Scrap Your Trip Adds 246 Items + 246 S*A*L*E Items
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Don’t ever believe that you can’t change your life. Or your body. No matter your age.
I turned 43 a few weeks ago. I think I look the best I have ever looked in my entire life.
But when I turned 42…totally different story.
I can’t believe I am gonna share this picture with you. I posted it last year for my birthday, but I had NO idea that was what I looked like. It’s embarrassing, but I want to share because I want you to know that even if you’re over 40, it’s not too late.
Deep breath…here goes…Julie at 42
And now Julie at 43
Yes, that is my trainer, Matt, standing next to me. He helped me with the first 10 pounds last June. But then he moved to England (Yay! He’s back!). But the rest? All me. And as much as Matt would like me to tell you I did it through exercise, I didn’t.
When I tell people I lost 52 pounds, everyone wants to know how I did it. So, here’s my explanation.
I stopped eating when I was full.
There. My big secret. But do you know how hard it is to stop eating when you are full? Much harder than you think. Because either there is food left on your plate, or you’re talking or watching TV and not paying attention to what you are eating.
Let’s put eating on scale of 1 to 10 – 1 being when you start eating and 10 being when you stop. See, that’s the first problem right there. Most people eat all the way to 10, but then you are full. Not full, but FULL.
Here’s what I taught myself. At about 4 ½ on that scale of 1 to 10, there is a very slight feeling of fullness. You have to pay attention to it. So, as soon as I think to myself “I’m starting to get full,” I let myself have one more bite and then I stop eating.
But it took a little while to teach myself that. Here’s what you learn…you would be amazed at how little it takes to fill you up. And the portions we are served are WAY more than we need to eat. No wonder it’s so hard to stop eating, especially if you grew up as a member of the “Children are starving in Africa, so clean your plate” club.
That’s it. That’s how I lost 42 pounds. And I eat anything I want. I still eat out all the time and I eat cheese fries every Monday for lunch. 
Dessert anytime I want it (a max of three bites) and I never feel deprived or like I am missing out on anything. Because I am not.
Just the feeling of disgust every time I looked at myself in the mirror. And that is something that I don’t miss one bit.
Yes, it really is that simple. And no, it’s not too late. If I can transform my body from Julie at 42 to Julie at 43 in a year, so can you.
Keep me posted!
Now, on to scrapbooking!
Oh my goodness, our “Cute as a Button” baby collection is so adorable. This line has a soft, pastel look to it and your baby’s pictures will look perfect in your layouts! What I really love about our SYT collections is that we always try to incorporate your ideas and we always give you the ability to customize one of the papers! Add your name, your own witty sayings, vacation destination, change the color or just about anything you can think of and you will be able to find one of our custom papers that will allow you to do it!Yay! We ALL loved the WeR Memory Keepers 12×12 D Ring Albums! So, we got 4 new colors in-house – aqua, vanilla, plum and strawberry. I have no doubt that these will be as popular as the other colors that we have. And I think Little Yellow Bicycle said it best when they described their “Boardwalk” collection “like a stroll down the Boardwalk. Featuring fresh, clean colors with a splash of glitter and a kick-off-your-flipflops style" – who could resist a collection like this? LYB also designed the perfect travel collection, “Pack Your Bags,” with classic travel images and a traditional style. If your travel takes you by way of the trails then Karen Foster has designed just the right line for you, “Camping.” Their collection name sums it up – rustic, outdoorsy and just plain, “camping” FUN!
It’s all about the Flower Power!!! BoBunny’s “Petal Pushers” is a fun, doodle style collection that screams FLOWER POWER!
This week we also have two new masculine collections, "Rumble" by Carolee’s Creations and “Like Father, Like Son” by Fancy Pants.
Our diecuts won’t disappoint! We have the following remarkable designs: Beach, Summer, 4th of July, Dad, Baby, Kids, Pregnancy, Baseball, Hockey, Asia, Portugal, Monaco, Middle East, Jordan, Czech Republic, Hawaii and Nevada. We also have new custom items for you to choose from: Custom PROUD TO BE A… Laser Die Cut and Tiffany’s, “too cute” Custom Daisy and Ladybug Name Plate Laser Die Cut.
