Valapalooza's Diary

Hey Val, it is difficult for us to hear positive things when we are feeling negative, no matter how well intentioned the person is being.

On the subject of stretch marks, I think that there is actually only a small proportion of the world that does not have stretch marks. I got them on my hips during puberty, there are people who have gained weight, women who have been pregnant, people who gain a lot of muscle get them as well, lots of people. All you need to worry about is making sure that you feel healthy and happy with yourself. And as has been said before, this is helped by your body image, but self image is more important. You are a great person, I think everyone on this forum would agree with that, and that is what is important. If you don't get that aspect sorted, then losing the weight is not going to make you feel better. However, get that part right, and the rest will follow easier ;)

Keep going, I know you can do it :)
 
Honey we all go through that feeling bad about ourselves. I'm sure when we get ten, five, two pounds away from our goal we are still going to have days like that. It's natural. But the trick is to keep on going anyway. We cannot let it discourage us to the point that we give up.

And as far as the stretch marks and damage to our bodies from being overweight. What's done is done. Besides, people can't really see them unless they get really really close. And the people we allow to get that really really close, they don't matter to them anyway. Those are the people that find us beautiful no matter what.
 
Val, I know what its like to feel bad about yourself, but I hope you reallize just how much you have going for you. You are an amazing woman and I have taken a lot of strength from your willpower (Well that and your threat to kick my butt). You just have to kick a few pounds--you can do that. It sounds like you're doing pretty amazing with the rest of life.
 
Val, hello :)

In all honesty I love stretch marks. They are a war scar! Reminding us how much work we did.. :D I tell you one thing! Angelina Jolie has them.. Can't be that bad :p

There are oils that improve it if you are not too keen. Bio-oil is very good :)

Sday~
 
Hey, Val.

Sorry to hear you are so down. I can relate. I have thought about what I have done to my body (not just on the outside) and I feel really, really bad about it. Having said that, Scarlett is right. What is done is done. Your true beauty comes from the inside anyway.

There are lots of people who are physically attractive, but all you have to do is talk to them for 10mins to figure out how unattractive they really are. On the other hand there are people who just sort of exude this beauty that is from within. These are people who love themselves and surround themselves with positive things (attitude, thoughts, actions). When we become the healthiest we can be both physically and mentally we are beautiful and other people see it. Stretch marks and all! It is something that we have to work at and part of working at it is getting physically healthy, but the mental part of it is just as important.

I don't know you, but I can tell that you are a kind and caring person. Keep thinking positive thoughts. Maybe read some books about body image etc... Everyone has bad days. Just know they are temporary set-backs. Keep doing good things for yourself.

Hope you are feeling better soon.
 
well... to be honest, I really DON'T think losing weight will make you or anyone truly happier for that matter. It's something personal. You gotta learn to be happy about who you are whether you're 125 pounds or 325 pounds. Stretch marks or none you're still a beautiful lady who deserves all the happiness in the world. Even people who are perfectly thin can find things they're unhappy about themselves and honestly, that's just an unending cycle of self-hatred. So I urge you to break the cycle NOW and to sit down and think about how much you love yourself, why you love yourself and why you deserve it... With weight or without, with stretch marks or none, with hair or not even! Then go out there, get your hair, nails and toenails done, get a new outfit and pretty sandals to show off your nice pedicure and strut your stuff. TRUST ME. You'll feel awesome.

*huggles*
 
I am well aquainted with that rut, and let me tell you -- there's no room in here for ya 'k - I'm taking up all the space in the rut...

Don't use the rut as an excuse to give up... you've come far... and don't have that far to go...

A question to ponder... and I've asked myself this question many times and I'm not sure I could give an outloud answer.. but what would it take to make you happy? I admire people who can answer that question...

You need to find it in yourself at a size 2 or a size 22, that happiness... :) It's in there...

