So I had a big realization today. I have an issue with portion control. This epiphany came to me while I was enjoying a low fat meal provided by Amy’s Organic. Since I rarely have time to cook and have gotten tired of smoothies as my way to guarantee all my daily must-haves, I decided to try already prepared meals that controlled how much and how many calories I eat and to the extent possible offered a good dose of daily nutrients ( I am an incorrigible stress eater). Actually quite tasty and satisfying as I finished up my meal, it hit me that i could have just as easily cooked up a batch of the featured ingredients. That was then I realized…I have a problem with portion control. Whether it is food or the amount of work I take on, life generally, or the intensity of my emotional responses, I have not yet developed the art and skill of portion control. I always seem to have to do (or eat) or react more than is necessary.
Look at this picture for example. In a prior post I talked about being subtle with sequins and here I am literally binging on them! This contradiction shows I have the intent to maintain portion control but when I am in the moment everything seems so irresistible! Perhaps that is why my granddaughter and I are so intensely engaged right now, at 3 going on 4 she literally wants to gobble up the world. So as January is celebrating the pre-fix “RE”, my word for this week’s focus on Dimension 4 as per nutrition and life in general, will be re(calibrate), or to “carefully re-assess, re-set or re-adjust something”. I like this because I can still have my over the top exuberant initial responses, I just need to re-calibrate them before taking an action or saying YES (or eating the whole pint of chocolate chip ice cream, it’s not that I can’t have the ice cream at all).
What are your “re” words when it comes to the fourth dimension of well-being?
Speaking of “RE” words, I have finally received my finished garment from Re;Code. They also kindly sent me photos of the process so you get to see it in the slideshow below. As I have been attempting to “re-calibrate” my wardrobe as well and finding some items hard to part with even though they are never worn, Re;Code’s Re;Collection gives you the option of using many of the “re” words everyone had on their list. So please enjoy the process and stay tuned for how I will style it!
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Re -using ,and upcycling the garments I don’t wear but cannot bear to part with is one of my aims for this year . You did infer that you might do the same so I hope we can follow each other’s progress.
I am! I have an announcement to make about that soon!
That garment looks truly fantastic. Can’t wait to see you wear it!
I totally get your struggle with "portion control". In a literal sense, I have learned much about that in the past 11 years (I joined Weight Watchers in January 2007.) I have learned to know how much better I feel when I eat just the right amount, and it reinforces my behavior almost always, though I do very occasionally get caught in stress eating still. But RE-calling how much better I feel when I don’t do that gets me right back on track.
Little by little, I have applied that to other parts of my life, setting healthy boundaries as much as possible. It is hard when there are so many people who need so much of me at work and in my family, and yet I keep striving to RE-find the place of not too much, not too little in all aspects of life.
Staying creative, in big and small ways, is also a huge quest for me. I know that is a different dimension yet my bodily life forces are directly impacted by how much or how little opportunity I give myself to be a "maker". . . of great (and healthy) meals, and of interesting clothing (including upcycling denim with artistic embroidery!)
I am going to try and do some re-programming and try your remember how much better I will feel trick if I do not stress eat.
rethink – the way that things from disparate incarnations can come together to make everything new. I am so excited to see this garment – an escape from predictable upcycling to a place where there is real newness! Love this direction, Lyn. Right on point.
Time for new and innovative solutions to pls problems!
Re-words for: "The benefits of regular physical activity, healthy eating habits, strength and vitality as well as personal responsibility, self-care and when to seek medical attention…."
Beautiful inquiries from a beautiful spirit.
I’ve allowed this post to soak in my spirit for a few days because I really liked it and looked forward to responding. An incredibly conscientious person, I perform a fairly healthy labor each day to make it as meaningful as I can for myself and others. And in my little weltanschauung, the "Re" word that keeps coming to me is re-creation. While I maintain integral qualities of self, I am always recreating, taking what is and improving it somehow some way, whether it has to do with my spirit, my body, my relationships, my home, teaching, recycling, upcycling, compassion, empathy, service, and, all the while, upholding humility in the process. Through this re-creating of my spirit, the part that will last forever and ever, I become more gentle with myself, seeking wisdom, instruction, and goodness daily, allowing myself more time to rest, allowing my exercise regimen flexibility, not rigidity that can creat a ripeness for burnout, flexibility in my diet that, while focused on health, does not fall prey to trends, self-care becoming more steeped in self-kindness, and finally a gratefulness in the ability to have constant access to healthcare for preventative measures that combined with much of the above prevents catastrophic conditions.
