Some pretty exciting things have transpired since my last blog post!  On May 3, 2014 I finally crossed the threshold into ONEderland (for those of you who do not know, ONEderland is crossing out of the 200lb range into the 100lb range)!! Let me take you back to the very moment it happened: I step onto the scale at the gym for my monthly measurements. I look forward while my trainer keeps his eye on scale dial as it evens out. I look down briefly and notice the arm of the dial is not going above the ‘200’ mark. I immediately assumed I must not have all of my weight distributed onto the scale- I adjust myself and wait. I look down again. The scale reads “198”. I look up at my trainer and he claps his hands and says “Erika… you’re in ONEderland”. And then I cried. This was one of the biggest milestones in my weight loss journey: something I have been looking forward to after losing my first pound! Just to give you a taste of my excitement: the last time I weighed less than 200lbs? I was in high school. TAKE THAT High school self!! So yes, I was excited to say the least.

What made this milestone so much more gratifying has been the outpouring support I have experienced since. I can tell you, from experience, that community has taken the most integral role in my weight loss success. Quite a few “congratulations”, personal messages, and celebratory comments have made this latest accomplishment that much sweeter. Having a community of friends, family, and even strangers supporting you and rooting for you is what gets me through each and every struggle. I can’t begin to articulate how profoundly grateful I am to everyone for the encouragement and strength you have given and continue to give me every day. Recently, my fiancée, Laura, shared my story on a facebook page “Fitbit friends” and I received an OVERWHELMING response from the members- it was truly amazing. I also gained some new blog and Instagram followers in the process! Yay for community!!

Next item up for discussion: my eating habits. Before I made the crossover into ONEderland, I had struck a very large and long (that’s what she said) plateau. I had to admit to myself that the reason I was struggling was because I was feeding my body the way I ought to be. I had discovered a food “cleanse” of sorts some time ago that I considered trying- I decided that this would be the tool I could use to get myself out of this funk. I was ECSTATIC to find that I was able to get under the 200lb mark without this strict eating structure, but it was still something I had committed to do. The very next day, I started the food “purge”.

I have challenged myself by committing to a new eating plan called “The Whole30”. You can get some more information on it by clicking on the link. The plan, along with supportive tips and shopping lists, is completely free on their webpage. The basics are this: eat only whole, nutritionally beneficial foods for 30 days. Nothing processed can cross your lips. OH! And my favorite part (can you feel the sarcasm?) is that you are forbidden from weighing or measuring yourself for those 30 days. If you fail, you start at day 1. One of my favorite rules that is outlined on the page is about indulging:

“Don’t even consider the possibility of a “slip.” Unless you physically tripped and your face landed in a box of doughnuts, there is no “slip.” You make a choice to eat something unhealthy. It is always a choice, so do not phrase it as if you had an accident.”

Well that’s some powerful verbage there, is it not? Yes, I’ll admit the plan is harsh. It is not something that would be sustainable for me to continue for the rest of my life. HOWEVER, this plan isn’t a promise for you to lose 20 lbs in a month. It is a promise that, if you commit to it completely, you will forever alter your relationship with food. That is something I have desperately needed. My eating habits have certainly changed radically throughout this weight loss process, but I still have an emotional connection to food that has held me back from reaching my full potential. This program has helped me to recognize my body’s signals and re-visualize food as fuel rather than an amenity.

So here I am, at day 14 of my Whole30 challenge. I can tell you that I am proud of the decisions I have made, the commitment I have to myself to finish this, and the discipline to follow through. There are countless times I could have “fallen off the wagon” and given up. I will remain steadfast in this program. The only person I would be letting down if I were to fail is me. This program and process is not about anyone else- it’s a personal endeavor. With that being said, I am looking forward to June… mostly because I do feel as though I could eat a pound of chicken wings. In the meantime, this program has forced me to invent some rather interesting and very healthy recipes! Be on the lookout for some new posts in the recipe section if you are interested!

Now on the fitness side of things: I officially registered for my first 5K! I’ll be participating in the Gay 5K in Buffalo for Pridefest on May 29th with some of my best friends! In addition to that, Laura and I joined our gym’s team, Best for the Cure, in the annual Ride for Roswell! We will be raising funds for Roswell Park Cancer Institute and riding the 44 mile country course. I, of course, would be so very grateful if you felt inclined to donate to our ride! Every dollar counts! This will be my first Ride for Roswell experience and I am proud to say that I will be riding in memory of my mother who lost her battle to breast cancer at the age of 32 over 17 years ago. This one is for you, mom!