Half-Assed: A Weight-Loss Memoir

Jennette, aka PastaQueen, of “Half of Me” blog-fame (seriously, check out her rotating progress photos) and Half-Assed: A Weight-Loss Memoir book-fame, has answered some questions you proposed a few blog posts back.  (And later, when I have a chance, I’m going to pick a winner of a copy of her book, drawn from those who left a comment on the other post.)

 

What is your favorite weight loss book (memoir or otherwise)?

 

Oh, geez. I'm friends with several weight-loss memoirists, so I can't pick just one or else the others will hate me. I guess I'll pick The South Beach Diet because that was the book that taught my ignorant soul about basic nutrition and health.

 

How long was your longest plateau (if you had one) and how did you deal with the mind game of the scale not moving?

 

I had a 6-week plateau at 260 and I was in the 220's for at least 12 weeks. When I hit plateaus I tried to mix things up because what I was doing obviously wasn't working anymore. I would try new activities, like Pilates or weights. I read some advice that said you should splurge a little to let your body know it was okay to lose weight, so I used that as an excuse to eat a Big Mac and a milkshake J I think it worked too.

 

As for the mind game, I had to tell myself this was something I was doing for the rest of my life anyway. Living healthy was more important than seeing the number go down every week. The lifestyle has to be its own reward. You'll have to get used to it eventually because once you lose the weight you have to maintain the loss. Then you'll actually be happy to see the same number every week.

 

Have you regained any weight over the last few years and again, if so, how did you deal with that issue?

 

I've basically been maintaining my weight for the past year and a half. It's fluctuated within a 10-15 pound range in that time. I gained several pounds just recently because I've been spending so much time on my book tour talking about all the exercise that I've been doing that I haven't had time to do all that exercise I've been talking about doing. Like with the plateaus, I remind myself that healthy living is something I'll have to do for the rest of my life and just keep trying to exercise and make good choices. What's the alternative? Giving up? Not an option.

 

How do you help encourage the people who either don't see the need to get healthy (in other words, how do you communicate the truth about their situation in a loving way to those who truly don't know,) and/or have circumstances like being poor that make it VERY difficult to afford to eat healthy.

 

I think everyone has to save themselves. If someone genuinely doesn't care about living healthy, nothing you say is going to convince them. The best thing to do is provide a positive example. I started to change my eating and exercise habits because I saw my brother succeed in doing it. I know other people have said they've been inspired to do the same because of my success. Actions speak louder than words a lot of the time. As for being poor, I really wish I had an answer to that, but I don't. It's much more difficult to eat well when you're poor and potato chips are cheaper than veggies.

 

I wonder how she dealt with sabotages. You know, the people who say, "Oh, you can have that this once." I mean, some people are down right confrontational about it!

 

Luckily, no one has literally tried to shove cake down my throat. However, I am often tempted by bagels at my workplace. Blueberry bagels. With whipped blueberry cream cheese. Mmm…*drools* It helps if I have healthy alternatives around, like fruits, veggies and string cheese. But honestly, sometimes I eat the bagels, particularly if I'm stressed. My new strategy is to start bringing in fruit and veggie platters for my coworkers. I figure if they can push me towards the carbs, I can try pushing them towards the carrots.

 

But if you do have a confrontation, it's important to remember that it's your responsibility to look out for your health, no one else's. Believe in your own power, the power to say no. Sometimes at a party you can be tricky, take a piece of cake to avoid a confrontation, and then set it down and leave. No one will notice!

 

Did you ever hit a time during the weight loss process that your mind was just not in the game in the sense that you just didn't feel like eating right for a week or two? Were you afraid you'd give up before the goal was reached?

 

Oh, hell yes. I tend to get SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), so I get depressed in the winter and tend to eat more. I've also gone through a tough period lately where I've been dealing with a chronic migraine that has led me to overeat and not exercise as much. There have been nights I've been in so much pain that I haven't cared what I'm stuffing down my throat. But even when I have massive failures like this, I don't see a point in ever giving up. Life is never over until I'm dead and I can always start fresh tomorrow. Even when you reach your goal, the process is never over. You still have to eat well and exercise to maintain it.

 

I'd like to know what that "goal outfit" for her was. You know, the one piece of "skinny clothing" she was so excited to wear? Or maybe what she bought and wore once she had lost the weight that she would never have considered wearing when she was fat.

 

I wore a shimmering, green, sleeveless dress to my brother's wedding. I got it for a deal on ebay and it looked fabulous. I felt stunning in it and I danced so hard I broke the spaghetti strap!

