#reactionwednesday: SPANX

Spanx. What an awful sounding word for something that is so functional and wonderful. Spanx are undergarments that flatten and shape your body. Usually I wear them under maxi shirts and form fitting dresses. But today I decided to wear them under my jeans and see if they sparked a reaction.

I have a long history with doing this. Back in high school, on the days where I had to run right to dance class after school, I wore my leotard under my clothes. Strange? Yes. But I loved how it tucked everything in and made my clothing fit nicely. Yes, high school Aimee, the one who was 135 pounds still felt the need to tuck and slim down. I got excited when body suits were popular last summer for that reason... though I never bought one.

I have a secret.

So, the only reaction I got at work was from my good friend Carol, who saw my tweet from earlier in the day (@aimeeelise_marx). I wasn't expecting any reaction, just thought it'd be something interesting to notice. No one outwardly said, "Have you lost weight?!" Probably because these people see me (nearly) daily, and it's hard to notice subtle changes.

On a level of comfort, I'd give them a 6/10. Would I be more comfortable if I wasn't wearing them? Yes. Were they uncomfortable? Sometimes. Mainly when they were pressing into my upper abdomen after sitting for a long period of time. They're definitely nicer when standing.

Wearing them does impact your self esteem, at least my own. Knowing my muffin top was under control made me happy. Sometimes when I wear spanx, I feel like I'm lying to people though. Like I'm showing people what I look like, but I had to manipulate my body and change it into what others are seeing. And that if they look at my real body, they'd be freaked out and disgusted. (Wow, that was honest). But what I need to understand and realize is that a lot more people than I think wear spanx everyday. I am envying what these people look like on the outside, wishing my body could also look like that, when their body doesn't even look like that. I just need to think of it as enhancing what is already wonderful, rather than covering up what is flawed. Like make-up; my face is beautiful without, but it can only get better with... Unless I attempt winged eyeliner... YIKES.

One of the most beautiful women I know, both inside and out, tweeted at me saying, "I LOVE spanx! I'm wearing some right now!" I look up to this woman, as she is kind, sweet, and strong. If she can love them, so can I. #spanxforlife

Weigh-in

156 lbs.

Nice. About a year ago, I was pushing 170 lbs, so I'm happy.

Why does this number matter so much? Well, it really doesn't shouldn't. The number on the scale shouldn't effect how you feel about yourself. I understand the thrill of lower numbers, but I also understand the dread, and self-loathing of higher numbers. It's a tricky line to walk... I feel like if I'm not exercising, and if I'm not eating right, then I stress out about the numbers more. I know I'm not doing anything to remain healthy, so numbers are all I have. But when I'm eating right and going to the gym, the numbers don't matter much to me anymore because I feel better. That's where I'm at now. (Ignore the fact that I'm not at the gym this morning...)

I love my body. I love my curves. I love my skin. And I love my butt! I just want to feel better and get healthier for these reasons:

1. Loosing 10 more pounds will be better for pregnancy and baby.
2. No, I'm not pregnant (yet).
3. I can't afford a new wardrobe. 
4. Having energy is GREAT. 
5. When I get that thigh tattoo, I want to be confident enough to show it off all the time.

Whaaa?!

Random Question

What were you really into when you were a kid?

Frogs. Not the real kind, but the fake kind. Any sort of frog jewelry, stationary, t-shirts, anything. 

Boy bands. New Kids on the Block. 'Nsync. Backstreet Boys. 

I wish I could say The Wiggles... but I was into them in high school, which is embarrassing and confusing. 

Monday's are always rough for me. I usually work for 6 hours, and then have to go teach tap for another 3. And for some reason, my students have been crazy for the past few weeks. So I usually end up with a headache and really hungry... 

We got our girl scout cookies today. I stashed a box of Samoa's in my desk at work... don't tell Peter. 

Monday Movements

• Alternate bicep curls; 10 lbs, 2 sets, 12 reps.
• Ab twists; 10 lbs plate, 3 sets, 12 reps on each side.
• Leg curls; 40 lbs, 12 reps, 1 set; 45 lbs, 12 reps, 1 set.
• Standing calf raises; body weight, 12 reps, 2 sets.
• Smith machine squats; 30 lbs, 12 reps, 2 sets.
• Cardio; 1/2 mile run.
• Cardio; 2h 45m of teaching tap. 

Hello. It's me. I was wondering if after all these years you'd like to meet....

Last Monday, I decided it would be a good idea to start fresh. Peter went back to work after recovering from his hernia surgery, meaning we're forced to get up early, meaning I have time to go to the gym before work. The timing was right. I went Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. And I feel good. I'm doing a strength training program that I found on bodybuilding.com. It's marketed as the best way to lose fat, outside of excessive cardio. It's easy, and it's working for me, and it's a lot easier to go to the gym when you have a schedule.

