Greener New Years Resolutions: Tackling the Big One – Weight Loss
I’m sure she didn’t mean to offend me, but when my friend saw this photo up on my Linked In page, her reaction was swift: “When did you have that picture taken? Ten years ago??”
Ack. Do I look that bad? Did I really age 10 years in just three?
Actually, thanks to the blessings of good genes, I know it’s not wrinkles or skin flaws that make me look older.
It’s weight.
I had that picture taken when I first discovered I was pregnant with Boo. I knew I’d gain weight during pregnancy, and I wanted a good photo on hand for professional purposes.
But nearly four years later, and well you guessed it…the “baby” weight is still on. In fact, I’ve gotten heavier.
And I’m not the only one.
It’s blogging’s dirty little secret. Go to any blogging conference or blogger get together and you’ll see that I’m not the only one using a picture slightly more flattering than reality.
What do you expect from an avocation that encourages sitting around on one’s arse?
A more recent picture – tweeting from the opening of the White House Farmers Market.
There I am in pink next to FRESHFARM Markets co-founder Bernie Prince.
I’ve struggled with weight my whole life. I’m one of those gals that has a wardrobe than spans five sizes, for my “ups and downs.” Unfortunately, the ups are far more prevalent lately than the downs. And it’s impacting my life in many ways – as a self-employed marketing consultant, press opps are important. Yet I’ve turned down several offers to appear on TV. Why? Well, for someone who blogs about “healthy green living,” isn’t it a bit hypocritical to be so heavy? Everyone knows that’s anything but healthy or green.
And the TV interviews? Well, everyone knows TV adds ten pounds – the result would be horrifying, I’m afraid. Movie cameras add pounds too, so I was secretly relieved when Canadian film maker Mihn Sook Lee cut me out of her My Toxic Baby Film – although, heck it would have been fun to see the footage of Boo and my Green Mom friends. (We were all filmed at the Blogher DC conference a year ago).
So what to do? More importantly, what can I do that’s DIFFERENT? What can I do this year that will work?
I know I eat for emotional reasons, and neglect exercise due to the same competing life/work pressures every parent faces. Intellectually, I know the basics of good nutrition and the benefits of regular exercise.
Yet I’ve had nothing but a series of false starts and stops over the past couple of years I’ve tried to shake the baby weight. Worse yet, once I start dieting, I have a tendency to GAIN weight. All that focus on food makes me…eat!
So here’s what I’m doing this year: focusing on what’s worked before. When I’ve faced major changes in my life – parenthood, entrepreneurship, loss of a pregnancy, going green – I’ve turned to online listservs for support and camaraderie. We all know history repeats itself. So this same model should work for weight loss. I’m giving it a shot anyway. Care to join me?
Here’s how it will work. I’ve already recruited a small number of women to join in – I’ll set up a listserv and there we’ll share the trials and tribulations of losing weight, helping each other achieve our goals.
I’ll let you know how it goes.
Maybe I’ll even update that Linked In picture. After all, I intend to look even better!
Happy New Year!
This post is for the Green Moms Carnival on Green New Years Resolutions, hosted by Katy of Non Toxic Kids. Head on over to check out some other fabulous posts about Green New Years Resolutions from the wonderful women of the Green Moms Carnival as well as other contributors.
– Lynn
Copyright 2009 OrganicMania
17 Responses to “Greener New Years Resolutions: Tackling the Big One – Weight Loss”
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You Go Gal!
I’m with you, my goal 10 to 15 lbs and a firmer shape. I’ve been this (extra) weight for 7 years now and it’s just not good. My solution so far-stair master (aka the basement stairs each night) up and down I go….
I’ll try to hang on line for mutual support and I’m always up for a gym night out
Susan
I’ll join you. Though my weight isn’t baby related, my cholesterol and triglyceride levels aren’t what they should be, and I want to get them back to a healthy non-medicated level. The weight will come off if I dothis right. Please count me in!
