Saturday, January 5, 2013

100 Pound Loser

I did something a little out of character for me:
I read a weight loss book.
I usually avoid that topic, I know my weaknesses and my triggers.
This one though, really pulled at me, in a different way. Maybe it's because I kindasorta "know" the author; at least I've been keeping up with her online for a few years now. Enough to feel pretty confident that reading her book wouldn't be unhealthy for me.
I was right.
I think her book came at a really good time for me, as I'm getting pretty excited about life, and what all I hope to accomplish, and stepping out from behind my fears and trepidations {sometimes} to seize my life before it slips by me. I want to be strong and healthy, and able to fulfill my favorite quote:
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the
intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, 
but rather to skid in sideways, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming -- WOW-- What a Ride!"
Being pretty sure that baby 8 is the last one has me feeling like I"m on the brink of the next chapter of life... Which is both exciting and frightening. 
One of the ways it's a bit frightening is that I'll be looking at my eating tendencies and seeing if I really am master of that part of myself or if it's only that I've known that I have to eat "properly" for my babies.
This is why this book came at a good time for me. 
It's a good, cheerful, conversational read; a lot of books try to make you feel as if you're chatting with the author over coffee: this one achieves that.
She covers the ground she sets out to, without being too wordy and bogging you down.
I was really helped and encouraged be her honesty about her own struggles with food, it made me feel so much less like a weirdo, and gave me so much hope to see someone standing successfully on the other side of "managing your weight". 
I love that she reminds us just how simple it is, and keeps it there, without a lot of complicated diets and workouts, and gives practical little hints based on her own trial and error, like changing up your workout every so often to keep your body from plateauing.
My very very favorite part of the book? The last few chapters, where she shares "troubleshooting" and the reality of it all in day to day life. For me, that brought it down from ideals and hopes into plans, goals, and "I'm gonna get there!"
I definitely recommend this book to anyone looking to lose a few pounds (or a lot- she lost 100, as her title says: "100 Pound Loser: How I Ate What I Wanted, Had 4 Babies, and Finally Took Control of My Weight"), or manage healthy eating & exercising habits, or really, hoping to conquer any bad habits in their lives. Her story is inspiring, how she grabbed ahold of the basics, kept going when it got hard, kept her focus in a healthy place, recognized that she is human, didn't quit at "failures" or "plateaus", and knew when to enjoy her success. 
Here's where you can get it- let me know if you do, and what you think of it! 

Click here to visit Jessica Heights & get the book.

2 comments:

  1. cool post. I think weight loss is something that people don't talk about because they are scared about what people will think and it is really hard to loose weight and really easy to put it on. In all honesty, if I lost 100 pounds I wouldn't be alive anymore because this is just about what I weigh :)

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  2. Thanks for the post! This is something that has hit me smack in the face that I HAVE TO DO SOMETHING. It is hard because I enjoy baking etc. and find that comforting and it is something I am good at:) Sadly, I like to eat what I make:) SO, I have to find the balance! I WILL be checking this out. Thanks again...

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