Operation Fabulous!

Tonight we were at the gym having a group work-out.  Things were stepped up a notch like we gratuated from beginner to novice.  Some things were quite difficult to do (like doing lunges while doing arm raises with 10lbs weight in your hand), but it was do-able. 

If we would compare our very first work-out with tonight’s workout, I think we would laugh.  I mean come on, I fainted the very first workout, now Im like a Mack Truck. 

I know we are all suceeding because I could see it in all of our faces.  We all look refreshed and determined and Do not make excuses why we can’t do a specific exercise.  There were only four of us today at the group workout because the other two ladies went earlier that day.  Cecilia was on the eliptical like she was climbing Mount Everest!  Lakita was on the tredmill like she was Forrest Gump..just running and running and running.  Mary Ellen was doing squats like she was dodging fireballs being thrown at her and I was doing sit-ups like someone was holding a $1,000 bill at my knees. (I hope you like my analogies I know they are pretty cheesy! haha - but I’m trying to make you visualize on how determined we all are!)  Marna and Veronica weren’t there with us today, but I have seen how hard those two ladies work, and I could assure you that there is a dumb analogy for them too!

Dedication and Hardwork will pay off in the end.  That not only goes to following The Best Life Diet , but that is a good value in life as well.

Keep up the Awesome work everyone!

Well… we are all talking about getting on that scale to see if all the hard work paid off…we are just anticipating to see if that little needle moved left instead of right, but the truth of it all is that that number that we are gonna see is just that.  A number and nothing else.  No matter if I lost a few pounds or none at all, I FEEL GREAT! I have more energy and a lot more strength.  We may have gained muscle mass and lost some fat which means the pounds are probably gonna stay the same.  That’s fine by me.  I could feel that my pants are fitting a little better; I mean my work pants could be buttoned all the way now instead of me leaving that top button undone.  My “side fat” (your waist that hangs over your pants that when you pick up your bottoms - you give yourself a wedgie cause your pants are so high so you could cover it) is getting minimal.  I’m totally not saying that its gone because that is faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar from gone, but it is shrinking.

The success of Phase 1 is measured by me and the way I feel, not by how much weight I lost. I know how hard I’m working and I see how hard the other girls are working, so I know that this whole Phase One is not a waste of time. 

For all of you lovely ladies out there about to complete Phase One of the Best Life Diet -  DO NOT GET DISCOURAGED IF THE SCALE STAYS THE SAME.  Ask yourself these questions….  Do you feel great and lively?  Do you feel you have more energy than before?  Do you have a little more self-confidence in yourself because you got off of your butt and is doing something about your health?  If you answered YES to all or some of those, then you know that this is working.

Being in shape and being healthy takes time, so do not be discouraged if that silly little number isn’t what you expected.

Okay, I’m going to weigh myself for the first time in a month this weekend.  Phase I is ending and it wasn’t as bad as thought it would be.  I got moving after a year of a completely sedentary life, most of it pregnant and on bed rest.  During this phase I was encouraged to know that my food choices were 90% good; however, my food portions were too big.  My girlfriends and I had a discussion last weekend about finding the root emotional cause as to why we gained wait.  I know a few of them may have found some deep psychological reason, but what can I say, I just like food!  It’s exacerbated by the fact that I’m home all day bored and nursing a baby with an increased appetite. 

So far, so good, as far as following the program.  I must confess that I had a few bad food days and missed one of my scheduled workouts.  To be honest I don’t think the numbers on the scale are going to be any numerically different when I weigh myself this weekend.  I don’t feel the numbers will be representative of my progress because the scale can’t measure what I’m experiencing; an increase in strength, muscle mass, and energy.  Even if the scale groans the dreadful words, ‘get off of me,’ I know I am doing great and this is what matters most.  I believe I’m off to a great start.

Okay this is my 4^th week on the program and not being allowed to get on the scale leaves me with mixed emotions – really.  On the one hand it’s a relief not having to look at the numbers on the scale and be totally discouraged and frustrated, but then again on the other hand I’m really anxious to know just how much weight I’ve lost.  Chances are I haven’t lost anything because I’ve been working out heavily and increasing my muscle mass.  I know this is because my muscles are extremely sore and I can feel my limbs getting firmer.  I haven’t noticed any other physical changes like my clothes fitting looser because my clothes always fit loose.  I never wear tight clothes and as a matter of fact I’m still wearing my maternity clothes because I don’t want to have to spend any money on buying anything that I won’t be able to wear in the very near future.  Other than that I feel much better than I did before I started the program.  I have to admit this was not the case 3 weeks ago at the onset.  My body was so sore and the restructuring of my food intake left me feeling hungry ALL of the time.  Now I feel less sore after each respective workout and I have more energy throughout the day. 

Psychologically, it feels great to begin the New Year with a new lifestyle and I hope this will be a permanent change.  I look forward to seeing some tangible results next time I step on the scale.  However, there are times when I feel like I haven’t seen enough progress and I’m tempted to just give up because I have really put in some hard work and sacrifice thus far.  During those times I just have to keep saying to myself, ‘It is in you to continue.’

In our society we are motivated by dramatics…reality shows are huge because they feature extreme circumstances where humans must overcome enormous obstacles. This is great theater (which is why these shows get great ratings) and we have become conditioned to be inspired by these over-the-top wins or losses.

So what is so “dramatic” about my dream to lose 30 pounds? Welll…not much. 30 pounds isn’t something you’d write to a newspaper about or be fodder for a talk show. If (when) I succeed…I’ll have some new clothes and my friends and family will remark about my improved look, and I’ll feel great and be healthier. Good news, but ”great theater”? Hmmmm. And what’s even more boring…it isn’t one challenging task that will get me there. It’s a million little choices along the way that add up to getting me there. Epic adventure with no violence…won’t sell a ticket.

So how do we become inspired to keep up the fight when we won’t make headlines or the majority of what we are doing isn’t even newsworthy? (Like, when someone won’t even notice if I’ve lost 5 pounds and they were the hardest 5 pounds to lose in my life?)

Because it’s the little things that count, I try to take a more focused, granular approach. To me, every day is my own labyrinth…choices that I must skillfully make, obstacles that I must overcome, to make it to my next phase (the next day). Some days I need to get past ”potato chip pit,” or cross “fiber field” to make it to ”hydration station”…etc. As in a video game, occasionally I’ll make a mistake, use up one of my lives, and have to start anew in that same day. But…my points don’t go away and I’m still in the game…maybe I could even be the top scorer.

I am trying to treat my mini-miracles (such as my resisting home made brownies this weekend) as top stories…and I occasionally jot them down in a notebook to remind myself that I’ve had some remarkable victories…even if I’m the only one that thinks so or I’m too embarrassed to tell anyone else.

I’d love to know how everyone out there stays motivated if no one is really watching or you have a goal that you either don’t share with others or won’t be necessarily noticed. It can be difficult without the drama. I would love your advice.

I grew up in California. Southern California. Huntington Beach to be exact. Land of sun, surf, surfers and beautiful people. Beautiful bodies. Or what my subconscious and the world around me considered beautiful. How unfortunate that our culture then, as now, has such a narrow image of what beauty should look like.

Let’s just say that I did not fit that image. Not as a child, subteen, teenager, early twenty-something. I remember the tender years when boys, no zits, having a “perfect” body and being popular was the most important thing in the world. I used to wish that I would turn 18 and suddenly, I would be pretty and thin. I would fit in. Belong in that sunny, beachy, bikini-ready postcard of a life. I began planning for that event by going on my first “diet” somewhere between the ages of nine and twelve. Sure, I was successful. Many, many times. Those were the days long before real fitness or being in shape was more than just being thin. Before anyone ever heard of an aerobics shoe. You did a few calisthenics, situps, and ate very few calories and, voila, you were thin. For about a day and a half.

