Wine Diversions

My last post detailed my eating plan for the fall - basically, juice in the mornings and afternoons and then have a raw meal in the evenings. Already - only five days in - I've diverted. And this, my friends, is what they call being human.

I have still been juicing in the mornings and keeping my intake low in the early part of the day, but my evenings have included cooked meals and even a little wine. After sugar, wine is one of my favorite things to partake in. But the bottom line is that 1) I'm still on track and 2) I'm living in the moment - both healthy things. As my friend Jessica is always reminding me, "Whatever eating and exercise plan you adopt, it MUST be sustainable to you. We cannot pretend that we don't live in the world."

This week, I'm off for five days to New Hampshire. I'll be attending the Squam Art Workshops on Squam Lake with my mama!  I'm so thrilled for the time away. I'll of course be checking back in when I return.

The "I Did It" List

I drank lots of green juice

I drank lots of water

I stayed away from sugar - except for a sip of Sangria at a party, but I felt bad and ditched it

I met two writing deadlines 

My home art studio was featured on Houzz (click HERE to see it)

I went on a wonderful date with my husband and mother-in-law

I hosted a gathering of fabulous women

I paid my mortgage and my car payment

Refining my Eating Plan for Fall

I've been drinking green juice almost exclusively for 10 days. In that time I've successfully realigned my nutritional intake and dropped 11 pounds. It's so difficult for me (and for most people it seems) to leave refined sugar and preservatives behind and consume only fresh vegetable and fruit juices. It takes planning time and a little money for fresh produce and a juicer. It takes social strategy to avoid junk foods and pre-packaged food-like products. It takes a supportive family environment. It takes fortitude to press through those first difficult days of detoxification. But for me, it is totally worth it. And the results speak for themselves. I know that sounds kind of cocky, but the truth is that I feel great!

Today's juicing ingredients:

Moving forward, I'll continue juicing in the mornings and afternoons. The only change I'll be making is that I'll have a raw meal in the evenings. This can be salad and raw soup, or any of the yummy dishes from my raw recipes section on the blog.

When I'm in the process of loosing weight and training for an athletic event as I am now, my eating plans are always very fluid. Of course I have my rules: 1) No refined sugar, 2) No processed meat, and 3) No simple carbohydrates. But beyond those rules I can eat a wide range of things as long as they are whole foods - meaning they are as close to their natural state as possible.

So this week, I'll begin adding evening meals back into my juicing routine. Fasting on only green juice for the past 10 days did it's job and I'm confident that I'll stay on track as I reintroduce solid food to my system! If, as the fall progresses, I need to modify my eating plan, I will. Thanks all for your supportive comments in these past two weeks. I love to hear from you!

One Week of Juicing!

I've come to the end of a week of juicing and I don't want to stop.

I think this could be the beginning of something really wonderful. 

So... another slightly out of sync video for you!

It Makes Me Happy

Happy Labor Day! It's been a big week, filled with sending my children off to school for the first time, hosting a second-hand sale at my house and of course juicing! The great thing about juicing is that I'm not in the kitchen for half of the day cooking and prepping food. Instead, I can do more of what makes me happy like reading, blogging, walking, playing with my kids, painting and thinking.

Here's one of the things that my new found time has allowed me to contemplate. "Do More of What Makes You Happy". To follow that creed you have to ask yourself a deep question, "What makes you happy?" I used to think that eating made me happy. I was so sure of this, that food was always my first stop when I wanted to create some happiness. But simply eating didn't make me happy - all it did was make me feel better...  for a moment.

All the things listed above make me happy because they are deeply enriching activities. Eating just for eating's sake is not enriching or nourishing. It's a bad habit and it does not create happiness. But I do love good, beautifully prepared and well-paired food. I love flavor and texture. I love the social aspects of sharing good food. All of this is what really makes me happy - not eating just to fill the void.

To do more of what makes me happy, means that I have to be mindful of what makes me happy. And it's extremely important that I not confuse what makes me happy with what masks the feelings of unhappiness. That is ultimately the difference between what is a healthy choice and an unhealthy choice. And it can be applied to most everything in life - relationships, food, sex, drugs, work... all of it.

