The JOLLY Green Giant

When I began my weight loss journey in 2010 I searched for a community that would hold me accountable for my goals.  I finally found a weight loss center that required me to come in once a month to get weighed, provided a B12 shot, AND prescription pills that suppressed my appetite.  I only took half of the pill because taking the entire pill left me jittery and sped up my heart rate... HATED the feeling.  Now that I'm looking back I should have ditched it all together.  My eating habits changed drastically but was so boring -_- ! Needless to say I played it safe and ate basically chicken, fish, and broccoli. Though it was boring I was still excited about being "IN CONTROL".  As I am reflecting on this particular journey I feel that my lack of SPICE and ADVENTURE played a major part in me lacking the motivation to get back on track.  So!, this time around I was determined to not fall victim to the redundancy of poultry and the go to veggie, broccoli. However, it was not as simple as I'm making it sound.  I have a way with words (lol).

I spent hours upon hours on Pinterest searching for "healthy meals" but would get nowhere.  I even had my supervisor, whom of which is a vegetarian helping me.  She would talk about how she would create meals without meat!  Can you believe that?!  This thick sistah from the south could not wrap her head around the idea of not eating meat.  I mean, without meat could you really have a balanced meal?! No, not according to me grandmother.  As far as she is concerned you cant trust anyone who does not eat meat.  So, how the hell did I, this meat loving chick from the south get to the point where she would go 2-3 days without eating meat?  Well, the answer to that question is still a mystery to myself.  But I can tell you who planted this seed.

As I scrolled through Instagram one late night I came across a photo posted by Chrisette Michele (<-----direct link to her Instagram).  She is currently writing a book of recipes titled, Fat Vegan. Her food looked sooooo good! So, I researched her and came across an interview she had done for The Breakfast Club (a radio show).  For those of you who would like to view the interview I have provided the video for you.

Long story short, she talks about juicing and how empowered she felt by consuming raw, fresh foods. So, I gave myself two weeks, TWO to try this thang out.  I had to try it for myself because it just aint possible for a black girl from the south to bad mouth meat! Nonetheless I researched green smoothie recipes.  Ms. Michele juiced but I prefer smoothies so I found a recipe that gave me an idea of where to start and put my own little spin on it. Yep! Gotta give my food some J Flav!  In my smoothie was: Kale, Spinach, Green Apple, Celery, Parsley, 1/2 cup of Aloe Juice, 1/2 cup of Almond Milk (unsweetened), 1 tbs of plain Greek Yogurt, fresh Ginger, 1 tbs of Almond Butter, banana, blueberries (or whatever fruit), and a DASH of Honey (local). I LOVED IT!!!

For two weeks I drank a green smoothie for breakfast and tried to eat at least two meatless meals a day. Surprisingly, it was not as difficult as I thought.  I found new ways to cook my veggies and went CRAZY. When my trial period was up I forced myself to be alone with my thoughts.  For the first time in a long time I listened to my body.  Not only did my body love me for all the extra attention I had given it, mind and soul did as well.  I felt spiritually lighter and felt more in control of my emotional well being ( I will discuss this in a future post).  Now, its second nature for me to make a meal and not incorporate meat.  HOWEVER, when I'm gathering with loved ones for family functions I partake in the beasts and enjoy myself (part time vegetarian). Then, I'm back to my fruit and veggies on Monday.  Its not hard or difficult because this time around I'm not on a "fad" diet and my body, mind, and spirit wont let me forget it!

One BIG OL' mess hunni!

Prior to finding out I was pregnant in January of 2011 I had lost 50 pounds!!! Yeeeeeah baby! It had taken me a year to do so.  However, I was so elated that I had taken control of my body and actually followed through with my weight loss goals.  I had been battling with my weight since I was 5 years old!  Unfortunately, my second trimester hit me like a ton of bricks! I was trying to finish graduate school, was in Chicago without my family, completing my internship, AND I WAS MAKING A BABY! Needless to say I gained all that damn weight back! 

Now, I figured that I wouldn't worry about it.  I planned to lose the weight after I dropped that load.... *crickets* Yeah, that AINT happen! I was emotionally drained from the demands of being a new mother and going through a breakup.  Shit got out of control and I was ROUND.  No matter what I did I could not get the motivation to lose the weight.  The stress from a new job, moving, and trying to live up to my own expectations was killing me, literally.  So, I began from the inside out.

I sought out to repair my emotional and mental self.  I needed to be happy with me REGARDLESS of my weight.  For the past year I have faced my mirror and damn if it was UGLY! (lol).  I began peeling back the layers of one stank ass onion and viewing myself in its rawest form.  This process has been emotional, rocky, and draining but uplifting and necessary!  It has taken a year for me to find motivation and boy oh boy did I find it!  

This time around I set no "goals".  Specifically,  I do not have an ideal weight to reach at an ideal time.  Also, I'm not going to pretend that I didn't eat "THAT" because I DID! I remind myself that I am human and that I am attempting to change 26 years of unhealthy habits.  That shit aint happening overnight and if you think so, STOP LYING TO YOURSELF! "Oh #$%!, I cheated embraces my attitude towards this movement.  You cheated? okay! GET OVER IT and try again tomorrow.  From a meat lover to part time vegetarian, I am changing my lifestyle one day at a time!

June 13, 2010... pre-baby

July 2011...On the way to the Taste of Chicago... ROUND

January 2012...post-baby...face is FULL as &^%$

July 4, 2013... Long way to go BUT LOVING THE PROGRESS!