I’ve casually mentioned that I’ve lost weight this year but I haven’t really talked about it in any detail. I don’t really use a scale, but I would estimate I’ve lost between 15 and 20 pounds and I’m thrilled. Don was amazed at the change and others have remarked on it, as well.
How did I lose the weight?
I cut out sugar and sweets.
Everyone’s weight battle is different, of course, but for me, sweets were my downfall. I have an enormous sweet tooth. I love to bake. And if I am bored, or tired, or stressed – out come the cookies and cupcakes and pie and cakes. And before I know it, I’ve added on the pounds. (My diet in all other areas is pretty healthy. I’m a vegetarian. I eat a lot of vegetables and natural foods.)
I am 5 feet 9 inches tall and I used to weigh about 125. Then when I moved into my forties, I seemed to hover around 130-135. Fifties? Forget it. My metabolism changed, my body became curvier and less angular, I gained weight in the hips and midsection.
I still felt like a thin person inside, but the mirror told me another story. So this winter, I cut out all sweets. One exception: my hot chocolate. But that was it. I was rigorous about it and I’m happy to say, I still am. I allowed myself a cupcake once or twice, but it was no big deal because I immediately went back to my regimen.
Cutting out sugar and sweets is the smartest move I’ve made. And after a week or two, I didn’t even miss them. I replaced them with natural sweets like apples, oranges, peaches, and grapes. Sometimes when I had an urge for sweets, I would grab some raisins, take my time chewing them and before I knew it, the urge was gone.
I got through the hard and lonely winter without breaking my diet. I got through my mom’s passing without breaking the diet. Was it tempting? Yes. But I like the way I look now and I’m hoping to lose another ten pounds.
Now I want to be more fit. However, I hate to exercise. Truly. I have absolutely no discipline where that is concerned.
I do love to walk, however. This past winter made it almost impossible to walk – the ice was too treacherous, there was always a lot of snow on the ground. But now that Spring is here, Don and I have begun hiking. Both of us really want to be more fit than we are. Mowing the lawn helps. Gardening helps. The more active lifestyle that Spring and Summer bring makes a difference.
So yesterday we took another hike. This time we made it around the whole loop – 5 miles. We really pushed ourselves and it was worth it.
How about some more photos from the glorious hiking path up in the mountains? (Taken with my iPhone.)
Gorgeous rock formations are everywhere.
A black snake napping in the sun.
View of the cliffs above us.
This photo and the next one are a bit indistinct, but I had to capture this bird of prey that was in one of the trees on our path. Right after I took this, he flew off, followed by another bird who swooped down over the path, flying right above it for several hundred feet.
Can you see him flying over the path? Check out that wingspan! Amazing. I can’t believe I managed to catch this shot.
What a view!
Those are the Catskill Mountains off in the distance.
Two young women were hiking ahead of us. We lost track of them until we rounded a bend and saw them stopped at the edge of the trail, looking off to the right. They had their cameras out.
This is what they were looking at, down in a little valley below.
This is the best closeup I could get with the iPhone. A Black Bear! He/She was resting and was definitely aware of us, but we were far enough away that we were not considered a threat. I wish I had taken my big girl camera with me! This was a large adult black bear. Beautiful.
A giant bird of prey swooping down over the path ahead of us and flying out over the mountains. A black snake enjoying the sun. And a very large Black Bear. All in all, an amazing hike!
We high-fived each other at the end of the hike and then took the obligatory self-portrait. (I’m not a fan of the term “Selfie.”)
We’ll be doing this again. It’s glorious up there, the scenery is stunning, and the exercise is good for us.
I vow to stay with this diet. I like being thinner. I have more energy. I feel better about myself.
I’ll be back tomorrow with another Evolution of the Dollhouse post.
Sending my prayers to all those in harm’s way in San Diego .
Happy Thursday.
Hi Claudia! You are gorgeous in that photo! You do look healthy and happy which is wonderful considering your tough last few months. I was in Hartford this week and as I drove past the park I thought of you. If you come to Hartford this summer let me know and I’ll take you out. We can eat healthy food and walk around the park! Your pictures of the birds and bear are incredible! If I saw the horrid legless creature, however, they would have had to airlift me out of there. Looking forward to seeing the dollhouse progress tomorrow. Linda
Hah! We have some small snakes around here on the property and I’m surprisingly not afraid of them!
