I spent the last few weeks getting ready for the beach.
I mean….seriously…..just between us…..
….it’s an undertaking.
Can I get an amen?
I highlighted my hair and doused myself in fake tanner and bought some face bronzer and found some new red lipstick….
…..and apologized profusely to the nail tech during the first pedicure of the season. 🙂
And then I had this brilliant plan with the whole bathing suit thing.
I can’t really take credit for the idea.
I think I read it somewhere or heard it in the beauty shop or saw it in the pages of a magazine in the Wal Mart check out line.
Wherever or however I thought it up…..the idea was to buy a bathing suit that was smaller than the size I normally wear….
…..to give me an incentive.
An objective.
You know…..a goal for the beach.
And the suit hung in my closet…..looking amazing and waiting for its day in the sun.
Literally.
And I made healthy choices for a week and drank eight glasses of water a day and ate my vegetables…..
…..and I was so all about me and my healthy eating self.
And after a week….I blew a kiss to the suit and climbed on the scale.
And….and….and….
…..nothing.
Not a single pound.
I stepped off and tried again.
And again…..nothing.
I looked at the suit and I looked at the scale and I thought to myself….
….tomorrow.
Tomorrow is another day.
And so I waited and drank extra water and parked my car at the back of the parking lot at Hobby Lobby and walked for exercise.
(Please tell me that counts).
And the next morning I held my breath and stepped on the scale…..
….and cried.
Absolutely, positively not a lost pound in sight.
And then I got mad.
And I yelled…..and at this point I may or may not have kicked the scale.
And in the middle of my meltdown….my husband came into the room. I pointed wildly to the bathing suit and then rolled my eyes and pointed to the scale and poured out my tale of woe.
He listened to everything attentively.
And then he walked over and picked up the scale to look at it.
As he picked it up…..the scale made a noise….like pieces of it were falling apart. There was a clink and a clack.
Then he shook it again and everything inside rattled.
“Where did we get this scale from?” he asked.
I gulped.
And looked at him and at the ceiling and the floor and the bathroom sink and in a very small voice I replied, ”Ummm….
…..I bought it at a yard sale.”
To his credit…..he didn’t state the obvious.
He simply smiled and shook his head.
And the next morning a new scale sat waiting….just in time to let me know I’d lost five pounds….and that before long…..my new suit at the beach….
….was going to look totally amazing.
I wish I could blame my scale for not losing any pounds.... My beautiful new bathing suit hasn't left the closet yet.
I am so happy for you! You have more willpower than I do. Lol. Have a wonderful time at the beach and know that you look fantastic, no matter what!
How funny! I am glad you have a new scale and a new swim suit! Have a wonderful time at the beach!
Hugs to that knight in shining armour.....and congrats to you and your new suit!
Oh I have so been there!!!! The first time I would have dropped the scale -- from ten feet high!! Let me tell you that the scale and I are not friends. So good to have your twinkling brown eyes close by to make you feel better. Now you can strut your stuff on the beach while you are wearing your gorgeous red lipstick. What kind of dangling earrings did you buy to go with the suit??
AMEN! You have no idea how much I can relate right now! I started weight lifting a few years ago and packed on a lot of muscle, which means pounds...which in turn equals bulk. I decided a month and a half ago that I wanted to lose some lbs to show off what I worked so hard for, you know the whole low carb thing...boy has it been a slow process with super boring food. Visiting blogs with super delicious looking desserts is so hard these days! :D
Trim Healthy Mama!!!! Look it up! On their blog or facebook. It has CHANGED my life! No more boring foods! Love, love, love them! :) Be blessed, healthy, and eat .... you're welcome! ;)
I love reading your blog because I know you will make me smile. You are funny, witty, honest and 5 lbs. lighter (probably more as I am writing this). Keep up the good work on all fronts!
Congratulations Karianne! 5 lbs is a big deal! And walking extra at Hobby Lobby does count! And I can relate to the first pedi of the season thing! So embarrassing! Can we just put a bag over our head? Have a great day friend! Sherry xoxo
I guess there are a few things we just should not buy at garage sales. That fellow of yours is a prize.
