Body Assessment #5: Jill
August 13, 2008 by Valerie Waters
Hi Val,
My name is Jill. I’m 48. I’ve been medically obese for most of my adult life, (and a heavy teen). When I look in the mirror, I think I’m doing well (I’ve gone from 208 to 181 and stayed there for over a year now…but pictures is another matter. How I look in the mirror and how I look in a photo are totally different.
I’ve just finished a two week stint as a camp cook, and put on 5 lbs. It’s come off again through focusing on healthy eating. I adore and faithfully attend a 1 hour kick boxing class followed by 1 and 1/2 hour martial arts class on Tuesday and Thursdays (I’m routinely sore and bruised every Wed/Friday…but I love it). I’ve also been faithful to doing Tai Chi every Saturday for 1 and 1/2 hours. Everything else I do sporadically and really don’t enjoy. I mean well but just lose interest with most other exercise.
My goals are weight loss, strength, and improved flexibility (although my flexibility is better than most). Injuries are a major factor. I’ve broken my small toes, damaged my shoulder rotator cuff, and received a black eye that took out some of the vision in one eye on a permanent basis…this year. I’m seeing a sports injury specialist and masseuse every other week for months, and have made much progress. Lifting weight above my head is still difficult.
One area that has never looked good is the neck and jawline. I don’t know if there’s any help for that.
I appreciate your consideration and best of luck with launching your new site!
Jill
This was really great, Val. It was like you were talking to me..
Best of luck, Jill! We’ll be here for you!
Jill~
This is great advise.
I will be here to watch your progress.. Get the RCR if you haven’t yet. It has really motivated me and I have rec. it to most all my friends. We are doing it together.
Heard of the Red hats? Well were the Red carpeters and we are ready to cheer you on!!!
BEst of luck.
Stay motivated. YOU can do it.
Laura
Jill, you wow me with the level of your dedication. Good luck with your journey.
However, I’d like to go off topic a little bit. This speaks directly to Val. I didn’t send my pictures (I’m too shy) so I know I should not be asking lol. But Val, if you could, please do personal assessment of some girls who already have healthy body fat percentage but wanting to be leaner or lean out only some parts of the body. You know, just to add more body types to this section. Your advice is incredible and, of course, I will stay tuned :).
Loving these assessments Val..shows me more specific things to be looking at in body types..love how you stress the shoulder area and want to make sure everyone is pulling them back–seems the older we get, the more we wanna let gravity take everything forward and down. Great tips re all that.
JIll–you can do it! Don’t be discouraged. Stay strong.
Val–great assessment, as always.
Jill - you have a great shape and you’re on your way! All of us seem to have have heavy duty traps and thick thighs - looking forward to leaning out with ya!
Valerie - great assessment - you’re amazing with your insight and suggestions!
Michelle
Laura - “Red Hats” I like that!
Jill, So glad there’s another over 45 in our group. I don’t feel that old and by the time I finish RCR, I won’t look it either.
WTG on your weigh loss successes already! We’re here to cheer you on the rest of the way.
Laura
Val,
I must admit I felt like vomiting listening to your assessment. OUCH! The truth hurts! I’ve begun a food journal, and working out with weights. I’m committed to doing it twice a week, and added Y’s and T’s and that kayaking thing to the circuit. I’ve set my first goal of 175 lbs, and will buy the RCR program as a reward for reaching it. My primary goals right now are reducing body fat and strengthening my mid/low back to pull back my shoulders (which I didn’t even know were creeping forward!).
Thank you for doing these assessments, they are truly insightful!
Ladies, bless you for your kind words of encouragement, they really helped!
Sincerely,
Jill
Jill,
hey !!! it’s been 10 days. How is the food log going and how is the body feeling.
I read your post to Val. I think it is great that you are considering the RCR plan as a reward for loosing the weight, but let me tell you with out sounding to preachy… The RCR program is a reward!
I sent Val my pictures and I sent her my measuremnets about the time that your body assessment went up. It has been 11 days on the RCR way of life and a change in eating. I have lost inches already… Not many but enough to keep me motivated.
I really mean this, I think anyone would benefit from RCR. I don’t count calories, I don’t restrict much except refined carbs, and I feel great.
The other day my mother commented on how nice my legs look.. WOW this was so nice to hear as I have “cankles” and my thighs are jiggley… well were jiggley.
I know you can do it and I know that it takes a huge commitment, but I will be a cheerleader for you on your journey!!
Laura
Oh my dear Jill,
The feeling of vomiting was not what I was going for. I really mean to encourage but sometimes it is important see what might not be serving you or other areas you could improve. It takes a lot of courage to send these pictures in and let other hear and see. By doing so, you can inspire so many who also want to make some changes. Make sure you tune in the day of the launch(9/9). Maybe there will be some give aways.
Hey Val,
Your assessment was the kick in the pants needed to resume my weight loss journey. I’m down to 174 now, and posted new pictures on the RCR contest. As always, I think I look much better than the pictures show…I guess it’s my little fantasy. What the RCR contest tread doesn’t tell you is that the shorts I’m wearing in the picture, I haven’t been able to squeeze on for many years. I’m the lowest I’ve been in 14 years.
Thank you for your assessment!
Jill
Laura,
I wanted to thank you for your encouragement and kind words, but didn’t find you in the RCR club membership list. A very, very sincere thank you, and I’m doing well! Let me know what you’re listed under.
Jill