Over the last year, I have become very dependent on the weight watchers online community. It took me a while, but I found a group on there that I have become completely dependent on. They are the most awesome support system for weight loss, dating advice and general life advice a girl could ask for.
Last night (Friday) I had a rough night… I won’t go into details, but I felt that I just didn’t want to deal with things again – just to sleep or eat everything, or just go driving and find myself on some random person’s doorstep in a few days. I put out a call for help to these friends and immediately I had support. Support for things that I cannot change, and even encouragement for the things that I can. It was an amazing night. I learned so much about myself… and my friends from around the country. This actually inspired me to create a map of where all of my friends in my WW world are located. I didn’t realize how many of them there were until I started plotting out their locations. Thank you to my WW buddies for all the support that has been given. You will never know how much I value each of you… me.
Monthly Archives: May 2008
It’s all about support…
Tulip Time… part duex
I wanted to share with you a couple of additional videos of our famous Dutch Dancing and then additional insight for you all into the Klompen Dancer’s outfits and the history of the tulip. Enjoy!
Klompen Dance Tidbits
- In 1933 High school gym teacher Ethel Perry trained twelve students to perform Dutch folk dances. The dancers were called the “Dutch Villagers” and performed to the tune of “Where, Oh Where, Has My Little Dog Gone?”
- Originally the dancers’ costumes were delft blue with white organdy caps and aprons. Today’s dancers wear costumes patterned after the traditional dress of the Dutch provinces.
- Each costume is handmade by local seamstresses and carefully inspected before it can be worn in the Klompen Dance performances.
- There are over 1,700 Klompen Dancers, including 675 alumni and community dancers.
History of the Tulip
Initially, the tulip was a rarity only the very wealthy could afford. By 1624 the price of one Rembrandt-type tulip reached the equivalent of $1,500. The time between 1634 and 1637, commonly known as “Tulipmania,” is often compared to the Stock Market surge of the 1920’s. In 1637, tulip trading crashed, leaving many of the rich instantly impoverished.
Despite these challenges, the Dutch have managed to maintain a commercial devotion to the tulip. Today the Netherlands produces three billion tulip bulbs each year, two billion of which are exported.
Here is a picture of Centenniel Park in the center of town (located conveniently across the street from my office!) I believe the statue in the center of the photo is of Albertus Van Raalte (founder of our town).
*notice my photo taking skills… the squirrel is in mid-jump!
You can find out much more about my fair town and heritage at these websites:
Tulips and Dancing…
While at the Christopher Williams concert the other night, he said something that struck me funny… when he drove into town the tulips were “saluting” him. He then asked (jokingly, of course) if we have someone goes around to each of the tulips and tells them that it’s time to come up because the tourists are coming! J
I think we should have someone go around and talk to the tulips… like that guy who is the “town crier” declaring the streets to be dirty, as he is kicking off the Wednesday parade. Or the mayor… can you imagine – now that would get people out there! It would be a front page story in the local paper with Mayor Al whispering to the tulips.
Like I said, I just found it funny…
Ok… now to give you all who do not live around here a taste of what life is like in our fair town during this week of the year. We close main roads, put up detours and create traffic headaches… not only for 3 parades – but also every night at 7pm for Dutch Dancing. If you’ve never experienced Dutch Dancing… here’s a look at the fine art that many young girls experience in their high school days (and then continue on as alumni).
I hope you get the idea… we are a bunch of crazies here to celebrate our heritage and the love of a flower!
Hope you all enjoyed your tour of Holland, Michigan during Tulip Fest 2008. Now back to your regularly scheduled programming.
me.
The co$t of weight loss…
Last night at my Weight Watchers meeting we talked about how expensive weight loss is. Not only the cost of the WW plan but also other things that are factored in… like healthier food. But that’s only the tip of the iceberg of cost…
So after thinking about it all day today, I did some rough numbers on how much my weight loss journey has cost me. Since joining Weight Watchers in 2002 and 2005, I have paid them almost $2000. In addition to that, I have gladly replaced my wardrobe about two times now. Then to factor in the cost of the health club with all this and I think I am running more than $5,000. Wowsers. That is a lot to take in. Er… well spend on this. And that doesn’t count in the difference in the cost of food… if there is a difference – some of that unhealthy food is pretty expensive too.
But really… how expensive is this weight loss? First, I am making my own meals or taking meals to work. This means that I am not eating out as often, not only saving money on the more expensive dinners (or fast food options) and the money for gas to get there. And while the “healthier” food at the grocery store is somewhat more expensive, because I limit my portions – I really do think it lasts longer. Another big thing for me is that I have so many more options with clothing. Now I have a selection… for business, casual or just plain athletic. Even at times, the clothing is cheaper. I also know that I can get more than twice the coverage for life insurance for the same premiums that I would be paying had I been in my “old ways”. I can’t even put a price on how much more I would be spending at the doctor for visits on my health? Would I be a diabetic now? Would I have heart problems, high cholesterol, and elevated blood pressure?
Then there are things that you can’t put a price on. A better self-esteem, being able to travel anywhere I want, having a desire to do new things that I would not have dared before. I know that I would not have even thought about walking in the 3-day if I was 100 pounds heavier (like I was 2 years ago). And speaking of walking… I now do this while on lunch hours with one of my co-workers. Not only does it get us out of the office to clear our heads, but it also gives us time to catch up with each other that we typically don’t have time to do while working. We are also getting in some pretty good mileage. J
I think that about sums it up… because of this weight loss, while I may have spent a lot of money… I have gained confidence, friendships, and overall my health & life back.
