I Don’t Miss Beer

[Actual interaction at Pyramid Brewing during my company’s happy hour. They don’t serve liquor]
Me (to Bartender): Hi – Can I have a pinot grigio please?
Random Barfly: You came to a brewery and order wine?
Me: Yep! (Walks away rolling eyes) Continue reading “I Don’t Miss Beer”

Diet Update: 140s!

Another milestone in my keto weight loss journey: I hit the 140s. I haven’t seen a 14 on the scale since I starved myself for the first 6 months of 2012 eating 100 calories a day – usually just an egg white and a tomato for dinner. Now instead of going to bed clutching my growling stomach and looking at fat picture of myself to overcome the hunger headaches and urge to eat I’ve lost all this weight without any effort it seems. This has never been so easy and I’m so incredibly grateful that I found keto. There’s no hunger, no need for self-punishment or unhealthy body shaming. No headaches and no grouchiness. Finally a sustainable solution. I used to think I was meant to be this way, but I’m finding that that’s not the case and couldn’t be happier. Continue reading “Diet Update: 140s!”

Relearning French and Creating Routines

A little over 2 months ago I decided to start re-learning French to prepare for my trip there in 2022 :). I figure if I start now I will be fairly comfortable by that time. Unlike in the past when I declare I want to learn or re-learn a language I’ve stuck to it. I’ve been practicing every week day for 2 months. Continue reading “Relearning French and Creating Routines”

Becoming An Instagram Star

Just kidding 🙂 . I don’t know where it comes from, but I have a constant worry that I’m not creative. That I do not create, but just consume. I can’t really draw (though I can make a mean doodle!), I’m not a great cook and don’t take joy in it. I don’t create video games in my spare time like my partner. I thought I didn’t have a creative outlet and should be contributing something to the world when I realized…I already do that. Continue reading “Becoming An Instagram Star”

From Obese to Normal BMI

I did it and I can’t believe it. It’s been a crazy ride (weight loss for me is SERIOUSLY not linear given how often I went off it for vacations), but I made it. I went from 182lb (officially obese) over Christmas 2016 to 154. I have lost 28 lbs along with 14% of my body weight and have a normal BMI without starving for the first time since middle school. I’ve always struggled with my weight and have starved myself thin several times only to become ravenous and gain it all back and then some. I’ve also gone to the other side of the spectrum and tried to exercise myself to death (e.g. 6 hours a day in the gym) without results. Continue reading “From Obese to Normal BMI”

Sugar Makes Me Ill

Of all the weird things about me the one that seem to provoke the strongest reaction is that I don’t like sugar, sweets or really carbs. Yes that includes chocolate (cue the shocked gasps)! I’ve always been like that. My Mom is the complete opposite and routinely asks “Are you my child?” She loves sweets and intentionally doesn’t keep them in the house because of that reason. She is also a general carb lover (not just sugar) which I kind of understand, but the carbs I love are delicious because of the fat on them (hello buttery croissants!) Continue reading “Sugar Makes Me Ill”

Diet Update: 150s!

It’s been 2 years since I’ve seen a one five on the scale. I hit 159 for the first time since the beginning of 2015 and I look completely different. The effect of the whole calories in/calories out starvation diet are really apparently when I look at pictures of myself two years ago and now. I look about 20 lbs fatter two years ago despite having the same scale weight – and I might have been. I’ve been able to retain an insane amount of muscle while getting rid of my fat this year and two years ago it was the opposite. Like my diets before it was clear I was getting skinny fat and my body was eating at my muscle to survive: my weight would decrease, but I’d look even squishier.

But that’s all changed. I’m so excited to reach this milestone and have officially lost almost 20 lbs without hunger and while drinking and living my life normally. It’s insanity. Only 5 lbs to go until I’m finally a normal BMI again. I’m so pumped. Let’s do this!

Sleep

I’ve always been bad at sleeping. For some reason I think of it as a waste of time. Yes, I know my body needs it to survive and have experienced what I feel like sleep deprived: Horrible :). But my brain still thinks of the (hopefully) eight hours I lay in bed as a waste. Despite most likely running on solar power I almost prefer the night. It’s so still and empty of people :). Finally quiet enough to think and reflect. It’s when I’m most inspired and alert. Going to sleep right when I start feeling that at night seems like a waste of time and by extension my life. Sadly there’s no way around it. Continue reading “Sleep”