimpse of myself standing behind her in the ginormous mirror.

HOLY HELL!!! Is THAT what I look like???

I don't have a full-length mirror in my house. And I know I have put on a "few" pounds in the past year, but I really had no idea that anyone else could see them. Except, like I said, HOLY HELL! The image in the mirror was not at ALL how I thought I looked. I hardly recognized myself.

I have to admit, I've been a little lazy about this challenge. I was waiting for preschool to start so I could exercise without a four-year old climbing on me. And then school started last week and I was really behind on my errands, so I thought I'd just spend a few days running those first. And, you know, the pumpkin spice lattes are back at Starbucks, so while I was running my errands, lemme grab one of those...

But looking in that mirror at Kohls, I knew. There is no more denying it. And no laziness. IT MUST STOP HERE. I need to lace up my dreaded sneakers and hit the streets. Which I did, the very morning after. And I must pry the chocolate chip cookies from my hands and tape my mouth shut.

These past 12 or so months, I've been in denial. I eat generally healthy. Ok, except for the aforementioned cookies. (Ok AND the lattes.) But I have no portion control. And I don't exercise. Because I hate it. HATE. IT.

So here are my resolutions for this week.

  • Eat MUCH smaller portions. Use a salad plate instead of a dinner plate. Use a mug instead of a bowl. Drink a whole bottle of water first, any time I feel like snacking.

  • Exercise in some way, every day. Whether it's spending 20 minutes with the dreaded Jillian, walking my daughter to preschool instead of driving or hitting the elliptical at the gym. (Hello Ballys! Remember me? I haven't been here since May!) And here's how I will enforce this resolution... I won't open Google Reader until I have exercised. (Gotta hit myself where it counts.)


How is everyone else doing? Any resolutions to share?


If blogging burned calories, Sue would be skinny. (Wouldn't we all?) Since it doesn't, she is hoping to lose 30 pounds the old-fashioned way. And plans to use exercise as a new way to avoid doing the laundry. She writes at Laundry for Six, DC Metro Moms and Blissfully Domestic.

8 comments:

Liz Jimenez said...

Oh Sue, sing it sister! We don't have any full-length mirrors at our house, either. I get virtually smacked in the face when we visit my in-laws in Florida, who have a number of very large mirrors in the bathroom. As in, immediately outside of the SHOWER. GAH! Horrifying.

Excellent resolutions. And I would laugh about the Google Reader bit if it wasn't such a bold and brilliant idea.

I'm nearly done with the 30-Day Challenge on EA Sports Active, and will be meeting with Jillian when that's done. I'm afraid.

That, and my goal for this week is to try out the childcare room at the YMCA. Where I've had a membership for a looong time. And haven't been in... I don't even know.

Sarah, Goon Squad Sarah said...

The other day I was eating brunch and my table was next to a mirror so that I was sitting side-view.

It was gross.

I didn't finish my meal.

Stimey said...

Mirrors are the enemy. They should be avoided at all costs.

My nemesis is the storefront window. I always catch a glimpse of my body profile in them.

Ugh. I'm going running tomorrow morning.

Sarah, Goon Squad Sarah said...

I also hate reflective doors.

Laurie said...

Aw, Sue, like the other people commenting, I understand.

I know and like all of you so much, and it makes me sad that you go through this.

Photos are my arch-nemesis. But that three-way mirror on What Not to Wear? Couldn't hack it, I know. And I have trouble at the gym because the ellipticals I like to use are right in front of the mirrors and it's alarming to say the least.

My current resolutions are to increase my water intake again and to be active in ways that are fun and not solo/not only gym-related so I get myself out of this slump I've been in since early August. My work life is such that it has to be the gym during the week but I'm signing up for some new classes at work too so I can shake it up some. I don't know where you live but I'm happy to walk with you on the weekends while it's still nice. I need motivation! :)

Anonymous said...

Good timing- I stepped on the scale this morning, and was greeted with my highest number EVER. I mean, I know I ate some extra dessert this weekend, but highest EVER? Yikes.

Nancy said...

Oh man. Right there with you.

I just startled myself by looking in the mirror at the barber shop when I took my son for a haircut about a half hour ago. Blah.

I'm almost at the end of my 30 day challenge on the EA Sports Active as well. Not sure what I'll be doing next - but it HAS to be something.

Devra said...

You know what I'm going to do? I am going to buy a mirror and put it on our dining room table. You know those mirrors you can get on a stand? Like the one's at the jewelry counter? Maybe if I eat infront of a mirror I will remind myself to be a healthier eater, a slower eater, etc.

I'm thinking more and more that avoiding the mirror is what got me into this situation and maybe embracing it is the way to go.

I am also increasing my walking this week. My neighbor just got a puppy, I told her to call me whenever she walks the thing and I will go too. She may have to put me on a leash and drag me, but still...

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