Single Weight Loss Girl
Q: You are on a journey for a healthier, better you. What does the final destination look like?
I ponder this question all the time. I don't think there is any easy answer because I am a work in progress just like everyone else. But the feeling to focus on a healthier me came from an internal nudge about 5 years ago that told me I wasn't happy. I wanted to be happy. As soon as I decided to focus on being a healthier version of me, my happiness returned. So my destination was almost instant. Happiness with myself is what I want and need. Taking care of myself is what gets me there. So the destination looks much like where I am now. I just have to figure out how to maintain a healthy lifestyle forever.
Q: We understand your vision of happily ever after but why does it include a guinea pig?
Ha! Most people had dogs growing up but my parents gave my brother and me a guinea pig when I was 8. Her name was Ginny (so original). I want to establish a healthy lifestyle and learn how live better before I have too many people relying on me. I'm practicing a good, balanced, healthy life on me first to work out the kinks. It's horrible to say that guinea pigs are used for testing and I don't support that...of course! But it's the analogy that works for now. I miss you Ginny!
Q: How do you envision helping yourself and your readers through your blog Weight Loss and The Single Girl?
I like to provide insight and tell my story. If you read my blog entry titled Tell Me Words, I write about how things have to be put in to words for me to truly give them life. Writing about my journey has brought so many moments of clarity. So many celebrations of victory and acknowledgements of defeat. I have gained valuable information from trying things AND writing about them. I want to share my experience. I hope my blog and my journey will inspire all of us in the fight. I love to hear from my readers and exchange ideas. Feedback from others is free therapy. And maybe someone out there knows a sweet, gentleman who wants to fall in love with me. Hint-hint.
Q: You have gone from a size 26 to a size 18. What is the biggest lesson you have learned during your period?
When I joined Weight Watchers, they had a great slogan. It was, 'Watch Yourself Change.' It has stayed with me throughout my journey. Watch and learn and enjoy all of it. I have learned to enjoy every stage of the journey. I truly enjoyed being a size 24. I strutted around like a peacock even though it wasn't my ideal size. I celebrated the accomplishment of coming down a size. It took 30lbs to get me there and I fought for every ounce. I have celebrated all of the other sizes too. I love being a size 18 even if it isn't my ultimate goal. A lot of sweat, tears, prayer, and perseverance have pushed me to my goals. I have learned to enjoy the journey because I have earned it.
Q: What are some of the positive actions you have implemented that are making you feel better?
• First, I do not get down on myself for failure. At least not for long. I believe that every minute is a chance to do better. I don't throw away a day because I make a bad eating choice for lunch. I throw away that moment and do better in the next.
• I reward good behavior. If I run a 5k, I buy myself some cut flowers and let them remind me of my accomplishment.
• I don't weigh myself. I let my jeans tell me how well I'm doing. Right now, my jeans are happy so I'm happy.
• I do all the usual stuff as far healthy eating and exercise but the most important part for me is the mental game. Tough but flexible is my motto.
Q: The correlation between dating and dieting weighs heavily on our loves lives. Any tips for breaking the cycle?
This goes back to the mental game. I've never won any beauty pageants but I dare anyone to question how adorable I am. I always say that I am a woman who loves men and that's all I need in the world of dating. My confidence is the number one attraction and I never forget that. I have had my share of rejection for various reasons but I don't let that get to me. I know who I am and I surround myself with people who know it too. When it comes to dating, it's not about weight. It really isn't. It's about communication, flirting, learning, enjoying, fun. I deal with my weight issues on my own time. When I put on my cute outfit, killer smile, and decide I want some male attention, my weight loss goals take a back seat. It's hard to get there mentally but you can do it; and if you can't...fake it 'til you make it.
Q: You profess to have some crazy rituals. Any of them relate to dating and dieting?
I have some rituals when it comes to dieting but it's more about my germ issues. I stay away from potlucks because of the germ factor. I think about all of the exposure that the food probably had and any temptation goes out the window. I have a ritual about dressing for 5k's. I always put my socks on first and I always wear the t-shirt they give out for the race even though true runners don't do that. You're supposed to earn your shirt by running the race first. The one time I ran without the race shirt was a bad race. I won't make that mistake again. For dating, my ritual is only to follow my instincts.
Q: How has your intuition saved you?
I am a big believer in listening to the still small voice. I think that your instincts are like an alarm system for your body. We have to pay attention. One time that sticks with me is a few years ago when I was working downtown Minneapolis. I used to park in a hotel parking lot, walk through the inside of the hotel and take the skyway to work. One morning, I was walking through the hotel around 6:00am. There was no one around until I saw this man sitting in the lobby. My entire body reacted. I just knew something wasn't right. I went back to my car and parked some place else. A few weeks later I saw that man on the news. He had been arrested for lewd acts. He was flashing people. Not really life threatening I suppose but you never know. Listen to your instincts every single time about every thing and every person. Your instincts are NEVER wrong.
Q: Any other advice for our readers?
You only have one you and one life. Don't be held back by any of your issues. I write about my weight issues but trust me, I have many more. I have trust issues and hair issues and issues with understanding Wii bowling. I have confidence issues and fear of enclosed spaces. We all have stuff. Don't let it stifle you. Own it. If you feel like you need to lose weight and be healthier, no one can do that for you but you. You have to take ownership and do the work. Be your own best advocate. Treat yourself well and love yourself unconditionally. Rid your life of anything toxic even if it means being alone. Know your worth. Trust that you are worth every moment of discomfort, time, love loss, happiness, laughter, new adventure and true love found. Share your energy with others. Laugh loud and love big and don't take any of this too seriously except that which is vital for your healthy life. Put you first even if it feels uncomfortable or selfish. Write about it and talk about it and allow yourself to feel it. My favorite quote right now is: 'I'm here for a good time, not a long time.' Remember that always. Oh, and read my blog;)
Thank you, thank you! -Single Girl