I will most likely be in Hartford in September, Linda, and I’d love to get together!
You inspire!
Oh, I hope so! Thanks, Sue.
So happy for you Claudia! I think that may be what is holding me back from losing weight. I am a stress eater and boy am I under stress right now. I’m going to try to eat healthier while I’m home and get back to feeling rested before the final push to get the move done. I love to hike but have fallen away from it. You are inspiring me to get back to it!
hugs, Linda
I understand. I’m a stress eater, too. You’ll get back to it, my friend. Don’t be hard on yourself!
Congratulations on your weight loss! I understand the love of sweets but haven’t found the determination to cut them out. I’m pretty sure that would take off the 8 pounds I’ve gained in the last two years – if I’d just do it. If we lived where there are hiking trails like yours, we’d definitely take advantage of them. Make sure you get out there again!!
I will, Stacey. It helps to have someone to do it with – it might be harder for me without Don. But I think I’d still do it.
Cllaudia,
Wonderful that you are slimmer and feeling stronger with more energy! I have also lost 20 lbs since Oct. 2013. I joined Weight Watchers and also cut back on my late night snacks and all day eating regimen. I fell much better also! Good going, girl!!
Right back at ya! Good for you, Linda!
Congrats. Claudia, that’s an amazing weight loss and I know you must feel so good and proud that you’ve been able to stay off the sugar. Way to go girl! I had a doctor appt. yesterday and had dropped 10 lbs since the previous one 2 mths. ago – I feel better and will try to lose another 5 lbs. in the coming few weeks prior to a trip coming up where eating sensibly will be difficult!
What a hike – a bear, raptors, and that big black snake!!! I’m scared of snakes, and have to say I would have been nervous about a full-sized bear that close! Love the photo of you two – and of course all the scenic views.
Hugs – Mary
He was further off than that picture seems to show – I cropped it to get in a little closer. But….he could have run up that hillside pretty quickly if he’d had a mind to! Congrats on your weight loss, Mary. Where are you needed to next?
Wonderful news about your weight loss! I’m on my own weight loss journey…only five pounds so far…but at least I’m going in the right direction. Gorgeous pictures…thanks for taking us along…and cute pic of the two of you.
You both look healthy and most importantly…healthy! ;)
Good for you, Donna! Keep up the good work!
…and HAPPY, I meant to say! ;)
xo
I’m so jealous of your walks! The area is so very beautiful. We used to live in AR and we had so many places similar to your hike to go and walk around…it was glorious. Now we live in San Antonio and well there’s not much nature around here. Within an hours drive maybe but we have a senior puppy that I just will not leave alone for that long so no nature for us right now. I hope you continue to enjoy your hikes!
Congrats on the weight loss. Cutting out sugar is the best thing you could have done for your health. I did the same this year. I’ve been vegetarian for about 7 years now and i lost 60 lbs two years ago. I’ve kept it off with my diet and not eating the sugar. I too love to bake and I’ve discovered that I can still bake substituting honey and various fruits for the sugar. I wish you luck in those last 10 lbs….they will fall off….don’t give up.
Have a beautiful and blessed day Claudia!
My sister bakes a lot with sugar substitutes. I’m wary of starting that because I don’t want to be eating baked goods. I feel like it’s a slippery slope!
I surely understand that but just a little FYI the body is able to break down and digest organic and raw honey therefore the “sugar” doesn’t stay in your body and cause weight gain. Of course too much of anything is bad for you and if one were to bake even in this manner too often then I would think weight might be gained. It gives me the opportunity to still bake as I love to do. I freeze most of what I bake in small portions and when I have a craving just pull it out of the freezer and enjoy. There are even a lot of great recipes for baking that don’t use honey. All in all, this works for me and you have to do what works for you :)
I think what I meant was that if I bake something and start anything that my mind considers sweet, I will be tempted to go further (and not in a good way.) I just need, at least for now, to cut out all sweets.
Congrats on the loss! Sweets are my downfall, also. I need to get going on eating healthier and just cutting out the bars and cookies. So difficult to do! My knees are so bad, and I know a huge part is the weight, so walking is painful, and losing poundage would certainly help in so many ways. Hate to blame more on the winter this year, but I was a true couch potato and didn’t move much (except to go bake more bars/ cookies). You are an inspiration!!
