The Sanskrit word for peace, it is repeated three times in the closing chant at the end of my Ashtanga yoga practice. Peace. Peace. Peace. I’m not religious, but if I had to describe my weekly moment of spiritual awakening that would be it. Shanti. Shanti. Shanti.
Peace with the past: Letting go of any and all anger towards other people, most of all myself for allowing me to get up to 311 lbs. Peace with the present: Embracing where I am in life right now and loving what I have, not stressing over what I don’t. Peace for the future: Knowing this is a lifelong journey and the best is still yet to come.
Most friends and co-workers are aware of my plan to get a third tattoo to celebrate losing 100 plans. Several months ago I talked about using a quote from the Buddha, but as time went on that changed and whenever I was asked what I was planning on getting I always told them I was keeping it secret for now.
Now I can tell you that I have decided to take the word “shanti” on as my third tattoo and it is going on my back. I’m telling you this because I officially earned it this morning. Oh yes, kids this is the one we’ve all been waiting for:
- My dress size has gone from a size 28 to a size 16
- My shoe size has gone from 9 to 7 1/2 (this one totally threw me)
- Bra size has dropped from 44 to 38
- I have lost 32% of my starting weight
- I am 2/3 of the way to goal
- Goal is a mere 48 lbs away
- I have taken up running and completed two 5Ks
- I practice yoga
- I like shopping now. Shopping suuuuuucks when you’re in a 28. That black skirt above was purchased on Saturday and believe me, I never before in my life owned a pencil skirt before and now I am totally in love with it.
- I don’t hate the heat as much as I used to
- I can feel bones in my body
- I am in desperate need of a new driver’s license
- I weigh less than I did when I graduated high-school
Wow. Such a motivation. I said it before but CONGRATULATIONS!!! I love that you do yoga, and are doing 5ks. I did one, and never ran again, but your positive attitude might be the boost I needed to get started when I can again. I assume you're still happy with WW? I'm considering incorporating it back into my plan, not totally sold on their new plan, but seeing it's still working is great to see 🙂
Keep up the hard word, You'll be at goal before you know it!
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Oh gosh, I totally forgot to say I LOVE the idea of Shanti for your next tattoo! Very fitting!
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Amazing!!! Congratulations!!
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I LOVE the new WW Plan. This is my third time, I did it in the past on older plans and was nowhere near as successful. I am definitely a big support of Points Plus.
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Thanks! It just kind of came to me one day and I realized it's perfect.
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Thank you!
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AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Can you hear me screaming all the way from Maryland?! SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And, of course, I love the tattoo idea. 😉
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Hahaha you crack me up 🙂
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Congratulations Jill, that is simply awesome. But take a better picture. That one doesn't do you justice.
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🙂 It was the best I could do at 7:30 in the morning with my iPhone.
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You are such an inspiration. Congrats on your accomplishments! You earned that tattoo big time.
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Thanks!
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Congrats! That is amazing. You are definitely and inspiration to us. Looking forward to watching your journey continue.
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Awww, thank you 🙂
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Congratulations to you! Job well done!
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Thank you!!
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Whoa, major congrats! It's a tough road, but you're totally getting there!
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Thanks!
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Congrats!
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Thank you!
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Hooray! I love that you are getting a tattoo too, I am considering my first one when I get to goal, but that is a long way off! I hope to join you at the 100+ lb lost club some time along the way though!
Proud of your hard work!
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Thank you! And I have no doubt you'll be joining us eventually 🙂
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I just recently came upon your blog!!! Congratulations!! I look forward to following you on this journey!!
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Aw! Thank you and welcome 🙂
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Congratulations! That is amazing. 100lbs is really incredible.
I know what you mean about the shoe size, except I am on the opposite end of the spectrum right now. It is so difficult to shop for shoes right now because I have really small feet, but they are very bloated and wide. When I lost weight, I was wearing a size 6. Now that I am much heavier again, I am at an 8, but most 8s don't fit properly because my feet are so wide. I can't wait to be smaller just so I can wear proper fitting shoes again.
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Thank you!
I was so not expecting the shoes. I mean, I knew my feet had gotten smaller but not THAT much smaller.
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I know this was a few months ago (in fact, almost exactly when I started my new lifestyle), but really I'm just smiling so big for you. Congratulations. What an achievement.
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