I'm back and still on the weightloss journey

OK... I come and go here, but I'm going to try to get consistent with this once and for all. I'm still on my weight loss kick as I didn't make my goal of 80 pounds by the time I turned 40. Since I didn't die on that day, I still have a chance to cut down some more weight from this frame. I would like to wear a bikini again, one last time before I check out. To that end, I've given up Coke again. I firmly believe its the elixir of life but I know for a fact it adds a pooch which is unattractive and not sexy at ALL! Those 150 calories per 12 ounce can surely will be better used somewhere else in my diet. Plus I had slowly increased my Coke (I had better say Coca-Cola lest someone get the wrong idea) habit to 2 and 3 cans a day because my fast food habit resurfaced with a vengeance.

As of last Tuesday (February 22, 2011) I gave up fast food for the most part, gave up Coca Cola and plopped my voluptuous self back on the scale. I went grocery shopping, called myself buying healthy food and have been determined to cook at home, and eat at least 90% of my meals from my own kitchen. A huge undertaking for me considering single, living with just my Cocoa, cooking is overrated. I can cook and cook quite well, but I just don't find any joy in it when I'm just cooking for myself. I even started logging my food intake into www.myfitnesspal.com which has an app for my iPhone so I can eat just a certain amount of calories per day. I've started to research my in-depth what foods I should eat and what foods I should avoid. All in an effort to get into that bikini of my dreams.

Here are some pictures of the food I purchased, and the first salad I've ever made and consumed 100%. I'm going to do this! This time! For Sure!

A Complaint against Intimacy

The pen is often mightier than the sword, so here is a copy of my complaint letter to Intimacy (A custom undergarment store in Metro Atlanta). I will post in as many public venues as I can find:

As a larger woman, I've made the commitment(and investment) over the course of a few years to buy my undergarments from the Atlanta location, and more importantly I've made the commitment to take care of my undergarments by hand washing 100% of the time with the custom made washing product sold in your stores. I purchase from your company because of the commitment you have to repair bra's free of charge. Investing 100+ dollars per bra, and rotating through 14 bra's, I wear the same bra only 2 times per month. It would stand to reason that I've not "broken" or "bent" an underwire within 6 months time.

I took a bra back to the Atlanta location yesterday 5/3/2010 because the underwire was coming out of its sewn casing between the breast bone. As you can imagine, quite painful to wear. I was told that they "might" be able to repair but because I'd been washing my bra's in the washing machine and dryer (the plastic casing was missing) that I would do better to buy another bra.

I was quite miffed that it was insinuated that I machine laundered my undergarments. I was told when I purchased the bras NOT to do so, and was upsold on buying the hand laundering products. I informed the associate (Jessica Flores) that this was not the case and she became very rude and unaccomodating to my request. I was told to call her manager (Annie Goins) and when Ms. Goins called back she again stated that heat from the dryer was the main culprit in the deterioration of my bra and they could try to repair the twisted underwire.

Let me state emphatically and unequivocally that no product which has been purchased in your store, has EVER seen the inside of my washer and dryer. I live alone, nobody else launders my clothes. I am upset that your apparent free repair policy is actually another ploy to get a good customer to buy another product. While certainly I have no problems investing in good foundations, I do so in part because of your generous repair policy. I'm disappointed to know its a sham. If indeed the underwire is twisted, I wouldn't mind buying another underwire to have the twisted one replaced, but there is no option for this. The only option I was presented with was to buy another bra.

Have I misconstrued your repair policy? Especially since I've had other parts of different bra's repaired with absolutely NO hassle in the past.

Signed,

Disappointed in Atlanta,
Sharon Hudson

Anonymity

I knew one day I would have to write this type of blog and I do so with much regret but what must be done, must be done. I apologize in advance if this post doesn't apply to you, it is specifically written for two spineless Sons (or Daughters) of Bitches - yes I'm talking about you and your momma and have no shame! I have no shame in admitting that I'm an educated hood rat. Allow me to expose my hood rat side for the space of this blog. I've never backed down from a fight -verbal or physical- and I have no intent on starting that bad habit now. I am sorry that I didn't see these comments on the day they were posted.

To those persons who insist on Anonymity with comments on my blog, here is your 5 minutes of fame: You wrote the following in a comment because you didn't have the opportunity to spew your blasphemous venom out in the open. Well tonight is your lucky night.

Anonymous said...

Sharon, I am calling you out because I think you were/are very jealous of Des. Unless you can prove without a doubt that the picture Des posted wasn't her, you should not make those statements. I hope she does come back because most of us enjoyed her and she was like a breathe of fresh air. GET OVER IT!!

Q-group member!!!

