justWEIGHT – Apr. 12 – Week #15 – Day #1 (Day 102 of 365 – lost .2 lb.) Total loss 11.0 lbs, 41.0 to go!

We’re having ice cream tonight! One thing I have heard when on various weight loss plans is to have that One Weekly Splurge if that is something that keeps you motivated. Although the justWEIGHT plan is designed to be specific, yet very flexible by substitution, I have not had the problem of needing that splurge due to the fact that it’s unlikely I will ever strap myself to eating what is on any menu plan exactly as it appears, day in and day out. Is this a piece of cake (pun intended)? Maybe. If it is truly cake that I may be craving one day, then I find a Weight Watcher’s snack cake can fix that problem easily. Almost every day this plan allows at least one yummy snack to smooge that sweet tooth. After all, we are taking this slow…the right way.

justWEIGHT – Apr. 10 – Week #14 – Day #6 (Day 100 of 365 – lost 1 lb.) Total loss 10.6 lbs, 41.4 to go!

I re-reached (is that a word?) the 20% weight loss point of this journey. Still not where I need to be but gaining good ground every day. Since I had fallen 3 pounds behind, I have made small changes in the daily menu this week and I can tell they are really helping. I substituted grapes rather than chips one day at lunch. I ate oatmeal one morning for breakfast and skipped the toast, cut a small baked potato in half and still had plenty. Five girlfriends took me out for a birthday dinner this week and one of them was really happy to split the salmon dinner special with me. You get the point. I am following the plan with smart adjustments…learning to be flexible. Take No Detours because it works.

justWEIGHT – Apr. 9 – Week #14 – Day #5 (Day 99 of 365 – same weight) Total loss 9.6 lbs, 42.4 to go!

Take ONE Homemade Brownie and Take The Rest To A Neighbor – You think I’m kidding, right? How many times have you made brownies or homemade cookies and realize you have eaten so many that you can’t even share with your family because it’s so obvious what you have done? I have actually stashed sweets in my closet and finished them off the next day all by myself just to save the embarrassment of my addiction. I think that would be called guilt on top of guilt, which just throws gas on the fire. I was scheduled to have a planning meeting yesterday for a graduation party and had two painters in my home, so they just came here for sandwiches. I had nothing in the house to offer for dessert, so I whipped up a pan of brownies. I did eat one, but when everyone left, there were six big brownies left in that pan. The painters took a break around 3:00 and I handed each of them a bottle of cold water and three brownies. I never got a better paint job and got rid of those tempting calories.

justWEIGHT – Apr. 8 – Week #14 – Day #4 (Day 98 of 365 – lost .2 lbs) Total loss 9.6 lbs, 42.4 to go!

We know anything worthwhile is a Long-Term Commitment. We also know a picture is worth a thousand words. I was hoping to be able to show a new picture at this point with a 13 pound loss, but since I forgot that little tidbit of wisdom of committing long-term, the picture will have to wait. It is coming, though, I can promise, hopefully sooner than later. I’m very proud of the .2 I lost today and am hoping for more than a full pound by the end of the week.

justWEIGHT – Apr. 7 – Week #14 – Day #3 (Day 97 of 365 – same weight) Total loss 9.4 lbs, 42.6 to go!

Learn a New Lesson Today is like swimming up stream. Still no weight loss, but stayed the same again today. I’m secretly hoping for one of those “big drops”, but figure my lesson is probably that I’ve been all talk and no action for the past few weeks. I actually got on the treadmill this morning and did a normal paced walk for 20 minutes. Didn’t burn many calories and didn’t really breath hard, but it is a start. Had a brown bag meeting at noon, so I ate lunch at home before I went, grabbed a bottle of water, and it was a snap. Tonight I met my husband and business associates at a very nice restaurant, ordered grilled salmon, grilled asparagus and a salad. I did not pick up the bread, order an appetizer or dessert. One of the men ordered a chocolate decadent lava cake and asked for extra forks. As it was passed around the table, I did take a small bite. It was wonderful and that was enough.

justWEIGHT – Apr. 6 – Week #14 – Day #2 (Day 96 of 365 – same weight) Total loss 9.4 lbs, 42.6 to go!