Around the age of 20, I went on my most “successful” diet–one meal a day. After a month or so I was much smaller. My shape was no different–just smaller. But suddenly, I was getting much more attention. Not really the kind of attention I would welcome now. Heck, my boyfriend of the time said I looked like a Playboy bunny. What a loser!!! And I bought into it. I kept buying into it until my husband and I became a couple at the ripe old age of 22. From then on, impressing boys was a thing of the past. What took it’s place? Well, for one I remember a comment from a co-worker, “When are you due?”  She thought I was pregnant!!! I never enjoyed sniping back at someone as much as I did then–”I’m not expecting–I’m just fat!!!” She was embarrassed and I went on another “diet”. Another successful diet. Followed by more successful weight gain.

The only time I ever lost weight healthfully was around seven years ago. The weight loss was accompanied by a lot of muscle gain. I worked out regularly, doing cardio, weights and various flexibility training. I ate reasonably and nutritiously with plenty of fiber, water, fruits and vegetables and lean protein. You know the routine. I looked great and felt great. My fitness routine was a priority, as much as bathing and brushing my teeth. The difference is I kept bathing and brushing my teeth. Somewhere along the way eating reasonably and working out stopped being a necessity. I could say it was a change of jobs or change of life, but underneath it all it was really a change of heart. My heart just wasn’t in it anymore. Because the reason I was doing it was to look good on the outside. I really hadn’t internalized that looking good on the outside has much more to do with feeling good on the inside. And I just didn’t care enough about myself underneath the surface to keep my priorities straight.

 I’ve considered all the possible reasons I “fell off the fitness wagon” throughout my life: a bigger body kept me safe from too much male attention, my innate laziness got the best of me, fast food and TV are a lot more fun than slow food and fast exercise. I do remember sneaking BBQ potato chips under my bedcovers and reading by flashlight and not wanting to be discovered. I just don’t remember why.

Well, here goes. Why I didn’t keep the weight off doesn’t really matter. Not now. What does matter is that now this is it…Being at my best weight just feels good. If I feel good I look better. And isn’t feeling good and looking better something I should give myself, no one else. So I can in turn give my best to everyone else. ‘Nuff said! 

This week I have noticed I have a lot of little bad habits.  I don’t know why I bothered to notice or maybe I am starting to realize they may contribute to weight gain.   For me it is some sort of bonus when I get the first parking spot at the mall.  Well, this week I tried to park further and walk .  I have to admit when it is cold and I have kids that are screaming  “pick me up”; the closest parking spot is more than a bonus…. It is like  hitting the lottery.

 
 
Also, I did well with my eating this week.  I didn’t splurge too much.  I did eat some birthday cake.  One piece onlyJ  I did have to catch myself, though.  I like the thin layer of  cake that comes of the  bottom and sticks to the serving plate.  For some reason, it is softer and for me irresistible.  Well, my norm would be to grab a handful of it after all the cake is served.  Well, yesterday I reached for it and as I did a strange feeling came over me.  It was as if someone slapped on the wrist.  I could no longer eat it and after that did not want it.

 
These awakenings have been very interesting and enlightening to me.  It is as if I live in some sort of auto-pilot. Just doing things, because I always have.  Well, it is time for me to take control of the wheel and start righting this ship.

I remember when I was in my 20’s.  Losing weight was not a problem. But then again did I really need to lose weight?    I remember saying to myself, ‘I will never let myself get any heavier than 130lbs.’  I look back now and laugh at the thought of 130lbs as being ‘heavy.’  But then again in my 20’s, gaining weight wasn’t easy.  There were nights I could eat a whole medium sized pizza and a liter of pop, go to bed and not have to worry about getting fat.  Of course that was then and now in my 30’s I could chew a piece of gum and ‘blow up.’  Life, moreover, was different all around – I was younger, single, less responsibility, and more ‘me’ time.  Today is a different time – older, responsibilities of wife and mother, and no more ‘me’ time.  What can I say, life happens, and this calculation only adds up to a less responsive body, slower metabolism, and as a result, we gain weight.

Last weekend, for the first time in 18 months, I hosted a gathering of some of my friends in my home and discovered that being overweight is like being in prison. Though there were less than a dozen girlfriends over, it felt like I had put out the same energy in planning my wedding.   And I realized that being overweight , out of shape, and no energy was like being in prison because:

1. When you’re overweight, you don’t want to leave your house.  You just want to lock behind closed doors, pull down the shades, blackout all the mirrors and hide.  This is not just because you don’t want others to see how you’ve blown up but for the more practical reason – I don’t have a thing to wear.
2. When you’re physically out of shape you can only dream about ‘some day,’ because ‘some day’ you’re going to be free to do the things you’ve dreamed about.  In my case I don’t dream of being free from a prison but free from 65 lbs that tires me out.  Maybe I’m the only woman in America who buys miscellaneous objects (clothing, party dishes, etc,) for some future function that you plan on having but never get around to.  Hey, ‘some day’ I’ll get around to doing it, right?
3. When you have no energy you simply just don’t have the will to do what it takes to engage anybody if you really don’t have to.  I mean, I barely have enough energy to take care of my daily obligations of wife and mother let alone host a gathering of friends.  Therefore just like prison you have few visitors and hopelessness abounds. 

Until now all I’ve had energy for was to only dream about losing weight but now it’s a goal.  After all a dream is just that, a dream.  But a goal is a dream with a plan and a deadline.

My whole life I always fluctuated with my weight.  Sometimes, I was a bit too skinny or a bit too chunky - I never really maintained a specific weight.  I always had my own remedies to loose weight as well, such as skipping meals or eating too small of portions that still made me hungry where I felt like I was starving myself.  I was also always athletic one way or another.  I played a few sports like Volleyball and Softball, or even Rollerbladed all the time.  When I did that, I would go and eat a huge cheese burger with an extra large fry and a super-sized coke after.  I thought that since I was atleast being somewhat active, the calories would balance eachother out. NOPE! It doesn’t work that way! 

These last few years I didn’t pick up a single Volleyball, swing a baseball bat or even attempt to put on a Rollerblade.  I found myself gaining and gaining weight, but yet I STILL did nothing about it.  I might have been afraid to embrace reality of me being the largest I have ever been in my life or I might have been too occupied to even notice that I have been putting on weight.  Whatever the case may have been, I am just soooooooo relieved that something is being done now.  I did attempt to go to the gym on my own a few times, but I tell you…it was very hard for me to cope that I couldn’t last THREE minutes on the eliptical machine.  THREE MINUTES!!! That’s how long it took me to eat those loaded cheeseburgers, but I couldn’t even take that same time to last in a workout.  So that really got me discouraged.  More time went by and then I thought I was at my rock bottom.

Participating with the other girls in following the Best Life Diet has made me more aware of what I am doing with myself.  I now eat three full meals a day with a couple of small snacks in between and I feel more alive than I did when I was a teenager (yes, Im not that old, but I do feel that way).  I also find myself reading the sides of the boxes or packages to see the nutrition facts.  I have become addicted to the gym where I CANT WAIT to go.  All of us ladies try to meet three times a week to work out, but I also go on my own on the other days. I can’t say that I have ever been happier with myself than now.  Loosing weight is a total challenge, but these last three weeks made me up for it.

I am sure that one day I will be in the same boat again, where I stop everything and gain the weight again, but now I could embrace the future because I have learned how to change and understand my eating habits and how to exercise where loosing weight isn’t so big of a deal - it’s just the effort I have to put forth.

The battle (is what I like to call weight-gain) will go round and round again like a merri-go-round, but atleast I will be prepared for it and stop the weight gain in it’s tracks.

 If some of you out there feel hopeless or discouraged - GET OVER IT!  There are ways to begin living your life again.  LIVING is the key word there - don’t sit on the side-lines and watch the days go by.  Take a walk around the block or sign-up for a gym (it’s the beginning of the year, there are membership sales everywhere) and get your butt there. Don’t stop at fast food places three times a day - take your time to go to the Market and pick up supplies to make yourself something wonderful.  YOU be in control of your weight issues, don’t let the issues be in control of you! I know that’s the road we all are taking - take that same one with us!  

Ahhhh… it is truly amazing how major life-changing decisions… really do change your life!! I feel like I don’t even know myself ever since I’ve started the Best Life Diet. It’s truly INCREDIBLE!!

