Sunday, September 13, 2009

If The Genes/Jeans Fit….

Hubby and I are off to a Wedding next weekend so for the past month I have been saying to myself “What the f**k am I going to wear???”

I really can’t afford or justify a new purchase so have decided to go with one of the many dresses I own. I am not a dress kinda girl. Or a skirt kinda girl. I blame my Mother for this as she put me in LOTS of dresses and shiny shoes as a kid when all I really wanted to wear pants and sneakers. So in my 30’s it seems I am still rebelling!

So of course I had to enlist my BFF to help me choose. My dilemma started because although it is Spring here in Perth it is still quite cool and has been a bit wet too. All my dresses are short sleeve/shoe string strap dresses so was scared I was going to freeze my butt off. AB (said BFF) has the solution in owning a rainbow selection of pashminas so bought them over for me to try with different dresses.

After a small fashion parade we settled on my favourite LBD (Little Black Dress). Teamed with my red heels, red pashmina (which was also mine, the only colour AB didn’t have!) and cute little red cluch bag. Gorge! I feel great in the dress, have worn it to quite few weddings and formal dinners and is always a winner (I wonder why I bought all the other dresses!!) So I was feeling happy.

But what I was most happy about was the fact that the said LBD was originally bought for Hubby’s and mine Engagement Party. 7 YEARS AGO!!! So after 7 years and 2 kids later it still fits and looks good. Yay for me!

Hubby & Me at our Engagement Party August 2002

And that was where today’s post was going to end.

Until this morning when in the shower I began thinking. The fact that the dress still fits me (and did I mention looks good) after 7 years means (and I calculated) that for the past 7 years my weight has only really fluctuated about 9 kilos/20 lbs, apart from when I was obviously pregnant. I realized my dress size has been pretty much the same for the past 7 years too. So does that mean that this is the size I am supposed to be?

When I started getting fitted for my wedding dress I remember the dressmaker saying that I will probably loose quite a bit of weight before the wedding. I clearly remember telling her that actually I probably would just stay pretty much the same. Even though I was watching what I was eating and working out nearly 5 times a week at the gym I really just toned up rather than slimmed down. So when the final fitting came there really wasn’t that much to alter much to the dressmaker’s surprise, but obviously not to mine.

There is no doubting myself that I probably need to be at the lower part of that 9 kilo/20lbs to be healthier and at the moment they are around the middle third of my body, which health wise is not good. In July I blogged about my Weight Debate as I had just started weight watchers for the umpteenth time. I am currently no longer attending now as my weight loss was up and down even if I had the most angelic of weeks.


I think I actually eat pretty well nutrition wise. I eat whole grains, fruit and lots of vegetables. Takeaway is not a staple in our house and I make a majority of my meals from scratch. But I have suddenly realized that what I really need to do is exercise. I really don’t do enough (read any!). When I was going to the gym the 6 months before I got married I really toned up and felt good even though there was no dramatic weight loss.

I have also had a look at my family tree. My mum has 6 sisters & 1 brother. My mum and all her sisters have exactly the same body shape, the same one I have inherited. Most of my girl cousins are the same (and some of the boys too). I have to think that some of the blame has to be genetics so I have realized I will always have the same body shape.

So what does this all mean? I don’t think it is a get out of jail free card that’s for sure but I am a little relieved at my revelations. Mostly I think it means I need to move my butt and get some exercise to tone up and give the muffin top back to the muffin man. I still think I need to eat in moderation and watch my portion size.

But mostly I think I just need to smile and be happy with myself because if the genes/jeans fit (or in this case the LBD) then that’s OK by me!!

15 comments:

KatBouska said...

Awwww that dress is gorgeous on you!! And I think you should feel very good about yourself for still being able to fit into it. There are not a lot of women who can say that!!

Sandra said...

The dress is truly gorgeous.
I'd love not having the weight problem. LOL

Just wanted to stop by and say hi.

SITS LOVE.

Mary-Jane said...

I can very safely say there is not one thing in my wardrobe that I have from seven years ago that would still fit... except maybe socks!

ymk said...

I think you have come to a wonderful realization. You look gorgeous in that dress.

Stephanie Faris said...

You look awesome! My weight fluctuates. In 2002 I lost 70 pounds on Weight Watchers and I have maintained it but since getting in this relationship I've put on about 10 pounds. I lost it last February, only for it to slowly creep back on again. I just like food too much!

Mandy said...

That dress is amazing and you look great but I understand the frustration and the not exercising. I always find an excuse not to exercise after working all day long at a stressful job. I just donated a heap of clothes to a friend of mine returning to the work force. I knew I'd never fit in sizes 2 and 4 again and I was sadly holding onto those clothes. A 6 might be possible but not a 2, not ever again. But you're right - the key is to feel good about yourself and embrace who you are no matter what. And if you're not satisfied completely, then just work on feeling superb again. Best of luck to you! Have a great time at the wedding.

Wendy said...

Your LBD looks great on you. I think we all spend far too much time worrying about how we look, as opposed to how we feel. And good for you for not running out to spend money on a new dress you'd likely only wear once! Sometimes, looking creatively at what's already in your closet can be very rewarding!

Meg said...

Yay for you, indeed! SEVEN years?? I'm definitely not the same as 7 years ago, but I like to think the womanly curves I have now are even better.
Stopping by from SITS!

Diva Scrapper said...

The you and the dress..both look great!

Happy SITS Saturday Sharefest!

Sara said...

Well done!

It's always refreshing to find someone who tries to be healthy and is happy with who they are.

I'm still working on it, but I feel like I'm getting better.

(Visiting from SITS)

S3XinthePantry said...

It does look great!! I love finding old gems in my closet!

supahmommy- somethin's wrong with that girl said...

lUCKY DOG... i would bust out all of the zippers and then be reduced to crying in a ball on my floor.. while still wearing the dress that my fat arse broke. :)

found you from My name is mommy. :)
d

Jennifer said...

You look great!! And congrats on that after 7 years!! wow!!

Thanks so much for visiting my blog today! you are so nice! I got a negative but it's ok... practice makes perfect! :)

The Grown-Up Child said...

Well, I think you look fab in that picture so I wouldn't worry about it too much if I were you. I always think as long as we are healthy, eating well and being active...it's all good. Great dress!

Angela said...

What a great post and a fun blog to boot! First off, congrats and double yay to you for still fitting in your LBD! That is quite the accomplishment for any woman! Second off, I'm so digging your blog! I love your post content and the way you write! I also liked your "About Me" blurb, like I've said so many times before, I really think you can tell a lot about a person by these blurbs!

I so beyond want to go to Australia! Right now we're living in Hawaii (my hubs is in the Army) and so I've often thought now would be the time to go considering I'm more than half way there! :)

I became a follower so I can read more of your great stuff! :)

Happy blogging-
Angela from Angela's Soliloquy

WE SITS HAVE TO STICK TOGETHER!

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