Ok, it’s about to get all personal up in here. Not “tell me about your mother” personal, but just so you are prepared, there’s no recipe in this post. It’s just me, sharing a bit of my story. I hope that’s cool.
So, with a blog titled “Eat Within Your Means” you may think I have figured out how to do just that. In fact, I almost didn’t start this site in fear of how you’d react when I told you that I have so very far to go to find my own means. Let me back up…
4 1/2 years ago, I started a blog called Less of Beth. It was an accountability tool for myself as I shared my weight loss journey. I wrote nearly every day for 8 months, and lost over 70 pounds. I also got engaged during this time! Every week I posted a video update, and they are still on YouTube if you’re ever really bored. 🙂 Sadly I learned the hard way about blog backups, so all my posts are gone. If you’re a blogger, find a way to back up your site pronto!
Here are some before/after pics that I have from this time. Left, my work badge photo from May 2008. Right, my work badge photo from January 2011, just a few weeks after my wedding. Below that, a couple of wedding pics for good measure. I got to marry that handsome man! 3 1/2 years later, and I’m still pinching myself.
I thought I had found my means. I was really comfortable in my skin, actually ENJOYED going shopping for clothes , and on my wedding day, I felt more beautiful than I ever had in my life. I even wore a bikini on my honeymoon! Before that, the last time I had worn a bikini, I was 5.
After the wedding and honeymoon, we settled into life together. It was (and still is) such a joy to make a home together. I especially enjoyed breaking in the new-to-me kitchen, which immediately became my domain. I cooked. And I baked. And we ate. And I stopped exercising, or caring about calories. And the inevitable happened. Slowly, but surely, I started gaining back the weight I had worked so hard to lose.
And then…a lifelong dream came true. Our beautiful Vida was born not quite 2 years ago.
I am the luckiest woman alive.
These days, I go to my corporate job (hello work peeps!), where I sit on my butt for the majority of the day. Then, I come home and spend time with my family.After a while, I fumble around in the fridge and pantry and put a dinner together, which usually takes about an hour or more, because I am the SLOWEST COOK ALIVE. Also, Vida likes to “help” me, and I spend a lot of time freaking out that she’s going to open the oven or touch the stove. We eat around 8, sometimes later. I wish I was joking. Then, more sitting around because I’m completely wiped out at this point. Oh, and now I photograph food and write a blog post every week. 🙂
Here’s me today. Ok, here’s me last week. Also, some random guy in the background.
So, now you know everything. I need this blog because I need to find my own means again, this time for good. The recipes and tips that I share here come directly from my own adventures in the kitchen and I am using them as tools to accomplish my mission to Eat Within My Means. So far many of you have made these recipes and have enjoyed them enough to share them with others. I cannot tell you how happy that makes me. I plan to be around on this site for the long haul, occasionally sharing my journey to finding my own means along the way. I welcome you to do the same!
Here’s to never giving up.
~ Beth
This post was powered by the first few episodes of Season 6 of The Office.
You are so inspiring, Beth! I continually struggle with my weight; it’s comforting to hear other people’s stories and know I’m not alone. Whatever number shows up on the scale, you will always be beautiful! 🙂
All beautiful photos of a beautiful friend. 🙂
Congrats on your huge weightless! You’re amazing and look absolutely beautiful.
Beth, love you so much and love what you are doing. Thank you for the inspiration!
I can definitely relate to this, Beth! I’m in the same boat of beginning (again, and for good) to take good care of me. I also want to add that throughout the changes and fluctuations of our lives (including weight), there is nothing more beautiful than an authentic person who is willing to be vulnerable, and you have those qualities in abundance.
I believe in you, and know you will achieve your goals and mission with this blog. Look a
Hi, Beth. Lovely job on the blog so far. This is a great post – a great reminder to never give up. 🙂
Beth, you are such an inspiration to everyone around you!! Thank you so much for your wonderful example of perseverance and determination; it is such a reminder to all of us to take on the challenges and hard things, believe in ourselves and press on. You are amazing!! I love you so much, and nothing can ever change that! 😉
BTW, you may think you are a slow cook. But believe me, I have been around and worked with people who are truly slow… 😐 😛
You are wonderful, Beth. I love the post. Thanks for your your honesty and courage to share! Keep at it, girl!
I relate so much to this! I was an overweight teen that slimmed down in my teens, then gained weight again after I moved in with my future husband (the bachelor diet is not waist friendly!) Add a baby, marriage, and developing hypothyroidism, and in total, I went from a size 8 to a size 24. Last year I managed to lose 65lbs, but then I lost my grandma to cancer, and the stress of that caused me to gain over half of that weight back. Now I am back to losing again, over 15lbs down, and hoping to keep it off for good this time! I look forward to following your blog! 😀
(PS – sorry for the major overshare, just so excited to find a blog of someone who understands.)
Hi Heather! No worries about overshare, I do that all the time. 🙂 I figure I’m just me, no apologies. I’m so glad that you found me! Please stay in touch, are you on the e-mail list?
Yes I am! 🙂
Woo hoo! 🙂
LOVE love that you shared this story! You and your blog are an inspiration and a joy 🙂
Oh, you’re so kind, Anne! Thank you for your encouragement and support. 🙂
Beth, your blog is very inspiring. I admire your determination. I hope to gain some strategies for living healthier by doing the conscious cleanse which is how I found you. I’m glad I did. I’ll definately keep up w your blog. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much, Jaime! I’m learning so much about my connection to food, both good and bad, through the Conscious Cleanse. I’m so glad you found me here, too! Keep in touch. 🙂
Beth this is so great! I loved getting to read about your journey. I think your dedication and discipline to work life, motherhood and living healthier are awesome.
Awww, thanks, Rachel! It’s definitely a journey, but I’m so loving having a space to share about it and hopefully encourage others.
I love your story and I am very much inspired. Like you, I yoyo with my diet and I am trying to eat clean too, though not as easy due to my husband’s diet . I was a vegetarian and now, I am the worst meat eater and I am too ashamed of myself. and now, I even drinks soda! I blog too and I just started backing it up but I have to recheck if I did it right. Again, I am so inspired of you not getting discouraged and starting over again.
Hi Shobelyn! Thanks so much. Every little choice that you make to put good things in your body is a step in the right direction. I’m glad you’re here and I look forward to sharing the journey!
What a great post, Beth! I appreciate your genuineness. I can relate to most everything you said, especially about the challenge of getting food on the table before 8:00. It seems like there’s never enough time to take care of ourselves, and I’m having to learn the hard way how important it is that we make the time. Keep sharing your journey. I look forward to learning from you. Thank you!
I just came upon your blog because I found your pressure cooker lentil soup that I’m going to make tonight in my new Instant Pot. You are such an inspiration. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much, Martine!!! I’ve had some bumps along the road of this journey, but I’m on a really good path right now and am excited for what’s next. Thanks again for your encouragement. And I hope you’ll let me know what you thought of the lentil soup! 🙂