The conscious mind works wonders… As of Monday, January 22, 2007, I QUIT SMOKING and have started on the nicotene patch!! I’ve been smoking ever since I was 15 (for shame, for shame, I know) and it has taken me nearly 18 years to finally decide I want to live my life… I am now ending DAY 4 of a smoke-free world!! And it’s the strangest feeling ever. But it feels great… Don’t get me wrong, I do have my cravings, and I am going through withdrawal (daily headaches - urgh) but the patch really does help. I stick it on my forearm just so I can see it all the time… I show it off like a little kid… I’ve let all my loved ones know that I’ve finally taken this step and their support and feedback have been wonderful! This has definitely been the most challenging decision I’ve ever made in my life and I’m so glad I finally did it!! I’ve just started, so I’m  hoping in due time I will kick the patch and finally be smoke and nicotene free FOR GOOD! What I love about the Best Life Diet program, is that they do address us smokers at the beginning. Bob Greene says that this program is about attaining your  BEST life and that means your HEALTHIEST life, so it really doesn’t make sense to get going if you haven’t put your number one health concern behind you first. So I’m a little late, I was born late, but I’m here now and I’ve finally decided to put it past me! I’ve always said I’d quit when I was ready… And I am so ready! YES! SCORE 1 FOR ME!!

I am conscious about everything these days… especially what I eat… so I slipped, big deal… I’ve forgiven myself and am moving forward. I’m working on incorporating more fruits and vegetables now… Lately I’ve been focusing on breakfast cereals, switched to skim milk, and have this obssession with Yoplait fruit smoothies (they are SO GOOD, seriously!) and granola and oats (granola bar, trail mix bars, oatmeal)… but after speaking with Janis, I know I’m not eating enough vegetables and real fruit. So now the goal for this week is exactly that - Eat an apple, banana or orange as a snack. Eat more salads (I am not a huge salad fan, but am starting to like them)! Or just incorporate vegetables into my meal; as a side dish, into soups, etc. I just have to focus, make time to make the trip to the store and pick the right foods. Voila!

Next hurdle: Traveling… I have to go out of town for a whole week on business! There is always food everywhere! So I definitely have to watch what I eat, when I eat, how I eat… Does anyone have any great suggestions on eating while away on business or vacation?  And working out - I am now accustomed to staying active! I plan on walking as much as I can and using the hotel’s fitness center… for the first time ever! I’ve travelled many times and have stayed in countless hotels but have NEVER frequented them… not even a peek… in fact, I ignore them! Not this time I’m determined to remain focused on these new changes… And I’m totally loving it!!

I was once told by someone that I was a Jack of All Trades, but a Master of Nothing…

Well now… I am a Master of My Life.

‘Til Tuesday… Stay your BEST!!

~ cecilia

We all know that the REAL “reward” for following a healthier lifestyle is your healthier body, feeling better, looking fitter, among countless other benefits.  I, however, do admit to having a shallow side, and can also be swayed by more girlie, tangible rewards–such as a manicure after a good 3 and 1/3 weeks of eating. Am I obvious in the fact that I’m trying to justify the manicure I’m about to get later this afternoon? Of course. Does it really matter? No.

You all have been watching our posts on our challenges, dreams, goals, successes, etc. following the Best Life Diet. I am empowering all of us to ALSO show ourselves a little love…in a non-food way. Almost a full month of eating well (or eating pretty well) is reason to celebrate…and setting small rewards in advance can be motivating. For instance, I have decided that for every pound I lose following the Best Life Diet, I’m setting aside $20 per pound toward a new wardrobe. We get to weigh ourselves in another week and I’ll venture a guess that I’ve lost about 7 pounds so far….$140 goes to the kitty!

In addition, every month that I consistently lose more pounds I plan to treat myself to a manicure. It just feels good and a $15 manicure can do amazing things for your psyche…you look and feel great. $15 is one lunch out of the office…spend it on something with a longer shelf life (though a manicure is typically not much longer!).

Some people may want to reward themselves in other ways (one hour alone reading a book at a coffee shop is high on the list for me)…so think about it. Write it down. Then set it as a goal. You deserve it. So many times in life we use food as a reward…this is a chance to end that cycle and have a good time doing it. Remember…you are achieving these results…you are only reaping what you sow.

Peace, happiness, and rewards to you! Have a great weekend.

To this point, I feel I have done well.  I have followed Bob Greene’s book to the tee.  I have increased my activity level. I have eaten three meals a day. I have refrained rorm alcohol.   I have even got my husband and daughter exercising regularly.  As I continue to peruse the book, I seem to have missed the chapter on birthday party eating and most specifically birthday cake eating.
As I have said before, I love dessert.  Maybe I have not been clear.  I loooove dessert.  I would rather eat dessert than anything else.  If given the option, I would eat a 1500 cal slice of turtle cheesecake and fast the rest of the day without regret. (ok, that is not healthy, so usually I eat that and everything else).  
I love dessert so much I went to cooking school to become a pastry chef.  Not for a career, but to make the prettiest and most tasty desserts possible.  I can make just about any dessert known to man.  It is a form of relaxation to me.  This is all great, but my downfall is the tasting.  I have never made a cookie, cake or brownie that I have not tasted prior to it leaving my hands. 
Friday is my son’s birthday and he wants one of “mommy’s special cakes”.  I am pleased and honored that my desserts are treasured by others as much as by me.  My one thought is how to make this cake without having a slice.   It has been three weeks without straying from the diet.  To this point, I have been able to hold temptation at bay.  One side of me thinks I should not have even one bite.  The other side of me is figuring out the calories and how long on the treadmill it will take to burn them. 
I need some help.  What should I do?
Veronica

Well, it finally happened–the excitement of being on a new program, new routine, going after positive goals, is 2 weeks behind me and I “fell off the wagon”.

Sunday started with a great workout. Hard enough to be really fatiqued, but not so hard it was totally over my head. There are certain behaviors we’re supposed to be practicing this first month: eating a good, well-balanced breakfast, lunch and dinner along with 2 snacks. Not eating at least 2 hours before bedtime. Drinking plenty of water. Ok. No problem. But gosh, I’m really hungry all the time. I know that portions are an issue for me. I’d gotten used to eating whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted it–including all evening long. That won’t work if I want to see results from my hard workouts and move forward towards my “Best Life”. 

I’ve been reasonable without being deprived foodwise for the past couple of weeks. Then came Sunday (yesterday). I was really looking forward to having a day to myself after my workout. No plans, just relaxation, idle bliss. The joyous feeling of having a satisflyingly unplanned Sunday became…a nagging, totally unsatisfying struggle of wanting to eat, and eat and eat. It got to the point of no return.  I lost touch completely with anything else. I ate. Unreasonably. What I ate is less important than the uncontrollable compulsion to eat, shutting everything else out. I don’t think it’s any accident that I was in front of the TV, without being fully engaged in it, most of the day. Even though there were other things I really needed to do since I had the time. Things that would possibly have kept my mind off chronic feeding and left me with a feeling of accomplishment.

I know this scenario will come up again. I want to learn how to manage it so I can move forward. Discussing the experience with a very wise individual may have uncovered some keys to getting through this craziness:

First of all, he asked, what is the real reason I want to get in shape, improve my eating habits, lose weight, attain my “best life”. THE REAL REASON IS BECAUSE I WANT THAT REAL SENSE OF TRUE ALIVENESS, that joy, that simple sense of everything being ok because it comes from inside. We often look for that feeling outside of ourselves–being in love, having more money, a perfect job. And somehow there is a dichotomy of acheiving internal, real satisfaction by working on the body, looking and feeling better through external means.

And yet, from experience I do know that feeling tired, not sleeping well, struggling with what to wear and thinking too much about food is not living life to the fullest. It’s not feeling the kind of aliveness that makes every moment full and complete.

 Fully aware and fully alive. That’s what I want more than anything else. Losing weight just happens to be a vehicle to get there. There’s no question that I feel more confident when my body is in shape. That I’m more alert, more enthusiastic, more positive more playful. More alive. And that has a very profound effect on how well everything else in my life works.

So the question is: how do I keep that sense of aliveness where I can see it, feel it, want it–more than giving in to whatever compulsion comes along at that moment? Feeling guilty doesn’t do it for me. I’m just not the “feeling guilty” type. Can I use visualization-picturing myself feeling great-to stay in touch with my goal. Meditation, or maybe getting in touch with my feelings (what is going on that’s triggering the desire to veer off track?).

