The Other Side of Thin ..Part Two

According to an article in Business Weekly by Rebecca Reisner in 2008 Americans spent $40 Billion on diet products and programs. Marketdata  noted in an article posted January 2012, their research found $61 Billion is spent by Americans each year on fad diets and programs.  

At 5' 2 1/2" having been a healthy size 2-4, maintaining a consistent weight between 110 lbs - 117 lbs most of my adult life, it is difficult to grasp that the 145 lbs size 8-10 and still 5' 2 1/2" image staring back at me is actually me!

So, like most people looking to loose weight I have set off in search of the QUICK GREAT FIX! With the help of friends I have been looking into all sorts of "diet options" I've labelled them diet options, as after careful examination that is what they really are promising ... a quick fix. Although most of these diet options will initially deliver on their promise to help you lose weight and/or go down a dress size or two - maintaining the "diet option" long term is next to impossible.  Many have food restrictions that leave out necessary nutrients, which can be harmful to your body causing a whole new series of problems to deal with along with all the weight that returns, once you stop.

I asked myself :

"what was I doing at that time I felt healthy and happy with my weight and self?"  

~ was in the peak of my career
~ ate quality portion size food
~ didn't really snack between meals
~ was very active
~ barely took an Aspirin
~ wore heels
~ had a full social life
~ I was very happy in my skin

"What is my life now?"



~ Helping my body to heal is my career
~ still eat quality food (though portions are not always clear)
~ snack between meals and not always healthy choices
~ am definitely less active
~  5 years older
~ Flats are my go to shoes
~ Medication (pain, mood, etc.)
~ Everything I have gone through in the past 5 years has left me numb and uncertain, overwhelmed and lost most of the time

As I sat in took in what each of these items on both lists represented, I realized that the items on the first list barely reflected the person I am now. What struck me was that both of these lists are reflective of the life I lived and the one I live now. Noting a definite relation between life style and how it affects our bodies, exists.

This realization perhaps explains why "diet options" (if ) they work, the results are short lived. The key is to live life ... something that before came so easily that I never connected it to my body's appearance. Also, I have been so wrapped up in what I am no longer able to do that I'm not looking at what I am able to do.

Yes, there are some things I may not be able to change on my list (of the life I now live) such as taking medication or wearing heels. But I think if I can manage to work on things like being more active, snacking less, look for things that bring me enjoyment outside my comfort zone (home) things will change!

Have you found a new way of eating that has now become a way of life, to maintain your healthy weight?

Is there a "Diet Option" that you have used to help in the short term (i.e used to slim down for a special function) or to jump start your life long eating habits ?

I have recently come across something that I will be trying starting next week, so check back regularly over the next few weeks - where I will share my findings , with first hand experience.

You can read Part One Here

P.S. Thank you to everyone who has been visiting and leaving encouraging comments and special thank you to those who have email me to see where I have been. I promise I will share all in future posts, as I regain strength.




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Rainbows and Butterflies ...

Life doesn't always happen the way we planned it. Though as we become caught in the storm and it's flurry of  changes it is so easy to cry out how big it (storm) is ... when we really should  remind ourselves how big HE is. Each storm and change is meant to teach, empower, awaken and bring us closer to our purpose of being.

Sometimes the storm is horrific, down right catastrophic and the changes may leave us unrecognizable on the outside and the inside, to the naked eye. But with every downpour there is always a minute break before it pours again. It is during this miniscule break that we need to act quickly, draw on the inner strength and faith that lay dormant waiting to be released.

Remember HE is bigger than any storm or change, and He believes we are capable of greater things than we give ourselves the chance to do/be. It is through these storms and changes that we will learn, grow and discover there is a reason for everything. Even when the down power is so thick that visibility is impossible, the change(s) that takes place enables us to see clearer than we thought possible, we need only to use our heart and faith to guide us through it all.

            "Rainbows are a result of powerful storms ... 

                                                     and Butterflies a result of painful change!"

I have had to remind myself many times these past weeks ... and thought you may need a gentle reminder that no matter the size of the storm it will pass and rainbows and butterflies will be the result! ...

And he said to me: “My grace is sufficient for you. For virtue is perfected in weakness.”

 And so, willingly shall I glory in my weaknesses, so that the virtue of Christ may live within me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Because of this, I am pleased in my infirmity: in reproaches, in difficulties, in persecutions, 

in distresses, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am powerful.2 Corinthians 12:10   

Tea Rooms Series ~ Tintagels in Erin

Since purchasing our country home a couple years ago, Mr. G and I have not really been out exploring what the area and surrounding small towns have to offer. So, we headed out on a crisp Sunday to find a place to enjoy a light lunch. Our drive took us to Erin, where we decided to give Tintagels tea room a try. I had actually been here a couple summers ago with a friend.

It is a charming little place with cozy sitting...

There are some wonderful antique pieces which are used for displaying tea items for sale...

Look at all the lovelies here....

Mr. G. had the French onion soup with a side Cesar salad... 

Look at all that goggie, yummy cheese ..... 

Moi, I enjoyed a broccoli cheese quiche ... the salad looks good but the dressing was not something I was use it. No worries, I did not go hungry ....

