jenkie5's Journal

Here's a picture of the shuttle passing overhead as it made its tour through Southern California. This picture was taken from the front lawn.

** PART 2: BODY IMAGE VERSUS REALITY CHECK **
So reaching my goal weight didn't result in Angelina Jolie looking back in the mirror, becoming 4 inches taller, going from short-waisted to long and elegant, a die-for skeletal transformation, nor did it erase the passage of time.


** AT THE END OF THE DAY **
My realistic body image is a healthier one albeit an older one, a better me than a few months ago, better than last week, and better than yesterday. I see someone in the mirror who is uniquely me (forever short with no room for a waist... sigh).

Thank you, Heidijoy, for your food for thought on comparisons. I may not compare, but will I envy my taller blonde counterparts or the size on someone's skinny clothes or my buddies with a household full of kids? You betcha! After all, to quote from Monty Python, I'M NOT DEAD YET!


** DOCTOR'S VISIT **
ALL my lab results were NORMAL, including liver this time (last one to bring down), and NO high blood pressure (it was 108/74 from over 200 in April). AND from twelve pills a day for diabetes in April to ZERO as of today. YAY! So one pill left (cholesterol), but on half a dose to see if I really need it. Hopefully, that will poof on the next visit.

Interesting tidbit from my doctor. I knew a 35-plus-inch waist can be an indicator of potential diabetes in women. For different ethnicities, it's a 30-inch waist. Correspondingly, a lower BMI. Guess who... (NOW do you know why I'm envious of blonde amazons?) She said a BMI from 22.3 (now) to 20 would be a good target for me to set as a maintenance goal.

(Thanks to everyone who asked how my doctor's visit went.)


** TOODLES' HAPPY THOUGHT MARBLES **
Another marble to share: My daughter drove halfway across the country and arrived home today (with two dogs in tow). My Himalayan cats aren't overly ecstatic about it, though. Neither is my tomato plant, or should I say my now BARE tomato plant.

One more marble: I saw her wedding gown & it's gorgeous. (Shes likes the dress I picked out too.)


** P.S. **
By the way, if anyone happens to run across a spare magic genie's lamp, please may I have it? I may be comfortable with my more realistic self-image, but it doesn't mean I don't want to be wrinkle-less blonde amazon who resembles Angelina Jolie. After all, I'M NOT DEAD YET!

** BODY IMAGE VERSUS REALITY CHECK **
I hate naysayers. Yet here I am, doom and gloom. It's been years since the last time I was at my ideal weight. Now that the adrenaline rush and thrill of the chase is winding down, I discovered something, something anyone with half a brain should intuitively know. Reaching a goal weight will not:
-o- Result in Angelina Jolie looking back at you in the mirror
-o- Suddenly add 4 inches to your height
-o- Make short-waisted people long and elegant
-o- Transform bone structure into a die-for skeletal frame
-o- Erase the passage of time


** GOALS & BODY IMAGE **
Goals are important, but equally important is a reality check. I'm not sure why I thought it would be easy to find jeans. It was hard when I was a 102-pound teen. It's harder today, especially when the ones that fit now are so low that you almost need to wear thongs. Thongs at my age? Scary, isn't it?

Apple, pear, banana, or even brick... what are you? Personally, fruit descriptors seem appropriate. Some may consider me fruity for unrealistic expectations. But then, again, I like to think I once met the real Santa (a story I'll save for another time). In the meantime, take a look at the 12 body types -- > HERE


** HAPPY THOUGHTS **
I have Tootles' (from Peter Pan) bag of happy thought marbles, and I'll pull one out of the bag to share.

I found another pair of jeans that my daughter had left behind years ago, and I threw them down the laundry shoot. My husband just came into the room and was holding them up over his jeans and asked, "Do these fit you? Really?" Yep, they do.


** MAINTENANCE & ADJUSTMENTS **
I'm tweaking the maintenance to ease off a bit more at a slower pace with a floating goal. Hopefully, a few problem areas will even out a bit. After all, water seeks its own level, doesn't it?

It's good that this maintenance phase takes time to adapt and adjust. It'll give me time to shop online for a life-sized picture of Angelina Jolie to tape up on my mirror.

Here's hoping everyone is finding their own happy marbles along the way!