Dear me,
The time has come, sweet cheeks. Seriously, the time is really really overripe. It’s time to start tightening the belt without suffocating, time to stop looking like a more fashionable version of Jabba The Hut. Time to stop giving the Michelin man a run for his money, time to stop scaring yourself every time you walk in front of the mirror coming out of the shower.
It’s time, girl. I know, I know that chocolate is hard to give up. Especially Swiss chocolate. But you live here, it’s not like you have to apply “Carpe Diem” to the chance to eat Swiss chocolate, it isn’t a one-off.
And I know you can be strong and curb your enthusiasm for Starbucks drinks for a little while. Although admittedly, it might be a little longer than a little while, because let’s face it, it’s been a long time coming.
But you won’t be alone. Your best friend is already doing her crazy thing. And no doubt many of your friends will join you in your efforts to defeat the bulge once and for all, as part of their New Year’s resolutions. And you could easily join the latest challenge in the Sisterhood of Shrinking Jeans. In fact, why not do just that? You know everything is more fun when done in group, even stuff that wasn’t that much fun to begin with, like drinking meal replacement shakes twice a day. Or getting back into exercise. Because let’s face it, the idea to do 20 minutes on the elliptical right now sounds just about as appealing as slicing off one of your ears. So start with something else. Start with the Wii Fit. Or with the EAS Active. Or really, with anything that can keep that needs-its-own-zipcode, too-large-for-your-jeans, flabby ass moving for 20 minutes.
Yes, 20 minutes. Stop being so damn picky and shoot lower. You don’t have to do everything perfect from the get go. Start smaller, and chances are you might just get smaller, too.
And don’t think I can’t see you there, looking all thoughtful. Don’t even think about a “last hurray” meal! Ok, do you need tough love? Let’s do that. Think of what happened this morning. You tweeted it too. What? Carrots work better than whips with you? Fine. Let’s count the reasons why it would make you happy to be, oh, say a good 2 sizes smaller? Let’s.
- Skinny jeans.
- Sexy lingerie.
- A much bigger selection of fabulous clothes to shop for when you go to Italy next spring, or to New York next summer.
- Confidence. Can’t put a price on that.
What? Need more? Two words: Shopping.Spree.
Remember the shopping spree you were promised when you finally hit your goal weight? That’s going to happen, girl. Now, go on. Jump on that elliptical, and then you can start making the list of stuff you’d buy. ’cause there’s nothing wrong with counting those chicks, as long as it gets you going 
And you? Are you going to join the challenge?
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I’m with you! I’ll have to check that out…Same problem here – I get frustrated when I can’t/won’t put in hour long workouts, and completely forget that 20 minutes is more than 0 minutes! My goals will be smaller this year – 20-30 minutes a few days a week. I think seeing some improvement will be the motivation I need.
Good luck!
LZ´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday: The Creepy Guy in our backyard
Great to have you with us!! This challenge is just what all of us need to start the new year right!
BTW, I’m an expat too, living in Belgium. And you’re right, we don’t have to hoard the chocolate — we live here!
Karena´s last blog ..weighing in and moving on!
So glad you are joining us my friend! I am down 17.3 pounds girlie and you will be just as successful. We are going to help each other out!
Renee´s last blog ..Operation Weight Loss – Week 5
um LOVE-ing this post!! everything i’m saying to myself right now! i am SO with you on this……and i agree…we’re going to the states in march and i have those same two words i keep thinking about too…….shopping spree!! mmmhmmm.
Welcome to the Sisterhood. You sound like a total hoot. Just what we need over here. Laughter is the best medicine and there are weigh in days where laughter will be your best friend. Did that make sense?
This is the first time I’ve seen your blog, and you have a way with words. I will take time later to check it out more.
I am a licensed mental health counselor, and have had the honor of helping many people work on their food and body image issues. The truth is that these issues are much more about our hearts and our stories than calories and fat grams. Research shows that dieting doesn’t work for the long-term. In other words, people who diet will eventually gain back all the weight plus MORE. I am writing a book based on my experience working with people about all of the underlying issues of food, fat, and fanny obsession.
One of my clients lost about 80 pounds and kept it off for years. As far as I know, she still maintains. Once I asked her how she did it, and she reported that it was mostly the work we had done. She learned to work on the real underlying issues of her food addiction and asked herself some very tough questions. Through dealing with her story and issues of her heart, the weight melted off over a period of time without her really trying.
My latest post is called Real Reasons of Food Addiction and discusses what to do about it. Congrats on your courage to face the truth! I would love to hear your thoughts… Thanks, Cherrie http://www.cherriemac.wordpress.com
Fannies: Reflections on Cookie Dough, Life, and Your Derriere
Great motivation Elisa. Go to google and do a search for The Exercise Myth in Time Magazine. Last summer, (when I wasn’t pregnant) when I working out like a fiend my trainer had me read it. It’s mind-blowing. And it really helps with motivation too.
