Basmati

It has been two full weeks since I started SlimGenics. It has been two full weeks since I decided that there is better to be had in life. It has been two full weeks since I determined that no one could make the decision to lose weight for me. Today is January 22, and I am 20 pounds lighter than I was two full weeks ago.

Yes, there is a long way to go (I always throw that caveat in there, don't I?), but 20 pounds is nothing to scoff at. In fact, I am pumped. Super pumped. It has been exciting to see the number shrink each time I step on the scale, and I am even more excited that I can see and feel my body changing little by little every day. The reality of weight loss, though, was made most tangible and clear to me at today's weigh in. As I was about to leave after a VERY encouraging check in, the counselor, Ryan, said, "Steve, before you go, I have a test for you." He led me over to the very familiar scale area and pointed at a huge burlap bag of basmati rice I had hardly noticed before. He said, "Steve, pick that up. How much do you think that weighs?" I lifted it off the ground, thinking, "Damn, this mofo is HEAVY!" It didn't take long for me to figure out what was going on...I was holding a 20 pound bag of basmati. 

I stood there for a second, thinking first about how ridiculously heavy the bag felt, and how ABSURD it is that I was carrying it around ON ME two weeks ago! Even for that short amount of time standing there, I felt my knees start to ache. My knees haven't hurt in over a week--it doesn't take Sherlock Holmes to make that connection. It was such a powerful moment for me--to see weight loss as something other than digits changing on the scale or friendly trips to the mirror. I'm literally shrinking.

So, it has been two full weeks, and I am a bulk bag of rice lighter. Maybe I'll lift a Mini Cooper on my last day.

Steve