I’d like to find out. I’m going to try both of these suggestions. I know that changing my habits and how I look on the outside is going to be an inside job. I just have to remember to practice these technigues at the time of the “attack”.  

Do any of you have any suggestions, experiences, successes or stories to relate to this?

I’ve had a life-long love affair with structure. When there are rules, guidelines, plans, parameters, goals, etc…I respond instantly, positively and with gusto. It feels rewarding to know I’ve stayed within a boundary or obeyed a rule…that makes me happy. My left brain and I are BFF.

So…freestyling is a challenge. What I mean by freestyling in this context is–I’m out all day without access to to my regular “approved” meals or snacks…how do I (can I?) make good judgement calls regarding food on a day where I happen to eat out all 3 meals and had not scoped options in advance? Is it even possible without going on a wild goose chase or making my family think I have OCD about food? My overall goal through this program is to have a more healthy lifestyle–and be normal at the same time.   

This weekend my husband and I took our 3 year old ice skating for the first time. We wanted to arrive as early as possible to avoid the downtown crowds and risk our little darling being run over on the ice. My 6-month old came along as well–full family outing. Our day did NOT go as planned due to various meltdowns, wet socks, spit ups and stroller failure. We were downtown almost the entire day and one of the additional stresses I had on my mind as I cradled my screaming child was “where am I going to feed may family and not blow it myself?” I dared not mention this in front of my husband due to the seemingly inconsequentialness of that paranoia…but it was real to me.

Well, I ended up doing just fine…tomato soup and a simple half turkey sandwich isn’t going to kill anyone and I was surprisingly able to resist the tempting ice creams or yummy hot chocolates that everyone else deserved after such a trying day. (Cappucino did the job fine, thanks). And the fact that I didn’t WANT to pig out led to me making decent choices…I knew I didn’t want to hate myself afterward and I actually remembered that BEFORE I ordered my food. So I did ok…and I’m happy because that is how I want it to be from now on. We will rarely ever eat out 3 meals in one day again, but it’s nice to know I can survive it once in a while. Well…survive the food…we are still getting over the ice skating!

Did anyone else have a good freestyling success? Share it because we all want to know!

From Monday - Friday I think I’m okay… I’m focused on work, am more conscious of eating, working out, etc… Come Friday night after working out, it all goes downhill from there… I didn’t eat much during the day (seems to always fall on Fridays, where I forget to eat properly) and then we go to dinner… And I forget all that Janis suggests… I forget what I’m not supposed to eat and just devour my food like a savage!! We had dinner at a Japanese restaurant and I ended up ordering a huge meal to include teriyaki chicken, white rice, 5 pieces of california roll, and SHRIMP & VEGETABLE TEMPURA… and ate all of it (give or take a few pieces of chicken!)!! Urgh, it was the tempura that got me! I love anything fried! But hey, I drank water all with my meal LOL… I went to bed feeling guilty, but I considered it my TREAT of the week!!

Then Saturday came along… Breakfast was fine, had a bowl of cereal (with SKIM milk! and it wasn’t bad at all!! so that’s a good switch!). For lunch I had soup and crackers… eh, not too exciting but it did the job… For a snack I had a granola bar… Good, good… then for dinner… Forget it! Went to my friend’s kids’ birthday party and didn’t even really have the Best Life Diet on my mind… in fact, I just ate like I was meant to eat! I had mostacolli, potato salad (hey, there were a variety of veggies in there), bread with asparagus dip - and white french bread to boot, potatoe chips, cheese curls… oh the works… It was as if I couldn’t stop?!! I just kept eating, and eating and eating! BUT, I did manage to drink water all night, avoided BEER, even though it was right there in front of me, calling my name!! Ok, ok, how many treats of the week can I have? Exactly! I need to stop eating like a rock star…

Today wasn’t soooo bad… I’m now used to eating breakfast (cereal, so yum), am incorporating snacks and lunch… We went out to dinner at a thai restaurant the servings weren’t huge, so I felt good about what I ate… But I think it was the guilt from the last two dinners that were getting to me… This is what I don’t want to happen though… I don’t want to feel bad for eating or slipping… it’s going to happen, so I shouldn’t feel bad about it… So now I’m done feeling guilty, I can’t take back what I ate, I can’t undo anything (If I could, I wouldn’t feel the need to lose weight now would I? LOL), so I’m going to move forward with my head up high, stomach in, shoulders back… Ready for anything that comes my way!! Oh, and a vow to not eat anything fried for a long time…

ONE LAST NOTE:  Besides slipping on my eating habits… this weekend’s plus includes a new purchase… I FINALLY BOUGHT THE PATCH to help me quit smoking! Yes! I smoked my last one this evening and am now going to stop writing so I can read the details and start using it!! Let’s just hope I don’t get addicted to nicotene patches… then I’ll really be in trouble

Thanks for your support… til tuesday…

 During the week I am on a schedule and it runs like clock-work. Monday thru Friday I get up and get ready to go to work.  I eat breakfast right when I get there around 8:30am (on a good day because of morning traffic).  I work then take my lunch at 12:30ish.  Work some more for a few hours and then have my snack.  Work some more until its quitting time, go directly to the gym and then eat dinner.  That is my set itenerary. 

Weekends for me are like mini-vacations.  I sleep late, relax, and just expect nothing.  Sometimes I sleep past breakfast and then am not hungry for lunch and then just pig out for dinner.  I usually have nothing in the house although I try to keep up on the groceries, but I am only one person that could eat so much - by the time I am ready to eat something, it is already spoiled!  Lately, when I wake up, I do atleast eat breakfast.  It may not be the most fantastic thing, but breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  When lunch comes, I don’t eat cause I’m not hungry.  It’s like my body knows that two days out of the week are my down time.

For example…this is what I did today:  I woke up at 11:00am and wasn’t really hungry so I skipped breakfast.  I took a shower and laid on the couch and fell back asleep till about 2:00.  I wasn’t hungry.  I watched like three movies (none which were good) and did not move from the couch until about 6:15 pm.  I then went by my parents house and ate dinner (which consisted of a bowl of spaghetti and a side salad).  I laid on their couch and watched a few movies.  I decided to go home at 11:00 pm and here I am typing my blog.  Yes, a pretty non-productive day I must say.

I am trying to eat the expected meals, but how can you eat when you aren’t even hungry?  And does anyone have any suggestions for me about my weekends and how I could stay on track?  I guess I don’t know what I am asking, but I just feel like for me, the weekend are a big hurdle for me in following The Best Life Diet - three meals a day and at least one snack.

Pleaaaaaaaaaaaase help!

You have really got to watch those hidden calories when eating out.  I love sandwiches especially from those places with really good, freshly baked bread.  Normally, when you choose a deli sandwich you think you are sacrificing or “being good” by not going to a typical “fast food joint”.  Well, think again.  Some of those sandwches can be 8 or 900 calories.  That will definitely break the calorie bank.  I couldn’t believe it.  If I am going to eat that I might as well eat a big juicy burger and know I am eating all those calories and not “sacrifice”. 

After a really intense workout with my girlfriends, we went out to eat.  We decided on Japanese food.   Prior to going, I spoke with Janis.  Janis indicated that the sushi was a safe bet and generally low in calories.  Lucky for me.  I love sushi !! It was fun to get together after a tough workout to talk and eat good, hopefully, low fat food. 

I believe the workouts are getting better.  The afterburn is gone.  They are still tough.  No pain, no gain (or in this case, no lose:).   

Veronica 

P.S.  I went to the doctor today-physical time.  I was so excited (I was going to sneak and accidently look at the scale:).  I didn’t.  I stood on the scale backwards and told the lady not to tell me. (as I am still in phase I of the best Life Diet).

One thing this program has gotten going for me is consistent, whole-body exercise. This has been a real struggle–just getting started–for some time, a couple of years, maybe much longer. The last time I remember being really consistent about total exercise (cardio, strength, flexibility) is around 7 years ago. 