The "I Did It" List

successful juice fast for six days

sent my children off to school without crying in front of them

met an article deadline at Houzz.com

hosted a home goods sale in my house and made some money

did a photo shoot for a family of four

took care of my children

made food for my family even when I wasn't eating any of it

made my bed almost everyday (except Friday)

The Next 6 Months

Six months from today, I will be running my first half marathon. Its a tall order, but I know I can do it. So what will transpire between today and February 23rd? What's the plan? There's nothing new in the plan and there never is. A plan to get healthy and lose excess weight is always the same. Eat less crap and get some exercise. There's actually real comfort in that, don't you think? There are a million diet books out there... countless weight loss theories and diet books. And they all manage to rearrange "eat less crap and exercise" into a 280 page best seller. So that's my plan.

You still want a few more details?  Sure... I understand.  Here's my some specifics:


1.  Work out two to three times a week at Positively Fit Lake Highlands. These workouts will include high intensity weight bearing activity mixed with cardiovascular work.

2.  Limit sugar.  Period.  No seriously...  Sarah, stop eating sugar.

3.  Eat mainly whole fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains.

4.  In preparation for my 1/2 marathon, I'll run at least once a week - starting with shorter distances 2-3 miles and work my way up as the months wear on. When the half draws closer, I'll ramp up how many runs I take a week.

That's it.

To kick off my new challenge, I'm starting with a 7 day juice fast. If you'll remember from previous posts, I love doing juice fasts. I don't know about all the cleansing claims - I'm not a doctor or a nutritionist. But I do know that I feel GREAT when I fast, my skin looks amazing, I have more energy and I lose weight. I'm starting on Tuesday, August 27th and write about it here at Smaller Sarah. I have a friend who is going to do the fast with me, so that will be lovely. We can support each other along the way!

If you'd like to read my past posts about juice fasting, click HERE.

Old Habits Die Hard

As I sit down to write this post I feel like a bad friend who said she would call and then didn't. And then when a week turned into two and then three, calling seemed silly and pointless. But I'm back, making that long awaited call. Hoping that you're still here.

I've spent the last three weeks in technical rehearsals for a show and then opening and running that show. All of my time has been spoken for. Even my family is wondering when I'll re-engage.  The show has been lots of fun and I'm SO thrilled to be acting again. But I'm also feeling totally out of my element - my routine shattered and old habits finding new footing. 

Confession time: I've gained back almost 30 pounds since the fall.  What?  30?  Yes.  30.  I worked my ass off and lost 75 and then gained 30 of it back.  You know what it feels like to lose 75 pounds in a big public way and then gain 30 back?  Kind of shitty.  

Luckily, I've got this blog.  I wrote down everything I did and now I'm going to retrace my steps and re-lose that weight.  Yep.  Welcome summer shred!  My show closes next week and I will once again be making the trip to Cedar City, Utah where my husband works every summer.  I began and ended my Smaller Sarah year in Utah and it seems the perfect place to pick up and start again.  

So here's the scoop: Starting on May 1st, I will be re-introducing a mostly raw diet. Once I'm in Utah, I'll also start running again. I would like to drop 40 pounds in 4 months.  That means 10 pounds a month with a final weigh-in on September 1st.  As I begin again, I am reminded of a post I wrote to a reader who emailed asking 'what do you do when you get discouraged?'  You can read it by clicking HERE. Here's another pick-me-up from September of 2012: click HERE. All of this just to say, I did it once... I can do it again!

source

In other news... 

I just found this amazing 3 minute ad that Dove posted on You Tube.  

I thought it was perfect to share here at Smaller Sarah.  

Re-emerging

Boy, this shit is hard.  Isn't it?  Committing to something. Making choices that work for you. Finding time to do 100 percent (or lets be real - even 40 percent) of what it takes to live the way you want to live. Lugging your family along with you while you figure out what we're eating, who is preparing it and when it will be served. Stumbling through the tough transitions with only a half-plan in place. It takes a Herculean effort to be a healthful, organized, conscientious, connected, mother-wife-sister-friend-artist. And right now I'm falling short.

And that's okay.

It's okay because its impossible to do it all at once all the time.  Last year, I rocked it.  I lost 75 pounds and I conquered my life. It felt great. I felt great. I was riveted to the goal and all my attention was focused in that direction.  But that's not now, is it.  Since late autumn, I've been sending my energies in a million directions.  Okay, so that's an exaggeration. It's more like 12 directions. I've been working on a book, another blog, a new job with Houzz.com, free-lance photography with Harris Publications, an art career, commissions, workshops, teaching and more.  All of these things are new since June 2012.

