SSDWLC's 6th Newsletter aka "The TAKEOVER!"

Good morning sisters-in-weight-loss! I have officially taken over the newsletter! Ok..not really, but wanted to share something with you.

How would you describe your appearance? Is what you see in the mirror an illusion? Is what's in your mind REALLY the size of your behind? I'll share a little background about my body style/image/weight loss journey.

I've pretty much always been a pretty petite framed person....always top heavy though...why am I the only 9 year old on the playground with breasts? In high school, I was about a size 4-6. The largest I ever was - was a size 10..the freshman 15 turned into about 20-25 (with the help of late night muffins, whole milk, chicken parmesean sandwiches and fries about 2-3x per week, rare workouts and the evil Depo shot). I was slightly depressed freshman year.

I completely rectified that...I moved to another city...had no car and had to rely on riding the train and walking to my destinations..plus the city had lots of hills...LOVED IT! I went from a size 10...dun..dun.dun..to a size 2. I LOVED IT...although I think I looked hungry & po. I did it in the most non-traditional way. I NEVER WENT TO THE GYM. I did this all by utilizing my environment and dancing like crazy whenever I had a chance!

I maintained about a size 6..UNTIL..the baby! I rocked a size 12 for so long after Ryan's birth. I weighed 138 when I got pregnant (which is about 10 lbs overweight for me)...168 at his birth..and I don't think I lost a single pounds for about 14-15 months. I'm like goooolllly..he weighed 6lbs/5oz.

I finally got a trainer and braces...and lost 25 pounds. The braces were wonderful..It hurt to eat..smoothies and soup were my friend!

So now a size 8 (143 lbs)..I want my 6! Excuse me to be long-winded, let me get back to the original question.

What do you see when you look in the mirror? I encourage you to look at yourself..in your birthday suit...and with different outfits on. I like watching "What not to wear" because they emphasize the image you're giving to the world daily. I work in corporate tax, so I must be professional EVERYDAY...what's casual Friday? I strive to be "client-ready!!"

I work with a caucasian female with some "sista" hips. I go on and on about my weight sometimes at work and the other day she said "Jana, I think the way you see yourself and how others see you is completely different."

So, today I will be amongst friends and family at a Lifetime Fitness Open House (Yay, Courtney) working out and enjoying each other's company. I plan to ask them how they perceive my body/style. Again, I'm doing this with people I trust and I'm open to hear their critiques. You might say "To hell with what other people think", but I encourage you to just try it as an exercise.

THE BIGGEST THING EVER: Ladies, please get a bra fitting. I encourage you to go somewhere like "The Bra Specialist" or an exclusive store, not Victoria's Secret or JCPenney (Everytime I go there, they get it wrong). The difference is knowledgeand breasts on your knees or your neck.) The bras are a bit more expensive, probably $35 - $60, but it's worth it. I am a 32DDD, per the Bra Specialist a few months ago. I purchased one bra from there so I could get an accurate size and then went to Marshall's later. I went to JCP the other day. The woman said I was a 36C. It is NO WAY my chi-chi's are fitting into a C.
Excuse my novel..I really don't have a chance to respond while at work!
Know that when you look in the mirror...it's a beautiful woman staring back at you - full of love, positive energy and potential to be anything and to accomplish anything she desires. There is power in your thoughts and in the tongue! Uplift yourself and your breasts today! LOL

Jana