13 + 2 = 15

Looks like the PMS storm clouds have passed... and the combination of things which seemed completely overwhelming yesterday turn out to be quite defeatable this morning. I've just got to prioritize and tackle things one at a time. And no matter how bad it gets, I'm not going to let this trivia drive me to the cupboards or prevent me from doing my workout. Things may be falling down around me, but I'm determined to continue seeing some progress on the scale.

On a much happier note, I've weighed in at 179 for the last two mornings in a row! That's 2 more lbs. gone and a grand total of 15 lbs. lost since beginning this fitness and reducing plan in April. I suspect the disappearance of peanut butter cups from my pantry has had a lot to do with that, but the transformation in my dinners and lunches on weekends may be responsible as well. One thing I've noticed with my walks is how much the increased heat and humidity slows me down. (Temps reached 112 degrees F. yesterday!) It takes me the same amount of time to do five laps now as it used to take to do six laps. I'd be worried, but things continue to move in the right direction on the scale. Could the humidity be acting as a kind of weight resistance?

My figure isn't the only thing undergoing a makeover. Here are some of the other makeovers taking place at Casa Jitterbug these days:

The $11 Renovation
Just before my vacation, I purchased a new padded cover for my little countertop ironing board. Nothing fancy, just a $7 cover made from a blue fabric with white ticking stripes. What a change after ironing on a cover so threadbare I could see the metal grid pattern on my clothes! Between my new ironing board cover and a new lavender sachet ($4) to freshen up my linen closet, I'm looking forward to Tuesday nights again...

Thinning out the Wardrobe
With 15 less lbs. on my frame, there are lots of things in my closet that don't come close to fitting me any longer. Garments I wore at my heaviest (208 lbs. in January 2008), garments that I still wore with a belt just for the sake of frugality. I resolved during my vacation to thin out my wardrobe and quit hanging on to saggy, unfashionable clothes like a security blanket. I went in there with my metaphorical pruning shears the other night and removed everything in a size 20W, 22W, or 2X/XXL. Filled an entire garbage bag with clothing which hasn't come near to fitting me in a long time. This will keep me from reaching for garments that don't do my figure any favors. It also makes room for some new clothing in a size that fits me.

Meow!
I've also been thinking about investing in a pair of kitten heels. Something at a height comfy enough that I can wear 'em all day long at work, but more flattering to my legs than flats. I think I'll hit the shoe store this evening.

Back in a bit with my new vintage culture mission...

"Lady, Better Lose Those Hips!"

I wish I could tell you that my workouts leave me energized and full of pep, but they don't. At two weeks, I was feeling a new spring in my step. At four weeks, I'm just feeling all broken down. My lower back aches. My left knee feels a little sore. And I had forgotten just how painful 100-degree weather can be. Going outdoors at noon these days feels like climbing inside an oven. (Those lunchtime walks are going to have to shift indoors next week!) I'm hanging in there because I'm seeing results, but the last week has not been easy. I keep wishing I'll get to this magical point when I look forward to my walks. When I can't wait to get out there and move! Nope, still torture.

There are a few things I've begun doing to try and make these walks a little easier on my body. I have been remembering to wear a baseball cap - even at 7:00 in the morning on the weekends - so at least I don't have to worry any longer about getting my scalp or forehead sunburned. I purchased some SPF 55 sunblock this weekend to protect my neck and arms, particularly on those mid-day walks. My knees and back would probably appreciate my bringing some socks and sneakers to work for the week so those lunchtime workouts can be a little easier on my joints. And I've been putting it off, but I really should be doing some stretching after my walks.

Yesterday, I did some looking about online for tips on stretching. What a surprise to learn that you're not supposed to stretch before a walk! Apparently, you can really injure yourself by stretching cold muscles like that. You're supposed to warm the muscles by walking at an easy pace for awhile before speeding up to a brisk pace. The ideal walk should end by doing another stretch at an easy pace, then some simple stretches for the legs, lower back, and shoulders. I'm no personal trainer, so I'll just refer you to one of many interesting websites on this subject. I tried the first three stretches myself after my walk this morning:

http://www.helium.com/items/455379-best-stretches-before-walking-for-exercise

Alas, I haven't been able to find much in the way of vintage advice on post-walk stretching. Lots of advice on stretching for better posture - and lots and lots of "limbering" exercises - but nothing specific to flexing and relaxing the muscles used in a good, brisk walk. 1940s beauty experts acknowledged that walking was an effective way to trim the figure, but they didn't treat it quite as scientifically as they did most things. Betty Clark had a few recommendations in a women's page article titled "Lady, Better Lose Those Hips!" (St. Petersburg Times, September 24, 1943):

Walking, which is the best hip-slimmer known, is pretty difficult to do by the mile when time is at a premium, especially today - unless you are fortunate enough to walk to and from your daily work. This doesn’t mean strolling. Walking, to be effective, should be at a brisk, steady pace.

It is wise to exercise in the morning upon arising. Otherwise, you may find yourself too tired for exertion in the evening.

In a 1940 column, Miss Clark advised wearing sensible shoes when walking for sport --- and, by all means, put some "knee action" into your walk "for the sake of grace"! Helen Follett, another beauty expert of the era, wrote in 1940:

The thigh bulge comes to women who sit at their desks, typewriters or sewing tables all day. They don't get enough exercise to keep the muscles strong. Fibers grow slack, adipose tissue builds up. Squatting exercises are helpful, so is high kicking. Walking at a brisk pace is recommended.

Something that's been troubling me lately is that so many of my shirts are ending up with grease stains. Just one stain per shirt (always in the chest area), but it's enough to make them unsuitable for anything but wearing at home. I'm not sure why I don't notice it when it happens, but by the time I do - usually at the ironing board - it's too late. The shirt has been through the wash, and the stain is set. And it's not that I've been doing that much cooking with hot oil. I'm not sure why I'm ending up with all the grease stains. I guess it's just that I'm cooking more in general. Even scrambling eggs or making an omelet means I'm working over spattering grease. Several shirts later, it's finally occurred to me that there's a reason women used to wear those full aprons with the placket covering the chest. They weren't just for looks! And the half aprons that I usually wear don't do the job. From now on, it's full aprons for me... I've got two of them, and I'm looking for a place in my kitchen where I can keep them within arms' reach. No excuses. I can't afford to keep buying new shirts!!!

It's Sunday, which means it's time for another 1945 dinner. Here's my menu for tonight:

Parsley Potatoes

Baked Broccoli

Lettuce and Tomato Salad

Coconut Blanc Mange

Cherry Sauce

From everything I've heard about Blanc Mange, I'm a little creeped out. I think I'll make as small a batch of dessert tonight as possible!