In the meantime, take care of yourself -- do something totally self indulgent (non food related) and just relax a little bit
 
I agree with everybody else, we all feel like that sometimes. I don't like my body either, but thats why we're doing this. You've been doing so good, just don't let this make you give up............thats NOT an option ;)
 
Thanks for all of the support everyone- I've been kind of quiet the past couple of days because I needed to calm down, but I'm feeling better now. I think the reason I was freaking out the other day is because I discovered a new stretch mark on my left bicep, which I think could have only occurred b/c I have been doing a lot more strength training and am gaining muscle there before losing the fat. I don't mind the stretch marks I have on my hips and stomach, but the one on my arm is going to drive me insane. I keep picturing myself in a wedding dress with this ugly red mark on my arm and it makes me sad. Oh well- nothing I can do about it at this point :(

Anyway, the buddy work-out days are still going strong... in fact, another friend came over yesterday so now we are chiseling three-strong three days a week. I started using the next heavier set of weights yesterday and man am I feeling it today.
 
Just so you know make up is not just for your face any more. If you don't like the way cover up looks on the stretch mark you could also try those fake tan spray things. That'll help cover it too.
 
Hey Val,

Some people are more prone to stretch marks than others, regardless of cause. While they're new, the newer laser treatments are very effective in repairing that damage, but you have to get them while they're still new (and reddish, not years old and shiny-white) There's hope for that new one, but it's not that cheap ($100-$200 per treatment, and it might require multiple treatments), just find out whether it's going to bug you forever or not. On your bicep it could look like any other scar eventually, and it may not matter to you in a few years at all. And Scarlett gives good advice here, the people who love you, love you - as the expression goes - "warts and all" but in this case it might be stretch marks and all. Whatever, everybody has some flaws, and most women get these stretch marks eventually, they used to be permanently obvious but newer treatments are better and better. Do whatever you need to do to feel better about this, and don't blame yourself or what you're doing for this happening. Alas, genetics has more to do with it than anything else.
 
*huggles* trust me... when you ARE in a beautiful white wedding gown next to the man that you love. and you're saying your vows, the LAST thing on your mind will be that stretch mark. And I'm sure it'll be the last thing on his too. :) Sides... You know what they say... Weddings get so hectic anyways, most brides and grooms barely eat. ;) hehehe. Kidding! Kidding! My point it... It's not really not as big as it seems in the big scheme of things right? :)
 
My husband spilled a whole glass of punch down the front of my dress on our wedding day. It rained so hard that our guests had to leave the reception early in order to be sure of safe passage across a nearby creek. Most of our flowers didn't arrive, and I had lost just enough weight since my fitting that I had to hold my dress up a little at the waist to keep from tripping on the hem as I walked down the aisle. All that being said, it was a wonderful day, and I don't think I would have changed a thing!

Your wedding day simply cannot be ruined by a little old stretch mark. Feel good about yourself, and feel good about finding someone who loves you just as you are. Then your wedding day will be beautiful, no matter what happens! :)
 
Girl don't fret over that little old stretch mark. That one actually tells a tale of hard wark and persistence, be proud of it! CONGRATS on dropping out of the 240's !!!!!! Next stop, 230's.......SWEET
 
Imprint the words people that care type in here. We are all same coloured eggs in the same basket struggling to be chicks. We are all going through what you are and vice versa. We understand and empathise.

Sometimes we have to settle with happiness rather than euphoria Val ;)
 
Thanks guys- I know that I'm harder on myself than I should be, but I guess that's just the way I've always been. (And not just in regards to my appearance... I'm like this about EVERYTHING) I appreciate the support though :)

In other news, my TurboJam DVD's came in the mail yesterday! I spent about an hour and 15 minutes working out with them... I was pretty gross and sweaty but it felt good to do that kind of cardio. I think Mo, We, Fr will still be chiseling days with my girls, and Tu, Th and either Sa or Su will be TurboJam cardio days by myself. Hopefully I'll stick to it!
 
Please please keep us posted on how you like the Turbo Jam dvds. I would love to hear your progress using them.

And keep your spirits up...when you get down just come in here and we will kick your booty right back up again, girl!!!!!

Hope you are having a great day.
 
Scarlett- I used some of the Turbo Jam materials to record all of my measurements and my weight- I figure I'll do the same thing every 10 workouts. They claim you can lose 10 lbs and 10 inches after 10 workouts, and I highly doubt that will happen, but I'd be happy to see any inches disappear. I'll let you know how it goes!
 
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