Trimming Waaaay Back

During the many years of trying to conceive, I purposefully allowed my body to become "fluffy".  I feathered my nest, so to speak, wanting to not only have a healthy amount of body fat but also because I felt that, for me, a slightly softer, rounder figure was more welcoming to the energy of "mother".  I have a history of heavy-duty exercise and even a short period of my life during which I starved myself.  Coming to a decision that would allow my body to expand and soften was a very big deal.  Indeed, much of it had to do with letting go of the need to monitor and control my body so very much - particularly since the baby-making efforts (temping, charting, vitamins, surviving and healing from two lost pregnancies, etc.) were exhausting in much the same way that dieting and over-exercising are.

While our hopes for a baby have not completely waned, our participation in the baby brigade has.  No more temping, charting, and I only sometimes remember to take the folic acid (gasp!).  Life is good, and we're slowly but surely feeling better and better about our shift in focus and energy.  We both have time off this summer, and we're using it to rest, recuperate, and reinvent ourselves after five years of baby focus.

To that end, on the first day of summer I cut off all of my long, beautiful hair.  I grow a great head of hair - it's thick but not coarse, wavy and easy to curl.  It was a few inches past my bra-line, and it hadn't been dyed or over-styled.  It was beautiful, but truly felt that it was no longer serving me.  One of the reasons I'd grown it out was this feathering of my physical nest, which no longer felt applicable or appropriate.  Cutting it all off and starting fresh was an easy decision, as was donating it to Locks of Love.

The before pictures (click to embiggen):

  

The during pictures:

              

The after picture:

Each ponytail was about a quarter in diameter.  That's a lot of hair for a child's wig, and I'm so glad that it can be put to such a good use.

The final style is a pixie (not the bob you see above), but I don't yet have a good picture of it.  So you'll have to use your imagination and be patient.

This reinvention also involves a serious return to fitness activities (not merely the "making do" that I was doing during the school year).  To that end, I will post a weekly wrap-up of my dedicated work-out time at the end of each week.  I'm good at being accountable to myself, but I'm also proud enough that I don't want to have to share a lame list at the end of each week.  Making myself post it here should help me stay on track.  If you want to join with some reinvention of your own, I'm using the book, The Female Body Breakthrough, which - having weight-trained for many years - I highly recommend.

 

Comments

[Megan @ Apple House Revival]

WOW! Can't wait to see the final cut! You're awesome!

[Diane]

WOW! You are a constant inspiration!

[Scovill]

Short hair or long hair - makes no difference - you're always beautiful. Have fun this summer!