Yes, my knee bothers me and I can’t help but think that will be eased by the weight loss!
Congratulations on your weight loss! Oh my! what a beautiful area you have for walking. It’s certainly a grand enticement. I envy you that beautiful spot (but I don’t envy your long snowy winter — been there, done that).
No one should envy me my long, snowy winter! Although the pay-off is a spectacular spring, summer and fall!
You two are looking quite good there Claudia..I can see that your face is looking thinner..Congrats on sticking with it..Great pics of the wildlife..
Thank you, Nancy!
Claudia, I am so happy for your weight lose…I know giving up sugars isn’t easy. Love your hiking photos. You and Don look great. xoxo,Susie
Oh gosh, it isn’t easy for this lover of sweets!
Wonderful news about the weight loss Claudia. Good for you! Beautiful post! I just got back from the Dr. with the news that what I thought was a mild case of Bronchitis has now turned into Pneumonia. My second bout in two years. Yuck! Hope you and Don are able to take lots of interesting hikes and don’t forget to share those pictures.
Oh no! I’m so sorry, Janie. Take care of yourself, my friend. I hope you feel better soon!
Congratulations Claudia. Every pound is a victory. Besides sugar did you cut out other carbs too? Bread, pasta, rice? I think you have given me the clue I have been looking for.
It is a beautiful place to go hiking. There is St. Croix State Park only 7 miles from me. I think I need to look into getting a pass to walk the trails.
One thing I think you should consider getting is an emergency whistle. This whistle is so loud that it will frighten anything away. I used it last year when a bear wandered into the yard. I think you were lucky this time that the bear was far away, but next time he could be in the path just ahead of you. I got the whistle at Duluth Trading Company. It wasn’t expensive.
Good idea, Trudy – though these paths are fairly well traveled! But a whistle wouldn’t be a bad thing to have on hand!
Good for you, Claudia! Less intake, more exercise – the healthiest way to lose weight and have it STAY lost. I myself have a “carby tooth” instead of a sweet tooth. My particular poison is [a socking-great bowl of] potato chips. But now, instead of cutting myself off entirely, I buy those little individual “lunch box” size bags and only 1-2 at a time. So I don’t feel deprived but I don’t have mass quantities around either. Also for some reason, the older I get, the more I seem to crave fruit. Actually crave it! It’s weird and cool at the same time. Can’t get enough of it. I guess our bodies do tell us what we need.
Oh, I love my carbs, too! Potatoes of any kind, bread, rolls…..I have to be careful! And potato chips. Love, love, love.
Good for you on the weight loss and exercising. Im not a big fan of exercising either but I do walk everyday. Love seeing the black bear :)
Walking is a good thing, Dawn!
Yay for walking. My favorite form of exercise. If I had to go to a gym every day, well, I just never would. Much easier to just put on your walking shoes and head out. And if it happens to be in the woods or up a mountain, then all the better. And if you can see critters along the way, then it is a win, win, win. :) I’ve been vegetarian 6 years and mostly vegan for a year. I tell you, giving up the dairy was the best thing I ever did. Without trying, the weight just came off. I feel better than ever. Of course, I’m doing it for moral and humane reasons, which makes it all the easier because it comes from my heart and soul. When something feels right, then it becomes very easy to do. I still bake and have found all ways to make natural treats that sometime don’t even require any sugar at all. Dates are great for sweetening things. I tell you, I am learning a whole lot of uses for foods that I never would have imagined. It’s quite exciting! :) Have a wonderful day. Tammy
It IS exciting, Tammy! Good for you!
You are amazing my sister in every single way. Good for you!!!!
Meredith
Thanks, sister!
Thank you Claudia – I needed this post!!
Very inspiring for me too as I’m 5’9 as well and the weight has crept on over the last year.
Sweets are my downfall too and croissants with lashings of butter.
As I read your story it pricked my conscience, I started to feel uneasy……
I have beautiful ‘thin’ clothes in my wardrobe that I’m just longing to wear again.
So, what am I going to do about it you ask.
I’m going to France to see my daughter and granddaughters for Christmas and would love to surprise my daughter, with a new me!!
I live in the Southern Hemisphere and it’s Autumn going into Winter – we don’t get snow, so there’s no excuse for me not to get out and walk each day.