That is too cute. The sad thing is, I could do all that and it wouldn't be the scale. The older I get, the harder it gets to drop any weight at all (and keep it off). I am going to the beach in September and have to get some weight off (at least 8 pounds or more would be nice) or I'm not even going to put on a suit. Believe me, buying a suit in a smaller size would not motivate me. Just getting into my own size would be heaven. Thanks for sharing your honesty and nice to know we all struggle together :) Have a fun time at the beach in that new suit. Cindy
About 5 months ago I learned to stay off the scale and use a tape measure instead...that's where true progress gets measured! ;) Thanks for sharing your woes - we have all been there for sure!
Aww!! I am so happy for you KariAnne! Enjoy the beach and Summer!
Thanks for making me laugh this morning!!! Somewhat similar -- I had a plumber come over once to fix our bath tub that had been clogged for days despite the insane amounts of drain-o we kept pouring in. He fixed it really quick -- just flipped down the lever that closes the drain when you take a bath. OMG.
Such a cute story, and good for you on changing up your eating habits! You go!!
So funny! I had a scale from Ikea and I was so happy because no matter it always read the same weight. Then we did a competition with friends and I found out my scale was "fishy" too. Oh, well!
I found out years ago that I am allergic to swimsuit fabric. When I put a suit on, I swell up and turn white. Haven't found a cure yet. You go girl!
Is that what's wrong with me??? I have the same allergy! Too funny! Karianne, while I, too, am a fan of self-tanners--I have found that sand at the beach exfoliates, which can be bad news if, say, you are crawling around on your knees building a sand castle with your kids. White knees surrounded by otherwise tanned skin looks a little odd. Just sayin'.
I'm happy for your weight loss. But at the same time, it makes me sad that we, as women, feel we have to lose XXX pounds to feel good enough to enjoy a day at the beach. Or anywhere for that matter. We should embrace being healthy and learn to be happy despite what the number on a scale says.
You will look great no matter what because you have a beautiful soul. Happy day, Alison
We just got BACK from the beach. One week in the Outer Banks. Fun, too much food and drink but FUN! As far as bathing suits; well I did get into it. Let's leave it at that. At my age it is almost IMPOSSIBLE to lose a pound. I do try, sporadically. However, after seeing the pics from the beach, I am on a new quest. 10 pounds is my goal. Here we go.....................
PS, for got to say, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You ROCK!!!! And I bet you rocked the new bathing suit in your new red lipstick and pedicure!!!!
Hmmm. Yesterday I read a list of 12 things not to purchase at a garage sale. I'm thinking we should add "scales" to that list. Good for you ! You're off to a great start. p.s. Once you're in Hobby Lobby, walk around the store for MUCH longer than usual, and that counts as exercise, too ! Plus, you might find something you didn't realize you needed! Good luck, KariAnne.
I'm getting a new scale tomorrow. Who knew that was my problem this whole time?? It has nothing to do with entire container of Breyer's Gelatto I ate in one weekend. I'm so relieved. Seriously, though... WAY TO GO on the weight loss!
You crack me up!...Congrats on losing the weight and getting into that pretty swimsuit you bought and for your our Knight in Shining Armor coming to your rescue!...
oh Karianne, I love you...you are a hoot. and that Prince? he's a keeper!! at 63, I have given up on dieting and just trying to enjoy...I have lost some weight without even trying...a teeny bit at a time...I'm good with that...life is too short to worry if someone will think you look yucky in a bathing suit...you are perfect just the way you are in my opinion...xoxo
How sweet!!
Hey congrats! 5lbs. is hard....the next 5 will be easier...now that you've worked out the kinks! Bet you look radiant with that tan...and that new lipstick....and that dynamite pedicure! ;)
LOL! Have a wonderful time at the beach...and leave the scale behind...xo
Hi Karianne, enjoy the beach and your time in the sun and surf. Congrats on the five pounds which is fantastic and certainly nothing to be disappointed about. Good for you. Lisa
I look forward to reading your blog - so funny, informative, nice, etc. etc. Thanks and congrats on the weight loss!
Okay, glad you found out that you lost 5 lbs, you have a sweetie for a husband, and you are going to the beach, WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS WHAT BRAND, WHAT COLOR, AND WHERE DID YOU BUY YOUR NEW LIPSTICK! Just adore you, Karianne!
Remember, we are weightless in the ocean! Happy summer! Cheers!
