On Diets

Do you see this picture?  This picture is my inspiration.  Why?  Why would this horrific picture of me be inspirational?  What is inspirational about a chubby lady pushing a stroller, with humidified fluffy hair, in a wretchedly fundamentalist outfit?  Well, when I saw this picture I was gobsmacked, (and I also threw that shirt and skirt out immediately).  I mean I knew I'd gained some weight (and to be fair anyone standing next to Whitney is going to look slightly chubby even if they happen to be Kate Moss) but, I had turned into this?  Really?  When did this happen?  

Back in the day I fit easily into a size 6 (before size 6 was really a size 8)

 And so when we got back from Utah this summer I decided it was time for some drastic measures.  And so for the first time in my life I went on a diet.  I was inspired by Rob and my friend Challey who had decided to count calories and had lost substantial amounts of weight.  So here was my plan.  No more dessert, period.  The reasoning behind this was sugar supresses the feeling of being satiated, and truly I am a bottomless pit when it comes to food. And it worked, after I got over the hard part of craving it constantly). And I limited my calorie intake drastically and kept track of every bite I took on livestrong.com's daily plate.  I also have been going to lots of these classes:

 And lots of these classes which have taught me coordination isn't really my thing (not that I needed to learn that.  I already knew I couldn't do any kind of complicated sequence involving my feet):

And the good news is, I am seeing results.  I've been working out nearly daily for about 4 years now, and I haven't ever lost weight.  But now, with the diet, it is working.  Which is exciting and motivating.  But did anyone see last weeks Modern Family?  (And if you aren't watching Modern Family than you need to be.  It is maybe the funniest show ever.  Seriously.)

Anyway so Mitch and Cam are on a juice fast.  And they go to a work charity fundraiser and Mitch's boss tells a story about a seal that died because a plastic bag that strangled him and Mitch bursts into hysterical sobs, because he is slightly unhinged from his diet.  Believe me it was hilarious. I could relate so well.  I am not starving myself by any means but most nights all I want to do is eat a stick of deep fried butter.

Okay, not really.  That is sick!  But it turns out food is my favorite thing in the world.  I love food.  Food makes everything better.  Eating good food while traveling is one of the best parts of traveling.  And all events are made better by food. Especially food made with chocolate, and any kind of cheese (except velveeta), and french fries.  Seriously.  And key lime pie.  And homemade ice cream.  And Courtney's whoopie pies.  And gruyere and ham panini's with plenty of butter.  So even though I religiously pass on cheese deliciousness and all kinds of fabulous desserts I confess that most of the time I daydream about this:

Not sure it is worth it.  Except when I look at that first picture....and then I think, okay maybe it is worth it.