To Rivendell and Beyond!

No, I’m not there yet. But Rivendell is not the whole story. I’m not even there yet, but I get to say that. Because 1) I’m more than halfway, holy shit, (380 miles of 458, I’m 83% there!) and 2) I read the book. I mean, 2) because this journey is never-ending. And I’m okay with that.

I want to show you a picture.

That’s me, last August. I wanted a picture from around February, but I couldn’t find one. Seems though I’ve been trying to not do it, I still hide from cameras.

This is me today.

Some might still just see “fat lady” but I see a difference, especially in the shape of my face.

I’d hope to see a difference, since I’ve lost 33 pounds. (We will now pause while I dance around the room a few times.)

Losing that weight, I’m delighted to say, has not been torture. It has been work, but it’s been fun too.

I’ve discovered overnight oatmeal. And mason jar salads. The other night I made some of the tastiest chicken I’ve ever had zomg, and all I put on it was salt, pepper, and a slice of swiss cheese.

Yesterday I hit my first goal–250. In celebration I went out to lunch with my awesome co-workers (they’d been inviting me, and I really wanted to go…) I got a salad and some amazing ice cream.

I figured I should get a reward for hitting my goal (that was lunch), but I also have an iron-clad deal with myself that I get a present every ten pounds. So I got some lids to turn a few of my mason jars into sprouting jars, and sprouting seeds.

Boy, I’m really living it up now, huh? 😉

Truthfully, I’m really happy with those decisions. If reward one had been burger, fries, milkshake, ice cream, and reward two had been…I don’t know, another burger with fries, milkshake, ice cream?…well, anyway. If I’d decided to screw off the healthy eating for a couple meals, or give myself a few days off from my step goal, then I’d know this may not work after all.

I didn’t do those things, though. Didn’t even really want to do those things. (Though I’m getting me a big juicy burger here soon, you watch me.) I’m changing my life, and I’m very happy with those changes. Burgers, fries, milkshakes, ice cream, pizza–all those things still have a place in my life, but they’ll be there when I decide they will be, not just whenever the urge strikes me.

Honestly, my urges are like my muses–serious assholes. I do not need to be leaving them in charge.

And this, tonight’s dinner? That is not a punishment! Om nom nom…

Next stop? Rivendell! Or 199, whichever comes first. (probably Rivendell. But I should hit 199 before the end of the year, getting down into “onederland” for the first time since my teens!)