About Me
Hi! Thanks for visiting my blog. I’m Gina (Gi) and I underwent gastric sleeve surgery on June 26th 2017. In the last 6 months, I’ve lost over 125lbs.
Through my weight loss journey, I’ve rekindled my love of all things health and wellness related. Through my instagram account (@gi.shrinking) and this blog, I’m sharing my journey and the tips and tricks learned along the way for a balanced lifestyle. Hope you enjoy!
Gi.Shrinking Instagram
Before my #vsg I was wearing a size 26. I probably could have worn a 28 but refused to buy them. Now, ending the 2018 calendar year I’m feeling proud in a size 14. Let me write that again, Size 14!!!!! 🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯 This is the first time in my adult life that I can say that 👯♀️👯♀️ It’s been a transition leaving my beloved plus size clothing brands and curvy clothing models. Shopping for new sizes, all the models seems so tiny to me... I can’t see myself in their clothes yet. No complaints here though, all part of this amazing journey 😊🤗 #nsv
Fail to plan, plan to fail 🍅🌶🥦🥑🍗🍤🥫🧀🍳🍽 Meal prep for the week that I made on Sunday evening. I was sick all weekend but knew I’d be more inclined to make impulsive meal choices if I didn’t prep for the week. For instance, tonight I wanted to stop and pickup some sushi or wings on my way home, but then remembered my fridge is full. Knowing I have a fridge packed with nutritious, mostly organic, lean protein and veggies helps keep me in line - especially during this whacky holiday season!! I might want my favorite chili roll w/ extra ginger for dinner, BUT I’m having slow cooked shredded chicken breasts with salsa and peppers 💪🏽💪🏽 #mealprep
Happy Monday! Wishing you a calm peaceful week filled with self care and self love ❤️ Last week, I allowed a bunch of things I can’t control effect my mood and demeanor ... well, not today! Started the week off right with a grounding meditation and stretch session. Looking forward to a productive day at work followed by a great workout - Yas Queen! #motivationmonday
67% body fat vs. 36% body fat 👊🏽🙌🏽🙏🏽 Day late on the #transformationtuesday pic, but honestly who cares. I’m so grateful for the progress I’ve made and so excited to see where the rest of this year and next year will lead me. Life is good 💛
Sunday Night Meal Prep - Egg muffins with Spinach and Ricotta, Chicken with Mashed Cauliflower, Artichokes, Cauliflower Steaks, Shrimp with Broccoli and Mushrooms and Chinese inspired Spicy Chicken with Eggplant and Peppers 🍤🍗🌶🍆🥒🥦 #mealprepsunday
F🤘🏽ck yes! At this mornings workout, I was reminded to be my biggest fan and stop doubting myself. My new coach, Amir, told us to hang from the pull up bar and do 3 sets of bent leg raises. Without even trying I immediately said “I can’t do that”, to which he replied “ok, well at least try first “. Sure enough, I was able to do them. He came up to me and said “many people in life will tell you that there are things you can’t do, don’t be one of those people. You need to be your biggest fan!” He is absolutely right. I’ve spent so many years feeling limited and restricted by what my body was able to do that I still am afraid to try new things at times. This is going to be the year of breaking those negative thoughts. I will continue to remind myself that I’m stronger then I think and that if I put my mind to it - there’s nothing I can’t achieve. Positive mind self for the win! 👊🏽💪🏽👊🏽 #positivethinking
The difference between 2 years! On the left, I’m 29, well over 300lbs and was winded just walking a couple blocks to get pumpkins. On the right, I’m 31, close to breaking 200lbs and had just cycled 18 miles that morning 🤯🤯 I’ve been down on myself lately that my progress isn’t where it “should” be, that I “should” be doing more and “should” weigh less. However, I then see pics like this one on the left and say to myself, “Gina, stop shoulding on yourself”. These old pics immediately remind me of the misery I was in and the gratitude I have for where I am today ❤️ Little by slowly I will reach all my goals and continually learn to love the journey 💪🏽 #transformationtuesday
Some of my meal prep for the week! Lots of muted colors, but I promise it’s still nutritious and delicious🙈🤷🏽♀️🙈 Took a little time tonight to make sure I’m prepped and ready for a successful week! We’ve got salmon and shrimps with cauliflower “fried” rice, slow cooked chicken breasts with lemon charred broccoli, a homemade marinara sauce that I’ll use throughout the week, broiled asparagus and last but not least - lobster salad from my favorite fish market 🤤🤤#mealprep
Champions are the ones stubborn enough to keep showing up. Whether it's sweating in the gym, prepping food in the kitchen or forcing myself to drink 64oz water/take my vitamins, I work to improve my health daily! Simple but not easy... if it’s important you gotta do it *Every Damn Day* #mondaymotivation
Getting ready for the holiday season with this colorful bariatric friendly appetizer. Instead of making an antipasto spread, I made individual skewers last night for my friends annual Friendsgiving. Found this idea while browsing thru Pinterest and loved it! By looking at the macros for each ingredient, you can figure out the cals/protein/carbs etc. per skewer and allows for better portion control. Will def be making this again soon.
Good morning! Started my day by receiving such a nice random act of kindness!! For about 3 years I’ve been going to the same ☕️☕️ shop everyday on my way to work. I used to see this one guy all the time and then one day, he was gone. I hadn’t seen him for at least a year until yesterday morning when we exchanged smiles, said a quick hello and went about our business. When I went to get my coffee today, the barista told me that after I left he went on for about 5 mins saying how he didn’t recognize me, how I looked and carried myself like a different person, how he wondered how I lost so much weight and how he was happy for me. She told me he left $10 with her and said to buy my coffee for the rest of the week! I don’t even know his name and he made my day - so sweet and kind! #randomactsofkindness
I will NEVER get tired of trying on this dress. The pic on the left was the night before my surgery and I remember feeling relieved that I’d lost some weight so that this dress would def fit for my best friends wedding, anxious to be in the hospital the next morning and excited for the changes to come. I thought I knew what was ahead of me but I had no idea just how amazing and life altering it would to be. It’s only been 16 months and so many parts of my life have improved. First and foremost - I’m healthy! My levels are good and my heart and body are strong. Secondly - I’m happy! I wake up ready for the gym, proud of what I’ve accomplished before 6am and welcome the day to come (so different from hitting snooze and being in a food coma). Thirdly - I’m confident! I’m not afraid to take up space, acknowledge my progress, ask for help and/or admit my fears and vulnerabilities to others. For years I pretended to be confident and that everything was “fine”. It was exhausting! Living authentically, where I am today, is a gift. I’m not doing this journey perfectly, and I hit road bumps allll the freaking time, but it’s worth the effort and the dedication. Life is good 🤗 #transformationtuesday
