Looking Fine by 2009
Attention Helen Mirren–Stop looking so hot in your red bikini!
When I look at this picture of the 63 year old actress I feel just a tad bit disgusted with myself.
I mean, for crying out loud, she is 63 years old!! 63??!!!
And she looks way better in a bikini than I do at 33 years old. How is this possible? (I ask this as I sit here eating an ice cream sandwich.)
I’m not naive. I know that she is paid a lot of money to take care of her body. I’m guessing that she probably has a personal trainer and nutritionist to help keep her in such good shape. She must also have really great genes. I wouldn’t rule out plastic surgery either.
I’m also thinking she doesn’t eat many ice cream sandwiches. All of these things go a long way towards looking so good.
But still. She’s 63 years old!! If she can look that good in a bikini then there has got to be some way that I can lose this extra chub and feel better about myself too. Or is this just wishful thinking?
I know what I need to do. We all know the formula. Eat less. Move more. It sounds so simple, so why is it so hard to do?
I think it all comes down to motivation. I’ve yet to find the one thing to keep me motivated long enough to stick with a diet and exercise plan to see a difference.
For Helen, the motivation is looking great in front of the camera. For others, it may be fitting into a dress for a high school reunion. Then there are even the lucky ones who have somehow figured out how to consistently live a healthier lifestyle and enjoy the process of getting fit.
I am not one of those people. I hate exercise and I love to eat. I also love to eat cookies. And ice cream. And pizza. I could go on but you get the picture.
My road to shaping up is going to be a bumpy one, but I am determined to try to get healthy and look better. I say “better” because I don’t want to set some unrealistic goal. My goal isn’t perfection. It is progress.
As hard as I try, I’ll never be able to look like one of those girls from The Hills:
I’m not even trying to be one of these celebrity super moms who lose all their pregnancy weight in 5 weeks. Is anyone else getting sick of seeing the same headline used over and over again on the covers of all the tabloids? If I see one more “HOW I GOT MY BODY BACK” I’m going to scream. Of course you got your body back. You are a celebrity. You are paid to look good and have tons of resources at your disposal to help you do it.
Plus, I doubt I’d make headlines for losing my baby weight. I can see the headline: HOW I GOT MY BODY BACK! 30 LBS IN …7 YEARS? Yeah, I didn’t think so.
I would just like to tone up and lose some of this flab so I can look the best I can for my body type. I want to be able to put on a pair of jeans without having to feel like I’m short of breath or worry the whole time I’m wearing them that the button may spontaneously pop open at any time. The bottom line is that I just want to feel better about myself.
I am challenging myself to be Looking Fine by 2009!
You may be wondering why not wait until the new year, after all the holiday parties? Ok, we all know how well New Year’s resolutions work. I’ve decided to try a new tactic. Instead of losing the weight/inches after the holidays, why not do it before the holidays?
Here is my plan:
- I’m going to commit to eating smaller, healthier portions.
- I’m going to commit to working out at least 4 times a week.
- I’m going to commit to drinking more water.
- I’m going to commit to getting to bed earlier.
I’m planning to weigh and measure myself at the start and then once a week so I can keep track of inches and pounds lost. I will post my progress weekly on my blog, along with any other tips and tricks I find as I go along.
Hopefully this will keep me accountable since I know that there is a chance that you all might actually be expecting to see some sort of progress. I want you all to be my cheerleaders as I embark on this journey.
More than that, I’m hoping you will join me. I feel like we can support each other. If you are interested in joining me in this quest for a healthier lifestyle, leave a comment and let me know. You do NOT have to be a blogger to participate.
Note: If you already look like Helen Mirren or Audrina Partridge, I hate you. Just kidding. Seriously, maybe you could still join in on the discussion and share your slimming secrets with us. Or maybe you won’t because you are mean and would rather we all stay chubby. Either way we will try really hard to not hate you.
As you can see, I made a banner. If you want, you may take it and put it on your site so people know that you are doing the challenge and/or write up a post telling your readers about it. Just be sure to link to me so other people can join in on the torture fun.
So, here is what I’m thinking. If you would like to participate, do your initial measurements (arms, thighs, hips, waist) and weight check. Take a before picture in a bathing suit or undies so you will have something to base your progress. You can post all of this on your blog or just document it somewhere privately. (I’m going the private route. Ryan Gosling, who I’m sure reads this blog daily, does not need to see me in my undies. Yet.)
