So, we’ve been on this lifestyle change this past year, and we have been “mehhh….” about it. I’m talking No Sugars No Grains (NSNG), Vinnie Tortorich’s way of eating (WOE). NSNG is just what is says – no sugar and no grains in the diet. I’ve been NSNG-ish for the past few years now; enjoying the occasional slice of cake or cookie; everything in moderation. I’ve been mostly NSNG, until the past month and a half.

Living with the in-laws, it has been quite difficult to enjoy this WOE. Big breakfasts and dinners, biscuits, bread (so much bread), potatoes, desserts each night; you name it, I’ve had it in my face. There has been a lot of negativity towards the way we have been trying to eat here, because it is not what the in-laws know. This summer, Squatch, Little Man, and I ate mostly meat, with the occasional vegetable as a side. I was happy, energetic, and not exhausted all the time! Squatch was going half the day without eating (intermittent fasting for the win!). We both lost some weight, even though we were not 100% dedicated.

I’ve not felt the greatest since moving up here, and it truly is all about my diet. I’ve had sandwiches, lots of cookies and slices of cake and brownies. If it’s there, I’m more likely to eat it, so when we were on our own, we would not buy it, or I would make something on the weekend when my parents were in town, so there were more of us to eat it, and we would enjoy the dessert and have nothing until the following weekend.

I did notice this summer that I went down a pant size, so that was awesome! I had my FIL add a few holes to my belt so I would not have to shell out the cash for a new, smaller one. Last week, I bought two new shirts at WalMart, one is a large and the other an XL. I’ve been wearing an XL shirt for a long time now, but thought I may be smaller, based on how some of my other shirts have been fitting. The first shirt I picked up is an oversized black plaid button down, and I got it in a Large. When I went to town with the MIL last weekend, I picked up another one, in a blue-ish plaid, and didn’t really pay attention to the size of it. Well, I pulled out the blue-ish shirt today; I only have a few long-sleeve shirts right now, as the rest of them are with my winter gear in storage, and I just was not feeling the black top. I pulled it on and went upstairs, and I realized that the shirt was extremely loose. I mean, it’s practically falling off my shoulders. Even my MIL commented on the fit of the shirt, that it is too big.

Folks, I have not worn a size Large top in 8 years or so. This is a huge win for me, and a no-scale victory (I cannot actually remember the last time I stepped on a scale; probably last summer at my 6-week post-partum appointment). NSVs are those little wins that have nothing to do with the number on the scale: fitting into smaller size clothing, being able to run a mile (or more, if you’re into that), seeing the difference in your face based on pictures; you get what I’m saying? My first NSV this summer was the smaller size pants, now I’ve a second win.

Squatch and I were discussing NSNG and how to get back on track, so keep an eye out for more wins!