My younger sister Amber just announced that she is getting married. I am way excited 
because she’s my only sister, so despite the fact that we’ve had two brothers married off, and five other siblings on Andrew’s side of the family, this is the first wedding since my own in which I will be intimately involved in the planning. Now, with my own wedding, I tried to cut as many corners as possible. With neither Andrew or I having a real job, we wanted to keep it as simple as possible. My parents were also less secure financially ten years ago than they are now, so they could only contribute so much. But now, with Amber having the last wedding of the kids, and because my mom has been so eager for her to get married, I think we’ll be able to go all out and have some real fun!
Of course, this has its downside, and that is that I am not in the sort of shape that I want to be immortalized in wedding pictures. Well, quite honestly, I haven’t ever been in the
sort of shape that I want immortalized, but I’m a lot worse off now that I used to be. So, my New Year’s Resolution is the classic–losing weight. I’ve been overweight my whole life, but I don’t often talk about it. I’ve found that people don’t really want to hear about your weight problems if all you do is complain about how fat you are. So mostly I just keep my weight issues to myself. I also long ago decided not to let my weight issues affect my self esteem. I can be dissatisfied with my figure, but I won’t let it get me depressed or make me think less of myself as a person.
However, I not only hate looking this big, I hate feeling this big. And it’s not healthy. Now, my biggest problem is just getting the exercise I need. With my current situation, I hardly have any spare time to go to the gym or even pop in an exercise tape. But I’ve got to do it. So, this is my resolution and my goal: by Amber’s wedding in June, I plan to lose at least thirty pounds, and get down to a size 14. I won’t tell you where exactly I’m starting from, but let’s just say I’m heavier than I’ve ever been. So, please, everyone, since my self control is not the greatest, don’t bring out scrumptious looking desserts around me! I don’t like to talk about dieting and make a big deal of it like Andrew does, but I need the support as much as anybody. Wish me luck!
Congratulations Amber! I’m so excited for your family. Good luck getting started on your weight-loss goals. While I’m sure it won’t be easy, I’m hoping you’ll have quick success since at least some of the baby weight should be “ready” to come off! At least, it seems like baby weight is a little easier to take off than just regular extra weight — has that been the case for you in the past?
Hey, I’ve been getting an email newsletter from Martha Stewart’s “Everyday Food” wing (it’s free) and they have lots of just simple, balanced meal ideas that are tasty. I don’t know if you’re trying to do Atkins or some other kind of meal plan, but just thought I’d give you that as a suggestion.
By: liz on January 10, 2008
at 9:40 pm
How fun to have your sis getting married. It is kinda sad that Aaron and I don’t have any more siblings to marry off – weddings are fun! Good luck with the weight loss. I’m just about to the point where I’m ready to lose some weight too – I find it really hard to diet when I’m nursing – I’m just so dang hungry all the time!
By: kira on January 10, 2008
at 9:54 pm
I went to the gym on Monday night and attended a strength training class. There were only three other people and so the instructor kept singling me out. Telling me I needed to bend my arms more on my push-ups and go lower on my squats. I was really giving it ALL I had and I finally had to tell her, “Look this is my first postpartum workout. I’m really doing the best I can.” (Of course I didn’t tell her, and she didn’t ask, that my “newborn” is eight months old!!!)Either way she was not impressed. It is sooooo hard to find the time and energy to work out…especially when you’re breast feeding and not getting enough sleep. But someone recently gave me a great tip that I’ve been trying to do. When you’re trying to burn fat, weight/resistance training is much more effective than cardio and that you can work out through out the day in 10 minute intervals here and there doing sets of squats, lunges, push ups, crunches etc. and that it will have the same effect as hitting the gym. I figure it can’t hurt. Good luck!!
PS: I think you are gorgeous and extremely photogenic as you are. I can’t get over how beautiful you looked in the picture of you and James like 5 minutes after you pushed him out your vagina! So either way you’ll great in Amber’s wedding pictures!
By: Shannon on January 11, 2008
at 2:25 pm
That’s a great goal to work towards. We BOTH wanna look good for the pictures!
By: andrewalma on January 11, 2008
at 3:35 pm
Congratulations on your sister getting married! And a hearty good luck on meeting your weight loss goals. I think you’re beautiful too, for what it’s worth. But, I also know how it feels to be too big in your skin (even if it’s only in your own mind). Once again, good luck!
By: Kristy Willhite on January 12, 2008
at 4:02 pm
Wow, you guys are all so nice. I think my main problem comes in my snacking habits. I’ll eat healthy meals, but I don’t pay attention to what I’m eating in between and by the end of the day I realize that I had way too many sweets. And I’ve got to eat more veggies. I agree with you, Shannon–I’ve had my best weight loss results when I do strength training. In fact,I just did lunges for the first time three days ago and I’m still feeling it!
By: robinbl on January 15, 2008
at 2:33 pm