According to my Weight Chart, today I should have reached my 25% weight loss goal. I weigh the same as yesterday and hope the fast gain of the past two weeks has settled and my good behavior will soon be rewarded with good results. It Gets Easier is today’s lesson. Hmmmmm, hasn’t so far. Oh, some days, even some weeks go well. It’s v-e-r-y slow weight loss, and then I lose my head and all the knowledge I ever learned and bam…up four or five pounds. Have I been here before? Only dozens of times in my life. That’s usually when I get totally down and just give up trying. Not this time. I don’t really know if it gets easier. I’ll have to let you know that one later. I don’t have a trainer. I don’t have advertisers paying me for staying on track. All I have is the will and the know how that the justWEIGHT plan will work. I don’t know how long it will take me to make up for lost ground, but I was perfect yesterday, I’ll be perfect today and again tomorrow. I pray that it will get easier.

justWEIGHT – Apr. 5 – Week #14 – Day #1 (Day 95 of 365 – gained 1.6 lbs) Total loss 9.4 lbs, 42.6 to go!

Have Faith In Yourself – Well, that’s a good quote, but right now, it’s probably the hardest thing in the world for me to do. Do I feel like a failure? Yep! I’m not looking for a shoulder to cry on here, more like straps and a whip. I just got home from a four day trip after only being home three days following another four day trip. I’m hopeless! Travel will be the end of me where weight is concerned. Food, food, everywhere. I can tell from the way my rings fit that I am full of water and not the good kind. Confession is good for the soul? Let’s try this one on for size. Upon completion of the first quarter, I am 3.59 pounds from my three month goal. I am going to try and have faith in myself, because no one other than my mother could right now. I have done well today and hopefully you won’t have to listen to me having a fit tomorrow. Thanks for the shoulder.

justWEIGHT – Apr. 4 – Week #13 – Day #7 (Day 94 of 365 – lost .4 lbs) Total loss 10.8 lbs, 41.2 to go!

Final day of Week #13….final day of 1st quarter. Weighing in the morning will be very interesting. Eating that biscuit this morning was hard to do because my old “dieting” days would tell me to fast all day to assure the success of my goal. Not a good idea. What would that prove? It would prove all I have been preaching against for three months. Healthy weight loss is not about drastic measures. Who wants to have a day like that just to gain it back the next day with a couple of glasses of water? I know today’s food plan is balanced. I followed it exactly, company and all. Tomorrow is the test. I know I am close, but I don’t have all my eggs in one basket. If I succeed, great. If not, great. That’s right, I said great. I have learned so much these past three months about my habits, my insecurities, my self-induced limitations. We can’t get everything right over night or even in 94 days, but we can learn. I absolutely LOVE today’s quote….”Get Rid Of One Bad Habit”. My commitment to myself today is no more excuses regarding the drinking of a minimum of 64 ounces of water each day. That’s all. I can do it, and I will honestly let you know how I do. What bad habit can you shed?

justWEIGHT – Apr. 3 – Week #13 – Day #6 (Day 93 of 365 – lost .4 lbs) Total loss 10.4 lbs, 41.6 to go!

Focus On Today - This thought should never, ever, ever, ever leave our minds. My experience is that every day I lose that thought and eat badly, I spend the next two or three days making up for lost ground. What a vicious cycle and waste of precious days. Was it worth it? Rarely. Perhaps on a special occasion such as a birthday or an anniversary (only yours). There are really only very few days throughout the year that total binges are worth the results. If I had about half the days of the first 12 weeks back to re-evaluate what I ate and why, I guarantee in hindsight it was a bad choice. I am making some “New Quarter” resolutions today. I will do better. I will think very hard before splurging and ruining an entire week of progress. There is no downside here. I can still eat very well, and if I will “Focus on Today” each and every day, the results will knock my socks off. I can’t wait to get started.

justWEIGHT – Apr. 2 – Week #13 – Day #5 (Day 92 of 365 – lost .2 lbs) Total loss 10.00 lbs, 42 to go!

