Time to get back on the wagon. Let's go. I'm back. 

 Hi, everyone.

Sorry I haven't been around much. I'm really trying to blog more consistently but that doesn't always happen.

WW is still going well. I really like the meetings, even though they're virtual. I feel so uplifted by them and the people in them. 

Today I took my friend Cecilia out for lunch to celebrate her birthday. We went to Blaze Pizza, because they make those cute little mini-pizzas, and I ate one (half at the restaurant, half later) and it was all delicious, but my stomach is unbelievably upset now. Also, the super-rich greasiness of it led me to binge on mandarin oranges later, which is the weirdest thing possible. I mean, I guess six or eight little cups of those things is not a binge per se, but it was more than I wanted to eat, and I haven't felt out of control around food in a long time. I think, the next time I go back, I will be getting a salad. I feel miserable physically and I also feel a bit sad because I know today I made a choice that doesn't support my goals. Still, Cecilia was happy, and I'm glad she's my friend, and I was glad to celebrate her. 

I'm proud of my progress overall, though, and I feel like I will make up for this in the next few days. It's just a blip. And it's something I've learned about myself: maybe say no to pizza next time. And for now, I'm practicing not beating myself up or becoming morose over something like this. And drinking lots and lots of water. 

Until next time,

Simone 

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Sunday, 23 March 2025
(The Third Sunday in Lent)
Location: Ohio (home)
Reading: Last Train to London by Meg Waite Clayton 
Weight: 300.2 lbs. (136 kg) 

 Hi, everyone!

Feast of St. Patrick fit check

There's something I've been meaning to talk to you about. 

In the last few days, I've pivoted from intermittent fasting to Weight Watchers (WW) as my primary means of weight loss. I made this decision a while back and started the transition on Friday of last week. 

I came to this decision for a number of reasons, but the main one was that, while I felt good doing IF, it's not a sustainable long-term solution. Five or ten years from now, I do not still want to be bound by that way of eating. To use the super cliche dichotomy everyone's heard, a diet and a lifestyle change are not the same thing. I feel that, at least for me, IF was more of a diet, while WW is more of a lifestyle-- one that is designed to adjust with you as you lose weight and even once you're in maintenance. 

I did really well on IF-- I lost about seventy pounds on it, felt really good, had some big wins, and it was a really great tool for that part of my journey. It served me well, but now it's time for the next stage of the journey. 

So far, I really like it. Tracking is much easier and less taxing in my executive function than I would have guessed. It almost feels like a game. I also really enjoy the meetings. Even though I live in the Valley of the Shadow of Meth without a car, and don't have access to much of anything in person, I've gone to a few of the virtual meetings, and I really enjoyed them. The coaches are nice, everyone seems supportive and helpful, and you learn good tips. 

Anyway, I don't want to make more out of this than it is-- just a pivot from one tool to another. I just wanted to let you all know. 

Today was a good day! Plenty of energy, higher-than-usual well-being, no more shark week, and I even decided to walk home from school! As much as I needed the break this past week, I was excited to be back on campus and see people. 

Still very convinced that beans on toast is the most elite breakfast. Change my mind. 

Until next time,

Simone

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Monday, 17 March 2025
(Monday in the Second Week of Lent)
Location: Ohio (home)
Reading: The Girl from the Grand Hotel by Camille Aubray 
Weight: 306.9 lbs. (139.2 kg) 

 Hi, everyone!

I've had another really good day today-- I even cooked! I mean, I kind of made it up as I went along, but still, I cooked! 

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Sunday, 16 March 2025
(The Second Sunday in Lent)
Location: Ohio (home)
Reading: The Girl from the Grand Hotel by Camille Aubray 
Weight: 308.0 lbs. (139.7 kg) 🦈

 Hi, everyone!

Today I had the best day, in terms of productivity and executive function but also just general well-being, that I've had in a while. I discovered a new safe food, and, my fellow Americans, we have been sleeping on the most elite breakfast: baked beans on toast. It's vegan (if you use plant butter on the toast and make sure to buy beans that aren't cooked with ham or bacon), it's pretty quick, it's easy, and it's full of protein! I had that, some canned pear slices, and a vanilla protein shake, and it was basically the perfect meal. So that is for sure going in the rotation. 

Spring break is coming to a close, and I got a lot less done around the house than I meant to, but I feel okay about that. You also may have noticed my weight-- very cool, but I'm not going to get too excited about it, since it was the day after a 24-hour fast and a lot of what I lost is probably water weight, and will probably be back tomorrow. But it's still cool to see numbers like that, and I know it's just a preview of what I'll achieve in the future! 

Until next time,

Simone

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Saturday, 15 March 2025
(Saturday in the First Week of Lent)
Location: Ohio (home)
Reading: The Girl from the Grand Hotel by Camille Aubray 
Weight: 308.8 lbs. (140 kg) 🦈

 Hi, everyone!

Well, thanks to the hormones, I've been in my feelings all day. I didn't get much done today, but I did take a shower (a very high-difficulty executive function task for me) so I'm proud of that. A full-day water-only fast during Shark Week is rough. But I did it! I have a feeling it's going to be an early night for me. I'm totally wiped. 

Until next time,

Simone

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Friday, 15 March 2025
(Friday in the First Week of Lent)
Location: Ohio (home)
Reading: The Girl from the Grand Hotel by Camille Aubray 
Weight: 312.2 lbs. (141.6 kg) 🦈

 Hi, everyone.

Not blogging for the past two days was sort of a conscious decision on my part. Tuesday was the birthday (and death anniversary) of someone very close to me, and I normally take that day each year to myself and don't worry about much except self-care. That ended up being two days this year, and I'm fine with that. I also didn't weigh myself either day, because on days when I'm one thing away from a full-on menty b, I don't want to give myself that one thing in the form of the scale. 

Also, (GENTLEMEN AVERT THINE EYES) my period came today-- EIGHT DAYS early!! What's up with that?? I mean, that would explain why my weight hasn't budged in a week and the uptick in desire to write slightly emo poetry, but seriously? Eight days? Ughhhhh...

In general, though, I am not super hungry, craving anything too badly, or feeling like I'm not eating enough. I am going to make an effort to get a little more fat (read: avocado toast with a big glug of olive oil) in my diet, because I don't think I'm getting enough. The protein shake situation continues to improve-- vanilla protein powder, oat milk, the oat milk creamer, and the chai spice blend is a good combination. I'm going to keep experimenting-- maybe with some different berries or fruit. If you have any suggestions, I'd love to know!

Tomorrow is a water fast, and I feel ready for it. I'm also hoping to do some housework and take a shower tomorrow. 

That's all I have for you today. 

Until next time,

Simone

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Thursday, 14 March 2025
(Thursday in the First Week of Lent)
Location: Ohio (home)
Reading: nothing right now (finished On Second Thought) 
Weight: 313.9 lbs. (142.5 kg) 🦈