Sweet man. What a keeper. And yay for 5 lbs gone! I finally replaced my scale last year. I have no idea how old it was, other than the 80's ecru plastic had started yellowing. My parents dumped it on me when I got married, along with everything else they wanted to get rid of. I still had it 19 years later, with the addition of some duct tape holding things in place so it could still work. I finally caved and bought a fancy glass one. But I think the old one is hiding in my closet, like guilt. Have a happy day, sweet lady, The Other Marian PS. I wrote my favorite post ever the other day. I think it will become my version of your "I hope they dance" post. Whenever you have a second or two. https://www.cmshawstudios.blogspot.com/2014/06/how-to-keep-walking.html
I feel your frustration. I've been walking and walking. Eating low carb and nothing! I can't even blame a garage sale scale. So good that you really did lose five pounds!!! And that husband of yours is just the biggest keeper ever!!
Congratulations! That getting healthy can be hard on us! Enjoy the new swimsuit and have fun!
Hobby Lobby exercise is the answer!!!! and no yard sale scales ;) Congrats on the progress. Debbie
I know you know that you are amazing no matter what the scale says…..BUT I'm proud of you for focusing on your health! HEALTH and HAPPINESS are a great combination and you are on the road to possessing a whole lot of both! :) Have an wonderful time at the beach in your fabulously fitting new swimsuit. Love you to the moon and back my friend!
If bathing suits make people get up and move, then great! Whatever it takes to get us up, up, and away(hello 5th Dimension song) from our desks, laptops, desktops, comfy chairs, isolation, and to breathe fresh air and use every muscle. I've been caretaking older relatives since 1998 and they(and their friends in the assisted living center) all have said they could look back and see when they began to "move less", and they had regrets about that...when a husband died, when there was financial havoc, when a grandchild made bad choices, things that can bring grief, can bring unkind health changes. So you set a good example in everything you did to reach your personal goal. Yea!!!! Purpose is important. My mother is now is long term/nursing home care and regrets surrendering to an in-active lifestyle after my dad died. As she grew frailer, it spurred on all her children and sister-in-laws to get up and keep moving. There is truth to the old phrase, "use it or lose it". 5 pounds is gold! Good for you!!!
Entertaining article; loved it! Here in Alberta we had two more months of snow than usual. Brutal. Weight gain plagued me the whole time. Then I thought, what am I doing? I'll be working my butt off on the acreage come spring. And stopped obsessing. We women can sure be hard on ourselves! Congratulations on your weight loss, and good on your hubby for discovering that it wasn't you after all! And yes, parking a bit farther away counts! Have a great day! Val
Oh. My. Lawd. Good thing you didn't buy that suit at a yard sale!
I had a colonoscopy and the prep made me lose six pounds! I told my hubby, I'm not fat just full of ....well you know! Hahaha as soon as I started eating it was right back!
"KariAnne and the Cautionary Tale of what-not-to-buy-at-a-YARDSALE!" LOL!!!! I love it! And I know you will look AWESOME in that new bathing suit! :) Happy Beach-Prep!
Totally brilliant! And hey... 5lb when you thought you weren't losing anything. What a fab surprise, huh?
So what's a bathing suit? I haven't worn one in ... well let's see ... oh, never mind! But I won't be going swimming and you are. Lucky you! Have fun!
Hope the beach you have in mind is in MA!
You go water girl! I have resigned to the fact I need a new body not a new swim suit, but have not found a store to buy one at. And I've taken up avoiding the beach.
You totally rock! I refuse to get on a scale-it just makes me mental.
Oh, KariAnne, such FUN surprises! Five pounds *and* your man brings a new scale!? Mine would do the same ... seems we have hubbies who think a lot alike/always go out of their way to make us feel VERY special! As for the dreaded swimsuit ... gravity is more my enemy than poundage at this point: the years can take their toll there, unfortunately! Just thinking lately I might need a gentle "lift" ... I have exercises that work quite well for the "trunk" ~ but none for the "headlights," that I know of!?! Keep up the great work, KariAnne; sounds like you're doing everything right ~ the healthy way! And enjoy that beach time!
Kerry, You really have a talent for storytelling on your blog! Love reading it, since it's so funny! Congrats on the weight loss achievement! Ann
I just yesterday ordered a dress for a wedding in October TWO sizes too small! Yikes. I hope this idea works for us both! I'm going to go check my scale! Great post!
Congrats on your weight loss! Have a wonderful time at the beach, it just us back to calm. I so enjoy your posts, thank you for giving me a smile this morning.
KariAnne that husband of yours is definitely a keeper! And you make me smile every time I'm here :)
LOVE this story. Because I can totally see you doing this! ;}