Yes, people of the world, you read that one right. I made a bet with my grandmother. It happened over lunch at her house on my birthday. We were joking about my weight, like we always do, with her telling me that I’m pretty but unfortunately I’m chunky, and me saying that, well, it would be difficult if I were perfect, in response. This is a dialogue that she and I have each time we see each other, without fail. I think she’s been on my case about my chubby bunny-ness for over a decade now.
Now, just so you know, my grandmother had movie star looks when she was younger. Even now, when you see her, you’d say she’s really pretty for an old lady. She’s one of those people who really takes care to look her best, and I suppose that’s why she bugs me about the way I look. I think maybe she feels that I’ve let go after having a kid and getting married.
The bet.
I honestly can’t remember how our kidding led to this bet. All I remember was her saying that she doesn’t think I can lose the weight any more, and me asking if she’d like to bet on it. Much to my surprise, she said yes. I asked what she’d give me if I won and she said anything I want. Of course, I said a house. An she laughed and said she’s confident enough to say okay coz she’s pretty sure I can no longer go back to being my thinner self. Note that I said “my thinner self” and not “thin”, because I never was thin. I was born chunky, and that’s why I don’t really have extreme insecurities as far as my weight goes.
Amid a lot of laughter, we decided that this bet was on. I know I won’t really be asking her for a house if I make it. But that little competitive side of me won’t stop bugging me to go for it just to show her that I can do it. I suppose I’d like to show myself that I can too, even just a little bit.
Diet? What diet?
Funny how, as I was telling MrC this story, he told me that I never really took any of these diet or exercise commitments I’ve made seriously. I never saw it as that. But of course, now that I’m looking back, I do see the halfheartedness that led to countless weight loss and wellness goals that remain unfulfilled. I’m talking about this and this and this and this and this and this. And those are just the ones that I blogged about, so you get what I mean when I say countless, right? Ugh. I think I might have too much self-love for my own good sometimes. How am I ever going to win this bet?
The good news is I actually have an instant jump start now that Lent is here. Yes, my Lenten sacrifices often involve food,simply because food is something I love. So each year, I try to go the whole 40 days without a certain something. A couple of years ago I gave up coffee. Most of the time I give up meat with feet. This year’s Lenten commitment for me is no white rice, no white bread, and no meat with feet. And I have to do it for a month and a week, so that should be enough time for me to get used to the switch.
For good.
I am actually planning to permanently shift to wheat bread and brown rice. This is something that’s easy enough for me to manage without affecting the meal planning for the rest of our household, whose members only eat the white stuff. As for giving up meat with feet completely, I don’t think I can or want to do that just yet. But let’s see. I read somewhere that the reason why Jared Leto‘s hair is so fab is because he’s vegan, and believe me, I want fab hair like his too. But right now, life without ever having a steak again doesn’t sound to me like a very happy life. But still, let’s see. Oh and yes, I really had to mention Jared Leto, who was my Mr Dream Boy during his My So Called Life days, was resurrected as my Mr Dream Boy when I first discovered 30 Seconds to Mars, and is now officially my Mr Dream Boy forever after this year’s awards show season. *Insert dreamy sigh here*
Guys, seriously, I want to win this bet. Cheer me on, send me some tips, or whatever, in the comments. I can do this. Yes, I can.
I hear you mama Pat! I actually am spending this month just eating whole foods and its quite challenging! You are on the right path with starting something small. Tip? visit NotJustYum.com for inspiration! 🙂 hehehehehe 🙂
Love it! And I love your blog!
Your mom and grandmom are both still so pretty! Good luck with your weight loss goal. Kaya yan! 🙂
Thanks, dear, for the encouragement!
Oh my gosh! I can so relate! I’ve also been on countless diet but I can’t shed of my excess weight.. Waaaa.. I love food too much!
I love food also! As in I could never go on super strict diets. Kaya now I’m making an effort to find healthy alternatives. I think that would work.
Good luck, Patty! Sana your lola still gives you a house when you win. Ayan ha, I said “when” not “if”, coz I know you can do it! 🙂 As for dieting and exercise tips, I need those too so let me know what will work for you. Haha!
