Bathing Suit Season

This year I have felt much better about myself in my bathing suits.  Mostly because I've kept off 15lbs that I lost at the beginning of the year, but also because my "fat suits" fit much better and more comfortably this year! 

As a mother I feel like it's hard to feel good about yourself, long after you've given birth.  I've always struggled with my weight since college, and to feel this pleased with myself is a new feeling to have. 

So ladies, if you're feeling down and out about your body after baby, don't give up hope. It's all about how you see yourself, and I think my whole mindset has changed overall about motherhood, and I'm cherishing it more than I ever thought I would.  Squish tells me "mommy pretty" all the time, and we all know toddlers don't lie! 😂

Remember that you can always make changes, today, tomorrow, in a week, or in a year! 

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Letting go of the FitBit & sugar

I have been an avid user of the Fitbit for the last 3 years now.  My hubs got me one for Valentine's day (no he wasn't trying to tell me something, I asked for it), and I have been solely dedicated to getting my 10K steps and exercises daily now for the past 3 years. 

However, for Lent (not catholic) I decided to give up sugar.  Any desserts, sweets, candy, or added sugar in products that I was able to read on the nutrition label.  As a sweet surprise to me (pun not intended), I've done rather well.  I have had a few "cheat" days here and there, but all in all I have not reached for that Reese's cup when I get hungry, or gotten the 500 calorie latte I normally do.  Rather I go for a good cup of coffee with just a splash of non-fat cream, and to snack on I get some fruit, cheese or yogurt (no sugar added).  I've been surprised at how well I was doing.  When I started this adventure, I was very shaky.  Physically shaking.  I thought perhaps this was because of my anxiety, but the more I think about it, I think it was because I wasn't eating sugar!  My body had become so used to and dependent on the sweet stuff, that it had a hard time letting go!

Now, you're probably thinking, Kate, what does this have to do with your fitbit divorce?  Well, let me tell you, I have lost 15 lbs since December.  7 of those pounds were due to food poisoning, but amazing enough, I was able to keep off that weight, and lose even more as I altered my diet.  I got tired of looking at my FitBit app and realizing I hadn't walked 10,000 steps, or realizing that perhaps I only walked 15 minutes today instead of 30, and it was getting disheartening.  I was beating myself up over it mentally, and feeling guilty for not pleasing my FitBit.

I went to get a physical for work, and it was then, on the doctor's scale (we all know they're off) that I saw my weight loss, and I was astounded!  I couldn't believe my eyes. And I had all my clothes on!  And I did all of this without meeting daily and weekly goals set by a tiny gadget worn on my wrist every day.  Lets be honest, they are not the most fashionable accessory, and really ruined a lot of outfits for me. 

So while FitBit encouraged me in the beginning to get moving, and helped me take off the baby weight once Marlo was born, it's time for me to let it go, and know that I can do this on my own.  I have the confidence, and capabilities to take weight off, and keep it off, without something buzzing on my arm every 10,000 steps.  I also plan on sticking to the no sugar added diet.  I think it will help my overall health, and my family's health since I won't buy any junk! 

Farewell FitBit!  It's been a great 3 years, but it's time for me to move on!  Maybe we will see one another in the future again.

Raising A Daughter In The #metoo Era

I am typically a quiet participant when it comes to politics and going on's in the world, but lately the #metoo movement has really hit a soft spot.  When the initial sexual harassment allegations began, it almost seemed to me like a scheme because there were so many claims.  I quickly realized I was being naive, and recognized that 20+ years ago, it was NOT okay to speak up for yourself as a women. Women were designed to cook, clean, and make babies. (HA!) I recognized each woman coming forward was giving strength to the next woman in line.  Each woman that stood up for herself, was empowering the one after her to do the same, hence the vast numbers of powerful survivors. (Forehead slap)

I live in a small town, that not only is male dominated, but some women continue with old world thinking. Thank goodness some residents are trying to make a change.  Our local newspaper recently published an article that outrageously suggested that women who prompted the #metoo movement, who were raped, sexually assaulted, or harassed 40 years ago need to "get over it."  He compared it to the McCarthy Era. EXCUSE ME!?  Being a woman, and also a victim, this was extremely offensive.  A ridiculous ideal from what seems to be an old man bound by ignorance.  A man perceiving harassment as this has no idea what it is like to be sexualized or spoken to because of your body or gender.  A very good friend of mine sent in the most amazing and beautfully spoken rebuttle to this man's pure ignorance.  https://www.indianagazette.com/opinion/to-women-girls-everywhere-i-am-with-you/article_6a7cf34e-fdfe-11e7-aa28-13e4ab5fc2d5.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=user-share

It started to terrify me to think about raising a daughter in these times.  In 2018, there still remains so much ignorance within our country about women, minorities, genders, races, ect.  How women can be perceived is disgusting, and it makes me want to help the nation make a change.

I recently read an article (I searched high and low to reference this article, but damned if I can find it) where a woman was talking about how she was raised to "be sweet".  She made a commitment to her daughters to change this. She talked about the challenges she is facing amongst her family to raise her daughters to "be kind" rather than sweet.  She stated in the article something about teaching our daughters that being kind and standing up for themselves, is vastly different than being a "sweet" doormat.

As a woman I have been sexually harassed.  Thankfully, my parents didn't raise a "sweet" woman.  They raised a woman to be strong, kind, independent, and to be able to stand up for herself.  And in my predicament I stood up for myself and took back the power that the man harassing me was trying to gain. 

I plan on doing the same with my daughter, making her kind, yet strong.  Powerful, independent, and  empowering her.  I don't want her to become a victim, ever.  If, some day she finds herself in an uncomfortable situation, I want her to be able to stand up for herself without getting the blame.  I want her to take charge of her life, and shout to the world #metoo!