Putting My Money Where My Weight Is

I've gone all crazy this year!  Ok - not really but kind of for me.  I decided to join the Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans Weightloss challenge and with that Diet Bet.  Ever heard of it?  Me either!!!

So basically, you pay $25 to join.  Then you weigh in (based on their guidelines) and if you lose 4% of your body weight within the challenge deadline - you get paid from the pot.  I don't have to lose a whole lot to win a share but I can't be lazy either.

Goals

1. Start juicing and eating vegan again.  
2. Exercise daily.
3. Use my dehydrator at least once a month.

Challenges

1. The expense of a vegan diet and the complicated aspect of the same.  
2. Making time for exercise and cookng.
3. Keeping my energy levels up for all of the above.

I'm considering the Fluidity Fitness program.  If anyone knows anything about it or has experience with it - let me know.  I'd be interested to hear if it is as good as it seems.  It looks like it would be really good for my back.

Breaking a Family Curse - Belly Fat!!!

EE and my beautiful Mother in 1964

All the ladies on my Mother's side of the family make reference to "Voncile's Belly."  My grandmother, who I affectionately referred to as "EE" was cursed with a bloated belly.  She was a thin, attractive lady but still had a belly.  I have always seen it as always looking like we are 4 months pregnant.  We have all allowed that characteristic to remain in our appearance because it we viewed it as a physical curse passed on from EE.

I can recall being a size 6 and still needing to wear a girdle.  That was so frustrating!

I've switched to a vegan (plant-based) diet in the last year and I've been surprised at how I lose weight but the belly fat remains.  WHAT?  That didn't seem fair that I was depriving myself of cheese and still have belly fat.  (The reminder of the cows not suffering engorgement for my cheese consumption brings me out of my pity party.)

Someone at my work mentioned that gluten is a common culprit in keeping belly fat - well, fat.  A light bulb went off!  Don't worry I'm bald so nothing to catch on fire...

So I tested this theory!

I woke up one morning after not having any gluten the days before and was amazed when I put on a dress with no girdle and no belly fat.

Keep in mind, I am the biggest I have ever been and I am trying to lose weight.  I have been wearing a size 12 dress because of my belly.  This was an empire waist dress so it was a size 8.

I looked in the mirror and saw a clean line.  No belly fat!  The dress looked very nice...

Two hours later I ate some homemade zucchini bread and guess what?  I found myself trying to hide my protruding belly under the conference table in our meeting.  That light bulb turned on me, busted me over the head and said, "I told you so."

So - this week without gluten, I have lost 5 pounds and the bloating is gone!

I know it is hard to imagine a life without gluten but it can be done and it is so worth it!