This picture from last summer absolutely HORRIFIES me. That's me on the right. I thought I looked svelte that night, but check out the belly! A friend posted this on Facebook and I had to untag myself because I couldn't stand looking at it.
I just bought a scale. I have never owned one. Who the hell buys a scale and starts writing a blog about weight loss in December? December?!?
‘Tis the season of my mom’s kick-ass stuffing, the corn soufflé that I dream about, and latkes frying in a pan that make my house stink for at least three weeks. A time for Starbucks’ Salted Caramel Mochas (which I make myself feel better about by asking for them non-fat), my daughter’s birthday cake, and, oh, so much more. ‘Tis also the season when I opened my pajama drawer and had to reach for the extra large T-shirt because everything else felt just a bit too snug to wear to bed.
This is a problem.
Hi. My name is Robin and I’m overweight. I wouldn’t say that I’m fat, necessarily, but I’ve been lugging an extra 15 (+/-) pounds around for the better part of seven years. To look at my five-foot frame from the ass down, you wouldn’t think I had to lose weight because these are not my problem areas. We’re talking about stomach to forehead, people, and it ain’t pretty.
Current: 130.4 pounds
Goal: 113 pounds
After my daughter (we’ll call her “O”) was born in 2006, I dove into Weight Watchers and was able to slim down to my high school weight. The feeling of trying on a pair of jeans that were the same size as my seventh grade Z. Cavariccis was nothing short of euphoria. I looked good, felt amazing, and was actually able to wear every single item of clothing in my closet, which is certainly not the case these days.
Once I had hit my goal weight, though, I got lazy and stopped weighing in with my friends at WW. It also happened to be summer and I was down the shore, eating Superstar Banana Fudge Bars on the Ventnor beach like it was my job. Slowly, slowly, the weight crept back on and then—bang—I’m pregnant again.
I viewed pregnancy as my license to be a completely gross pig at all times. Chef Boy-R-Dee? Absolutely. Pints of Ben and Jerry’s? Why not? Gallons of orange juice? Bring it on. An unexplainable hankering for chocolate pudding? There are worse things. And, my absolute low point: the Wendy’s Double Baconator (check out the nutrition info on this bad boy). Whatever! It’s cool; I was pregnant and the baby obviously wanted—nay, needed—all of these things to survive in there. My son (we’ll call him “E”) was born in September 2009 at a whopping eight pounds, seven ounces (you’re welcome for all the nutritious food, big guy) and that was that.
I’ve yo-yo’ed a bit since then but haven’t been able to stick to anything for long enough to make a real dent in my weight. I’ve tried going back to WW but haven’t been able to commit. I joined an obscenely expensive gym for a year and spent the majority of that time expanding my mind by reading Us Weekly while phoning it in on the treadmill. Well worth the money, me thinks.
So … Here I am, sharing my stories and my weight with the world because I am sick of having to reach for the XL pajama shirt. I’m sick of having to wear the same clothes over and over because three-quarters of my closet doesn’t fit and I refuse to buy a new wardrobe to clothe this undesirable body. I’m pretty much just sick of feeling shitty about myself and it’s time to do something about it. “Something” being the following:
• Attend a Weight Watchers meeting every Thursday morning.
• Work out. I’m going to check out a local class each week in an attempt to finally find exercise that I enjoy doing. I’ll be posting pictures, too, which are sure to be attractive.
• Write this weekly blog post so that I can be accountable to all of you instead of just myself because, frankly, I don’t trust me.
Join me here each week to check out my progress via the pretty little Weight Tracker the nice folks here at Philly Mag designed just for me. Our goal, ladies and gentlemen, is 113 lbs—high school fighting weight. I would love to hear some of your stories about struggles with weight loss and how you’ve overcome them. Share recipes with me. Tell me about your favorite exercise classes in the area and maybe I’ll try them out.
A big thank you, in advance, for holding me accountable during this insane little experiment. And when, in a few months, you see a skinny chick strolling down Walnut Street rocking a pair of black Cavariccis, you’ll know it’s me and that it’s okay. Because pleated pants from the 80′s are completely acceptable when they are a size 26.
…………..
Robin Raskin blogs about her weight loss journey every Thursday on Be Well Philly. Follow her on Twitter at @RobinRaskin.
I’m cracking up over this post! You are totally brave to be taking this on during the holidays, and will definitely be making my Thursdays a bit more interesting.
Wishing you the best…it’s all about having a positive attitude…and taking it one day at a time. If you fall…just get back up! Would love for you to come to Aim High Studio to take a Virtual indoor cycling class…burns a crazy amount of calories-and it’s fun or a Hot Yoga class…you will leave sweaty and relaxed…a perfect combination for you to help you stay focused on your goals. Again, wishing you the best…YOU CAN DO IT! xoxo Aimee
Count me in, Aimee! I would love to try out one of your Virtual Spin classes. One of the early ones on 12/17 or 18?
I’m already inspired just by reading this. You are hilarious!!! Your humor is truly going to take you on this incredible journey!!! Most of us can 100% relate with 99% of what you wrote. Good luck! I look forward to reading about your journey every Thursday! Im actually thrilled to see someone trying to lose the last 15…I feel like most of these type of blogs usually focus on someone who has a lot of weight to lose….Ive always found that the last couple pounds are the hardest and most frustrating….totally relatable!!!! I also love that you are willing to try new exercises rather than just doing what you know. Putting yourself outside your comfort zone, in and of itself, can be a challenge. Go you!!!!
Robin! I love it! so proud of you! you rock! xoxo
… and confess to us IF you cheat!