Carmen
The awesome power of intention is evident in every word.
So appreciate this post, Lynn, with its reference to portion control with food as WELL as in life!
Your inclinations mirror my own. Go BIG or go home–perhaps another way to express my approach to life in general 😉
Thank you for this opportunity to reflect on my tendencies.
Perhaps I need to RE-evaluate!!
Can’t wait to see this Re-styled garment on you, too!
Thanks for putting some words to something that blogging offers me, an opportunity to reflect.
That jacket is just so perfect!
Hayley xx
http://www.5ftlife.co.uk
I can relate to this. I somehow feel I won’t get to ‘have’ this or that once again so I must have it now. It all must happen now and so on. So yes, work, food, fun, all must happen now. I am a work in progress as I am learning to be happy in the now. It has been a blessing. BTW Re;Code: This is an adorable and smart idea! How pleasant! Authentic! I love it! Thank you for sharing!
Christy S.
http://www.christystich.com
I totally resonate with this post. New is the idea of describing life and emotions in terms of portion control. I definitely have a few goals as a result of reading this, so thank you.
Happy I am not the only one who has an issue with portion control or let’s say seeing the grey and following it …the middle road …a bit boring I must say but not helping in "well being " !
Just found you dear Lynn.a true inspiration …how about creation a fashion magazine for woman like us ! I am on the creative field ,love fashion in all its dimensions ! Happy to assist !
I discovered you today, while googling "style for women in their 50s" (although I’m 63). Your "portion control" phrase perfectly describes me and so many of the exuberant and creative people I know who laugh at the moments (sometimes days) we forget to EDIT what we take in and what we give out! Your humor and affirming perspective are SOOOO appreciated. I wish I knew you. I SOOOO understand your connection to your 4 year old grand-daughter – partners in wonder!
I’m so glad I took that walk since this is just right up my alley! 🙂
Thank you for giving me hope – at 51 I feel scared for the first time about aging not any more – you are beautiful and what I love even more you don’t seem to be like the typical icon who has tried to turn back time with surgery (I personally don’t care if anyone does) but you have embraced your beauty and and it appears that you love who you are. To me you are even more more beautiful because of that. Look forward to learning more about you and like you embracing myself for who I am
Smiles Roz
2017 was my year to re-invent myself as I turned 55. I can’t even begin to list all the awesome experiences of the year but it included sky diving and riding horses in Iceland. Without much thought, I realized a couple weeks ago I had also very much changed my wardrobe style! But there were those few pieces that I just couldn’t part with even though they no longer work for me. And today I stumble upon your blog and realize I can re-invent some of them too!
I’ve also re-focused on ME. I’ve never been healthier or in a better state of mind. That alone has given me a profound strength. It will be fun to follow you into the future!
And it will be fun for us to continue to hear more about your fabulous adventures!
Lyn, since you’re a professor and clearly have an interest in keeping your knowledge current…you may want to look into more recent paradigms for how we should eat. Though the mainstream is still stuck in the old "low fat" thing, it has been superseded by better understanding of how the human body works. Low-fat (and low-calorie) eating is, in fact, quite illogical! It is partly because of the silly ideas we were taught last century that our bodies do such things as have problems with portion control. As a shorthand, that would be a natural response to a dearth of nutrients.
I’d offer a bibliography, but really, you probably only need to do a quick search of some of the more recent books on the subject at your university library.
Best wishes!
Great new garment!! Well done.
Greetje
My re words are: Re invest. Restored Resilient Re calibrate Re-read, Resolve, be Resolute
Love this. SO relate to deliciousness and gobbling – the ice cream the experience the colors the sparkle — then react and restrict. Yes, so much funner to:
re-alize | re-connect | re-frame | re-authenticate | re-spire | re-light!
New ReCode garment — gorgeous. Back pleats structure/line/held power | side kicks /wit/surprise/insouciance — Stun.ner!
It’s because academics are always expected to do more with less. Thus, the portions (work, food, stress, you name it) get more and more. My prof once said "The day has 24 h, if that’s not enough, work also at night."
Hi Lyn, I’m a 52-year-old Spanish designer who just opened my own sewing workshop business,
Today I have been told about you Lyn, and in your style you see your youth and your joy.
The new design has that funny style that I see in your pictures.
CONGRATULATIONS for opening paths for other women who dare to live with joy.
Well congratulations to you for opening your own business!