At the time, I worked very early mornings at a gym near my full-time job and got a free membership to work out, so I started working out. It’s the first time I ever used weights and really worked at it–along with regular cardio. I liked biking. In a few months I looked better and was fitter than I was at 20. The funny thing is, all I focused on was each workout. Little by little I got slimmer and my muscles got more defined until I was in better shape than I ever was. It was almost a surprise since I literally just did what I had to do–one day at a time.

During that time I remember never letting my emotions or anything else get in the way of my workout schedule (within reason, of course). I remember describing it to a friend who had gained a lot of weight and asked how I did it as, “I still bathe and brush my teeth whether I feel like it or not”. Very simply, I just did it! No excuses.

Well, that was then.  The past few years I found neither the desire nor whatever it is that made me “do it, no excuses”. Each day stretched into a week, a month, a year, 2 years…My tiredness and lack of motivation got worse and worse. What snapped me to action? A photo and all my pants feeling tight.  Way too tight.  I couldn’t hide “the roll” anymore. And the opportunity to be a part of this group, this blog, with the support and honest self examination that could make a more balanced, healthier life permanent.

I’m not surprised by the soreness. The RIGHT kind of soreness is, I’m told, those hibernating muscles being told to “wake up and grow so you can burn more calories and lift this poor woman up if she’s falling out a window hanging from her hands”! After all, you never know what adventures you might find yourself in.

I AM surprised by how quickly my endurance is improving. And how “at peace” I feel because I’m keeping a big, important promise to myself: I’M EXERCISING.

Is that cool or what!?!

This is my second week of working out and I have to say that all around I feel so much better in every aspect – mentally and physically.  I believe that the Law of Static Friction states, it takes more energy to put a body in motion that it is to stay in motion, and boy is this true.  It was rough getting started and I don’t just mean physically.  I literally had to psych myself up for weeks before the New Year just to muster up enough motivation to begin exercising.  Let me tell you it didn’t get easier after the first workout either because after feeling sore for the first time it only confirmed all of the anticipated dread.  Every reason why I hated working out came to my mind – and my aching body.  But having done this before I knew that the worst thing I could do was to avoid working out again because that would only prolong the agony.  Working out when you’re sore actually burns of the lactic acid that makes you feel sore in the first place.  Today, however, after doing the same workout routine over these past two weeks, I barely feel sore and I’ve noticed that I have more energy and I sleep better at night – whatever that means when you have a 4 month old.  

My work out routine is 3 times a week and after the first week my biggest challenge now is finding reliable and trustworthy childcare – welcome to the world of motherhood.  Anyway, I was too tired last week to be able to workout in between scheduled workout sessions but I think next week I’m going to attempt to either do a video workout or walk on my ‘off’ days.  I already have a pedometer and from past experience, walking 10,000 steps a day really does the job in burning off a pound a week.  There’s snow on the ground right where I live right now, but thank God my wonderful husband bought me an elliptical machine for Christmas!  If I can just stay motivated I know I can do it.

My husband says that he has noticed a difference in my physical appearance but I just think he’s saying that to encourage me because I haven’t noticed any difference. I’m sure the scale would agree with me but I know that’s because I’m building muscle and of course you know what they say, ‘muscle weighs more than fat.’  I can’t wait to notice a significant difference, and this will come none too soon either.  I have almost resolved after being large for so long that I will always be this big and hopelessness is not a good feeling.

So, I’m looking for my energy… where has it gone? I thought that when you become more active and eat more, you’ll have more energy? But since I’ve started this journey, I feel like all I ever want to do is sleep!! Is it because I’m more active? Is my body still in shock with all this motion? Maybe it’s because I’m eating all the time, I mean I really feel like I’m eating ALL the time… breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner… water, water, water!! Marsha, Marsha, Marsha!! Yes, tonight I’m feeling like a whiner… I don’t know, but I’ve been hauling trucks trying to get up in the morning… Eh, I guess or I hope my body will catch up eventually…

This is the heaviest I’ve been all my life… although it’s been a steady ride for maybe the past 3-4 years… I haven’t really “done” anything real to change it… and now I am and I’m already getting tired… My brain is working overtime being so darn “conscious” of EVERY LITTLE THING that I do… I mean, I am parking further from the front door of my job, just to get some walking in… I am conscious of time and food… what time is it? is it too early for a snack from breakfast? Is it too early for lunch? OMG, it’s 9pm and I’m eating cereal?!! I’m standing in front of the vending machine at work, trying to think if there’s ANYTHING in there that is even close to being relatively healthy and realizing that all I can really get out of there are crackers… simple, salted 30 cent crackers… What’s happening to me?! It’s kind of driving me crazy and it’s only been 2 weeks!!

Urgh… but I do have some short-term goals… and I’m slowly kind of just picking them up as I find them… One of them is to run an annual 8K run or 5k fitness run at the end of March… Yes, at the end of March!! Those marathon running type of things have always intimidated me, I would always say that I’d participate… but in the audience, cheering everyone else on! But now, my friend Chrissy encouraged me to join her… And as intimidating as it may be, I decided to register! There’s no time like the present, aye?? So what if it may take me 3 hours to run 5 miles, I’m already proud of the fact the I signed up! And the cool thing? I’ve sent out an e-mail to my family and friends letting them know that I’m doing this run and have encouraged them to sign up too! And a handful of people have or are already registered!! How cool is that?!! Sharing is Caring… Awh, it really is though!! I can’t stress it enough, but once you share your thoughts and goals with those that you love, the feedback will amaze you! The support and simple words of encouragement are the best! My friend Cleo texts me every other morning just to tell me that I can reach my goal! My friend Eddie e-mails me to tell me to get the cigarette out of my mouth! That’s the great thing about texting… it’s a simple electronic thought from someone And it really helps you stay on track when someone is reminding you of your goal… gotta love it!

So now, all these conscious thoughts and movements have a purpose… and now I will move forward in my daily life with a new goal to reach!! Yes!! And so it continues… The Evolution of a Thinner Me

OK..being on the Best Life Diet for two weeks, it was highly recommended at the beginning of the plan for my activity level to increase while following the plan. Hmmm…how many more things in life need to point to me needing to exercise? Staggering obesity rates in the U.S.? Staggering early-onset diabetes rates? The increase of stress-induced illnesses in our society? There is not one non-healthy benefit to exercise and it helps to prevent a multitude of ailments, relieve stress, increase libido, etc. So why is it SO HARD to be motivated to do it?

My theory…I truly believe that “working out” as an activity has originated from of history of being considered “vanity”…in the old days it was just body builders…hard core and considered vain by many. Now that stigma still is in the air. You know what I’m talking about–the looks you get at the office if you leave on time to go work out, or have a little later of a lunch to get your workout in, if you schedule a meeting around your workout, etc….people are naturally inclined to have a specific judgement about that…and more often a negative one if they are not on the exercise bandwagon. Even at home with all the chaos…workouts are consistently not prioritized over children, caring for family, etc.

Here is a way to shake that up: If you had a disability or injury and had to undergo physical therapy to make yourself healthier, would anyone question it? NO. Would taking care of yourself in effect help everyone in your family and contribute to your job positively (you living longer, being more fit, less stressed, etc.?) YES. You need to see exercise as important as this.

How do you do it? Ask. I had a talk with my husband and colleagues that I was trying to be healthier and that I really needed their support. You know what? It totally worked…and even better…I’m more motivated because I don’t want my husband or co-workers to see me eating poorly or slacking on exercise…I’ve asked for their support so I can’t let them down either.

When you finally get on the bandwagon you realize the only one truly keeping exercise from happening is you. Take an hour for yourself this week and focus on making yourself better physically–whether it is working out or walking with your dog…YOU are a top priority. I’m so glad that the Best Life Diet promotes this as well and I’m even more inclined to stay focused.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Earlier this week I must admit I had some challenging moments. I found myself hungrier much of the time, I felt a bit lonely and I wanted to feel comfortable and happy. I also was very curious if I was getting results yet. Alright, let’s see how I handled these feelings…Now even though I advised my fellow teammates to not weigh themselves, what did I do? My pants felts less tight so…I weighed myself! Nothing like “walking the talk”. And lo and behold, the same number popped up on the scale that I started with. Not down, but not up. I knew better, but I did it anyway. And it didn’t make me feel any better. Maybe I should listen more to the experts. I will not weigh myself again for 3 or so weeks per recommendations. 