To help fill that still empty spot in my tummy ... a scone would do the job!!!

and yes a lovely warm cuppa of tea!! This was such a darling little cup, it was quite thin and I loved the texture and that handle... the delicate floral a definite tribute to spring...

It was tres delicious!!! Warm .... with devon cream and homemade strawberry jam.... HEAVEN!!!

We discovered that small towns (at least this own) rolls up it's doors by 4 pm - so we were not able to fully explore the little shops ... next time.

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The Other Side Of Thin ... Part One

For as long as I can recall I have always been referred to as "petite" both in height (5'2 1/2") ~ yes that half inch matters, just ask any 5' something gal..LOL.~  and body size.  In 2006 my weight was steady between 110 - 117 lbs. ; I was wearing a size two, and shopping for clothes, bathing suits, even shoes was a breeze. This had been my normal for the previous 10 or so years. Now this isn't the first time I have mentioned needing to loose a little weight nor the first time I write about the importance of eating/living healthy ~ just in March I wrote about it Here and Here. What is different this time is that for the first time in my life, I'm feeling what it's like to be on the other side of thin; Yup, all 145 lbs of me!

I know what some of you may be thinking ~ "But you have been through so much the past five years"; "You know, when you are forty-something it's not as easy to keep it off"; "Meds, you know, they really make you retain water and put on the weight"; " You know, now you have limits, you really should be grateful you are alive, don't worry ~ IT happens to all of us sooner or later" my personal favourite "You look so healthy, you have gained weight!". Yes, someone (actually 2 persons) have told me the last statement recently. And yes, each statement is true (well the last one, in my opinion I looked very good and healthy before) but I was never one for excuses and  well I'm not about to start now.  The reality is that I'm not able to be as active I do have some limitations now, and yes meds and perhaps age are contributors; but I just do not feel comfortable. Clothes no longer fit and when I am able to get them on - they certainly don't look like they did even a year ago. I'm no longer comfortable in my own skin, physically and emotionally. This feeling is something I knew about, but it was foreign, unknown , it did not apply to me,  until now.

The irony here is that as I made my way through Chic & Slim the original by Anne Barone ( it is a fabulous must read) a bag of Easter jelly beans, you know the yummy sugary ones in the softest of colours, kept some how finding it's way to my hand and these must have been some magic Easter jelly beans ... once close enough jumped from hand to mouth in large groups! Can you believe the nerve, of these little beans?

We have all heard "French women don't get fat" well I can tell you on my trips to Paris I have seen some women who my wonderful friends may refer to as "healthy". But , there is a difference ~ these women are toned, and don't try to hide under sweat suits, canopy  large dresses ~ they remain comfortable in their skin! and what they also have is will power. They may have REALLY enjoyed the holiday menu , but they will not  deprive themselves of the foods they love and they will only eat what they truly savour. Before you can blink, they are back to zipping up their little black dress and attending the next holiday affair.

So, looking back on my journey to the other side of thin; there are some obvious contributors that were/are beyond my control, so instead of dwelling on them I am going to work on what I can change.

While growing up in Portugal ... my grandmother would always say "Noa seja gulosa comer so o que voce realmente gosta"  when it was time for the dessert table ... in other words don't be greedy and eat all the sweets, eat only what you really enjoy. This style of eating which I learned as a small child had grown with me through my youth and into adulthood, not only with desserts but food as well. So, this my friends is how I'm going to look at food ~ I'm going to ask myself "do I really enjoy this food? and truly savour each bite" in hopes of stopping the revolving door of eating just to eat, which somehow has become the norm. Eating needs to be viewed as part of one's lifestyle, thus it needs to fit accordingly.

Do you eat only what you really enjoy ? and truly savour it ....

or Do you find yourself eating just because it's there? 

Good Friends, Good Food = Great Memories

Sometimes we get so rolled up in all the things that we have to do in life that we forget to do the one most important thing ~ LIVE IT  and really savour the small moments ~ like a meal with a friend. Neither the setting nor the meal needs to be fancy, the important thing is that you take some time to just DO IT!


Well, that's just what one of my Besties and I did. We decided some friend time was long over due. With help from our Home Assistant I prepare some nibbling foods and of course  tea, for this impromptu luncheon. 

We set the table with a pink, white, and hint of green tablecloth and added some potted purple market tulips in a pale blue decorative ceramic pot, to remind us spring is here.

The colour pallet was kept soft, again to keep spring in the air...

The napkins were a tribute to our rose garden planted last summer. A golden tortoise shell napkin ring giving   homage to the earth, that grows our lovely flowers, was used.

The china is Limoges from France in a delightful sprinkling of bluish and pink flowers...

There was plenty of food ... seafood finger nibblies, salad. Bestie  brought some onion buns,Asian custard tarts (YUMMY) and strawberries.

Mr. G captured the moment... and we went about enjoying a couple hours of catching up and enjoying spending time together. Of course this is my Foodie & Travel Bestie, so lots of talk on food and travel.

We finished our meal and lingered in planning our next girl's travel escape, over a wonderful cup of tea. The tea served in my Lady Carlyle by Royal Albert teapot and teacups is from Mariage Frères, which I brought back from my Paris trip in October 2011.

Pink and white roses from my Bestie!!!

When was the last time you enjoy a simple meal with a Bestie for no reason?

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