I've opted against trying outside supplements or diet enhancers. Things like tea detoxes, and the like, don't appeal to me. I know with a careful eye on my diet and exercise, I can accomplish my goals.

Speaking of, remember when I posted weigh-in Tuesdays and Vs. Thursdays and Feel-Good, Freak-Out Fridays? I'd love to do that again... So, tomorrow is as good a day as ever.

Monday: I'll answer a random question.
Tuesday: Weigh-in.
Wednesday: Reaction.
Thursday: Vs.
Friday: Feel-good.

I'd also love to share my work-outs and food related qualms and successes. Maybe some reviews. Progress on my 2016 goals...

Here are my links to my social media... follow me, won't you?
MyFitnessPal
Instagram
Twitter (personal)
Twitter (professional)

A monumental day...

Back in March of this year, I had my first Artist for an Evening program at the Carol Stream Public Library. I was super excited that I got to combine my passion for painting and library land. Pictures were taken... They were not flattering. Since then, I just don't look good in grey, period. BUT ALAS, I was unhappy. That night, and the night of the orange, were the big push I needed to get my act together and finally lose some weight. At the time of these pictures I was 170 pounds. This morning, after 5 months, I hit 155 pounds. 15 pounds in 5 months doesn't seem amazing, but it feels pretty good.

Okay, so the night of the orange.

Peter and I had finished dinner, and I was in a habit of eating something sweet before bed. Whether that was ice cream, cookies, or fruit. (What a terrible habit, btw). So we finish dinner, and I grab an orange and sit down with him on the couch. Start scene:

Peter: Are you eating more?
Aimee: Yeah, it's just an orange.
Peter: I have patience with you. I let you cry to me and tell me that you're upset with the way you look and that you want to change it. But if you want to change, you have to go all in. You can't eat an orange because it's there. You don't need it. You have two options, go 100%, cut your calories, and go to the gym OR be happy the way your are. I'm tired of this flip-flopping.

Peter has little patience, and I get it. Especially when your fiance (at the time) comes to you constantly unhappy with herself, but refused to commit to change. Things were tense that night, but it was worth it. I credit that night as being the final push I needed to get my act together. Since then, we've had a handful of more AFaE programs, and I think I look better in each one. That, and I've also learned to wear flattering clothing on those days!

Wedding, babies, and house hunting (oh my!)

Whew, can you believe it's been over a month since the wedding? I can't. Below are a handful of photos that I store from our photographer's website. If you want to go look, here's what 'cha do.

1. Head over to http://www.jolieimages.com.
2. Click, "View your Event."
3. Search for "Schindler-Marx" under event name.
4. Click "View Album"
5. Enter your email address, and the password is 626. 

Beautiful night-time shot. Easily my favorite photo.

Having a blast with my nephew Chevy. 

Why yes, our cake toppers were Baymax from "Big Hero 6."

Our wedding party. Can you tell which one is my brother?

One of the 6 million pictures he took of our shoes. 

Peter and I went to Cedar Point after the wedding. We spent 2 days riding roller coasters, and by the end of day 2 we were so bored of them. We were literally 300+ feet up in the air and yawning while the people behind us screamed going up the hill before the first drop. Ultimately though, it was a really great, relaxing honeymoon. We stopped by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame before heading home. 

After the wedding, I stopped taking my birth control. So... that's been happening. We want to be pregnant by Christmas, though we're both pretty impatient and want to be pregnant NOW. I'll spare you the details. 

We're also house hunting! Tomorrow evening we'll be looking at 6 or 7 houses that are in our price range and aren't crap-shacks. We went last week too... but did I mention crap-shacks?! Because most of them were crap-shacks. We qualify for a government grant program for $7,500, which we don't have to pay back, so that's really been helpful. We're currently living with Peter's Grandpa (we've been there since late April) in Aurora while he transitions into a retirement home. He gets incredibly winded just by going up or down the stairs, and his eating habits are terrible. It's just time, he shouldn't be living alone anymore, and there needs to be someone to regulate his nutrition and to check up on him. He hasn't been sleep-walk-driving lately, so that's good. 

I really want to get back on a schedule with this blog. Give me a week to figure out what I'm going to be doing on which day. It'll be awesome. 

I'm here.

Since my last post (over a year ago), I got married. I quit a job. I took on more dance classes. I lost friends. I moved. I wore a bikini in public. Did I mention I got married?

Maybe I'll keep up with this blog. Maybe not, I've always LOVED this blog. So much has happened regarding body positivity over this past year that I feel like I let myself down by letting this blog die... For the sake of putting this on my resume someday, I think I'll revive it. God knows I have the time now. Only working 14 hours a week will do that.