It’s hard to believe that I haven’t blogged about my weight loss journey in more than three weeks! But I’m back today to give an update on my progress. In my first secondhand slim down post, I talked about the “What” (my desire to lose weight), and my second talked about the “How” (my weight loss plan). And this post will dig deeper into the “Why”, or my reasons to lose weight.
A brief update – I’m happy to say that since joining a gym on March 23, 2019, I’ve gone 4-5 days per week. I feel very proud of that fact, seeing as it has been many years since I kept up that kind of dedication.
AND, we even went on vacation in early April and bought day passes for a local gym while we were out of town. How’s THAT for dedication?
As far as results are concerned, I’ve lost 2-3 pounds so far. While that doesn’t seem like much, it’s only been a month and I’m taking the “slow and steady wins the race” approach. So, I’m happy to see the scale move in that direction no matter how much (or little) it is.
Reasons to Lose Weight
So, yes, I’ve touched on this before but I wanted to dive a little deeper. It might not be all that interesting to you, I’m afraid, but I want to be able to look at this blog post a year from now and see how far I’ve come. Or at least see REAL, ACTUAL progress towards alleviating or reversing how I feel.
First and and most of all, I am sick and tired of feeling…well, sick and tired. Being out of shape is like having a bad night’s sleep EVERY SINGLE NIGHT. Feeling sluggish is part of your daily routine and it really gets in the way of living a full life.
My next driving reason to lose weight is pretty specific to my job as a blogger. Every day, I am behind the camera…either shooting project photos or videos for Instagram. But I am NEVER EVER EVER in front of the camera, and that is by design…not happenstance.
At some point, I’m going to need to turn the camera on myself, and that scares the living bejeezus out of me.
Any blogger or social media maven will tell you that video is king in our business…and I know I’m holding back my own success because of my weight. I’ve even been in blogger support groups for this issue, so I’m DEFINITELY not alone.
And last but not least, travel is another one of my main reasons to lose weight. My husband and I aren’t exactly globetrotters, but we do love to squirrel away time to explore new places.
Neither of us like to fly, so we mostly go on road trips. For him, it’s a lack of leg room in the airplane. But for me? A lack of hip room – and I can do something to change that.
If I’m healthier and more energized, any trip we take (including a Junkin’ Journey!) will be easier, more fun, and less cumbersome over all – don’t you agree?
My Weight Loss Journey – What’s Next?
In case another few weeks go by and I don’t post about my weight loss journey, don’t fret. I’m just sweating away and working on my regular upcycling blog posts! And even though I’m calling this a “Secondhand Slim Down” because I’ll be buying thrift store clothes as my body changes, there are other things I may want to blog about.
Would you be interested if I tried healthy recipes and share them here, too? I wouldn’t be creating my own recipes, but rather trying recipes from my fellow bloggers and linking to their recipes / directions.
This would also allow me to practice food photography skills (or lack thereof), so let me know what you think! I promise I’ll incorporate thrifting once I actually NEED smaller clothes – I’m just not there yet!
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Thank you for reading this new blog series of mine. By doing this, I hope to not only stay accountable and on track, but to bring comfort to anyone else out there who is ashamed of their body or weight-related health. I am not a doctor or medical professional in any capacity, so everything I blog about during my weight loss journey is simply my own opinion and experience. Please consult a medical or health professional before beginning a weight loss program or for medical related questions.
Keep on keepin’ on,
S
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Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.
Getting the exercise is the best thing you can do to improve your overall health and stamina, kudos for keeping up with the gym!!
Thanks!! My goal for the first 6-8 weeks was to just really cement the gym as a habit so that I felt incomplete if I didn’t go! So far, so good. 🙂
Thank you for letting us in on your journey and yes I would be interested in recipes as it helps to have new skills in your pantry.
Thanks, Leanne! I appreciate your feedback!
I thoroughly understand about the not fitting well into an airplane seat. I haven’t flown since I’ve lost 110+ pounds, but I finally fit into the chair at the doctor’s office that has arms! It’s a good feeling to fit! Just think…We purchased armless chairs for the living room because we wanted to be able to fit, and now that we’ve lost over 100 pounds each, it isn’t necessary now. Thank you for sharing your journey. Fonda
XOXO Thank you, Fonda!
Congratulations on your weight loss Sarah and on going to the gym so often. I’m here cheering you on. And saying that you will feel so much better as the pounds melt off.
Thank you so, so very much, Mary, I really appreciate it!!
Thanks for sharing, Sarah. I’m right there with you… doing WW myself, or for much of the same reasons as you.
Thank you so much, Julie!
I happened on your blog via HomeTalk on your post about doilies (which I love). And I can see why you love the picture that started it all—I would steal it if I could! 🙂 I appreciate your transparency in the battle of the bulge. I will be 60 this year and I am on a parallel journey. I have battled this war all of my life, losing and then gradually gaining it all again. It seems like it is in 20 year patterns. I was a size 13 in high school when all of my friends were 5’s & 7’s, then I was thin in my 20’s. Married, then gained and lost. Thin again at 40, then gained again. So, my early birthday gift to myself this year is health. I am not a sickly person, on no meds, but I am overweight. So the risk of all kinds of things is before me. I began changing my eating habits about 1-1/2 months ago. I have found that processed foods and unhealthy carbs were causing swelling in my joints and bloating which caused the lethargy. I have eliminated all of the ‘whites’—flour, rice, pasta, sugar, bread. I eat meat and veggies and I am always full. It is a tame Keto diet w/o counting calories and macros. So far I have lost 25 pounds and I am feeling so much better. If I cheat (and I do on occasion), by the evening I can feel the bloating–it causes my ankles to swell. So, I applaud you for your decision and am eager to walk this journey with you!
“Tame Keto” is a perfect way of describing what I’m *trying* to do. I have a hard time giving up a touch of sugar in my morning coffee, though. Thank you so much for reading!!
I would love to hear about recipes you are trying.
You are added! And I can go a couple of weeks (or more) between my weight loss posts…so don’t worry if I don’t send anything out for a while!
Check out Sweet Leaf Stevia products. It is a natural sugar alternative that is available in several flavors. My favorite is the English Toffee. It is a liquid that uses a medicine dropper to disperse. No aftertaste and still have the sweetness I desire. Add me to your recipe emails, too. Eager to hear about your progress.
Will do, Tina- thank you!
Sarah, I am cheering you on and hoping by following your journey it will be the kick in the pants I need to come onboard. At 60, and at my heaviest, my health needs to become a priority. You Go Girl!!!
Thank you so much, Marie!! XOXO
my reasons are the same! I found Simple Weight Loss System which I think is the best for obese and lazy people like me. I read that only slow and steady wins the race and this method is perfect 🙂
Hi! I’d like to come along this journey with you also. I love your main blog so much. Your creativity is inspiring! 🙂
Will do, Summerlin- thanks! I don’t publish those posts as often as my regular posts (just an FYI). 🙂