Inevitably, my standards for healthy nourishment are not being met at the level that they were before.  I am not making the time to run. I've gained weight. I've become complacent. And I've lost the physical edge I had before.

Again, it's okay.

Why is this all okay? Because last year - my Smaller Sarah 75-pound-loss year - taught me an invaluable lesson about my life.  I am the choices I am making right now. Not last week or last month. Not tomorrow or next week.  I am the choices I am making in this moment.  That is all there is.  Today, I choose to recommit.  Today, I forgive myself for fast food and missed work outs and late nights. Today, I get to choose again.  What a gift!

The First 10 Days

If you remember (10 days was a long time ago) I began a juice fast on February 16th.  I said I was going to have only juice for 10 days, and then start adding raw meals back onto the menu for another 20 days.  I was going to clean out my system and get my weight back on track.  Remember?

Here's what happened. I didn't prepare properly (like eating veggie based meals in the days leading up ti the fast), I didn't plan on starting the mother of all menstrual cycles (being a girl can sometimes suck), and I was really really hungry (because I wasn't planning ahead by having enough on hand for the juicer). So there is a big difference between what I planned and what really happened.  Here's what my average day looked like during the past ten days:

7am  -  wake up starving, go to the bathroom to change my diaper, and juice all morning

noon -  take care of children, change my diaper, watch them eat solid food all day, and juice some more

4pm  -  realize that I haven't planned for this notorious low-blood-sugar portion of the day and proceed to eat lots of fruit: bananas, grapes, oranges...  Oh, and then I change my diaper

6pm  -  change my diaper, cook dinner for the family, then cave in and eat dinner instead of juicing


But you know what?  I'm not unhappy about how the week transpired.  I was ill-prepared for a juice fast and I didn't force it.  I think we sometimes forget that WE ARE THE BOSS of our bodies and our time.  Just because you're following a 10-day juice fast or a Jillian Michaels Shred doesn't mean that you have to follow it exactly.  In the end, I still drank bucketloads of green juice, stayed away from super sugary foods and lost 10 pounds!

Now that my dreaded period is subsiding (9 days is enough I say!) I'm curious to see if I might be able to re-stabilize and begin juicing again.  I'll keep you posted.  The next 20 days will certainly include lots of juicing, raw meals, the occasional treat and as always, three days a week of boot camp!  I remain optimistic.

Begin Again

Hi.  I'm back.  

Are you still here?  Because if you are, you're amazing!

It's been three months since my last post announcing a hiatus from the blog. I took time off to be with my family, enjoy the holidays, work on my book, paint in my studio and frankly - eat a bunch of Christmas comfort food in peace.  I've been snacking on sweet holiday treats and enjoying dinners with friends and family where the main ingredients were brisket and beer.  I know, I know.  It's a far cry from my previous diet - you know - the one that helped me lose 75 pounds?

I've put on some weight, I've gained a few inches in my waist and while I'm not so far gone that I can't run a 5K, I'm certainly not feeling optimal.  I've continued to attend boot camp classes and I've stayed in fair shape.  Now, after a mini bacchanalia of carbohydrates and sugar, I'm ready to begin again.

So, I'm back.  Today, I dusted off my juicer, took my measurements and created a 30 day calendar to chart my progress.  Starting today, I'm doing a 10-day green juice fast.  I did one last spring and LOVED it.  I felt good, I shed a bunch a weight and it really kick started my final round of weight loss. After my 10 day juice fast I will add raw dinners back onto the menu and continue to juice through out the day.  I will continue this for 20 days.  I will still attend boot camp 3 times a week as I have always done and I'm also gearing up for a couple of spring 5ks and a 10k.  And, most importantly, I'll be blogging about it here.  I've missed you all!

30 Day Goals

1. Shed the winter weight

2. Cleanse my system

3. Give my digestive tract a break

4. Kick start the spring with clean eating and a clear mind

It's good to be back!

Thank you and a Hiatus

Hello dear readers.

I'm writing today to tell you that I'm taking a hiatus from Smaller Sarah.  Its been a fantastic run.  I set out in June of 2011 to lose 75 pounds in one year and I did it!  The past five months since reaching my goal have been filled with all sorts of triumphs and set backs and at this time, I'm taking a leave from the blog to focus on living life as a smaller version of my self.  I've got big plans for the future, all of which need my full and present attention:


I'm working on my book, which many of you have inspired.

I'm taking care of my two young children, one of which has some BIG medical needs.