 

I've now lost 65 pounds and am finding myself in the normal size department when shopping for clothes. Does that get less weird? How long did it take you to figure out how to shop?

 

It does get less weird, however women's clothing sizes make absolutely no sense, so figuring out how to shop will probably never get easier. I've noticed that I'm slightly less excited about clothes after a year of maintaining because I'm used to fitting into the size I'm in. It's simply a relief that I don't have to buy a new wardrobe every 6 months. I do feel like I belong in the Misses section now, whereas a year or two ago I felt like I was visiting a foreign country where I'd just learned to speak "thin."

 

What has become a favorite food for you. That you always thought sounded gross before?

 

I like rutabaga. Who knew? It's an ugly, grey root vegetable that looks like a bowling ball, but it's tasty sautéed with olive oil, a smidge of butter and brown sugar, and other seasonings.

 

I am curious -- Now What??? Seems like this weight loss/life style change has been all consuming for the last few years. She trained and ran the half marathon, but quipped that she wouldn't have to run that far again. SO... What's the new focus? Any new challenges (aside from making sure she doesn't become one of the many who re-gains the weight)? Will she continue to blog? What will HALF OF ME become?

 

Good question! It's one I've been thinking about for at least the 6 past months since I finished writing the book. My immediate goal is figuring out how to deal with my chronic headache and to not eat 10 gallons of ice cream while I'm in constant pain. I've got a couple ideas for other writing projects brewing, but I don't want to mention anything yet publicly. I am certain that I will always be blogging in one form or another. Any announcements about the future of "Half of Me" will appear on that site. I've also got stuff going on in my personal and professional life that I've never mentioned in my blog that keep me busy.

 

I would love to ask her how she gets through the bad days? Cause I know we've all had em. ;)

 

Just think about tomorrow. I don't live in the future and I don't live in the past. I just exist in the here and now. Try to do the best you can right now. Don't suffer future pain or dwell in past regrets.

 

I would like to know what she thinks is the most common myth about dieting. What do people believe or do that they think is helping that really isn't?

 

I think people focus too much on food. I've had people request a list of what I eat or ask me if I count calories. In reality, any nutritionally sensible diet that results in you eating less calories than you burn will result in weight loss. For me, it was more important to change my behaviors, my attitude towards food, and to pave the path of least resistance so it was easier for me to eat well and exercise. The food was important too, but it's not the only thing.

 

I would like to know how she handled rude comments made by strangers, when she was fat.

 

I know this is weird, but people weren't all that rude to me when I was fat. Rude comments tend to stick out in my mind because they were so unusual. If someone is rude to you, whether you're fat or thin, stick up for yourself. I never stuck up for myself and it only made me feel powerless and pitiful.

 

I'd love to ask Jennette how those closest to her have reacted to her dramatic transformation.

 

My family has been very supportive. My mom bought me flowers when I hit several of my mini-goals. My brothers have told me they're proud of me. My cat still licks my face when we're curled on the couch even though he has less of a cushion to lie on while he does that.

 

How much do you think exercise played a role in your weight loss success? Do you think you could have done it with just eating alone?

 

I might have been able to do it with just eating alone, but it would have taken longer. My health is much better for being fit. Plus, the muscle tone I've built up by exercising allows me to eat more and still maintain my weight. It almost never hurts to exercise.

 

My question for her is this - is there a lot of excess skin? If so, do you have plans to have it removed? Is that something insurance will cover?

 

I've got some skin, but not that much. I wouldn't go outside in a bikini, but I don't think I'd qualify for a spot in the circus side show either. I don't think I'll have it removed because the surgery is very painful, takes a long time to recover from, and would cause me to lose fitness because I wouldn't be able to exercise. It's also somewhat expensive and if it's cosmetic, insurance usually won't cover it. As I understand it, insurance sometimes covers skin removal if it is severely disabling, like if it prevents you from walking or is causing a severe rash.

* * *

Thanks, Jennette, and good luck with your book!

Comments

[Carol in Oregon]

Thanks for a great interview!

I am inspired by you, Jennette, and appreciate your thoughtful answers. Blessings on your current and future pursuits.

[Carol in Oregon]

Thanks for a great interview!

I am inspired by you, Jennette, and appreciate your thoughtful answers. Blessings on your current and future pursuits.

[goodbyetoallfat]

Thanks for posting these excellent interview questions and answers.

Must of us are familiar with Jennette's own website, but hearing these answers from her, her own views about her progress and plans is very helpful.

Many thanks,
Sharon

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