Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Life Is Not A Dress Size

On June 8, 2006, I got on John's little Weslo treadmill. I told myself I could walk for 3 minutes...but it damn near killed me. I weighed 325 pounds at that moment...and 3 minutes of walking made me sweat like a pig, I promptly collapsed in front of a fan and drank a large glass of cold water to recover...

The good news is -- IT DIDN'T KILL ME...But the bad news was that 325 pounds DID KILL John's cheapo treadmill...lol... The darn thing kept STOPPING....so, after a couple frustrating weeks and a lot of research, I invested in a new Horizon treadmill (Model T-82). And, it changed my life...heavy duty airshocks, adjustable incline, comfortable handlebars, even a FAN. Like so many things -- I bought it off Amazon.com because of the FREE DELIVERY.

Three years later -- by June 2009, I'd lost 100 pounds...

This is the inspirational verse hanging in front of my treadmill...when I read these words I remember why I'm trying to work up a sweat...

But what REALLY KEEPS ME ON THE BORING TREADMILL is listening to books-on-tape. James Patterson, Bill Bryson, Pat Conroy, Garrison Keeler, Jeffery Deaver, Patricia Cornwell, Sue Grafton, history, fiction, mystery...I have listened to hundreds of books in the last four years...

And I eventually worked my way up to 3 MILES. Because I take frequent "breaks" (to do a load of laundry, hang out some sheets, sew up a hem, etc) it takes me over an hour but I DO WORK UP A SWEAT. Here's what I look like after 3 miles....

Oh, yeah, people -- IT AIN'T PRETTY..!!

It's been FOUR YEARS SINCE THAT FIRST 3-minute walk and I've never felt better. I have great energy. I can walk 7 miles a day in New York City, up and down subway stairs -- or hike all day through a 30-acre field full of antiques and collectibles without looking for a bench.

But here's the thing. I NEVER talk about losing weight. Remember -- I'm the girl who wrote "Life Is Not a Dress Size". AND THAT IS MY LIFE MOTTO. Every single day, I want my life to be about something more interesting than how much I weigh. It is BORING, BORING, BORING to listen to somebody drone about how much they ate, how long they exercised that day, or how many carbs are in a banana. Whenever I get trapped in one of those conversations, I am screaming inside, 'NOBODY CARES!!!"

So why am I writing this post? Because -- this spring with all the travel and luxurious eating, I've gained 10 pounds and I haven't been on the treadmill for weeks...so this is my official GET BACK IN THE GROOVE letter to myself.

P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JACKIE!!

4 comments:

  1. Do you know how many calories there are in a ... just kidding. Thanks for the pep talk. We have a nice treadmill in the basement and I'm feeling sluggish today, so it's probably just what I need to do. Ours is in front of a TV - I pop in Pride and Predjudice and enjoy a little walking.

    Anne

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  2. I agree with so many things you are saying in this post! I just want to stab a fork in my neck when the conversation turns to the cal/carb/fat facts. I was also very inspired many years ago when I heard you speak at Expo about Life is Not a Dress Size. I really enjoyed my 20th high school reunion because of it. AND I listen to so many books while I sewing. So altho it may bore you, I want to say, Congratulations on your accomplishment and keep up the good work.

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  3. It took me a little while to work out you were the same Rita that wrote Life is not a Dress Size. I have that book and love it. Thank you Rita for that book, for that inspiration and for everything. :) I have lost 18kg (39.6lb) since Jan 2009 and am looking forward to Puyallup in 2011!

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  4. Nobody gets bored hearing "atta girl"...thanks for reading this blog and taking the time to write. Comments are always a thrill...

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