A lot more blissful with a little less glutton
It happened after Tokyo when I was going through my mother’s photos. Since I am normally behind the camera, my photos are mostly of other people and food—not myself. The woman in the picture was a stranger and a totally different image from the one I had in my head. This version of Jennifer looked swollen and uncomfortable. The clarity hit me like a speeding train in my (very large) gut. I kept the dimmer down in my bathroom when I was getting ready in the morning to avoid seeing myself in the mirror, my clothes did not fit and I was just plain miserable. I was fat and living in denial.
Before you think I was just being another woman with body issues, let me tell you that was not the case at all. I went to the doctor and found out I was 40 lbs overweight—a large amount of poundage if you are a short girl like me. I had completely let myself go through a lot of portion distortion and a slew of emotional eating binges thanks to a big move, a career change and a less than healthy 4 year relationship. I decided that this was it. No more. I took a moment, closed my eyes and imprinted how horrible I felt on my brain. “Never again,” I whispered to myself over and over again.
So, I went on a diet. No calorie counting, carb-free nonsense or over-processed fat free foods for this girl—just plain old portion control and exercise. Instead of eating the whole plate of pasta, I ate half. Sure, I stopped cooking with cream and butter to jump start the weight loss, but that is all the deprivation I exercised. The pounds started to come off and I didn’t mind looking in the mirror anymore. My mother, who is an artist, commented it was like watching a sculpture emerge from a block of marble. I won’t lie and say it has been easy. I love food and can get the tiniest bit gluttonous on occasion. But, I have managed to take 40 pounds off, lost four dress sizes and am in much better spirits these days.
Last Thursday’s article in The New York Times could not have come at a better time as I am battling my last ten pounds—the hardest of them all. Many of the people in the article faced health problems and I didn’t want to get to that point. Obesity is a huge issue in this country, but so many people—especially those of us who work in food—think their life will be over if they diet. Well, it will be if you don’t. But, as the article and my personal experience hopefully show, you can still enjoy good food and be at a healthy weight. Just like anything in life, you need to know when to say when.
Happy eating and thanks for reading.
Congratulations! That is a great accomplishment and you should be proud of yourself.
good for you! congrats!
lola said… you are pure art
if you dont mind me asking…what is your exercise schedule like? also, did you limit your alcohol intake?
thanks for sharing your story, you are an inspiration!
Thanks everyone!
Leah:
To be honest, I was doing about 4-5 days of cardio (bought a machine for the house) at the beginning but have tapered off since.
I don’t drink much or eat many sweets which has been my saving grace. I probably have one glass of wine a week and that is about it.
Congrats on the weight loss!!