Fill Up on Water – Three days left in this 1st quarter and I am 3 pounds behind my goal for the first three months. Water has been my best friend this week. It is flushing my body, keeping me satisfied and helping me get a perfect start on Week 14, Quarter #2. I would give an arm and a leg if I had been more diligent about my water the past 13 weeks. I strongly believe it would have made all the difference and probably helped a lot with that dry, winter skin as well. Months 4, 5 and 6 will be the test as my main goal each day is to get that water down.

justWEIGHT – Apr. 1 – Week #13 – Day #4 (Day 91 of 365 – lost .2 lbs) Total loss 9.8 lbs, 42.2 to go!

Let’s review a few things those of us life “dieters” already know but easily forget. It’s one thing to have a meal plan in front of you suggesting certain meats, vegetables, etc. It’s quite another to actually have those foods on hand at just the right time. Perhaps we have left over chicken and our menu calls for a beef patty. We all know we can eat the chicken instead. Just remember those simple rules of substituting ounce for ounce. I remember the old Weight Watcher days when we just counted so many proteins, milks, fats, fruits, etc. We were told not to exceed the limits and to only eat so many eggs and beef each week, eat fish several times a week and so on. Don’t waste the food you have on hand. Remember those substitutions.

justWEIGHT – Mar. 31 – Week #13 – Day #3 (Day 90 of 365 – lost .2 lbs) Total loss 9.6 lbs, 42.4 to go!

Believe In Your Goals – What’s this all about??? Of course we believe in our own goals. I am going to lose 52 pounds this year! I absolutely know I will. Well, at least I think I believe I can lose this weight. That is, unless something unexpected happens. And you can never be sure about the future, right? Something could happen that puts my goals on the back burner. Well, it could….. This self doubt, this pre-meditated excuse I am giving myself is just pre-meditated self-sabotage. We MUST believe in the ability to accomplish our goals. If I think it is hard to follow a roadmap for weight loss, well planned, good food, simple and rewarding, how in the world do I expect to keep the weight off when I reach my goal? Start it again, that’s how. I would not lose a pound a week, but rather remain at a healthy weight for my 5’ 5” frame. Some things in life just don’t have to be so hard. Why is it that we insist on keeping it that way?

justWEIGHT – Mar. 30 – Week #13 – Day #2 (Day 89 of 365 – gained 1.6 pounds) Total loss 9.4 lbs, 42.6 to go!

It was off to the grocery store early this morning with my justWEIGHT grocery list in hand and I am totally prepared for the week ahead. The next three days are easy at home, my motivation is strong. The challenge comes at the end of the week with company in the house. Today’s quote of “Use Common Sense” will be in my pocket all week. That’s all it really takes to eat well. It was actually very comforting to have simple cheese toast and orange juice for breakfast, a Cobb salad for lunch, and fish, rice, asparagus and pineapple chunks for dinner. Drank all of my water which is non-negotiable for me this week and feeling great.

justWEIGHT – Mar. 29 – Week #13 – Day #1 (Day 89 of 365 – same weight) Total loss 11.0 lbs, 41.0 to go!

If you’re still with me, you will realize this is week 13 of our 52 week journey. This is the final week of the first quarter and my goal weight loss by the end of this week is 13 pounds. This will be tricky since I am 2 pounds from that goal, but I can accomplish this and am determined to do it! Today won’t be easy with the 8 hour car ride, but I will stick to the plan as much as possible, get out every couple of hours and take a quick walk for circulation, and have plenty of water in the car. My thought today is “Easy Control”. Control is obviously the key word here and only I have it over myself. The next week will be at home, but on Friday my sister is coming for the weekend. Wonder how she feels about carrots and celery? Just kidding. I am going to take control and make this week work for me.

justWEIGHT – Mar. 28 – Week #12 – Day #7 (Day 87 of 365 – same weight) Total loss 11.0 lbs, 41.0 to go!

Don’t Forget To Eat Your Snacks – I was released from the doctor last Wednesday to start daily walking as exercise after nursing a very badly bruised and swollen knee after a fall several months ago. Although I am right on track with my weight loss, the fact that most of my waking days have been spent “off my leg” has, I feel, hampered the speed. I put off the start on the treadmill until I return home tomorrow as Santa Fe has been a real test for the knee with plenty of walking. I think we have walked enough here to make up for the 7-8 hour car ride tomorrow. I do feel better and stronger already and also motivated to be more diligent on following the plan along with the walks. Pretty exciting. Today’s reminder to eat my snacks is great as the snacks help me stay on track and eat the right things.

justWEIGHT – Mar. 27 – Week #12 – Day #6 (Day 86 of 365 – same weight) Total loss 11.0 lbs, 41.0 to go!

