Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Stretchy Feels Good

As I was getting dressed this morning, ready to begin a new round of bible study, I thought how much I really loved the word "stretch".  At that very moment I was definitely referring to stretch in my wearing apparel...the blouse had some stretch in it which made buttoning easier, the jeans were the kind that stretch but also had a little help flattening the tummy area which made zipping easier, yes, stretch is the word of the day.  After the holidays and more cookies, chocolates, toffee bites, and peppermints than I care to count, stretch is definitely a good thing.

If I stretched my body more I probably wouldn't feel so inclined to love the stretchiness in clothing but right now I LOVE stretchy.  I haven't graduated to wearing the elastic waist pull-on pants on a daily basis, but believe me there are days that stretch elastic around the waist sure does feel better than a pair of just-washed jeans that take a heap of pulling and prodding to get on.  When I was younger (at least 179 years ago) I was small, wore a size 5 and looked good in about anything I put on my body.  Now that 5 has more than doubled in these 179 years and I really have trouble finding anything that does look good on my body.  Just kidding....but looking at something on a hanger and looking at that same something on my body sometimes takes on a whole different look and not necessarily a good look.  

I guess it's watching all these "award" shows on TV that are broadcasting almost weekly that I become more aware of my body issues (just a polite way of saying I am over-weight).  The stars walk the red carpet in beautiful gowns, exposed arms (horrors, can't tell you the last time anyone saw my exposed arms), and high heels that would tip me right over.  Oh I know that's Hollywood and fake glamour and all, but it still makes me sigh and wish that I was still that size 5.  If I really put my mind (and body) to it, I could at least shrink a couple of sizes and I am working on building up that gumption that's needed to accomplish that goal, but right now, stretchy feels good.

And speaking of stretching....I am going to stretch these tulips as long as I can...(I did go by Trader Joe's today, but their pickins' on flowers was mighty slim, so I passed, thus the tulips)



"If you put yourself in a position where you have to stretch outside your comfort zone, then you are forced to expand your consciousness."  ~  Les Brown

Until next time....




16 comments:

  1. i saw jodie foster's speech on the web. she started out by saying 'i'm 50!' i was jealous of her flawless face and her firm arms. as i get ready to turn 50 this summer. *sigh*

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  2. After Christmas I've been feeling like I need clothes with more stretch too! I decided today though that I'm going to only eat fruits, vegetables and smoothies. It's better for me to limit my choices to something very small otherwise once I start eating it's like opening pandora's box :)

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  3. i love stretching ... makes the body & muscles feel good. i'm not what i use to be that is for sure. i remember what i weighted when i 1st got married & it sure as heck ain't the same. plain stinks. but hey, i'm healthy could be healthier ... it's constant work - another job - you have to want it & want it always. sometimes that stretchy material is good but other times it really makes clothing annoying. like when you buy a pair of jeans & if you are not careful it will be a pair of jeans that suddenly is way to big ... so i usually buy a must smaller size & they grow & are a perfect fit in the end. i think it also can be something that is good for you in a personal way - you stretch your beliefs or way of thinking. STRETCHING IS GOOD!! wish more folks would stretch their ways!! ha. ha!! i'm turning 35 yrs old this year & i so thought i would be in a different stop in my life but hey i will make the best of where i am & be positive. keep that smile. happy happy joy joy!! ( :

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  4. Being comfortable with who you are and "all" you is what matters. You said it, "Hollywood and fake glamour". I am 52 and I've earned every wrinkle, every ripple, every dimple! But yes, I could lose a few & am working towards that so that I can be a healthier me in the New Year!
    Still loving those tulips!

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  5. I went down a pant size today! I'm been loosing weight thanks to a trip we have planned to Disney! And then a trip for Freddy and I to Vegas! I am not quite sure how dieting will go after the trips, but I'm hoping for the best! If I hadn't booked those trips I probably would be living in stretchy pants forever :)

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  6. So pretty, Dianna! All my clothes have a bit of spandex in them - even my jeans - but they still look like jeans... I'd never get a pair that didn't stretch.

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  7. Beautiful Deanna. I'm exercising more than I ever have and the scale keeps rising! What the heck?! I'm not going to quit....yet ;)

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  8. Your tulips seem to be providing you with endless, flawless beauty. The Hollywood "stars" don't bother me because I've seen what many of them look like without make-up, and believe you me, they are no prettier than we are. They just have goo-gobs of money to hire stylists and plastic surgeons. They can't even enjoy a meal for fear of adding an ounce. I say be comfortable with yourself and enjoy life in your stretchy clothes. There's something to be admired for choosing to age gracefully. That's what I tell myself, anyway. :)

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  9. Stretching has many connotations - all of them good. The tulips are an even softer pink - I like!

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  10. Your tulips are still looking great! As so stretchy...I'm with you. All my jeans are stretchy, but I haven't gone to the all around elastic either. I could use a little tummy tuck though. :0)

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  11. I really like that first shot. Don't get me started on the woes of age and weight. I am working hard (after way too many years of not working hard) to exercise regularly and eat properly. Even so, I have days of elastic exercise paints and a nice loose shirt. Small steps!

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  12. You sure stretched those tulips...these are so gorgeous!

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  13. LOVE your photos! Those tulips - you make them look even more beautiful than they are. You are still beautiful too, 179 years on.....

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  14. hmmmmm...where do I start? When I was in the fourth grade, a jillion years ago, my teacher, Mrs. Harry C. Hall, told us that her husband told her she wasn't fat....she just had more to love. By the end of the year, we all knew that to be a fact. She was the most wonderful woman I ever met...caring, jolly, and a wonderful teacher.

    I am 57, will be 58 this year. I have spent more time than I care to count up in my life worrying about what size I was and what number showed up on the scale. I haven't been a size 5 since I was in 7th grade...let's see...that was...I'm counting here....45, going on 46 years ago. When I married my hubby, he told me I had to GAIN weight before he would marry me...I weighed 108 when he met me...gained 7 pounds, we got married, and then he fed me heavily. I weighed 125 when my daughter was born when I was 19, then lost, then gained, then dieted and lost, then ate and gained...until at 35, I weighed 185 lbs. I got pregnant with my first son and topped off that pregnancy at 190. yep, I only gained 5 lbs. Got pregnant with my next son weighing 169 lbs and weighed 155 when I delivered....I actually lost weight being pregnant. Then I lost, then gained, then lost...at 45, I weighed 135 lbs and everyone thought I was sick...so I gained...until now, I weigh 177 lbs and my body seems to be happy here. I don't diet anymore. I think that is what made me gain because each time I would diet and lose, when I stopped dieting and started to gain, I gained more than before.

    I am finally just happy with who I am...I like me for me. I don't care about Hollywood or the young women who spend hours upon hours at the gym. That isn't me. My hubby loves me, my kids love me, and my grandkids love me. What else do I need?

    There is an older woman who works bagging at HEB, our grocery store here in town. She looks like she is in her 70's. A typical grandma...wrinkles earned from years of smiling and extra pounds that she carries quite well...not all jiggly, but firm. I wish I looked like her....but not because of her body, but because EVERY time I see her, there is a huge smile on her face. She is beautiful inside and that makes her even more beautiful outside.

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  15. My doctor is constantly on me...do your stretches MORE!!! This is all I could think of when reading your funny post.
    Laurie

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  16. We can be happy and enjoy life ... or we can be skinny ... but we can't be both. I'll choose the former. Our TJ has been low on flowers, too. Hmmm ... So glad I can enjoy your gorgeous tulips courtesy of the wonders of the internet.

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