ValApparel

Good afternoon FF’s. I have only gone and done it….. I promised myself 30 years ago I would never do it again, that I wouldn’t have to…… and guess what???? I had to…. want to know what??

I joined SLIMMING WORLD!!!!!!!!

I didn’t even know I had been snapped here, too busy dancing and having fun, however, much as I dislike myself intensely in this picture, big baw face, chins, and don’t get me started on the belly, hips and legs,(thankfully you can’t see the lower half), this picture did give me the boot up the backside to go and take the plunge and join said slimming class. I weighed in at 2 stone and 3lb heavier than I was pre-COVID, I cant even blame COVID, it was so long ago now, plus, I didn’t really put much weight on during the pandemic. The Menopause has however, had a HUGE affect on me, both mentally and physically, my whole body shape has changed, I have a belly and boobs now (I don’t want either, thank you very much), most of the time I feel too tired to exercise, (preferring to sit and read, well, 10 mins then I fall asleep), any time I do diet, the pounds just don’t come off, plus I am bonkers, well, most of the time, but, regardless of that, the eating regime and willpower pre-COVID just hasn’t been there. My weight has just creped up and up, it hasn’t been important, nor was it a priority, (tomorrow, tomorrow, always tomorrow). I know in the grand scheme of things, there are things far more important, but, when nothing fits and I mean, literally nothing, when I am buying clothes a size bigger from VINTED (things I would never in normal circumstances wear, we are talking some really hideous dresses), just so I have something that ‘fits’ to wear to work and what make this tale even sadder is (cue violins), is, that I have an obscene amount of clothes, we are talking racks, wardrobes, cupboards, holdalls under the bed, and just about every bit of free space is adorned with (hey, a lot of money has been spent on them – some of it the credit card company’s) copious amounts of clothing, (that would fit if I just lost some weight – it’s not bloody rocket science Val), some clothes still have the price tags on them, (cos they didn’t and don’t fit), added to the fact I don’t like what I see in the mirror, let alone photographs, I can’t bear to go to the gym, my fat butt hangs over spin bike saddle plus my kit is too tight, and very, very unforgiving (every lump and bump is on show). I just knew when I saw that picture, that something had to give (probably the seams of the gym leggings).

So, you now know my reason for plodding along to the slimming class and dressed like this….I mean, seriously Val, you are a glutton for punishment…

one of my most unflattering outfits ever, (in my defence, I was comfortable). However, NOTE TO SELF, WEARING BIG, BAGGY CLOTHES JUST MAKES YOU LOOK AND FEEL WORSE!!!!! (Having my Fashion Diploma, I, of all people, should know better). Do not repeat this fashion abomination again Val, unless target weight has been met!!! (even then, have a serious think about those trousers).

Now, I know we all see ourselves differently from others, some people may even be saying, get your head out you a** you whinging old trout, just get on with it etc, etc, etc, but, as the old saying goes… ‘if you don’t love yourself, no-one else will’, well, I’m not really bothered about the others loving me, at least not until I do, and right now I don’t. You may remember or not, when I started my Blog, I always ended with ‘Enjoy being you’. Well, it’s time to listen to my own advice and get back to enjoying being me.

So, on that note….

I am now on Day 2 of my Slimming World journey. I have swapped chocolate for fruit, wine for zero sugar juices, vegetables for bread, (my life is over), and set a realistic weight loss goal for myself. I will just have to stick to the plan and hope that this will work, as nothing else so far has. Wish me luck.

PS – Being 59 and going through the menopause sucks!!!

A bientot mes amis xx