Another new writer for the Sisterhood! {Introducing Val} | The Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans LLC

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Yesterday we told you we’d brought on two new writers and introduced you to Judith. Today I’m so excited for you to meet Val. She’s going to bring a unique perspective to our site, and I cannot wait for you to get to know her better. Please give Val a warm Sisterhood welcome!

Sometimes I just have to pinch myself. You know, those days that you have in which you are almost overwhelmed with your blessings! (Yes, I’m one of “those” people – forever an optimist!)

Let me introduce myself – my name is Val Wagner and I’m a new member of the Sisterhood. And I can’t believe I’m here!

As a mother of four (and I just turned 38), I’ve always struggled with weight and body image issues. Having four children in less than 6 years didn’t help matters any. I’m what some would consider “busty,” so exercise isn’t always my friend. But in the last year, I’ve decided that it’s about time that I take responsibility for my own destiny and start working towards a healthier me! I’m not where I want to be, but I’m better than where I was…isn’t that the truth?!

I live in southeast North Dakota, where we celebrate every event with food, cook with butter and cream, and get nervous around skinny cooks. But I’m finding ways to make my heritage dishes healthier, as well as realizing that a great meal now and then can be worth the work later.

I didn’t realize how difficult my struggle with body image had become, until my now-8-year-old said to me, “Mom, how much weight do you think I need to lose?” It was a wake-up call that the issue should never be a number, but a feeling. And health. And peace.

What do I hope to bring to all of you? Well, to start, positive energy, positive attitude, and perhaps the push you need to keep going!

But I also farm and ranch and work hard to show people where their food comes from – so maybe you have a question or two I can answer, or maybe I can connect you to people who can give you answers. There’s nothing I enjoy more than having conversations with people who wonder just we do here on the farm!

And last, but certainly not least, my youngest son has a metabolic condition that doesn’t allow his body to breakdown protein. His story is a long one, but we’ve fought hard for every one of his amazing six years! And we’ll keep fighting for each one we’re blessed with from here on out. But through his journey, I have learned a lot from our dietitians at the Mayo Clinic, as well as the amazing abundance of food choices we have in this amazing country of ours.

Well, that’s me in a nut shell. I am so excited to start on this journey!

Weight loss, healthier eating, healthier living – it all starts the same.

You can’t begin your journey until you take a step.

Here’s to a wonderful 2015!

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