Click here to see all the new items: www.scrapyourtrip.com/6232010.html We also have 246 overstock items on sale at 25% off. Click here to see: http://www.scrapyourtrip.com/6232010sale.html
The Bo Bunny "All Stuck Up" embellishment tins were so popular last time we did them as a giveaway, we decided to do it again! They are free with any order of $59 or more between now and Friday, June 25. And yes, you can still use coupon code “FREESHIPPING” with this offer. And remember, if you can’t find what you’re looking for, we can always make a custom title or paper just for you! Click here to see all our custom options: www.scrapyourtrip.com/custom.html See you on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/ScrapYourTrip
As always, thanks for your business. Julie Swatek, President
Scrap Your Trip®
www.ScrapYourTrip.com
‘cuz life is a trip worth scrappin’® http://blog.scrapyourtrip.com
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16 Comments
1. Marion&hellip | June 23rd, 2010 at 6:54 am
Wow! Congratulations on your amazing transformation, Julie! You look fantastic. (Although, I have a really hard time believing that you eat cheese fries every week with a stomach like that!)
I’m 31 years old, and although Ive always been fairly slim, I noticed that I had gained some weight over the last couple years (blame it on the happy marriage:-)) It also helps that I am almost 6 feet tall, I can hide a few extra pounds well. I’ve been working out at least 3x a week for a long time now, (running 4+ miles, elliptical, lifting, etc) and hadn’t dropped those few stubborn pounds. I finally realized it was my diet that was a problem. I was a vegetarian, and along with that came the mentality “I don’t eat meat, so I can eat as many carbs as I want!” Not true!
A few weeks ago, I decided enough was enough. I wanted to feel more confident in a bikini for our upcoming trip and decided to make a change. I started eating white meat again, cut down on my carbs, am watching my portion sizes, drinking tons of water, and am working out almost every day. I’ve lost 8 pounds in the last week and a half! It’s amazing! I look and feel so much better!
Thanks for sharing your story! Congrats again!
2. DianeJ&hellip | June 23rd, 2010 at 7:39 am
You’re such an inspiration to me! I’m 50 and trying to eat better, exercise more and lose weight so your pictures give me motivation. You look amazing! P.S. Love reading the emails.
3. Laura&hellip | June 23rd, 2010 at 8:34 am
YOU GO GIRL!!!
4. DonnaB&hellip | June 23rd, 2010 at 8:38 am
Wow! I am SO impressed. I have never posted here, but I follow your story every week. You are such an inspiration. We have a lot in common, including the fact that I’m turning 43 next month and am finally in a happy relationship after my divorce several years ago. I am at my heaviest and need to lose the weight (again). You have given me hope by posting your pictures that it can be done. You look amazing. Thanks for the great tip.
5. Chris&hellip | June 23rd, 2010 at 10:13 am
Congratulations Julie! You look great! I too am trying to lose some weight, I’m down 10 pounds, but at a standstill. I would like to lose another 10-15 and you have given me motivation to keep on trying!
6. Susan&hellip | June 23rd, 2010 at 10:58 am
You look great! I look forward to hearing about whatever you decide to write about next because somehow, it always pertains to me. I am about 30 poulds overweight and still using the “I am too busy to start losing weight” excuse. I will be trying your idea though. Thanks for the heads up.
7. Greg&hellip | June 23rd, 2010 at 11:28 am
Inappropriate as it may be in some circles, I don’t think it’s ever out of style to say these 3 words to a woman:
“You look hot!”
Way to go Julie – I have to admit that I find myself too busy to read all of your posts, but once-in-awhile I do and I always gain something from it. You’re an awesome business woman, an amazing mom, and a wonderful person. Those are 3 gifts that you give to the world, and the final thing you get to keep all yourself – you look fabulous!