Then do your best to try to increase your exercise while decreasing your calories. I’m not saying any kind of fad diet–watch portions, only eat when you are hungry, stop when you are full, etc…
The first weekly weigh in/measuring will be next Monday, September 1st. Let’s see how many inches we can lose together this week!
Who’s in? Leave me a comment and let me know!
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58 Responses to “Looking Fine by 2009”
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You are my hero! I’ve been planning on starting a huge “lose that baby weight” overhaul. Tomorrow. That was about 45 tomorrows ago. But I was planning on starting for reals-reals-reals this week! What perfect timing! Basically, that’s a really long way of saying “I AM SO IN!”
And “How I Got My Body Back”? Pffffffffft. I never looked that way to begin with!
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I am so in!
I had lost about 30 pounds this time last year…and gosh knows it found its way back home!
Ugh!
I have a 20 year class reunion the end of November.
Motivation has been staring me in the face for months…what am I doing?
And thanks for posting the photo of Helen Mirren.
I can’t decide if I am jealous, or just plain mad that she looks that good.
Thanks for doing this!
~Wendi
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Bless you Jen! You may actually get me back to the original reason I started blogging. I have to warn you that I’m going to need lots of kicks in the rear to keep motivated though.
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Jen, truly you are a legend. I love this.
Personally I think Helen Mirren is letting the side down looking all fantastic at 63. How can us in our 30’s not feel like we should be doing better with that red bikini calling us to change our ways.
Fortunately for me I got lucky enough to be 5 feet 10 inches with a super zippy metabolism (please don’t hate me) which is slowing by the day right now and so all I am in need of is some (meaning lots) of toning. Having those kiddo’s 16 months apart and one by C section will certainly ruin your abs.
But I desperately need to eat better and exercise so I’ll be checking in to cheer on the troops regularly.
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Ohh, all right. I’m totally with you, but I’m probably way grosser than you and any five of your readers put together. And I’m planning on having gastric bypass. But I can start the process now. So, I am in.
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Great idea! I’m so in!
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This is just what I need! I started a new ‘plan’ on Saturday and I stuck with it all weekend…which is a miracle for me. I went to the mypramid.com site to get the info I needed. You enter in your height/weight age and activity level and they tell you how much of each food group you ’should’ consume and a total calorie count for each day. I know you said you weren’t counting calories, but I have to. It’s the only way I can be accountable for what I eat. Otherwise I have just a little of this and just a little of that, which really adds up. My goal is to lose 15 lbs. by Christmas. I know it seems like a lot, but it’s approx. 1 lb per week, which is attainable by just eliminating 3500 calories per week that I have been consuming….it’s that EASY! Haha…that’s why I’m 22 lbs heavier now than I was 2 years ago. Wish me luck and I look forward to your motivation!
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You go girl!!! That sounds awesome. I gained weight while on vacation, and have now added a couple more pounds due to some stressful stuff going on right now (what better way to cope, than to eat, right???!!). I may just join you – but no way is the photo going up on my blog. WAY too scary!!
I was reading somewhere yesterday that 1500-1800 calories a day is normal for a woman in her 30s.
WHAT?
I eat that much at lunch alone, and that’s not on a day I’m being “bad” and sneaking some comfort food. Who eats 1500 calories a day??? Oh. I guess Helen Mirren does
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I´m soooo with you!!!
I´ve been looking forward to do this for ages!!!! literally… my baby is almost 3, and I still have those 15 kilos in my body!!!! So last friday I went to an “aerobox” marathon… and felt great!!!! now I´m looking forward to eat less and move more
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If you would time this closer to my due date, I’d have you all beat.
How I get my body back post-baby: push the thing out.
My cousin Monica (age 33) just had her baby last week. Before she got pregnant she was pretty overweight. For some reason being pregnant did something to her metabolism, she actually shrank! She dropped several sizes, and now is just slightly bigger than me (which means she is a healthy weight LOL). She says if she had known it would be like that she would have gotten pregnant a lot sooner.
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Ugh I think I’ll kick myself for this later, but I’m in. I just went to the beach yesterday so I don’t think I need to explain my motivation! haha
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First of all, Ms. Helen never had kids. That’s why she can look that good!
Second, I want to try your challange. I’m gonna work on this over the weekend and then I’ll do a post next week. I’ll link back to you.
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Good luck! Our family went pescetarian last year, and that’s been pretty good for the weight loss. Tasty fish and lots of cheese… yum…
And for what it’s worth, I’d completely do Helen Mirren before the chick from the Hills, were either even a remote option.
