Monday, February 15, 2010

Guest Post - My Husband!

On Friday's post, I had a comment from MizFit where she mentioned that her husband had recently lost 60 pounds (nice job, RenMan!) and as I read her comment I wondered what that must have been like for her to live with someone who was actively dieting. Then I realized that I had someone nearby who was doing the same thing, so I asked my husband to answer that question in a guest post. (I also told him that he should feel duly honored, as I get a lot of requests for guest posts (what is it about certain medical degrees that they have to publish and think that my blog is where their info should be?) and as this is my blog, I'm the only one who posts here, which is why it was a little quiet last October when we went to Maui). So where was I? Oh yeah, Jeff's post. His stipulation for writing it was that I could only edit it for grammar, which explains why the last sentence was left in. Without further ado, I present to you my husband, Jeff:

What it is like living with someone who is losing weight? Well that depends on where you are in the process. In the beginning, I was hopeful, but like a lot of things Shelley thought were good ideas to try they would crash and burn after awhile – even when she was getting good results. This is not the first time the weight loss journey had been started. We did “fat free” for a while, which I was keen to the idea and it showed results, but then back to the old ways. But there was something different this time, something I had never noticed before in this person I have lived with longer than anyone else in her life and something I would not understand until she got close to breaking the 100 pound goal.

So what’s it like? Great! Really great! It is more than the weight loss and all the benefits associated, it is watching her grow past and burst through the ceiling that has kept her down all her life. Not just weight, that’s just a symptom, its sloughing off years and years of other people’s expectations of what you should be, should look like, should or should not have done. This journey to fit has been completely – one hundred percent – of her own doing. Every choice, every decision, every movement forward – was hers. That journey and any success that comes from it does wonders for a person’s self-esteem and outlook on life. And I get the benefits of it in a happy wife and partner.

OK so what about the hard stuff – the pain of living with a dieter, the doing without? News flash this is how we are supposed to live. I do without bad stuff, stuff that is not good for me, stuff that will decrease my life expectancy or quality of life. She took all that away from me and I am grateful. If I never eat at McDonalds or plow down a Denny’s Grand Slam breakfast I have not lost anything. I really like living like this – I have lost (a little) weight as well and I feel better which is a result of me following her example. I would rather eat something she prepares than go out to eat. I have tasted clean food and it is better. This is the benefit of healthy living - there is no real drawback other than going without crap you should go without anyway.

Oh, and did I tell you she also looks freaking hot!?!

I know in my post on Friday I said that we normally don't exchange valentines, but I consider this to be a pretty good one!

24 comments:

  1. LOVE THAT JEFF CHIMED IN!
    and adore his line about this being how we are supposed to live!

    Jeff is a wisewiseman :)


    Miz., who has asked her own partner REPEATEDLY for a serious guest post to no avail...yet.

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  2. This was very interesting to see from a husbands point of view. I wonder sometimes if my husband feels deprived not eating the junk we used to.
    Thanks for sharing. Well written to!

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  3. Thanks, Jeff - for letting us know what it's like on the other side. You did a fantastic job!

    And Shelley, your hubby is one great guy. Having the support of our loved ones is essential.

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  4. Very insightful post, Jeff. So many of us think our weight is our problem, when it's not. Making a journey like Shelley and others have is about a real-gut check, as Jeff said. It's about finding out who we really are under the weight of the well, weight. Great stuff!

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  5. Jeff - thank you so much for this post! I love reading your point of view.

    Both you and Shelley are lucky to have each other :D

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  6. What a great post and such a wonderful and supportive man!

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  7. :)
    Fantastic to be so loved and supported.

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  8. Wow. This is making me tear up a little. I especially love this:

    "...it is watching her grow past and burst through the ceiling that has kept her down all her life. Not just weight, that’s just a symptom, its sloughing off years and years of other people’s expectations of what you should be, should look like, should or should not have done."

    My goodness wouldn't we all like to be resting right there?

    And I love that he ended it like such a guy - what man wouldn't want his wife to be freaking hot!!

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  9. Aw, Shelley, so SWEET! Best Valentine evvv. er!

    Wow that is so special. Thanks for having him guest post, & for letting us read it. Precious & priceless.

    You go girl. I will now copy & paste & send it to my dh to see what he has to say. I suspect he can relate; & it might serve as encouragement for him alongside me on my journey :) Chrissy

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  10. yay! Jeff! way to see it from a supportive spouses point of view.

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  11. How sweet! happy Valentine's Day. And I think the last line is great. LOL
    It's nice to see your journey through the eyes of someone who loves you deeply. Very touching. :)

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  12. AWESOME guest post Jeff - and Shelley, I am glad you left the last sentence in - so fricken cute! :D

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  13. Great post and comments from a man who's been put thru hell by you and survived to tell the tale.
    ;-)

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  14. hahaha-what a great post! You BOTH are lucky people to have each other!

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  15. That's so nice!! I love the last part too Shelley!

    I agree, when you are eating healthier, your whole family benefits!

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  16. I am touched by these beautiful words from Jeff!

    The first lines could have been written by my hub as I have been the same: start something and then after a few weeks I quit.

    This truly is a beautiful Valentine's gift!

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  17. LOVED this! My hubby asked a few days ago if he could guest post on my blog. Sounds like we have some smart men. :)

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  18. What a great post!

    barbgetshealthy.blogspot.com

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  19. Wow, this was a wonderful post and very moving. You are blessed and so is Jeff! I love the way he sees you and your new way of living. So sweet!

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  20. What a great idea for a post, and what a great and honest post. I love that Jeff LIKES the new way of eating and doesn't require his own junk food in the house.

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  21. I love this post and I often ask my husband if it is hard for him to live with a "dieter." He sort of has the same response that now we are just eating what we are supposed too, BUT my husband is skinny so there is no reason why he can't have a bowl of icecream or some other high calorie foods and yet we never have them so I do sometimes feel sorry for him.

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  22. Best. Valentine. Ever.

    Way to go, Jeff!

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