I'm continuing my work-out regiment at my beloved Positively Fit Lake Highlands.

I'm still negotiating healthy food choices, which will always be a life long battle.

And finally, I'll continue to blog at La Maison Boheme about life, design, motherhood, art, healthy living and the human experience.


Thank you so much to all of you who have helped me weather the hard times and celebrate my successes.  Your contribution here at Smaller Sarah cannot be quantified.  All I have is gratitude and love for you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Taking Time

Hello dear readers.  It's been a while since I've posted here.  Day by day, my life is still spinning further and further away from center and I've been wrestling with my body, my calendar and my kids. I've had an enormous surge of creative energy these past weeks and a simultaneous need to withdraw a bit from the interwebs.  September and October proved to be a time of huge transition for me personally and I still feel the ground shifting below me. And overall, my time away from the blog has been productive but also a time of quiet assessment.

I'm healthy and attending boot camp classes.  My schedule is about to change providing an opportunity to add a run class at Positively Fit to my week. I'm also planning a green juice fast beginning the second week in November.  I'll spend the next week increasing my intake of greens and diminishing my meat and carbs in an attempt to make the most of the fast.  I had lots of success with this same juice fast in the spring and hope to have similar results the second time around.

I guess the latest news is that last week, I left my house for four nights on a self imposed writing retreat.  I'm in the process of organizing and finishing a book that I've been working on for a little while. The retreat helped me secure some valuable time to compose my thoughts and accomplish some mental heavy lifting.  It is so difficult to have and maintain any kind of a long thought arch with two little ones clamoring for my attention at all hours of the day. If you'd like to read more about my time away, click HERE.

My goal for the next few weeks is to be kind to myself.  I've been burning the candle at both ends and while I'm very pleased with the direction things are heading, I'm also noticing the signs of burn out.  An over-extended, exhausted mama is a useless mama.  So, a little self love is definitely in order.

Inspiration Exists, But It Has to Find You Working

I've just finished my first week on my experimental schedule, which entails waking up at 4:30am and in bed by 9:30.  For the most part it is working really well - far better than I expected, in fact.  Last night I was out until 10:30 at a social gathering, so I feel a bit groggy today.  But generally, I'm very pleased with the week and my level of productivity.  I worked on my manuscript and finished two new paintings (which you can see HERE and HERE if you like.)

This morning, I'm off to my HIIT class at Positively Fit. I still take boot camp classes on Mondays and Wednesdays but due to Charlie's therapy schedule, I had to pick a different class on Fridays.  HIIT stands for High Intensity Interval Training and its only a 30 minute class.  I love it!

Want it? Go get it.

The title of this post is my motto for the remainder of 2012. What is it that I want?  Time.  I want some time to really give my creative work the attention it needs to be successful and fulfilling.  I'm still in the process of writing a manuscript and I'm also painting.  However, I feel like I have to steal time from my family to do my work.  I'm know a lot of stay (work) at home mamas feel this way.  After all, it's the topic of a gajillion news articles with inane headlines like, "You Can Have It All" or "Are you Mommy Enough?" or "Oprah's 6 Question Test will Reveal Your True Calling" or "How to Get Everything Done and Still Have Time for Sex". I mean let's be real, it's all bullshit.

Every woman (and man for that matter) has to decide what it is they want, what they're willing to sacrifice and how they're going to get it.  I'm still in the "what am I willing to sacrifice" stage.  I know what I want.  But there are only so many hours in a day. I have to give up something to move forward in the direction of my dreams. So I'm making a game plan.  As my father always says, "more news at eleven."

Check In - Week 67

This week, I've been taking stock of what is good in my life. I'm still working on it, because it takes a long time to acknowledge the extensive and ever-widening list of awesomeness in my world. When I slow down and count the ways in which goodness and plenty manifest in my life, I am overwhelmed. Bing Crosby sings to Rosemary Clooney about it in "White Christmas". Counting my blessings is always a great exercise and a beautiful way to center myself and step into a space of gratitude when I'm feeling less than myself. Last weekend was a doozy, but somehow this week, things are looking brighter. Why? No reason. I'm just becoming more comfortable with the current state of things, I suppose.

This week, I attended three classes at Positively Fit.  I also met a chiropractor who offered to see me for an adjustment since my body is in a state of revolt. I have an appointment set for tomorrow. (Yay!)  And on the food front? I did not attend to my eating habits this week whatsoever. One thing at a time, eh?