I fared better with the loneliness. I called Cecelia, one of my teammates. We talked for a few minutes and just knowing she could relate and I could share my concerns with her was a big help. That’s what support looks like, something I wouldn’t have if I were going it alone. There is no question in my mind that my success will be a result of the success and support of the rest of my team, Mary Ellen, Cecilia, Lakita, Anna and Veronica. Somehow our different personalities, backgrounds, ages…it all just works and feels very easy being part of this group. I wonder if the Monkees felt this sense of community? (Am I dating myself?) And all of you who have taken the time to write and share yourselves…your support and relatedness is a huge boost. Thank you and I hope our program is a big help to you too!

The hunger…no, it hasn’t gone away. But I’m making sure I’m eating a really good breakfast and including my 2 snacks. And lots of fiber and water to fill me up. I’d forgotten how an apple can take the edge off between meals. And I learned something interesting from one of the trainers at the gym. When I’m working hard and building muscle I will get hungrier. It’s my metabolism speeding up and I need to fuel it with the best fuel for my body. And regularly (not just one or two meals a day or late at night).

A last thought. The only way I got the support I needed from my teammate and the info about hunger from the trainer, is by being honest about it. And communicating it. We all need each other, particularly when we’re feeling tired, unmotivated, lost, disappointed, uncomfortable…And sometimes by just putting it out there, another person, friend, teammate, expert, may say the perfect something to get us back on track. It certainly worked for me.

Marna 

Another work-out went by today. Another tough day for me.  My heart felt like it was running a marathon and wouldn’t stop!  It just kept racing!  When I finally caught my breath, it was onto the next exercise.  Although I really wanted to give up and go plop my butt on the mat, I just took a deep breath, looked up, and saw Lakita, Veronica, Mary Ellen, and Cecilia (Marna worked out in the morning so she wasn’t able to join us) were all panting just the same as I was, but the only difference was that they all kept on going.  I wanted to quit, but they kept on going.  I couldn’t be a punk! I had to keep on going too! 

I always worked out by myself and I always did a half-way job.  I would give up easily because I could. Because at that time, the only one I was working out for was myself.  I did not have anyone there with me to say, “Anna, you could do it!” or “Anna, nice job!” Now is totally different. I constantly hear “come on girl, you could do it”, or “Good thing you didn’t pass out this time!” - Im totally kidding about the last one, but its seriously true!   Anyway,  this time is different because I have 5 other amazing women there with me, going through the same aches and pains, the same panting and sweating as I am.  And believe it or not, I want to suceed for YOU!  Whomever is following our struggles and our successes, I am doing it for them as well as myself!  We all know that eating right and  exercising is a hard concept to grasp, but IT IS POSSIBLE. So Grasp it!

Here are some suggestions for a workout and eating right that has worked so far for me:

              1. Have a buddy or multiple buddies to work out with and constantly praise them on how a great job he or she is doing.  It feels great to say it as well as hearing it!

              2. Don’t over exert yourself on a workout.  Loosing weight is not a quick process if doing it correctly.  Start off slow at the gym and gradually build yourself up to a level that is challenging.

              3.  WRITE DOWN WHAT YOU EAT!  Keep a journal!  Seriously, I thought it was pretty nerdy, but it is helping me soooooooo much.  Who honestly wants to write down that they had two pieces of cake! (I just can’t let that one go!  IF you are lost, read my previous journal entry and you will understand )

              4. Make your own lunch - don’t buy fast food.  What you may think is healthy, its truly not.  You could control your portions and actual selection.

Finally -   5. DO NOT FEEL LIKE YOU WANT TO QUIT.  I should take my own advice cause there are times I just want to stop, but I don’t give into that little bad guy dressed in red on your left shoulder, I give into the good guy in white on your right!

Those are just some little things that I found are helpful.  If anyone has any questions for me, please feel free to ask cause WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER! I’m sure you are sick of reading me say that, but it’s true and i cannot stress that enough!

Stay strong and don’t punk out! - Anna  

Ok, I must be crazy.  I am just starting Bob Greene’s Best Life Diet (a little over 2 weeks in).  I had a great idea.  “Let’s take the kids to the new indoor waterpark”.  My husband and kids were estatic and so was I, until my daughter asked if I was coming in the water. (here’s to being a positive role model and instilling a positive body image).

Don’t get me wrong, I love to swim and in a former life was very good at it.  It’s just that three kids and several decadent desserts later,  putting on a swimsuit was not an exciting idea to me.  I’d rather pluck out all the hairs on my body one by one.  So, I did.  Well, actually, the one’s on my eyebrows

Ok,  I got over the fact that my body is not in the shape I would llike it to be and put on  a one-piece (I’m not crazy).  I figure I am a work in progress.  I strutted out there with my kids and had one of the best times of my life.  I ran up and down the various water features, squirted the kids with waterhoses, went down all the slides and finally relaxed in the hot tub.  I had a great day and didn’t let my weight hold me back.  I’m not perfect, but here’s to a great first step.

So it’s been just over a week on the Best Life Diet and I really do feel great. I’m not every really hungry (love the snacks on the diet–especially the chocolate/strawberry smoothie)…and if I am not hallucinating, I do think I’m getting smaller. It’s a bit frightening doing this plan and changing my life “on stage”–in front of millions of internet users. I had better do well, right? No messing up! I feel a bit like the weight of the world is on my shoulders…or my thighs…or better yet, coming off my thighs! I hope you will all hang in there and be patient if I stumble…Rome wasn’t built in a day. Please let me know if you also have a bad moment–no judging, no questions–just “I’ve been there” and let’s make it better.

No hiccups this week but that in itself is a danger zone. I’m the type that when I blow it a teeny bit, then I bring out the huge cheesecake and devour the whole thing because, well….the day was ruined anyway, right? So I’m holding tight so far but at any moment it can all go out of control. I’ll be writing to you all if I get in that situation so you can save me from myself.

As I’ve said before, I perform better in front of an audience but there is nothing like being on a great team and I don’t want to let anyone else down. And as we change our lives forever on this plan, we’ll leave with a “patchwork quilt” of experiences, friends, anecdotes and collective support to get us through any roadblocks in the future. I hope all women out there know that all six of us here are here to support you too–that is why we are here!

Have a great eating week everyone….Mary Ellen

I don’t even know where this “quit cold turkey” phrase even originated from, but it’s just not for me… This weekend was probably the hardest for a lot of things - drinking, smoking, eating, lounging…  I understand that I can’t change all my habits in just a week or two… but in due time, something’s gotta give… I know things are changing at a very slow pace…

Gregg was right… you need FUEL to burn energy!! I learned that the hard way on Friday… All I ate throughout the day was 2 cereal bars… and maybe a half bottle of water… It’s hard when work gets in the way of eating… It’s pretty pathetic that I haven’t even made the time to TAKE THE LUNCH THAT I DESERVE but instead work through it! What, am I crazy?? So, this week, my goal is to leave work behind and indulge in whatever I have for lunch and not even THINK about work!! Last Friday’s workout was a bit of a struggle… No food = hardly any energy, and so I felt I had to work twice as hard… And pant three times as hard… and yes, I still smoked after the workout!! URGH!!! So as soon as I got home, I ate (ok, more like I inhaled) a salad with grilled chicken, a yogurt with granola bits and water (I’m loving water these days)… And felt great afterwards… very satisfied!