Lets dissect your nonsense, just the first sentence, the rest isn't material to this point. To "call someone out", as you wrote, would mean to identify yourself so that dialogue between us can happen. You can't call someone out from behind a curtain. The crux of your post is about jealousy. ANYBODY who knows me, knows a few things about me. I am not an emotional person at all. People called Jesus all manner of names, so I have no illusions that I'm anything special. Unfortunately I really do feel that no human is important enough for me to waste my time on needless emotions such as jealousy. So sorry to disappoint you, but no jealousy here. What is here is complete and utter disdain for an adult who acts like a coward and won't come out and face me - personally or even on line in an open forum.

I guess April the 5th was a lucky day for me. I actually received 2 anonymous posts so let me address the other one too.

Anonymous said...

You are still a fat ugly pig!!!!!!!

April 5, 2010 1:25 AM

My reply is simple: My mother taught me manners and she taught me to always be proud of what I said. I grew up with the motto that my word was my bond. With that in mind, I graciously say "Thank you. You took the time to read my blog, look at my pictures and comment." Seems like you should be proud enough of your words to sign your name, but cowardliness reigns. Sounds like you didn't have proper home training to me, but that isn't surprising in this day in age.

The saddest part of all of this? I'm sure nobody will step up and claim ownership. In effect they've wasted their time and I've wasted mine writing this response to them. The good part is, I KNOW you're reading this, so my mission has been accomplished!

Weight Loss Progress -3/29/2010

Wow its been a long time since I've written a blog. Not that I've not had a lot on my mind from time to time, but time has been the biggest hurdle to updating this area of my existence. So the time has come for me to update my weight loss progress. I believe pictures are worth a thousand words so I'm going to post here and include pictures of this arduous journey. The first picture was taken of me Mother's Day 2009.
It is entirely fair to say that I should have removed myself very politely from any dinner table but good food has always been a good thing to me.

I joined the Gym in July and worked up the courage in October to take a "beginning" picture. I've finally worked up the courage to post all of these pictures on line.


I thought I might keep up this routine and took another picture in December. Can you notice any weight loss yet? I would like to think I can notice some difference in the stomach region but that might just be wishful thinking.


I worked up the courage to take another picture today 3/29/2010. There is a definite difference here, but I still have quite a way to go. I will continue on this journey. I've decided that I will participate in the Peachtree Road Race (10K- 6.2miles) and I really have the desire to run in the race as opposed to merely walking the course. To that end, I've taken up the Couch to 10K program and I'm walking and running on the days I don't go to the gym to lift weights and do the Elliptical or Stair Master. I hope my increased intensity will pay off with even more weight shift/weight loss.


I'm doing everything possible to get rid of my stomach... I do Crunches, leg lifts, twists etc... and it still persists. Any recommendations? I have a form fitting dress to fit into on 10/10/2010. More on that later.

16 pounds gone and 306 Days to Go

Gee it been a long time since I've updated my blog so I'm back. I keep forgetting to write here, but I haven't forgotten to document my weight loss progress other places. Weight loss has been slow and painful, but I'm very much a believer in "slow and steady wins the race". Though the weight hasn't gone away quickly, I have clothes that no longer fit and will be properly passed on to others. I have lost 10% of my waist, and 5% of my overall weight. I seem to be better proportioned and clothes fit better so I have no complaints.

I do however have a complaint about pain. Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) is a real and present danger. I've committed to doing what my trainer says do - he's the expert, what do I know, I'm the fat one. His exercise routine/weight routine I trust, is designed to make me more stable, more agile, stronger and building enough muscle mass to burn more calories while my body is at rest. OK I know the theory, I can talk a good game but I gotta get real! This program is quite painful. Thankfully it doesn't hurt immediately while I'm doing it or else I wouldn't go back PERIOD. But the next day, at about the same time as my workout session, I can vividly and painfully remember exactly what muscle group I worked out. So happens today is DOMS day, and I'm feeling it.

Yesterdays routine was a bit different than most. My trainer has no respect for a motor- he much prefers human energy to electrical energy. What do I mean? Have you ever used a motorized treadmill manually? Try it for a few minutes, then write me back. Well I'm used to this- he springs this one me every once in while but its truly an energy zapper for me. Next we head to the spin bike- lighter tension sitting, heavier tension standing. Why couldn't I sit long? Next was the stairmaster. All I can say is that I'm glad I could at least turn on the machine and use its motor but I really think I'd just rather walk a few flights in a highrise. I can see the value of my own pace with this exercise.