8. Rachael&hellip | June 23rd, 2010 at 3:43 pm
WOW Julie!! I echo the last comment. You look hot!! And you have given me inspiration. I began a plan similar to the one you have used but something in my brain kept telling me there was no way it was going to work. It made sense theoretically and I like the control I felt when I used the rules but my brain after so many years of brainwashing just couldn’t grasp that it could work so I stopped.
Now, after seeing your amazing transformation, which to me is all the proof I need, I am going to get back to that book and back to those eating rules!
Thank you Julie for such great honesty and bravery in your posts. They are always so relevant and I love that you share these inner parts of you for others to take something from.
PS: I met you a number of years ago when I came to your business to buy scrapbook supplies, all the way from New Zealand. You and your staff were SO helpful and that impression has always stuck with me.
9. Tracie&hellip | June 23rd, 2010 at 3:53 pm
Since turning 40..ugh…I have been trying to get to a healthy weight. When I was 27 I weighed just over 210…in the next 9 months I went from a size 22 to a size 12 with a 51 lb weight loss…I kept it off for 4 years ad then during my divorce I gained it back…I got to 222 and have been working hard to change that. I am now down to 212!! I am finding my biggest problem is knowing when I am full. It seems so easy but it is the hardest part. I feel guilty when I am leaving food on my plate when eating out or at my home. Nothing is better then food when it is first cooked and I am afraid that it won’t be as good the next day. How did you overcome the you have to clean your plate club? Does it become easier? Losing weight is so much different at 40 then in your 20′s…I think of every meal as a new start to get it right.
10. Susan&hellip | June 23rd, 2010 at 4:31 pm
Julie, you look great – how did you get those abs?
11. Renee K.&hellip | June 23rd, 2010 at 8:29 pm
Wow Julie you look fabulous!!!! You are amazing and an inspiration!!
12. Eileen&hellip | June 24th, 2010 at 12:58 am
Julie,
You absolutely look fantastic, but please don’t say you are embarrassed to show your picture from last year. Your smile is the same and what is in your heart is the same, I am sure. So yes, you are healthier, but you are still you.
13. Rox&hellip | June 24th, 2010 at 7:13 am
You are my new HERO…time to get moving!!! I’m 3 years from 50!!! My birthday is next Wednesday!!! I promise not to be FAT on my 50th birthday!!!
14. GingerL&hellip | June 25th, 2010 at 8:48 am
What great motivation! You look great. I will be 53 this year and have been overweight longer than I want to remember. I started May 28th changing my lifestyle and determined to get back to a size I am comfortable with. So far, I’m 10 lbs lighter! Your words and picture is a great motivation. My goal is by my next birthday to be at the same place you are. Comfortable and happy inside and out.
Thanks so much for sharing!
15. Cindy Lowry&hellip | June 25th, 2010 at 8:49 am
Hey Julie! Isn’t it amazing when we finally decide to put ourselves first?! I am a newly re-married (at age 54!) mother of three daughters (18, 22 and 24) and two years ago when I started dating (a very scary proposition) I decided it was time to find my own happiness – not just that of my children, and lo and behold! I met my wonderful husband.
I too when through a period of self-improvement – like you, I was (finally) feeling happy on the inside! I heard these lyrics in a song the other day and they stuck with me… “Though I may not have the answer, I can finally say I’m free. And if the questions led me here, then, I am who I was born to be!” I feel like I have finally found my own place. I am once again not just a mom, but also a woman, and a very happy one at that!
Wishing you many blessings and much joy!
16. ANITA FRISBIE&hellip | July 9th, 2010 at 2:14 pm
YOU LOOK GREAT!!!!..HOW YOU GET THOSE ABS? WOULD YOU GIVE AN EXAMPLE MEAL MENU PLANNER? I AM 49 YEARS OLD AND I AM TRYING TO LOSE 40 POUND BUT ITS TAKE TIME….I HOPE TO READ FROM YOU SOON….THANKS!!