Losing 40lbs, and what I've learned.

It Gets Better

Edited by: The Sunday Best

As  we head full on into the "holiday" season, with its unbridled  consumerism, endless head-whacking charity pleas, and weird tie-ins, I  expected the links list to be inundated with shopping guides. Instead,  many dealt with what can only be considered harassment or, terribly,  abuse; several looked at blogging as a cathartic experience, others as a  rallying cry. I was lucky enough to be raised in an openly affectionate  household with two strong female presences in my mother and sister, and  this has undoubtedly affected my manner and attitudes as a married man.  Since I can't go around changing men and society, no matter how cool  that superpower would be, I offer this reminder, in what I believe is  the spirit of the season (when that spirit is allowed to express itself  unfettered): respect is the bare minimum we owe each other, and the bare  minimum we should expect from others. Respect is not necessarily  agreement, but it is always acknowledgment. For those who are struggling  this season--financially, emotionally, physically--I can only echo the  words of Tim Gunn, George Takei, and others when I say, "It gets  better." Happy Holidays.

Links à la Mode: December 2

• Analogue Chic 1 step forward, ten steps back: Skinnygirl by Bethenny Frankel
• Be Fabulous Daily Women at work: An immodest proposal
• Crimson Rosella My safe haven
• Finding Tokyo Why Paris is no longer the fashion capital of the world
• Independent Fashion Bloggers: The Comment Challenge
• Melina Bee How to host your own clothing swap in five easy steps
• Mrs Bossa Friend Friday Guest Post: Size Matters
• My Heart Blogged Losing 40 lbs., and what I've learned
• Oranges and Apples An ethics code for bloggers
• Piewacket Hot off the press
• Statements in Fashion My Alex, My Dragonfly
• Style Eyes A fashion bloggers mini guide to psychology
• The Button Owl Control freak
• The Chic Curve From the author: "Fat Bitch"
• The Coveted Nicole de Carle: Subversive Architectural Lingerie
• The Demoiselles Can't stand the hate: Cutting Bridalplasty down to size
• The Elegant Bohemian The sisterhood
• The Laugh Slut Giving thanks
• The Sunday Best Give him scotch
• Vogue Vintage The future of fashion blogging
• Wearabout Streets on the runway

SPONSOR:

Shopbop Swimwear: Bikinis by: Tibi, Rosa Cha, Clout, DVF, Red Carter, Thayer, http://www.shopbop.com/spanx/br/v=1/2534374302167112.htm?all">Spanx, http://www.shopbop.com/cosabella/br/v=1/2534374302023729.htm?all">Cosabella, & Shoshanna




I have lost 40lbs since April. I lost the weight because I knew I needed to be healthier. Weight is just a number, and it is not a defining quality. I will admit I was eating like crap, and very sedentary. I want to be healthy, and eat in moderation. Which can feel impossible sometimes. But, I'm doing my best.

I was getting to the point where nothing fit in my closet. Now, because I kept a lot of my old clothing, I get to shop in my own closet. It is kind of fun rediscovering things in my wardrobe that I haven't worn for years. For Halloween I was Peg Bundy, and wore a pair of skinny jeans I never thought I would wear again. The last time I wore these was around 4 years ago. All Halloween night it felt really awesome to rock them.

After

My boyfriend, and I. He was my Al Bundy.

We are a little tipsy here.

Before

 This was around my heaviest.

I feel better about myself, and more confident. I don't feel as sluggish as I used to. That was really my goal, to not scrape by in my own life. I just didn't have the energy to do the things I wanted. One thing people seem to forget is just because you lose weight doesn't mean you are going to be a whole new person, so love yourself at every point in your life. You will still be you. Losing weight won't change anything but your weight. 

Happy Shopping,

<3 Vanessa

P.S.

I can't believe I made Links à la Mode. I feel so honored. When I found out I jumped up in the air. My poor boyfriend thought I was cruh-a-zy. I want to thank everyone for reading this, Sparkpeople.com for inspiring me, and my boyfriend for loving me for me.