A little over a year ago, I started a group on Facebook called
Wishful Shrinking. Dubbed a "safe space to discuss weighty issues", it quickly became an exciting mix of both friends and strangers who have all since become comrades in weight loss. It's great to get others' perspectives, their stories on success and failure, what they define as such and to just cheer one another on after a bad day, week, month, etc. It's also a fun place to share everything from recipes and exercise tips to workout playlists and weight loss gadgets.
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| 138 pounds - OBLITERATED! |
Unfortunately for the Shrinkers, the activity within the group depends in large part upon my stoking the flames of motivation - and when I fell off of the wagon, hit my head on a wheel well and went into a coma of not giving a rat's ass about the size of my own ass from late September until January, the group went pretty well dormant. That is, until the past few weeks! The sleeping giant has most certainly awoken and I am beyond excited to say that as of yesterday, those handful of us who use the site to check in with weekly weight loss results have lost a collective
138.61 pounds!
That's an entire person! I am so proud and completely re-motivated to keep that number growing. Imagine if we can match that success in another year's time?! I know we can! Hell, I aim to personally ;-)
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| NOM! NOM! NOM! |
In other news, I broke the vegan fast this weekend for sushi. It was so worth it! Still no red meat to speak of and as far as dairy, I've only had a little bit of grated parm cheese on some pasta and on some roasted asparagus. Not having dairy in my life has made a heck of a difference. I'm sure not eating beef isn't hurting either. I feel great. The inflammation and bloating that had just become a part of my life are near gone. It's just wonderful. I may never go back. But, never say never. I'm sure there's a burger or a steak in my future. And a burger just isn't a burger without a big ol' slice of cheddar on top.
My friend Bridgette, who went down this road a bit ahead of me and keeps tossing back some great advice, said it best: not eating meat or dairy on a daily basis really makes the times that you do have it all the more enjoyable. Cut to my sushi-fest on Saturday night. I don't think I've been happier eating raw fish. It doesn't hurt that we have a fantastic restaurant just around the corner.
I also discovered that split pea soup without ham can be quite awesome. With some vegetable stock, crushed mustard seed, tarragon, bay leaves, salt, pepper, celery, carrots, potatoes, onion and...balsamic vinegar of all things...it's hearty and a fantastic healthy lunch option. The balsamic really threw me for a loop when I was searching for recipes but I figured why the heck not? It's fabulous. Don't miss porky at all!
Boy, this post has some twists and turns in it. Thanks for coming along for the ride.
