What I'm Wearing | Spring Oldies, But Goodies!
12:00 AM
I'm sure you all noticed that prior to this week, it had been kind of quiet around these parts. That's because I was getting my life back together!
With the holidays and the vicious winter we're all trying to recover from, I gained a good deal of hibernation weight! Not wanting to venture out, the comfort foods and libations damn near did me in.
You can fight your way into a pair of Spanx and angle your body into the mirror and lie to yourself all you like. But the camera does not lie. Mine is brutally honest. And if you take as many pictures as I do from all angles, it's a harsh reality that I had to face. My ass had gotten fat!
And I was feeling terrible -- physically terrible. My knees had started to ache and swell often. And I was constantly feeling bloated. And my energy level was completely depleted. At 43 years old, I should NOT be winded walking up stairs. So I had to get busy.
So, I had a pity party for all of five minutes and then I bought myself a brand new gym membership and downloaded the My Fitness Pal app and got busy! If you follow me on my Instagram: @ericabunker, you've seen my progress. I've turned into a total gym rat. I'm serious about getting in my 4-5 day a week workouts, which include an hour of elliptical cardio (I'm a beast on that thing! I average around 700+ calories burned.) And strength training which is excellent for women my age. Especially those of us experiencing perimenopausal symptoms. Yes, I'm starting to night sweat and I'm pretty sure this also contributed to weight collecting in my middle. So I'm pretty much in the fight of my life.
But that's okay, because I'm winning! A couple of months ago, I couldn't even almost fasten these pants. Now they slid on and fastened with the greatest of ease! Now why have I decided to share all of this? For accountability. Now that I've put it out there, I have an image to uphold! LOL
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43 comments
Right there with you.... I had gained weight also, and wasn't doing any sewing because I hated the size I needed to sew! I had LITERALLY 2 pairs of jeans that fit. Hot, no energy, you know what I'm saying. So, I have just lost 20 pounds and feel better, wearing smaller clothes and all, and back to doing some sewing. I need to lose another 10-15 pounds - or rather lose 20 pounds fat and add some muscle mass back in.
ReplyDeleteAahhh yes... when you KNOW you have to go to the next pattern size. Sigh... LOL. Thanks Angela!
DeletePS, you do look thinner!
ReplyDeleteThanks Angela!
DeleteAh the terrible 40's. I have been through all of that! Good for you on doing the exercising and working on nutrition. You are looking good, though I think you always do!
ReplyDeleteYes the 40s! They aren't always so fabulous! Thanks Linda!
DeleteI feel your pain sister! At 42, I'm deep in the perimenopause with the flushes and night sweats.
ReplyDeleteI also joined a gym, and am kicking ass - mine! You look great and I love the yellow trousers. So bright and pretty :-)
Thanks Lisa! We are definitely --->HERE<---!
DeleteYou look great! I love the yellow, blue, and white together.
ReplyDeleteThanks Levone!
DeleteDo it! :) I'm up now about to exercise. We are rounding month 6 of cold weather and yes, I feel fat and sluggish. No good!
ReplyDeleteLove the outfit, can't wait to see more spring beauties.
Thanks Nakisha!
DeleteGood for you! And you look fabulous! I LOVE that outfit, especially the yellow skinnies!
ReplyDeleteThanks sew Rachel!
DeleteYou look great! I love the look.
ReplyDeleteThanks The Sewing CPA!
DeleteYou look great, and I'm glad you're back. Your floral and lace panel dress is breathtaking.
ReplyDeleteI hope you go to the doctor too, just to make sure nothing else is going on.
A visit to the gyno was the first thing! Thanks Julie!
DeleteYour always look great and have the most amazing outifts. I can empathise with gaining weight in your 40's (we are the same age) though I wish it was only one pattern size I had gone up. I think I must be in training for my dotage and the " cuddly granny" look already. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Mother of Reinvention!
DeleteYou look great and I really like that outfit - if you can look that good in yellow pants you can wear anything!
ReplyDeleteThanks Beryl!
DeleteOOOH girl was you in my home. You just described me. I am happy that you are winning and I am inspired to get on the fitness track myself. Keep up the good work, You're looking good.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kelroc!
DeleteMy Fitness Pal is a great app! I gotta get back to using mine. You're right: menopause can contribute to weight gain. Thanks for sharing! Gotta take care of yourself. So hard to sew when you're in pain, tired, sluggish, etc (how do I know)? :-). Great comeback! Being absent to take care of yourself is worth it. :-)
ReplyDeleteI felt like doing nothing, but curling up on the sofa with a snack! LOL. Thanks WANNASEW!
DeleteI'm surprised - I thought you were 30 something! Does great skin run in the family?!
ReplyDeleteGood for you on healthy living!
Autumn
Thanks Autumn!
DeleteYou look great erica. You always do. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks sewmanju!
Deletehi erica
ReplyDeleteperimenopausal, I'm using it. two plants were very helpful. research and doctoral supervisor would recommend.
I do not know english.
http://www.maranki.com/989_Erken-Menopoza-Karsi-Sifali-K%C3%BCr-Tarifi.html
Thanks for the info dikisdersi!
DeleteLove the outfit. I am in my late 40's and have to work constantly to not get "big". Damnit! Never was a problem in my 20's and 30's :)
ReplyDeleteYes, the 40s is a game changer! Thanks dkswife!
Deleteturned 42 and now i have hot flashes lol
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother always called them her own personal summers!
DeleteLike I said in the last post, you proportions are looking good and big bit ol legs....as it should be. That actually translates to you are looking fit and slimmer in the face and your proportions are great. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeletePS - I used progesterone cream - ended up with great sleep, moody-less, & lots o' hair. :-)
I totally understood! Thanks!
DeleteI love colorful pants especially for spring. Great color! And I think we all hibernated this winter and turned to comfort food. It was a rough one.
ReplyDeleteIt was definitely was rough. Thanks Ginny!
DeleteI'm almost half way into the next decade and YES it is a fight for life. A quality life. I need to exercise more now than I did in my 20's. But the good thing is it's a rather easy path to stay on!
ReplyDeleteLove the white shoes. I really have to take the time to find some cool white shoes.
When I think about having to exercise, it's exhausting. But I've made peace with accepting that it's a must. I'm funny about white shoes too... since I wear a size 10. But these looked so cool that I had to have them!
DeleteGood for you for taking charge of your health, Erica! You look great! After 40, it comes on so quickly, it's downright ridiculous. Love the My Fitness Pal App, it's a really good tracker.
ReplyDelete