I’ve decided – Today’s the day I start anew! I would love you to keep tabs on me from to time dear Claudia,
I hope you do more posts like this – you’ve inspired me into it.
PS – congratulations on your achievement – well done you! Believe me, I know the sacrifices you’ve made!
hugs
Shane x
Yay, Shane! Good for you!
I was tired of feeling overweight – it was time.
Claudia, you live in a beautiful area! Looks like spectacular hiking. I am terrified of bears and fortunately have never seen one while hiking the Lake Superior National Hiking Trail which we hike every summer. We have seen bears in northern Minnesota many times (thankfully always from our vehicle).
Congratulations on the weight loss ( not easy at our age). I swear, my metabolism has slowed to a crawl even though I swim nearly every day.
Oh, our pesky metabolisms!
What beautiful scenery. And how amazing to get to see the bear!
I hear you on the over 50 metabolism, uugghhh. It’s so frustrating! Good for you on keeping your resolve.
I’m determined, Debbie!
Oh my gosh a black snake and a bear! I would have been petrified. I would love to see a bear up close though. One time the local apple orchard had a huge bear in a cage to show off. It was so so sad. It got plenty of apples but a cage? How inhumane. I didn’t go back.
Your pics are beautiful as usual thank you
Terribly inhumane, Sue. Why do people do that? I always think, “How would they like to be in a cage?”
Congrats on your weight loss! Funny, because I have cut out refined sugar and most sweets from my “diet” in the past few weeks, too. It’s actually easier than I thought it’d be. I’m always tempted by homemade baked goods so like you, I simply stopped baking. I do allow myself a little dark chocolate every day though. I know I need to move a lot more…occasional walks and yoga just don’t cut it, especially now that I’m in my 50’s and my body is changing (and not for the better).
Dark chocolate is supposed to be good for you, Melanie, so why not?
Congrats on your weight loss, Claudia. I think I have lost a bit in the last month from cutting out sugar, too. When I get away from it I really don’t miss it so much. Now I need to get back to my walking. You have a gorgeous place to hike and wow the birds, snakes, and bears. Xo Laura
It is very beautiful around here, that’s for sure! Thanks, Laura.
What a wonderful selfie! I could feel the happiness! You should print it and frame it. Just love it!
Luanne
Thanks, Luanne!
The photos are beautiful. Love the beauty of the NE, but do not want that kind of weather.
Well, I’m not crazy about the winter we just had, but if it means we have the other 3 seasons that are simply beautiful, I guess I’ll have to accept it! Thanks, Rebya.
When I saw that picture yesterday I didn’t recognize you. I thought it was the hat or not seeing your hair. But, it’s the weight loss. I can see it in your face. Way to go Claudia. You look great.
I am insanely jealous that you saw the bear. I have always wanted to see one in the wild……but at a safe distance. Great find.
My face is the kind that always shows any weight gain. And it’s the first place I look to see if I am, indeed, losing pounds.
interesting post, as always! I have lost a few lbs. this wiinter, but now I am away from the gym and pool in Fl. and it is so hard to get the urge to exercise on he floor at home. The weather is so awful for walking outside, maybe it will improve? tell usmore about your food choices eating vegetarian
I’m perfectly awful at doing any sort of exercises – I’ve learned that, try as I might, I just won’t. So that makes winter problematic.
Claudia, you are an inspiration. Over the last year due to medications and menopause I’ve put on a significant amount of weight and am uncomfortable with it. It’s as much about how I feel in my skin as the vanity of how I look in my clothes, neither of which I’m particularly happy with at the moment. I’m really bad at diets but have been researching cutting sugar, which seems doable and very healthy as you’re still getting all the good stuff. I’m now convinced that it can be done and I will feel and look better for it. You look radiant.
As for your hike….wow! I’d never be indoor with that scenery and wildlife. Enjoy!
Congratulations on your weight loss! I cut out white sugar in March and have lost about 5 lbs. so far. And like you said, after the first couple of weeks you don’t even miss it. If I really want something, I will take one bite from my husband dessert and that is all. It is enough, and now I find I am actually doing that less and less.
I love the pictures of your hike and those rock formations are so wonderful. I don’t like snakes, but I could just walk past very fast and be fine. And a black bear! Scary, but don’t you think they look like teddybears? Don’t tell them I said that.
Tana