Best of luck!!
christy´s last blog ..My blog book
Go you! And thanks for the link, I haven’t heard of this Shrinking Jeans thing–I might give it a go since I’m still on the Shred. Happy New Year!
Becky´s last blog ..Cul-De-Sac Falling Out
I LOVED your letter for so very many reasons. Yep, at first 20 minutes seems like a long time. And then all of a sudden, almost like magic, it doesn’t! Your momentum picks up and you feel yourself wanting and able to do more! The only catch is that you have to be consistent, but you’ve listed all those wonderful reasons to get you out the door! And if that’s not enough, we’re here for that extra nudge. So excited you’re here! You’re worth it, let’s do it together!!
Well girl, you know I’ll be rooting for you!
Nap Warden´s last blog ..Look Ma, New Camera
Woo Hoo! You’re in! So thrilled. Although I’d swear you were writing this to me and not yourself. Shop with me for skinny girl stuff. BlogHer10 NYC. M’kay?
audrey @ the lewis 4´s last blog ..christmas – part 2 – santa
Yep! I’m starting 30 Day Shred again next week. The stomach flu gave me a little jump start (horrible, horrible way to lose weight).
I have several more pounds of baby weight to lose. Now that the “baby” is turning two, it’s time for the pounds to go! We are gonna look totally hot at BlogHer!
Welcome to the Sisterhood! Loved your letter!! I KNOW you can do this! Good luck!
welcome! we are so glad you are taking part of re think your shrink. Italy? can i come? i’ll be thinner and can squeeze in!
Cherie is right, in order to keep a good, healthy metabolism we all need to change our eating habits. This does not mean that we have to give it all up, if it did I would never be able to accomplish this task.
I had my fill of sugar and chocolate over the holidays but it made me look and feel…not so good.
Now, that the sugar and alcohol has decreased in my system I am craving Kale again. No really!!! But give me New Years and give it to me hard because I will abstain from nothing…Excess in moderation is my motto.
Jillian´s last blog ..Blogging Awards and New Year Resolutions
So true..the first twenty minutes suck. You have to stick with it. Bring music, a friend, anything to keep you motivated. I am trying to get back into shape after baby and I have found two things to be utterly and completely motivating: 1. my sisters who are in the same boat trying to accomplish the same things as me 2. the progress I am seeing when I actually workout five days per week…it is amazing!
Good luck! If you need motivation, feel free to drop me a line and I will do the best I can! You can do it!!!
Alecia´s last blog ..Roady’s Humanitarian Bowl
You know, if this is any help with the 20 minutes thing, they say that doing 5 minutes 4 times a day would be basically just as beneficial as doing the full 20 minutes all at once. So… give it what you can, when you can, and go from there. Hell, even start smaller if you need to. Anything to gain some momentum. Make you goal for the first week to just drink your 8 glasses of water every day, and add something on every week after that. You can do it. You’re kick ass.
Kellee´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday Diptych #3: Winter
Love it. Good luck on your journey to skinnier jeans. I hope I am wearing a pair with you in the new year! (That sounded kind of weird, but I hope you get me anyway!) Happy almost 2010!
Andrea´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday!
Hello! Loved your letter…I’m just starting too! I know 2010 has great things in store for us!!!
Thanks for the link to the Sisterhood…I think I’ll join up. I’ve got three months to fit into my pre-baby jeans (in time for her first birthday). Think I can make it? I know you can.
amber´s last blog ..What a Year. What a Decade.
I with you girl. I know you can do it!
Good for you! And yes, giving up fabulous chocolate is difficult, but clothes and confidence are great motivators!
AnnQ´s last blog ..Favorite Beauty Products for Men and Women
I started the 30 day challenge on EA Active on Thursday. That is some serious exercise (for someone who doesn’t). Then I went and read Skinny Bitches last night. And decided to take a shot a veganism, at least for a while. Really. That book scared me.
I am way way way over due on taking care of my body…..
Madge´s last blog ..The Burpee Seed Catalog
<Loved this post! Have a great 2010~
Pres. Kathy´s last blog ..Happy New Year!!!
Good luck girl! I know you can do it. xo
Aw such a cute post- made me smile! Best of luck!! xo, Mel
Wrecked Stellar´s last blog ..The Visible Cloak
The quote “Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels,” has often kept me on track with my eating. I need to be more active, too, but my eating could use a real makeover. I’m going to check out the Sisterhood site (looks pretty cool so far!). There’s no reason not to succeed!
Jessica @ This is Worthwhile´s last blog ..Bite-sized thoughts & cold coffee
hi elisa, thanks for leaving your lovely comment on my blog. yours is great, it’s good fun! and you live in zurich, too!?! phantastic!