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Go, Jen, Go! That’s me, cheering you on, and wondering why you wrote a post that sounds like I could have written it. You had me cracking up… because it was so dadgum REAL. I’m in… I’m SO in. I can’t do ANYTHING with my weight unless someone is cheering me on. By name. LOL I lost almost 30 pounds a couple years ago doing weight watchers with my husband and it was SO great! Then suddenly, he just STOPS and so naturally I did too. After all – I didn’t want him hogging ALL the ice cream sandwiches! My 30 pounds are back now, and so is my feeling of failure. *sigh* Can I call it “feeling finer by 2009′er? Because we all know I won’t be perfectly FINE by then. hahaha Ok – I’m off to come up with my own post.
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[...] Jen @ Daily Mish Mash. Jen who feels more than a little perturbed by the fact that women in their 60’s apparently [...]
I am In my friend!!
In fact just today I vowed to get my act together. I even did a dvd weights workout while Sophia napped. My legs feel like jello. I am definately going the private route on my stats as they are just to horrific and emberassing to share.
I feel like I always talk the talk and never actually get anywhere…and I am sick of it!!
Pass me my water bottle!
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Thank you so much for this post. My google analytics page said someone found my blog bu searching for 62 year old in a bathing suit…now I know who they were looking for. My guess is that they found my post about Rylie’s missing bathing suit and were probably disappointed since there were no nude pictures. Sicko’s!!!!
I would love to participate. Unfortunately I have no will power, and no ability to create good habits.
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I forgot to post this yesterday but your blog’s timing was great. I have been slacking on my WW and exercise the last two weeks and Monday was my day back on the horse. I did good yesterday, so I’ll enjoy taking the challenge with you!!
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Count me in… I’m not looking forward to that photo but part of the problem is that I DON’T look at myself and so I go along my merry, full-of-bad-food-and-not-enough-exercise way.
Oh, and after four babies, you can bet I’ll be adding Kegels to my exercise schedule! Let’s not talk about how easy it would have been to be doing them all this time! Umm, like how about every time I’m at the computer? How in the heck do I get so lazy and still have four children and a husband to take care of?!
Thanks Jen. And my husband thanks you too.
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Just leaving you a comment with a link to my write up for taking on the challenge:
http://mommablogsalot.wordpress.com/2008/08/25/who-needs-a-near-year-im-feeling-resolute-now-i-will-be-looking-fine-by-2009/
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What a great idea. Good luck with the healthier lifestyle. Maybe one day, I will fine the time to start working out again. It’s just that a midnight work out doesn’t too appealing to me.
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I would love to join you on your quest! It will be nice to have some moral support. I’ll post on my blog as soon as I get a chance. Thanks!
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Hmm, I guess I didn’t comment yet. Thought I did.
Yea, that Helen picture totally made me go HOLY MOLY WHAT THE HECK? SHe looks amazing.
I started my little journey to get more awesome last year, and it’s gone well. I dropped over 70 pounds.
But then I found those darn clearance M and M’s. Clearly I need to get in the game again!
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Yo yo yo I just added a link to your blog and added the badge. No backing down now!! Eeek! No undie picks however!
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[...] Looking Fine by 2009 [...]
Oh good for you!!!!
I gained some weight over the summer because I just couldn’t keep up with my workouts with vacation and the kids at home. It really showed me how important exercise is for my body.
Good luck!!
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[...] Well, nine solid months of “tomorrow’s” later, I found myself reading this post, and I got all freaked out and paranoid because it was like reading what has been going on in my [...]
Great idea! I’m in! Thanks for giving me an excuse to get off my butt! Good luck with your weight loss plan, and wish me luck with mine!
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I am in!!!! I’ve started this past summer but still want to lose 13 lbs if not more.
Thanks for organizing this!
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Ok, I am so in. I’m so down on myself these days and it just makes things worse. I eat because I feel bad and then I feel worse, so I eat again. GRRRR. I know I can do this–I did it before getting pregnant with my second (back in 2000). Now my baby is 2 and I don’t have the baby fat excuse anymore!
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I’m in, I have baby fat from the last baby who is now 31 years old. I would like to lose at least 10 of those pounds and I do need accountability!
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I’m so totally in!
A friend and I were already planning on starting Sept. 1, I’m so happy I’ve found even more support and accountability. Yay!
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I’m in. I can’t make an excuse any longer. I want to feel good about myself.