Love love love. And I want to join you…althought I dont know if I am brave enough to start now….a time when I do my best eating. After my second baby, I dropped to my pre-pre-pregnancy weight quickly (pre-pre defined as my weight before the first baby). It crept back on and here I sit – in draw string pant b/c my jeans are so uncomfortable and, like you, I refuse to go by a whole new wardrobe. You’re an inspiration! Good luck…hope we can hang out in our thong bikinis together by the summer!
Amazing! I guess our Biggest Loser Club didn’t quite stick. I can’t wait to read more, and hope this motivates me…cause’ right now I’m sitting at my desk eating a bag of Trader Joe’s chocolate covered pretzel crisps. xoxo!!!
Robin, you are hysterical and an amazing writer (you have always been!) I empathize with you and understand how you feel! I am also on Weight Watchers and feel like I have fallen off the wagon lately. I will get back on track with you. I highly recommend you check out the eat-rite food that I have been eating. All of the pizza’s and wraps are only 4 points and are very filling! (And they taste great, are made of organic ingredients, etc etc) You also need to venture over to our land over here and try Bryn and Danes… everything is low in Points and WW certified! I’ll meet you there! xo Jen
One of my clients (I am a social worker) asked me this question today, “Are you having a boy or a girl?!” My reply was, “I’m not pregnant.” Not only am I not pregnant, I’ve never BEEN pregnant! This question is the verbal equivalent of sitting on a chair and breaking it, or…being photographed while eating a hot dog. Catch my drift? Mortifying. I actually was going to put my name in the hat to be Philly Mag’s weight loss blogger, but I was too afraid to broadcast my weight to the whole entire city. So, good for you, Robin. Good luck, I will be reading and participating in my own journey along with you.
Been there, Kathleen. Someone asked when I was due and I had to tell them that my son was seven months old. That was a comfortable conversation. Keep me posted as to how it’s going for you!
Way to go Robin! It just shows there is no better time then the present to be responsible and take action. Would love to support you if you wanted to stop by Restore Radiance and give your metabolism a boost with acupuncture. Wishing you a successful weight loss season!
Yes, yes, and YES, Andrea!! I have been wanting to try acupuncture for the longest time to help with everything from weight, to allergies, to… well, you get the picture. My list of ailments reads like that of a 500-pound, 95-year-old man. It’s absurd, really. Let’s talk!
Oh Robin, I feel your pain. I too sat in my car, pregnant and gorging on cheese fries. Not pretty.
Good luck in your journey and when you find a workout thats fun, it’ll change your life. I found one and 3 months later…boom!
Hi,
I believe you know who I am!! I am currently on WW online. My summer nights are spent out with my crew eating lots of fried food such as chicken wings and onion rings. I have been trying to get off about 7-10 pounds and WW is what seems to work best. Best advice is to truly track your points every single day. I can give you some helpful things that I have found along the way. You’re going to do fantastic! Looking forward to your blog!
Me thinks you rock, Rob! You can do this! Piece of cake! Oops, Pun not intended.
Robin! Yea for you! What a cool way to have some fun, lose some weight, and help motivate others! I know you will be successful at all three!
This is GREAT! There are others that share what I think about losing weight! I just need a motivation…this might be it!
Best of luck, I am excited to follow your journey especially since I have been working towards my own “high school fighting weight” goal or rather “My Adventure to Lose the College 30 Before I am 30″
Hope you try Bikram yoga with me at http://www.bikramphiladelphia.com/!
I have only been practicing for a little over a month, but I jumped right in and recently completed a 30 day challenge— a 90 minute class everyday for 30 days… 45 total sweat drenched hours— and I have never felt better in my own body.
Although, I still have a good 10 lbs to reach that ultimate goal… Bikram has finally given me the confidence and motivation that I need to achieve it
(I didn’t get where I am… nearly half way to my goal… with Bikram alone. Exercising 4-6 times a week, eating weight loss minded/calorie counting has been my main tools for success. Myfitnesspal.com is a great free website and phone app I’d suggest to anyone trying to lose weight)
Check out a cardio kickboxing class. I used to do this 3 times a week and only now that I don’t have access to the class do I realize what great shape I was in! I second Bikram yoga and spinning – great workouts. So excited to follow along!
This is awesome! I, too, just joined weight watchers and my goal weight is the same as yours, so I look forward to reading your blog. Reading the weight watchers success stories motivate me! I recently read about a woman who when she didn’t feel like exercising would say to herself “there will be a day when I cannot run anymore, today is not that day.” That helped me running the Philly half! Best of luck!!!
Awesome blog robin! I’ll be checking in. Best of luck!
I was always thin. Ask Samantha my cousin.
I smoked and when I quit eight years ago, my
weight took an upward spiral. I am older than you
and it is hard when you reach your forties. I have
been trying to reach my goal which is between
125 – 130 . It has gone on for four years. I was
at 155 + and I am back down but yo-yo between
136-138 that is on my scale. My doctors scale makes me heavier. It is good thing you are looking at loosing the weight now and making a
healthier you because it will get harder as you get older. Belly fat stays as you reach menopause. It is a fact of life. But good for you
to do it now. Good luck
this great, hopefully it will get me going on the diet thing..
This is such a great idea, Robin. I’ve definitely been intested in finding some good classes to take in Philly (as I have no clue where to go). I’m definitely looking forward to hearing about your experiences. Good luck! I can’t wait to hear about your successes with this:-)
Robin – we’re rooting for you! Your forthrightness inspires us all. I am in a similar situation (bad medical treatment of a thyroid problem, followed by years of stress from other stuff) – will follow along with you. When I move back to Philly (after too many years away), let’s walk Center City and those great City parks together!
Ladies – don’t forget that most basic calorie and fat burner: WALKING! Also “eat this, not that,” substituting good stuff for naughty stuff. And that most basic rule: Persistence Pays!
Good luck, sister, we’re with you!☺
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