Fabulous Day!

Angel Eyes Photography by Hilda Burke

That's me on my wedding day, one year ago yesterday!  I weighed 145 pounds and let me tell you...I was proud of the way I looked.  In order to become picture perfect, I steered clear of carbs and swore off sodium.  In other words, I put the fun in 'dysFUNctional'!!!  Naturally, once I cleared my goal I fell right back into old patterns.  Once my honey and I hit the beach in Bermuda I gorged on carbs (again...sigh). It didn't stop there.

My honeymoon was O-V-E-R on April 28th, 2011. This was the day of Kate and Will's wedding.  Sure my actual honeymoon had come to a close months earlier, but when this gal got hitched reality struck HARD.

On the day of their wedding my mother and I held hands, cried and poured the bubbly as Kate strolled down the aisle.  She was a vision!!  Redefining the idea of the words 'princess bride'.....

she was completely breath taking.  I couldn't help myself, I had to bust out my own dress and make the comparison.  To be honest, I had two dresses for my wedding.  A big old ball gown and a short party dress. I pulled out the short dress, frankly because it's much easier to get in and out of.

I slipped into the dress and then begged my mother for help.  "Ok, suck it in", she commanded as I turned blue in the face.
I thought I was going to pass out.  The dress wouldn't zip.  It wasn't even close.

My heart sank.  My mother tried to console me by saying, "At least you don't have to worry about wearing it anymore."  She was right, I would never have an excuse to wear my ivory lace party dress.  I mean, I can't exactly show up to a dinner party in a WEDDING DRESS!!!  My spirits were, nonetheless, dashed.  I was sure Kate would not let herself go after the big day.

So today...October 11th (366 days after I said "I DO!") I got back into my little party dress.  Ladies and Gents...IT ZIPS!!!!  And to be completely honest, I have not sworn off carbs.  I'm a happy little foodie!  I actually eat what makes me happy!!  I have wine, chocolate and carbs and my dress fits!  It's a good day!

The difference between me now and the me getting ready for the wedding...I make savvy choices!!  No seriously, I think about portions, working out and doing it again and again.  There's a guy at my gym who frequents many of the same classes as I do.  The instructors are aware of his commitment to the gym and feel compelled to share his 100+ pound weight loss story.  His key to success: KEEP COMING BACK.  He inspires me, much like Kate Middleton.  He keeps at it!  No matter how many pitfalls or countless days when he doesn't 'feel like it'...his dedication to his physical well being resulted in an inspirational story.

I'm not 100+ pounds overweight, but his message speaks to me.  I will forever be dedicated to my own well-being and preservation.  It's not a short term goal.  Being a savvy foodie will require a lifetime promise to doing better.

Angel Eyes Photography by Hilda Burke

Spanx = happy bridesmaid

Well my fellow savvy foodies, if you read my post 'Forgive me Father, I ate carbs', the wedding I was stressing about is just 48 hours away.  I loaded up on spanx, with spares just in case I get a runner, and I am ready to go!  To my delight, the dress fits like a glove.  Those carbs I had been cursing and (simultaneously) consuming (it was a bit of a schizophrenic scene) didn't hang out on my hips, after all!  I have sucked and tucked everything into where it should be.  I am ready to roll.  The challenge will be to keep from bloating.  I'm going to drink plenty of water and steer clear of beer and salty treats.


I kicked my butt at the gym, have maintained my savvy foodie ways and now it's (nearly) party time!  It's great to have a goal.  Something to strive for.  To say, "Yeah!  I can do it!"  I must always remember, after the goal has been met, it's still my health I must always honor.  So I will let myself off the hook, every now and then.  But it's back on my horse come Monday morning.

I'm throwing this picture in for a good laugh!  Hope you enjoy and be good to yourself!!

I kicked my own butt

In addition to being a savvy foodie, I also make exercise a normal part of my life.  There's no weight loss goal, I gave up on bikini season and I'm happily married (so he wisely tells me I'm a beautiful everyday).  I try to switch up my training, so as to avoid getting bored.  I "enjoy" yoga, strength training and I've survived 2 spin classes.

Over the weekend there was a substitute for my favorite strength training class.  I thought the usual teacher was tough, this sub was BRUTAL!  I've been working out, regularly, for 8 months and I consider myself to be strong.  Today is the first day I have actually been back to the gym.  I took 2 days off, not because I was busy but it pained me to walk.  So today I got back on my 'wagon' and I decided to take a spin class.  Oh sweet Jesus am I hurtin!  In a class of 25 regulars, I was the only gal who hadn't taken this class in months and the instructor was new to me.  He said I would probably hate him afterwards, and while I refrain from hating anyone...if I never see his face again, I'd be ok with that.

I know I'm in a ridiculous class when I keep looking at the clock.  That was the longest hour of my life!!  I kept trying to plot out an escape route, but my ego kept my butt on that uncomfortable bike seat.  I would have been too embarrassed to walk out after 15, 20, 35, 55 minutes.   I was the youngest person in the class and I felt a sense of obligation to the other spinners.  When I ran out of water, with 15 minutes still to go, I nearly justified a walk of shame.

The reason I'm blogging about this is to share a trick that keeps me going.   When I'm in a class with other people and there's no easy exit, my tendency is to stay right where I am and gut it out.  I mean, obviously I would have left if I thought death was the only alternative.  But seeing as how I was still very much alive and spinning, I had no other choice than to remain in the center of the room and keep on cycling.

It's amazing what your body will do when you put your mind to it!  I may not be able to walk for another 2 days, but at least my integrity is in tack.