My weight is starting to matter less and less to me. I think there are two main reasons behind this shift. One is that I've been at a constant weight, more or less, for the whole summer. I think my body is very comfortable and happy at this weight. The other reason is that, while I'd like to drop another 20 pounds or so, my current weight is a healthy one.  It's not my ideal weight, but by all calculations, its a healthy, physically fit body.  And for now, that's enough for me.

So from now on, instead of weighing in on Mondays at Smaller Sarah, I'm going to simply check in. You know... its that thing you do when you call your mom at the end of the month.  You check in. You tell her what you've been up to. You re-cap. You touch base and connect.

Weigh In - Week 66

Becoming "exquisitely comfortable with who I am" is a toughie.  Turning my gaze inward is usually really beneficial for me, but sometimes I bump into old junk that stops me in my tracks.  The process of settling into my new self is proving to be a slow one with lots of opportunities for back sliding.  But I'm content to stay with it or rather, in it - living the questions fully so that I can one day live the answers.

It's tough to come up with an "I Did It" list for this week... so here goes nothing:

The "I Did It" List

I attended two boot camp classes

we bought a used car so that I can take my son to therapy every day of the week

I watched a really funny episode of "Doc Martin" that I'd not seen before

I bought myself a pair of divinely soft PJs from the super discount rack at The Gap

I didn't slap anybody

Taking the Cure

My whole body is revolting against me. I carry a 31 pound kid around for hours and hours during the day.  He can't walk or crawl and when I put him down he gets frustrated with his immobility and screams at me. The result is that my body is horribly misaligned and it feels like my hips and shoulders are becoming unhinged.

Today I went to boot camp. The first class of the month is always a physical assessment, which involves running a mile for time.  With my body in a state of rebellion, I was sure that running was going to do me in.  At first I was in a lot of pain - my joints and ligaments were all out of tune.  But after the first few minutes, they began to loosen and even glide. By the half mile mark I was in a rhythm and the pain dissipated. Tonight my jangled bits of body are aching again, but my hour at boot camp afforded me a little break.

A reader (Amber) recently asked me about my game plan for yanking my tired butt out of the "doldrums".  She wanted to know how I was going to "kick it up a notch".  Great question, Amber, and THANK YOU for keeping my on track.  I've got a few ideas and here they are:

1) Reread some of the health literature that got me started on the raw foods in the first place. This includes "The Raw Detox Diet" by Ms. Rose.

2) Get back in a 3 day a week boot camp rhythm.  The key is to just show up.

3) I've joined a "Biggest Loser" competition through my local mom's group. A group of us have pitched in 5 bucks each and the woman who loses the largest percentage of body weight (Sept. 11 - Dec. 4) wins the pool.  I did it in the Spring (and won) and it was a huge motivator.

4) Start every day with green juice again - not just 3 or 4 days a week.  Every. Day. Of. The. Week.  Green juice always makes me feel amazing!  And it curbs my appetite all morning long.

5)  I'd also like to plan a 10-day juice fast again - possibly in October.

6) And finally, this is the first time in a year that I have not been signed up for a 5K.  I think I need to find a race and register.  I tend to better adhere to my running schedule when I've got a race coming up.

So, there are my thoughts.
Now let's hear yours!

Weight Maintenance

Weight maintenance - its really important.  As you can see by my weekly weigh-ins, I've had many weeks when I didn't lose weight. Sure, I was bummed. Its always fun to step on the scale and tick off another pound. But as I get closer to my natural weight, I realize that I'll be in a weight maintenance period much longer than I ever was in a weight loss period.

I'm now nearing six weeks without a loss. But with all that I have going on I count this as a big success. I'm not gaining. I'm holding steady. My body has been through a big transition over the past year and sometimes it needs space to adjust to the new weight. Even if my weight loss slowed to a crawl and I only dropped a pound a month, I'd still make my goal weight in two years at the ripe old age of 35.  See what I mean? I'd still reach my goal. Weight loss is progress, but so is weight maintenance. Hold your ground, take stock of your situation, journal, notice, relax, enjoy, keep your eye on the prize and one day - maybe tomorrow, maybe next month - you'll see the pounds start moving again.

