the Woman in the Mirror

I was thinking of my next entry while watering the outside floral shop I had planted this year. As I want to keep this blog in chronological order decided to expose the "Woman in the Mirror."

After my husband's death, and a month of eating Panera bread at Hospice House....I didn't like what I saw in the mirror. Good Lord, I looked like Shirley McClain's twin from "Terms of Endearment." My drivers license photo was taken while all was going on and still make clerks jump when I write a check. A sweet young woman actually told me she had never seen a photo not resembling the customer as much as this one....Blessings my dear.

The truth was, I had aged through this experience. I mean, I hardly knew who I was when I took a hard look at myself. I had some wrinkles, love handles, and a dimpled ass. So, in light of the situation, I went vegetarian. Not a tough one for me, I had been brainwashed into thinking protein was only through meats....certainly not. 

The pounds started to fall off, and the woman beneath all that padding started to emerge. So, what was the next step? I looked at a lifestyle lift, they turned me down and said in a few years....okay, what next? How bout following up on some of the late night ads such as for the Derma Wand....a handy little gadget that sends shock treatments into the face to plump up wrinkles, and stimulate collagen production. Well, okay then....ordered with overnight delivery. Trouble is, I did not put on my readers, and thought directions said 15 minutes per day....
they said three. What I turned out with was a pumpkin face with eyes swollen shut like I had a bad bee sting allergy. OMG....I applied ice bags, preparation H to my face out of desperation...nothing helped. 

When I resigned myself to the possibility of being a cyclops the rest of my life, swelling started to go down....Thank you God! 
So what's next? Why of course trying to get rid of the saggy baggy elephant effect. Yes, you lose a fair amount of weight, and that's what you have. I decided to start running....of course I needed the compression suit, and special trail runners. The compression suit by the way, when you manage to pull it on....makes you look about ten pounds thinner. So worth the rolling around on the floor, bed, any hard surface while thrashing about. The Weather not cooperating, so the treadmill was put to good use. Holy cow was I out of shape, and still am but I don't fall off panting onto the floor like I used to. Most of you know my dog Baldwin, he has run the treadmill since he was four months old...so have a partner.

Next purchase was a a professional Diamond Derma-abrasion machine. With my skin condition, I justified the purchase. Looks like something from a dentist office, large and bulky. While I haven't used it on my face, (after the last experience), my skin is really responding. 

I won't go into the other multiple purchases on creams such as "face lift in a jar." They don't work...so save your money. 

The best advice I can give on moving on is this. Eat healthy, exercise, get out with friends, get a hobby, and most importantly...be comfortable in your own skin. We all have wonderful gifts bestowed upon us. Don't sell yourself short....I was trying to get healthy, and it is so worth it. I really feel great. 

Next entry will be on "the little black dress and the doctor" so watch for it!