Despite being ill for a couple of days (I'm pretty run down from stress and a few other little niggley things, so not getting as much exercise in as I had planned) I've lost another 2lbs! I've also taken my measurements for the first time since I started out on Spark People and I've lost 2 inches to my waist, 2.5inch to my hips, 1.5inch to my thighs and 0.5inch to my upper arms! It was really nice seeing those reductions on top of the numbers on the scale, it really helped to reiterate the changes I'm making. I'm also starting to see the changes in my body. It's taken a while, but I'm starting to see (and feel the difference)

I've been thinking about the key changes I've made, and I wanted to write down the ones that I feel have really helped me get to where I am, currently, and will hopefully help me to move forward!

-I think eating a healthy breakfast, every single day has been my most significant change and perhaps the most important. I used to either grab a quick protein/raw bar and munch that before work, or I'd just grab a snack bag of crisps or something similar and eat that whilst I was working. Eating breakfast has really helped me to set the tone for the day with regards to health, and stopped me reaching for whatever crap I can find, just to fill the hole in my belly until lunch.

-I've been getting plenty of sleep. Whereas before, I was forcing myself to stay up later than I should have, or struggling to sleep at all, I'm falling asleep at a regular time each night, pretty much without fail, and I'm waking up without having to press the snooze button at all, when before I'd push it at least twice, especially during the colder months!

-I've been vegan for around 5 years, and have mostly eaten healthily (I've got a good grasp of nutrition-I did a lot of research before and during my transition to veganism.), I just didn't really have much of a grasp on portion sizes and I've had trouble with disordered eating and emotional eating, but I've really learnt about portion sizes and I'm really learning my triggers and new ways to handle my emotions without resorting to binging.

-I've been eating a lot of whole-grains, fresh fruits and vegetables. I've also been doing a lot of large batch cooking so that I've got food planned out and prepared for the week so that I don't get caught short. I've been cooking a lot from Appetite for Reduction by Isa Chandra Moskowitz, and The Happy Herbivore by Lindsay S. Nixon. Both books focus on low fat, healthy, nutritionally balanced vegan food, with full nutritional information and the food is tasty and filling and fun. I recommend them both, highly to anyone, whether vegan, vegetarian or omnivore!

-Healthy snacking: fruit, peanut butter, crudites, nuts, seeds, hummus, crackers...

-Finally, just little things to keep myself moving and active, such as always taking the stairs, or walking up the escalator, walking to work at a faster pace than usual.

I'd love to read about anyone else's key changes that have had a positive impact on their weight loss/health journey!