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I’m totally in!!! My hubby and I started a diet 3 weeks ago and I’ve lost 9lbs. It will be nice to have some motivation from somewhere other than my husband! Men just don’t understand what women struggle with during weight loss!
I’m so excited!!!
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Count me in! Love your blog and LOVE this idea!
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Aahhhh, I am in. I think. I’ll try? My hubby and i have a hard core 90 day workout thing we’re planning on starting on September first. I’m afraid! lol But I can’t stand the way I look ANYMORE. Oh to be 18 again.
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I have been looking everywhere in the blogosphere for a weight loss blog.
I am happy to join you. I have a blog dedicated to this, too, email me for an invite. Mari
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Good luck with that. I’m jealous of all these women who look great for their age or having a baby. But I don’t have someone to watch my kids so I can sit down and actually eat a meal instead of picking at this and that all day long
. Okay, excuses excuses. I look forward to seeing how you do with your goal though. I should commit to doing the same.
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Remember photoshop is those womens’ best friend
Good for you for getting healthier–I’d love to join–feel free to email me verybusymomwith4@gmail.com
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pizza, cookies and ice-cream – that sounds suspiciously like my usual fare!! Count me in! I’m just in time for the first weigh-in tomorrow and I totally get that it’s not about depriving yourself, but about do everything in moderation – which is great seeing as I don’t DO any exercise at all, so even moderate exercise HAS to be good!
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i am in too. trying to NOT be the fattest bridesmaid in my sister’s wedding in November!! I’ll never make it, but at least I don’t have to be THAT MUCH fatter than the rest of them!
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I’m in too! I just had baby number 2, and am off to Florida in January with both kids and want to look decent in a bathing suit. Plus I need to lose the baby weight. Your challenge sounds good!
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[...] you all have a happy Labor Day today. Yeah. So. It’s now been one week of this whole Looking Fine by 2009 ambition of mine & Jen’s @ Daily Mish Mash. So far I’ve learned that if I force [...]
Here is my plan:
* I’m going to commit to eating healthier foods.
* I’m going to commit to working out at least 3 times a week.
* I’m going to commit to drinking more water.
Initial measurements
* arms: 11.5 in
* thighs: 22.75 in
* hips: 39 in
* waist: 34 in
* weight check: 156 lbs
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Hi there! Is it too late to jump in? Thanks for offering the support! I will be one of those folks who keeps my measurements private
and the bra and panties photo….you surely don’t expect me to DO that? I just got a brand new digital camera and I’d hate to break it! Hee hee har har
I’ll be posting weekly and adding your banner on my blog!
Best of luck to you and everyone participating!
And are you kidding me with the 63year old knock out? I look like that in my dreams…
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I am totally in! I don’t even have kids yet, I’m worried I’ll be an absolute balloon once I do and thats scary! And Helen Mirren…bitch!!
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I’m in! I just posted about this yesterday. I have about 67lbs I’d like to lose total but, my first goal is 10lbs.
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I’m in! thanks for organizing a support space!
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I just saw the link for this on Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman’s blog. I need this! I’m in my 20s, pre-children, and 55lbs overweight. I can’t even imagine what my first pregnancy would do to me at this point. I need to lose the weight first for sure!
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[...] late in joining in on the torture fun. But better late than never, right? Anyway, Jen, over at Daily Mish Mash decided that she needed some company as she whips her bod back into shape. And I’m a sucker [...]
I’m in. Better late than never.
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wandered over from mom24’s blog. i’m in – if it’s not too late!!
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Me too! I’ve already joined Sparkpeople which is free, where I log my food, fitness and have already seen results. I will post your button on my blog!
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ei..i wanna join the torture errr..i mean FUN too and look fine by 2009. i actually wrote it on my blog already: http://ninyakin.blogspot.com/2008/09/looking-fine-by-2009.html
cheers to looking fine.
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I found this post and so need to join the club,,,prior to this I posted on my weight loss blog that today was the day! So ladies and gentlemen lets do this!
http://www.newlifestyle12.blogspot.com
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Good for you! I’m on week 3 of Weight Watchers. I need to do something! Now I just need to get working out more…. =)
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[...] secret that I love chocolate. I practically breathe the stuff, hence why I’m participating in Looking Fine by 2009 @ Daily Mish Mash. And failing. Despite doing more exercise than usual and drinking more water, it [...]
Has no-one got a Helen Mirren sandwich, then?
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