I spent the last four days participating in the insanity that is Floyd Fest 9 (lord, don't let me show up for that key term) after a very last minute decision to go. For two weeks we went back and forth should we go, should we stay home, should we go for one day? Thursday evening was our last chance to decide, I can honestly say I wasn't feeling very social, and the idea of partying for four days was not appealing, but I knew one thing would be true: lots of sweating and exercise.
For the majority of festival goers this probably does not cross their minds. In fact, there are very few fat people that go to festivals. I don't mean to generalize, but such outdoor adventures are much easier when you're physically fit. Not impossible for me, but I notice the difference. I notice every single hill, every step, every bead of sweat racing down my face, the quick maneuvers around people and down steep hills, the too-tall bus steps, my feet cracking, my thighs rubbing and the intense heat. I could feel all of my weight this past weekend and it was a heavy weight to carry physically and mentally.
This isn't to say that I didn't have a good time, I did, but I didn't go for a good time, I went to be put in this situation, to be forced into extreme movement for four days. I could feel my neglect and I could feel my body slowly warming up to movement. I felt like an old rubber band, getting used to the stretching and moving. Stiff, yet coming undone. Each movement was a step forward to getting stronger. This was boot camp.
I feel like I could create a manual "how to survive a music festival if you're fat" I'd buy it. I googled "what to bring to a music festival" about a hundred times before going. The results were slim; one advisor suggested bringing a bandanna for your head to later eat off of if you needed a placemat. Would it get to that point? Would I be eating off of my sweaty bandanna?
I will say this, dressing for the weather is important. On day one I wore jeans. Dark. Jeans. Jeans that no one should be wearing past june. I showed up thinking "oh this will be the casual day" I was wrong. By the time we got our camp site up I could feel the Lycra weave in my jeans cinching up slowly cutting off my circulation. I literally had to peel them off of my body like a banana. Don't wear jeans. Please for the love of all that is good, do not wear jeans.
On day two I wore a skirt, tank top, t-shirt and 3/4 sleeve cardigan. Still too many clothes. Day three I wore black leggings, a flowy long top, and a cardigan. That day was the easiest temperature-wise. I prepared my hair so that it would be invincible against the heat. I twisted it back on either side, twirled buns that were secured with bobby pins. I repeated with my bangs and followed with a layer of invincible hair spray. It didn't matter how much I sweated, it did not move or saturate with sweat. This was my best idea yet.
Not only did I know that I would participate in lots of exercise, but I knew that I would be eating well. Food was only eaten when hungry (it's expensive!) and I ate exactly what I wanted. Mostly black beans and rice with bourbon chicken or steak, fish tacos (i love fish tacos!!) with cabbage and lime, and eggs, potatoes and toast for breakfast. I treated myself to ginger tea and frozen watermelon and a couple of glasses of white wine sangria, although the homemade icecream was calling my name I knew it would truly not settle well in the heat.
This weekend opened the doors to vigorous exercise and I'm ready to keep the trend going this week. I will say that I did not lose any weight over the weekend, which is irritating, but I know it is because of my current hormonal state of the month. Had this weekend been July 1st or 10th or any other time the weight would have poured off. Instead, I am retaining water like a cactus and the heat is not helping. But, you know what? It doesn't matter, because if I keep this up, the hormones will pass and so will the water and there will be weight loss.
Wow, i am tired just reading about this. But it sounds like it was a great weekend. Keep up the great work!
That’s awesome! Good for you for taking on the challenge even (especially) when you knew it would be a challenge—my first inclination would be to RUN (away, that is)!
Way to go Girl! You have inspired me to evaluate my errands for the day do as many as I can on foot. Love your posts!
Both of the musicians at Woodsongs tonight (Tift Merritt and Dangermuffin) were at Floyd Fest.
bringing a bandanna for your head to later eat off of if you needed a placemat….lol…that made me laugh outloud.
Glad to hear your experiance was a grand one. Good work girl.
Love your blog! Keep it up! I would love to be buddies on this weight loss journey. Hope you’ll come check my blog out!
http://itsmylifeandmyjourney.blogspot.com/
Mrs. O
So excited that I found your blog! I’ve just started one of my own as I aim to lose weight and get healthy — http://www.dontbejealous.com
I can feel your pain re: retaining water. I’ve been working out like crazy this week but holding weight. How frustrating!
How do you get past it?
If you get a chance, check out my blog. It’s wonderful to find a community of people who I can share this journey with.
I’ve been reading you blog and wanted you to know that I love it!
great attitude Lorrie! and good for you for enjoying your eats, you certainly deserved a few treats for all of the exercise!
Sounds like a good time! This is my first time reading your blog. I will definetly stop by again. Keep on trucking!
I just found your blog. Fabulous. There seem to be a lot of us out there trying to start a healthier lifestyle. I appreciate your journey, as I’m traveling a similar one. I truly admire and give kudos to you for challenging your comfort zone and trying something that you knew would challenge your physical abilities.
If you can, would love you to visit my blog: http://mybestself614.blogspot.com/
Keep working toward the best you.
P.S. very nice writing.
I really reading your blog. I have been heavy my entire life. Over the last 10 months I have lost 44 pounds. I figure the slower I take it off the longer I keep it off! I enjoy reading your blog. It’s one foot in front of the other!
Corie
Just wanted to drop by and say hi. I use to blog a LONG time ago but am starting up a new blog. I hope you’ll stop by.
Thank you for sharing your journey. I love reading your blog because it is that – a journey – not a super thin person preaching about how to be like them. Your journey inspires me to continue mine. So thanks.
Wow!! I googled weight loss blog and yours was the first that came up. Then I saw the reference to Floyd Fest and I just couldn’t imagine there would be a Floyd Fest somewhere else in the world. I guess I was right. I live in Pulaski. How neat that you are so close. I am having a baby at the end of the month, so I will be needing some weight loss motivation. Keep up the good work.
Hello!
I think you just wrote the manual you were talking about! Haha. I contemplated going to FloydFest. Never been, but only a few miles away from Floyd!
Good for you for wanting to keep up the exercise trend! It really makes a lot of difference.
I know you are close to Christiansburg, so if you are interested, there is a FREE Zumba class every Monday evening at 5:30 p.m. at the Christiansburg Rescue Squad and Friday at 5:30 p.m. at the Shelor Motor Mile gym behind Long John Silver’s. It’s on the very end of the building and doesn’t have a building-face sign. It’s not extremely intense, but it’s a great class to get moving and have lots of fun!