New Goals and Weigh In - Week 53

I've had a wonderful week and a half to ruminate, journal and consider my goals for the remainder of 2012. Now that I've reached the 75 pound mark, I'm ready to continue forward with my weight loss and eventually weight maintenance. Eleventy-million years ago, I was a fit, healthy teen.  I played basketball and tennis and spent about nine to twelve hours a week doing some kind of cardio or weight lifting. During that time, I weighed between 160-165 pounds. I do not expect to ever weigh that much again, mainly because I've aged, had babies and live a completely different lifestyle. However, I think a reasonable goal weight for me at this age and stage of my life is between 185-190.

So, my new goal is to drop 25 pounds by December 31, 2012. This will take me from an original 288 pounds to 188 pounds during an 18 month period. I will do this by continuing my partially raw diet, juicing, and boot camp classes at Positively Fit Lake Highlands. I have another 5K planned for July 15th and would like to also run a 5 or 10K in the fall.

And while we're setting big lofty goals, let's just add my book to the pile! Not only will I drop 100 pounds by New Year's Eve, I'll also have a final draft of my yet to be named "Smaller Sarah" book. This all might sound a little "pie in the sky", but after losing 75 pounds I feel like I can do anything!

So there you have it.

The new plan is in place and I'm ready for the next chapter!

Pounds lost this week: 0

Total pounds lost: 75

The "I Did It" List

Spent 4 days in Zion National Park alone

trekked 35 miles while in Zion

ran 2 miles on my own

20 minutes of boot camp style strength training

attended a 2 hour Kundalini yoga class

attended a 2 hour yoga meditation cycle on Sunday morning 4-6am

ate lots of raw salads

drank LOTS of water

took my son camping overnight for the first time

took my family on a one-mile hike to Kolob Canyon

Gratitude

To all of you who have commented, emailed, texted, Facebooked and otherwise contacted me with messages of congratulations and support, Thank you! I am overwhelmed by the response from my last post and more motivated than ever to continue my work here at Smaller Sarah.

As you know, I spent the past four days celebrating the end of my Smaller Sarah year in Zion National Park. It was a fantastic journey and a much needed mental respite. I was able to recharge and make some plans for the second half of 2012, which I will be sharing with you shortly.  Until then, I wanted to share some of my Zion journey with you with this little video I made. I hope you enjoy it!

Thank you again for all your support this year.

I could not have done it without you!

The Year Is Over!

Moment of truth, dear readers! A year ago today, I set a goal to lose 75 pounds in 12 months. And I'm over-the-moon, pee-my-pants excited to announce that I did it! This has been one of the most difficult, thrilling years of my life. This journey has changed everything about my life that needed changing and emphasized all the wonderful things in my life worth celebrating. Its been a spectacular ride.

Okay - so how about some before and after photos just for fun?

A little back story, for the new readers...

In August 2009, 20 months after the birth of my first child, I tipped the scales at 300 pounds. I was happy and satisfied with most everything in my life except my weight. But I was a busy mom with a toddler. I thought I lacked the time and the will power to get healthy.

 Fast forward to to June 2011...

 My body had been through another pregnancy and I was not only caring for my three-year-old, but my 10 month old baby who was dealing with a host of medical issues. I had lost a few pounds, but it wasn't enough. I was feeling lethargic and less than present with my husband and children. I was experiencing low grade head aches, breathlessness, huge energy dips throughout the day and a general malaise of ick. On June 1, after reading an inspiring weight loss blog and eating an overly large breakfast, I decided that I was done being unhealthy - missing out on the beautiful life I had created for myself. I decided to change my ways. And that's just what I did.

So what happens when a 6 foot woman loses 75 pounds?
Here are the stats:

                   June 1, 2011                                                       June 1, 2012

                   288 lbs.                                                               213 lbs.
                   Size 24/26                                                           Size 14/16

                   Waist 48 inches                                                   Waist 36 inches

                   Body Mass Index 39.1                                        BMI 29.2

                   Body Fat Percentage 34.31%                              BFP 25.39%

And the other big loser in all of this is my husband, Jack. Jack has adopted many of my menu changes by virtue of the fact that I'm the one who prepares meals in our household. He did not do anything else except eat less sugar and more veggies. He dropped 30 pounds and has maintained that loss for four months.  Here is a shot of us from June 2011 and another from last night. Together, we've dropped a total of 105 pounds.

Thank you to all of you who have supported me along the way. I am forever grateful. I've had so much fun this year, that I'm going to continue blogging. Next week I'll weigh in as usual and announce my new goal. But this weekend, I'm going to take some time to celebrate the close of my Smaller Sarah year and my 75 pound loss. Thanks again, everyone!