Do Not Get Discouraged – This quote is unbelievably timely. Being in beautiful Santa Fe, there is certainly no chance of discouragement. Walking the square, admiring the beautiful craft of the Indians and sampling foods prepared New Mexico style is exquisite. Nothing like a good buddy to make brilliant statements such as, “Let’s pass on the dessert (noon) and splurge on a Pomegranate Margarita after dinner tonight.” I know she did that for me as she is trying to help me stay on track without actually bringing it up. I’m so glad I have my food guide with me to refer to before each meal, but I am much more thankful that I have such a wonderful friend.

justWEIGHT – Mar. 26 – Week #12 – Day #5 (Day 85 of 365 – same weight) Total loss 11.0 lbs, 41.0 to go!

Cut Desserts In Half – Oh, boy. Interesting that this “today’s quote” popped up today. I am leaving town this morning for a three day trip to Santa Fe with my best friend. Yep, just the two of us to go where we want to go, eat where we want to eat, shop, browse the galleries as long as we want. Sound perfect? It was until I read Cut Desserts In Half! You know, that’s actually pretty good. Where was my mind going with this trip anyway….eat all you want, back your progress up by 5 pounds in 3 days? No, I refuse to go there. This has caused me to think, bring me back to reality. All those “girly” things we want to do will still be perfect as at the end of each wonderful meal, we will simply split the dessert!

justWEIGHT – Mar. 25 – Week #12 – Day #4(Day 84 of 365 – lost .4) Total loss 11.0 lbs, 41.0 to go!

Commit To Improvement – As you can tell, I am just a little behind on my goal of losing one pound a week for 52 weeks. It’s just one pound, but it is absolutely ridiculous because I know the justWEIGHT plan works when I simply follow it. Life is not meant to be a schedule and it doesn’t have to be where food in concerned. This plan just simplifies my time while at the same time leading me toward my healthy goal. Why don’t I do it right every day? Just call me human. Even the days I have none of the regular excuses of travel or social events, I miss the water or give in to a sweets craving with cookies rather than a planned snack. Now you may be reading this and saying, “There’s no way I would follow a food plan. That’s just not me.” That’s okay. It’s sure not for everyone. But ask yourself this, “Am I where I want to be weight wise, health wise, and time wise?” You might consider just a few weeks trial. I think you might be surprised.

justWEIGHT – Mar. 24 – Week #12 – Day #3(Day 83 of 365 – same weight) Total loss 10.6 lbs, 41.4 to go!

Center Your Thoughts – How many of your days have been consumed by thoughts of dieting? Too many to count for me. Since referring to the daily menu and weekly grocery list on the justWEIGHT plan is routine for me now, there are many more hours in the day for normal, creative, productive activity that I gave up during my “dieting” days. Eating has evolved to become a less time-consuming focus into a much simpler process of pre-planned, or at least pre-guided meals. The roadmap is amazing. It is easy to follow, quick, delicious, nutritious meals and snacks, and quite liberating. Right now, after my cereal and banana for breakfast this morning, my thoughts are drawing me outdoors. What a beautiful day.

justWEIGHT – Mar. 23 – Week #12 – Day #2(Day 82 of 365 – same weight) Total loss 10.6 lbs, 41.4 to go!

Be Proud Of Your Accomplishments - I followed the plan, including drinking my water. I already feel better, which may sound a little premature, but today I feel “flushed”. Why in the world do we lose that self control and go off the deep end? I’m sure psychologists have made buckets of money explaining it to people like me, but I am just hard headed enough to know I can get the ball rolling on my own. As I was creating the justWEIGHT plan, long hours were spent developing menus as if it were a jigsaw puzzle. Balancing fats, proteins and carbs…making sure each day contained fruits, vegetables and dairy. As I have mentioned previously, I am no nutritionist, but common sense and the internet provide safe, effective weight loss plans. It takes a great deal of self control to follow any healthy eating plan. Let’s do this together. I need all the help and encouragement I can get.