A few weight machines were employed next, to "give me a break", and if you think I believe that insert hilarious gales of laughter here. I think my session is going to be over, we've done lots of things including the leg curl and leg extension and the butt defining glute press when something happened which has ruined my day today. We played catchball while I had to do full situps. How do these instruments of torture work? Well... I have to lock my feet under a bench. Then I have to lay back and hold a 6 pound ball. When I sit-up, I throw the ball to my trainer. As I lay back down, he throws the ball to me. Repeat 20 times. Yeah right! I manage to do it, even though I'm really nervous that the ball is going to smack me in the head or that I would throw a complete air ball and then that sit up wouldn't count. Sweat pouring down I complete the task only to experience horrible pain today. My Coccyx (tail bone) is in rigor. If its not the bone, I was unaware there was a muscle there as I haven't felt it before today. Sitting in a chair is not an option, I stood up most of the day. Laying on my back is impossible, I will be sleeping on my side tonight. Misery is the only way to put it.

I have to be honest, I really don't want to complain all the the time about this 80 by 40 goal. I can see the progress in what I'm doing. I'm getting a better handle on the diet portion too. I have about 60 pounds left to lose, and the numbers guru comes out. I can and I will lose at least 1.37 pounds a week! I had my first salad Monday. I'll save that story for another blog post.

How to work out 3 times a week and GAIN weight

Know that I am NOT happy. I haven't had the same attitude about going to the gym since I stepped on the scale last Wednesday and the weight increased instead of showing a marked decrease. Now let me say from the onset, I'm not interested in the theory that muscles weigh more than fat. That doesn't impress me, especially when I started this weight LOSS journey in July. Notice its called a WEIGHT LOSS journey, not an effort to turn fat into muscle! I can't understand how I can lose inches on my arms, my thighs, waist, abs, and bust and gain weight.

How am I supposed to lose 80 pounds at this rate? Am I never to eat again? I've already started eating food I'm less than impressed with in an effort to LOSE weight. I've already sacrificed the elixir of life - coke toward my goal, and how am I being rewarded? An increase in the number on the scale.

Since I last wrote about my 80 by 40 plan... I actually signed up for a personal trainer. He's great - I mean really great - (I don't know if he reads my blog or not but he really knows his stuff), but maybe I haven't adequately impressed upon him, my desire to LOSE weight. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful just for the time we've spent together, I feel my balance getting better, my stamina is increasing and while I haven't conquered the sweat thing, I can do the exercises and weights much better than when we started. I even walked 6.77 last Saturday, something I would have never dreamed of doing but I am NOT happy to see the scale increase.

Most of all I hate to fail, seeing the numbers on a scale increase, I feel failure in my weight LOSS endeavor. So, this is how one can work out 3+ times a week and still gain weight - this isn't supposed to happen.

Signed,

Frustrated and afraid of failure

Oatmeal

Why? Explain to me why its good for a person? Better yet, just cut to the chase and explain to me how to eat it - in a bowl, instead of baked in a cookie. Or, can I get the same nutritional value out of a eating a oatmeal cookie versus hot oatmeal for breakfast.

Maybe I need to back up and examine this from the eyes and tastebuds I had as a child. Every day in the fall and winter, momma always made me eat a hot cereal as part of breakfast. Matter of fact, I never ate cold cereal growing up, she called that stuff candy and I snacked on it after school. Back to the hot cereal as part of breakfast. Momma cooked a big breakfast every morning. Bacon, eggs, pancakes, syrup, toast, juice and milk. That was standard fare. In the fall and winter, when the weather broke and cold started creeping in, she added Oatmeal or Cream of Wheat to the menu. Even as a child I couldn't tolerate the Cream of Wheat so that is definitely not a consideration, but I did eat with regularity, Oatmeal. This was a yearly ritual which lasted at least 4 months and looking back maybe it was the lessor of the two evils but I remember eating it and asking for it. As I became a teenager and momma backed slowly out of her kitchen and invited me to have an intrigal role in meal preparation, I made the oatmeal on cold mornings. I can remember going to college and making oatmeal because it was the thing to eat to get me started in the morning on cold mornings. So why... can I not stomach it anymore?

I moved south, married a southern man, and adopted a southern baby. Grits are all the rage here, so I learned to cook creamy butter and cheese filled grits but never liked them for myself. On cold mornings, my family ate Grits, I turned to Coca Cola and left Oatmeal alone. Then along the way Oatmeal became the rage, its lowers cholesterol, is full of fiber, comes in a microwaveable mix and seems to be the cereal to eat. Why can't I get a spoonful down now? My gag reflex can't handle it, not to mention the taste of it is just "off" to me.

If I want to get the benefits of oatmeal: cholesterol lowering, high in fiber, fulfilling breakfast, what would be a more palatable substitute? Oatmeal just doesn't go down well...