We are working hard to downsize our possessions here, focusing mostly right now on things stored in the shed (or on the disappearing deck). As I look through the house and see how much stuff we have managed to accumulate, my eyes fall on a stack of boxes tucked away in the closet.
Each box in this stack contains clothes for a particular weight range. Sizes overlap since manufacturers can use widely varying criteria in their labeling. The boxes are not large; they were originally designed as file storage boxes. Yet, there are quite a few of them reflecting my weight loss and gain over the past few years.
How did I manage to accumulate so many pounds again? That's no mystery! When I am stressed, I eat. And I do not make healthy choices nor do I only eat when I am physically hungry. My body gladly packs on the pounds, figuring the stress must signal a coming famine for which it must prepare or die.
Even if food prices go up significantly, I don't anticipate being unable to find any food at all. However, my body does not know that. It is well-prepared to be able to go quite some time with insufficient calories. It is not well-prepared, however, for increased physical demands on it, as it may need to meet if gas prices increase again.
It is time to downsize my body, and my hoarded clothing in multiple sizes. I pledge here and now to let go of all* of the clothes that do not yet fit when we leave this house. I hope it does not take so long for us to get out of here that I work my way down to the smallest clothes in that stack, but I hope to get into at least a couple of the boxes.
To accomplish this, I need to start planning meals again instead of eating in such a haphazard and craving-driven pattern. Planning meals will also help us work our way through some of the food in the pantry before moving and save us money on meals out. I may start posting again occasionally on my food blog about this journey.
*I have reneged on such pledges before and know myself well enough to leave a little wiggle room. I'll probably keep a few outfits from each size or things I really, really like. One needs something to look forward to on the journey!
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7 comments:
Whatcha mean!! But in my case it's like, I finally got the kitchen and garden I want, and, what, I'm n-n-not supposed to use it the clock around!? Combined with, I'm a Bear, it's fall, my body knows just what to do before I hibernate ...
Definitely leave the wiggle room for things you really like ..
peace, shamba
Ugh. I lost a few pounds and now I have no businessy pants that fit me and it's a huge stress. I can't decide what to do, whether or not it's worth it to spend the money and the time and effort finding new pants or not. I also can't decide whether to keep all the old pants in case my weight goes back up.
When I got rid of my older "skinnier" pants, I told myself that it was tough love, and that if I did lose some weight, I would buy myself new pants in reward. I guess I figured that if I lost weight I would also magically be richer.
So, I don't have good advice for you. I'd probably just enable you to hoard everything, everything because WHO KNOWS WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS!!
Oh, the dilemma! I've got clothes that were several sizes ago and my argument is that I paid so much for them, I can't just throw them out but no one is going to want them, anyway... I feel your pain but still have lots of my own boxes to go through, so let's do it, together! and report back... there, gauntlet thrown down...
I'm right there with you, sister. This summer has seen much more eating out and drinking much hoppy fizzy water. Exercise? What exercise?
I'm back on the health wagon and have been moving more and eating much better over the past few weeks, feeling much better. Baby steps. I'm also making miniscule progress on NOT using food as a drug to mask or numb myself from what's going on, making the conscious decision to pay attention to that. I think that's the hardest part of all.
Risa - Oh, yeah, I could see where that would be a problem. And with cooler weather, a little extra winter insulation might just save the day. Not a good excuse here though!
Shamba - gotta lose some weight to have wiggle room. ;-)
Ruchi - yeah, I was kinda saving all the old clothes because I thought we'd never move again and if the crash happens, I'll probably eventually lose weight because we won't have as much food. LOL.
Now what, though? We're moving and can't take it all. Do I take stored food or skinnier clothes?
Sharlene - yes, the invested money argument. Doesn't do any good if they don't fit, now, does it? You can always give yourself a deadline: fits by fill in date or goes to charity.
nomikins - the stress of family illness, and especially care-giving, makes it so easy to turn to food. I'm not sure I can claim I'm using food to mask what's going on because I am fully aware with every bite exactly why I'm choosing to eat stuff I shouldn't eat: because it tastes better right now (to tastebuds re-acquainted with the pleasures of sugar and fat and salt!), because somebody else did the work of making it and they'll do the clean-up, because, dammit, I deserve a special treat (uh, every day, Chile???)... The amount of guilt I'm consuming is probably far worse for me than the actual food!
The stress of "gotta lose weight" often boomerangs on me when other stressors are also happening. In times when I don't have much money, I aim for "maintaining" the current weight/size,(which means I can lose and regain the same 10 lbs over and over and over) and still fit into the same size - wearing them until those clothes are worn out! My overall intention being gradual weight loss, dropping one size every 16-20 months, with building health, muscle and flexiblity the primary goal. I tell myself, give yourself a break, use what fits now, keep one or two "skinny" pieces for inspiration/celebration and let someone else who is in need have the stuff I'm not currently using. It does feel good to purge the stuff and the expectations/baggage that comes with all that stuff. Helps me keep focused on the present. Now if I could just extend that strategy to the other areas of my life, heh.
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