I love it! You’re right, I should think in terms of “when” and not “if”. 😀
Gosh Pat. I agree life wouldn’t be the same without steak. Pero alam mo ba your first profile photo here, hindi ko alam na chunky ka. Let’s go for this!! For good health above all, and pwede din baka igrant yung house. Hehe
Hahaha! Maliit kasi face ko kaya nakaka daya ako sa photos! 🙂 Thanks, Camille!
you can do it girl! just count your calorie intake and make sure it does not go over 1800 calories plus exercise for at least 20 minutes a day. doing jillian’s workouts really gives results 😉
Oh my gosh, my sister does Jillian’s work out, and you really do sweat buckets! Thanks, Angel, for the tips!
My comment was not saved?! I’m cheering you on, Patty! Kaya natin to!!! We all need to detox once in a while, especially now that we’re moms and we tend to “let it go (let it go/can’t hold it back anymore.” Parang song of our lives yan, no?
Ang hirap mag-give up ng sugar and milk, for me! I’ve been seeing the effects, though, even though it’s just been two days. We can do this!!!
How are things with you and black coffee? I took mine black too for a while, but I really just love it more with milk!
Go girl! I hope you win! I’m also on my weight loss goal. I lost 2.5 kgs already with the help of Noom Coach and Noom walk which is an app in android. Maybe you can do it as well!:)
Whatever your plan is I hope you’d share it so we can do this together as well!:)
So far, I’ve been making progress with the shift to browns from whites. I think walking is a great idea. Gonna check out those apps you mentioned!
My husband tells me that proper eating/healthy diet without exercise is nothing. So I would suggest starting with yoga at home first so that you’re comfortable (I can send you the one I do before!) then move up to more cardio workout. But he said also that doing all cardio is not good. You need to do weights too! Once or twice a week cardio is enough. The rest should be weight training.
Yes, please send me your yoga workout. I actually love doing yoga, I’m just really very lazy haha. As for cardio, it’s Kinect Sports and Dance Central for me! 😀
My husband and I agreed to have a cleansing diet for a week. Supposedly we must eat fruits and vegetables only. However because there are uncontrollable things, like the lunch meeting yesterday when my colleagues ordered from fast food, we were forced to eat that, hehe. Honestly, we are not that good in controlling our appetite so we did cheat =) We are on the 5th day and we eat a little rice each morning and a lot of fruits and vegetables the whole day. Next week, we will try smoothies as a substitue for our lunch and again we will eat more veggie and fruits 🙂 We can do it sis! Good luck =)
Naku, I had a sundae and fries over the weekend hahaha! Oh well, I guess we need a cheat day just so we don’t feel so kawawa and eventually binge eat.
I did that bet with my mom too before. Haha. I think I over exercised when I was younger that now I don’t feel like doing any work out. Will call you and let’s catch up soon! Have so many diet stories to share. Good luck! 🙂
Ooh I’d love that, Tina! 🙂 Yeah you were real sporty back then, no? 🙂 Sige, see you soon!
I so know what you mean when you say halfhearted commitments to dieting. I’ve been going on a yo-yo type of diet since the year started!
You can do it. You have the strength and the determination to do it plus, you do have a good reason to start it off this lenten season. So whoohoo! Know that I’m on your cheering team!
Yay! Thanks for the support, May! Hugs!
Shifting to wheat bread and brown rice will really help! We started doing that when the class with Maya Adam started. When I had myself checked end of February, I already lost 3lbs (not a lot, but still!) and my BMI went back to “healthy normal” from “normal but almost obese.” It also helped that I take afternoon walks with my kids every day. It’s not a lot of exercise, but it’s activity. 🙂
Walking is next on my list! I used to do that regularly, kahit once around the block lang on busy days. Then I got lazy haha. I think summer is a good time to start again since my mornings will be a lot less hectic.
What lovely family you have, sis! Three generations and you’re all so, so beautiful. Goodluck on the bet, sis, I hope you win! You can do it! 🙂
Thanks so much, Van, for the encouragement and the compliment 😀
Combine your determination and healthier diet will do. Little bit a time will do and I know you can do it. Good luck!
Melgie
http://pinayexplorer21.blogspot.com
Thank you, Melgie! 🙂