Later that night, we went to a bar to see a show… I didn’t smoke on the way to the bar… but I did smoke once I got there… and I had a BEER!! Urgh, I couldn’t help it, I needed something else in my hand besides the cigarette… and it was SO GOOD… and I ordered a light beer instead of my usual… and I had JUST the one beer… after that we went to shoot some pool and just ordered ice water… we were there for a while and I was okay not ordering any more alcohol, so I think that the one beer per outing rule will keep me happy for now… After talking with Janis, the Best Life Diet nutritionist, about my teeny weeny hiccup of beer, she re-assured me that it was “ok” as long as one beer didn’t beget another, and another, etc.  So THAT made me feel much better, and really took the pressure & the guilt off… I know I can’t just axe it out entirely, some people can and that’s GREAT!! But for me… all in moderation…

I even worked out a bit Saturday morning! Not as hard as Friday, but enough… and then my friend Eddie and I walked for 2 miles!  It was great, I felt awesome afterwards! It is so nice to walk with a buddy, I definitely encourage everyone to do so!!  You have time to chit chat, laugh, talk about life, it’s awesome! I never knew that having a workout buddy would be so much fun… I’m always used to doing everything independently, I guess!! Then I got home and was SO TIRED… I had to nap for a while before I went out to dinner… I really think all of this working out has really put my body into shock… It’s not used to all this moving and sweating and PAIN!! But my body WILL get used to it all and pretty soon it will be part of my life’s routine!! It’s definitely getting harder though… Sunday morning’s workout nearly killed me!! I thought I was going to have a heart attack, I was doing so much!! Sprint within 40 seconds! Do lunges & hold for 3 counts while holding this 6.6 lb weight ball over your head! Are they insane?! But I’m loving it, really! All I know is, I better at least get some rocking thighs in a few weeks, all those painful lunges!!

It’s getting harder, but I can already feel my body changing… or maybe just aching, but whatever it is… It actually feels kind of good… Even if I do workout with my stomach sucked in all the time, I know it’s getting me somewhere!! And it’s making me truly believe in myself, believe that I really DO have the power to change things in my life, as long as I stay focused and keep realistic goals… I AM INVINCIBLE!! Ha ha!!

So to re-cap, this week’s goal is to: MAKE TIME FOR LUNCH, BECAUSE I DESERVE IT & MY BODY NEEDS IT!!

In 2007, I’m on a quest.  A quest for the best life I can create for myself. With a little help from my family, friends, employer, yoplaitbikini team, team advisors, coordinators and everyone else involved in some way with me right now. And any physical discomfort I’m feeling whether it’s in the thighs or need to budget better is a good indication of how out of whack things are. They say growth only comes from pain. And if that’s the case a lot of growin’s goin’ on!

I had my second workout this morning, and on my way to the gym I really didn’t know how I could get through even one squat without falling over. I could barely get up or down from the sofa. (So THAT’S how you cut down on watching TV!) Well, I did get through it and I’ll be darned, I felt better even immediately afterwards. Tonight, the soreness is much less.

 I encourage you to get a workout partner or team of your own together if you’re having as much trouble as I was getting started on a fitness regimen. I put it off for a couple of years. If you’re the type of person who prefers to do it alone or doesn’t need the accountability of something or someone, that’s great. I was not one of those people. Accountablility is HUGE for me. If you feel the same way, why not try creating a situation that keeps you accountable. It can be blogging with us about your goals and progress. Or set up a team of friends or coworkers to embark on a fitness journey with. May I suggest including someone who’ll push you harder (safely) than you might push yourself. A while back I walked with a friend of mine and she’s a runner and real athlete. I walked faster and worked much harder on our walks than I ever did alone. Also, there’s no way I could work this hard without the pressure of knowing I HAVE to get results. (Or look like a fool to all of you!) 

Another thing I realize I’m doing differently is having lots of dinners at home with very dear friends of ours. Since my husband and I don’t have children, there’s a real sense of family preparing a meal and sitting down to enjoy it together. We have great conversation, it’s more economical and nutritious, since my friends are very health conscious. And my husband is turning into quite a chef! Sure beats sitting in front of the TV and unconsciously eating all evening.

2006 was a very difficult year for my husband and myself (and I know we’re not alone in this).  We both lost our jobs and our dear sister-in-law.  Well, 2007 has started out with a bang! No, all of the resulting challenges aren’t solved. But we both feel much better equipped to deal with things. Getting back in shape is one of the areas I DO have control over and I can’t tell you how uplifting it feels to be in action-mode to achieve it. Start NOW, if you haven’t already and we’ll all look and feel terrific by the time we pull out our summer wardrobe.

I was in the gym this morning working out and it was rough, though I must say that this time was not as hard as before.  Greg, the trainer, said it shouldn’t be too bad considering that I was once in great athletic shape.  He said, ‘don’t worry muscles have memory.’  Whatever, my thighs must have amnesia because they have forgotten just about everything they ever knew.  As a matter of fact, I almost fell of the curb the other day because they couldn’t remember how to walk down some steps.  The only consolation is knowing that in a few months I’ll be looking fit and fabulous again.

 My girlfriends at the gym today were so peppy today. . . I wasn’t.  I mean I almost felt guilty because I wasn’t excited about working out, but then again I never have been, not even when I used to model for Nike and Reebok.  I remember dreadding ever step on the treadmill and every pound of iron pumped.  I absolutely hated it, but I totally loved the results.  So, to stop my procrastination I used to sleep in my workout sweats and socks, with my shoes next to my bed, so all I had to do in the morning was just ‘roll out.’  It actually worked as evidenced by the 35-22-35 figure I sported.  I would result to this tactic again but I don’t think my husband would appreciate the sweats in bed thing. 

I took measurements this morning and had to pick my jaw up off the ground when I measured my waist.  Good Lord!  My waist blew up from a 22 to a 36.  Congratulations, my waist has exceeded what were once my bust and hip size.  I wanted to get in my car at that moment and just drive home, but I took a long pause and thought of all the women who are in the same situation as I am but have no encouragement what so ever.  So I sucked it up and got on the treadmill because I thought to myself, dude, I need to step up and be a role model for other women like me.  I might feel horrible right now but I know I’d feel worse if I didn’t take advantage of the community of ‘losers’ (that’s weight losers) in my midst.  So ladies, for all of you who deesire to get into whatever bikini you desire, but hate working out — I’mm feeling you.  No really, I really feel it, especially in my butt and thighs.

Well… Tonight I went to my nephew’s 6th birthday party.   When you are six years old, you want all the junk food or fast food - you don’t want whole wheat bread and salads or tuna - you want Fried Chicken, Spaghetti, Hot Dogs…basically everything you have to cut back on.  As I was sitting there just stairing at all the food, I did not see one nutrious thing on the table, so I ate some fried chicken (but I did take off the skin, which is the BEST part), and I had a little pasta and Italian sasauge (with no bread).  I thought I did pretty well.  NOPE.  I CAVED IN!  I had another two pieces of fried chicken WITH the skin, some chips and salsa and a scoop of Spinach dip.  I stopped there.  I was feeling pretty horrible.  Im sure this is not bad because I dont do this all the time, but then……. IT WAS CAKE TIME!!!!  All the kids were jumping and screaming with excitement and here I am just mesmerized by the icy frosting - so….I passed out the cake.  One piece went by, then there were three pieces that went by….then…..It was MY piece! and I ATE IT!  Not one, but TWO pieces of cake!  Ahhhhhhhhhhh!  Ive been doing soooooooooo well, but Im not gonna let this stop me!  I will be at the gym tomorrow working extra hard!

Temptation is horrible.  Does that make me weak that I caved in?  Does this happen to anyone else?  

Well, Im no quitter and Im sure not weak, but oh boy, do i feel guilty!  I’m not gonna do that anymore!  Im gonna stick to eating healthy, but how could you pass up a piece of cake at kid’s birthday while everyone else is eating it?  I just couldn’t!

I  am finally finding me.   I am for once taking time for myself…even if it is just to workout.  I have gone from constant pain and muscle cramps to feeling invigorated and less frequent soreness.   I am starting to look forward to my daily workouts.  It is nice to see the ladies and to share the sweat, pain and soon the triumph.  I understand why it has been said that group exercise yields the best results. 
The diet is finally kicking in for me.  I love exploring the recipes in the Best life Diet.  The recipes are quick and easy, which is great for an active and busy family.  Best of all, my kids will eat the meals without much complaint. 
The biggest hurdle for me is my love of dessert.  I love to bake and create new and interesting desserts for my family.  When  I was pregnant, at my request,  my loving and supportive husband, brought me frequent decadent cakes and pies.    I don’t even miss those empty calories… I started eating Yoplait’s Cheesecake and chocolate mousse Whip yogurts.  I consider myself a dessert “sommelier” and these yogurts are unbelievable.
 