.-= Sandy´s last blog ..Resolutions =-.
Sandy and Susan, welcome to the group! I”ve sent you both group invites. I’m excited to see where we go with this, and I think having a mutually supportive group will make a big difference! — Lynn
Good luck to everyone trying to lose weight. With each baby it’s just gotten harder and harder… I just need to find the time to fit in a decent amount of exercise to an already full day!
.-= Brenna´s last blog ..January BabyLegs Surprise! =-.
Tempting. Very tempting. Being public and gathering support is a great way to lose weight. In order to do so, however, I need to address a few other items: exercise, treatment of back and foot pain, etc. When I get the pain under control and start exercising, I’m in!
.-= Daisy´s last blog ..A Year of Compost Happens =-.
Brenna & Daisy,
Thanks for your comments. If and when you are ready to join us, we’ll welcome you! I’m in this for the long haul this year…
Lynn
Good luck! And I so understand where you’re coming from, even down to eating more when I think about food. Nothing makes me hungrier than the idea that I don’t need to eat vast quantities of ice cream.
Good luck!
.-= Amber´s last blog ..What I Learned in December 2009 =-.
Oh Lyne, you have to always remember to cut yourself some slack and realize that even if there is “extra” weight your smart and beautiful. I’m a lot like you with extra weight being added this year from emotional eating and having a goal of getting it off this year as well. I’ve done it before and I can do it again, it just takes reminders that I am worth it and that what goes in my mouth goes to my hips and impacts my health! Good luck Lyne you can do it!
.-= Sommer´s last blog ..Recycling =-.
Amber and Sommer,
Thanks for your supportive comments. Sommer, you’re sweet, but honestly, I’ve been cutting myself slack for way too long. I am afraid if I don’t do it now– then when? That’s why I’m being so public with this.– Lynn
Oy – I’m right there with you! I’m on the weight roller-coaster – lose, gain, lose, gain, lose, gain. Last year was a bad year for me and I just started Body & Soul’s Whole Body Action Plan today (http://www.wholeliving.com/photogallery/action-plan-week-1). It’s a 28 day plan that has a holistic approach to getting healthier (like including meditation and journaling). I’m excited for a jump start for the year!
Good luck on your weight loss goal. And if you see me at BlogHer next summer, remember that I always look 10 pounds lighter on the internet.
.-= Condo Blues´s last blog ..Bottle Cap Magnets =-.
Hey I’d like to join ya’ll! I lost weight a few years ago and have gained it back and am having problems losing it again!
.-= Maxine´s last blog ..And back to the grindstone =-.
Keep us updated on your progress! It’s not easy to find time to exercise – that seems to be the key. I know what you mean about 4 years later the baby weight is still there. In our cases, I think it now needs to be called “preschooler weight”
We do what we can.
.-= Striving Bean´s last blog ..Mango Salsa =-.
Hey Lynn,
I feel your pain all too well! I started my first diet at the ripe old age of 5. Yes, five years old! All the kids at my school in England were super skinny and I was a little chubette with chubby parents.
Nowadays, I don’t “diet” but have made healthy eating and exercise part of my life–as routine as brushing my teeth. I follow the 90/10 rule–eat well 90 percent of the time but allow for little indulgences like a glass of wine or a piece of chocolate. That’s definitely been my road to salvation. I’ve also found that yoga helps me lose weight–even if it’s not the super-strenuous kind. Anyway, I could write a novel about this but won’t take up any more space except to say best of luck and success in 2010!
.-= sacha cohen´s last blog ..Winter Farmer’s Market Finds =-.
I have the same new years resolution this year (well, for a few years now). To eat healthier, organic, nature intended foods. So far so good too! It’s so hard but now I just think “that’s not real food” every time I see an Ihop commercial!
[…] shoulders….so we’ll see if we make it. Actually, nothing keeps me from my ice cream, diet or not (at least not on Ice Cream for Breakfast […]