 
Ok, I am doing everything by the book.  I am exercising,  I am eating 3 meals a day.  No alcohol.  No eating 2 hours before going to sleep…..Can I weigh myself?   Just kidding.
 
I was talking to my dad today.  He is incredibly fit and active.  He eats well and exercises daily.  He also beats every year in our local 10K. This year I will win:)  He even wears the same clothes he did in high school.  I think he still has some to prove it  He states he does not weigh himself (only for annual physicals).  He just notices how his clothes fit and adjusts accordingly.
Alright,  I want to send shouts out to Lakita, Marna, Anna and Cecelia who are probably lunging as I type.  I also want to send a shout out to Mary Ellen who was my “rock” this morning and kept me going.
Thanks Ya’ll,

Veronica

This past week really made me realize why I am doing the Best Life program.  I had a trade show in New York and had to pack for 4 days.  I’m in the fashion business and had to look it, plus be comfortable enough to focus on business, looking and feeling good.  Well, the amount of time it took to find things to wear that were comfortable, weren’t too tight and made me look great…Let’s just say that I didn’t get much sleep the night I packed.  This is stupid!  I have plenty of clothes in plenty of sizes and nothing to wear?  And let’s face it, if I’m not comfortable and focusing on potential clients because my pants are riding up where the sun don’t shine…What a waste of time, sleep, money and effort. 

Another motivator for me is if I’m comfortable and not trying to camouflage a body part, I can focus on the person or persons I’m with (or activity I’m doing) 100%. Imagine that–being in the moment and not having to think about “sucking it in” or pulling down my shirt so my muffin top doesn’t show.  

And let’s talk about fashion.  Dressing is a creative form of expressing myself.  It would be fun to dress more like I feel and not be as limited to certain shapes and proportions. That doesn’t mean following trends as much as being more of who I am.  And I really don’t think of myself as fat.  Yep, I’m using the word “fat” rather than being politically correct ’cause that’s what it is. Although I accept myself and others at any size I just don’t feel at home in this current body. It’s not athletic and well-maintained enough for me. It really is about looking and feeling more like myself.  This body reflects my lack of self care.  And I don’t want to be forced to change by a health crisis either. 

These gals are the best group of teammates I could ask for.  They’re funny and enthusiastic and very committed to all of our success.  Although we’re so different, I sometimes feel like I’m hearing or reading my own thoughts when they share theirs.  We’re more alike than different. Have the same insecurities. And we’ll all share the joy when we reach our goals because there’s so much support and joy now, at the very beginning of this 3 month experience.

I’m so thankful for all of you–Lakita, Anna, Mary Ellen, Veronica, Cecilia–and all of you joining us in this Best Life extravaganza.  United we lose–and win at the same time.  Divided, I would just sit in front of the TV, eat, and get fatter.  

Tomorrow night I have my first workout with the group. I hope I don’t have to hire someone to type in my next journal entry or answer your comments because my arms are numb.  Or worse. 

Good luck to all of you.  And a good night. 

Well, this is it, a new year and a new me.  I’m going to my third workout tonight and I’m still sore from the first one last Monday.  To be honest, I really didn’t want to go at first because I was so tired from the holidays, but after I went I felt so much better.  That first step.  That first workout is always the hardest one to make but it feels great once it’s made.  I feel like I have some momentum behind me now and each time it will get easier and easier.  Moreover, it becomes easier when you have a posse like mine cheering you on when you’re working out.  My new girlfreinds were that extra shot of adrenaline that I needed last night when I walkied into the gym.  ‘You can do it. . . you go girl. . . come on, just one more time!’  All of them are great. What I like about this group of women the most is that most of us don’t view this as a competition, but a collaboration.  The only people we are competing against is ourselves and we encourage each other to be our best selves.  I suppose this is why it’s called the best life diet program. We colaborate by providing an encouraging and optimistic environment where we can strive and thrive to be our best not the best.

I weighed myself earlier this week for the last time until next month and believe me I have no problem not stepping on a scale.  There will be no temptation on my part to take a peak at those numbers.  Hopefully they will be numbers I will never see again in this lifetime.  With all of this working out I know we will all be building lots of muscle, and of course muscle weighs more than fat.  This is good to know.  It would be very discouraging to torture ouselves only to step on a scale and be disappointed.  So it’s good that we won’t be weighing-in until February.  I wasn’t excited at first but with each meeting, or workout ,the excitement builds.  So if there are any of you out there right now who are feeling discouraged about your current situation, know that your best life is but the next step away, and another step, and another step.  Let me be just one more person to cheer you on to fit into whatever ‘bikini’ you’re striving to , because ‘it is in you to continue!’

One of my big challenges in the fitness arena has been with my hatred of most vegetables. Perhaps it was they way things were prepared when I was growing up or my “texture issues” with certain foods (does anyone have that too?)…but in my life, most bitter green vegetables cannot make it past my lips without severe consequences. SO…I was a bit nervous meeting our nutritionist this past weekend. Janis developed the meal plans and recipes in collaboration with Bob Greene for the Best Life Diet –so she is about as expert as you can get and I was prepared for a demoralizing lecture on how I’m a bad, bad eater.

Not so! Janis was so wonderful and did not treat me like a freak when I told her I had issues with vegetables. She asked me which ones I liked–and I was surprised to figure out that, when I sat down to think about it, there were actually many vegetables I did like and three of them were green (green beans, peas and mixed greens). She quickly wrote some recipes for me on the spot on how to incorporate all of those vegetables into my diet in a subtle way…working them in slowly. I also was thrilled to find out that pureed soups can count as a vegetable serving–DONE! No texture issues in soup…and there are so many great organic soups out there that pack a punch of nutrients.

I and the rest of the girls are so fortunate to learn from a professional, expert nutritionist with a wonderful food-side manner! Go Janis!

Well… All I have to say is WOW and OUCH!  I am sooooo sore from workout #1 on Sunday, that today was even harder! Those Squats KILLED me! I am so out of shape that five minutes on the tredmill nearly made me faint!  Seriously though, I actually almost did! Am I that really out of shape?  Have I been letting myself go without any activity for so long?  That answer is YESS!  I NEED TO KEEP GOING!  I need to keep up with the other ladies - they are so amazing!

 For a long time I haven’t been feeling myself.  I have been feeling tired and unmotivated and even a bit lazy.  I actually thought it was health problems, but when I went to the doctor just to be sure, I found out I was as healthy as can be.  This got me thinking…Im 25 and out of shape and cannot keep up with any of the other girls!  I need to change my attitude and get my head out of the gutter.  Im no longer gonna feel sorry for myself because I cant fit into any of my clothes, Im gonna get off my butt and get going!  

Today was workout #2.  It was definately a better day for me.  I actually made it through the whole hour without trying to cut corners and take the easy route out.  The only thing that kept me going was seeing how hard the rest of the girls were working. We were all panting and sweating and wish we all were relaxing on the couch, but knowing what we are working for, a healthier life, is motivating enough.  I am so proud of the girls and myself.  We know that together, we all could get through the Best Life Diet and so could all of you that are following our journey.  If we could do it, so can you all because one way or another, one of you out there relates to one of us which makes this your journey as well.

   Some progress with myself is that Sunday was our group workout, Monday I went to the gym on my own, and Today was our group workout -but in being active these past days, I feel like I could do anything!  Please please please DO NOT feel like you don’t want to work out or even go for a walk because you are too tired - go that extra step and do something active!  I PROMISE you that you will feel better about yourself on the inside as well as the outside.   My whole “bikini” is to get back my self-confidence/esteem - I feel like I am taking the first step to the new me in just trying to take better care of my health.

  Can’t you all tell that I am soooooooo pumped up right now!  YESS!!! We all are gonna do it - including you!  I could just feel it! 

 Good Luck all you ladies out there who are starting their first workout…. Word of advice:  Your limbs are going to feel like they are falling off, but keep in mind how much hotter you all are going to look when you reached your goal! Keep going keep going keep going!

seriously… lunges are KILLER! and it seems like everybody at the gym does them! with weights, without weights… then we had to do squats wit